Tom Jones: “Winston’s Leadership Veered Offtrack”
August 17th, 2017
Unfair dart thrown
Another sharp javelin has been hurled in the direction of America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, by mercurial local newspaper columnist Tom Jones.
Jones sent a naughty finger wag at Jameis again yesterday.
For those who don’t read the Tampa Bay Times, Jones scolded the sarcastic, figurative slap in the face Jameis delivered to two backup Buccaneers offensive linemen sitting on bench against the Bengals on Friday: Jarvis Harrison and James Stone. The moment was seen on Tuesday’ night’s Hard Knocks episode.
After backup QB Ryan Griffin took himself out of the game voluntarily (no cart or help), Hard Knocks producers showed Jameis approaching the camp meat O-linemen and sarcastically telling them, “I’m happy y’all are having fun, but Ryan just hurt his shoulder. So keep having fun.” Jameis then walks away as the linemen are silent and appear stunned by Jameis’ words.
“A moment near the end of the episode when Winston’s leadership veered offtrack,” Jones called it.
Before reading Jones’ take, Joe and Ira Kaufman discussed the same point on today’s Ira Kaufman Podcast in great detail. Joe, however, would not assume like Jones did that Jameis absolutely “veered offtrack.”
To be so certain is just naive.
Hard Knocks editors are all about creative editing — there is already hard evidence of it during the first two episodes featuring the Bucs — yet Jones just assumes Jameis was out of line. And that’s just unfair. For all Jones knows, Jameis had already spoken to the entire O-line about protecting his backups and about the Griffin injury.
Joe could inject many other hypothetical scenarios that would make Jameis’ crack at the linemen seem highly appropriate and reasonable.
And the flip side might true, Jameis may have been out of line, since with 90 players plus coaches on the game sidelines, there’s a solid chance the linemen had no clue Griffin was injured.
The point is no fan or media member has enough facts to judge Jameis as “offtrack” with his comments to the young O-linemen.
August 17th, 2017 at 2:30 pm
Hard Knocks sucks at providing context in how they piece together the show. Easy to see why some would use this scene as a way to ding Jameis, no surprise Jones went there regardless.
August 17th, 2017 at 2:36 pm
Before that scene, he was talking to those lineman about keeping their quarterbacks uniform clean! He, Jameis quipped he wouldn’t have to take a shower because his lineman kept him clean. Completely disagreee with Jone’s take.
As a leader, Jamie’s did the right thing. He gave direction, when the directive wasn’t followed persé, he admionished those who, seemed indifferent. It was a reminder to all that they should have had their QB’s back. Jameis told each player before the game, “I have your back.” He stayed true to his word for Griffin and those lineman. Sometimes having one’s back also means delivering a swift kick in the a$$ at times.
August 17th, 2017 at 2:38 pm
Jones is terrible. Not often a media member sees so little of the big picture. Its a shame he gets to write articles in our paper still, yet the good ones like Ira dont. Get out of town jones
August 17th, 2017 at 2:38 pm
Yeah, not been a fan of Jones’ opinions for some time now.
August 17th, 2017 at 2:39 pm
I can’t wait for the day that the Tampa Bay Times fires that SOB. it makes me upset that he gets paid to do what he does. He clearly hates Jameis Winston for reasons unknown and can’t ever say anything good about the Bucs.
August 17th, 2017 at 2:39 pm
Up until now I sort of understood Jones. But this is just an absolute moronic take. We don’t need to create ad hominem attacks on Jones or question his manhood…but we should question his intelligence and if he’s ever participated in a team sport?
So if that had been Jimmy Garopollo and his 2’s or 3’s on the OL had played like dog dooty getting Garopollo creamed time and time again and finally Garopollo goes out with a bad shoulder sidelining him a month how do we suppose Brady would have reacted.
As a fellow Irishman who has seen Brady GO OFF on the sidelines on numerous occasions I think I can answer. If the backup OL who got their backup QB injured were horsing around and joking it up on the sideline…are you kidding me. Brady would have been over their screaming at the top of his lungs. It wouldn’t have taken HK to find it or video it…Brady would have been screaming and going off so loudly the resultant video would have gone viral.
