Alleged Glazer Split On Winston Seems Odd
April 13th, 2015
The suggestion that Team Glazer is split on drafting Jameis Winston because of community relations doesn’t add up
Among the three highlights of the Silly Season kickoff last week was a reported discord among Team Glazer regarding whether to draft Jameis Winston No. 1 overall.
Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, one of the five Team Glazer siblings in control of the Bucs, was reported to have misgivings about Winston because of his off-field history and how that would play with community relations.
Kassewitz is the co-president of the Glazer Family Foundation.
Joe can logically see how it may concern someone in Kassewitz’s position — for the Bucs to draft a player who has had brushes with the law, trivial though they may be. However, given the team’s history the past eight years, this report doesn’t hold a drop of water when considering derelicts that have been on the roster.
Let’s go back to 2007, when Bruce Almighty and Chucky drafted cabbie-slugging, helmet-wielding, granny-hassling, pistol-whipping, PED-popping Aqib Talib. While Talib had yet to turn into the constant trouble-maker he became, he was far from an angel entering the draft. The University of Kansas product had served two-years probation for breaking into a house in high school. He was later suspended by Kansas coach Mark Mangino for the ever-popular breaking of team rules. Talib was also a well-known pot-smoker.
Joe doesn’t recall any misgivings about drafting Talib and his impact on community relations then.
Also in 2007, the Bucs signed free agent tight end Jerramy Stevens, better known as “King of Turds.” Stevens’ rap sheet is significant (slamming his pickup into a nursing home is a highlight). He was charged with sexual assault at the University of Washington, and the charges were dropped down to aggravated assault for which Stevens was convicted. The “King of Turds” also was in a tawdry incident with a woman in public, of which the details are rather sordid.
On the night prior to hosting the St. Louis Rams in October 2010, Stevens was charged with “intent to sell cannabis” by Tampa police. “The King of Turds” was cut from the Bucs hours later.
Joe never remembered anyone at One Buc Palace offering concern for how Stevens’ employment mightnot go over well in regards to community relations.
In 2012, former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik, desperate for cornerback help, signed true dirtbag Eric Wright to a $37.5 million contract. Wright, too, was no stranger to police while in college.
When at USC, Wright was arrested for sexual assault but the charges were dropped for lack of evidence. Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times offers the uncomfortable details.
According to the district attorney’s charge evaluation worksheet, prosecutors were considering charges of forcible oral copulation, forcible sexual penetration and rape. The worksheet said the 18-year-old student who made the allegations against Wright was intoxicated on the night she met Wright at a party. When the alleged victim left the party, Wright put a blue pill he said was Ecstasy in the woman’s mouth, the report said.
The woman tested positive for the drug, and police found 136 Ecstasy tablets in Wright’s room, the report said. Wright made no statements to police, the report said.
It is odd that a college man such as Wright, who was also fond of spas while with the Bucs, would have well over 100 pills of Ecstasy. Maybe the dealer he purchased the pills from down the block told Wright they helped keep his stool soft.
Joe never heard a peep at One Buc Palace of any executive having second thoughts about signing Wright and how it would play in the community.
Hall of Famer Warren Sapp, drafted by the Bucs just weeks after Malcolm Glazer bought the team, is always finding his name splashed across the Interwebs for the wrong reasons. But he is always welcomed back to One Buc Palace with open arms. His No. 99 is rightly retired and hangs in honor for all to see at the Den of Depression. There never seemed to be any concern about community relations over this.
And don’t forget Super Bowl hero Michael Pittman, who came to the Bucs with convictions for hurting his wife.
So now that the Bucs are about to draft Winston, whose run-ins with authority are laughable in comparison to Talib, Stevens and Wright when they were leaving college, all of a sudden the team hierarchy is worried about community relations?
Maybe Joe is off base here, but being the laughingstock of the NFL and unable to win a playoff game in over 12 years might just be far more damaging to community relations than a guy who jumps on top of a table and hollers obscenities.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:09 am
Compare apples to apples, or in those cases, rotten apples…..
