Jameis The Recruiter
May 5th, 2015
Now this made Joe’s day. Joe is at One Buc Palace and already Bucs veterans dropped the word “excited” about having Jameis Winston on board, especially wide receiver Mike Evans (more on that later).
It is already known that Winston, because of his cult of personality and big-game arm, endears himself to other players. They want to play for him.
Case in point Kenny Bell, the Bucs’ fifth-round pick who struck a friendship with Winston at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Bell, a wide receiver, raved about young Jameis.
Well, now Jameis is recruiting for the Bucs. This morning in “Morning Cup Of Joe,” Joe wondered aloud how come Jameis isn’t recruiting La’Eel Collins, the stud LSU tackle, to come to Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent.
Apparently, Jameis is ahead of Joe. He’s already working his cell phone. Per Reid Getlin of Yahoo! Sports, Jameis is trying to work his charms to lure Collins to the Bucs.
Who’s recruiting La’el Collins most aggressively? #Bucs QB Jameis Winston is right up there. Pushing hard for Collins to come to Tampa Bay.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) May 5, 2015
This is just awesome news. It is one thing for Capt. Lou Albano with the Bills to go visit Collins and put a sales pitch on him; it is quite another for one of Collins’ peers to do so. And not just a peer, but a guy who was picked No. 1 overall, has championship experience, and is expected to lead the Bucs to the next level.
Go get him Jameis! Bring Collins home.
May 5th, 2015 at 12:51 pm
Go Jameis. Let’s do this.
May 5th, 2015 at 12:52 pm
Capt Lou. Lmao. That’s funny.
May 5th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
McCoy struck out on his last attempt. Let’s hope Jameis is more successful.
May 5th, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Go Jameis go
May 5th, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Love it.
May 5th, 2015 at 12:55 pm
That’s what is great about having Winston. Other players Love him & want to play with him! If Famous Jameis could recruit Collins to Tampa I will go crazy!
May 5th, 2015 at 12:55 pm
Please mother of god
May 5th, 2015 at 12:57 pm
Hold up, guys.
What does Barry think of this?
May 5th, 2015 at 12:57 pm
franchise quarterback MGM really? you may not like his personality but the guy is all about winning, think Mariota would be recruiting this guy? Winston will be the day one starter as he should be. if we sign this lineman because of Winston how could you not root for Winston to be the franchise guy
May 5th, 2015 at 1:02 pm
I like this and I HATED the Jameis pick…..I’ll be the first guy to cheer for him, but admittedly, if he ever gets into off-season legal trouble I will also be one of the first to say I told you so.
May 5th, 2015 at 1:05 pm
If this comes through and we have Collins, Marpet and Smith jelling together on the line with Mankins teaching them how the best in the league do it, man, the sky’s the limit. We may not immediately go from worst to first this year but that is a recipe for much brighter days ahead for the Bucs. Once we get that offense shored up, we can give Lovie the coming drafts to bulk up his defensive talent and we could, for the first time ever in our history, have a well rounded team. I hesitate to project that Clay will be a special teams ace but, if so, we could actually have a 3 headed beast of a team without any of the glaring weaknesses that we’ve all grown to just accept as part of what our teams are going to be.
So pumped to see these guys hit the field.
May 5th, 2015 at 1:08 pm
I give this kid a lot of credit. He is hitting the ground running and trying to help attract quality players to Tampa Bay! I hope Jameis tackles learning the playbook with the same enthusiasm. For all the concerns I had about Winston going in to the Draft, I am looking forward to seeing him on the field practicing soon!
May 5th, 2015 at 1:17 pm
Jeagan1999 Says:
May 5th, 2015 at 1:08 pm
I give this kid a lot of credit. He is hitting the ground running and trying to help attract quality players to Tampa Bay! I hope Jameis tackles learning the playbook with the same enthusiasm.
——————————–
See I don’t understand this statement. Jameis’ work ethic has never been questioned. Everyone talks about his football IQ. Why would you question whether the guy was going to tackle his playbook? He always has!!! I know you may have some “character” concerns which is fair, but to make up additional concerns is very unfair to this young man. And I am not just getting on you. I’m talking about the Chris Landry’s of the world who tried to sell the Tampa area that Jameis was going to be difficult to coach yet coaches all the way back to pee wee league rave about him both football and baseball coaches. Please, lets not add false concerns to this man.
