Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Just 'cause Rob Gronkowski is an NFL player again doesn't mean he's giving up his WWE 24/7 championship belt without a fight -- and he's already eyeing his own coach as a potential threat!!!

Remember, Gronk became the new 24/7 champ after beating up on Mojo Rawley at WrestleMania 36 last month ... pinning his friend to take over the shiny, new belt.

While it seemed like it was the beginning of a full-on career with Vince McMahon's org, the 30-year-old would end up BACK in the NFL weeks later to join his bestie, Tom Brady, on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

So ... what's Gronk gonna do with his belt??

HE'S DEFENDING THE DAMN THING, BABY!!!!

Rob joined his brother, Chris, on his "Gronk'd UP" podcast to discuss the status of his championship ... and he makes it clear he's got his eyes peeled for anyone looking to steal his belt -- even Bucs head coach Bruce Arians.

"Imagine coming out of the meeting room, I'm like looking to my left down the hallway ... looking to my right to make sure no one is out of the meetings yet, and then all of a sudden ... Coach Arians just comes out of nowhere with a flying elbow and takes me out and pins me and becomes the 24/7 champ," Gronk says.

"That would be legendary. That would be an honor to lose to him."

Of course, the point of the 24/7 belt is ANYONE can come out of nowhere to try to take it from Gronk ... and he says he's gonna have a huge target on his back once the coronavirus pandemic is over.

Gronk even speculates someone could try taking it from him DURING AN NFL GAME ... but he's up to the challenge.

"So many different people coming at me from all angles."

Asante Samuel says playing for Bill Belichick and the Patriots was NOT fun ... and he tells TMZ Sports he believes the reason Tom Brady bolted was 'cause he just couldn't take it anymore.

"He probably just got fed up with it at the end of the day," the former New England cornerback says.

Samuel played with Brady and Belichick from 2003 to 2007 ... and he had a TON of success -- but he tells us he had ZERO fun along the way.

"It worked out for me, man. It made me a better man, but it's not something I enjoyed," Samuel says.

As for why Samuel says playing for The Hoodie is a grind ... it's because of the coach's strict rules and no-mercy personnel decisions.

In fact, Samuel says it was so tough ... he believes that's why Brady will head into the 2020 NFL season with a Buccaneers jersey on.

"He probably just got tired of it," Samuel says of TB12. "He probably got tired of some inner-circle things that he wanted. Maybe, he wanted receivers and tight ends to stay there with him and maybe Bill tried to trade them. Who knows what happened?"

Don't get it twisted, though ... Samuel still seems to respect the hell out of what Bill did for his career -- telling us he just didn't love the route it took to get there.

Tom Brady did NOT violate league rules by meeting with a Bucs coach at a Tampa house during a bungled home visit earlier this month, the NFL says.

Yeah, it was funny when Tom entered the wrong pad while trying to meet with Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich on April 7 -- but it also raised red flags with NFL officials.

Long story short, players and coaches are NOT allowed to have X's and O's meetings until teams begin offseason programs -- which the Bucs had not yet done at the time of the visit.

The NFL launched an investigation into the incident -- but good news for Tom, he's in the clear.

"We made an inquiry and determined there was no violation," an NFL spokesperson tells us ... "It was a brief personal visit and Tom picked up the playbook."

We broke the story ... a Tampa-area resident says the legendary QB barged into his home on April 7 after Tom thought the place belonged to Leftwich.

The story was hilarious ... David Kramer says Tom bolted from his place SUPER QUICKLY and into Leftwich's real house after the quarterback realized his blunder.

Tom even found it all funny ... joking about it on social media last week!!

It's not the first time Brady caught a break this month -- TB12 got away with a warning earlier when he was caught illegally working out at a closed Tampa-area park that was closed due to COVID-19.

Jason Pierre-Paul is revealing pics from the 2019 car crash that left him with a broken neck ... and the images show his $350,000 Ferrari was heavily damaged in the wreck.

As we previously reported ... the Tampa Bay Buccaneers star was driving a red 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista on May 2, 2019, when he lost control at around 3 AM and crashed.

Officials blamed weather conditions -- i.e. wet road surfaces -- for the accident ... and did NOT suspect JPP of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Now, nearly a full year after the wreck ... Pierre-Paul is reflecting on the crash -- sharing wild pics from the scene.

You can see in the photos ... the pricey ride was mangled pretty badly, with the passenger side door and rear quarter panel torn up.

Pierre-Paul captioned the pics with a message expressing gratitude for walking away from the crash alive ... saying, "I remember sittin home for months I mean months while time went by."

"But you know what kept me always going, I found somethin to be thankful for in this so call life bihhhh."

