data-mm-id=”_xbxnnfe28″>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took another step toward keeping the band together when they re-signed defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to a one-year contract today. That continues their offseason concentration of re-signing the core players who helped lead them to the 2020 Super Bowl. But while it's fun to imagine what this team can do in its second act, history tells us the sequel is rarely as successful as the original.Anchorman 2 sucked. So did Coming 2 America and Major League 2. Godfather II was great, but that's because it had new star characters and a completely different storyline. The Bucs are basically trying to run it back with the same cast and storyline as act one. Again, good in theory, harder in practice. Lest you think I would only compare football to movies, let's look at the recent history of NFL teams that kept their core intact in hopes of claiming a second title. The Chiefs were led by the same players in 2020 as they were in 2019 when they won it all and they fell short against the Bucs. The same thing happened to the Seahawks in 2014 and 2015. The Patriots made three straight Super Bowls from 2017-2019 and won twice, but those teams, like Godfather I and II, featured different lead characters and new storylines. The Bucs are going with the same cast. So far this offseason the Bucs have retained noted 2020 starters Rob Gronkowski, Chris Godwin, Shaquil Barrett, Lavonte David and now Suh. They also extended Tom Brady's contract another year. They are reportedly interested in re-signing Antonio Brown and Leonard Fournette. They have yet to sign a free agent who didn't play for them in 2020. The draft offers a chance to inject some new blood into the organization. That's something the Bucs have been very good at recently. Their last three first-round picks (Tristan Wirfs, Devin White, Vita Vea) were all critical pieces of the Bucs 2020 Super Bowl win. Then again, all three of them were selected in the first 13 picks. The Bucs draft No. 32 this year. Tom Brady and Co. already made me look stupid once for doubting the Bucs' ability to win it all in 2020. They very well could do it again. I've even provided some ammunition above highlighting teams that returned to the Super Bowl with the same core players. It can happen, though it doesn't always end in triumph. Regardless, Brady, Gronk, David and Suh are now all on the other side of what historically is a player's prime years and they'll only be older when the 2021 season kicks off. NFL teams now also have a full year of film on what the Bucs did in 2020 and are undoubtedly scheming ways to stop what should be a similar assault in 2021. In the NFL you're either getting better or worse every offseason. Rarely is there stagnation. It's why you saw the Chiefs make big changes along their offensive line and why the Patriots completely revamped their offense and even why the Washington Football Team made some big improvements to their offense this offseason. They're trying to get better. Meanwhile, the Bucs seem to be toeing the stagnant line so far. Will it be a hit sequel or a box office bust? The odds say the latter.
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The Netherlands international joined Liverpool from Newcastle United ahead of this season and the versatile midfielder has already won over Molby with his intelligent displays.
Wijnaldum is a clever player, Molby, who won three league titles with the club, told Liverpool s website.
I have always thought he was a really good player and he fits the way we want to play.
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While the former Everton defender is refusing to get carried away, Lescott revealed his side s growing belief that they will seal the title.
It s a massive game at the weekend. It s not all over yet but, if we could close the title out, it would be unreal, Lescott told reporters.
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The Premier League is back in our lives once again this weekend after a short and sweet break, courtesy of the quick turnaround due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All 20 teams have been making preparations ahead of what looks set to be a very competitive league campaign, and today, we re going to be previewing the clash between West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City. The home side will try and avoid relegation after their return to the top flight, whereas the visitors will try and prove that they re still an elite club after their capitulation last season.
West Brom
Slaven Bilic knows what it s like to compete at this level as a manager and he recognised that his side needed to make crucial changes in the summer t…
Andriy Yarmolenko rescued a point for Borussia Dortmund with the equaliser in a 1-1 draw against 10-man Bayer Leverkusen that might earn head coach Peter Bosz a stay of execution.
Dortmund went into the game with Bosz under intense pressure after a run of six games without a win, but his side fell behind after half an hour.
Kevin Volland s opening goal came after a defensive howler from Neven Subotic, but Leverkusen then had Brazilian full-back Wendell sent off just before half-time.
Against 10 men, the visitors dominated the second half possession but failed to break down Heiko Herrlich s well-drilled outfit until Andre Schurrle teed up Yarmolenko for his third league goal of the season.
Despite salvaging a point, the laboured nature of Dortmund s perfor…
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The Mexico international is currently on a season-long loan with European Champions Real Madrid, though he has started just five games in all competitions for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Now Stoke City, Everton, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are all set for a battle to secure the 26 year old’s services, with a future at Old Trafford looking unlikely.
Hernandez moved to Manchester in the summer of 2010, and has racked up one hundred and fifty-nine appearances for the club, scoring fifty-nine goals and was part of the squads that won the Premier League title in both 2011 and 2013.
Internationally, he has thirty-eight goals …
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The Dubai club, who are coached by former Palermo boss Walter Zenga, have already held talks with the Sicilian outfit according to Sport360.
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The 32-year-old 10-time Italy international has long been linked with a move to the Middle East and recently admitted his future with Palermo was 50-50 . Miccoli has one year to run of his current contract with the Sicilians.
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It s very good to be a part of this club, Romeu said.
I was looking for a good club and for something new in my career. After spending two years on loan, I needed …
Zenit St Petersburg manager Luciano Spalletti has backed Pep Guardiola to become the new Russian manager.
The Football Union of Russia published a 13-strong list of candidates deemed to be worthy successors to Dick Advocaat, including stellar names such as the former Barcelona coach, Marcelo Bielsa and Fabio Capello.
And Spalletti, who has been in charge of Zenit since departing Roma in 2009, believes Guardiola is the best man to take the nation forward.
From my point of view, the best of all the coaches to take over would be Guardiola, he told Zenit s official website.
It would be nice, because I feel a little Russian, if our team is coached by him.
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Angel Di Maria soaked up the love and adoration of the Paris Saint-Germain faithful as his brilliant brace inspired a rampant 4-0 Champions League triumph over Barcelona.
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