The thugs mentioned did not play the quarterback position and were not brought in as the new “face of the franchise”
I’m surprised Joe can’t understand someone having second thoughts about Winston……perhaps she has spoken to a lot of women in the community, but we don’t know….
So can we still assume, like Joe has, that JW will be the pick without any doubt at all??
April 13th, 2015 at 8:12 am
You’re correct….Joe IS off base here. Well, except for the fact that you just promoted the reasons why NOT to draft Winston. Thank you Joe.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:16 am
Well said, Joe!……now Glaziers, go draft Winston…..the only way to go!
April 13th, 2015 at 8:18 am
It does make sense for two reasons……
1. Winston would be the #1 overall pick & a QB…..face of the franchise
2. How many of the bad actors are still on the team…..the past two managers have weeded out all character problems…
April 13th, 2015 at 8:18 am
So what your saying is? What that they have had dirtbags on the team in the past why stop now?
April 13th, 2015 at 8:18 am
Is the NFL not a different league now Joe than it was back then?
What with Ray Rice, Hardy, and AP incidents….
It seems to me that the NFL is buckling down on such things that will make the shield look bad.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:21 am
Hasn’t the ownership changed slightly since 2007 and 2012?…
April 13th, 2015 at 8:21 am
@Tom,
A first-round pick is always somewhat of a face of the franchise, no matter the position. Those guys were also all charged with crimes. Meanwhile, Winston has only received a citation for walking out of Publix with a whole $32 worth of crab legs from what is widely rumored to be a hookup. Big difference in the rap sheets of Winston and those guys.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:27 am
Tom:
So let me get this straight—because Winston is a QB we are supposed to judge him more stringently than a bunch of Buc players who ACTUALLY did terrible things.
Cornwell was dead on–the public should be shocked and disturbed that the media has reached down into the amateur ranks to absolutely assassinate the character of a 21 year old based off nothing other than conjecture and the refusal to report facts.
He cursed in public, he was busted for what was a standard FSU hook up at Publix, he poured soda in a catsup cup, and he was having a BB gun fight with his friends.
Sounds like a frat boy—not the scourge of our society.
Other than that he was cleared four times of a false charge of assault by Kinesman who repeatedly lied and changed her story 7 times (yes 7!). He was also cleared by an unbiased Supreme Court justice.
You know for a while it was just disturbing that people allowed themselves to turn a kid into a villain based off zero facs, but now it is truly beginning to seem disconcerting get societal issue.
When you have people like TOM saying this kid should be judged more harshly than absolute slime like Stevens and Wright—who have committed serious illegal acts—there’s a big problem folks.
I get it, a lot of you are Gators, and yes, I get it the media has force fed you stories that lead you towards a false conclusion, but do yourselves a favor:
START THINKING FOR YOURSELVES. READ THE REPORTS. DO THE LEG WORK, AND OPEN YOUR EYES. YOUR BEING LED ASTRAY.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:29 am
There is more sensitivity today than ever before….things change, Joe.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:33 am
So today we are using examples of criminals to defend Jameis
April 13th, 2015 at 8:34 am
Winston vs Mariota has been a pretty big debate and fair or not, Winstons troubles have been highly publicized. It makes sense for there to be differences of opinions at OBP as well.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:35 am
Joe, I think you are missing something here. We are talking about a culmination of bad moves building up to where we are now. In the past few years, things have been worse. When you count the MRSA, the Freeman thing, the trades or signings not working out, and a slew of other things, perhaps the Glazers are saying “enough is enough!”
Certainly, the fans are.
Yes, there are plenty fans that are right now saying they want Winston, for example. But you can bet, if he has ONE off field issue, those same fans will say drafting him was a horrible decision.
Darcie Glazer Kassewitz is actually considering public relations. The boys tend to not do that. We’ve seen where it leads the team. Low ticket sales, no prime time games, no playoffs, heck, no winning record.
You’ve mentioned the team needs drama? I say, where have you been the last few years??? We’ve had nothing BUT drama, and not a bit of it has done any good.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:37 am
Also, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz was not a part of those past decisions.