May 5th, 2015 at 1:17 pm
If, as you say, you are looking for Mankins to “teach” the offensive linemen how to be a good player, then why they heck does Lovie have an offensive line coach?
Mankins needs to take care of his own business and not be the bum he was last year.
May 5th, 2015 at 1:18 pm
So far so good! Fameis has lived up to the hype and considering how loudly the “hype machine”has been going that hasn’t been easy for Fameis. But he’s done all he’s been asked and more so far. No baseball! It’s all good. Can’t wait to see Friday, but mostly can’t wait to see September Sundays!!!
May 5th, 2015 at 1:18 pm
OBW my comment was @ Patrick in VA
May 5th, 2015 at 1:19 pm
I just love that caption and the other one where’s he’s making that funny face at the media with the guys standing next to him on the field!
Like I said this guy is the ultimate competitor and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make this a winning team again!
May 5th, 2015 at 1:26 pm
Hey, Ma! Can we get some meatloaf?! Hey, Ma! The meatloaf! We want it now! The meatloaf!
May 5th, 2015 at 1:26 pm
Ouch!!!
“Greg Auman ✔@gregauman
New odds to win NFC South in 2015 from @BovadaLV: Falcons 2:1, Panthers 2:1, Saints 9:4, Bucs 15:2.”
May 5th, 2015 at 1:28 pm
Greg Auman ✔@gregauman
More NFL futures: @BovadaLV sets over-under on Jameis Winston TD passes for Bucs in 2015 at 19.5; INTs at 17.5, passing yards at 3,750.
May 5th, 2015 at 1:31 pm
Just wait till free agency next season. The pilgrimage will begin 🙂
May 5th, 2015 at 1:34 pm
@Joe
Thanks for another post concerning the offense line #MorePlease
We need all the help we can get
May 5th, 2015 at 1:36 pm
Tom Edrington Says:
“If, as you say, you are looking for Mankins to “teach” the offensive linemen how to be a good player, then why they heck does Lovie have an offensive line coach?”
EXACTLY!!!!!
May 5th, 2015 at 1:41 pm
Ws99
15:2 I’ll take that anyday
May 5th, 2015 at 1:41 pm
This is ridiculous. If the Bucs wanted Collins they have just drafted him. What difference does it make PR-wise?
May 5th, 2015 at 1:41 pm
Per: Jason Licht (Concerning Logan Mankins)
“He’s the first one in the meeting room, Teaching these guys how to Study the Right Way,” “He holds them accountable without having to say a word. He gives them ‘the look’ and that’s enough.”
May 5th, 2015 at 1:43 pm
@Tiny Tim….Damn, dude…Chill Out! I was trying to give the young man a compliment, not criticize him! I never questioned his work ethic! I merely meant that at a time when 99.9% of rookie NFL players are more concerned with moving to a new city, meeting their new teammates, fighting for a job, etc… I thought it bode well that Jameis was trying to help make the team better by reaching out to a talented guy like Collins! I think Winston has been impressive so far!
Dont be so damn sensitive!
May 5th, 2015 at 1:47 pm
@Tom – You’re right, it’s the coach’s job to teach. Perhaps I should have worded it more carefully. What I am looking for out of Mankins would be to demonstrate to the new guys the proper way to prepare themselves for success and how to carry themselves at the NFL level. The Xs and Os will certainly come from the staff but people like Mankins would be the example of how to conduct your business that I would like them to emulate and learn from.
May 5th, 2015 at 1:51 pm
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Offensive Line has Collected *99 sacks in 2yrs)
• 2013 (4-12) Scored 288 points (18.0/g), 30th of 32 in the NFL (*47sks)
• 2014 (2-14) Scored 277 points (17.3/g), 29th of 32 in the NFL (*52sks)
May 5th, 2015 at 1:53 pm
@Patrick…I understand what you meant and I agree with your sentiment. Coaches do teach…but there is always and “us and them” thing between players and coaches. I think a positive, professional, peer role model is invaluable to young guys when they are just starting out! From the coaches they will learn X’s and O’s, and assignments, and techniques…..but from a guy like Mankins, they will learn professionalism, hard work, dedication and benefit from the wealth of his experiences! Both will be very helpful!
May 5th, 2015 at 1:56 pm
@Patrick
I got what you were saying. I don’t know why everyone else didn’t. Its the influence of vets that played at high level that really grooms or rubs off on a young player. Which is why I wanted revis around 1 more year for johnny banks.
