“How Does This Guy Kind Of Bleed His Soul?

February 23rd, 2015
Marcus Mariota was in the huddle five times last season

Marcus Mariota was in the huddle five times last season

So you think huddle proficiency and presence doesn’t really matter for a quarterback?

NFL types think the opposite, including Bruce Arians, two-time NFL Coach of the Year.

Arians offered strong takes on huddling to multiple media outlets at the NFL Scouting Combine, including during an interview with ProFootballTalk.com. He says huddle command is a massive and important transition for spread quarterbacks entering the NFL, such as Marcus Mariota, who was under center just five times last year.

Bill O’Brien thinks it’s critical, too. O’Brien’s the guy who managed to win nine games last season in Houston with second-rate quarterbacks and a bust of a first-round pick. (What about you, Lovie Smith?)

Former Bucs tight end Anthony Becht, a veteran of 11 NFL seasons, talked about how the huddle experience is critical, during a chat on WDAE-AM 620 this morning.

Becht shared how wowed he was by the huddle leadership of Jeff Garcia, when Garcia commanded the Bucs to their last playoff berth, in 2007. It was a part of a discussion on the style of leadership Jameis Winston could bring Tampa Bay and how QBs can impact those around them.

“How does this guy kind of bleed his soul, bleed his passion and bleed his fight when he’s in that huddle on game day?” Becht said.

Becht was very impressed by the 3 1/2 minute video of Winston and former quarterbacks guru and NFL head coach Steve Mariucci on NFL Network, with Winston confidently showing his football knowledge and his natural way on the white board.

Enjoy the full Bucs discussion from Becht below, via the 620wdae.com audio player.

67 Responses to ““How Does This Guy Kind Of Bleed His Soul?”

  1. CreamsicleBananaHammock Says:

    Joe, that’s 5 snaps under center last year, not 5 times in the huddle.

    I haven’t seen the times huddled stat anywhere although it would be interesting

  2. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Important….the huddle….and Mariota didn’t diminish the importance of it…(to his credit)
    This is one of those “questions’ regarding Mariota’s readiness….and I’m not sure it’s an easy one to answer…..You can’t ask….how was he in the huddle?

    You can only make a determination or projection based on his leadership skills….and how other’s might respond….and…..there is such a thing as leading by example and leaders that are more quiet.

    I’m sure the Bucs have had many leaders in their huddles…..to not much avail…

  3. CreamsicleBananaHammock Says:

    Let’s imagine that you’re interviewing someone for a job and you ask the question, “how would you react if we gave the job to someone else?” Which answer would you rather hear?

    “That doesn’t affect me at all,” Mariota said. “That is going to be their opinion, that is going to be their decision. All I can really control is how I prepare and get ready for whatever team picks me.”

    or

    “I think it would be a privilege to play in Tampa, period, with the Florida State fan base and everything I have been involved with in the state of Florida. Coach Smith speaking highly of me, that already lets me know I’m a part of their program,” Winston said. “I already have a trust factor in with him, and now all I have to do is accept his trust and gain his trust to help him out.”

    “(Being the first pick) is important to me because I know how hard I’ve worked. It would be a privilege to be accepted by the Glazer family in Tampa,” Winston said.

    I know, for me at least, I want someone that wants the job and wants to be a part of my organization and would be disappointed if they weren’t. But that’s just me

  4. tmaxcon Says:

    The way other players gravitate to Winston is very impressive. The IT factor matters.

    He lit up the room / camera every clip I saw.

  5. 87ForWinstonNOMariota Says:

    “I’m sure the Bucs have had many leaders in their huddles…..to not much avail…”

    TBBF..they’ve definitely had quiet QB’s in the huddle too. Josh Freeman.

  6. MTM Says:

    “So what we talking about is the huddle, not the game just huddle”. AI

    It’s amazing how Oregon was so successful with the horrible spread system and a mute for a quarterback. That explains all the signs.

  7. Yungry Says:

    Coaches/GMs will trash a player so they fall to them…This is very common this time of the year. Bruce would love Mariota on his team. How long could it take a man to learn how to stand in a circle and clap after giving the play… Nit-picking all day

  8. CreamsicleBananaHammock Says:

    Yungry, you would think it would be extremely simple, but even Mariota himself said it was going to be his biggest adjustment.

