The Changing Culture
November 11th, 2015
Young turks are taking over.
Former Bucs commander Greg Schiano once told Joe that before he came to Tampa Bay, he never heard of a starting NFL quarterback who didn’t stop in the office on the player’s off day, if for no other reason than to have medical treatment or maybe do a little prep work.
What you are about to read and see below reminds Joe that Schiano would have loved to work with America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston.
On Louis Murphy’s Instagram page, he shared video of Jameis going over printed information on the Cowboys from the one of the many film rooms at One Buc Palace. Notice, the video was shot Tuesday, yesterday, the Bucs’ day off. There is Jameis knee deep into study, printout in hand, notebook in his lap.
While that is certainly impressive to see from a rookie doing, with a smile on his face no less, consider that Murphy is out for the year with a blown out knee. Yet he, too, is studying film and helping Jameis like he will be taking the field Sunday.
Murphy won’t be, of course.
Talk about dedication! A guy whose career may be over because of a blown out knee is with a rookie quarterback on a team’s day off breaking down film. That, friends, is dedication, and just an example of how Jameis has all but taken over the emotional element of the Bucs.
Joe also saw in the Bucs’ locker room after the loss to the Giants, one by one, players, even veterans, walked up to Jameis’ locker, pressed flesh, offered a back slap or a fistbump, and each told Jameis, in so many words, “You played good, rookie. Keep it up. We need you like that.” Logan Mankins, Joe Hawley, Alterraun Verner and Donovan Smith were just some Joe witnessed offer Jameis encouragement before he dressed and went to his mandatory postgame press conference.
Joe never saw that with Josh Freeman. He never saw that with Mike Glennon. He never saw that with Stewart McClown.
November 11th, 2015 at 6:35 am
Yes folks, the search is over.
It’s official!
WE HAVE A FRANCHISE QB!
November 11th, 2015 at 7:01 am
I was in the trade down club before the draft……
I was wrong.
Go Bucs!
November 11th, 2015 at 7:13 am
We have our quarterback. Now if we can just get a good head coach we would be off to the races.
November 11th, 2015 at 7:19 am
I believe a total cultural change is needed, with both players and coaching staff alike. I am a fan of Lovie Smith but his better coaching days may very well be behind him. Build the team around Winston and his winning culture. I see Licht as part of this new culture. All new draftees must show that they are part of this culture as well. Winston will lead, Licht will get the personnel.
November 11th, 2015 at 7:26 am
Wow…I’ve come to expect that of Winston…..but Murphy….I knew there was a reason I always liked that guy!!!
November 11th, 2015 at 7:48 am
Before the draft I was a Winston hater. But since the day this kid was drafted, he has done nothing, but impress me. He is EXACTLY what this team needed. A vocal, never give up, fired up leader. The culture is changing. That dreaded disease, Bucs fever, may once again be a good thing instead of a MRSA joke.
November 11th, 2015 at 8:04 am
So, if a rookie can come in and the culture that had flummoxed our highly paid, highly drafted, face of the franchise DT, can we just excuse GMC of his team leader duties and allow him to focus on getting the level of his game up to that of an NFL starter? I know he’s paid like a super star, but at this point I would take him just being middle of the pack.
November 11th, 2015 at 8:08 am
You know after watching over and over the replay of that Evans 68 yd catch if Fameis had waited one second longer Dante was free over the top behind Evans. The safety covering him was loafing didn’t even try to get in on the tackle. That would have been a huge td. If only………..
November 11th, 2015 at 9:11 am
If only Mike Evans outran a linebacker.
November 11th, 2015 at 9:14 am
what?
Evans needs to learn how to catch the damn ball before he runs anywhere.
November 11th, 2015 at 9:15 am
Anyone who has red my posts knows I am not a Lovie Smith guy, personally I think he’s the Zelig of football coaches (look it up) but I have a sneaking suspicion that Lovie’s mandate from the Boys was to stabilize the franchise, get it to a point where there was a foundation in place to build upon maybe even win a few games, but we all know he’s not the man who’s gonna take the Bucs to the promised land, he’s gonna lay the foundation but not much more than that.
