Consistency
October 26th, 2016
Too much too soon? (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)
Joe understands the frustrations of Bucs fans.
Bucs fans so much want America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, to throw like a No. 1 overall draft pick. They want him to be like a Ben Roethlisberger or even an Aaron Rodgers (before his recent slide), a couple of fellow first-round picks.
At times, Jameis looks the part, lethal like he was at the end of the first half against the 49ers . Too many times, however, Jameis has channeled his inner-Josh McClown, which makes Bucs fans sour on their craft beer.
Such is the roller coaster with young quarterbacks. Stud one week, schlock the next. Super Bowl-winning coach Brian Billick, brother-in-law of Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith who somehow won a Super Bowl with Trent Dilfer, believes soon we will learn who Jameis will be for the future.
Earlier this week on “Good Morning Football” seen on NFL Network, host Kay Adams asked Billick about Jameis and what fans should expect about his prospects to become the long-term franchise quarterback all Bucs fans hope he can be.
“Just consistency,” Billick said. “It seems like every week with Jameis Winston we are either talking about a three- or four-touchdowns-game and then again a two- or three-interception game, or maybe a four-interception game like we saw a couple of weeks ago.
“You know, Bill Walsh was very much a believer that by Week 24 or 25, meaning about the middle of your second year, there or before, you will find out if the guy is a player. And obviously the trending for Jameis Winston, if he can keep it along the lines of what he did Sunday (against San Francisco) — stayed away from the interceptions, had a good completion (percentage) — if he can stay away from those big meltdown games, then yeah, we can say Jameis Winston is on that trajectory to be a solid quarterback if not a spectacular one in this league.”
Could it be that Dirk Koetter, whose Bucs career is directly tied to Jameis and who is Jameis’ personal coach, rushed Jameis too much?
Last year, Jameis turned the corner for a rookie quarterback after he had an atrocious Week 4 game against the Stinking Panthers. Earlier this season, Koetter went all-Don Coryell and had Jameis throwing the ball about 10-times as much as Joe can guzzle beers in a game, and it was Pick City.
After the Broncos debacle at home, Koetter groused, “I thought we were past this?” referencing Jameis’ knack for turnovers. Since, Koetter has lassoed Jameis. And while his passing numbers won’t let anyone forget Dan Marino, the Bucs are winning and the turnovers from Jameis have starkly decreased.
Did Koetter rush Jameis too much too quickly and realized his mistake? Or is Jameis just the dreaded “game manager?”
October 26th, 2016 at 10:35 am
Rolling my eyes.
No running game usually leads to more erratic play by a quarterback. Couple that with Winston being a gunslinger and we’re going to see picks. Perhaps he was doing what he was told to do during those games. Sling it. We have no running back, so sling it.
October 26th, 2016 at 10:39 am
When Im on NFL.com or other football sites and see an article on the Bengals or Seahawks, I dont comment. I dont comment because Im just not that well informed on other teams. I think some of these so called pro analysts are not well informed either. What Billick said was partialltly true, but he didnt mention the struggles of the rest of the team and all the other factors involved that account for the finall product on the field. When these guys pop off at the mouth, they can really put a player in a nut shell.
Point is, just sit back and enjoy watching a good young qb do his thing. Save the grades and psycho analysis for after the season.
October 26th, 2016 at 10:43 am
If you would have told me that we would rack up over 500 yards without Martin, Sims & Vjax….or that we would hold Carolina to 14 points without GMC, Ayers, McDonald and Spence with a shoulder…..I would have bet the farm against that.
We are building some depth here and if we do get some consistancy at QB we will win….win…..win.
October 26th, 2016 at 10:45 am
Re-read the fourth paragraph (specifically the third sentence) and it will tip you off that when it comes to the Bucs, Brian Billick may be a bit more informed than your standard analyst who only watches the Belicheats and Cowboys.
October 26th, 2016 at 10:49 am
Jameis can’t carry a team. That much is obvious. Not yet, anyway. He needs a strong running game and a decent defense to get it done consistently. That’s just who the guy is at this point in his career. Nothing to be ashamed of.