    Not the speed of the game, or becoming a professional and playing year round, or reading defenses, the spotlight….nope, Mariota himself said the hardest adjustment was going to be calling a play in the huddle

  9. WS99 Says:

    MM don’t need to huddle or call plays or take snaps under center or get to his second read or third read. MM don’t need to identify blitzing lbs or hit small windows. MM simply needs to go out on the field say a prayer, blow kisses to his adoring fans and throw the ball to a wide open mike Evans. Simple as that. As a matter of fact I’m going to start calling him Moses bc he’s been sent to deliver buc fans and every NFL defense will part open for him to run right into the end zone. Best of all, on top of all of the above he will never ever ever ever do anything stupid ever. I’m so happy now I can die in peace.

    Halleluyer we got ourselves our QB.

  10. 87ForWinstonNOMariota Says:

    When Winston was sitting next to Mariota on the NFL Network set I wanted Winston to just turn at Mariota real quick and go ….BOO!

    Scare the crap out of him. See if he flinches. Then give him two for flinching!

    Perhaps a noogie?

    “They always save the best for last!” – Jameis Winston

    The best is coming to Tampa!

  11. Yungry Says:

    You know who knew how to huddle under Jimbo? Ponder and Jamarcus both come to mind…How succesful were they?

  12. 87ForWinstonNOMariota Says:

    Swagger is coming back to Tampa.

    Sorry Warren…you were great for swagger but that was then this is now.

  13. 87ForWinstonNOMariota Says:

    Ponder sucked at FSU. So did Manuel while were at it.

  14. Jack Says:

    Good article, Joe.

    As much as I love Leonard Williams, I saw several DE prospects at the combine that I could love. Besides, Williams likes Oakland.

    I see Winston as a clear step ahead of Mariota at QB after the combine. We have Glennon and adding Winston will put us in great shape at QB.

    Our OC will tailor our offense to the team talent.

    I think it is an easy choice for TB once we get a clear the background investigation and make sure Winston knows he can’t play baseball, too (by contract).

  15. 87ForWinstonNOMariota Says:

    Yungry…it could have been Mickey Mouse’s huddle…it was still a huddle.

  16. Robert 9 Says:

    he looked very uncomfortable dropping back at the combine IMO. like it was all new to him. the switch from stepping back while he “had to look” for his receiver was concerning….escpecially when there was only one receiver out there.

  17. CreamsicleBananaHammock Says:

    @87

    I know me and all my FSU friends were laughing at the Bills like crazy for taking Manuel when they did. Sounds like Jimbo warned them against taking him as well

  18. Jeagan1999 Says:

    Hilarious! Joe thinks Mariota will have trouble huddling! HUDDLING! I can see Lovie and our new OC now… “Ok, Marcus. This circular formation the offensive players get into…you know, when we call a play…is called a “huddle”. It will be part of your job to make players in the “huddle” know what the play is and to “command the huddle”. Think you can do that?”

    HILARIOUS! I do know one conversation they WON’T have to have with Mariota if the Bucs choose him….”Ok now Marcus, no shoplifting, no firing b&b guns at people, no yelling out obscenities at passerbyes, stay away from the strip clubs, and for God’s sake, make sure that any girl you sleep with signs a release form first!” Yep, that’s one conversation that WILL NOT have to be discussed with Mariota!

  19. Skyline Crew Says:

    Once we take Mariota we are going to the Superbowl baby. I really can’t wait until we draft him. How exciting football in Tampa will be again.

  20. unbelievable Says:

    Any coach or GM acting like that is an issue is just trying to get Mariota’s stock to drop so they have a better chance at drafting him.

    Pretty simple folks.

  21. Posey99 Says:

    “87ForWinstonNOMariota Says:
    February 23rd, 2015 at 2:31 pm
    Ponder sucked at FSU. So did Manuel while were at it.”

    Tell that to the teams that took them both in the first round.

  22. Eric Says:

    Intuitively one wouldn’t think Marcus would struggle with a huddle.