JPP added, "Fux a luxury car I got plenty of them. How can it be so luxury if you died in it and it. Live your best life TODAY!!!"

Pierre-Paul was sidelined for MONTHS with the neck injury ... but he returned to game action for the Bucs in Week 8 of the NFL season and went on to post 8.5 sacks.

Tom Brady and Gronk just got a personal welcome from none other than the Mayor of their new home -- Tampa, Florida -- but it didn't come without a warning to both.

Mayor Jane Castor penned her open letter, telling the Boston expatriates/ex-patriots about the awesome things they can do in her fair City, but then she schooled the G.O.A.T., saying, "Tom, my apologies for the miscommunication when you arrived – not the best first impression. But, given my law enforcement background, I couldn’t help but have someone investigate the sighting of a G.O.A.T. running wild in one of our beautiful city parks. No harm – no foul, and thanks for being a good sport."

And, then there's Gronk. Mayor Castor wrote about one of the largest parades in the city, which is pirate-themed, saying, "You must be ready to pARRGHty ... but not too hard (I'm talking to you Gronk), as Super Bowl LV is the following weekend and we need to keep our eye on the prize -- a dent free Lombardi trophy!"

But, Her Honor wasn't done, adding, "There is plenty for you to do as well Gronk. Although we have to socially distance right now, in no time you will be able to enjoy our nightlife and eclectic neighborhoods ... Just remember 'No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service' is still in effect around here." Gronk, you've been warned!

And, then a message to both ... "We are so glad to have you here. While most people retire and come to Florida, you came out of retirement to head our way. That shows the competitive mindset we are used to, while sticking it to the AARP at the same time. Looking forward to growing used to the Gronk Spike!"

Brady had an interesting week. As TMZ reported, he went to visit one of his new coaches and ended up walking into the wrong house -- it's kind of a Stepford community -- and came face-to-face with a very shocked dude.

Willie McGinest tells TMZ Sports he understands why Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski left the Patriots for the Bucs ... saying straight-up New England is a GRIND!!!

"You work your ass off," the former Pats superstar says. "In that system, in that organization, you work hard. And, there's a lot of pressure put on you."

Don't get it twisted ... Willie says that's why the Patriots are so damn good -- they treat every player the same way and expect results all across the board.

But, the Pats legend tells us that can be taxing ... and he gets why Brady and Gronk wanted to see a fresh perspective down in Tampa Bay at the end of their Hall of Fame careers.

"It's a tough atmosphere because there's a lot of pressure on winning," Willie says. "Everybody is held accountable."

As far as any animosity between Bill Belichick and his former superstars over the way things ended ... Willie says there's no hate there, telling us the guys still have a ton of respect for each other.

"What they did in New England together, as a duo -- as a trio," McGinest says, "will never be duplicated ever in football history again."

Willie tells us he expects Gronk and Brady to be at Patriots reunions as soon as their careers are over ... and even says ceremonial retirements in New England for both dudes are on the table.

"Holy f**king sh*t! Tom Brady is in my f**king house!!!"

That's how one Tampa Bay resident described an accidental trespass visit from Tom Brady earlier this month ... and the story is absolutely hilarious!!!

Here's the deal ... David Kramer is next-door neighbors with Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich in the Tampa area -- and he says back on April 7, Brady was set to meet the coach at Leftwich's place for the first time since signing with TB.

The problem? Kramer and the Tampa Bay assistant coach's houses look super similar ... and the G.O.A.T. apparently got them mixed up!!!

Kramer says he was sitting in his kitchen on the phone ... when Brady straight-up barged in through the front door with duffel bags in hand.

"I literally was just sitting here and I watch this tall guy just walk into my house," Kramer says ... "He didn't even look at me. He just like dropped his duffel bags down on the floor and just kind of like looked up at me and I'll never forget the look on his face."

"He just goes, 'Am I in the wrong house?!'"

Kramer, who's got a side hustle as a comedian, tells us when he realized what was going on ... he was in complete shock -- and Tom couldn't have been more apologetic over the mixup.

"He was like, 'I am so sorry! I am so sorry!'" Kramer says. "Grabs his bags and just is gone. I don't think I've seen someone leave a house faster!"

Kramer says Tom was super nice, super genuine and flashed a big smile throughout the whole ordeal ... and says he doesn't blame the QB at all for the error.

In fact, Kramer says he thought the whole situation was funny, and had no issues whatsoever with the accidental break-in!!!

As for Brady, it's been a rocky transition to Tampa when it comes to moving around the city ... remember, he was also booted from a local park this month for trying to work out during quarantine times!!

By the way, we're told the QB at least followed social distancing guidelines at Leftwich's -- a Bucs source tells us the trip was just a quick one to pick up materials from his new coach.

