The Tampa Bay Buccaneers generated plenty off hype with the arrival of both quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski this offseason. However, it appears the tandem no longer strikes fear into the hearts of the opposition like they used to during their days with the New England Patriots.

ESPN's Diana Russini said during on appearance on “Get Up,” that defensive coordinators are reportedly not as concerned about the tandem going into the 2020 NFL season:

“It’s all about hitting him,” Russini said. “It’s all about getting him on the ground. He is not as dynamic in the pocket anymore. In terms of them as a duo, yes, they are still going to be a threat. But this is not the Tom Brady, the Rob Gronkowski we’ve seen in years past, according to defensive coordinators I’ve talked to.”

… In terms of concern for him (Gronkowski) being a threat — from what I can gather in my conversations — it’s not a high priority,” Russini said. “They know that he’s vertical, he’s long. He’s going to run those seams.”

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It is safe to say that there are still a few questions surrounding the Buccaneers' recent influx of star power. There is plenty of speculation regarding Brady's capabilities at the age of 42. Meanwhile, Gronkowski's injury history prior to his retirement is still well-documented throughout the NFL.

Despite some of the looming doubts, it would be wise for the opposition to err on the side of caution considering the track record between these two players. Brady has made a habit of putting Father Time in its place while the year off from football certainly helped pay huge dividends for Gronkowski's overall recovery.

The fact that the Bucs are brimming with talent across the board only helps to solidify the notion that any potential contributions from Brady and Gronkowski should not be taken lightly.