    I suppose Arians is talking about taking control of a huddle and leading a team.

    All a bit overblown I think. Like 55 used to say leadership comes from playing your position well and setting an example.

    Got no problem with marcus on that.

  23. JoeJoes Fungi Nails Says:

    Regardless of where Jameis Winston players next year…veteran NFL defenders are going to put a stagger in his swagger….shut his mouth and crush his spirit.
    His sound bites this past week are going to take big bites out of his rookie azz.
    The guy thinks he has already arrived…again pointing to his immaturity…just does not get the big picture in life…he should have stayed another year at FSU…but the school gave him the bums rush and was happy to see him go…he doesn’t even realize that !

  24. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000472988/article/steve-mariucci-jameis-winston-most-astute-xs-and-os-guy

    There’s the Steve Mariucci video.

    Gotta say, I was impressed. Winston even made me laugh with the Vincent Jackson comment.

  25. Robert 9 Says:

    yeah jungi…… kind of reminds me of a quote

    It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

    Mark Twain

  26. Yungry Says:

    I don’t know which is more petty standing in circles and clapping or being handed a ball under center. Let’s talk about how Mariota makes an 11-man defense a 10-man defense due to the quarterback spy and how to take advantage. Its all about mis-matches

  27. Skyline Crew Says:

    Have we really had 36 QBs that have started for us? So let’s see…1976 to 2014 is 38 years. WOW! We have almost had as many QBs start a game for us as we have been a franchise. Incredible. Also, Brad Johnson was our best QB based off of W/L percentage because that is the real factor.

    Just shows we need to draft a QB (Mariota) with the 1st pick.

  28. Chef Paul Says:

    Drew Brees was on Colin Cowturd this morning. He said Winston was chubby at the combine and it was just another red flag.

    In our smoke and conspiracy season, was he being real, or is he trying to drop his stock enough that we don’t draft him? Seems to me if Arians can play that game, so can Brees.

    Brees don’t want him in Tampa… hmmm

  29. JoeJoes Fungi Nails Says:

    Brees is afraid of rookie Jameis leading the rest of a dysfunctional roster……BWahahahahaha….bitch slap folks !…..no matter who our next QB is…..it will be 2017 years before this franchise gets its on its feet….

  30. DWE Says:

    apparently someone was mic’d up and standing close enough for me hear Mariota reference something about, that circle wagons thing they do just before each play. clearly he has watched too many cowboy movies. But, I am sure that once he gets the terminology down, he will be good to go. Bucs need to draft Mariota.

  31. Celly Says:

    Jeagan1999 Says:
    February 23rd, 2015 at 2:46 pm

    Hilarious! Joe thinks Mariota will have trouble huddling! HUDDLING!

    unbelievable Says:
    February 23rd, 2015 at 2:56 pm

    Any coach or GM acting like that is an issue is just trying to get Mariota’s stock to drop so they have a better chance at drafting him.

    Pretty simple folks.

    Eric Says:
    February 23rd, 2015 at 3:00 pm

    Intuitively one wouldn’t think Marcus would struggle with a huddle.

    I suppose Arians is talking about taking control of a huddle and leading a team.

    All a bit overblown I think.

    So let me get this straight….

    It doesn’t matter that Marcus himself said that he’s going to struggle in the huddle.
    It doesn’t matter that the 2-time coach of the year said that commanding the huddle is going to be difficult for him to do coming from the spread and never having done it before.
    It doesn’t matter that GMs have said the same thing.

    But since you believe that they’re all lying, then they HAVE to be lying.

    I’m sure even if Mark Helfrich came out and said that spread QBs have difficulty commanding the huddle, you’d find some way to say he’s wrong too…

    Then again, why do I even bother….

  32. Macabee Says:

    From WalterFootball Tampa Bay Buccaneers scheduled on-site visits. Each team gets 30 visits. This is just the beginning.

