Jason Licht: Jameis Winston Habits Reminiscent Of Tom Brady
August 11th, 2015
America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, is making quite an impression. Good luck finding a Buccaneers player who doesn’t offer an ear-to-ear grin when Jameis’ name is evoked.
Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht offered Joe a deeper understanding of why that’s the case.
Joe asked Licht about the development of Jameis and what’s impressed him. Keep in mind Licht spent months researching Jameis and getting to know exactly what to expect, so it’s noteworthy when Licht says something stands out.
“It’s the things that you guys and the people, the fans don’t see inside the walls here. Just the relationships that [Jameis] is developing with the players, it’s happening so fast here and so organically,” Licht told Joe, while Joe hosted on the WDAE-AM 620 airwaves on Saturday at One Buc Palace.
“He’s in the cafeteria sitting with the veterans and just developing a rapport with not just the receivers but the linemen. He seems to be gravitating toward the linemen, which is always a good thing for a quarterback.
“I remember when Tom Brady was a rookie and I was with the Patriots, and we would go to the lunchroom and we’d look over in the corner. And there’s Brady sitting around all the starting lineman and telling stories and being animated, and they’re just captivated by them. And that was kind of the moment that we knew there’s something to this guy, besides the fact that he could throw the ball.
“Jameis has that. I’m not saying he is Tom Brady, but he’s got a natural charisma but also a football character and just common sense when it comes to being a leader.”
Again, Joe realizes bonding doesn’t win games, but leadership is vital from the quarterback position. It has been in every NFL era. Players need to trust and believe deeply.
In the event the Bucs struggle and open the 2015 season 0-2 again, having a guy like Jameis leading from the QB position should prevent a total and complete train-wreck, white-flag effort in Week 3, as was witnessed last year.
Thinking optimistically, what the Bucs are building with Jameis is the foundation of a great team.
August 11th, 2015 at 12:25 pm
That’s not a good headline. Is Licht implying Jameis is a cheater? We don’t need cheaters on this team.
August 11th, 2015 at 12:27 pm
Awwwwww $hit. Not the TB comparison. Man I can only wish. THE MESSIAH will lead the YUCS to the promise land. But if he even remotely resembles TB then they will be in the hunt every season.
August 11th, 2015 at 12:32 pm
Yeah, we don’t want that to happen, do we?
August 11th, 2015 at 12:32 pm
The comparisons to great QBs just keep rolling in. Pre draft he was as smart or smarter than Peyton Manning coming out with the skillset resembling Roethlisberger. Then there was a lot of talk of his gunslinger mentality and abilities ala Brett Favre. Today we are reading about serious comparisons to both Rodgers and Brady. Is there a great QB this kid doesn’t remind someone of?
August 11th, 2015 at 12:39 pm
Joe how dare you post an article relating Jameis Winston in any way shape or form to the now great and future Hall of Famer Thomas Brady! OMG the pandamondium you will cause up on this sight is unthinkable! It doesn’t matter the Lichtman saw him developed right in front of his eyes and now sees similarities in our rook. How are they going to be able to bear that when they can’t even handle him being mentioned in same article with Aaron Rogers???
Now all these players putting his passes on the ground need to put some gold bond super glue on their hands so they can catch the ball.
August 11th, 2015 at 12:42 pm
Jameis Winston is the real deal. I have every bit of confidence in that. I also remember Tom Brady and Peyton Manning looking like trash when they were facing relentless pressure. Winston will go as far as the O Line will allow. That scraes the crap out of me. I’m also scared to death of our DE’s. It’s cool that Melton is being tried out in different spots but I read it as a major cause for concern as we have seen no pressure from the edge in years now. If we can shore up the trenches, we will be contenders for years but that’s a humongous if.
August 11th, 2015 at 12:55 pm
I did notice at the combine and at other events….other players seemed to enjoy hanging with Winston….always smiling….that’s charisma….I think he is also that way with the press.
I am hoping that his confidence translates to more the Muhammad Ali type than the TO type…..so far, so good!
That being said…the gross overselling of Winston continues!!!
August 11th, 2015 at 1:03 pm
Here’s a wild thought. I do not see Tom Brady when I see JW. I do not see Peyton Manning, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers….I actually see Fameis. I think he’s an original and we should just sit back and enjoy the ride for as long as it might last. Right now it’s all good.
Warning…I think Fameis will play well against Tennessee but that Mariota will also have a great game and we win by “MAKING A PLAY”! Whether it’s a defensive play or a big score on offense somebody needs to be there to make that play. I’m optmistic because we’ve added plenty of playmakers on both sides of the ball and we now have an OC who’ll be able to utilize those weapons.
August 11th, 2015 at 1:09 pm
They are similar in that they are both outgoing, charismatic leaders and both pretty terrible athletes.
