Celebrating The Grand Slam
December 6th, 2015
Tomorrow morning you’ll find Joe at a local Denny’s restaurant demanding they rename their famous Grand Slam breakfast “The Jason Licht.”
It’s only fair and just.
Three-fourths through this Buccaneers season, it’s beyond obvious that Tampa Bay nailed its first four draft picks of 2015: America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, the pride of Division III Hobart College, and the lightning-fast playcaller and fierce hitter of the Buccaneers defense, Kwon Alexander.
That’s a grand slam extraordinarily rare in NFL circles.
Team Glazer should buy Licht a bigger pool. Something has to be done.
In all seriousness, Licht and his scouting staff, and to a lesser extent Lovie Smith, should have the appreciation of Bucs fans tonight. An outside shot at a playoff run is fun, and Jameis is electric, but what’s really exciting is having a front office that can pull off that kind of coup.
Great teams are made of deep drafts. You really have no hope if you’re drafting like, say, Bruce Allen.
Thankfully, Licht and Lovie had the good sense to ignore pesky, invasive voices like Father Dungy’s, and media bullies like Peter King. Both were trying to sell Lovie, Licht and the world that Tampa Bay would be idiots not to turn in their draft card for Marcus Mariota.
Licht and Lovie stood tall and made the call to bring the Stars and Stripes home to Tampa.
Donovan Smith had plenty of detractors, too. Some called him fat and lazy at Penn State, and Marpet was one of the more ballsy picks in NFL history, considering the woes of the Bucs’ offensive line last season. Hell, Marpet didn’t even play guard in college and was playing against guys who were weaklings compared to their Division I counterparts. Alexander is one hell of a player for a fourth-round pick.
Yes, the Bucs’ 2015 draft is what will get Joe through tonight without the tender embrace of a woman.
December 6th, 2015 at 7:18 pm
In that pic it looks like Licht was trying to give daps and lovie awkwardly turned it into a handshake lol.
December 6th, 2015 at 7:22 pm
First yr of a new fledgling dynasty!!! Yes, I drank all the cool aid.
December 6th, 2015 at 7:32 pm
The Bucs offense is starting to look scary to other teams.
That’s freakin awesome.
December 6th, 2015 at 7:38 pm
“Tampa would be idiots not to turn in there draft card for Marcus Mariota” obviously Joe did not see Marcus’s game today, which btw leads Winston in passer rating and passing touchdowns. The only idiot here is you Joe. A real journalist woudlve said Tampa would be happy with either quarterback. Yes I’m very happy with Winston, but to act like he’s so doing better than Mariota is just poor journalism.
December 6th, 2015 at 7:50 pm
May I remind you Suckysam of all the drops Jameis has had to deal with and still have a better record than Mariota. Mariota is dinking and dunking his way to another high draft pick and Jamieis is trying to play for all the marbles.
December 6th, 2015 at 7:54 pm
Supersam, I agree with you & you got a point. However, this team needed and continues to need a guy like Jameis. Putting another “mum” player on a culture-less team whose previous leader was self-appointed by a paycheck, wouldn’t get us over the edge.
December 6th, 2015 at 8:00 pm
I’m a fan of MM but he’s not #3. #3 carried the Bucs today…they have NO chance to win the game without him…I mean none! I do not believe MM could survive the drops, the penalities and a killer penalty and still win a game that was critical for both teams.
I do NOT care about freaking MM. Nice kid, talent but he’s no #3!!! MM has a chance to be a good QB. #3 is already a good QB with a chance to be a generational QB the best in the league in a few years..hell the way he’s playing maybe next year. Imagine this game without the drops, fumble and penalities…do the same thing for last weeks’ game. #3 is carrying this team although I did think the D showed up big time and Lovie gets credit for making the adjustments to augment our lack of push up the middle on the pass rush…getting creative with LVD and Kwon criss crossing on a blitz at one point.
December 6th, 2015 at 8:10 pm
@SuperSam, I’ve watched Mariota closely every game this season and I give you credit he puts up great stats but he’s not the difference maker that Jameis is. If you get him in obvious passing situations he doesn’t look as good. Teams are so worried about him running that they sell out on the run on all of their play action fakes. Jameis has consistently made unbelievable plays on 3rd and longs to keep the Bucs in games. Mariota dink and dunks a lot and his guys have done a great job breaking tackles and turning short passes into big gains. He has also been lucky in having his guys come up with catches and TD’s on ricocheted passes. Mariota is having a great rookie season and playing much better than I thought he would but he’s not the type of player to elevate the play of the guys around him like Jameis. Not to mention all of the drops that Jameis has been plagued by this season. I’ve seen several perfectly thrown TD passes dropped.
