3 Former Patriots That Could Unretire and Play With Tom Brady and Bucs

Tampa Bay is officially "New England South" these days. The Buccaneers signed six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady to a two-year contract after the Patriots allowed him to enter the open market. Brady, of course, has a ton of sway, and he shocked the world by convincing tight end Rob Gronkowski to come out of retirement and join the Bucs in recent weeks. That got us thinking: what other former Patriots players can Brady talk into donning the pewter and red?

Here are three players that should reunite with Brady and Gronkowski in "Tompa Bay" next season.

3. Danny Woodhead, RB

If there's one weakness on the Buccaneers offense, it's at running back. Ronald Jones is still the presumptive starter, but he's done little to convince us that he's the Bucs' running back for the foreseeable future. While the team did draft Ke'Shawn Vaughn in the third round of the NFL Draft, it wouldn't hurt Tampa Bay to add another player to the depth chart. How about dual-threat running back Danny Woodhead? After he was released by the New York Jets in 2010, the New England Patriots made the smart move in signing him to a deal. In his three seasons with the Pats, Woodhead recorded 1,199 rushing yards and ten touchdowns, while catching 92 passes for 982 yards and four scores. Brady would be wise to give Woodhead a call. That offense could use a dose of grit, and a perfect, wide open checkdown option.

2. Rob Ninkovich, LB

Yes, we know the Buccaneers have a loaded linebacking corps that consists of studs Shaquil Barrrett and Devin White. But this is a Buccaneers team that has to outduel the New Orleans Saints if they want to reach the Super Bowl. You might as well load up at a strength to make life for Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara hell. Rob Ninkovich is only 36 years old, and he recently joked on Instagram that he'd join the Bucs alongside Gronk and Brady. So why not make it happen?! In his eight seasons in New England, Ninkovich recorded 454 tackles, 88 quarterback hits, 46 sacks, 22 passes defensed, and five interceptions. Come on, Tom, get the band back together!

1. Chad Johnson, K

This is where we say, "Why not?" Many forget that Chad Johnson was a Patriot for a grand total of one season, but never made a serious impact in the passing game. No, he wouldn't join Tampa Bay to be paired alongside Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Rather, in this scenario, he'll sign a deal with the Buccaneers to be their kicker! The man formerly known as Ochocinco has recently expressed his desire to become a placekicker. In fact, video of him kicking a 60-yard field goal allowed him to nail a tryout in the XFL! Look, the Buccaneers are going to be a fun team to watch in 2020. They might as well up the ante and add Ochocinco to become their kicker.

Well, backup kicker option, at least. Let's do it!