People have been complaining that the Glazer BOYS are screwing things up with the team…well, here we have new blood. I say give her a chance.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:37 am
Why is it so hard to understand that none of those guys were QBs nor were they being considered at the No. One over all pick.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:37 am
I just gotta smile and shake my head when the FSU fans show their support of Infamous Jameis by attacking other fans’ opinions. (“Oh, they’re just Gator fans”, etc.). Just stand up for your guy, and tell us what a great guy he is, and why. Kinda difficult, I know….good luck.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:39 am
Imagine the community relations disaster there would be from sitting a first overall pick for a few years to develop.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:39 am
“Trivial though they may be”, Joe? Rape isn’t trivial. Two* allegations of Rape certainly isn’t trivial. I don’t disagree with your point, but rape is about as serious as it gets. The crab legs and saying stupid/offensive things aren’t what people are concerned with. It’s Rape.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:41 am
Joe – Lots of media types jumping on Mayock’s bandwagon with the Bucs taking Mariota. Do your sources see any evidence that the winds of change are blowing?
April 13th, 2015 at 8:45 am
Well he’s thinner than the big dog.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:47 am
I honestly don’t think any alleged split or indecision has to do with off field behavior for Winston. Sure, maybe it factors into the decision just a little bit, but I think if the Bucs are truly undecided between QBs, it has to do more with their offensive philosophy going into the 2015 season.
I think Winston is the favorite to be drafted, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if it’s Mariota getting his name called at number one on draft day. Like I’ve typed over and over in the comment section; give me one of the two QBs and I’ll be happy. Winston or Mariota, give me the guy that hopefully is the better of the two long-term for this football team.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:49 am
@Joe,
I’m personally all for drafting Winston… With that said I think your story produces a counter argument against drafting him more than it does drafting him. If the Bucs have a track record for bringing in Turds and this ultimately leading them to being bottom dwellers of the NFL, wouldn’t a change in that regard be a good idea?
April 13th, 2015 at 8:50 am
Mort – This is still the United States of America. Winstion was throughly investagated and not even charged. Surely you dont think employment should be denied based on an allogation, right? Trial by media does not make you guilty of anything. Just watched a 60 minutes special last night on the Duke Lacross team and how the coach lost his job because of media backlash and womens advocacy groups going overboard in harassing the players and coach all for something that never happened. Mob mentality still rules but there is a reason linch mobs are not tolerated in this country.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:50 am
Winston’s ONLY positive is that he came from a pro-style offense. That’s it. How about all those interceptions? I think it’ll be easier for Mariota to learn a pro-stlye offense and fit in with the Bucs and have no off field issues, then ti will be for Winston to grow up and not embarrass himself or the Bucs. If the Bucs do draft Winston, I hope we have a great #2 QB, as he’ll be playing a lot while Winston is suspended.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:58 am
I would like to see the Bucs take the DE with their top pick and draft Hundley later on. I like the kid and think he has more upside than Winston or Mariota.
April 13th, 2015 at 8:59 am
Astute – The interceptions are clearly not good and would have to be fixed, but what do you think would be easier for coaches to change? A tendency to force the ball to your favorite target or to change your personality type from being a queit on the field producer, who does not like being in the spot light (Mariota’s words) to a vocal leader in the locker room who will lead and inspire his team mates?
April 13th, 2015 at 9:00 am
Here’s where I stand on Jameis Winston
I’m not currently against drafting him. There, I said it. I wouldn’t consider myself a Winstonite though.
Jameis Winston has the sort of personality that makes you want to hope for the best for him. He’s outgoing. He’s saying all the right things. He’s shown some improvement in his weak areas (which is the most important thing; though he has not shown it in live games yet, which he won’t have the opportunity to do before the draft).
Marcus Mariota has the sort of personality where he doesn’t really fire people up. If he succeeds in the NFL, it will be as a silent assassin. He won’t be a bragger. He’ll study, he’ll learn, he’ll perform. I believe taking snaps under center will be easy enough for him to do. His challenges will be in prep and adjusting to the speed of the game without thinking run first.