December 6th, 2015 at 8:36 pm
@Sewersam Says – You might want to learn how to spell before calling someone an idiot. I agree with Luther. Not only would Winston’s stats be better, you cannot quantify the intangibles of leadership and no QB has led his team from last to possible playoffs like Winston has. Not to mention how much higher a ceiling Winston has. Marcus Mariota also has the lowest accuracy percentage on deep passes for 20+ yards (16.2%). Yes, this draft is looking better all the time. Who would have thought how well Winston can run the ball as well. Do it again this year Jason and Lovie.
December 6th, 2015 at 8:40 pm
Joe,
Not going to paste a link, but youtube Obama’s dap with Durant. It’s reminiscent of that pic.
December 6th, 2015 at 8:49 pm
mike10…the term for that is “Code Switching”. Look it up, it’s an real term.
December 6th, 2015 at 9:03 pm
Why do you guys always let some stupid troll kidnap every single post
Mariota will fail, like every other Spred offense QB- RG3,Kapernick, Etc.
Right now, he is a weaker version of Mike Glennon. Plays for good Stats- not to win
Suckersam- you love him, then go bl*w him.
This is a post about Licht- he has done an incredible job of rebuilding ou putrid, Dominick built offense
Cant wait til Lovie and Licht rebuild Dominick’s rancid excuse for a defense.
Then This team will be playoff bound every year
Suckersam- better not catch you here again, Troll. I told you to go BL*W that wussy qb in Nashville, and thats what you better be doing
December 6th, 2015 at 9:09 pm
So if we draft defensively next year as well as we did offensively this year we are on the way!!!
Then the following year I want Aguayo. I want a dominant kicker ala Vinateri or Janikowski. When we get good…and we will be good next year..the final missing piece will be a FG kicker who can win the close critical games for us.
But hey I suspect we could get Austin Hardin as a UDFA this year. How did UF ever find themselves in such a pathetic position. The MUST find a kicker next year if they want to compete.
December 6th, 2015 at 9:15 pm
This was a complete game…..all units did thier job, offense, defense, special teams…..Saints, rams, bears, panthers. #runthetable
December 6th, 2015 at 9:15 pm
From worst to lightyears better than that nightmare last year. Now, Lovie gets to go ballistic building the defense in the off-season. He and Koetter are on a mission with this team. 8-8? Well, maybe 10-6? Naah, I’ll stick with 8-8. Listening to these last 4 games will be a gas. Go Mighty Bucs!!
December 6th, 2015 at 9:17 pm
Licht deserves GM of the year, amazing job.
December 6th, 2015 at 9:23 pm
@GhostofSchiano
Agreed Licht is the GM of the year. I’m still waiting to see what we have in Bell next season.
December 6th, 2015 at 9:25 pm
In the words of Eric:
I wish we could have Greg Schiano and Mike Glennon right now!! LMAO!!
December 6th, 2015 at 9:32 pm
Marriota is good too. But Jameis is a winner, leader and Stone Cold Killer.
December 6th, 2015 at 9:33 pm
Damn that was harsh on SuperSam you guys
Now I’m really starting to see how much you guys like Jameis.
Someone mentions Mariota and you guys attack like pit bulls. Ha ha you do my work for me these days.
You guys get truly offended if anyone says anything remotely critical of Jameis. That sounds nothing like me. 🙂
Our franchise quarterback has come to Tampa Bay.
The name Mariota should be banned from this site Joe.
December 6th, 2015 at 9:51 pm
And….when it’s all said and done……2014 was also a great draft.
Evans…..ASJ, Sims & Pamphile could turn out to be great…..I know some are down on Evans & ASJ….but they are still very young and have a huge upside.
I’d say 8 players or more in 2 drafts is pretty good….one or two more like it and we will be set for years.
December 6th, 2015 at 10:06 pm
Dude, Marpet? He’s totally not nailed. Guy has played a half season.
December 6th, 2015 at 10:12 pm
Def a upgrade from Dumbinik’s awful drafts
December 6th, 2015 at 10:32 pm
Spot the trolls…everyone that called SuperSam another name.
@SuperSam
I was wanting Mariota, and I think they will both be great. However, Winstonites were right. He was the best choice for this team. Our team played downtrodden. While there were a couple fighters among them, Winston’s biggest contribution is his attitude.
It is just what this team needs.
December 6th, 2015 at 10:37 pm
Clint Says:
“Dude, Marpet? He’s totally not nailed. Guy has played a half season.”
Know your facts. He’s only missed 3 games of the 11 played. He’s played 8 games. Math is great.
