Jameis’ Practice Picks Were By Design
August 28th, 2015
Remember all those training camp interceptions by Jameis Winston, “America’s Quarterback,” compared to Marcus Mariota throwing none?
A Buccaneers defensive player says they were by design.
Super smart cornerback Alterraun Verner, who has a higher mathematics degree from UCLA, likes the very calculated approach by Jameis.
Verner told SirusXM NFL Radio this week that Jameis was purposefully pushing the envelope earlier this month to learn the boundaries of NFL defenses.
“The biggest thing I just think with [Jameis] is just his experience is allowing him to know what throws he can make and what throws he can’t,” Verner said. “That was one thing I looked at when he first came in. Maybe he was forcing some things. Maybe he was doing a little bit [too much]. But I don’t think it was the fact that’s what he was, I think he was just testing his limits. And to me, that’s what you have to do in training camp. You shouldn’t just be all the way comfortable in things. You should try new things, try things out and then iron it out when you get closer to the season. I think that’s what you’ve been seeing with him. He would take some aggressive approaches and then now he’s starting to get into a rhythm. And I think he’s starting to realize what he can and can’t do more and more every day. But that’s him, just his work ethic and his film study.”
How cool is that? And how wise was Jameis’ training-camp approach? Screw the media frenzy and fan freakouts over August interceptions. The 21-year-old savior needed to learn and “test his limits,” as Verner said.
All hail America’s Quarterback.
August 28th, 2015 at 6:22 am
All hail
August 28th, 2015 at 6:27 am
Right!!!!??? I was born at night but not last night. That’s just player speak. A follow teammate sticking up for his starting QB as he should.
August 28th, 2015 at 6:46 am
I have some ocean front property in Arizona I’m trying to sell.
Would you like to buy it.
August 28th, 2015 at 7:06 am
I do not understand the skepticism around Verner’s comments. It’s pretty clear the Bucs are managing Fameis far differently than the Titans are handling Mariota.
I’m prejudiced as a Bucs fan obviously, but I believe in the Bucs way. We learn from our mistakes!
But I also get the Titans trying to ease Mariota into the battle. They are two different QB’s. Fameis was universally seen as being more “NFL ready” than Mariota and so perhaps that has something to do with it as well.
Here is what has me really excited. I get the Lovie hate here even though I do not share it. I hate “Dungyball”. And even Chucky for all his offensive genius produced some pretty freaking BORING offense. I’m tired of “pounding the rock”.
The AFL was able to force the NFL into a merger back in my youth because they aired it out. It was exciting football. 3 yards and a cloud of dust may be effective but it’s incredibly boring.
For Lovie to let all of this Fameis stuff, ints, being aggressive, hiring of Koetter, all the offensive draft pics….that makes me truly admire him. Change is one of the hardest things for humans to do.
Seriously…an extreme example…when a social worker has to remove a child from a home it still screams for it’s mother or father even if they’ve been abusing them horribly. It seems the pain we know is easier to bear than our fear of the unknown.
Lovie is entering unknown territory. He’s never had a franchise QB, and he’s never put so many chips on the table behind his offense. All hail Lovie!!!
August 28th, 2015 at 7:10 am
In fact if we do win the ten I predict I’m going to start posting..
Lovie Smith..America’s Coach. LOL
August 28th, 2015 at 7:12 am
Kool Aid is ok too much isnt
August 28th, 2015 at 7:12 am
Picks by design?
Is that like those Losses By Design last season?
August 28th, 2015 at 7:16 am
Said the same thing and was mocked. That’s OK though since most people are linear thinkers and only see things on a superficial level.
How this translates during the season will be interesting and fun to watch.
August 28th, 2015 at 7:23 am
One trick pony
And if we win ten and go to the playoffs what will you call it then. Fine wine?
August 28th, 2015 at 7:28 am
I’m not sure why this is far fetched. Jaws said something similar a few weeks ago.
August 28th, 2015 at 7:28 am
BTW One trick
I listed actual REASONS for the optmism. Nobody can deny getting the top rated QB in a draft class is a good thing. Nobody can deny that replacing an OC who had a heart attack and no real NFL experience to begin with, leading to an unheralded QB coach who was clearly in over his head with a highly respected and successful NFL OC is a not a good thing. Nobody can deny that we’ve placed most of our draft chips on the offensive side of the ball. Those are facts.