I’m pretty much resigned that we are taking Winston. Regardless of what Winstonites claim, I have been unbiased in my assessments of him. My agenda is not one of hate, it is one of wanting a winning QB for the long term.
The key words there are LONG TERM. Winston can be the best QB in the draft, but if he is in trouble with the law, say like Talib was for example, it will do this team no good at all. IF Mariota needs a lot of work at first, but will have the better career, it is worth taking him instead.
Look at it this way. Say Marcus Mariota takes 3-4 years to develop, and the first year or so is garbage, but then he improves and has a run of ten years where he is an elite super bowl QB? Would it have been worth drafting him? I’m not asking if it will happen, I’m asking if it did happen, looking back, will it have been worth taking him?
I would not be against taking Mariota. In fact, I have favored him in the past. The offensive line will not be fixed this year anyway. Maybe a piece or two will be, but beyond that, it’s looking at another year barring some blockbuster trade that doesn’t cost us our first pick. We’ll have the time to develop him anyway.
Regardless, I think the pick is JAMEIS WINSTON
And since that is the case, here are the things I will watch for in him:
A. His Release has to improve throughout his rookie year
I don’t expect perfection, just improvement.
B. Pocket Awareness has to develop to a better extent than he has at the moment.
I actually see facets of him that make me believe he will improve in this area.
C. Mobility in the pocket has to improve.
This is an area in which he is REALLY bad at present. He is more of a statue than Glennon.
D. Ball Placement has to take huge leaps.
Regardless of what Winstonites claim, his ball placement is way off, and that is the first reason his picks are so high.
E. He has to deceive the defenses with his eyes, don’t stare down his targets.
Even Winston and Gruden admitted to this problem. Winstonites have been denying it. I’ve been shouting it from the roof tops. The Gruden QB Camp confirmed it is a major issue. (told ya!) The good news is he showed with Gruden that he can learn to mislead the defenses. That was one of the things that won me over.
If he is drafted to Tampa, I’ll support him. I’ll hope for the best. If he keeps his behavior clean, I’ll back him 100 percent.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:02 am
NAILED IT!
April 13th, 2015 at 9:13 am
@Jimmy53:
I have said NOTHING on how JW should be judged…..simply pointed out that perhaps this isn’t the slam dunk that Joe and everyone else is making it to be……odds have to be about 90% they’ll take him…….
You simply do not know how to read a comment……plus I said nothing about any allegations or off field facts…….
My only question is: can you trust him? Simple question, I have not said you can or can’t, simply asking a question that I can imagine is being asked at all levels at 1 Buc Place………
April 13th, 2015 at 9:17 am
@Dreambig
Wait. You are against Mariota because of his personality? Are you freaking kidding me?
The NFL has had plenty of successful QBs with the same quiet personality. If that is all that guides your choice, then you need mental assistance…fast.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:25 am
Lovie Smith has no time to draft a spread option QB. Hoping he can learn the pro game. What happens to spread option QBs trying to learn the game? They trust there legs more then there arms. I don’t think Jason Licht can afford to take that chance. Not after last years free agency mishap.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:30 am
Bonzi – Not against Mariota at all, he is extremely talented, but I think Winstons vocal leadership is more effective at energizing his team mates. I think the Bucs need a strong, motivating leader. One of Mariota’s team mates in an interview said that Mariota was a quite guy, but when he did speak, people listened because he didn’t speak up often. That is a type of leadership, as well as his performance on the field would also create leadership but I think the Bucs need more than that.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:31 am
Wouldn’t Darcie Glazer Kassewitz not be doing her job if she didn’t at least ask what the impact of drafting Winston on community relations might be? She can look into that without necessarily being against the pick.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:36 am
So I guess if the Bucs trade the #1 pick and get the #2 pick and draft Winston you guys will be satisfied. He will still be the face of the franchise if he was the last pick in the draft the QB will always be the face. For all the J.J. Watts, Gerald McCoys, Luke Kuechlys of the world you need that QB to get you over that hump.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:39 am
Mort, what do you mean TWO rape allegations? Who’s the 2nd one?
