Jason Licht Likes The Similarities
February 18th, 2015
A big ol’ grin covered Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht’s face this morning when he was asked about Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston electing to throw at the NFL Scouting Combine when quarterbacks hit the field on Saturday.
It prompted Licht to say the two premium quarterback prospects are more alike than many believe.
“I think it’s really cool, though, that there’s chatter now that they’re gonna both work out,” Licht said. “I think it speaks to their competitiveness and things that we know about both of them. As different as those two are, there’s a lot of similarities in terms of their winning pedigree and, you know, the Heisman obviously. But they’re both ultra competitors. So it’ll be cool just to see them compete against each other.”
Though the combine workouts mean little, they do take on a different light when it’s sort of a head-to-head competition between players at the same position, as this will be.
Heck, even Licht called it competing against each other, when it’s just a bunch of drills.
Joe recommends a box of Shorty Burgers for your Saturday viewing.
February 18th, 2015 at 12:57 pm
Lovie on Mariiota “You see him scrambing aorund and making the throws you need to make in league.Guys have success different ways”
February 18th, 2015 at 1:03 pm
If you have 2 players who have alot of similarities, except one of them is a better athlete, has a quicker release, (seems) more intelligent & mature, and has better overall character, your decision is pretty obvious. #MariotascomingtoTampawhackos
February 18th, 2015 at 1:04 pm
#Winstonsupportersaremorons
February 18th, 2015 at 1:06 pm
This just in : Winston and Mariota are BOTH going to throw at the combine.
Uh oh Mariota. Game over.
Erik…creamisicle XL.
February 18th, 2015 at 1:11 pm
I want Winston no doubt but I got a lot more respect now for Mariota since he’s showing some balls.
February 18th, 2015 at 1:15 pm
Q – What does Jameis Turd Winston always have for breakfast?
A – TURNOVERS
February 18th, 2015 at 1:19 pm
Waiting for Mariota to make his intentions to throw at the combine known before making his decision to also throw just doesn’t indicate any of his so called “leadership qualities” to me. Just saying.
February 18th, 2015 at 1:22 pm
I’m for the bucs drafting a qb period. I have to admit that Mariota is my preference, but I would support Winston wholeheartedly as a Bucs fan. I don’t hear anybody mentioing what Lovie said last year when asked what qualities he looks for in a qb. He said he likes a qb with mobility who can create big plays when the pocket collapses or plays breakdown. This sounds more like Mariota than Winston. We all have to wit and see,I can’t wait. Go Bucs!
February 18th, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Remember in the 2013 season when freeman showed his colors and most of us were wishing there’d be a way for tampa to draft winston? Seemed like a pipe dream right? Well look what’s happened now? Kinda makes me think we need to jump on the once in a lifetime opportunity that we actuallysecured the iimpossible. They really need to get this right whatever they do.
February 18th, 2015 at 1:31 pm
Everything we are hearing from the Bucs….and probably will hear until the moment of decision….is that both QBs could be the selection. Anyone that is reading anything different into the comments is simply applying their own bias.
I don’t think the decision has been made yet….I believe that they (Lovie, Licht & Glazers) have a process and believe in their decision making process and will not decide until their process has played out.
February 18th, 2015 at 1:33 pm
They did go head to head! Someone had a meltdown and yelled at his coach!
February 18th, 2015 at 1:55 pm
serious question, how old are some of the posters here? The repeated childish and immature attacks on Winston makes me wonder if its kids posting on here or grown men?
February 18th, 2015 at 1:59 pm
It’s fantastic that both top QB’s will throw. I hate it when they’re “advised” to wait for their pro-day and not throw. Both will go round 1 and make millions…throw the F’ing ball.
February 18th, 2015 at 2:00 pm
Ian
The Winston supporters, except for Mr. 87, actually, litterally really are children
February 18th, 2015 at 2:07 pm
Good for Marcus. Good for Jameis.
I will surely be tuned in.
It’s probably only a small piece of the puzzle, but you never know. If one looks dramatically better it could be a serious variable.
Performance at the combine has historically moved guys up or down.
Best thing for bucs fans is both guys look outstanding.
