Mariota Belted With Jameis Questions And Doesn’t Seem Happy About It
June 3rd, 2015
Call Joe a football lunatic, but Joe is dialed in to all things Tennessee Titans, the Buccaneers’ opening day opponent.
Like it or not, that game in Tampa is absolutely a must-win.
Losing to Marcus Mariota and the lowly Titans would be a giant kick in the footballs to the entire Bucs fan base.
It just can’t happen. That would cause one of the worst postgame weeks from St. Pete Beach to Lakeland since the choke job to JaMarcus Russell and the Raiders to complete the December collapse of 2008.
Joe’s been keeping tabs on Mariota’s progress, and in his latest news conference (and it was brief) Mariota was pelted with three questions about Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback. Mariota appeared annoyed and was curt after the first question.
In short, it was clear that Mariota has no interest in any kind of rivalry or personal, draft-class connection with Jameis — like Gerald McCoy does with Ndamukong Suh, for example.
Man, it’s only June 3, but Joe is aching for Lavonte David to drill Mariota when he takes off running and misjudges the speed of a supreme NFL linebacker.
June 3rd, 2015 at 12:10 pm
Must win indeed. Right on, sack Mariota for a doozy. Win this opener Bucs and it’s off and running with momentum building.
June 3rd, 2015 at 12:16 pm
I see this as just an even match game. The Bucs have a slight edge in talent by a hair. But Tennessee makes it equal with better coaching.
June 3rd, 2015 at 12:16 pm
Mariota may be a worse interview than Josh Freeman, which I didn’t think was possible. I know that it means nothing when it comes to football, but I literally couldn’t watch the entire interview for fear of boring myself to death.
June 3rd, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Important…yes….must win?…..I don’t think so….we were 2-14……after that game we have 15 games to improva on that record.
I am fearful of the hype that Jameis “America’s Quarterback” is getting….I am cautiously optimistic that he will perform well out of the gate….but Joe and other supporters are setting the table for unmet expectations…
Lets face it….he is a Rookie on a bad team and the Bucs never seem as prepared as they should be early in the season (Lovie, season begins in November)
Lets not set ourselves up for a “must-win” first game of the season please…..
June 3rd, 2015 at 12:28 pm
Definitely an important game but not the season determiner. Any NFL team can win any given week and week 1 is typically more unpredictable than any week due to offseason changes and coaching changes / philosophies and not really knowing the identity of a lot of teams. Neither team will have that good of an idea of the others game plan yet.
June 3rd, 2015 at 12:31 pm
Must win a little too strong a choice of words? OK, how about have to win? Or maybe, it would be nice to win. There I fixed it.
June 3rd, 2015 at 12:34 pm
I really used to like the writing of the Joes, but you guys are slanting way too sensationalistic and pandering to the “sky is falling” fan base. Are you serious? Must win? From a 2-14 team starting a rookie QB with as many as two rookies on the line in front of him and possibly 5 new starters on defense. Yes – we all want the Bucs to win, but to call it the most important game in the history of history really starts to shake the credibility of this site.
June 3rd, 2015 at 12:37 pm
This is only a must-win game if you are among Joe and his Winston jockriders who treat Jameis like God before even hitting training camp, and the Mariota freaks who root for other team’s QB’s. I can’t imagine how much crow you will be served if Jameis loses to Mariota (again) at the NFL level, which Jameis was ever so praised to be much more pro-ready for than Marcus. And of course with a win Joe and his goons can circle the wagons on any remaining and former Mariota supporters with “I told ya so’s”.
I was in favor of Mariota, but I hope he has the worst game of his life opening day. He will be playing my team, the Bucs. Winston is a Bucs QB, so I will support him, but I will not ride his nuts and treat him like a savior before he even takes his first professional snap. I wish Marcus well, but I hope Jameis has the better career, as he will be in a Bucs uniform for hopefully all of it.
June 3rd, 2015 at 12:47 pm
While I would love this to be a win. I do not think it is a must win.
No one game is. To put that much on one game is silly.
Would it be a great momentum builder yes. Does it mean the Bucs go 16–0 or even 10 – 6? No.
The inverse is true as well. A loss, while potentially demoralizing, is no more of a guarantee of failure for the season than it would be for the former scenario.
I do not like the knee jerk reactions buc fans have become. Let some damn time pass and things develop.
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:01 pm
We’ll see how fast he is when he tries to break contain around the outside and Beast LVD snatches his a$$ up for a loss. Then he’s going to realize he’s not playing against Cal Berkeley anymore.
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:02 pm
Mariota should just focus on learning to take snaps under center, oh nevermind the Titans have already given up hope for that so their changing the whole offense to fit jake lockers I mean mariotas strengths. Good luck with that.