That’s not slamming Brady…different methods for different leaders.
#3 was awesome! He got his message across without lecturing…standing over them screaming…trying intentionally to humiliate them so they’d never do it again. No! #3 treated them as teammates…he has their back as well…and he did that without any fanfare…one sentence quietly delivered.
Jones has made a lot of mistakes but this one takes the cake!!! I thought that scene showed the true genius of #3’s leadership!!! Tom Jones is simply WRONG!!!
August 17th, 2017 at 2:43 pm
Tom Jones has become an agitator. Regardless of preseason or not or whether the O-lineman knew Griffin was hurt or not, Jameis isn’t gonna stand for rookies or 3rd teamers to be yucking it up on the sideline after getting our a$$es handed to us.
JMO
August 17th, 2017 at 2:47 pm
Tom Jones is a joke are you kidding me that’s why stick carries don’t like him
I actually thought Jamison showed great leadership what a poor article by Tom Jones don’t waste your time reading his articles
August 17th, 2017 at 2:50 pm
Dude is reaching. His logic is sh1t.
First he bases his opinion on the assumption that the offensinve lineman didn’t know that Griffen had been injured. Wtf why would they not know? Where they not on the field when it happened?
Then he suggests it was some sort of act; after suggesting Jameis Winston isn’t the type of person who puts on an act because when he says “i got your back” he means it.
There is SO MUCH else he could write about lol. Whatever.
August 17th, 2017 at 2:52 pm
Leadership advice from Uncle Tom? I’ll pass
August 17th, 2017 at 2:55 pm
Lol, this guy is like a Southpark character
August 17th, 2017 at 3:01 pm
Tom jones beclowns himself again. I’m shocked.
August 17th, 2017 at 3:05 pm
Well he does work for the fake news St Pete Times – so what would you expect?
August 17th, 2017 at 3:06 pm
stpetebucsfan, you nailed it. Drop the mic and exit, which is exactly what Jones should do.
August 17th, 2017 at 3:08 pm
I said this the night after it aired, and I’ll say it again, but that moment w/ Jameis was my favorite part of the episode. That is leadership.
Jones is a hack who never brings anything worthwhile in his reporting besides negativity and baseless rumors. How he’s even still employed is beyond me. I don’t know a single person that reads his dribble, much less takes anything he says seriously.
August 17th, 2017 at 3:12 pm
Although it is wrong, especially from a journalistic stand point, to insert a narrative for a situation when you have little context beyond a large picture of a situation, it is my personally belief that if these two olinemen where worth brain space then we would have heard about their meteoric rise in training camp; much like we heard how Marpet was showing up from day one and impressing our best d-linemen with his vice grip and tenacity in the trenches. I understand not every player is in the playbook like a Tom Brady or Jameis Winston and I can’t speak for these olinemen in that sense. Even the best, most in-tune atheletes are not robots and have little moments of humanity to laugh or be in the moment.
So because I babe no standard to hold to, I’ll go ahead and insert my own narrative and say that to stand up for no name guys who might not even make a practice squad because someone who CLEARLY has more talent, a veteran by their nubile standards, gives a peice of advise, one should listen. I may think my boss is an ass but if my boss has been at it longer then I have and knows more then I do then what grounds do I have to say that it’s not good leadership? It would probably behoove me to head their words, and at the very least consider it. WHich is what they seemed to do when Jameis said something
August 17th, 2017 at 3:15 pm
This was total BS. I guess the quarterback has to coddle the feelings of backup OLinemen? Is Jones just a Jameis-hater?
August 17th, 2017 at 3:16 pm
The same Jones who wanted the Bucs to sign JFree to a long term contract.
He has no cred.
August 17th, 2017 at 3:22 pm
Jameis was lecturing the same guys before they went in, “keep your quarterbacks clean. look at how clean i am [my OL did their job]”
Jameis told Ryan Griffin and many others, “i got your back” before the game
Jameis told every guy, “this is your opportunity, go take it”
backup OL stunk it up on more than just the play where griffin got hurt. we could have lost our top 2 backups the way the OL was playing.
