Would Jameis Stomach DeSean Jackson’s Practice Absences?
February 27th, 2017
Voluntary doesn’t really mean voluntary in the NFL.
Ninety-nine percent of coaches and players won’t talk about what really happens when a player misses one of the many “optional/voluntary” practices throughout the spring just because he wants a day off.
It’s a taboo topic in the NFL world.
Would a coach or general manager hold it against a player for taking off a few weeks in May to put his feet up, get rubbed down by Swedish women and mentally prepare for football season? You’re damn right he would, even though those May practices, aka OTA days, are “voluntary” per league rules.
Fans from New Port Richey to Lakeland to downtown St. Pete are hot in the pants at the thought of the Bucs signing explosive wide receiver DeSean Jackson next week in free agency.
The man is a lightning-quick baller, leading the NFL in yards per catch in two of the past three seasons.
But many Bucs fans might not realize Jackson is well known for skipping his share of spring practices, as noted by CSNMidAtlantic.com last year.
Jackson missed the first two weeks of Redskins OTAs before joining his teammates for Monday and Tuesday’s activities. The 29-year-old, though, did not practice on Wednesday—the only session of the week that was open to reporters.
Jackson also seemed to confirm reports that he made a conscious decision to forfeit a $500,000 workout bonus that was tied to him attending 90 percent of the team’s offseason program.
“You know, you hear the reports, people saying I forfeited the workout bonus,” he told Michael. “Don’t get it wrong; it’s definitely something I would have loved to do. But spending that time with my family and doing things on that side of the world definitely pays off.”
So how would America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, react to a teammate who doesn’t’ always put the team first?
Jameis, the unquestioned leader, is always preaching “family” and the brotherhood and grind of his Bucs family. How might Jackson chilling with family in Los Angeles while the Bucs are sweating their asses of in Tampa jibe with that?
Joe sees Jackson’s practice attitude, which is unlikely to improve with age, as a major concern in the walls of One Buc Palace. Joe’s confident Dirk Koetter isn’t ready to claim he fully accomplished the culture change he spoke about crafting last fall.
February 27th, 2017 at 2:57 pm
stop the Jackson talk!….just a team cancer…
February 27th, 2017 at 2:58 pm
cries for the ball, he’s hurt often, he aint what he used to be …and stone hands…no way please
February 27th, 2017 at 3:06 pm
Culture Change is Fake News!
February 27th, 2017 at 3:10 pm
Ur right he,s to dam Soft. Ted Ginn yes!!!!! And Kenny Stills.Yes sir.
February 27th, 2017 at 3:12 pm
U can get the both of them for 10,11 million a year.
February 27th, 2017 at 3:19 pm
Good article, Joe. I’d rather have someone else in here who wants to put in the work.
February 27th, 2017 at 3:33 pm
Joe did not seem to mind when it was Sgt winslow was not practicing!!!!!
?? This post has nothing to do with Joe’s opinion.–Joe
February 27th, 2017 at 3:36 pm
I want what’s best for the team, so whomever that may be as long as we upgrade the position. However everyone remembers Keyshawn Johnson didn’t show up for voluntary work outs and actually has a super bowl ring. So again whatever is best but sometimes you have to make the best choice, the good guy or the best guy.
February 27th, 2017 at 3:44 pm
Bu-bu-bu…but Jameis wants him, remember?
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2017/02/jameis-want-desean/
February 27th, 2017 at 3:44 pm
it would be a definite topic of discussion during the free agent courtship process, before any contract details are pinned down. DJ is not hurting for options, but if JW and the coaches think differing standards for the new big money free agent will hurt team unity, they should stick to their guns and let him sign elsewhere
i think for at least one offseason Jackson would see the value of traveling across the country a couple more time and letting his young QB learn what he’s got to work with for the next few years. he can probably afford to spoil himself and fly private and barely even put a dent in his state income tax savings, let alone his entire ginormous contract
February 27th, 2017 at 3:46 pm
Hmmmm, this changes things. Culture change isn’t helped with characters who are less committed. Maybe Jackson isn’t the right guy.
February 27th, 2017 at 3:50 pm
@Bald Head
Kenny Stills want $12 million per year
February 27th, 2017 at 3:51 pm
Joey, I want 12mil per year too. Guess what?
February 27th, 2017 at 3:52 pm
Can we really fault a guy for putting his family first? It’s not like he needs the extra practice. Some people need to get their priorities straight.