May 5th, 2015 at 2:03 pm
Evan Mathis > Logan Mankins
Evan Mathis graded out as one of the Best Guards in the NFL last year. And has done so for the past 5yrs. Dudes in better conditions & quicker on his feet.
I
May 5th, 2015 at 2:05 pm
Listen what Gerald McCoy has to say about the Evan Mathis
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-top100-2014/0ap2000000350291/Gerald-McCoy-Adrian-Wilson-Jeremy-Maclin-Mike-Daniels
May 5th, 2015 at 2:24 pm
Jeagan1999 Says:
May 5th, 2015 at 1:43 pm
@Tiny Tim….Damn, dude…Chill Out! I was trying to give the young man a compliment, not criticize him! I never questioned his work ethic! I merely meant that at a time when 99.9% of rookie NFL players are more concerned with moving to a new city, meeting their new teammates, fighting for a job, etc… I thought it bode well that Jameis was trying to help make the team better by reaching out to a talented guy like Collins! I think Winston has been impressive so far!
Dont be so damn sensitive!
————————–
Like I said, lets not make up concerns period. He is dealing with enough with this bias media.
May 5th, 2015 at 2:27 pm
This would be huge! Might even make a Jameis fan out of me!!!!
May 5th, 2015 at 2:27 pm
@Joe or anyone else –
How does this work with Collins? Is there a priority list similar to waivers? I know the CBA sets a max amount offered.
If no priority, is it just a matter of everyone offering the same amount, and he gets to choose where to sign?
May 5th, 2015 at 2:43 pm
@LaWD
In a nutshell, yes.
Collins gets to choose where he wants to go. Most likely, the money will be the same with all teams.
May 5th, 2015 at 2:51 pm
theodore Says:
May 5th, 2015 at 1:41 pm
“This is ridiculous. If the Bucs wanted Collins they have just drafted him. What difference does it make PR-wise?”
Because Collins said if he gets drafted past the 3rd round he wouldn’t report to that team or something along those lines.
Jeez doesn’t anybody pay attention anymore?
May 5th, 2015 at 3:01 pm
You can tell Collins that in two years as soon as the rules allow he would get a new deal and give him position preference, some teams may anoint him the starter if he signs but that’s it. Pay is going to be the same from any team he chooses. That’s why the Saints were considered the favorite to sign hm because they could easily guarantee him his position as starter on their OL and the regional advantage.
May 5th, 2015 at 3:04 pm
Love and Warrick Dunn….
Collins can sign with any team he wants. No waivers because he was never let go by a team. To complicate matters, there is only so much money that can be offered to undrafted free agents, so money will not really weigh into his decision. Where the Bucs might have an advantage is that he would most certainly start immediately, and EVERYONE is learning a new offensive system, so he would not be far behind the other players. Collins will need to start right away and play well so he can make his money on his second contract!
@Tiny Tim…. I’m not making up any concerns…beyond those I had already. I’m impressed with him so far. I hope he learns the new offensive system quickly and plays well!
But realize this….not everyone WANTS to see Winston play well! There are, and are going to be, lots of people hoping he falls flat on his face! Remember all the “I told you so’s!” Last year with Johhny Rehab? He is one of the most polarizing players to come out of college in recent years! He is going to have to EARN the respect of some fans! He needs to listen and learn, show respect for the fans (even those who who do not like him), his teammates and coaches, work his tail off, play well …and keep his ass out of the tabloids! If he does this, I’m sure he will win over a lot of those fans!
He’s off to a promising start so far! But don’t let every little criticism…whether perceived or actual…get your blood pressure up!
May 5th, 2015 at 3:05 pm
@’87
No they don’t. I tired of answering or correcting the same questions or statements over and over.
I think my favorite is “no teams wanted to trade up for JW like they did for MM.”
May 5th, 2015 at 3:12 pm
if JW brings a pro bowl tackle at no cost to the bucs, he would be one of the best bucs qbs in history regardless of how he preforms. We should have drafted him in the 7th rd.
May 5th, 2015 at 3:19 pm
There will be so many ‘pile on’ losers here like Meat if Jameis plays like an actual rookie. So many haters out there rooting against this kid in a toxic manner. Just go away.