Jameis then went to a couple guys who were checked out of the on field action and relaxing, “you didn’t do your job tonight and there were consequences, don’t look so pleased to be here”
seems like a model of consistency and accountability to me. winning teams have leaders who enforce a standard. think Warren Sapp or ray lewis would have had a problem delivering a similar message to defensive teammates if somebody was passing all over them? would that move looked out of place coming from tom brady or just added to his lore?
August 17th, 2017 at 3:22 pm
I just took it as an innocent message about keeping your head in the game, paying attention to the game, even if it is preseason, but especially if you’re sitting there trying to get a job
August 17th, 2017 at 3:23 pm
Winston was right to call them out. He had Ryan Griffin’s back. That is on track leadership.
August 17th, 2017 at 3:25 pm
I wish Tom “the troll” Jones would go back to Pittsburgh or whatever northeast city he was spawned in. He clearly has a personal vendetta against the Bucs and Winston. So many positive with the Bucs right now and he chooses to report any little thing he perceives as being negative. The readers of the TBT, the very few they have left can’t possibly want to read his negative drivel.
August 17th, 2017 at 3:28 pm
Tom Jones is nothing more than a Skip Bayless wanna be. Pathetic!
August 17th, 2017 at 3:29 pm
pick6, great context. Jones has always been a buffoon.
August 17th, 2017 at 3:31 pm
I quit reading the local rag(s) when they got rid of Ira and employed yellow journalists like Tom Jones and Chris Baker.
Eventually newspapers will go the way of the DoDo.
August 17th, 2017 at 3:35 pm
What do writers want? Readers, and in this case, clicks.
THIS is why I refuse to read anything Tom Jones puts out… he writes incendiary articles with argumentative comments designed to incite anger and get people riled up so they read his “bullspit.”
I haven’t taken the bait in months, and I hope I’m not alone in my refusal to read his drivel.
August 17th, 2017 at 3:38 pm
I played football at a high level. If my quarterback did that for his very own backup, i would follow that dude to all ends of the earth. That’s my quarterback. And he did it quietly without embarrassing them in front their other teammates and the crowd behind them? Yes please. And trust me, had he not done that, one of the coaches would have done it for him. He just took initiative and did it himself. Go ‘head Jaboo.
August 17th, 2017 at 3:38 pm
Fook Tom Jones – Conor McGregor
August 17th, 2017 at 3:48 pm
I thought it was great
August 17th, 2017 at 3:49 pm
I stopped reading his articles a long time ago. I’m sure I am not the only one. I the only time I hear anything about him is here…Sigh…
August 17th, 2017 at 3:51 pm
F##K TOM JONES
August 17th, 2017 at 4:01 pm
Tom Jones is wrong again. He is such a flipping snowflake it’s not even funny.
Last time I checked, professional sports is a job and should be taken seriously. Cutting it up on the sidelines when you failed at your job should be called out.
I just laugh at Jones. I wish he still had a radio show so I could call in and debate with that sorebutt SOB.
Tom Jones is softer than Charmin, and both can be classified as “a$$ wipes”!
All hail Americas QB for calling out poor play with laughing about it afterwards.
August 17th, 2017 at 4:02 pm
Two things about Jones amaze me 1) that anyone this reads his articles and 2) someone pays that man to write!
August 17th, 2017 at 4:04 pm
Tom Jones is too emotional to be a sportswriter. Mental weakness is enbraced in this day in age.
I’m with LuvMyBucs, smack talk and being mean on the field are part of the game.
Tom Jones is off base. I wish he would change his manpon. Kotex the official tampon of NASCAR and soft sports writers.
August 17th, 2017 at 4:08 pm
Tom Jones has his opinions and everyone who shares in his opinions should by all means read his work. I do not agree with him and therefore do not waste my time reading his opinions.
