Unnerved By Jameis
August 22nd, 2017
Disturbed by dumb play.
It was a play that just about made Peter King projectile his craft beer.
When America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, had the worst asinine play this side of Wrongo Starr last week at Jacksonville, when he was being pulled to the ground and heaved a lollipop pass into the end zone that was picked (though the play was ruled down by a sack), Bucs fans immediately began banging their heads against the wall.
Dirk Koetter nearly had a coronary, and for good reason. It was a stunt a high school quarterback would get benched for. To see a franchise quarterback in the NFL try this boneheaded trick was just unfathomable. Yet it happened.
It even appalled California train-romancing, anti-football proliferation, outhouse-admiring, airline-napping, steerage-flying, Yogi Berra-worshiping, urinal picture-taking, video game-playing, Taylor Swift-listening, pickpocket-thwarting, Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie-LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, craft beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading, NPR-honk, filthy-hotel-staying, fight-instigating, barista-training Peter King of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports fame, who took a break from his social activism to scold Jameis for being so stupid.
If Jameis Winston doesn’t cut that occasional trait of extremely careless passes (the pick he threw, blindly, while falling to the ground in Jacksonville on Thursday was inexcusable), he’s going to drive Dirk Koetter nuts and lose a game or two this year that could cost the Bucs dearly. Winston is potentially really good. But really good quarterbacks eat the ball a few times a game instead of attempting miracle throws into traffic.
Joe absolutely agrees with King here.
Yes, Joe is in the tank for Jameis and makes no apologies. But Joe is not an ostrich either. That kind of crap simply cannot happen if the Bucs hope to be playing meaningful games in January.
Joe always hears about Jameis’ superior football IQ but damn, when he does something like that, Joe can’t help but wonder if the high football IQ narrative is a sales job like we were sold by the franchise years ago about how Josh Freeman loved football and was first-in, last-out every day. We all know how that turned out.
Clearly, winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter has warned Jameis about these go-for-broke stunts. If Jameis is so intelligent — he is — and has such a high football IQ, then why is this not sinking in?
Jameis always talks about how the team is his family. Well, pulling moronic plays like that is basically selling out your family.
Joe can only hope Jameis did this because it was it was a preseason game and he was trying to see what he could get away with. That’s the only logical reason.
Look, the Bucs won’t come near the playoffs without Jameis. But as Koetter mentioned in the opening episode of “Hard Knocks” two weeks ago, that kind of crap will secure yet another season of playoff-less football in Tampa Bay.
At best, it was just a selfish play. Jameis had a nice game, but that play pretty much ruined the whole evening.
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:40 am
Can we give the guy a break? He looked fantastic out there moving the chains, hitting his receivers in stride, and spreading the ball around to all of his toys. PLUS, find me a better time than preseason to get a boneheaded mistake on film. People need to chill the hell out over that play.
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:52 am
This constant whipping on Jameis is getting old. What do you suggest be done, cut him?
It’s like the old saying you can do good all your life but you do one thing wrong and that is all people remember.
Gosh it sounds like you are questioning Jameis’s intelligence over a risky play. It’s taking those risk that makes him Fameis Jameis and so exciting to watch!
As it’s been said over and over you control Jameis, you take away the baller. Jameis will not play as risky as before, but he will still do what others call bone headed things periodically. Koetter knows Jameis and he know he has to be outraged for the media. Go Bucs…Go Fameis Jameis!
August 22nd, 2017 at 1:00 am
Might need to sober up. No site has defended Jameis over the years like Joe has. None.
August 22nd, 2017 at 1:15 am
I am one of the biggest jameis fans on this site but that had to be one of the worst plays i have ever seen. He was one foot parellel from the ground when he released the ball. That is right up there with the butt fumble. I know butt fumble was reg season and this play was preseason. But from the prespective of the play??…..that made no sense what so ever just like the butt fumble. I dont mind winstons’s ints as much as others because he is a gunslinger and that comes with the territory. However, that play went beyond being a gunslinger. Simply, that was one of the worst plays i have ever seen.
August 22nd, 2017 at 2:11 am
Get over it. It was one play in a preseason game. Time to move on.
August 22nd, 2017 at 2:42 am
If that’s one of the worst plays you’ve ever seen, then you haven’t been a Bucs fan for too long.
It was stupid though.
August 22nd, 2017 at 4:05 am
Jameis is soooo far above you tools you don’t even get what happened on this play. Jameis knew the play was dead and was just throwing it up for funzies – his field presence is amazing.
