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It’s understandable if you missed the Earl Watford era in New England.
On Friday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers recruited Watford, a veteran of the offensive line. Watford has been on the Patriots’ practice squad for two weeks this season, from Dec.15 to Dec.29.
Tom Brady’s Buccaneers needed the depth of the offensive line after placing right guard Alex Cappa on the injured reserve with a broken ankle. Aaron Stinnie will take Cappa’s place on the Bucs’ starting offensive line on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, while Watford serves as a replacement. Brady never played with Watford on the Patriots.
“(Watford) can walk in any four position game for us,” Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said, via Buccaneers.com. “(We’re going to) just get him back in shape a little football; it has remained in fairly good condition. Much like (with) Ted Larsen – guys who’ve been in this system for a while, veteran players – when you lose a guy you try to look for veteran players rather than young guys who might not be ready.
Larsen, who signed with the Buccaneers last month, is another former Patriots offensive lineman. The Patriots drafted him in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, but he never made a game for New England, having been called off in roster cuts 10 years ago. He built an impressive career in the NFL, playing 137 games with 88 starts in 11 seasons. He is currently on the Tampa Bay training team.
Watford was originally selected in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, coached by the Arians at the time. He has played 71 games and started 25 in eight seasons.
Beyond Brady and Watford, the Buccaneers also have former Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown, tight end Rob Gronkowski and linebacker Jack Cichy on their 53-man roster. Former Patriots running back Kenjon Barner is on the Tampa Bay injured reserve list.
Thumbnail photo via Kirby Lee / USA TODAY Sports Images
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