October 26th, 2016 at 10:53 am
@joe
being a “game manager” isn’t dreaded. if you have a quarterback that can win games being a “dreaded game manager” then I feel that speaks volumes on how the talent on the team is evenly distributed (think patriots). now if jameis becomes an elite quarterback and can play the role of “dreaded game manager” we would be playing for championships every year (think tom brady)
October 26th, 2016 at 10:55 am
Joe.
No doubt with that kind of connection. A lot of my frustration is with most of the national types that seem to take the time to put a few meaningless words together about the Bucs before they start thier 15 minute segment on what Romo had for dinner last night.
October 26th, 2016 at 10:56 am
The running game is absolutely critical to Jameis’ success. It takes the pressure off of him, and allows him to settle down into a rhythm. Furthermore, I think it helps the entire team settle down, and is vital to they type of offense that Koetter likes to run.
Gone are the days of dinking and dunking. When Jameis drops back to throw, its for big chunks of yardage. The only way that can happen is if the opposing defense is forced to respect the running game.
Fortunately, the Bucs are one of the few teams in the NFL who can honestly claim to have a strong offensive line. Its one of the Buc’s greatest strengths.
October 26th, 2016 at 10:57 am
LOL True!
Last night the NFL Network was actually bragging, “The Cowboys may have a bye week but we still have Cowboys news for you!”
Oh, goody!!! Wouldn’t have been able to sleep last night without it. :::rolleyes:::
October 26th, 2016 at 10:58 am
P.S. Joe
I avoid my brother-in-law at all costs. Hes a Panthers fan
October 26th, 2016 at 10:59 am
Chucklehead:
LOVE your handle! (“Hey, porcupine!“)
October 26th, 2016 at 11:01 am
Kid has one game turnover free all season. The reason he is so Freeman like is his inconsistency. You can blame the wrs oline or the kicker or playing tough defenses but he’s still making dumb mistakes
I hope he finds some consistency but he’s a very frustrating player to watch
October 26th, 2016 at 11:03 am
^^ LOL Joe.
They’re better than BSPN but Bucs still get no respect. Never have. (Hmm I wonder if being perennial losers has something to do with that?)
It’s okay though, I’d prefer to fly under the radar and surprise people. Go Bucs!
October 26th, 2016 at 11:04 am
What? Tanpa tony doesn’t like Jameis?
Color me shocked.
October 26th, 2016 at 11:06 am
Winning brings respect.
October 26th, 2016 at 11:37 am
Tampa Tony
…. may not like Jameis but this Florida gal just love him! He definitely is no Freeman. I have no doubt he will make the nay sayers sssshh, he will turn the corner as the TEAM gets it’s identity. Nor am I convinced he is making as many bad throws as it APPEARS…the kid has swagger and a will to overcome adversity…doubt is his spinach…just wait 4 it!
October 26th, 2016 at 11:49 am
I have more confidence in the ability of Winston to lead this Bucs team than ever before. He will sharpen his game going forward.That’s exciting.
October 26th, 2016 at 12:15 pm
Again people, one more time, he beat 2 very bad teams with very bad defenses, and only because the O line and RBs played spectacularly, a funny thing happened to Matt Ryan after he lost an effective RB Mike Turner, he started to suck, this offensive game plan calling for 15 yard plays all the time doesn’t work versus dime packages, unless you have Julio or Evans busting out, so hopefully DK learned his lessons and started incorporating a few check down plays in his play calling, nothing wrong with some slants or curls, those are like run plays that can set up the bigger plays
October 26th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
let jameis be a game manager just like the steelers did with big ben in his first 2 years….they didn’t ask him to do too much….they played great defense and pounded the ball with bettis and parker….it aint rocket science….GO BUCS!!!
October 26th, 2016 at 12:21 pm
I’ve always stated that a QB has to be given 25 games before you know what he is. Always thought that and used to have the stats to back it up…..but then along came Freeman and his 25th start was at the end of his magical 2010 season..so I’ve amended my belief.
A QB is who he is going to be once he’s hit his 25th game and his 3rd season. I feel this is far more accurate when looking at young QBs. That extra offseason gives, not only the QB, but opposing defenses, to figure out what’s going on and what a guy can and can’t do well and how to stop it and force him to beat you with his weaknesses.
October 26th, 2016 at 12:21 pm
I guess I am just wondering what QB has thrown for 4 touchdown no INT’s against Denver anyhow?????
