Mike Evans: Mariota Is Like Johnny Football
January 17th, 2015
Barring a legal hassle or a miserable throwing performance in front of scouts, the Marcus Mariota-Jameis Winston debate will rage on for many Bucs and NFL fans.
That’s why FOX Sports was talking quarterbacks with Mike Evans.
Evans shared how he believes Winston and Evans’ close friend and college quarterback Johnny Football are similar when it comes to off-field perceptions and spotlight. On the field, he sees lots of Johnny Football in Mariota.
“I know Oregon beat Florida State pretty bad, but I like Jameis’ game a lot,” Evans said. “I like Mariota’s game, too. Mariota reminds me a lot of Manziel. A bigger version of course. He won the Heisman. He’s a great player. His resume speaks for itself. I think Manziel creates a little more than Mariota. Manziel does some impossible things, but they’re very similar.
“And for Jameis he’ll stand in that pocket and deliver that ball. They’re both great players.”
So which way is Evans leaning? Joe doesn’t know, but Evans’ college head coach seemed quite sure.
January 17th, 2015 at 11:03 am
Comparing him to Johnny 8Ball obviously constitutes a massive red flag and a big insult to Marcus.
January 17th, 2015 at 11:04 am
Evans will catch the ball from either QB and is looking at some huge improvement from the QB position…..
By the way….Didn’t someone else like Johnny Football?……perhaps Joe has learned his lesson with this year’s choice for QB…
January 17th, 2015 at 11:07 am
Sounds like Mike is doing the right thing by taking the high road on both of these guys. He doesn’t want to piss off anybody that may be throwing him the ball later on
January 17th, 2015 at 11:18 am
@Joe
Take a lesson ^^
January 17th, 2015 at 11:22 am
On ESPN, @MarkdominikESPN said that as of today he would take Marcus Mariota if he was still GM of the #Bucs.
January 17th, 2015 at 11:28 am
That’s not what Dominik said.
January 17th, 2015 at 11:31 am
One day a fourth-grade teacher asked the children what their fathers did for
a living.
All the typical answers came up – fireman, mechanic, businessman,
salesman… and so forth..
However, little Johnny was being uncharacteristically quiet, so when the
teacher prodded him about his father, he replied, “My father’s an exotic
dancer in a gay cabaret and takes off all his clothes to music in front of
other men and they put money in his underwear. Sometimes, if the offer is
really good, he will go home with some guy and stay with him all night for
money.”
The teacher, obviously shaken by this statement, hurriedly set the other
children to work on some exercises and took little Johnny aside to ask
him, “Is that really true about your father?”
“No,” the boy said, “He plays football for the TampacBay Buccaneers, but it’s
too embarrassing to say that in front of the other kids.”
January 17th, 2015 at 11:46 am
@Keith, the hell it’s not! That’s exactly what he said. He all but said the Glazers won’t touch Winston because of the off the feild shenanigans. I’ve also read that over 8 high profiled scouts are mortified by Winston. Not just from the legal troubles but he also struggled against weak teams, like Florida for instance.
January 17th, 2015 at 11:49 am
You guys also forget, one of the Glazers is a female. I wonder what she thinks of Winston standing on a table screaming sexually charged language against women? My guess is she will have a strong voice in the room when it comes to this pick. She is big in the women community in Tampa.
January 17th, 2015 at 11:50 am
The Dominik hypothetical is stupid. Teams haven’t even interviewed and investigated candidates yet. Dominik wouldn’t draft anyone in January no matter what team he was with.
January 17th, 2015 at 11:52 am
I would actually compare Winston more closely to Manziel with regards to maturity which is actually a more critical trait for how one will succeed as an NFL QB.
January 17th, 2015 at 11:53 am
I just want the Bucs to take a QB. If they feel #8 or #5 is not the guy at #1, trade the pick, or take the stud DE. I will not jump off the bridge if they do not take the QB at 1. BUT, they need to take a QB, if they feel they get more value with Hundley, I am cool with that.
January 17th, 2015 at 12:04 pm
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000459728/article/mike-evans-sees-manziel-in-marcus-mariota-jameis-winston. Here is the whole article with the stuff joe avoids talking about like Winston’s off the field issues
January 17th, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Quick question how long has it been since Jameis did anything to draw attention to himself? People say he is always in the spotlight. The last time he has had any “issues” was the Clemson game in September. So that means it has been 4 months with 0 issues. So he clearly can avoid issues but everyone on this site seems to just ignore that. Not too mention that “issues” was cussing. You people kill me.
January 17th, 2015 at 12:34 pm
@ndog, 4 months of laying low isn’t hard when you have millions of dollars on the line, the question is what Jameis Winston are the bucs getting when he has 20 million is his pocket to burn. Im afraid once the draft process is over and the smoke clears and he has his money, were gonna see the ” spotlight” Jameis, sort of like how were seeing the Manziel ” spotlight” now that hes gotten his money.