The ONLY fact any of you Debbie Downers bring up is THE PAST.
Yes we’ve sucked the past 100 games. But that came after a very impressive run that lead to a Super Bowl.
Get an attitude adjustment. If you must live in the past why do you people insist on focusing on the 2-14 instead of the SB years. It’s gotta start somewhere. It happened before and it CAN happen again. Thinking that is not the same as sucking kool aid. It’s the simple recognition that the little freaking train didn’t manage to chug to the top of the hill steaming..I think I can’t..I think I can’t like so many of you guys.
August 28th, 2015 at 7:30 am
I don’t understand either. We’ve all read the same articles, Jameis doesn’t want just be a good qb, he wants to be one of the greatest. So why can’t you guys believe he’s pushing things to see his limitations so he doesn’t make bad decisions in a game. If he was Andrew Luck Tom Brady or Peyton Manning you wouldn’t doubt would you. Look back at the two games he played most of his passes were good decisions and the one int would have been a beautiful completion he was just a little long on it. The Bucs are doing everything possible to get him ready and so is he.
August 28th, 2015 at 7:40 am
I like the “throw everything at him + the kitchen sink” approach that Koetter and the Bucs have employed regarding Winston’s development. He can handle it and will be better both faster and in the long run as a result.
It’s obvious that Jameis has a very solid grasp of the offense already. He sounded like Peyton Manning out there the other night calling out the signals, protections, adjustments and audibles.
And to reiterate what ’87 was trying to say the other day – Those who didn’t follow Jameis closely at FSU still haven’t seen with their own eyes yet what this kid is really capable of. He played a pretty good game Monday night – but it was not even close to what his best abilities look like when he is “hot” or “in the zone” or whatever you want to call “IT”.
Hail Winston!!
August 28th, 2015 at 7:43 am
@stpetebucsfan
We talk about the past because there is no new data yet!! ( 16 days away???) once they play a game then we will discuss that! Also some really do not want to hear how everything planned, exp.. If someone makes a couple of plays at RT then that means Dotson was injury was part of the plan!!!!!
Until then
Its A Practice Football Friday!!!! Go Bucs and stay healthy!!!!
August 28th, 2015 at 7:48 am
AND StPete these same people want to bring up only the past that justifies their positions but don’t ever give Lovie the credit for the good things he’s done in the past as a head coach. Then thst stuff don’t matter. They refuse to see he inherited this team the way it was tried to fix it thru FA but after Tedford he saw early on that he was going to have to rebuild some and get himself a franchise qb. People cry there were no in game adjustments especially on defense because Leslie Freezer was running it. We all saw the immidiate changes that happened between yhe Vikes and Bungles games when Lovie took over the calls……….night &day. I imagine how hard it was for him to sit by watching the horreousness that was our defense all why maintaining the course. I will always say the Glazers were on board because ANY coach that goes 2-14 should be fired. I’m not gulping the kool-aid I’m simply sipping it.
August 28th, 2015 at 7:54 am
People will say anything and do anything to make Shamelis look good and sound great. This is like when Vinny T. threw all those picks and they said it was because he was colorblind!!! Just more excuses!!!
August 28th, 2015 at 7:56 am
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo can’t test his limits like Jameis. Pablo works on Pasco Couny roofs and if Pablo tested his limits, Pablo would be wheelchair bound.” But Pablo thinks this makes sense….Jameis using practice for this purpose.Pablo is a very nice man and likes all JBF posters….even the Buc Realist”
August 28th, 2015 at 8:04 am
Are we really arguing about practice interceptions?
Were they by design? They weren’t scripted interceptions, but what’s the harm in pressing a little in practice to see how tight the windows are?
Carry on doubting this kid, he is big time talent, something we have never seen before on this team at the QB position. A different kind of animal.
August 28th, 2015 at 8:07 am
I’m calling BS Realist. Comparing an injury to testing defensive sets as proof of intent is nonsense. Winston is playing at the highest level now. Testing the range of defensive backs in practice is a smart move even if it results in an occasional int. Your very real hate is blinding you to effective practice routines. Just trying to avoid interceptions in practice does little to enhance quarterbacking skills.