August 11th, 2015 at 1:28 pm
Tampabaybucfan – That was so true especially at the combine. Go back and watch footage from the QB’s events and you’ll see the other draftees all gathering around Winston – even Mariota was drawn to him. lol
I’ve heard it from FSU sources that he without even trying people, especially players, are just drawn to Winston. That it takes conscience thought and effort to not just naturally gravitate to him.
That doesn’t automatically make him an NFL superstar (although I believe he will become such) but it certainly helps team chemistry. Beyond his talent in playing QB, what observant watchers saw from Winston was being to instill his own natural optimism into his teammates, not matter how bad things were going. His teammates already trusted him so they were able to believe along with him when he told them they could turn around a bad game. That Winston and his teammates did so every time but once, in two seasons? That makes a statement even to hard nose pros!
August 11th, 2015 at 1:34 pm
Now that StPete is an originally wild thought. I wonder if Famous Jameis eats Famous Amos cookies? He Jomamma you really don’t know what you’re talking about because Jameis can shake n bake. Haven’t you seen his td run where he cut as soon as he had his foot planted? Left the poor defenders jock strap right on the field! Tom Brady could never do that! Break his own back even trying!
August 11th, 2015 at 1:59 pm
Jameis is a “terrible athlete”? Wow. He may not be quick but hes far from an immobile brady or manning in the pocket.
August 11th, 2015 at 2:27 pm
I do not want a SAND LOT QUARTERBACK.
I want a pocket passer with the mobility to avoid the rush long enough to throw the ball.
Scrambling QB’s all have one thing in common……INJURIES from pretending to be half backs.
For the Bucs this season I refuse to drink the Kool-Aid on their prospects. I just want to see improvement and given what they produced last year they have only one place to go and that is up.
Let him be a rookie. I rather like the Gunslinger (Favre) mentality he has. Because once he gets used to the speed of the NFL and it slows down for him.
A cerebral QB with a Gunslinger attitude will be a joy to watch.
August 11th, 2015 at 3:14 pm
He was only comparing leadership qualities between the two. He is the type of player that asks a lot from his teammates and since Jameis is out there doing it big, his teammates must follow. Remember, this is the same guy who asked His teammates if dey strong down 21-3 in the national championship. The team had already identified Jameis as their undisputed leader and responds ” I’m strong if you strong”. In a moment of perfect beauty, Jameis says what only Jameis could dream up, “we strong den”. The team had never been more hype and confident after that. They won that game. Put Tampa in that situation, the Bucs will win that game, Jameis doesn’t know what else to do.
August 11th, 2015 at 4:05 pm
What up cmurda,I just wanna put this on your mind in reference to your DEs comment. Just look at those two DEs for the Pats. Did either have double digit sacks last season? I doubt it,Pats haven’t had a flat out dominant DE since Richard Seymour. But you know what they continue doing,winning Superbowl. Why? That d@$! Brady tough to beat. The elite QB mask deficiencies on a team. Lets just thank the football Gods for giving us Famous.
August 11th, 2015 at 4:11 pm
Now that some real spit you just dropped on’em Fsuking. And you right winning is all he knows how to do. These folks about to see for themselves.
August 12th, 2015 at 1:53 pm
I’m sorry but I still see a lot of interceptions in his future. Shotty blindside o line. This has the make up to be an up most disaster. The one thing he has for him is a top 10 receiving corps talent wise. I see year two as the year for jameis after the o line is stable and improved. After that its on jameis to turn it around. No excuses. I’m tired of this jameis hype. I think he is turnover prone and the o line is terrible. I see no to little improvement record wise and honestly Thought Marcus and still think Marcus was the better option at QB. He’s smarter, athletically gifted, makes plays just like jameis can. Knows how to work the pockect, dangerous on the run in both running and passing. Pass first mentality. The kid does have a couple flaws as he occasionally runs into a rusher when the pocket collapes which turns into a easy sack. That’s still rare though and doesn’t usually happen in 3rd and 4th down situations. I believe Tennessee got the steal. I project them at 7-9 with a playoff appearence the following year. However I don’t see the bucs making it past 5 wins.
August 12th, 2015 at 1:58 pm
Fsuking I almost teared up reliving that moment he had me so amped up I knew we had that game and thats what he bringin to da Bucs and thats why I feel 11 wins is possible with Famous.
Lets rock #3.
August 15th, 2015 at 1:53 pm
de Says … I debated even responding to your comment , but did you even watch last night’s game? We most surely got the right QB in Winston. I, too, am sure that he will throw many picks this year, but that is because he will actually be throwing the ball … down the field, threading the needle, squeezing the hole, and making the 50 yard connections. Not lobbing 10 yard tosses or handing off the ball. Look back at the TD/interception rates for all of the great QB’S in history and you will be surprised. The winners, who took the risks, are the one’s that were rewarded.
If you are a true Bucs fan then support who we have under center or jump ship. This is gonna be a ride to remember. As a NOLES fan I can tell you that at times your heart may skip a beat, but Winston is truly the real deal.