Welcome to Tampa, Tom!

"It's not the easiest place to play but it gets you right."

That's Rob Gronkowski being brutally honest about his 9 years with the New England Patriots -- admitting it was tough, but worth it.

"I'm very thankful for the 9 years I had with the New England Patriots," Gronk said during a call with reporters on Wednesday ... "I've learned so much under that organization."

Gronk shouted out both Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft -- saying he will ALWAYS have respect for those guys for drafting him and growing him into the NFL champion he is today.

But he was honest about the experience in New England -- saying, "I'm not going to sit here and say its an easy organization to play for."

"I've also never played for another organization. I haven't even been down to Tampa yet."

"I know that the NE Patriots, hands down, it is not the easiest place to play but it gets you right. It gets you mentally right, it gets you physically right ... but I'm definitely going to take what I've learned ... and apply it to my daily life, big time."

Gronk didn't get into details about why it was a tough place to play but it seems obvious -- it was an all work, no play kind of a job.

During Wednesday's call, Gronk also explained how influential Tom Brady has been in his decision to come back to the NFL.

"Tom is like the appetizer of the whole meal. He got me hooked when he went down to Tampa."

"Playing with Tom is special," Gronk said ... "We have a great chemistry out there and every time we get together, its just like the old days. It doesnt matter if we take a month off or 6 months apart, we just go out there and we're throwing the ball just like its a normal practice."

After Tom selected Tampa Bay, Gronk says he started looking into the Bucs roster and was impressed with what he saw.

"I saw what was down there. Just the opportunity to go down there and play with that type of offense. I mean they got some special wide receivers out there, they got other great tight end and let me tell you, I love working with tight ends too so I'm definitely looking forward to that, working with [OJ Howard and Cameron Brate]. That's definitely going to be a special opportunity. Just blessed to be in this situation."

Gronk says his decision to retire from football in 2019 was motivated by real injury concerns -- saying his body felt beat up and he needed a break.

"I was in a very painful situation. Even my very last game, I couldn't for four weeks. I couldn't walk that well after the last Super Bowl game we won from my quad contusion."

Rob continued ... "That's what I did the last year. I took care of myself. I let my body heal, I let my body rest, I let my body get the treatments that it needed. I feel like I broke up all the scar tissue that's in my body. Got rid the inflammation in my body that was holding me back my last year, I feel like. It feels good."

Gronk also admits, "I had no fire last year" -- but as time rolled by, "my body started feeling good."

"THANK YOU BILL!!"

That's Dick Vitale's message to the New England Patriots -- after his Tampa Bay Bucs locked down Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady!

You think Dickie V's fired up?! OH HELL YEAH!!!

"Brady to Gronkowski! Super Bowl here we come!"

"Mr. Belichick ... THANK YOU! THANK YOU! From the bottom of my heart for making us get these two guys to wear Bucs uniforms!"

The legendary sportscaster says Gronk and Brady bring real "hope" to his city -- and says they're taking a talented Bucs roster to the next level!

"Let me tell you this, we weren't a team without talent. That [2019] team could have won I believe 10 games last year ... They lost heartbreakers."

"Missed a chip shot field goal to win the game against the Giants, so many times marching to wrap the game up and there's a pick 6 the other way that psychologically breaks your team down. So getting a guy like Brady and Gronkowski, I think you change that."

HE'S SO FIRED UP, HE JUMPED INTO HIS OWN POOL WITH HIS CLOTHES ON, BABY!!!

Rob Gronkowski, Aldon Smith ... now Percy Harvin!?!?

The former-Super Bowl champ and ex-1st-round pick is gunning to become the next surprise NFL un-retirement ... saying he's training with an Olympian for a 2020 comeback!

"I'm ready to return to the NFL," Harvin told ESPN's Josina Anderson. "I thought I was done, but that itch came back. I’ve been training w/a former Olympian. My body is feeling good. Mentally I’m better. My family is good. The timing is right.”

31-year-old Harvin last played in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills in 2016 ... retiring after the season due to severe migraines and other injury issues.

But Harvin, who had also famously retired and unretired just before that year with the Bills, claims he's ready for another run at the league ... possibly even with Tom Brady and Gronk in Tampa.

"I had a dream a while ago when 12 was with the #Patriots, that I would play for Tom Brady," Harvin said. "That was well before the pandemic & he went to the Bucs, my comeback was already in the works."

Harvin added, "But I’m ready for any offense that'll just let me go."

Harvin's agent, Alvin Keels, says he's already fielding calls from teams interested in bringing in the former star WR for workouts this summer.

Rob Gronkowski AND Tom Brady?!?!

