The Power Of America
October 8th, 2017
Star power.
Yes, there have been countless stories written and debunked about NFL TV ratings tanking thanks to the kneelers.
This much is clear: The nation loves America.
The TV ratings for the Thursday night game are in, you know, the game where choke artist futile Nick Folk vomited a precious win away over the defending Super Bowl champion Belicheats? Well, it seems the TV ratings were up some 26 percent, per Stephen Douglas of TheBigLead.com.
To say the New England Patriots, Tom Brady and Jameis Winston was a bit of an upgrade would be an understatement. We’ll just have to see if Nick Folk’s missed field goals have an adverse affect on the rest of the week’s ratings.
And this is on the heels of the Bucs-Cowboys Sunday Night Football game being the highest-rated of the 2016 season.
And as Joe typed before the Bucs drafted America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, Jameis brings relevancy and notoriety to the Bucs.
Too bad a friggin’ kicker may have chased as many folks away.
How big is Jameis’ star? Well, Joe was in a popular watering hole in southern Illinois Friday night, a sports bar. Joe maintains that the area surrounding St. Louis (which includes southern Illinois) is a pathetic football area. Shoot, even on a college football Saturday, Joe walked into a gin joint and there was no football on TV to be found. It was all MLB and NHL. Joe is convinced more folks in that region care for and follow high school basketball than any form of football.
Anyway, on the wall wwere the standings for the bar’s sponsored fantasy football league. Among the team names? “Almost Jameis.”
America loves Jameis.
October 8th, 2017 at 10:35 am
Please stop
October 8th, 2017 at 10:39 am
Joe ..pls … As of now he has NOT looked like the top rated qb in the draft …look at the stats and maybe be a little more critical when if needed. You can’t always blame everyone else besides the qb.
October 8th, 2017 at 10:39 am
I can’t tell sometimes if you guys are joking or half serious with your articles about Winston anymore?
October 8th, 2017 at 10:52 am
Winston is a great and very young 23 year old QB. The posters above will never be satisfied. It’s such a small line between great and good and good and mediocre. If Folk makes one earlier kick then the Bucs just need a FG from the 2″ on that final drive to win. If Brate catches the TD pass that hit him square in the chest (Folk missed a FG) then the entire game is dufferent. If the Bucs simply catch half of their season high 7 drops, then Winston’s game looks different.
Stop the whining. Anyone who understands even the tiniest lock of football can see how bright the future is with Winston and this team (who were also missing 3 of their 5 best defenders).
October 8th, 2017 at 10:53 am
Dear Jameis haters: DeBerg, Testaverde, Chandler, Erickson, Dilfer, King, B. Johnson, Griese, Simms, Gradkowski, Freeman, Glennon, McCown!!! i rest my case… we finally have a QB that can win games… shut up & enjoy it!!!
October 8th, 2017 at 10:57 am
Ha!
October 8th, 2017 at 11:01 am
The 2 posters above me get it… I feel like I am taking crazy pills! Jameis is a good QB with a chance to be great. People act like every single pass should land bulls eye.
October 8th, 2017 at 11:02 am
I’m sorry but the negativity? Who do you guys want? Mariota, Cutler or maybe Mike Glennon? Appreciate and dont hate on what we have. Jameis is going to continue to grow. He is a franchise quarterback and worthy of the #1 pick.
October 8th, 2017 at 11:02 am
Maybe 3 above me… Buc1987 wasn’t there before and not sure what his “ha!” means
October 8th, 2017 at 11:12 am
“DeBerg, Testaverde, Chandler, Erickson, Dilfer, King, B. Johnson, Griese, Simms, Gradkowski, Freeman, Glennon, McCown!!! i rest my case… ”
I used the same reference on here before the draft.
Winston will get it done.
October 8th, 2017 at 11:13 am
The only people who still just blindly hate on Jameis fall into 2 categories.
A. People who have a very shallow, madden fed understanding of football. Who in turn have completely unrealistic expectations, and think that anything less than perfection means that a guy sucks.
B. People who never wanted Jameis in the first place because they bought into the lies being fed to them during a baseless media smear campaign that was championed ( and still kind of is ) by ESPN.
October 8th, 2017 at 11:19 am
I’ve been following and loving the Bucs ever since JW strolled into Tampa. What a difference he has made to this team and fan base(some fans). You ole timers should be thanking the football stars above that he is yours. What MM is still who you want? Last time I checked he is sitting on the sideline again! Jameis isn’t the problem, but the unloyal fan base. Btw, there are no “perfect” qbs out there. The players must be as ashamed of you as you always seem to be with them. I am always shocked when the cameras pan the crowd and see so many fans sitting on their hands even on big plays. They always appear to be whispering to each other about something probably the same garbage you spew about your team and JW on here. Gosh, maybe if you’re real lucky you can get MG back. Bet he has a bunch of fantasy teams named after him.