    Justin Coleman, CB, Tennessee (COM)
    Connor Halliday, QB, Washington State (COM)
    Khari Lee, TE, Bowie State (EW)
    Greg Mancz, C, Toledo (EW)
    Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon (COM)
    Denzel Perryman, OLB/ILB, Miami (Fla.) (SR)
    Danny Shelton, DT/NT, Washington (SR)
    Blake Sims, QB, Alabama (COM)
    Tony Washington, OLB, Oregon (EW)
    Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State (COM)

    I went through all 32 teams and currently here are the scheduled visits re Mariota v. Winston.

    Mariota

    Jets
    Bucs

    Winston

    Bucs
    Jets
    Browns
    Texans
    Saints
    Rams

    Observation: No Titans or Eagles for either. Too early to imply, however, you may infer what this means if you wish!

  33. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    @ Macabee

    Thanks for the info…

    I will infer that most teams don’t think there is a chance Mariota will fall to them….the only other conclusion is they have no interest….that seems unlikley.

  34. Skyline Crew Says:

    Mariota will do fine in a huddle. Nothing to see here folks. Smoke screen in full blown mode.

  35. MTM Says:

    If the Bucs draft Mariota hopefully he won’t be in a huddle very often. I would be great if they ran a fast paced offense with either quarterback. The slow predictable Buc offense is hard to stomach and easily defended.

  36. Yungry Says:

    I’d love to see Bruce say huddling and snapping question marks are more seious than interceptions and character. That would be article of the year!

  37. Luther Says:

    Who in their right mind would listen to Drew Brees. Great QB who is competing in the same division, yeah that guy has no agenda.

  38. Eric Says:

    Maybe i’m an idiot but what do the COM, SR, and EW’s mean on Macabee’s post?

  39. CreamsicleBananaHammock Says:

    @Eric

    it refers to where they were interviewed. Combine, Senior Bowl or East/West Shrine Game

  40. Macabee Says:

    Eric,

    Legend for visits as Creamsicle explained:

    SR – Senior Bowl meeting.
    EW – East-West Shrine meeting.
    COM – Combine meeting.
    INT – Interested.
    VINT – Very Interested.
    PRO – Pro Day or campus meeting/workout.
    LOC – Local visit.
    PRI – Private visit.
    % – indicates more than one meeting at an event.
    ^ – has met with team at more than one event.
    # – indicates meeting set up outside of the 2015 Senior Bowl or the 2015 East-West Shrine Game

  41. Senor Mofo Says:

    I Googled “all time best NFL huddle commanders,” but didn’t get a definitive list. The lack of available research and statistics suggests that this critical area of QB evaluation has been neglected for far too long.

    My God, how have NFL teams been able to evaluate QBs all these years without this pivotal data point?

    We can’t be drafting any QB who isn’t a soul-bleeding huddler.

  42. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Previously Drafted 1st Round QB’s

    NFL Draft: 1987 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1 Vinny Testaverde
    • 6 yrs (Record: 24-48-0) ←No Playoffs

    NFL Draft: 1994/ Round: 1 / Pick: 6 Trent Dilfer
    • 6 yrs (Record: 38-38-0) 1-1 Playoffs Record

    NFL Draft: 1978 / Round: 1/ Pick: 17 Doug Williams
    • 5 yrs (Record: 33-33-1) 1-3 Playoffs Record

    NFL Draft: 2009 / Round: 1/ Pick: 17 Josh Freeman
    • 5 yrs (Record 24-35-0) ←No Playoffs

  43. pick6 Says:

    @mofo, there isn’t a great deal of statistical research on the notion that having 2 legs is a critical quality for being an NFL QB. you know why? because it is virtually unheard of for somebody to be an NFL QB prospect unless they have 2 legs in the first place. it’s kinda the same for commanding a huddle. historically, if you’ve gotten this far, it is likely in part because your command of the huddle is adequate. in MM’s case, he has spent his entire college career utilizing the playcalling equivalent of a crutch for that critical feature. it’s a legitimate question. the huddle isn’t just a mechanical process, it’s your split-second board meeting where you prepare your team for the 4 second melee that’s about to ensue. for many of the seminal drives and plays in football history, there is an accompanying story of a defining moment in the huddle beforehand

  44. Skyline Crew Says:

    On the Walterfootball site that shows team needs they have us taking Mariota:

    Team Needs:

    Quarterback: This need will be taken care of 15 minutes into the 2015 NFL Draft. The Buccaneers should select Marcus Mariota to be their franchise quarterback, but will also consider the troubled Jameis Winston.