May 5th, 2015 at 3:27 pm
I love the competitive spirit but it’s sort of messed up. The only available tackle position is Dotson’s. He’s basically recruiting a stranger to replace his current teammate. I’m not saying it wouldn’t be an upgrade, just saying maybe it shouldn’t be public.
May 5th, 2015 at 3:33 pm
Espo….. Bucs 2nd round pick Donnovan Smith has the size and skills to also play guard and Marpet can also play Center. So getting Collins would allow the Bucs to start him opposite Dotson and let Smith and Marpet battle for the other guard spot (opposite Mankins) and with EDS for center. It would give our Oline a lot of flexibility!
May 5th, 2015 at 3:43 pm
miken Says:
May 5th, 2015 at 3:12 pm
“if JW brings a pro bowl tackle at no cost to the bucs, he would be one of the best bucs qbs in history regardless of how he preforms. We should have drafted him in the 7th rd.”
Here we go again. Collins said he would not sign with any team that drafts him past the 3rd round.
May 5th, 2015 at 3:47 pm
@Buc1987
You’re operating with news from like 5 days ago. NFL ruled he will not be eligible for the supplemental or next year’s draft. Meaning, he is currently a FA able to sign with any team.
May 5th, 2015 at 3:49 pm
Hasn’t even been there one week and he’s already making corporate decisions. Gotta love it! Lol
May 5th, 2015 at 3:51 pm
Hey props to the guy for making an effort and props to the PR department for making sure we hear about it.
Lets not go too far though and put him on too high a pedestal before taking a snap. We didn’t draft him to recruit, we drafted him because we needed a QB.
Landing Collins would be a bonus but why did every team pass on him for 7 rounds? Buyer beware!
Sorry to be the realist.
I can’t wait for this season to start! Go Bucs!!!
May 5th, 2015 at 4:06 pm
This is great but the team should have just burned a 7th rounder on the guy and been done with it. He’d be easy to cut if he ended up being involved in a crime, and he’d be under contract if he’s cleared.
May 5th, 2015 at 4:11 pm
I heard Collins was going to refuse to sign if he went after the 3rd round. Maybe that is why everyone avoided using a late round pick. I also felt like using the 7th round pick would be well worth the reward. Now I guess he has been being recruited by players from other teams as well including the Dolphins.
May 5th, 2015 at 4:34 pm
Nick Says:
May 5th, 2015 at 3:47 pm
“@Buc1987
You’re operating with news from like 5 days ago. NFL ruled he will not be eligible for the supplemental or next year’s draft. Meaning, he is currently a FA able to sign with any team.”
People are asking how come we did not draft him in the first place and I’m telling them why. Understand?
May 5th, 2015 at 4:36 pm
Bucsfanman Says:
May 5th, 2015 at 3:51 pm
“Landing Collins would be a bonus but why did every team pass on him for 7 rounds? Buyer beware!”
Oh I just give up!
May 5th, 2015 at 4:41 pm
Ill help break it down:
If Collins had been drafted by a team in the rounds 4-7, like he stated he did not want to be, he would’ve had the opportunity to not sign with said team that drafted him, sit out the year and then re-enter into the 2016 draft with the hopes to be drafted higher.
By him not being drafted at all, he is now forced to be an Undrafted Free Agent. As such, he is not eligible to re-enter into the 2016 NFL Draft and must sign with a team as a UDFA if he wants to play this year.
I’m not sure how many other ways it can be said or what else must be said for people to understand this, but that’s about as detailed as it gets as far as this situation is concerned (without speaking about his potential salary).
@Buc1987, feel free to just copy and paste that next time, LOL.
May 5th, 2015 at 4:43 pm
Look at all the posters out of the loop. Write them down and take everything they post the rest of the way with a grain of salt.
For the rest of you that have yet to post on this.
Collins said during the draft that he would not sign with any team that drafts him after the 3rd round. That’s why we did not draft him in the 7th. Or any other team for that matter.
May 5th, 2015 at 5:20 pm
Collins can play guard.
May 5th, 2015 at 5:32 pm
If the Buccaneers land La’el Collins, then we are looking at being very competitive in the division for years to come on offense.
Dude got a raw deal, but if he comes here as a result, then good for us! He’ll play with a chip on his shoulder.
Please, please, please come here La’el Collins!
How often does a potential first round pick go undrafted at a position where a team is completely rebuilding the entire unit???