January 17th, 2015 at 12:36 pm
Joe should love Mariota then. Also Evans was great with Manziel moving all over the place making things happen.
January 17th, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Believe it or not but the cussing is a huge problem whether you know it or not, Lovie strictly enforces a no cuss policy. So to say its not an issue is asinine.
January 17th, 2015 at 12:38 pm
Don’t really know if that is a compliment or an insult. If he is like Johnny then the Bucs need to draft Winston.
January 17th, 2015 at 12:39 pm
If Mariota is “like” Johnny football then why isn’t Joe fapping to him?
January 17th, 2015 at 12:42 pm
@passthebuc:
Thanks for the best laugh I’ve had all year.
tickrdr
January 17th, 2015 at 12:43 pm
After last season, Evans would rather have Joe throw him the ball over those two bozos we had on the roster last year.
January 17th, 2015 at 12:50 pm
So let’s make a rule where no one in the NFL can cuss then we wouldn’t have a league. Keep in mind he didn’t do on camera or on radio it was tweeted out by fellow students but you probably didn’t know that since you clearly do not want him and will say anything to get clueless people to agree with you. But if you want this team to suck for the next 15 years or so then sure take some d end or average olinemen cause as you can see that had helped so many teams like the Chiefs, Texans, and Rams in recent years.
January 17th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
Evans is making the same mistake most media and fans make. He see’s a mobile quarterback, and places him into a certain category.
Marcus is nothing at all like Johnny Football.
First you have the height difference. Then you have the throwing motion. Johnny Football is a true run first guy. Mariota only runs first when that is called, or when there are no other options.
Plus, Mariota is faster, much much faster than Johnny Football, and I’m not talking run speed. I mean faster of thought, instincts and reaction times.
January 17th, 2015 at 12:57 pm
Hey Evans, what are your thoughts on MG8? You had a nice 7-124-2TDs, in that Browns game. Tell everyone about that Comeback Cloud 9 game in Pitt. Or that 5 game stretch where the Bucs had the lead in the 4th qtr in 4 of those 5 games, bit the DEFENSE could not clamp down. And it goes to OT twice: 1) NO gets it 1st, March 80 yards against our DEFENSE or 2) the Bucs LOSE on very 1st play when ASJ catches 10 yard pass but coughs up the ball And Vikas DEFENSE goes in for the TD. Oh, by the way, Ravens scored 48 points against our DEEFENSE. No rookie QB is going to fix Our DEEFENSE. Got it! -MGM FAN
January 17th, 2015 at 12:58 pm
Your right bonzai Manziel and Mariota are different, Manziel is more accurate and can actually lead his team from behind unlike Maroita.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:01 pm
@ndog
Wow. You have not even watched Mariota extensively then. He is very accurate.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:08 pm
If JFF had Mariotas size and speed he would have been the first QB taken last year.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:13 pm
I heard the same joke 8 years ago but the student was Jenna Bush, who said it was to embarrassing to admit her father was George Bush and was POTUS. Old joke. Stale.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:14 pm
Yeah on wr screens and 5 yard outs. His offense is the easiest in the country to rack up a high comp %. When your behind and have to throw or in the red zone is where accuracy truly shows itself. Take a look at those #’s and you won’t be so impressed. I would take Manziel or Glennon over Mariota any day is the week. He benefits from the speed in which they play and a running game you have to stop. Go watch his throws and very rarely will you see a safety in the picture. That makes throws very easy. Now show me last time you had a NFL team playing 0 safeties deep. He will be a major failure in the NFL unless someone runs that offense .
January 17th, 2015 at 1:14 pm
ndog Says
“Quick question how long has it been since Jameis did anything to draw attention to himself? People say he is always in the spotlight. The last time he has had any “issues” was the Clemson game in September.”
The moment he is drafted, a civil suit will be filed, just like it has been against his school by the rape victim.
That IS a mess of his own making, you know.
Also, his behavior in the game against Mariota was horrible. Anther bad sign.
Winston is going to be a HUGE disappointment. Nearly as big a one is the fact that half of you guys can’t see that. It is right in front of you, but yet, you still miss it.
The simple fact that Joe wants him should be enough of a sign. Joe NEVER gets his QB picks right. 😉
January 17th, 2015 at 1:15 pm
Bonzai, I think Evans was just trying to be nice. They both won heismans. Neither won championships. MM totalled more yards and TD’s, but Johnny had a better pass percentage…lol, that’s funny.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:15 pm
@ndog
Obviously you missed this last game he played…where he went deep several times and was extremely accurate, proving you wrong.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:20 pm
I give up you will see, I just hope we don’t have to watch so many of you be wrong about him while he’s on the Bucs.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:22 pm
Mariota will be our pick. You can pound the table for Winston all you want, but the pick will still be Mariota. His overall skill set as a QB is just too good to pass up. And there’s no way that the Glazers are going to hang this franchise on Jameis Winston.
And I’m an FSU homer and love Jameis Winston, but even I would take Mariota in this situation.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:22 pm
Bonzai, you’ve gone homer huh?