Read more of Stpete’s posts. You’ll learn a great deal.
August 28th, 2015 at 8:08 am
I thought his quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator said as much about him pushing the envelop to see what throws he can and cant make. All hail America’s Quarterback? even peyton manning needed coaching his rookie season, your giving this coaching staff zero credit for their approach to getting Winston ready for the season, your man crush is seriously overblown and I bet you don’t care if he throws 40 picks this year. what rookie comes in and knows what he needs to do to get ready for an NFL season without coaching? not one mention of dirk koetter? forget lovie smith this is all koetter
August 28th, 2015 at 8:21 am
Too early to predict a win loss record for me. But IF the Bucs can build on the first half of the Bengals game and dominate a weaker Browns team tomorrow night then I will feel even better. I think that we will have to win the NFC South to make the playoffs this season due to how strong some of the other NFC divisions are but I think we actually could be that surprise team. Maybe the Bucs need to send Drake some money so we can use the “Started from the bottom now we’re here” song when the regular season ends. I honestly am pretty optimistic right now but in a very cautious way. I think it is possible to win the division but I would not wager money on it. I won’t be pessimistic and negative assuming based on the past few seasons that we will suck again. This is a new team and a new season with a QB with talent and an OC with past success at this level. I think the defense will be more inspired to play hard and aggressive this season because they will realize that they actually have an offense that can move the ball down the field and score. I think the OL will be more determined to block better with a franchise QB to protect and a recharged Muscle Hamster to block for. I think that low morale and hopelessness crept in last season and their is a shot of life in this team now. I think they believe they can be winners which is something that was lacking last season. So, let the haters and skeptics keep hating until the Bucs prove them wrong then they can change their user names and pretend they believed all along.
August 28th, 2015 at 8:28 am
There’s no point to throwing it away in practice. Let ‘er rip..
August 28th, 2015 at 8:36 am
even glennon improved from week 1 to week 2. against the Vikings he was being his usual self and throwing checkdowns for 3 yards on 3 and 10+. this is going to be a great year because it’s the first time since gruden left that I have full confidence in the offensive coordinator and his ability to work around our shortcomings. go bucs
August 28th, 2015 at 8:55 am
I believe a few of you guys are reading in to this article (and headline) totally wrong. From the comments it appears that you think Jamies intentionally threw the picks… or so says his teammate. Kinda like the intentional “tanking” that a lot believe in from last year.
Reread the article with this thought in mind: Jamies is pushing himself as far as he can go in practice to see what his limit is, therefore the picks are gonna happen. He WANTS to know what his boundary is right now so that a mistake does not carry over into game.
Totally different way of looking at the article, no?
Take a chill pill and get ready for the ride. We Nole fans are hyped about what this young man is about to do for this franchise!!!
August 28th, 2015 at 8:55 am
Me thinks I go into every Bucs season with too many syrupy sweet expectations. What’s a fan to do? “all through the day, I me mine, I me mine, I me mine”. People, you can’t live with them, you can’t live without them.
August 28th, 2015 at 8:55 am
Saying it was “by design” is misleading. That’s like saying they were scripted…when in truth it is a rehash of everything that wasalready said more than a week ago. Just Verner repeated it.
August 28th, 2015 at 9:02 am
PRACTICE? WE TALKING PRACTICE!!??? HAHA that’s what training camp is all about, throw as many ints as ya want cause it doesn’t matter!! Progression is all that matters and we saw it last week, lets hope it continues!
August 28th, 2015 at 9:07 am
@Bonzai — You are the only one being misleading. Jameis planned to force throws in camp in order to learn what would or could be picked at this level, hence, they were by design. Verner just made it very clear.
August 28th, 2015 at 9:18 am
do you really think a rookie quarterback can plan to force throws unless a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator tells him to? you people sound ridiculous he’s not the LeBron of the NFL, he’s a rookie and rookies do what they are told to do and this just happened to work out really well for the team
August 28th, 2015 at 9:22 am
titans are trying to protect and boost MM’s confidence. his head coach is changing his playbook to accomodate the kid and from the preseason action i’ve watched they are trying to give him as many simple reads as possible. the bucs, on the other hand, are starting practice with blitz sessions. i think it’s fair to say the bucs coaches don’t feel the need to protect his confidence, and that in fact they are trying to keep it in check to prepare him for Sundays.