  45. Skyline Crew Says:

    The rest of our needs

    Guard: Perhaps Tampa’s biggest area on its troubled offensive line is at right guard. Luckily, there will be plenty of guard prospects worth considering atop Round 2 of the 2015 NFL Draft.

    Safety: The Buccaneers have tons of holes on the defensive side of the ball, and none are bigger than what they have at the safety position. They traded Mark Barron, leaving the inept and overpaid Dashon Goldson, as well as impending free agent Major Wright, to start at the position. Bradley McDouglad looked decent to close out the year, but Tampa desperately needs another safety.

    Defensive End: Michael Johnson didn’t meet expectations as a free-agent addition, which wasn’t much of a surprise. However, the Buccaneers are stuck with him, and they need to find another pass-rusher to start across from him.

    Inside Linebacker: Mason Foster has never lived up to expectations. He struggled in 2014, and he happens to be a free agent anyway. This is one area the Buccaneers could address in free agency.

    Cornerback: Johnthan Banks hasn’t lived up to his second-round billing yet. Perhaps the Buccaneers, with all of their needs, will give him one more year, but competition should be brought in to challenge him.

    Left Tackle: The Buccaneers thought they had resolved their left tackle issues when they signed Anthony Collins this past offseason. That apparently was not the case, as Collins proved to be a big disappointment.

    Running Back: Doug Martin was a major disappointment this season, while Charles Sims didn’t really show anything. Tampa Bay may use a second-day selection on a new starting running back, or at least someone to pair with Sims.

    Defensive Line Depth: In addition to obtaining another defensive end, the Buccaneers need more depth up front with all of the impending free agent linemen they have.

    Punter: Despite all the money Tampa spent on him, Michael Koenen has been in the bottom 10 in terms of net-punting average over the past couple of seasons.

  46. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    “Skyline Crew Says:
    February 23rd, 2015 at 5:08 pm

    On the Walterfootball site that shows team needs they have us taking Mariota:

    Team Needs:

    Quarterback: This need will be taken care of 15 minutes into the 2015 NFL Draft. The Buccaneers should select Marcus Mariota to be their franchise quarterback, but will also consider the troubled Jameis Winston.”

    They have Winston at #1 to TB on the updated mock. Am I missing something?

    http://walterfootball.com/draft2015.php

  47. HotRod Says:

    The bucs site has a roundup of mocks. I think Jaemis won many people over this weekend.

    http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Buccaneers-Mock-Draft-Roundup-30/85e54e79-3d5e-4e0a-94e6-f5b9d47e7b65

  48. BFFL Says:

    Bruce Arians and O’Brien would draft Mariota in a heartbeat if given the chance. The reasons those teams missed the playoffs is because of crappy “in the pocket” QB play. Arians has been the most outspoken opponent of spread concepts in the NFL. I remember he said Kelly’s offense would not work in the NFL..I guess he was wrong. Hey Arians, it’s time to modernize your philosophy and grow with the changing times.

  49. Bert Says:

    If Oregon huddles, they run the risk of the defense actually setting up before the ball is snapped which often left holes in the defenses played against. Which is different then actually reading a defenses prior to the snap and finding your open receivers. I want to see the percentages of how many plays Oregon run while defenses are not yet setup.

  50. Skyline Crew Says:

    @LWD

    Yes, the part where it says “The Buccaneers should select Marcus Mariota to be their franchise quarterback, but will also consider the troubled Jameis Winston.”

    They say they should select Mariota. Am I missing something?

  51. Dre Says:

    Bruce Arians is an offensive genius. Being held under 100 yards of offense in a playoff game really takes some skill.

  52. Skyline Crew Says:

    haha I just saw where Danny Shelton (6-foot-2 1/8, 339 pounds) jumped higher than Winston. 30.5 vs Winston 28.5. I really thought Winston was more athletic.

  53. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    “Skyline Crew Says:
    February 23rd, 2015 at 5:28 pm

    @LWD

    Yes, the part where it says “The Buccaneers should select Marcus Mariota to be their franchise quarterback, but will also consider the troubled Jameis Winston.”