MM made some good throws, he also made some terrible throws. You remember that drop?…the one that hit the WR in the hands but was still 10 yards short?
January 17th, 2015 at 1:25 pm
Here’s a thought. Set passing rating aside and consider the stat that really matters…interceptions. Those with high interceptions are less accurate. Those with low interceptions are more accurate.
Have you ever asked why Winston has to throw into tight windows? Or why Mariota’s WRs are so open? Winston projects his throws, letting defenses know where he is throwing. Mariota throws his WRs open.
It’s that simple.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:27 pm
@Bill
Every WR makes some bad throws. Winston makes a ton of them. Or are you going to claim all those picks were the fault of WRs?
January 17th, 2015 at 1:28 pm
Oh, and I have ALWAYS been a homer, and proud of it. Being a homer isn’t a bad thing. It’s being dedicated.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:29 pm
You wanna consider the stat that “really” matters? You want to go there? No, you don’t.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:34 pm
“Here’s a thought. Set passing rating aside and consider the stat that really matters…interceptions. Those with high interceptions are less accurate. Those with low interceptions are more accurate.”
—
Sorry Bonzai, but you couldn’t be any more wrong on this one. Interceptions are not always related to accuracy. Andrew Luck throws more interceptions than Mike Glennon. Does that mean Mike Glennon is more accurate? Some of the league’s best and most accurate QB’s are also leaders in interceptions throughout their careers. Look it up.
As for Mariota throwing his WR’s open, that’s incredibly false. To his defense, the offense they run isn’t designed to do that. They are mostly timing throws. His WR’s aren’t running but a couple different routes, all based on timing. That’s why people continue to wonder if his game will translate. He’s never thrown a WR open, because he’s never had to. Maybe he can, but we just simply don’t know. Winston is the guy that throws his WR’s open. In fact, if you read the scouting reports, that’s usually one of the first things listed under his strengths. He runs a pro style offense, which is much easier to interpret to the pro game.
I’m fine if you like Mariota more than Winston. Hell, I’ll probably change my mind 3 or 4 more times before the draft. However, your reasonings are incredibly inaccurate.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:35 pm
Bonzai, I’m glad you’re not running things. You’re INT theory would have us drafting Gurley @ QB. No INT’s…..amazing!
January 17th, 2015 at 1:37 pm
After Winston initially hesitated to answer the question, Cornwell advised him that it was OK to answer, according to people who were in the room.
From Winston’s testimony. Winston’s attempt to convince the judge that moaning meant yes, it’s ok. If Winston’s drafted by the Bucs I would do my best not to moan around him. Not sure what yawning does to him but try not to yawn either, why take a chance.
“Both, Your Honor, verbally and physically,” Winston said.
“And what did she say and what did she do?” Harding asked.
“Moaning is mostly physically,” Winston said. “Well, moaning is physically. And verbally at that time, Your Honor.”
“Well, that was during the sexual encounter?” Harding asked.
“Yes, Your Honor,” Winston said.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:40 pm
Winston is going to throw interceptions. A lot of them. So did Brett Favre, Dan Marino, and John Elway. So will Andrew Luck. I’m not comparing Winston to them, but I’m simply stating that you can’t judge a QB by how many picks he throws. That can be a factor, but it can also be very misleading. I personally would rather have a QB that throws some picks, but puts up a lot of points and runs an exciting offense over one that is ultra conservative and is the 3 & out king (ahem Mike Glennon). I think so many of us have been “Greg Schiano’d” into believing that you can’t win if the Qb makes a turnover. That’s just silly talk, and you need to open your eyes and see what’s going on. Brees threw like 6 picks against us this year, and was 2-0. To continue to punt the ball every possession isn’t going to win games. I’d rather take some chances and score some points, so that one pick isn’t going to bury us.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:42 pm
@HawaiianBuc said:
He’s never thrown a WR open, because he’s never had to.
——————————————————
I disagree with you there. I’ve see Mariota throw guys open. You’re right that he doesn’t normally have to do that because of the timing routes that they run, but there are certainly times when he has.
Mariota’s decision-making is elite, and he has a lightning-quick release. He might struggle in his first eight games or so in the NFL, but he will master the pro game just like he mastered the college game.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:42 pm
I’m not reading a word of Barry’s, because we all know exactly what he’s all about. He’s still wishing for the 60s.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:43 pm
Winston threw a bunch of picks this year. He suffered a high ankle sprain in the Syracuse game and played with an ankle brace for the next 6 games. He threw 12 of 19 INT’s in the games he was hurt.
No excuses, he didn’t handle his injury well.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:47 pm
@Senor Mofo,
I like Mariota. I really do. I’m not trying to say he can’t play in the NFL. I think both will be good NFL QB’s. I just am scared off by the huge learning curve Mariota is going to have to endure. He’s never had to take a snap from under center! He’s never had to do a 7 step drop! Do you realize how long it takes QB’s to learn that? And you really believe he can learn how to play a COMPLETELY different style of QB in just 8 games? That’s an awful lot of confidence.