October 8th, 2017 at 11:34 am
“You ole timers should be thanking the football stars above that he is yours.”
@Newbuc…..In short WE ARE!!!!
Buc fan since 1987.
Being a Nole I watched plenty of Jameis Winston.
Most know I battled fans on here for months prior to the draft. Fans that TRASHED this kid beyond belief. There’s enough fans now that, can and will defend him. I don’t need to go there. I enjoy reading their comments though. Both sides.
Imo, certain fans were never going to let up on this kid. The evidence can be found in the archives of this site. They hammer him like mad after a bad outing, then disappear when he goes on a tear. I could put together a list for you if you’d like.lol There’s a few new ones too of course. Just cause they ain’t posted before they’re still out there waiting to pounce. Hence a few new bashers.
I still believe in JW 1000%, but I too am impatient at this point. The playoff drought wears on you after awhile, old timer or not. When I started attacking JW then there’s a problem. I’m nowhere near that.
October 8th, 2017 at 11:35 am
start*
October 8th, 2017 at 12:55 pm
Jameis is clearly the best QB in franchise history. Great attitude. Great work ethic. He’s also streaky, inconsistent, and inaccurate. He is not elite now, and not giving any indications he ever will be. Right now he cannot put the team on his back and carry them to victory. He has a decent OL and he has weapons. There’s no excuse for two scores against one of the worst defenses in the league. He will own every franchise record there is very soon. Koetter will enable that, but expecting him to be elite is too much. No hate here. It’s just time to recognize his limitations. Please prove me wrong Jameis. I’m rooting for you.
October 8th, 2017 at 1:06 pm
1sparkybuc i agree with some of what you said but we need to start looking at the playcaller too… when almost every play calls for a low percentage throw 15+ yards down field, i’m grateful that JW is even completing 61% of his passes… wish dirk would start games with some simple easy throws to get the offense in a rhythm and/or some no huddle then push down field once JW is in a rhythm … if sean mcvay can have Goff & the worst offense in the NFL last season looking elite why can’t koetter?
October 8th, 2017 at 1:19 pm
As a fan of Miami, the U that is, (finally), I digress, definitely wanted no other QB on this team but Jameis, because you could see what he was capable of, even with some his inaccuracies (turnovers when he was at FSU), you knew in all my years of being a Bucs fan (back to the 70s), there had not been a more infectious QB since Doug Williams that had led this team. But I still do not know about national hype (except of NFL morning show)
October 8th, 2017 at 1:25 pm
Sorry Joe, I still love me some Jamies…. but the ratings were higher b/c of the Pats and Brady, not the Bucs and their players.
Let’s be real.
October 8th, 2017 at 1:25 pm
*Jameis
October 8th, 2017 at 1:45 pm
The ratings are always high when the Patriots and Cowboys play. They are the NFL!
October 8th, 2017 at 1:53 pm
unbelievable Says:
October 8th, 2017 at 1:25 pm
Sorry Joe, I still love me some Jamies…. but the ratings were higher b/c of the Pats and Brady, not the Bucs and their players.
Let’s be real.
That’s the kind of crap talk I’m talking about. You don’t know that, but you feel the need to make that nasty dig. Hopeless…
October 8th, 2017 at 1:58 pm
Your comment is backhanded insult..
October 8th, 2017 at 2:07 pm
Nothing to panic about at the quarter pole. 2-2 at least has us poised if we could go on a bit of a run.
I thought NE and the Bucs had a boring game between two good teams still trying to get it all together….neither team came close to playing their A games. I dont know what’s going on with the Pats because I don’t really care…I’m not an AFC guy.
I think the injuries and disruption in continuity have done just enough to keep the Bucs off their game.
Hopefully this break will give the Bucs a chance to heal some injuries and recharge mentally.
October 8th, 2017 at 2:18 pm
Backhanded insult? No, it was pretty straight forward and honest.
October 8th, 2017 at 2:24 pm
“grafikdetail Says:
October 8th, 2017 at 1:06 pm
1sparkybuc i agree with some of what you said but we need to start looking at the playcaller too… when almost every play calls for a low percentage throw 15+ yards down field, i’m grateful that JW is even completing 61% of his passes… wish dirk would start games with some simple easy throws to get the offense in a rhythm and/or some no huddle then push down field once JW is in a rhythm … if sean mcvay can have Goff & the worst offense in the NFL last season looking elite why can’t koetter”
Grafik…every play called in the NFL has options. The QB can options out of a running play, into a passing play and vice-versa. Do you know for certain that the first option for the play is 15 yards down field or is Jameis making that decision? We all know he has a penchant for wanting the big play…sometimes you have to hit the underneath route.