February 27th, 2017 at 3:52 pm
Joe
It goes wayyyy beyond this.
I was hoping with all of your resources – you would speak on some of them.
How about faking a injury when he doesn’t get his way?
February 27th, 2017 at 3:53 pm
Not sure if Jameis was or even still is aware of D-Jax’s lax offseasons. The bottom line is we need another playmaker and speed at the WR position. I don’t think missing voluntary workouts would be a deal breaker nor should it be a deal breaker imo.
February 27th, 2017 at 3:54 pm
@BuccaneEric75
So would I but difference is someone might actually pay him that and I’m hoping it isn’t the Bucs lol.
February 27th, 2017 at 4:05 pm
Joeypoppems
This is why I said – Its time to hit the trade market + sign a lower tier free agent.
There’s enough crediable intel out there – that points to the following players being traded or released.
Trading a late-round pick
• Brandon Marshall (NYJ) $7,500,000
• Mike Wallace (BAL) $8,000,000
Note: Jets Traded a 5th round pick for Brandon Marshall (2015)
February 27th, 2017 at 4:05 pm
Joey, lol
February 27th, 2017 at 4:05 pm
Stills won’t get $12 million probably isn’t even asking for that, that more than likely came out of the Dolphins front office, an excuse to their fans why they won’t retain him, it’s all games right now, Stills will get paid handsomely, he’s productive even though he’s never been a featured, more likely around the 8-9 million per year range, but that even sounds like too much unless he’s your WR2, I’d rather pay Pryor $12 a year
February 27th, 2017 at 4:07 pm
Insofar as Desean Jackson not showing up for voluntary practices goes, look at his production over the years, including last year. Venture to say that he’s one of the most consistent WRs in the NFL (consistent in terms of average production per game per season), and he’s done that with having several different QBs tossing him the ball. Apparently whatever he’s doing is getting results, and ‘getting results’ is kinda the bottom line in the NFL. Another consideration on Bucs’ part is what we want him for: speed to stretch the field and open up things for our other WRs, TEs & RBs. As long as he’s still got speed, he commands respect on the field and opens up some other possibilities. In our case, that’s a good thing.
However, lots of teams right now need experienced WRs, plus Redskins may opt to re-sign him, and he’s already stated his preference to return to Philly. So the odds of Jackson signing with the Bucs are realistically slim, unless we offer to overpay big-time. Not very likely to happen with Jason Licht holding the purse strings. But IF he does sign him, got a hunch that just about every fan in Bucsville will be ecstatic. So will Jameis … and ME13.
February 27th, 2017 at 4:11 pm
@Guzzie
That is exactly what I said about Stills and Pryor. That I would rather pay Pryor $12 million per year rather than Stills $8 million per year lol
February 27th, 2017 at 4:12 pm
And on the topic of FA WRs in general. The fact that Alshon Jeffrey won’t be getting tagged could push teams like Philly and the Rams towards him and away from guys like D-Jax or Garcon. Jeffrey could work as an advantage for the Bucs.
February 27th, 2017 at 4:26 pm
I just am article about the way the bucs scheduled bonuses and if it’s true and he’d get 2 mill instead of 500k you think he’ll miss out on that? Why is everyone so quick to judge based on opinions. If he was learning a new offense like he would be in Tampa that would be completely different
February 27th, 2017 at 4:36 pm
Don’t want any more 30 + wrs! Please don’t do it Jason.
February 27th, 2017 at 4:56 pm
Here’s the thing…he’ll need chemistry with Jameis in order to get the ball thrown to him. How will he develop that chemistry is he isn’t there?
February 27th, 2017 at 5:09 pm
See Joe…no 30 yr old’s. It’s the new JBF rule. Jackson’s 29 but.
February 27th, 2017 at 5:10 pm
Oh and since I’m keeping score.
Bonzai doesn’t want any free agents this season!
February 27th, 2017 at 5:15 pm
Pryor , Pryor , Pryor… A faster more fluid Evans … Both are big bodies but Pryor can take the top off a defense & can block in the run game with a work ethic out of this world … Jameis , Evans & Pryor have a relationship already as well , Go Bucs!!!
February 27th, 2017 at 5:57 pm
@1987 Don’t you know that’s because Derel Walker is gonna wreck the league? Bonzaii said so.
February 27th, 2017 at 5:59 pm
@NS I totally agree with you about priorities but in this case I think it’s a straw man argument.
