Early Test For Jameis Winston, Bucs
April 9th, 2015
The preseason football gods were generous
Fans who watched the last two Buccaneers preseasons witnessed some horrific football played by the good guys.
Ironically, Greg Schiano and Lovie Smith both advised Bucs fans — and media — to calm down because preseason is, well, preseason.
It was so bad on the offensive line in August, as the Bucs played musical tackling dummies with Jamon Meredith, Jace Daniels, Kadeem Edwards and Oneil Cousins, Tampa Bay traded a fourth-round pick and Tim Wright for guard Logan Mankins after training camp.
Remember Jacksonville, when Josh McCown was hammered early and often as Anthony Collins forgot how to block?
Announced earlier, the Bucs will open the 2015 preseason in Minnesota. That’s tough duty for two reasons: First, the Vikings are playing in the Hall of Fame game, so it’s Week 2 for them. That’s an edge against the Bucs out of the gate. Second, the Vikings’ defense and pass rush is very tough. They were tied for ninth in the league in sacks last year, combined with a top-15 defense. (Amazing how a first-year, defense-first head coach pulled that off.)
Joe thinks Minnesota will be a fantastic test for young Jameis Winston, who Joe assumes will be drafted by Tampa Bay and handed the football the day he gets a locker inside One Buc Palace.
Winston will face the road, a quality defense, and duress to learn from Game 1. This is so much better than, say, the Bucs opening at home against a soft front like Jacksonville’s. Then the Bucs move on to the pressure of Monday Night Football at home against a perennial playoff team.
Tampa Bay needs its young QB ready on opening day. The preseason gods shined on them to help make it happen.
April 9th, 2015 at 5:34 pm
I didn’t realize the draft was already over.
April 9th, 2015 at 5:36 pm
They were tied for ninth in the league in sacks last year, combined with a top-15 defense. (Amazing how a first-year, defense-first head coach pulled that off.)
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Boom Pow – it takes time. Lmao
April 9th, 2015 at 5:37 pm
Man Joe, after reading your article, I’m now just hoping Jameis doesn’t come get injured in either game. I forgot how dreadful those preseason games ended last season. Maybe we should wait until Week 3 to play Jameis.
April 9th, 2015 at 5:46 pm
The only other lock other than QB at 1 is OL at 2. Just cant see us passing on an offensive lineman when there’s is sure to be at least one really good guard or tackle left in the second, especially with how bad we need one. My money says tackle because there are alot better tackles than guards and this draft, but we’ll see. So we should be able to walk away from this draft with a fix for at least one of the OL spots.
April 9th, 2015 at 5:51 pm
I wonder if JOE could get in trouble for associating a player with a team before it’s even official, that could be considered tampering. Jameis isn’t a buc and probably never will be, it might be wise to quit putting a player with a team before its legal.
April 9th, 2015 at 5:54 pm
Joe
I heard a crazy rumor about lovie trading the first pick for cutler. I’m pretty sure I heard it on nfln maybe Brian bolding. Have you heard anything like that?
April 9th, 2015 at 6:03 pm
LOL. Like most of the intellectually challenged people out here Supersam, you really crack me up.
April 9th, 2015 at 6:04 pm
I love you Joe.
April 9th, 2015 at 6:13 pm
Jameis will only play the first quarter. And hopefully the O line will be in better condition by the time we play minnesota
April 9th, 2015 at 6:21 pm
Only thing scary about preseason is ticket prices. Lol never heard talk of being worried about playing the Vikings. Jacksonville’s soft front was 6th in the league in sacks much better than the Vikings, I’m not giving anyone on our schedule any respect. Bucs have no choice but to get back to relevancy
April 9th, 2015 at 6:33 pm
@Joe
U wanna know how a first year defensive minded head coach pulled off a top 15 defense??? HE ACTUALLY HAD A QUARTERBACK, THAT OUR BUCS PASSED ON, WHO WAS WORTH A DAM….and YET, people STILL want to trade down….IT”S A BUCS LIFE
April 9th, 2015 at 6:54 pm
Mayock see’s the same thing NFL Coaches see in this kid. When Jon Gruden had Mariota on his “Gruden’s QB Camp.” And Gruden’s conclusion after spending time with Mariota for his QB Camp. series.