I thought it was a great show of leadership. Jameis encourages, assures, rallies, and congratulates other players but calling them out when they deserve it is also leadership. In fact that is the tough part of leadership. I am glad Jameis does not just praise without being able to also police things up when needed. He also holds himself to the same standards and accountability and is his own biggest critic when he messes up.
August 17th, 2017 at 4:25 pm
The detractors are way off base on this one. Look, I don’t know if these guys will make the team or not. But they certainly saw that Griffin didn’t return to the huddle. And they couldn’t have not known that he had a problem? Now I don’t know if their blocks or lack of them were directly responsible for the blocking breakdown on that play. But you would think as their jobs are on the line, that they should have taken it seriously. And as they didn’t, I see no problem with Jameis’s words to them….in fact, under the circumstances, I think he was kind. I might have said, “Who was the DA that didn’t block on that play that resulted one of our QB’s being injured”….”If they continue to do that, I just hope they are kicked to the curb before I’m the next QB to catch one”. Oh I’m sorry…too rough for you guys?
August 17th, 2017 at 4:28 pm
Jones = Sileo 2.0
August 17th, 2017 at 4:49 pm
Jones is a whiny, contrarian d!ck.
August 17th, 2017 at 5:00 pm
Coach
Exactly. Winston gets it. Maturity beyond his years and great leadership. Future is in good hands, finally. Go Bucs
August 17th, 2017 at 5:05 pm
Tom Jones…the Drudge of Bucland. All he is trying to do is get clicks with his content…his words have no truth so look no further.
August 17th, 2017 at 5:33 pm
Tom Jones is a tool.
August 17th, 2017 at 5:38 pm
The only thing that would make it better is if T Jones quoted “unnamed sources” for his info.
August 17th, 2017 at 5:57 pm
What is it with what is left of the legacy local sports media hating on this team?
August 17th, 2017 at 6:04 pm
Who gives a damn about his opinion
August 17th, 2017 at 6:05 pm
Tom Jones has never let the facts get in the way of his character assassinations. He’s nailed Jameis before he was ever drafted; my hunch is his employer told him to cool it on the #1 overall draft pick who had never been charged with what Jones wrote about.
Jones is why the media in the Tampa Bay area is a nation-wide laughing stock. Leading the line-up of losers over at TBT.
I wish the furry little chunk of cholesterol would move back home to Pittsburg or Minnesota or whatever cave he came from.
If Joe took over TBT sports the readership would triple in one month.
August 17th, 2017 at 6:10 pm
Tom Jones strikes me as the kid who was last to be picked on any playground sports team; raised his hand to say what he thinks when class is over and then chases you down in the hallway to talk some more; who alwas had that booger in his left nostril; who wore high-top shoes but never played basketball; who instead of going to the banquet to honor Ronde Barber, said on the airwaves in Tampa Bay he had better things to do, and he stayed home, by himelf, and cooked and ate a big steak.
August 17th, 2017 at 6:22 pm
Who does Tom Jones even write for?? I have literally never heard of him until he started this Piss on Jameis campaign.. From where I am sitting, teaching the youngins on the bench to stay focused and to take ownership of their piss poor work product is exactly what a leader does.. maybe Tom Jones knows more about leadership than I do….
August 17th, 2017 at 6:23 pm
New introductory nickname idea: Tom Jones, the Skip Bayless of Tampa Bay.
August 17th, 2017 at 6:33 pm
The St Pete Times is a fake news piece of trash publication – and it’s been that for decades. The Tampa Trib wasn’t hugely better, but at least they weren’t 100% fake news (plus they had Ira and Roy Cummings). This jerk off Tom Jones is just some angry d-bag who knows he’s going to get fired soon so he tries to be a shock jock columnist to get hits – but mainly because he knows the lazy fake news national sites like ESPN will pick up his BS and his name will get out there so when he loses his job here shortly he’ll have some name value. I can’t wait until the Times is out of business and this moron is out of a job. When I see him begging on the street I’ll be sure to knock the cup for quarters out of his hand.
August 17th, 2017 at 6:55 pm
Jameis was correct in calling them out. Why should we care what a newspaper hack and failed radio personality thinks?