Anywho here’s a suggestion – it’s preseason, don’t worry about it unless he does it in the regular season. But if Jameis plays like how you guys want then he’s Mike Glennon. Winston isn’t a boring game manager, he’s an exciting player who will stick with plays until the end, that’s why people like him, that’s why people loved Favre (well except for me, I yelled every home hoping Sapp would break Favre’s leg).
Just chill out already, the 23 year old was trying out some stuff in a preseason game.
August 22nd, 2017 at 4:09 am
Get over it. It was one dumb play. Jamie’s is not perfect but he already is clearly the best QB we have ever had. He’ll learn from it and move on, but don’t expect that to be the last bonehead play he will make. There will be others. He just doesn’t give up. He doesn’t quit. He will always try to make a play if he thinks he can. Bret Favre has the record for interceptions in playoff game with 6. He didn’t quit. Persaverence
August 22nd, 2017 at 5:55 am
“Jameis had a nice game, but that play pretty much ruined the whole evening.” Seriously Joe? It’s almost like you’re taking that one play personally. Words like “That’s just selfish” and “Selling out your family” are pretty strong words. It was a dumb thing to do, but it wasn’t the first dumb thing Jameis – or any QB – has done and it won’t be his last. It’s a good learning experience and Coach Koetter will undoubtedly use it as such.
As an instructor pilot in fighters, one of the hardest things I had to teach student pilots was what I called ‘controlled aggression’. In that community (as in football), aggressiveness is a beautiful thing, but if not tempered by good judgment it can get you killed. Teaching that ‘good judgment’ wasn’t easy however … LOTS of mistakes were made in the process. Same with Jameis … got a hunch Jameis will see a video of that play many, many times in the future, to illustrate why he needs to ‘control his aggressiveness’.
August 22nd, 2017 at 6:14 am
And you wonder why the narrative continues. Even local rags beat a dead horse when it comes to Jaboo. Let it go. We’re not interested.
August 22nd, 2017 at 6:28 am
Good God, some of you butt hurt Jaboo fans need to relax. Joe is sharing a tidbit from national news media about Jameis’ play. It’s relevant news to share whether you want to like the news or not. MMQB is out on Monday, it’s Tuesday morning. Joe isn’t ruffling feathers, like he’s capable. And yes, it was as stupid of a throw as any quarterback can make on the field inside the 10.
August 22nd, 2017 at 7:34 am
It was preseason, I’d like to think he doesn’t risk it in a regular season game. But if one of our guys had come up with it, everyone would be singing a different tune. He has made a few passes similar to that in the past that were caught.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:11 am
Some Bucs fans act like Jameis is the greatest when he is only rated average by the nfl .Wait till he is at least in the top 10 or higher then M.M. 1st please.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:25 am
One preseason play. Koetter creamed him as he was walking off the field. My guess is Jameis has watched the play numerous times. He’s fine. Next.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:34 am
He needs to learn to stop doing things like that.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:35 am
There’s that age BS again. How about trying he only had 2 years of college ball and now say 2 years of NFL ball. I know. Cancercon can come out and blame it on Glennon. No. It is not the last time he will pull a stunt like this. wait and see.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:40 am
Not a whole lot different than the miracle pass jump ball he threw to Charles Sims in his rookie year. That was a stupid pass, he threw it, it was a TD… instead of celebrating his stupid plays that turn out well, they should be pointed out as stupid plays that we got lucky on.
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:42 am
Defense Rules, great analogy. Spot on assessment. Go Bucs!
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:49 am
Those plays aren’t gun slinging risk or go for broke miracles… They are stupid that 99% of college qbs don’t do anymore. He has got to stop that to be good
August 22nd, 2017 at 8:56 am
If Bret Farve made that throw in preseason no one would say a word.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:07 am
Nature of the beast.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:28 am
Am I the only one who could see he was trying to throw the ball away, out of the back of the end zone. Still a bad play, but he wasn’t just throwing it up and hoping it would be caught for a TD.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:35 am
The play that change the world.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:42 am
Only when a boy becomes a man can he become THE man.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:48 am
Dang D.R. I’m envious. I always wanted to fly fighters and I think you made a great analogy. You would know from experience but from all that I’ve read…and I started back with WWI…the original fighter pilots…people like Chuck Yeager had a HUGE opinion of their abilities…required actually to be effective. Look at the risk Yeager took when he broke the sound barrier with bum ribs after the fall off the horse. Probably should have benched himself. I can see #3 in the same light.