“If someone takes the time to do it right, this guy is going to be a BALL of FIRE because he is REALLY talented,” Gruden said. “I think if it is done right, you have a CAN’T-MISS prospect in Mariota.”
Gruden goes on to say, ” the perception that Mariota is too quiet to be a commanding on-field presence, Gruden brought up Joe Montana.
Gruden’s father was an assistant coach at Notre Dame while Montana played there. “Joe was quiet,” Gruden said. “Mariota is quiet, but when he got out here on the field for our workout, the other players came alive. You saw the enthusiasm, the bounce in his stride. That is where his laboratory is, out on this field.”
Gruden concluded Mariota could be a “CAN’T-MISS prospect” whose personality reminds him of
(Joe Montana)!!!no
April 9th, 2015 at 6:56 pm
Joe is persistent in his LOVE for JW. Just hope the fall is not to hard when they select MM.
Joe… please make the invest in a soft mat. The MM mob wouldn’t want you to hurt your hands, thereby inhibiting your ability to type how painful it is that JW wasn’t selected. Now that would be a story… “Breaking News!” JBF unable to vent his frustration of JW not being selected due to hand injuries.
We LOVE you Joe and keep up the good work.
April 9th, 2015 at 7:09 pm
In 2002 we went 3-1 in preseason.
April 9th, 2015 at 7:19 pm
Jameis is Lovie’s only option to save his pathetic job after embarrassing himself the team and city last year with complete failures in all aspects of his responsibilities. I know liberals might have to look up the word responsibility to understand the concept. He failed miserably at personnel, coaching game management and handling of his staff. Don’t expect anything to change this year.
April 9th, 2015 at 7:26 pm
Bucs suck
April 9th, 2015 at 7:39 pm
“I wonder if JOE could get in trouble for associating a player with a team before it’s even official, that could be considered tampering. Jameis isn’t a buc and probably never will be, it might be wise to quit putting a player with a team before its legal.”
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This is really just too easy. Now I see that you are not stupid, you’re just trying to be funny.
April 9th, 2015 at 7:42 pm
It has been announced that Joe has lost his first round draft picks for the next few years for tampering. The exact number hasn’t been announced, but it’s definitely going to be very severe.
April 9th, 2015 at 7:49 pm
Please…it’s not like we or they will play starters more than a series in that game.
April 9th, 2015 at 8:01 pm
@Sam
I wonder if JOE could get in trouble for associating a player with a team before it’s even official, that could be considered tampering.
Nice reach except Jameis doesn’t belong to another NFL team and we have first pick so there can be no tampering. Then again perhaps I simply misread what was intended as snark.
April 9th, 2015 at 8:02 pm
Now you are juSt trolling us joe.
I’ll take my clicks elsewhere for awhile. I want buc news not JW news
April 9th, 2015 at 8:04 pm
YES It won’t mean much but it’s the only influence albeit small I have. Drop me an email when you stop inserting Winston into every article
April 9th, 2015 at 8:05 pm
@Erik the WiseMMan
How many starting quarterbacks had jon Gruden groomed? This franchise doesn’t need a quarterback they have to take time to groom especially if you can get the guy ready to go right now, gruden gushes over everybody
April 9th, 2015 at 8:06 pm
tmaxcon Says
“I know liberals might have to look up the word responsibility to understand the concept.”
I’m not a liberal, but that comment is more of an example of your own ignorance.