August 17th, 2017 at 7:17 pm
Jones is a maroon. Lol
August 17th, 2017 at 7:24 pm
Hmmm, interesting conundrum, who do I respect the least, Jones or [now, now — Joe]?
That is a really tough call.
August 17th, 2017 at 7:34 pm
Desperation is one stinky cologne, eh Tommy Boy! Having to sell fishwraps to stay afloat while one of your contemporaries, My man Mr. Ira Kaufman reinvents himself into a podcast and personal appearance legend.
August 17th, 2017 at 7:41 pm
I think he handled the situation very well. He never lost his cool but subtly let the guys know to take their jobs seriously because there are repercussions for them not doing their job.
August 17th, 2017 at 7:42 pm
When has Tom not been negative? The only thing he likes is hockey at Pittsburgh.
August 17th, 2017 at 8:20 pm
Ha! Sorry Joe! I know, pushing the boundry but a man can’t help how he feels.
August 17th, 2017 at 9:46 pm
@travisbray …you can Drop the mic☠after your comment!
August 17th, 2017 at 10:06 pm
Straight money take from Travis Bray at the top! 100% agree!
Those linemen were left to search there souls after Jameis’s words.
I’m sure that they will come back more focused. T. Jones missed the mark (which is becoming a pattern, and I almost think that he’s doing it to generate interest, such as in the link provided above. A great leader makes those around him better! I’m sure that after being schooled by ‘the franchise’ those linemen did some serious self evaluation/motivation!
August 17th, 2017 at 10:10 pm
Straight money take from Travis Bray at the top! 100% agree!
Those linemen were left to search their souls after Jameis’s words.
I’m sure that they will come back and be more focused.
T. Jones missed the mark (which is becoming a pattern, and I almost think that he’s doing it to generate interest, such as in the link provided above). A great leader makes those around him better! I’m sure that after being schooled by ‘the franchise’ those linemen did some serious self evaluation/motivation!
August 17th, 2017 at 10:48 pm
Go away Tom Jones, no one likes you.
August 17th, 2017 at 11:19 pm
Wesley – You should add no one likes him or respects him or thinks he does a good job, nor do they think he actually believes anything he says, he just says it to get attention.
August 17th, 2017 at 11:26 pm
@ Wesley & Rod Munch:
Ditto. He sucks.
August 17th, 2017 at 11:43 pm
Fire Tom Jones from reporting on the Bucs!
August 18th, 2017 at 7:23 am
Since you bring up Tom Jones, why in the word is Tom and his Tamba Times writer sidekick off Radio 620? And why do we have the terrible 2, Mike and Mike?
When the local guys were on the radio we had a lot more local news. And not two people yelling at each other the entire time they are on.
August 18th, 2017 at 9:10 am
I despised Jones while he was on 620, and I despise him even more as he desperately claws for relevance. He never put a positive spin on anything Tampa… Bucs, Rays, Bolts, Bulls!
August 18th, 2017 at 10:07 am
Jones is dead wrong with this one period. While watching the game I told my son that I don’t see 60 and 67 the 2 he talked with not making the team the way they played. 60 gave up many times and caused Fitz to have problems. They both don’t just didn’t give the effort past starting the block. They deserve the dressing down. As an O-Line coach i can’t stand poor effort like they gave.
August 18th, 2017 at 7:00 pm
As much as I disagree with Tom at times, I ask the question would Winston have the same comment if it was Marpet or Smith sitting on the bench? Hard knocks is reality TV. Winston is the face of our team and a great QB.
GO BUCS!
August 20th, 2017 at 4:36 pm
I agree! Tom Jones stinks and only sees the negative! But we have to come together if we want the reporter gone! We all know or heard that any publicity good or bad is publicity! We all, including myself have given this man undeserved attention time and time again. Let’s all just stop reading his articles! Stop talking about him! And start talking about what is actually happening right now! The Bucs depth chart is stacked we have loads of talent, an amazing coaching staff and hopefully a true home field advantage this year! Ignore the negative and watch it disappear this year! Until then, Speak softly. And carry a BIG STICK!!!