The Power Of Jameis
January 27th, 2016
Direct influence with Team Glazer
Yes, Joe has used the above headline before. It bears repeating.
The Bucs are all about America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowl quarterback Jameis Winston. But that last sentence may not fully describe how much.
Rare is it for a rookie to influence the direction of a team. But to hear the words of the Custodian of Canton, eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune, Jameis not just has influence, but the not-quite-second-year signal-caller wields untold weight with Team Glazer, so Kaufman told Olivia Stacey in a recent TBO Bucs podcast.
“All you have to do is look at the NFL playoffs [and the conference finals],” Kaufman said. “Denver, New England, Carolina, Arizona. Among the many similarities, you are left with outstanding quarterbacks, franchise quarterbacks. The Bucs have never had one. Ownership thinks they have landed on one with Jameis Winston. They are not going to mess with that. It is paramount right now going forward.
“You would think Jameis Winston was consulted in this regard on the next coach of the Bucs and how comfortable he was with Dirk Koetter. I dare say if Jameis Winston had told ownership, Olivia, around the time of Lovie Smith’s dismissal, that if he [didn’t mesh] in regards with Dirk Koetter, I dare say that Dirk Koetter would not be sitting at One Buc Place in the coach’s office right now.
“That is the dynamic going on with the Buccaneers right now. Building around Jameis Winston. He is clearly the leader. He is a spokesman. Let’s not forget that very impassioned speech he made, Olivia, at the end of the season, about the coaching staff wants to win more than some of the players. That really resonated with ownership. That didn’t help Lovie Smith’s chances to stay.”
Well, Joe has a hunch Jameis was not consulted about Lovie, and if he was, his words were not heeded. Jameis loved Lovie. Raved about him. After all, let us not forget, if Lovie didn’t want Jameis here, then Jameis would not be with Tampa Bay.
Jameis considered Lovie sort of like a second father figure (well, third if you include Jimbo Fisher). The two were tight. The speech Jameis made after the last game of the season was a show of support for Lovie more than anything.
Joe does totally buy that Jameis was consulted about Koetter. And, like Kaufman said, if Jameis had issues with Koetter, then Koetter would not be coaching the Bucs.
January 27th, 2016 at 11:15 am
Agree with you Joe!
I think Licht is incredibly smart in his interpersonal relationships and understanding how people think and feel.
it would have been totally unfair to #3 to involve him in any way in the decision to fire Lovie. You just can’t put that kind of pressure on a 21 year old.
But asking him how he felt going forward AFTER Lovie was fired was just showing proper respect as well as making sure he and the next coach would work well together.
#3 is a very smart young man. He gets what is going on. This was about the defense not the offense. It was Lovie’s side of the ball that got him fired not #3’s! And in all honesty while #3 may have felt for Lovie personally…I think professionally he was relieved!!!
January 27th, 2016 at 11:22 am
Jameis; provided he stays healthy is going to win multiple championships.
The guy has everything you want in a QB.
Jason’s job is to put the right coaches and players around him.the Bucs are going to have to use free agency to help fill some of the wholes this team has(2 DE, 1 DT, 1 SLB, 2 CB, 2 S, 1 OT, 1 WR and 1 OG).
January 27th, 2016 at 11:38 am
Yea, I thought Jameis’ impassioned post season press conference was a serious indictment of Lovie. Jameis didn’t mean it that way — I think he was actually trying to stick up for his coach.
But when he’s saying that not enough guys on the team have the correct “why’s” on why they are playing the game, well, that’s the head coach’s fault. And that’s something that should be taken care of in the first training camp as head coach. Lovie couldn’t get it right in two years.
January 27th, 2016 at 11:47 am
@Wausa,
Yes we need a lot of pieces to complete the turnaround. I am thankful that we now have the key piece to build around. Improving our d-line will go a long way in fixing our defensive holes. We need to bring in a play-making veteran and draft a couple of d-lineman. We won’t be able to get all the pieces in one year, but we definitely need a starting WR and RT and/or Guard.
I’m looking forward to the off-season. My wounds are healed
Go Bucs!