October 26th, 2016 at 12:33 pm
lot of the turnovers is just other players not making the play… seems like over half of winston’s INTs have come from tip & dropped passes… other players have to step their games up for bucs to be successful
October 26th, 2016 at 12:35 pm
“I hope he finds some consistency but he’s a very frustrating player to watch”, TT
I think you are getting confuse with Aguayo. HE IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO WATCH!
But I do think he will settle down to be what Licht expected. Hopefully that happens soon!
Go Bucs!!!
October 26th, 2016 at 1:10 pm
@Joe:
Re-read the fourth paragraph (specifically the third sentence) and it will tip you off that when it comes to the Bucs, Brian Billick may be a bit more informed than your standard analyst who only watches the Belicheats and Cowboys.
———————————————–
Super Bowl-winning coach Brian Billick, brother-in-law of Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith who somehow won a Super Bowl with Trent Dilfer, believes soon we will learn who Jameis will be for the future.
————————————————
Isn’t Billick pretty much pro-Bucs? He was that way before Smith moved here. LMWAO over the Trent Dilfer crack. 🙂 Hey, a bunch of national talking heads popped a collective gut (plus hot air) when we won the SB if you will recall.
October 26th, 2016 at 1:19 pm
Proud of you joe
October 26th, 2016 at 1:26 pm
Ummm.. If the line Protects and we aren’t down 28 pts then he won’t be forcing balls. Teams do not game plan to throw 50 x’s per game.
October 26th, 2016 at 1:55 pm
After 1 mediocre and 1 (mostly) good game against really inferior competition, I don’t think anyone who had reservations about Jameis should feel relieved.
My concerns:
1. He holds on to the ball too long, which is going to get him injured
2. He can’t calm down until after the game gets to the second quarter.
3. He’d not a guy who’s going to be consistently accurate. Ever. Not in his DNA
4. Against better defenses, he’s completely outmatched. He only plays well against bottom feeders so far. Against good D, he reverts to forcing passes and locking in on his primary target (review Denver/Arizona games).
5. Koetter isn’t doing his bad habits any favors by favoring longer developing pass routes. His biggest accuracy weakness is the deep ball. Was glad to see they got away from that against SF. He still held on to the ball too long in many cases however.
That being said, a great game manager would be a huge upgrade to this franchise. Give us the good Brad Johnson from 2000-2002 and I’m thrilled. But I really have my doubts this kid is going to be elite. His own nature is working against him as he gets away from being a smart QB when faced with strong competition.
October 26th, 2016 at 2:41 pm
Tampa Tony Says:
“he’s a very frustrating player to watch”
LOL – Jameis is the must fun and exciting QB to watch that this team has ever had. (no offense to Doug Williams)
your blue and orange and/or Mariota manlove and/or white hood and/or false accusation biases are continually on display Tony.
October 26th, 2016 at 2:59 pm
Pickgrin, he’s a piece of work. You’ve got him pegged.
October 26th, 2016 at 3:28 pm
These are the growing pains we need to expect from a young QB. As long as he continues to work on his craft and we have a sound run-game, we’re going to be just fine.
October 26th, 2016 at 4:27 pm
Call me crazy but let’s go all in on offense next year.
Let’s draft fournette and a wideout at 2
Crush kill destroy
October 26th, 2016 at 5:11 pm
While it is true that Winston stunk vs the Cardinals and Bronco’s and was mediocre against the Rams there have been developments that point to improvement instead of regression.
1. Sims was featured back in those games, he stunk, putting pressure on Winston. Rogers and Barber run much more effectively, taking a huge amount of stress off Jameis.
2. Vincent Jackson is no longer active, Jackson became a non factor, Russell Sheppard gives Winston more opportunities to find open receivers, VJax lost too much speed and had drops at critical points.
3. Raiders and Bears, upcoming opponents, don’t play D like Rams, Cards or Broncos. Bucs usually play well vs Falcons and they have a bad secondary.
4. Evans has matured and is playing at a high level. He appears to have gotten into a zone where no defense will stop him. He is playing like a beast.
5. Home field advantage. The Bucs have been horrible at home but I have a theory that once the Tampa weather dries out and they get to practice in less oppressive humidity, they will play better. May seem far fetched. It has to help them at home and more fans will come out when rainy season ends.