As for the throwing guys open, I’m sorry but you’re wrong. The offense is a timing based offense, period. It’s not like they occasionally go into a pro route tree. They just simply don’t, no matter how much you want to believe otherwise. Again, I’m not saying he can’t do it, but he’s just never had to. And trust me, you don’t watch more Oregon football than me. I don’t miss a game.
January 17th, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Joe…what is the over/under on the number of lawsuits against Jameis after he signs a contract ?
January 17th, 2015 at 1:55 pm
A lot of people “moan” when they are just waking up from being incoherant or asleep or trying to regain their marbles or senses
January 17th, 2015 at 1:59 pm
Hawaiian making a lot of good points. We all agree that Mariota will be good, it just may take a little while
January 17th, 2015 at 2:04 pm
@HawaiianBuc
Drew Brees adjusted pretty quickly to a pro-style offense, and I’m pretty sure that Mariota is every bit as sharp as Drew Brees, so I’m not too worried about the learning curve.
Plus, from everything I’ve heard, Mariota has been working on his own, independently of his Oregon practice time, taking snaps from under center, making the 3-, 5- and 7-step drops, and throwing dig routes and bang 8s.
If we draft Mariota, we have to start him day one. He will not get better as an observer. He’s the kind of player that has to play to get better. So, maybe he’ll struggle for a bit and we’ll just deal with that.
But we’re Bucs fans. We are no strangers to losing.
But really, if Mariota is prepped to be the starter for the full off-season, and you give him plenty of pre-season snaps, he will probably be a lot better than you think right out of the gate.
January 17th, 2015 at 2:05 pm
There was a toxicology test executed a month “before” Winston was even named. She wasn’t drunk, drugged, or hit on the head.
January 17th, 2015 at 2:15 pm
The toxicology report was questioned because of the length of time after the incedent and was deemed incomplete as parts were missing according to the NY Times. Amazing how much evidence was either destroyed or lost. Bill Cosby can only dream………….
January 17th, 2015 at 2:16 pm
How many times has Jameis been charged? Look, I’m sure initially he got special treatment. However, I promise you that if he could have been charged by now, he would have. There’s always somebody out there trying to make a name for themselves. You weren’t there, neither was I, but he wasn’t charged. I find it extremely contradictory when I notice that the same people that apparently love this country so much are the same ones that love to convict someone without having jack crap for evidence.
Do I like the allegation, of course not. If he were to have been convicted, I wouldn’t want to draft him even if he was the next Tom Brady. However, he wasn’t charged, just like Peyton Manning wasn’t. I don’t know if he’s guilty or not, but if there’s no charges, then I’m going to go by that, but apparently that’s just me. Like I said, I would check his character like I’ve never checked another player’s, but none of us have the ability to do that. So I’m going to go ahead and trust in the people who actually are able to do some research, and not some anonymous people on a website with a clear agenda.
January 17th, 2015 at 2:20 pm
Senor Mofo,
Are you kidding me about Brees? He didn’t run the same offense as Oregon. The damn offense wasn’t even invented back then. Do you even know what kind of offense Brees ran in college? Obviously you don’t, but nice try. Besides, it took him three years to be effective. So much so they drafted Philip Rivers. Or did you believe the Saints drafted him? Get your facts straight if you want to debate.
And when exactly is Mariota practicing, and with who? He can only practice I believe 20 hours per week at Oregon, so where exactly is he putting in this extra practice and with whom? At the local YMCA? In that case, I feel much better now. Again, don’t make stuff up to feed your agenda. I don’t fall for that kind of stuff. So “everything that you’ve heard” is pretty much BS.
January 17th, 2015 at 2:23 pm
@HawaiianBuc
Jeez, who pissed in your corn flakes this morning?
January 17th, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Jameis was never charged because nobody in our football capitol wanted to charge him. None of the authorities there every said he was innocent or that he didn’t do it, they said that there wasn’t enough evidence to charge him. You know, that evidence that was destroyed or misplaced. In out country every day there are people that are guilty of crimes walking free because of lack of evidence or technicalities
January 17th, 2015 at 2:36 pm
Mr . Patrick,
How do you know this? How do you know there really wasn’t enough evidence? Sounds to me like you’re accusing him of something with zero evidence.
January 17th, 2015 at 2:42 pm
Nobody knows anything, its just easier to pretend its true to justify unnecessary hate. Let Licht/Lovie do their jobs. On the field there is no question Winston is the better prospect.
January 17th, 2015 at 2:42 pm
Because I keep myself informed of the facts and developements of the case being a major FSU and Bucs fan. You may want to do a little bit of investigating yourself before making your own assumptions
January 17th, 2015 at 2:43 pm
@HawaiianBuc
I’m well aware that Brees didn’t run Oregon’s offense in college. But he ran a non “pro-style” spread offense.