February 18th, 2015 at 2:12 pm
Ian
The Winston supporters, except for Mr. 87, actually, litterally really are children
——————————–
Comical coming from a guy who does nothing but name call and degrade Winston every chance he gets. But everyone else is a child. LMAO
February 18th, 2015 at 2:32 pm
I like both QB’s and fully admit favoring Winston but wont be upset if we go Mariota. With that said the lengths some of you go to prove you are right and the other person is wrong, borderlines embarrassing.
I doubt you speak this way in public
February 18th, 2015 at 2:37 pm
if the bucs haven’t figured out who is better for them after looking destined for a top 5 pick since early october, lovie and licht should fire themselves now.
February 18th, 2015 at 2:48 pm
LOL @ Ian.
February 18th, 2015 at 2:56 pm
After Listening to Lovie and Licht this morning, I feel really good that Winston probably will be the pick. If people listen to soundbites, they can think otherwise but it looks like Winston.
February 18th, 2015 at 3:25 pm
Ian – most of the public forums these days lack respect and honor.
I used to have a lot of faith in humanity before the advent of the website “comment” section.
February 18th, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Article mentions both QBs won the Heisman. Of all the Heisman winning QBs in the last 30 years, only 3 have had anything approaching significant success in the NFL – Vinny Testaverde, Carson Palmer & Cam Newton. Vinny turned into a decent journeyman (7 or 8 years into his pro career), Palmer has been good, but not great, and Newton has been up and down in his career, so far.
That’s 3 somewhat successful QBs out of 18 Heisman winners from 1985 until Winston won it in 2013. Just goes to show it takes more than talent and skill to make the leap from college to NFL.
If either of these QBs is drafted by the Bucs, and becomes a legitimate franchise player, he will be the best Heisman winning QB to come out of college since Roger Staubach in 1963. Winning the Heisman as a QB seems like a bigger curse than getting pictured on the front of the latest Madden game.
February 18th, 2015 at 3:38 pm
I want the smarter of the 2 QB’s. The one whose brain is bigger. Welcome to Tampa Mariota. Winston is a turnover machine and a fat boy.
February 18th, 2015 at 4:10 pm
Both of these guys have the Albatross of the Heisman hanging around their neck. The Heisman is like the kiss of death for any QB wanting to be successful in the NFL.
February 18th, 2015 at 4:40 pm
How is it people come to the conclusion that Mariota is the better athlete and is smarter? Not more mature (at 19-20 yo)granted but smarter on the football field and in the classroom. This just tells me that they haven’t done their homework on these two and are only going on outdated racial stereotypes and gossip story headlines.
I’ll bet anyone takers that Jameis gets a higher score on the wonderlic. Pair of lower level opening day tickets to Bucs game or Jameis or MM gameday jersey in size, color choice. Name it.
I’ll take the guy who got a 4.0 GPA in advanced classes in HS, accepted to Stanford and was a all ACC academic football team who carried 3.4 in college. Athletically Marcus is faster but thats about it the rest is pretty subjective. By resume Jameis is clearly the better athlete.
February 18th, 2015 at 4:45 pm
The only thing interesting about the combine are the agility drills for the players and when the receivers do the catching drills (especially the ones thrown by the 5th-undrafted likely QB’s when its not a good ball and they have to adjust) in my opinion… You can run a 40 time faster without pads on obviously along with knowing how to run a proper 40.
February 18th, 2015 at 4:46 pm
Either one is better than what we have now, that is all I care about. If they don’t pick a qb, they better pick up another veteran. #SendMelmanToMadagascar.org
February 18th, 2015 at 5:14 pm
@Stanglassman
“I’ll bet anyone takers that Jameis gets a higher score on the wonderlic.”
****************
Wonderlic really doesn’t prove anything. People with high wonderlics have been a bust and people with a low wonderlic have been successful (Big Ben).
February 18th, 2015 at 8:45 pm
@Stanglassman – uh…Mariota GRADUATED with a degree in General Sciences…in 3 years, with a 3.22 GPA – while Kid Fameis is a 3rd year SOPHOMORE that’s changed his degree from 1) pre-med, 2)) Engineering, and according to a SI.com article from June of 2014…he’s he’s currently pursuing a Social Sciences (Social Worker?) degree program…
…see, in almost every area Mariota has shown himself to be a DOER…not just a talker. Including leading the way on the decision to throw the ball at the combine after spraining a shoulder in the National Championship game.