December 6th, 2015 at 10:37 pm
Tough watching this fat, lazy, dumb, inaccurate Jamarcus Russell/Byron Leftwich like psychopath play and embarrass the City and the Glazer’s like this.
Sad.
December 6th, 2015 at 10:46 pm
Supersam if you were a true bucs fan you would have realized today was the day a boy became a man. Winston single handled willed us to victory. On all the major broadcast I am seeing his highlights. He is a proven winner who now commands respect in this league. Your other man crush is a gimmick that will fade like the rest and if not I am happy with wins over stats any day. This is t fantasy football this is the big time and who has more wins enough said. I am a believer and very excited for the future would I trade Winston for Brady right now hell no we have a 21 year old alpha male lion. So keep looking at stats while the rest of Buc nation keeps looking at the wild card in year one. I couldn’t have dreamed this season go any better so far. We are to blown games away from being 8-4 but still sitting at number 7. So we will enjoy are meaningful games while Marriotta compiles stats. In the words of the great Raheem stats are for losers BUELLER
December 6th, 2015 at 11:02 pm
thunderchunkyPA Says:
January 4th, 2015 at 12:44 pm
Joe, could you please just be objective on this subject? While I see you think #5 is the answer, there is another option. I do not see ANY articles on Mariota and what he can bring to the Bucs. This QB debate is worse then Dems and Reps in November, but as an Indy I try to see all the options and evidence before coming to a conclusion.
Sapp, STFU Says:
January 4th, 2015 at 12:36 pm
Joe, this post is a stretch. Your readers are willing to let you drop this daily Winston blog commitment if you’ll spare us the, “he messes up like the best” nonsense.
He carries too much baggage and off-field risk for Lovie/Dungy to draft.
OB Says:
January 4th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
What happens if Winston does not declare for the draft in 11 days and decides to play baseball and come back and win the championship for FSU?
Do we take Mariota or the draft picks from Chip Kelly?
I say we take Mariota in any case, get some good offensive linemen, put in a modified Oregon offense with our RBs and receivers we could have a field day, imagine what a real QB and ME13 and VJax they might have 2000 yards each.
Or Winston declares gets his signing bonus, gathers his crew, and watches the OTAs from a cell. He needs to go to a small town like Green Bay or Buffalo where it is cold and it will keep him indoors.
sinker Says:
January 4th, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Ya lets get a locker room distoyer like revis in to make sure we suck for years to come. had revis not called Sapp up with every little thing winy ass thing he thought of in the locker room. to cover up his own inability after his injury. it only takes own person to ruin a team. Keshawn Johnson ruined us revis ruined us. do not let a r**ist ruin us!
Tampabaybucfan Says:
January 4th, 2015 at 1:09 pm
Joe….do you seriously think we tanked our last game so that we could draft Winston?
How about some Mariota articles like every other sports site?
How many teams will be making phone calls to Licht because they want to draft up for Winston.
This is actually more comical than your Johnny Football articles.
There is absolutely no way the Glazers are going to permit (even if they were inclined) Lovie & Licht to choose Winston over Mariota.
December 6th, 2015 at 11:08 pm
chris k Says:
January 4th, 2015 at 1:20 pm
I’m not sure what to say on this. Joe may be the only person in America who has Winston ranked higher than Mariota. Let’s say for argumeunts sake they were both equal in talent and intangibles, which they are not, but for Joe’s sake we’ll say they are. There is absolutely no way the Bucs can hitch their future on a headache like Winston! There’s no way and they won’t. So now considering all that we know Mariota is the obvious choice or a blockbuster trade. Get over it Joe! Give the fans what they want! A Mariota watch and Mariota stories.
Mr. Patrick Says:
January 4th, 2015 at 1:24 pm
Just because some gets older doesn’t mean they “mature”, it doesn’t mean they become a good or better person, they just get to be an older version of themselves. If the Bucs draft Winston it will set the franchise back another five years
Bucnut2 Says:
January 4th, 2015 at 1:26 pm
Joe, there is so much misleading info in your post, it not worth going through. The bottom line; you are either a marketing genius which I believe you are or totally nuts. No way any GM in the league takes him number 1 overall. There is too much risk. This is much like Johnny football last year; personal issues kept him from going top 5 and his situation will make NFL GM’s more cautious on Winston because the Browns look like they squandered a first round pick on him. Jamiemore talented than Manziel but will likely slide out of the top 10. I suspect that he is getting advice to stay in school because his draft stock falling! He has talent, not #1 talent. He should stay in school, mature, put up big numbers and come out in 2016.
buddah Says:
January 4th, 2015 at 1:31 pm
There is no debate here for several reasons:
1. Winston is highly likely to return to school. he has been advised by his coach and by those close to him not to come out. I am in favor of taking Winston if we can trade down. Several knowledgeable commentators are now saying that Winston could easily fall out of the top 10.