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:06 pm
Mariotta is a mental midget who is gonna bust out of the nfl in a few seasons as Oregon doesn’t prepare their qbs to play in the nfl
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:08 pm
*they’re
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:14 pm
I consider this game a must win due to both teams finishing with two wins last year. Its an important game to start to seperate from the tier of mediocre teams. Especially with the game being in Tampa. The whole Jameis vs Mariota spit is just extra. Something for the media to use as a storyline.
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:15 pm
I’ve been saying this from day one, and have been called a “Mariota lover” and a “secret Titan fan” but truth of the matter is, if Mariota comes in and kicks our ass and Winston struggles with turnovers and forces to many bad throws, which he has done his entire college career. We lose that game and it’s the beginning of the end for Lovie and Licht.
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:15 pm
I’m sorry but Mariota is such a douche. Thank Dog he’s Tennessee’s problem
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:18 pm
NOT a must win. Joe is out of his mind.
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:20 pm
It’s gonna come down to coaching and sadly as long as Lovie is here the Bucs will always suck in that department
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:27 pm
I feel really bad for whoever works for the official radio station of the Tennessee Titans and who has the assignment of hosting the Marcus Mariota show!!! That is sure to be must listen radio and totally riveting!!! Sarcasm, drip drip. What a totally boring individual that guy is and I am so glad we did not select the wrong rookie QB. I am looking forward to a Jameis Winston show, since he has a ton of personality and that will be entertaining for the listeners. I would rather listen to an insurance seminar than to have to listen to Mariota.
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:31 pm
“Mariota Belted With Jameis Questions And Doesn’t Seem Happy About It”
A complete reach for a title.
Mariota hasn’t done anything to deserve the bashing he’s getting in the comments.
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:32 pm
Lets recap what we have learned today. Joe hates the salary cap and any talk of it, But thinks he is a football lunatic because he likes Mariota being ask 6 Winston questions????
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:33 pm
Losing one game “and it’s the beginning of the end for Lovie and Licht”… Ha ha ha … Talk about overreaction. Statements like these boggle the mind. Of course JBF fans love to find reasons to be negative about this team, generally overreact, and make excuses for having zero sense of perspective…
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:36 pm
I wouldn’t mind seeing both these guys competing for spots in nfc and afc championships and showing they were worth first and second overall picks. the greats of our time are getting up there in age and im honestly just hoping for new fresh elite blood to be infused into the nfl quarterback position. let him and Andrew luck be the new peyton manning tom brady of the afc in a few years
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:48 pm
Buc the fakest you sound silly. Rosters are almost even. Bucs by a hair. You crazy a$$ hell. Without researching name three people off that roster poise to make a pro bowl anytime soon.
June 3rd, 2015 at 1:54 pm
To say Tennessee has a coaching edge boggles the mind.
June 3rd, 2015 at 2:05 pm
@supersam, would it kill you to not make things up? Seriously? Winston played 2 years of college ball, freshman year he threw 40 TD’s and 10 INT’s, won the Heisman. How exactly is that forcing bad throws “which he has done his entire college career”? How does a guy who turns the ball over so incredibly as you think win the Heisman in the first place?
Do yourself a favor, buy a Mariota jersey and be done with it. You are a troll. Period.
June 3rd, 2015 at 2:08 pm
“Must win”
No, any Nostradumbass can see is all we need is more TV and radio commercials selling “magic” Winston-hype to the Bucs fan base. And, all of America’s problems will be solved.
June 3rd, 2015 at 3:11 pm
I thought all the comments against using “must win” when talking about the Bucs home opener are just as dramatic as using that worded expectation for the Bucs to come out and be successful from the get go. No, it’s not a do or die foreboding.
June 3rd, 2015 at 3:22 pm
It’s a must win for Lovie as he has yet to win a home game. There is far more pressure on Lovie and his passive defense not to lose to Mariota than there is on America’s quarterback to out play Mariota. If the project qb comes to town and beats Lovies d the billboards need to be purchased. Legends can’t lose to rookies…
June 3rd, 2015 at 4:30 pm
I think joe’s spot on with this… We lose to mariota week one and the talking heads are gonna have hours of “coverage” on whether we made the right choice etc… And we will have to endure just as much mariota sainthood stories
I’m with joe… Ain’t nobody got time for that
June 3rd, 2015 at 4:31 pm
I just watched it and he did not seem affected at all. Way to reach Joe.
June 3rd, 2015 at 4:43 pm
Harlembuc
Crazy question but do you know a guy named Chello? I saw a guy named harlembuc on his friends list and I was like that’s gotta be the same guy cuz what are the chances of two Harlem buc fans really?