I don’t care if it took Brees three years to become the type of QB that he is today. And I don’t care if it takes Mariota three years to be an elite NFL QB. If that’s what it takes for the Bucs to finally have a QB who will be an elite player for the following 10-15 years, it’s worth the wait.
And yes, college players are limited to 20 hours of organized practice time. But they can practice on their own as much as they want.
Also, I don’t have an “agenda”. I’ll be happy with either Winston or Mariota. Hell, I’d be happy with Glennon. I just think Mariota will be our pick.
And seriously, what is with your piss-ant attitude? I’m not attacking anything you’ve said. So, why are you so defensive?
January 17th, 2015 at 2:44 pm
Patrick, she admitted herself at 4 am “that” night/morning. No drugs…her alcohol level was a .04…….”half” the legal limit to drive. Her “friends” claimed she was not intoxicated when she left the bar.
This is the magic of the NY Times…she didn’t identify Winston for a full “month” after most of the foul ups by the TPD took place. Which begs the question, how can the TPD be covering for Winston before the woman names him? Well, in short….they can’t. They didn’t.
The details are too long to get into, but I’ll “re-sign” the previous paragraph and reference the 3 separate judicial processes that cleared the poor kid, before saying he’s not a damn rapist!
This story has reached epic proportions and only God knows why.
January 17th, 2015 at 2:45 pm
Mariota’s WRs are wide open because of his threat to run and his other options when he leaves the pocket. That threat has to be respected.
If we pick Mariota, I would be OK with sitting him a year…but using him in the Wildcat on occaision….
January 17th, 2015 at 2:46 pm
Take Winston and keep Dashon Goldson with the job of threatening to best the shit out of him if he gets into trouble off the field. Problem solved.
January 17th, 2015 at 2:46 pm
You do realize that these people are never going to change there view/hate on Winston. In there mind he is already guilty beyond any shadow of doubt. Let them hate. Will be all the more funny on April 30th when he becomes a Bucs. and there will be a symphony of tears.
January 17th, 2015 at 2:47 pm
a Buc*
January 17th, 2015 at 2:48 pm
Beat. I hate auto spell.
January 17th, 2015 at 2:54 pm
Couch, you’re right.
See you all in 3 months.
January 17th, 2015 at 2:57 pm
Buc fans have to be prepared for either QB to be the choice or a trade down. None of us has any idea what that decision will be at this point because I’m quite certain even those charged with the decision don’t know yet.
They may be leaning one way or the other but don’t have to choose now.
I can only hope that fans that don’t get their pick will support the decision until it is proven right or wrong…..My suspicion is that both QBs will have some success in the NFL and will be good enough to lead their teams to the playoffs or even the Superbowl depending on the rest of the team.
Posters have no idea how foolish they are to profess with absolute certainty what the choice will be……only half of them will be right.
January 17th, 2015 at 2:57 pm
Sorry Bill, but your passion for your agenda is manipulating the facts in the guy’s favor. But a lot of FSU homers do the same thing so don’t feel too bad. You may want to go back and re-resd the actual facts of the case in a more objective state and then ask yourself if you would be this biased if he was a Gator and it happened in Gainesville
January 17th, 2015 at 3:01 pm
Based on the Bucs draft history of rolling snake eyes….it’ll be Winston….
January 17th, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Does anybody in their right mind think that Lovie and the Glazers will draft somebody to be the face of their franchise that they know at least half of all football fans beleive is a rapist and future criminal? NOPE
January 17th, 2015 at 3:19 pm
“Lovie strictly enforces a no cuss policy.”
bullsh!t, no he doesn’t.
January 17th, 2015 at 3:20 pm
@patrick
the nytimes piece has left out things and been inaccurate. please use something else for your info.
January 17th, 2015 at 3:23 pm
“half of all football fans beleive is a rapist and future criminal?”
damn, patrick, you love making things up…half lmao future criminal…wtf
i believe they want butts in the seats and fsu fans will do that with winston as qb. especially when they do their due dilligence and notice most of the “issues” are overblown.
January 17th, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Like I said in a previous post which was not so eloquent, if Winston is the best prospect then draft him. If he gets out of line give him a blanket party or call for a code red. Easy.
January 17th, 2015 at 3:35 pm
What skill does set are you guys talking about with Mariota. He throws to wide open receivers due to confusion on the defense due to the speed of their offense. Also because of the speed of their offense they almost always know what defense they are really going against (they don’t have time to disguise ). Therefore he doesn’t have to read, so that’s another skill set he doesn’t have. I will give you this he can throw wr screens and five yard outs with the best of them, unless it’s in the red zone of course then it is 5 yards over the tight ends head (see title game).
January 17th, 2015 at 3:45 pm
@Senor Mofo,
The offense that Brees ran in college is a far cry from Oregon’s offense. Therefore, it’s not a good comparison.