Bucs legend Ronde Barber is STOKED ... telling TMZ Sports his squad just became serious Super Bowl contenders!

Of course, Ronde is one of the all-time Bucs greats -- spending 16 seasons in Tampa and winning a Super Bowl in the process.

But, the former defensive back admits his beloved squad hasn't exactly been relevant on a national level in years ... UNTIL NOW, BABY!!!

"You don't sign Tom Brady to a team that has this much talent ... without the expectation that you wanna win a Super Bowl," Barber says.

"They have talent on this football team. And, an emerging defense. I would say the expectation is to win this year."

Ronde also points out how bringing in Gronk and TB12 will ensure the Bucs get a chance to thrive on the national stage!

"When has Tony Romo ever been here? Has he done a game here in Tampa? Best analyst in football and I think he's been here one time. Those types of things will change."

"'Monday Night Football' will come here. 'Sunday Night Football' will come here. These types of things are gonna drive the energy for the Bucs franchise here in 2020."

By the way, Ronde's only 45 years old -- just 3 years older than Tom. So, has he considered dusting off the cleats and getting back on the field?

Terry Bradshaw says there's NO WAY Tom Brady is the greatest QB of all time ... citing -- and this isn't a typo -- Dan Fouts in his explanation.

Of course, there's been a bit of TB12 on TB12 negativity as of late ... with Bradshaw saying Brady's move to Tampa Bay was more about ego than winning.

The Steelers legend hasn't let up on Brady 2 weeks later ... saying the 6-time Super Bowl champ isn't even close to being the top QB in NFL history.

"I don’t think he’s the greatest quarterback of all-time," Bradshaw told 93.7 The Fan’s "Cook and Joe Show" on Thursday.

"He may be the best quarterback we’ve had in the last 30 years. Is he better than [Roger] Staubach? No! Is he better than Dan Fouts? No! Dan Marino? No!"

"I'm talking talent-wise when you're putting all of it together."

Bradshaw says Brady's rings make him the "best" QB ... but not BETTER than everyone else.

"Is he better than Montana? Not in my opinion. Is he better than Drew Brees? Yeah, maybe."

Of course, the most puzzling name Bradshaw threw out was Fouts ... and no offense to the guy (he's a Hall of Famer!) ... but he didn't put up even close to Brady numbers and has zero rings.

For example, Brady has 287 more TDs, 31,000 more passing yards and 63 LESS interceptions than Fouts.

Jameis Winston is finally revealing how he feels about getting booted outta Tampa Bay for Tom Brady ... and he's actually taking the whole thing as a compliment.

"For you to get replaced by Tom Brady in a city that you love so much, I guess that's kudos to me," Winston said Wednesday morning on Fox News.

The QB was originally booked on the network to spread the word on the COVID-19 hotline he developed alongside Dr. Scott Kelley ... but naturally, the question HAD to be asked -- and Jameis handled it like a pro.

"One thing you can learn about me is my faith. I have tremendous faith in the Lord ... and one thing about Tom Brady is it's understood that he is the G.O.A.T," Winston said.

"But, at the end of the day, it's a competitive sport. We all in the business. So, I'm excited for whatever opportunity may hold."

After Winston was released, he thanked Tampa for his 5 seasons with the team and said it was "all love and respect."

Jameis doesn't tip his hand on where he could end up ... but he DID say what his goal is.

What happens if something breaks in Tom Brady's new mansion in Tampa??

HE GETS DEREK JETER'S ASS TO COME FIX IT!!!

"I call and I bitch to him and he gets it fixed," Brady said. "So, he does what he's got to do."

Brady spoke all about being Jeter's newest tenant in Florida with Howard Stern on Wednesday morning ... and TB12 couldn't have been happier with his new landlord.

The Buccaneers QB says he turned to the Yankees legend on super-short notice to get him a proper place ... and he says Derek has more than delivered with his Tampa Bay pad.

In fact, Brady -- who says Jeter even left the place furnished for him -- said of the whole process, "It's nice to rent!"

"I would definitely say you get all of the benefits with none of the responsibility. So I'm totally cool with this."

Brady says the openness of the home is taking some getting used to ... back in Massachusetts, he says it was nearly impossible for fans to drive up to his door.

But, now, he claims boats pull up to his backyard and people are congregating outside on the streets.

"It's a little different," Brady said. But, the QB added, "Derek did a pretty good job of screening it."

As for monthly payments, Brady says he and Jeter had NO discussions of that ... claiming their reps got all the dollars and cents talked out before he moved in.

By the way, that monthly rent check is reportedly somewhere between $75,000-$100,000 ... which ain't much for Tom, who signed a 2-year, $50 MILLION deal with the Bucs.

Yeah, still great to be rich!