Kid Fameis could have led the way on deciding to throw when Mariota’s camp was unsure whether he could throw by the combine…instread, he decided not to throw…until discovering Mariota WOULD throw…
It lends credence to the idea that Kid Fameis is still not making good decisions…
February 18th, 2015 at 8:53 pm
Besides, Mariota’s college coach was a sciences major – and had decided to be a doctor – before taking a GA coaching job…where he realized he wanted to be a coach…
…whereas Kid Fameis’ college coach is “Jimbo”…
So, there’s that.
February 18th, 2015 at 9:54 pm
I never said that whoever scores higher on the wonderlic will be the better QB or even that the wonderlic was a good QB indicator. The only reason I brought up the subject of intelligence or overall athletic ability is because commenters here on JBF keep repeating over and over the MM is smarter and a better athlete. I have no problem with someone having that opinion despite little proof. Repeating all you want but doing so hardly makes it true. Can’t help but notice still no takers!?
There is a bunch of great articles and even videos on Jameis if you care to look into the next Bucs QB. One of my favorites is how he and his father use to watch Doug Williams Buc games together on tape. His father was a huge Buc/Doug Williams fan and thought it was important for him to know the history of the Bucs and Black QBs.
February 18th, 2015 at 10:13 pm
WT Tiger- I’m not sure your point on Jimbo’s name (actually John James) but yes he was a 3 star athlete and a QB himself who played for Terry Bowden. I don’t know if there is a better coach that has produced better NFL ready QBs in recent years. How many 1st round QB has Helfrich produced prior to this year?
February 18th, 2015 at 10:49 pm
Time for Mariota to over throw everyone…or just say Im in for the dink passes.
February 18th, 2015 at 11:43 pm
J Moné Says:
Winston is a turnover machine and a fat boy.
________________________________________________
Tell us how ripped you are.
February 19th, 2015 at 10:08 am
i’m not sure what the point of bringing up helfrich’s academic background is. does being a science major correlate highly to success in developing collegiate talent? where is this cohort of science majors who are outperforming football coaches without such a background? this is what people who prefer to employ sound reasoning and logic in their analysis would call a complete and total red herring
February 19th, 2015 at 1:49 pm
@Stanglassman – you brought up the academic comparison of the QB’s. There’s a bit of a difference between being recruited by Stanford and attending FSU…where Kid Fameis started with lofty goals…but settled for pursuing a degree that will prepare him for being a Social Worker…Likewise, there’s a bit of a difference between a QB who GRADUATED from Oregon (in only 3 years) with a Science degree…and another who is leaving FSU as a 3rd year Sophomore, not yet qualified to BE said Social Worker.
To augment your goofy argument, that alleged racism is behind those supporters of the minority QB candidate from Hawaii – who state that GRADUATING in 3 years is proof he’s more intelligent than the minority QB candidate from Alabama (who was recruited by Stanford)…yetis leaving FSU as a 3rd year Sophomore…WITHOUT a degree. Yeah, not really seeing your point there…except that there may be some racism in this discussion (for which race has no place), but it’s not coming from those supporting the minority candidate from Hawaii..
@Pickgrin & @stanglassman – the absurd concept that just because a kid was RECRUITED by Stanford (they’re pretty good at baseball AND football…both of which Kid Fameis excelled at in high school)..is somehow evidence of his intelligence…while you simultaneously make fun of posters who assert the Wonderlic can be evidence of intelligence…led me to the equally absurd comparison of the relative intelligence of the two coaches of the universities for which both minority QB candidates played…and although I’m glad you both picked up on the absurdity of the relevance of my coaching comparisons…it is not evidence of intelligence on your part…because A) you still don’t seem to understand I was purposely being absurd, and B) you can’t seem to grasp how absurd your argument regarding the intelligence of Kid Fameis – is!?
…but as for your expertise on red herrings…I’m sure you are unmatched in the requisite logic and analysis to master that type of fishing expedition!