Ronde Barber: Jameis Is Part “Roethlisberger” And Part “Leftwich”
September 5th, 2016
Former Bucs quarterback Byron Leftwich
One of the most astute students of quarterbacks in NFL history, iconic Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber, has a scouting report on America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.
Ronde was pressed for the skinny on Jameis by CBS Sports Radio hosts Brandon Tierney and Tiki Barber last week. The Tampa Bay legend, who attends Bucs practices and calls their preseason games, sees Jameis as a work in progress but a true elite talent and presence.
“The guy is the real deal. In every aspect of quarterbacking, he is the real deal,” Barber said.
“This his first real offseason, and you can see the improvement in his game. If you’re looking for just a broad assessment of why people are optimistic about Tampa, it’s because of Jameis Winston.
“The easy comparison for me is [Ben] Roethlisberger. Because he’s got functional movement. He’s not a great runner and Ben’s not a great runner. But he’s learning, and he was always good, even in college, moving around in the pocket, extending plays and, you know, finding ways to deliver a football.
“Now his release isn’t has efficient as Ben’s is. His is more skewing toward [Byron] Leftwich. It gets kind of long sometimes. He has that baseball windup at times, which he’s been working on. And it’s markedly better this year. He’s just a big kind of lumbering quarterback.”
For Bucs fans who blocked the memory, Leftwich was the Bucs’ opening day starter in 2009. So Barber knows all about Leftwich’s game after practicing against him repeatedly.
Joe likes the comparison to Roethlisberger, one of the most underrated future Hall of Famers in the game. If Jameis could achieve 75 percent of what Big Ben has, then Bucs fans will be damn lucky and damn happy.
September 5th, 2016 at 8:52 am
I love these hybrid QB comparisons…..let’s throw in a little Doug Williams….perhaps some Joe Flaco and now we have Jameis.
September 5th, 2016 at 8:57 am
Lol leftwich?? He did have a cannon but poor accuracy to go with it. I agree with the Big Ben comparison but Winston has lost tha textra weight and trimmed down, hope he doesn’t tinker with his mechanics to much. Loosing all that weight and tryin to shorten your release could mess your mechanics up a bit. But he sure looked okay in the Cleveland game so I’m not to worried.
September 5th, 2016 at 9:07 am
Jaboo is exact copy of big Ben
Great pocket movement, extend plays and no fear waiting for receivers to be open In face of punishment
Agreed, Ben’s arm is more compact but jameis is has better wheels
Great accuracy deep downfield routes
Big Ben is deadly at no huddle
Get jaboo in no huddle
September 5th, 2016 at 9:21 am
Spot on. Jameis does remind me of Big Ben. While BB was a little more sound mechanically, Jameis’ ability to read a defense is no doubt advanced for his age. And his windup is very similar to Byron’s. To me that’s not an insult as I believe Byron could have been pretty good with some decent coaching. He actually spent pre season 2007 with Koetter, but by then the writing was on the wall and it was obvious that the team was going with Garrard and his lesser salary. Now im rambling. SIX mire days guys…GO BUCS!
September 5th, 2016 at 9:25 am
Maybe I am being a homer but I think Jameis will be better! I am hoping that he will eventually be at a Manning or Brady level. I am hoping he he goes down in history as one of the all time greats. I think with his internal drive, football IQ that will only get better over time, his leadership skills and talent he truly does have that much upside!
September 5th, 2016 at 9:25 am
I agree w/Ronde. Famous is a wee bit more agile than Big Ben. It will be fun watching a for-real offense slowly mature here. A for-real offense???? In Tampa Bay???? Sounds like an oxymoron. Go Bucs!!
September 5th, 2016 at 9:29 am
1 part Big Ben lumbering type runner. 1 part Tom Brady for his fire. 1 part Brett Favre for his gunslinger style of play. 1 part Peyton Manning for his football IQ.
Jameis Winston.
September 5th, 2016 at 9:32 am
Well said 87
Jameis will bring the Lombardi home multiple times
September 5th, 2016 at 9:37 am
“Jameis will bring the Lombardi home multiple times”
Put the bottle down. It’s way to early for that kind of drinking, even on Labor Day.
September 5th, 2016 at 9:47 am
That Guy
You might as well accept Jameis will be the greatest and most important buc of all time. He will win multiple super bowls…. write it down
September 5th, 2016 at 10:02 am
100% agree with that assessment 87. Four of the best attributes from four hall of fame QBs. The future is so bright I need to wear shades!
September 5th, 2016 at 10:16 am
What 87 said. And Tmax in time they will acknowledge what you are saying. Trust me.
September 5th, 2016 at 10:35 am
Sigh…
…no who Jameis Winston is REALLY like?
Jameis Winston.
I hate these comparisons. He’s his own man. Honestly, I’ve never seen a QB like him when it comes to leadership and personality. The skills exist, but need further development.
He’s not big Ben. He’s not Lefty. He is Jameis.
September 5th, 2016 at 10:36 am
“…no who …”
Wow! I just made a major typo there considering I’m a writer. Sheesh. I need to do some writing exercises. Later!