April 13th, 2015 at 9:39 am
I can’t imagine acquiring “the face of the franchise” that has the history Winston has. If you discount the rape charge, everything else is extreme immaturity. Do you want your son looking up to this man? I really don’t, especially when there is a very comparable player out there in the minds of most experts. I don’t understand the debate. Either take Mariota or trade down.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:47 am
I didn’t realize being accused of rape was considered trivial now.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:50 am
As usual, JOE doesn’t get “it”. JOE never gets “it”.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:54 am
All of those signings happened in a completely different point in our country’s history. Now, we’re in an era where we have people who are professionally offended, people who are incapable of having rational discourse while conversing with someone who has a differing opinion, and people who can spew venom under the veil of online anonymity.
Additionally, people were not nearly as ravenous in their consumption of all things NFL related as they are now. Thus, there was not nearly the amount of coverage, and scrutiny, as there is now. Granted, Wright was signed more recently, but that was a free agent signing that happened in the midst of a spending spree following a years long drought of free agent spending by the Bucs so I wouldn’t expect them to be too heavily criticized when they finally opened their wallets to bring talent in.
I have no concerns about bringing Winston in with regard to his off field issues. I made plenty of questionable decisions when I was 21 years old and that didn’t stop the Navy from putting me in charge of lots of expensive equipment and giving me leadership roles over other sailors’ lives. They helped me learn from it and I grew because of the lessons I learned. A lot of you guys seem to think that a person, even at 21, is who they’re going to be. I think that he has already learned a lot of valuable lessons and I’m sure that he will learn a lot more about how to conduct himself with the positive influences he’ll have around him with the Bucs.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:56 am
@AstuteFL
Considered by scouting community to be advanced in ability to scan field and get through progressions. Has natural feel for throwing windows and anticipates openings that other college quarterbacks don’t see. Has height to see over offensive line and thickness of build to withstand NFL hits. Big arm by NFL standards. Gets full extension and follow through into throws with ability to drive ball into the seam in front of safeties. Can make all of the field-side throws teams need. Most teammates very trusting and protective of him, according to regional scouts. Aware in pocket, but not overly jittery. Good feel for edge pressure and steps up into pocket while continuing his scan. When pressure mounts, so does his focus. Shows faith in his wide receivers and willing to go right back to them after a drop. Strong lower body and able to shake free of some would-be sacks and get rid of the ball. Fierce competitor and unafraid of mistakes. Shows above-average football character. Will make throws and take chances others won’t, which can be a special trait if properly harnessed.
April 13th, 2015 at 9:57 am
Jameis advocates are in denial if they don’t understand Jameis is in for the roughest year in his life…..on field his head in going to be spinning …off field legal & media distractions relating to his legal issues are going to be HUGE !…
this ain’t warm and fuzzy Tallahassee anymore……
April 13th, 2015 at 9:57 am
It’s a negotiation ploy, plain and simple. Jameis, put your name on the dotted line and agree not to play baseball or be a bad boy or you’l be forced to give back your signing bonus.
April 13th, 2015 at 10:09 am
Off field player issues are at the forefront nowadays. There is a much bigger emphasis on public relations and how player incidents can effect the team image. The league is taking a stand and the teams are quick to cut loose any players that jeopardize the image, rightfully so. It’s a different league than it was even a couple years ago. The team is making a big statement and taking a big risk by drafting a player first overall and making him the face of the franchise. It would look like a huge blunder on their part if that player had off field concerns and those concerns continued in the pros. There’s no doubt that there are varying opinions within the Bucs organization on who they should take.
April 13th, 2015 at 10:20 am
Karma is a bitch Tampa bay. I hope we get exactly what we deserve.