November 11th, 2015 at 9:20 am
@DavidbigBucsFan
Or, ya know….if Mike Evans could have outrun Jonathan FREAKING Casillas!
November 11th, 2015 at 10:01 am
one reason i’m a little more patient now is it looks like the players are really being a team now & that something is being built… i see more players congratulating & consoling on the sidelines now regardless of their situation… on the INTs, Banks & Jenkins & others in the secondary were genuinely happy & excited for the guys that replaced them… years past players would most likely be on the sideline somewhere pouting in a corner by themselves
November 11th, 2015 at 10:08 am
@BucUToo I’m with you, I thought the Bucs made the wrong choice at QB in the draft, but the kid is winning me over slowly but surely. He has the talent and aptitude, and his attitude seems to be right too. If he stays the course, he will be a franchise QB.
Kudos to Lovie for drafting him and sticking with him through those rough couple of games. That’s great talent evaluation and outstanding coaching.
November 11th, 2015 at 10:22 am
Our former QBs haven’t been “looking for that hubby hubby”. That’s obviously what’s been missing.
November 11th, 2015 at 10:23 am
flmike, where you think McCoy belongs in that foundation?
November 11th, 2015 at 10:24 am
Think about one thing for a moment . . . . He is 21 years old! Not many rookies – much less rookie QBs who should be gearing up for the 9th game of their JUNIOR season – understand the commitment it takes to be a professional. There is a large learning curve on the field, but just as big of one off the field in the film room, weight room, training room, and locker room. All the greats understood this commitment. It is why Manning, Brady, and Brees consistently pick apart a defenses and remain leaders of their franchises for years on end. They are utterly committed to their craft and do all the little things to be successful and individuals and as leaders. Winston has a long way to go to be in the same class as them, but it is SO exciting to see that he seems to understand what it takes to truly be great at such a young age. There is not a single player in the league I would trade him for at this point.
November 11th, 2015 at 10:31 am
Louis Murphy…the pride of St. Pete!!!
#3..the pride of Tampa Bay and soon to be the pride of Florida and eventually perhaps even filling Joe moniker of “America’s QB.”
Moral victories are not something we want to savor. But at least we can see improvement on this teams offense. That is something I have NEVER seen with the Bucs. Brad Johnson’s team was good but not great on offense. That team ws totally carried by the D. Still I respect Brad for getting the most out of his talent personally and teamwise.
I think because it’s the Bucs and our proud defensive tradition that we all just assume the D will be rebuilt quickly. But we all know what they say about “assume”.
November 11th, 2015 at 10:57 am
I was also part of the trade down club and im so happy I was wrong…the kid can really play and is a leader of men..if mike evans can get it together we will have leaders on offense that include, jameis, evans and marpet(in a year or 2)..that’s a solid foundation on offense…defence is still a work in progress..i would pick alexander as the leader on defence but he still has some learning to do..give him another year and he’ll be the leader we are seeking for on the d…GO BUCS!!!
November 11th, 2015 at 10:59 am
*defense
November 11th, 2015 at 12:01 pm
murphy reminds me of earnest graham – fringe guy, local guy, always happy to put in the work and be part of the team even when hurt. i hope he’s not done in tampa. a little ways down the depth chart, but not done.
November 12th, 2015 at 4:14 am
Just don’t get why some of you take every opportunity to get on McCoy… And now David. They are two of the best on the defense. They have been a little down this year and McCoy is probably playing injured. Neither one is going anywhere and they shouldn’t. So get over it and support the damn team. now you are nitpicking and getting on them about leadership skills. People are leaders in all different ways. JW is exceptional and that should not reflect on David or McCoy
November 20th, 2015 at 11:08 am
So call fans: 2-14 last season, the O-line gave up 64 sacks and not won a home game in 3 seasons. In one year tied for 8th playoff spot. We could be like the other 2-14 team from last season. Be thankful.