I do care if it takes him three years, especially if we can have a QB that can learn much quicker, due to the fact that he is already in a pro offense. Why wait three when you may not have to wait at all? Like I’ve said 100 times, I think they will both be good, but Winston will be better sooner. I don’t want to endure 3 years of losing while waiting for a QB to mature. We’ve got players on this team that deserve to win now (McCoy, David, Evans, Jackson, etc.). If we had the #2 pick and Winston was already gone, then I’d run to the podium with Mariota’s name on the card. However, if we have a choice between the two, I’m heavily leaning towards taking the one who’s pro ready.
January 17th, 2015 at 3:51 pm
@Senor Mofo,
Sorry you think I’m being defensive. We are both anonymous, and we are both big boys. We are debating, I didn’t realize we had to be so friendly. I have nothing against you, but I didn’t realize you want me to pat you on your back as I speak. However, I have an issue with people making stuff up to feed their agenda. Like seriously, do you really think Mariota is working out on his own with a 7 step drop in the middle of school and playing for a college team? You do know how preposterous that sounds right? You have to be coached to do things like that. If he was doing it on his own, that would literally be the worst think possible, because he’s going to develop bad habits. Not to mention that would be doing a disservice to his college team.
You may very well be right, Mariota may very well be our pick. Like you, I’ll be thrilled either way (not with Glennon). I’ll buy a Mariota jersey before I buy a Winston jersey. I’m from Hawaii, I’m as biased towards Mariota as anyone here. If you’ve been on JBF for a while, you’d know that I only recently switched over to the dark side with Winston. However, I can’t deny what I see on the field. I’ve always liked what I see from Winston, and I am terrified of putting Mariota in a pro offense. We can’t screw this pick up, period.
January 17th, 2015 at 3:55 pm
This whole idea of selling seats is foolish, from both sides. First of all, the owners make more money off TV than ticket sales anyway. They are going to get paid regardless. Second, the only thing that is going to sell seats long term is winning. People are going to show up in groves to see a winning team. People aren’t going to boycott this team if we draft Winston. There might be 4 or 5 losers with a petition, but that’s it. Fact of the matter is, fans will show up if we drafted a QB from prison, as long as we win. Anyone who believes otherwise is very naive.
January 17th, 2015 at 3:57 pm
No offense but this pro ready stiff makes no difference. Who Is the better player period and that is clearly Winston! Mariota had great #’s but he does not have touch, anticipation, zip on the ball, or accuracy. Then you look at leadership and he looks just like Lovie on the sideline. Just standing their waiting to get the ball back not talking to a sole or motivating anyone. So again what skills does he actually posses to make him even good much less great? OK he can run fast but what does that get you in the NFL? Not to mention he appears he is fragile after getting hit one time in the title game and having to come out. Jameis played with high ankle for 4 weeks and didn’t miss a snap.Leaders play through pa in they don’t wilt under pressure and stand silently on the sideline.
January 17th, 2015 at 4:01 pm
I admit that I’ve flip-flopped a few times but after watching tape, I have to admit Winston is the right choice. This, of course, assumes that the Bucs org feels confident in his ability to get his head right off the field. There is no question in my mind that Winston’s abilities supersede Mariota and for that matter Josh Freeman. He will deliver a football as he is getting walloped. I don’t have that same feeling toward Mariota who likes to escape the pocket. That game simply doesn’t translate to the NFL. Case in point. M Vick who used to terrorize teams with his ability to run but got owned by Simeon Rice. Siimeon told the local media about how he was going to run Vick down because he is just as fast and he proved it time and time again. The DE’s and LB’s that the NFL has is a far cry from Oregon’s opponents.
January 17th, 2015 at 4:04 pm
I’m surprised all the experts are saying Winston. I just don’t see Lovie or the Glazers taking him — all you need is just one judge to flip the impending civil suit on its head. If he’s truly innocent (I hope he is) it’s a terrible misfortune for the kid and I hate it — but if you own a billion-ish dollar company, you don’t risk it, especially with the NFL’s focus on women’s issues. (and please no more relating to Warren Sapp’s reefer/coke red flags– these cannot compare).
I like FSU, but who cares about their Bucs-crossover fans. If you argue that will put butts in seats, then factor in how much you’d be polarizing the other FL schools’combined fan base, which I bet is bigger than the FSU & Bucs market.
January 17th, 2015 at 4:07 pm
To morally-conservative billionaire businessmen, Winston is probably a buffoon…. No chance the Glazers risk the PR fallout that drafting Winston would create. Dominick is right. Mariota will be our new QB.
January 17th, 2015 at 4:09 pm
Haha Erik sums my novel up to a tee. Nice post!
January 17th, 2015 at 4:14 pm
@ndog,
That’s an interesting point regarding leadership. I am a strong believer that there are two types of leaders and both are almost equally valuable – vocal leaders and leaders by example. Our team has some good leaders by example, but I can’t think of one really good vocal leader. I think that’s been a huge problem for us lately. I don’t believe Mariota is a poor leader, nor do I believe he is soft. But he’s not going to be a vocal leader. You either have it or you don’t. Besides, that’s just not the culture in Hawaii. I know this from living there and playing sports there for 25 years. For that reason too, Winston is a better fit on our team. We need vocal leaders, and what better position than QB?