August 28th, 2015 at 9:26 am
i think it’s misinterpreting to say “Jameis is so savvy that he is throwing picks on purpose”. the more accurate statement is that the practice sessions have been designed to bring jameis face to face with his biggest shortcomings (which are common to young QBs) – identifying the blitz, moving around when it comes and spotting the underneath defender. it’s not his intent to throw picks, but it is his coaches’ intent to emphasize situations where he has not made the best decisions in the past
August 28th, 2015 at 10:06 am
….And everybody is karate expert when they walk into a spider web!
August 28th, 2015 at 10:14 am
WOW…what a crock a crap this is…. Yeah, he threw them on purpose…gotcha….
Is this a precursor to what you will write after game 1 when he throws a few picks….he meant to do it?
Stop making excuses for JW….makes you all look like clowns.
August 28th, 2015 at 10:56 am
Donuts
I think you are misinterpreting what Verner said.
Yeah, he threw them on purpose…gotcha….
He’s saying IMHO that Fameis simply didn’t feel the need to protect the ball so much early in practice. He was testing his limits, not trying to throw picks, simply seeing and LEARNING what he could get away with. He couldn’t do that if his first concern was protecting the ball and fearing the int.
I’m not sure how you equate “forcing the ball” which is what Verner said to throwing picks on purpose.
Maybe he was forcing some things. Maybe he was doing a little bit [too much]. But I don’t think it was the fact that’s what he was, I think he was just testing his limits. And to me, that’s what you have to do in training camp.
August 28th, 2015 at 10:59 am
I don’t see what the big deal is..he threw them in practice..he went from 3 to 2 to 1 to zero back to 1 and zero again..made one very bad throw vs the vikes but learned from his mistakes and was on point vs bengals..R-E-L-A-X…(in my Aaron Rodgers voice)…GO BUCS!!!
August 28th, 2015 at 11:00 am
I don’t think he means he was throwing picks on purpose but was working on throws he struggles with to improve.
Like a golfer working on a cut shot, gonna hit a few out of bounds while practicing till you trust it. Or the pitcher working on the change up in spring training. It gets hit out of the park if it hangs over the plate.
Jameis said his biggest improvement has been footwork, and bad footwork leads to picks.
This just in. Jameis Winston is a rookie who played two years of college ball. He isn’t a finished product of how good he will be in the league after one training camp.
In other words get off his case, the kid has done nothing wrong since being drafted and he’s working his butt off to get ready for the season.
What more do you want?
August 28th, 2015 at 11:11 am
(3) thou shalt have no other gods before me. (5) Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Let’s not put these athletes on a pedestal but just enjoy the game, please.
August 28th, 2015 at 12:50 pm
Jameis going all in, testing boundaries right away, Koetter loading up Jameis to the max, trying to overload him for maximum exposure. Meanwhile the Titans are slowly bring Marcus along. Letting him learn, building his confidence, helping him acclimate. Sounds to me like the Buccannerrs got the guy who was the most NFL ready, no coddling required.
August 28th, 2015 at 1:42 pm
I was saying that, when he was throwing those picks. He was attempting throw that you don’t normally attempt in games. Basically, he was testing his arm against an NFL defense.
August 28th, 2015 at 1:49 pm
Jameis Winston is the greatest human in the history of earth. Period.
August 28th, 2015 at 1:58 pm
Best place to test your limits is in practice. Only fools and haters were getting worked up over practice INTs. Pretty silly stuff but thats what the haters love to harp on.
August 28th, 2015 at 6:34 pm
So I was just watching ESPN’s Hiesman Trophy special and the opening featured pictures of like the last 5 or so winners but skipped 2013, went straight from Johnny Football to Marcus Mariota… Who’d they skip…? That’s really messed up.
August 28th, 2015 at 8:05 pm
Huh. I wonder if the picks he threw against Florida last year were just testing their defense….?
August 29th, 2015 at 1:27 am
Bil
Who won that game with Florida?