It’s understandable if you missed the Earl Watford era in New England.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired Watford, a veteran offensive striker, on Friday. Watford was on the Patriots’ training team for two weeks this season, from December 15-29.
Tom Brady’s Buccaneers needed depth on the offensive line after putting right-back Alex Cappa in reserve due to a broken ankle. Aaron Stinnie will take over from Cappa on the Bucs’ initial line of attack on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, while Watford will serve as a reserve. Brady never played Watford at the Patriots.
“(Watford) can walk in any position for us,” Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians, via Buccaneers.com. “(Let’s) just put it back in football form; he was in good condition. Just like (with) Ted Larsen – guys who have been in this system for a while, veteran players – when you lose a guy, you try to look for veteran players instead of young people who may not be ready. “
Larsen, who signed with the Buccaneers last month, is another former Patriots offensive striker. The Patriots summoned him in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, but he never played for New England, being dismissed during cutbacks 10 years ago. He built an impressive career in the NFL, playing 137 games with 88 matches in 11 seasons. He is currently on the Tampa Bay training team.
Watford was initially selected in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, who were trained by Aryans at the time. He played 71 games and started 25 in eight seasons.
In addition to Brady and Watford, the Buccaneers also have former Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown, tight end Rob Gronkowski and linebacker Jack Cichy in their 53-man squad. Former Patriots running back Kenjon Barner is on the Tampa Bay injury reserve list.
Miniature photo via Kirby Lee / USA TODAY Sports Images