January 17th, 2015 at 4:16 pm
@Erick,
I’ve got no doubt that if all things were equal, owners would rather have Mariota. I think we all would. However, when it all comes down to it, these owners #1 priority is winning and making money, not being moral. At least it better be.
January 17th, 2015 at 4:37 pm
@HawaiianBuc. Exactly. That’s why Dallas has the Dez rules. There’s a reason why you don’t have a mentor shadow a special teamer. Skill position beasts are invaluable and they lead to winning. We have a lot of excitement thanks to Mike Evans and the skills he has already flashed. Those skills paired with a potential franchise QB would lead to big things. If you just break down potential and the current skills on display ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD there is really no comparison. Winston is ready, Mariota needs at least a year. Lovie and company don’t have at least a year to wait.
January 17th, 2015 at 4:49 pm
You Mariota lovers are so exhausting. He has no chance of being the #1 overall pick. He is a project and a huge gamble because nobody knows if he can make a transformation and become a “professional” QB. If L&L don’t take Winston they certainly won’t take a guy that needs to be on the bench for 2-3 years.
January 17th, 2015 at 5:02 pm
@cmurda,
The more I think of it, the more I would pick Winston. Think about it, if you were Lovie, you need to win now. He won’t survive another 2-14 season, nor should he. If your job was on the line, who would you rather risk your job on? Why would Lovie want to draft a guy that he won’t even be around when he’s finally developed? Go with the guy that can help you win right away. Winston, Evans, and Jackson will be one helluva combo, and right away. You know Winston is going to get them the ball better than the clowns we had this year.
January 17th, 2015 at 5:21 pm
Mariota supporters are the most idiotic Buc fans I have ever met, read or heard.
You guys are clueless.
If you don’t like Winston fine but please stop trying to pound that gimmick QB like he’s a legit #1 pick.
Just stop. You’re reinforcing your own idiocy.
Idiots.
January 17th, 2015 at 5:48 pm
@Hawaiian. Again, I agree. Even if Lovie has an encouraging 7-9 or 8-8 type year and we miss the playoffs, his job would still be safe. That can’t happen with Mariota. Winston is ready to roll. I just hope he checks out with the off the field crap. That has to stop but we all need to keep in mind we do stupid things when we are young. He’s only 21.
January 17th, 2015 at 6:33 pm
What Joe failed to add was that Mike Evans compared Winston to Manziel in regards to having a spot light on them off the field and how they will continue to both have a spotlight on them.
January 17th, 2015 at 6:39 pm
Yeah guys I know you aren’t used to it and all but you tend to get a spotlight when all you do is win and every one hates you for it. Would it be so bad for people to actually know we have a NFL without laughing at us?
January 17th, 2015 at 8:20 pm
I would have to disagree. Winston fans are idiotic. Not just because the off field issues and beleive me that’s all I need to pass on him. There is the fact you a call Mariota a system QB hmmm. Let’s talk systems lets talk Jimbo Fishers system. the one that already has 3 first round draft pick QB and a number one overall pick. Not one of them where worth a sh*t. So this pro style system can’t produce a pro QB. Winston’s draft reports are a lot like the other 3. Slow release or how did one report say it slow getting information from the brain to the arm. Sloppy footwork and a long throwing motion due to baseball. And makes some bad decisions with the ball. So if people didn’t assume he is coming from a pro style system and look at the past. I hope the bucs aren’t idiotic and look it this bullsh*t pro system for what it is.
January 17th, 2015 at 8:25 pm
@ Here’s my bone, I would bet everything I own that I am a more knowledgeable fan than you. And there’s literally a 99.9% chance that I’m more intelligent in general than you (based on IQ statistics), so bite your tongue.
Here are my issues with Winston (on the field):
Veteran draft analyst Russ Lande of GM Jr. says in his podcast with Josh LIskiewitz and Scott Bischoff, starting at around 18:00.
“Winston to me is a terrifying prospect,” Lande said. “Because while I understand some of the physical skills that get people excited. He’s got a plus arm, he can make every throw ridiculously easily. When he’s doing things right, not over-striding which is a big problem he has, when he is striding correctly he can make every throw accurately, on time, and he can be very good at anticipating receivers, leading them toward big plays.”
“However all that being said, I don’t think he has great pocket awareness, I think he takes a lot of hits and sacks in the pocket that he doesn’t need to, I don’t think he protects the ball particularly well in terms of fumbling. And the biggest problem I have is I don’t know if he can see the field particularly well. And the reason I say that is, it is remarkable the number of passes that he throws that defenders have an opportunity to get two hands on and make an interception.”