#56-0 #winlessathome #nobodywantstoplayhere #2-14
April 13th, 2015 at 10:24 am
@ Bonzai
Agreed. Especially about the ball placement. Watching JWs film, he’s ALWAYS throwing behind his receivers and they always have to stop in their routes. I was all about Mariota at the beginning, then i went to Winston, now Im starting to lean back to Mariota. What a mess
April 13th, 2015 at 10:35 am
Picking Mariota over Winston is worse than playing McClown over Glennon.
#moronic #2-14 #idontknowhowtocallaplayinthehuddle
April 13th, 2015 at 10:38 am
@SOEbuc – No Mess Just Mariota!
April 13th, 2015 at 10:40 am
Drafting Winston ~ equals dafting a circus
April 13th, 2015 at 10:41 am
In-Fact, That should be the Headline when the Bucs select Mariota over Winston.
“No Mess Just Mariota”!
April 13th, 2015 at 10:43 am
Per NFL am
April 13th, 2015 at 10:48 am
Please name the 2nd accuser. Otherwise, shut up.
April 13th, 2015 at 10:50 am
17 days and 9 hours until we draft The Chosen One.
For me 28 long years of waiting will be over….if only for a short time, but I’ll take it.
Go Bucs!
April 13th, 2015 at 10:54 am
Yeah but none of those players listed above were quarterbacks that we were about to draft first overall. So dont play it off like it’s no big deal if and when you respond.
With all the holes we have, the Bucs need to make sure the quarterback they are about to draft checks out, which to their credit, they have. Im all in on Winston but I also understand why there could be concern.
April 13th, 2015 at 10:57 am
Jameis should be scared of some of these dumb*ss Bucs fan.
Bucs fans football IQ = #2 pencil.
April 13th, 2015 at 10:58 am
Of course it makes sense…whether you folks like to realize it or not…he is a polarizing figure…if you have not been able to figure that out by now, you need to have your head examined. A QB is the face of the franchise…you can’t compare it to Talib, Pittman or even Sapp…
April 13th, 2015 at 10:59 am
Joe…you will type of any piece of nonsense to get hits and comments to your website….my last trip here
April 13th, 2015 at 11:06 am
David Spade : Ah buh bye bo….
April 13th, 2015 at 11:11 am
And once again….the Infamous Jameis supporters just pour on the hatred for those that disagree, instead of demonstrating why Jameis is such a good guy to have as the “face of the franchise”.
Right JameisBucsQB? Very civil of you….do you represent the typical Jameis (i.e. Seminole) supporter?
April 13th, 2015 at 11:43 am
SInce when is a rape allegation laughable Joe? Yeah, freakin hillarious
April 13th, 2015 at 12:11 pm
wow hmmm these haters want to feel sorry for Winston they really do but they want him to become the next brian banks story in order to forgive him
April 13th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
@Bonzai
Appreciate your breakdown. Disagree on a few points. His pocket awareness / mobility are miles better than Mike Glennon. Insnaely better in my opinion.
The reason i say this is because EJ Manuel was a classic example of a guy with bad pocket awareness (and he is faster/more athletic than Winston) and when Winston took the field in his first start it was obvious he was insanely better i the pocket.
Winston moves around in the pocket incredibly well. A lot of tape I’ve seen broken down of him shows how he has the instincts to constantlly maneuver in ways that naturally avoid the pressure; and also in ways to avoid getting balls batted down (like backing up an extra step to get it over the defenders hand). This is one of his better strengths.
I also think his ball placement is one of his strengths and most scouts have said this. Very accurate with the ball. Not always but more often than most. He throws to spots on the field so it’s important the receivers are very in sync. But his ball placement in the red zone is awesome (see TD in national championship / passes over defenders heads to Nick O Leary / back shoulder throws in general).