2. It may not matter to Joe, but character matters a great deal to NFL scouts and front offices. OK, if you don’t want to judge his character on alleged crimes, then give me some evidence of his good character. What good has he done in the community? How has he helped people? What does he do when he’s not playing sports?
3. Have you ever seen Manning, Brady, Brees or other elite quarterback give lip to their coach on the sideline.
4. Winston is at best “a project.” His football IQ is high; his emotional intelligence is extremely low.
5. Simply stated, you don’t take a player with number 1 who has these question marks.
Bucnut2 Says:
January 4th, 2015 at 1:36 pm
Buddah, well said! You laid out why Winston to the bucs is a bad idea and not happening!
BFFL Says:
January 4th, 2015 at 2:45 pm
Mariota cannot be sacked just like Russell Wilson, has a trigger like Aaron Rodgers and the decisiveness of Brady.
Winston has the pocket presence of Freeman and the ball security of Josh McCown. Oh yeah, he’s an alleged sexuall assaulter, argues with coaches and likes baseball better…all great leadership skills for an NFL QB.
Every GM, and national pundit says the pick should be Mariota, but here we are on a Bucs opinion blog debating something that is so simple and obvious.
December 6th, 2015 at 11:14 pm
I like turtles.
December 6th, 2015 at 11:14 pm
Was it too much?
Yes it was too much. Too much to deal with back then and it lasted 4 months. This place was like a combat zone.
These were only from ONE thread and it was only January.
December 6th, 2015 at 11:29 pm
So today after throwing for the winning TD. Jameis stood up on the bench faced the crowd and waved his hands in the air to get the crowd louder for our defense.
This is the stuff legends do. This is the start of something beautiful Joe. This kid is going to take us to the Super Bowl and soon. Save your money Bucs fans, tickets ain’t cheap.
December 6th, 2015 at 11:43 pm
Well, Joe actually has a journalism degree, not communications, and worked some 25 years as a “real journalist” (Joe is assuming you are referring to working for a fishwrap). The first thing you do as a journalist, an ethical one that is, is not lie.
To write the Bucs would have been happy with Mariota, from everything Joe has been told, would be patently lying.
Curious, since you know so much about journalism, from where did you receive your degree?
December 6th, 2015 at 11:47 pm
You saw the game with your own eyes, right?
December 6th, 2015 at 11:49 pm
Won’t say who because it was told to Joe in confidence, but a well-respected veteran was talking to Joe about Jameis’ personality and said, “We needed a guy like that.”
December 7th, 2015 at 12:06 am
hey 87, from someone who wasn’t quite yet around in January — thanks for those, that is some high comedy 11 months later!
December 7th, 2015 at 12:18 am
JOE, don’t even bother.
I remain convinced that Winston has one BIG plus over Mariota: he’s a vocal leader. And as I said right here a month before the draft, I remain convinced that Winston is exactly the QB we HAD to draft. I don’t care if Mariota is playing better, he just doesn’t have the same charisma and leadership qualities that this team desperately needed.
As for next year’s draft, I was listen to the JOEs on the radio the other day and I agree with what was said. Defense shouldn’t necessarily be the top priority. Build around the franchise QB, give Winston another weapon, or another good olineman in the first round. Then you can address the defense.
December 7th, 2015 at 1:06 am
This shouldn’t be a comparison between the guy Licht picked and the guy the Titans picked. If it were, you’d note that Mariota threw for 3 TD’s and set his own NFL record today when he became the first NFL player ever to pass for 268 yards and run for 119 yards in a single game, his 87 yard rumble today ALSO set a record as the longest run by a QB in the history of the NFL.
While our own QB had a fantastic day, the #2 pick had an even more spectacular day.
I think a better way to say it would be to acknowledge that regardless of which QB the Bucs picked, they were going to get a spectacular one – almost like they couldn’t lose.
…you know, for those that are getting carried away with how “right” it was for the Bucs to select the best FSU QB in this draft…
KIR
December 7th, 2015 at 2:11 am
LOL Joe’s answering old posts…
December 8th, 2015 at 2:44 pm
@ Eric….LOL!! : )
December 8th, 2015 at 11:13 pm
I’m firmly with the camp that recognizes that the reason we NEEDED Winston has about 10% to do with what he does when dropping back to pass compared to “the other guy”. The 90% that we badly needed (that every great team needs) is the stuff he does completely naturally in the huddle, on the practice field, and in media sessions. The bucs did not need another skilled, hard-working guy. They needed belief and they needed a real leader to rally behind. MM will be a great QB for a strong team. Winston makes a team strong