Chemistry
August 5th, 2015
Test tubes in a laboratory
Joe referenced already how cornerback Alterraun Verner is having a nice early training camp, playing so much better than last year.
Again, Joe has to qualify it: The Bucs have had but four practices. Very, very early.
Yesterday, Verner made a helluva play on Kenny Bell, and more importantly, on “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston. Verner stepped in for a slightly overthrown pass intended Bell along the right sideline and did a nice ballerina act, top-tapping both feet inbounds before falling out of play.
Yes, it was a pick and a pretty move by Verner. Operation Rattle Jameis, a success. Or was it?
Video game-playing, Taylor Swift-listening, pickpocket-thwarting, Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie-LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading, NPR-honk, filthy-hotel-staying, fight-instigating, barista-training Peter King, of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports fame was on hand at One Buc Palace and grilled young Jameis as to why he threw that pick to Verner, and another two plays later to Lavonte David.
Jameis’ response? It’s all about chemistry.
What rookie, confronted with a great drop-and-cover linebacker like David and a clinging cornerback like Verner, isn’t going to make some errors? Peyton Manning threw 28 interceptions in a 3-13 rookie season. The pressure will come, from the pass-rush and the media and the public, and Winston will have to have answers. He had them after practice Tuesday. On the Lavonte David interception, was it not having his read down?
“No sir,” Winston said. “I overthrew Vincent [Jackson].”
And the Verner interception—any reason you were behind him?
“Yeah, I was late,” he said. “That’s a thing with the chemistry. That concept was a timing lapse. We’ve got all the reads—I get those. But when the [strongside] linebacker pushes over, I’m supposed to work backside. So obviously, I’m going to see that on film and I already know in my head what I did wrong.”
This is one reason why Joe isn’t expecting Jameis to carry the Bucs to the playoffs this year. Winston has only been practicing with Mike Evans, Jackson and Bell for a handful of weeks, with Bell himself being a rookie. Chemistry takes time.
Still, from what Joe has seen of Jameis, he’s already an upgrade over turnover-prone Josh McClown.
August 5th, 2015 at 12:28 pm
It’s a pretty sobering fact when we go from Winston being the “savior” to now he’s a notch above Josh McCown. Here’s hoping Winston proves me wrong but I have a feeling we’re in for a long year. And it won’t be all Winston, the O-line looks shaky as well as our pass rush.
August 5th, 2015 at 12:32 pm
Yes but we must give thanks to McCown because without McCown there would be no Jameis. Sure he is going to make mistakes as all quarterbacks do but Jameis isn’t afraid to go right back out and sling it the next time.
August 5th, 2015 at 12:39 pm
Dag you Animosity Amigos quick on the draw. duper sam can I get an application? I need to change lines of work,some of you seem to have all day on here to spew your pessimistic bull chit.
August 5th, 2015 at 12:57 pm
Winston is a rookie folks. He is going to make rookie mistakes no matter how pro ready he was in comparison to his fellow rookie QB’s in this years draft class. I am not expecting a playoff appearance even though that would be sweet. But to be realistic, I just want to see improvement each and every week. Winston has a history of being a slow starter and then getting better as a game progresses. If our defense can keep us in games through the first half, I predict most of our victories being come from behind wins in the second half. The good thing is that the defense should be better this season but we do have to get a pass rush. Also, if we can run the ball better this season that will take some pressure off of Jameis. Those points being made both idicate that to really be successful this season, we must have much improved results both from the OL and the DL. That may be a tall order but we can hope.
August 5th, 2015 at 1:10 pm
I like how Winston already knew exactly what he did wrong without even seeing it on tape. The important thing about making mistakes – in football and in life – is to learn from them and correct the error next time you are faced with a similar situation. Jameis seems to be good at recognizing and adjusting which should bode well for his football career and his personal life.
August 5th, 2015 at 1:16 pm
VERY good point. As if he knew what he did wrong the moment he released it.
August 5th, 2015 at 1:17 pm
Almost any quarterback available would be an upgrade over Mccown. I would take a seaso of Glennon over Mccown. Glennon wont win you games. But Mccown will loose you games.
If the defense picks up where it left off last season , and Jameis is in fact an upgrade over Mccown, then the playoffs are a possibility. If the defense takes a step or two back, and we have to rely on Jameis every game, we will not even be close yet. The deciding factor will in fact be the defense. Now that Mccown wont be here to cost us games, we have a shot with this defense.
August 5th, 2015 at 5:05 pm
Joe Says:
Pickgrin:I like how Winston already knew exactly what he did wrong without even seeing it on tape.
VERY good point. As if he knew what he did wrong the moment he released it.
And this is what separates a grandmaster from a coffee house wood pusher in chess. The ability as soon as the game ends, to go back 30 moves on the board and point out the error that swung the game.
You will see Jameis grab his tablet after every series and grow on the field talking to his coaches and OL. Major leaps after every game, and probably something between Payton Manning and the Joe Montana/Steve Young Niners in 2-3 years.
Buckle up boys and girls, keep your arms and legs inside at all times. This is better than an E ticket ride. His football IQ is MORE than was advertised.