Bottom line…it was ONE play. Yes it was an inexcusable decision but I honestly wonder if #3 realized he was playing in the pre season and not a regular game much less a playoff game. I don’t believe he makes that play in the first half of a REAL game.
August 22nd, 2017 at 9:58 am
I agree but Brett Favre threw some crazy crap up. Dude is 23 and he will eventually make better decisions. If he can get his INT’s down to 10, and cut down on the fumbles. He will be just fine.
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:08 am
It’s just one play? It’s only pre-season? He is who he is?
Gimme a friggin’ break! One brain dead play can lose you a game. Pre-season does not excuse stupidity. ‘Who he is’ needs to play a lot smarter under pressure.
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:17 am
Please stop the “just preseason stuff”…. Joe is spot on regarding this issue. I think Jameis is starting out this year doing the job in the ultimate professional way…using his head, doing his reads, delivering the ball coolly and calmly. But then he starts to get too loose, somewhat overconfident, slips and get a little ragged around the edges, be it his regarding throws or other football decisions. Yes Jameis…it is a game……and you love it and have great talent. But just do your job in a workman like fashion, as you have started during the first series of the preseason games, and keep it under control. Frankly, at the beginning of the games you have looked like Aaron Rodgers at his best…and when you slip and lose it, you look like Brett Favre at his worst.
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:04 am
Jameis will continue to make those bone head plays until the team rids itself of the cancer gmc
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:13 am
Granpappy…on your third six pack?
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:29 am
The never ending story .. Sigh..
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:45 am
Just to keep things in perspective, Favre finished his third year with GB as an all-pro.
August 22nd, 2017 at 11:47 am
Lol mark I’m just mocking maxipad
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:15 pm
i thought he would’ve learned from the head-butt he did in Dallas that cost us 7…..
not to concerned because its the preseason but damn jameis….GO BUCS!!!
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:35 pm
Stop beating up on Jamieson Winston. It’s preseason for goodness sakes. If you’re going to make a bonehead play, better it be done with here, than in an actual game. Other than that play, over all he had a great game. All of his technique and mechanics seem to be there. Although I’m a Giants fan. I like JW as a great up and comming quarterback of the future.
August 22nd, 2017 at 12:38 pm
Favre … nuff said.
August 22nd, 2017 at 1:53 pm
Other Mark…ever hear “you play like you practice”? If not, now you have…and preseason or not, it shouldn’t happen.
August 22nd, 2017 at 3:22 pm
@ doolsharue
Ive been a buc fan for a llllllloooooooonnnnnnggggggg while. You are confusing bad play ie 2-14 and worst play individually. While the bucs have had many horrible teams, i have never seen a qb throw a pass with his back 1 foot parallel to the ground and heave the ball 15 yards downfield in the redzone. That means he could no longer see the field and he just threw that up for grabs. That cannot happen when three pts are potentially on the board. Im not hating jameis, but if the bucs are going where they want to be, those plays can not happen period. Can anyone say that jameis has grown from that type of play and that wont happen again? I can not. Again, im ok with him being a gunslinger and he will have bad ints as a result, but when bad ints turn into the worst play ever, then that is something to be a little concerned about.
August 22nd, 2017 at 4:23 pm
I’m with you Joe, I think he only threw that ball b/c is is pre season. If you watch the replay, he was targeting DJax in the back of the end zone and I’m sure he just thought ‘what the hell..’
Let’s wait and see what is said after the play on Hard Knocks, but my bet is he was just having some fun.
August 22nd, 2017 at 10:12 pm
Buc fans are always funny to me. You clearly have a franchise QB, yet people in this fan base are still hedging with asinine calls for him to cut his interceptions to 10 on a regular basis. Not only is that unrealistic with how much he throws, but the guys regularly ballwashed weren’t throwing 10 picks a year at his age and in many cases even since they’ve gotten older. Brees has had many years with 15+ picks, and Brady, except for a handful of years, always throws about 12 to 14 a year on comparable attempts. Phillip Rivers, forget about it…he has multiple years with 15+ picks. Only guy with those insane numbers is Rodgers…IN THE HISTORY OF FOOTBALL. But Jameis needs to do something different. SMH. Some of you need to shut up and realize what you have and hope that your franchise surrounds him with everything to go win you something because he won’t ever be the problem down there. All he needs to do is go score more consistently, and he will. Surround him with talent, and he plays wonderful lead singer. Take his band away, and he presses. Simple as that, and he has pieces this year. I’d be more worried about the consistency of the back end of that pieced together defense instead of harping on a guy who is going to always give you a chance.