April 9th, 2015 at 8:11 pm
tmaxcon Says:
April 9th, 2015 at 7:19 pm
Jameis is Lovie’s only option to save his pathetic job after embarrassing himself the team and city last year with complete failures in all aspects of his responsibilities. I know liberals might have to look up the word responsibility to understand the concept. He failed miserably at personnel, coaching game management and handling of his staff. Don’t expect anything to change this year.
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Sad to admit but there are way to many sorry excuses for bucs fans like you in this city. If you don’t like the coach move on, no one is holding a gun to your head even that’s about the only way I would have continued to watch a full game last year. Pretty sure after week 10 you were also rooting for losses so we can get a quarterback
April 9th, 2015 at 8:15 pm
bucs4lyfe Says
“This franchise doesn’t need a quarterback they have to take time to groom especially if you can get the guy ready to go right now…”
Wow, are you in for a let down this year. Winston may not have the same issues as Mariota, but he’s got plenty of his own.
No matter which one we take, it will take time to develop him. If you really think he is ready to go right now, you are in for a rude awakening.
I’ve posted lists of his weaknesses time after time. If the Bucs do take him, those will be the reasons you turn on him by his 7th game.
You know, like people here always do. Possibly sooner.
And that’s when I will get my “I told ya so” moments…over and over.
April 9th, 2015 at 8:30 pm
last year every article johnny football was slipped in. Rachel Watson lover was wrong last year. and it was a good thing johnny is still in rehab! and according to what I have been reading he probably will not be part of the browns plans. what if another Tallahassee woman comes forward? they are looking for one. many sites that cover the nfl are stating this. obsessive behavior. locked in on one thoght repeatedly.put a thick rubberband around your wrist pulling it and smacking it against the skin will get you to think of other thoughts like trade down, mariota
and mike glennon.
April 9th, 2015 at 8:34 pm
@sam and @stpetebucsfan
No where near tampering. You are right on the first point, Jameis is not under contract so there cannot be tampering by a team. Which brings me to the second point, JBF is not an affiliate of an NFL team (as far as I know) and neither Joe to my knowledge is an employee or otherwise an agent for an NFL team. So they can write all they want about other team’s players they want without breaking the NFL rule against tampering. Now, the writers at buccaneers.com are employees of the Bucs, to my knowledge, and therefore are subject to the tampering rules.
April 9th, 2015 at 9:16 pm
Does anyone know when Gruden works out Winston ?
April 9th, 2015 at 9:17 pm
I saw an article on ESPN that the Chargers want to move up and will trade Rivers to Tenn for 2nd pick..
What about the Bucs getting Rivers with a few more picks and go for the best OL in the draft
April 9th, 2015 at 9:28 pm
Joe, with everyone buzzing about Jameis Winston in Tampa today, I think I found the answer!
https://twitter.com/ODonnellFox13/status/586328998877224960
April 9th, 2015 at 10:04 pm
BuccaneerBonzai Says:
April 9th, 2015 at 8:15 pm
“I’ve posted lists of his weaknesses time after time.”
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LOL – Yea and most of your “analysis” regarding Winston is either grossly overstated in a negative fashion – or just plain BS.
April 9th, 2015 at 10:53 pm
This Entire article is based on a bunch of assumptions
April 9th, 2015 at 10:59 pm
It is amazing how most of you Mariota OR Winston supporters simply can Not accept criticism of Your guy without attacking the other guy.
Lol
April 9th, 2015 at 11:08 pm
“It is amazing how most of you Mariota OR Winston supporters simply can Not accept criticism of Your guy without attacking the other guy.”
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Very true.
April 10th, 2015 at 12:06 am
I’m sure that one drive that the starters are in the game will be so pivotal to our season
April 10th, 2015 at 12:40 am
Mark
Love Charlie he’s a true fan.
Buc
You know me and you down like 4 flat tires
Hawaii
Sup bro? It’s good to see you.
All
There is a cool video on buc.com of the private workouts. If you haven’t seen it I think it would be worth the 5 mins.