    They say they should select Mariota. Am I missing something?”

    That was updated 2/11. Sorry, I was going off the most recent mock that says they will draft Winston. Charlie Campbell has the same thing.

  54. Skyline Crew Says:

    I wasn’t referencing a Mock Draft though. Just the Team Needs section.

  55. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    ok, I hear ya.

  56. LargoBuc Says:

    Imagine when we go into Philly this season. Who would you trust more to yell out verbiage adjusting snap counts calling audibles and picking up blitzes. You want quiet Mariota under center trying to yell over those crazy fans in the freezing cold? I’ll take Jameis in those conditions any day. He’s vocal. He’s charismatic. All the verbiage, while still an adjustment at the NFL level, will come alot more naturally to Jameis who’s been doing it all through college.
    For a guy who hasn’t played with a snap count since high school to try to pick all that up and confidently lead in an opposing NFL teams stadium is just almost unfair. Not saying Mariota cant learn down the road but that’s a huge learning curve right there.

  57. Skyline Crew Says:

    He isn’t quiet on the field.

  58. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    @ Largobuc

    Good point…the Bucs should see which one can bark out signals the loudest at their workout…..
    According to Joe….the 40 yd times should be ignored….screaming out plays…a much more important attribute.
    At least Atlanta won’t be able to continue to pump in crown noise….Mariota may survive there.

  59. Jeagan1999 Says:

    @Celly…he’s a smart kid. He’ll learn it very quickly. Just like he learned the system in Oregon where they run a play every 20 seconds! I’d be a lot more worried about Winstons off the field behavior than MM’s ability to learn how to stand in a circle and call out a play!

  60. Jeagan1999 Says:

    @ Celly….BTW, Mariota didn’t say he would “struggle” with huddling, he said it would be his biggest adjustment.Big difference!

  61. Pickgrin Says:

    pick6 Says:
    February 23rd, 2015 at 5:04 pm
    “for many of the seminal drives and plays in football history, there is an accompanying story of a defining moment in the huddle beforehand”

    Excellent and relevant point pick6

  62. BoJim Says:

    WS99 Says:

    throw the ball to a wide open mike Evans. Simple as that.
    ____________________________________________________

    Uhh. You think other teams might catch on to that? Duh.

  63. JSmalls Says:

    “Coaches/GMs will trash a player so they fall to them…This is very common this time of the year. Bruce would love Mariota on his team. How long could it take a man to learn how to stand in a circle and clap after giving the play… Nit-picking all day”
    _______________________________________

    It’s not the actual formation of the huddle… It’s commanding the huddle! Like when he misses Evans on an easy 10 yard out and he has to get back in the huddle, settle Evans down who’s talking smack about the horrible throw along with making sure the personnel is right and everyone’s on the same page. But lets throw a wrench in here… What if we’re down late in the game and this happens? How will he get everyone calm and organized for the next play, that’s the concern. Nothing in his college career shows his ability to pull through in a tough spot. Craziest stat I’ve heard is that the four games in which Oregon trailed in the 4th they only won one.

    I’m sorry, most games in the NFL hinge on a few plays. I don’t think Mariota has a clue how to perform in that situation.

    I just don’t see him pulling through on a consistent basis. I just see the NFL walking all over him personally… There’s a lot of great athletes who can’t cut it in the NFL.

  64. JSmalls Says:

    Is Mariota clutch?

  65. WS99 Says:

    BoJim Says:
    February 23rd, 2015 at 10:01 pm
    WS99 Says:

    throw the ball to a wide open mike Evans. Simple as that.
    ____________________________________________________

    Uhh. You think other teams might catch on to that? Duh.

    ————————–

    From beginning to end my entire comment was pure sarcasm.

  66. the real Buck Bruce Says:

    Jameis Winston only lost one game in college and look how he acted yelling at everybody blaming everybody yelling at the head coach what’s going to happen in Tampa when he keeps losing he will lose it please draft Marcus Mariota

  67. JSmalls Says:

    ^ so draft Mariota because he’s a better loser? Dude cries when things don’t go his way.