May 5th, 2015 at 5:36 pm
Celly Says:
“If Collins had been drafted by a team in the rounds 4-7, like he stated he did not want to be, he would’ve had the opportunity to not sign with said team that drafted him, sit out the year and then re-enter into the 2016 draft with the hopes to be drafted higher.”
However, I had heard (don’t know if true) that Roger Goodell told him the best he would get is to enter the 2016 Supplemental Draft…that he would not be permitted to enter the regular draft.
I never looked for the proof of this…someone had mentioned it in the comments on PFT, so it might not be true. But if it was, it could have been horrible for the guy.
In addition, when Bo Jackson did it, he ended up being a 7th round pick the next year. So it really did him no good as far as draft position.
May 5th, 2015 at 5:41 pm
wow. I just read some of the earlier comments. I feel for you, 87.
May 5th, 2015 at 6:14 pm
Would be pretty sweet if we wind up landing this guy. Could go from a terrible line to a, dare I say, deep oline in one off season. Collins/Mankins/EDS(Marpet)/Smith/Dotson sounds good to me. Move Smith out to RT when Dotson starts to decline and groom Marpet to take over for Mankins or EDS.
May 5th, 2015 at 6:54 pm
Bonzai
Per Bspn “NFL spokesman said Collins cannot enter next year’s draft and that if he is not picked this year, he will become a free agent. “
May 5th, 2015 at 7:47 pm
[…] was the most exciting news of the day of out One Bucs Place. Jameis Winston is serving as a recruiter in his first week as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer to get stud righ… wearing the pewter and […]
May 5th, 2015 at 8:00 pm
Go Jameis! Probably won’t work – but you gotta love the recruiting effort.
This kid wins. That’s what he does. That’s what he expects to do. Winston will do everything in his power to lead this team to Super Bowls year in and year out. He will study hard. He will play well. He will lead and encourage and “rally the troops” whenever necessary. He will recruit.
Gee – you think it made a difference drafting the talented QB prospect who desperately WANTED to be a Buccaneer? Duh.
I’m still not over all the vitriol that was spewed at young Winston leading up to the draft on these forums. Unbelievable.
I knew that this kid had IT and was a badass QB going way back into 2013. The quotes by a couple of the “experts” you read (and that I and others also said) about Winston being one of the very best QBs to come out in at least the last 10 years were no BS and not overstated.
Dudes a baller and a winner in the clutch and a leader and he’s got the best football brain at 21 that practically anyone has ever seen. You combine all that with his God given natural skill at throwing a football and you better look out if he ain’t on your team….
There are no guarantees and nobody knows for sure what the future will hold for Jameis or for the Buccaneers. But I’m a believer now that the Chucky curse is finally gone and that we have now achieved the level of hope that accompanies the future looking “so bright that you’re gonna need shades.”
Doing exactly what I hoped they would do in the draft (Jameis, T,G with the 1st 3 picks) really restored my faith in L&Ls decision making – and along with the Koetter hire and the way the Defense played well towards the end of last year – I think we are looking at being competitive this year. Hope so anyways. I’m tired of the Bucs sucking. Time for some winning now. Drafting Famous Jameis sure didn’t hurt that pursuit…
Go Bucs!!
May 5th, 2015 at 9:03 pm
BuccaneerBonzai Says:
May 5th, 2015 at 5:41 pm
“wow. I just read some of the earlier comments. I feel for you, 87.”
Pishhh they’re Bucs fans…lol
May 5th, 2015 at 10:14 pm
Well stated Pickgrin,well stated.
May 6th, 2015 at 8:28 am
Jeagan1999 Says:
May 5th, 2015 at 3:33 pm
Espo….. Bucs 2nd round pick Donnovan Smith has the size and skills to also play guard and Marpet can also play Center. So getting Collins would allow the Bucs to start him opposite Dotson and let Smith and Marpet battle for the other guard spot (opposite Mankins) and with EDS for center. It would give our Oline a lot of flexibility!
_______________________________________________________________
Please, stop with the Marpet center comments…. He has NEVER played center before. He has stated that he thinks he can play center and has been practicing the position, however has never played it. He HAS played both guard and tackle positions. With most of his time as a LT, but is projected as a guard in the NFL do to his size. Even on his profile from the draft many people say it would be a huge mistake putting him at center because we are not utilizing his speed.