Depending on his kids school schedule and where they are getting their educations you could be right. But the “voluntary” workouts do not last all day.
I suspect guys put in less than four hours which means DJAX or any player could bring his kids to Florida and make them suffer through trips to the Beach…Disney…Busch Gardens…I’m just not sure he really HAS to choose between football and family…if he does then you make an excellent point.
As for everybody screaming for Pryor…I’m with ya but Pryor grew up in NE Ohio…played for the Buckeyes…he’s got a Lebron like hometown interest in staying in Cleveland. Don’t know that they would tag him but they should be able to come up with a deal that keeps him home….but IF they don’t…I’m with you guys!
February 27th, 2017 at 6:34 pm
Well AB is officially off the table.
February 27th, 2017 at 6:59 pm
Stills
February 27th, 2017 at 7:32 pm
Jackson would be awesome but he’s also all about himself first. Tough call
February 27th, 2017 at 7:40 pm
Buc1987 Says:
“Bonzai doesn’t want any free agents this season! ”
Oh, I have a wishlist. I’m just waiting to see if the guys I want will actually be available.
Hint: I lolk for long term ssolutons, not ‘bridge’ players. And not one year wonders.
February 27th, 2017 at 7:42 pm
Blake, you do realize you’ll be eating crow this time next year, right?
February 27th, 2017 at 7:50 pm
Why would any team look for long term answers through FA? It is filled with a bunch of guys nobody wants or guys too expensive to keep lol
February 27th, 2017 at 7:53 pm
PPP!!!! Please get it done JL. Go all in with TPryor!! 2 year 28 mil. 3yr35-40 mil. Why??? The ceiling you bafoons!! D.J Ok I’ll take him K Stills glad to have him as well, however T Pryor has a chance to be better than ME 13 with all due respect. PLEASE PAY PRYOR
February 27th, 2017 at 7:54 pm
Come on Bonzai. You don’t get off that easy. Give us some names. 🙂
February 27th, 2017 at 7:56 pm
Bonzai, you do realize that Walker does not have Nfl Receiver speed. He Ran a 4.76 40 at the combine, hence why he went undrafted/ unsigned and was forced to go the CFL route.
Adam Humphries, ran a 4.53, and is developing into a solid number 4/ slot guy. What makes you think Walker is capable of supplanting Adam Humphries? Let alone a Desean Jackson or Terrell Pryor?
Trust me, I wan’t him to turn out well, but it’s much more likely the guy is just camp meat.
February 27th, 2017 at 7:59 pm
I thought Blake’s Walker comment was funny Bonzai. You could be right, you could be wrong though. If they bring in a big namer at WR that will tell us all a lot going forward. Maybe not for you though as far this CFL kid.
Oh free agency get here soooooon. I can’t take this much longer!
February 27th, 2017 at 8:01 pm
Yes, Blake couldn’t agree more. D.W is most likely no more than a courtesy call for his buddy ME 13. Hope I’m wrong but …..
February 27th, 2017 at 8:02 pm
Make Pryor a Buc!
February 27th, 2017 at 8:06 pm
That would surely be a slam dunk signing. Can you imagine landing both Pryor and Campbell? That would be so sweet.
February 27th, 2017 at 8:23 pm
Steelers just signed brown know let’s lock up Eavans!
February 27th, 2017 at 8:46 pm
Practice? Practice? We talking about practice?
February 27th, 2017 at 8:50 pm
There is no way we could be talking ’bout practice DB. 🙂
February 27th, 2017 at 9:00 pm
I didn’t know you played ball for the gators. #respeck
February 27th, 2017 at 9:34 pm
Sign Sheard/Simon and Jefferson. Resign Gholston. Go (nearly) all offense in the draft.
February 27th, 2017 at 9:56 pm
Please don’t bring this guy in. He’s not worth it. Would love T Prior as our number 2 and draft Ross for the slot. #weaponsforwinston #youkiddinme
February 28th, 2017 at 1:32 am
Yup, everyone can deal with D-Jax missing voluntary practices but they won’t have to. He will be motivated by J Dub to get familiar with each other prior to hitting 50+ yard plays all day every day. This team needs DeSean and DeSean needs a team that can win. Philly ain’t it. Get this guy.
February 28th, 2017 at 3:26 am
I say we pick up Alshon Jeffery he put up numbers along side Marshall since then no help put him next to Evans and draft a speedy slot WR it’s over