June 3rd, 2015 at 5:40 pm
A win at ‘home’ plays the biggest part of the opening game. The Mariota/Winston face-off (*IF* that occurs) will be nothing more than the answer to a trivia question three years from now(maybe even by the end of the season). If two rookie QBs play in that game, it is likely to be decided more be which defense is better, than which QB.
I am elated when the Bucs win, and suicidal when they lose. It is a good thing that after buying a gun, I keep spending my ‘bullet’ money on jerseys.
June 3rd, 2015 at 5:43 pm
It only becomes a must win because local media, bloggers, and JBF commenters will be sure to overreact, complain, and generally lose their $h1t… irrational and unnecessary… within the perspective of the season, it is just 1 of 16 games…
June 3rd, 2015 at 6:00 pm
SuperSam The Ultimate Troll.
June 3rd, 2015 at 6:02 pm
salish_seamonster Says:
“within the perspective of the season, it is just 1 of 16 games…”
I’m not disagreeing with you, but haven’t we said that numerous times after week 1 losses?
June 3rd, 2015 at 6:15 pm
@ws99 seriously you know chellz? I thought the Mason-Dixon Line killed Florida to ny connections!!! Dude he lives a couple blocks away!!! Hey I’m gonna be going to full sail in December let’s link up!
June 3rd, 2015 at 6:30 pm
Oh yeah I almost forgot, the Lightning need to go out and win this crucial “must win” Stanley Cup finals opening game. Go Lightning!!!
June 3rd, 2015 at 6:31 pm
I love this site and all the Bucs talk but Joe has really been reaching lately. I understand there’s not much to report so I guess it’s the nature of the beast. A) I’m sure Mr Rogers (Mariota) did not actually get annoyed by a few JW questions. I didn’t even bother to watch it. B) A 2-14 team is never in a must win situation until they get to the 10th or 11th game and are still winless. I think most serious Bucs fans simply want to see JW and the O-line improve as the season progresses. Actual wins this season will most likely be few and far between. Game 1 is not a must win!
June 3rd, 2015 at 6:32 pm
@my jbf family… Dude do you really wanna lose to mariota week 1? Honestly it will be a media cluster”buc”… Lol see what I did there?!
June 3rd, 2015 at 6:39 pm
SuperSam: “America’s Ultimate Troll”
Week1 game is a must win only to the degree it is the 1st game of a new season AND it is against a team we should have a reasonable chance of beating. Outside of that, I am only looking for Jameis to show flashes of greatness and improvement, mixed in with lots of inevitable rookie ineptness (growing pains)
June 3rd, 2015 at 7:19 pm
@supersam any other team I’d agree but the titans are us in the afc… We can’t lose this game
June 3rd, 2015 at 7:35 pm
Its not a must win until a loss eliminates you from the playoffs.
But its very important!
June 3rd, 2015 at 7:40 pm
Harlem
Small world bro. That’s just crey!
June 3rd, 2015 at 10:46 pm
What would really make the Bucs vs Titans game even more interesting is if it somehow is Zach Mettenberger vs Mike Glennon as the starting QB’s. That would raise some eyebrows of both fanbases.
June 4th, 2015 at 8:01 am
Must win? No, not even close. Winston vs Mariota? No, I don’t see that happening. While the media will try to make that the talk, truth is the only way the two QB’s could make that possible is to have a shoot out. I don’t see these teams as a shoot out in week one. I am a Winston supporter (FSU fan) but I am not going to sit here and say Mariota doesn’t make me nervous. The guy can move and I think that worries every defense. I don’t want to see the second coming of an early days Vick. The Bucs did a great job of containing Vick back in those Atlanta days and I am hoping the can do the same when Mariota starts that stuff. But it is going to be our Defense that has to step up and stop Mariota. I want to see the Bucs live up to their potential and I believe the ceiling is VERY high. I think they could easily win 11 to 13 games. I do however think they will have some mistakes that cost them. I’m not saying they are going to win that many I am simply saying to me that is the ceiling.
June 4th, 2015 at 12:18 pm
Not half the athlete or arm as vick. If you dont have vicks arm and even accuracy, compared to marcus, your legs are literally useless..i wish marcus the best and would not be disappointed one bit if he flourishes under whisenhunt. I just cant see it.
June 4th, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Tval you’re joking right? Mariota is way more athletic I don’t know why people hate this kid so much but give Winston a pass
June 4th, 2015 at 1:24 pm
The kid throws 108 tds and 10000 yds yet people refer him as a running qb lol
June 4th, 2015 at 1:36 pm
Probably a six interception, three fumble game. Will come down to who has the better kicker. 6-3 Bucs.
June 4th, 2015 at 10:02 pm
It’s a “must win” because it is 1 of perhaps 3 games in the schedule that looks truly winnable based on last year’s performance. If we are a better team than last year we can win many more, but I’d have to see it before assuming it, starting with that Titans game.