January 27th, 2016 at 12:00 pm
a good head coach should have no need for a 21 year old rookie to be his mouthpiece. But his willingness to let Jameis speak, highlights his failure to reach the team and lead it. Jamies is rising star but I’d like to see .him focus on what he can control.It is incumbent on new staff to analyze and get the most out of players on team.
January 27th, 2016 at 12:05 pm
I really think Ira Kaufman just likes to start drama at times. I know the guy is plugged in, but he writes so much opinion as quasi-facts, seems like a teenage girl needing attention.
As Joe and other have said, I highly doubt Jameis was consulted on the coaching pick.
January 27th, 2016 at 12:26 pm
I’m wondering more and more if Winston told Licht that Lovies defense would never work, and they asked Lovie to adjust and he was to hard headed to change which led to his demise.
January 27th, 2016 at 12:30 pm
I don’t think Jameis would say anything bad about anyone. He has a heart of gold, and would never talk badly about someone. And he is 100% honest about it to. He finds the good things and focuses on that. No one is perfect so you just gotta look for the good in people, and I believe that is what Jameis does.
January 27th, 2016 at 12:32 pm
@ssam
seriously doubt that jameis would intentionally throw lovie under the bus,
and that Licht needed to be told of Lovies’ weaknesses.
January 27th, 2016 at 1:00 pm
They didn’t need to consult Jameis regarding Koetter…..the proof of the relationship was in the pudding……Jameis was always positive about Koetter…..
Jameis has a great deal of influence but lets not get too carried away….gladly, he’s not the type to use his influence in a negative way.
January 27th, 2016 at 1:07 pm
Didn’t write that. Joe is confident Jameis was asked about Koetter. As far as Lovie, sure doesn’t seem like Jameis was not consulted.
January 27th, 2016 at 1:09 pm
Didn’t need to but Team Glazer is not dumb. Let’s not be naive here. Koetter was hired because of Jameis. Besides, what (sensible) rookie is going to out a coach in public?
January 27th, 2016 at 2:40 pm
Joe Says:
January 27th, 2016 at 1:09 pm
They didn’t need to consult Jameis regarding Koetter
Didn’t need to but Team Glazer is not dumb. Let’s not be naive here. Koetter was hired because of Jameis. Besides, what (sensible) rookie is going to out a coach in public?
————————————–
Magic Johnson?
January 27th, 2016 at 2:56 pm
Despite all of Joe’s gibberish that, but for Jameis, Koetter would not be head coach now (which I happen to agree with), I firmly believe that the MAIN attraction to the several experienced coaches that have joined the Bucs is their association/trust/respect for Dirk Koetter. I, for one, am hoping that next year and for several years to come – we fans cn rally around the mantra:
WELCOME BACK, KOETTER !
January 27th, 2016 at 3:19 pm
So far there has been ZERO off the field issues with Jameis. I think he loves football more than the urge to go out put himself in any situation that would jeopardize his career or the team. Let’s hope this continues.
January 27th, 2016 at 4:08 pm
@ Joe
Winston was coming to Tampa whether Lovie wanted him or not because Licht and the Glazers wanted Winston. It just so happen that Lovie wanted him too. But make no mistake, Winston was always the pick. Licht texted his brother and law during the 2014 draft when he was texted Manziel or bridgewater. Licht responded Winston. Winston was on Licht’s radar during his days with Arizona and he wanted him then. Trust me, Lovie does not get extra credit for the drafting of Winston. Winston was the obvious pick to Licht, the Glazers and many of his supporters on this site. Its as simple as that.
January 27th, 2016 at 4:12 pm
The power of Jameis compels you.
The power of Jameis compels you.
The power of Jameis compels you.
Dirk Koetter performing an exorcism on the Bucs.
January 27th, 2016 at 4:27 pm
Yes JW is maturing nicely is what I’m taking away from the read from Ira. Can’t wait for all that other stuff currently going on his life to be over with then we can see JW in full throttle. One cannot argue that that other issue is still holding him back some
January 27th, 2016 at 5:25 pm
Buc1987
Not so sure. The fact that there’s a highway to hell and only a stairway to heaven, says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers.
January 27th, 2016 at 5:42 pm
OAR…lol yup.