“I’ve never charted a front-line quarterback that was being considered as a first-round pick that threw as many balls into bad spots. He really reminds me, and I’m not talking about character or any of that, just on the football field. He reminds me a lot of Jay Cutler. A guy with enormoous physical talent who always finds a way to put the ball in the opponent’s chest. One of the things that I think is concerning in addition to that, is that this kid plays with a clean pocket almost every game, because he has a great offensive line in front of him, he has a lot of time to throw the ball, and he still finds a way to throw balls for defenders to get their hands on.”
“When I chart this kid out, he charts out as a late-round pick,” Lande said. “I’m not saying that he wouldn’t warrant maybe going a little earlier. But when you add in the questions, the off-field concerns, I just don’t see where you draft this guy because I think he’s gonna really struggle to be a consistent starter in the NFL.”
January 17th, 2015 at 8:52 pm
Johnny wore his pad at his pro day, and I wondered if he did that because he knew without them he would look small and possibly too light to hold up in the pro game, particularly since his game is to create and he will likely subject himself to a higher than average number of hits. Maybe he will have a charmed career and rarely be hurt. Maybe he can find a way to build that frame up, but doubt spending extra time in the weight room is his hobby that he spends a good amount of his free time doing…
Mariota may have a similar game, and may end up injured in the manner of other “mobile qb’s”. But he does have a bigger frame. Time will tell.
Once again, I think Winston has better on the field attributes, but off the field, much is left to be analyzed.
January 17th, 2015 at 10:28 pm
Erik – If you believe that 1 person’s “analysis” – then I guess I understand your concern about Winston. But that’s the worst review I’ve ever seen of Winston’s skills. There are dozens of opinions out there there by NFLers and draft people singing Winston’s praises and saying he is about as complete and pro ready a QB as you will find coming out of College. It’s the “off the field stuff” that most everybody seems concerned with if they have concerns.
And regarding this quote:
“this kid plays with a clean pocket almost every game, because he has a great offensive line in front of him, he has a lot of time to throw the ball, and he still finds a way to throw balls for defenders to get their hands on.”
all that statement tells me is Russ Lande didn’t watch many FSU games this year. Last year (2013) – Jameis DID usually play with a clean pocket and he put up 40 TDs with 10 Ints.
This year – 2014 – not so much. FSUs Oline was not all that good this year. In fact – pressure up the middle got so bad that in November they had to move LT Cam Erving over to center – which definitely helped. But Jameis took a lot of heat from defenders this year and took a lot of hits too. There were a bunch of times I saw him stand strong in the pocket and deliver a strike downfield with major pressure in his face and take a big hit just after the throw was released. THAT is a quality you want in your NFL QB. And he’s big and strong like Rothlesberger and can take it. Winston’s mobility is good and he can make plays with his feet – but he is a solid pocket passer and is not afraid to stay in the pocket amidst pressure to deliver the ball.
BTW – Coach Jimbo Fisher said that only 8 of Winston’s interceptions this year were on the QB. Other than Rashad Greene – Winston was throwing to a bunch of Freshmen mostly this year – and they made a # of mistakes in route running etc which led to interceptions – that was not the case last year with 1st round pick Kelvin Benjamin as a primary target.
The fact that Winston led his team undefeated all the way to the Playoff was pretty impressive – because FSU honestly was not a great team overall this year – especially compared to last year’s team since 6 of the first 105 players drafted into the NFL were from FSU this year.
January 17th, 2015 at 11:31 pm
Here’s my Bone – excellent post, right on point.
January 18th, 2015 at 1:09 am
@NYbucsfan,
Apparently you struggle with the concept of what a “system QB” really is. As for the other 2 first round QB’s, neither was even in the same ballpark as Winston. Ponder wasn’t even very good in college, and Manuel was a shock to even be picked in the first. I don’t remember us ever discussing drafting either QB, because neither was a hot prospect.
January 18th, 2015 at 11:59 am
Wow Winston fans are simple. They have more excuses. You’re right three first round top 15 draft picks I’ll bust.but they all sucked in college that’s why they went in the top 15 picks. That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard in my life.
January 18th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
” That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard in my life.”
@nybucsfan
obviously you don’t listen to what you say or type!
January 18th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
Talk to text you get the point
January 18th, 2015 at 2:24 pm
Mariota is the more of a complete package at this point over Winston IMO. All the Winston bandwagon/ retired players keep talking about how Winston will be fine if he has the right people around him. He needs mentors to guide him in the NFL. Isn’t that the job of his parents. I have never heard more excuses given for a players transgressions. If he needs an entourage to keep him in line. He’s the wrong player. No other position player in the NFL would require these types of scenarios when being evaluated in the draft.
January 18th, 2015 at 2:54 pm
randy moss, wr
January 19th, 2015 at 9:49 am
Trade down, get a great O-line, throw Glennon in there and see what happens. We can draft a QB, but he will fail if we can’t protect him, just ask McClown. I’m not part of the Glennon mob, but with a new OC, he may just prove himself. But I am just a beer delivery guy, so whatever will be, will be.