“know”
September 5th, 2016 at 10:39 am
His mental makeup tells me, in the long run, he’s not 85% of Big Ben, he’ll be more like 150%
September 5th, 2016 at 10:41 am
WTF? Leftwhich? Why because he is black? I love Ronde but couldnt he have thought of someone better to compare him to… Sorry im just not a Leftwhich fan…
September 5th, 2016 at 10:43 am
Cause 87 knows Jameis.
September 5th, 2016 at 10:46 am
To me, I see Bret Favre
His gunslinger additive. Favre played the game like a kid on a sand lot. He was out #1 enemy back in the day but you had to respect his game.
I think Jameis has that as well, toss in Dirk’s aversion to check downs and Jameis’ own downfield mentality
September 5th, 2016 at 10:46 am
Bonzai…I can agree with that assessment too.
September 5th, 2016 at 10:52 am
’87 nailed it. He knows his boy.
Leftwich? Man thats an insult. Ronde – I thought we left behind the Leftwich comparisons over a year ago.
And Joe – 75% of Roethlisberger would make you happy? Boy do you have low expectations. Winston will be 120% of what Big Ben has been!!.
Enjoy the ride Bucs fans. It’s gonna be sweet and it begins for reals this year.
September 5th, 2016 at 11:01 am
Yikes. Leftwhich just gave me shivers.
September 5th, 2016 at 11:06 am
Dave Says:
September 5th, 2016 at 10:39 am
His mental makeup tells me, in the long run, he’s not 85% of Big Ben, he’ll be more like 150%
Ding Ding Ding! his mental make up. His desire to win and dedication to the be the very best is what will guarantee success and why he will separate himself from the pack…
September 5th, 2016 at 11:21 am
The comparison to a Sandwhich was not a did on him as a player but on the windup motion a tends to have because he was a pitcher so calm down some kiddies. I like the Shazzs comparison.
September 5th, 2016 at 12:00 pm
Per: Ronde
Nailed it ! Couldn’t have said it any better.
September 5th, 2016 at 12:02 pm
And some can’t quite understand why I’m not big ronde fan these days. I’ll say it again it reeks of jealousy because this team is about overshadow all Buccs teams of the past.
September 5th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Modeeration?
September 5th, 2016 at 12:14 pm
@nosbos
Ronde was a mouthpiece last year most of his comments came from the coaching staff.
but when you think About it his Jameis comments were all pretty darn
positive.no Lovie speak to filter through anymore.
September 5th, 2016 at 12:18 pm
With that wind up – its kinda like a phantom pitch.
U think the ball’s – being released faster then it actually is – but its not
I wonder sometimes – if those fractions of a second throws off the – the receivers concentration on hauling in a pass.
September 5th, 2016 at 12:22 pm
Case In Point
FSN Sport Science – Ep3 – Reaction Time – Ben Roethlisberger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En6cTw1nGSo
September 5th, 2016 at 12:28 pm
I should add about the rest of the team.I am sure he loved jameis,partly because Jameis had the moxie to speak up and say the things Lovie should have been saying.
September 5th, 2016 at 12:34 pm
Per: Bruce Feldman (2014)
“One of the knocks on Winston’s game is his extended release, and that is exactly what Winston has been working to improve.
Winston acknowledged the issues with his release and is hoping to shorten his release.”
September 5th, 2016 at 12:39 pm
very interesting,Luvmybucs
September 5th, 2016 at 2:17 pm
I’ll say two words when it comes to releases. Phillip Rivers. Seems like the only thing gose on at this site is nit-picking why we will not dominate this season. Not buying any of it.
September 5th, 2016 at 2:20 pm
That elongated passing motion threw for how many yards as a rookie??? Oh okay.
September 5th, 2016 at 3:14 pm
Jameis has a fast release its enlonggated but it’s not like Bortles slow motion.
September 5th, 2016 at 6:44 pm
I’m not an expert, but like all of us here, have watched a lot of football. Jameis is Jameis and is one of a kind. He’s at least 700% better than Leftwich and Jameis can move much better than Big Ben. He has the swagger and confidence of a young Peyton Manning. Jameis is writing his own story and the rest of the league be damned. I’m so happy the Bucs drafted him and that I was so wrong about him then. But I think the real story this season will be Mike Smith’s defense. The offense should very good but I think this defense will be top 5 great.
September 5th, 2016 at 6:49 pm
Really believe Jameis will wear a gold jacket. As a life long fan, hard to fathom that.
September 5th, 2016 at 7:34 pm
yeah, definitely needs to learn to plant his feet, and get torque into the football. He has the arm strength, just doesnt always get velocity on the ball while on the run, moving in the pocket sometimes. The windup effects his short passes it seems as well. If he get the ball up near his ear hole more just let rip instead of the baseball wind-up that would be a huge start.
September 6th, 2016 at 12:28 am
Man I jus seen Famous throw a block on a LB lead blocking for Doug after he tossed him the rock. That’s shhh was amazing. I don’t think I seen it before in the league. The play developed that slow that he could tossed the pill and lead block. Like the defense can’t see that coming a mile away. Comedy!