Agree on the eyes. He can be much better with them and recognizing coverage short. I think in general WInston’s greatest weakness is having too much faith in where he can put the ball; and forcing passes too much to his best targets. But disagree 100% on the pocket abilities / general accuracy. He can improve but he is already better than a lot of NFL starters in those categories imo
April 13th, 2015 at 1:07 pm
it all adds up…..it’s the silly season and dumb goodell moved the draft back a month so all this ridiculous chatter could go on even more as if it’s healthy for the league, it’s tiring for the average fan who wants real valid information. fans will grow tired of the rumor mill eventually unless the media keeps coming up with new angles of bull
April 13th, 2015 at 1:50 pm
Joe continues to dodge the suspicions that Winston really did rape that woman and that the fact he wasn’t charged had more to do with corruption or incompetence in Tallahassee than it did with evidence. I mean, any fair-minded person has to acknowledge that the justice system isn’t exactly known for treating rape-victims well, and it’s certainly not out of the question that things could be swept under the rug or deliberately bungled so as to protect the star QB. I’m not saying that’s what happened, but the ability of Joe and so many commenters here to block out the possibility that he may actually have done some awful stuff, is pretty remarkable. Those are not trivial accusations.
And I make the comments above as someone whose opinion of Winston has improved greatly over the last few months. He does seem like a charismatic, charming, intelligent kid… but let’s be sober and honest about this.
April 13th, 2015 at 1:56 pm
[…] the Bucs have not been shy about signing players with checkered off-field histories, none of those players were asked to be the face of the franchise and the Bucs did not have to […]
April 13th, 2015 at 1:57 pm
How convenient you fail to mention the RAPE charges Joe? And don’t come back with “The charges were dropped”…it’s still a red flag and THAT is the reason a female, or anyone, would have concerns. I’ll be interested to hear your take after you watch “The Hunting Ground” where the FSU attorney pauses after being asked if he believes Winston is innocent and replied that there was not enough evidence to convict him but that “things happened that night…that were not good.” So no, this is not “laughable”.
April 13th, 2015 at 2:55 pm
Let me say this right now.
THERE IS NO CHANCE THE BUCS TRADE DOWN TO TWO.
Not going to happen, people. It’s not a realistic expectation.
April 13th, 2015 at 3:13 pm
This is the season you will hear all kinds of rumors. I’m surprise we’re not linked to Tom Brady.
April 13th, 2015 at 5:08 pm
[…] the Bucs have not been shy about signing players with checkered off-field histories, none of those players were asked to be the face of the franchise and the Bucs did not have to […]
April 13th, 2015 at 6:59 pm
The Bucs would be fools to draft Winston. He will go down as one of the biggest busts in NFL history. And the FSU apologists are just as revolting as Winston is.
April 14th, 2015 at 1:05 pm
First thing to get out of the way is that for some reason Joe has a man crush on Jameis Winston. Personally, I think it’s a purely commercial man crush. I think Joe rightly assessed a long time ago that given his off field history Winston would be a controversial #1 pick. So to generate traffic and revenue, Joe started the “Winston Watch” and began pulling big time for Tampa to pick Winston #1, knowing it would generate discussion, traffic to his website and revenue. I think Joe’s support for Winston at #1 is cravenly commercial and that’s okay since this website is how Joe makes a living.
As for the Winston or Marcus Mariota debate. At first I was leaning Winston of the Bucs could clear up some of the off field business – there is always a degree of urban legend and misinformation in all that. However, as Mariota has reportedly demonstrated, at the Combine, during his Pro Day and in private workouts, that the concerns over on the field issues were somewhat overblown, I’m leaning more toward Mariota. Right now, if the reports are accurate and to be believed the two are about equal on the field, with each man obviously having his own unique strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, I’m firmly in the Mariota camp now, as he appears to be the safer bet. I don’t think the Bucs as an organization can survive another swing and a miss, particularly with the #1 pick, and Mariota is the least risky pick from that perspective.
Yes, he’s quiet, but so were Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas, and other great quarterbacks. Sure he has to learn the pro drop back style, but that’s offset by Winston’s apparent lack of mobility. Thing is, Mariota is a sure bet to be there year after year without having to take any “breaks” because of off field issues. I really hope Winston keeps his nose clean and has a great career. Right now though the Bucs can’t afford the risk that he doesn’t.