As far as the comments regarding Jameis not having a problem with the deep ball in college. I think you are fondly remembering when he was throwing to Kelvin Benjamin. An elite receiver can make a QB look really good against inferior ACC talent. Just like Mike Evans made Joe’s man crush look good…
I still think JW will be a top third tier QB. I’m very concerned about him living up to the “Messiah” label and making those around him better, though.
I hope I am wrong…
October 8th, 2017 at 2:27 pm
Bird!!!! That was funny!! The first one I read….please stop. Lol I’m dying!
October 8th, 2017 at 2:36 pm
If the qb was any good, the kicker wouldn’t matter so much. The QB is responsible for getting touchdowns. I’m guessing grown men have followed JW around his whole life, blowing smoke up his butt. He looked like crap in that last game. Time to face reality. He ain’t what you made him out to be.
October 8th, 2017 at 3:25 pm
If the bucs were smart (I know, I laughed when I typed that too), they would trade JW this week. I mean if the guy hasn’t figured it all out and isn’t hitting 90% of his passes at the ripe old age of 23 he will never get it and is a bust. I can think of around 31 teams that would love to trade for him even if he will never be more than a practuce squad player in bucs fans eyes. Hell, you could probably get yet another kicker and a fifth TE that can’t play for him. It would be the most bucsy thing I could think of.
October 8th, 2017 at 3:59 pm
There’s probably a petition going around as we speak regarding previous comment.
October 8th, 2017 at 4:00 pm
Signed, all us sit on our ass fans.
October 8th, 2017 at 4:02 pm
Out of 10 of my friends who watched the NFL, now at least 6 of them stopped watching due to the disrespect to our flag and veterans. Most canceled NFL packages too.
October 8th, 2017 at 4:12 pm
I’ve stopped watching everyone else, except my Bucs. I’ve actually learned to despise some teams. Specifically, teams that kneeled when overseas. I’ll never root for them, probably even if Jameis began playing for them. It’s that bad!
Normally, I would be watching now instead of talking with you fools:)
October 8th, 2017 at 4:13 pm
No one wants to trade him, we want him to get better (besides bucnut).
Signed,
A fan for 25+ years who screams til he has no voice left
October 8th, 2017 at 4:14 pm
Thanks to the kneelers, Im not watching today and probably the rest of the year. I watched thurs night since nobody took a knee. I’ll still follow here to see how theyre doing, and ONLY a Bucs game when its on locally. But the love I used to have for the nfl is gone now. Is what it is. Maybe it’ll be back one day when they stop their bs. Now cue the sensitive snowflakes who hate I have the right to not watch, “oh but I have no life and here posting on a site that supports them” (All of about 10 mins of my free time) Thats because I still support the Joes!
October 8th, 2017 at 4:37 pm
I’m with the above posters. I understand the backlash against trump, and making a point, but now it’s just getting obnoxious. I watch the NFL for entertainment, to relax, not for politics. If this continues, I’ll stop watching also. People like Joe who make a living off the NFL can continue to stick their head in the sand, and pretend everything is hunky-dory. but at some point us REAL average Joes are going to be fed-up. There are plenty of other sports, and other outlets for our attention and dollars, ones that don’t try to shove politics down our throats.
October 8th, 2017 at 4:46 pm
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievance.
United States of America
1st Amendment
October 8th, 2017 at 4:58 pm
Love it Newbucsfan2…
31 teams including the Patriots would grab him if given the opportunity
Signed, all us sit on our ass fans🤣🤣just love it🤣🤣🤣
October 8th, 2017 at 4:59 pm
Choice to kneel, also a choice not to watch or buy.
October 8th, 2017 at 5:27 pm
Wow. Just wow. Anyone thinking Jameis is the problem. Wow.
October 8th, 2017 at 6:20 pm
@lakeland
What does that have to do with employees, disrespecting the Flag and the Military and all the Proud Americans in the work environment?????? Are they not smart enough to bring up a message any other way than to insult a great number of people????? Many of them had an opportunity to display their message and voice but choice not to even vote!!!!! They were too busy on social media like 13 year old girls!!!!!!!!!!
October 8th, 2017 at 6:53 pm
The protests had everything to do with excessive force against minoritiesand absolutely nothing to do with disrespecting the military or the flag. Unfortunately we have a racist president with a following more than eager to latch on to his lies. It leaves a far more intelligent audience for the NFL.
October 8th, 2017 at 7:29 pm
ANYone that knows me here knows that I am one of the ONLY Gators fan that was on board with drafting Winston, even though the threw FOUR first half INTs against us his coming out yr. I did this because I could see the “Potential”
That said potential is just not achieving your reality. I still have faith but I believe the coaching staff needs to back off a bit and let Jameis be “Jameis”
October 8th, 2017 at 7:53 pm
Its a shame he was a little off that night. N of course I gota take my daily shot at dirk again, until he rectifies that problem. Its even more of a shame dirk called a terrible game. The line was playing well and doug was running great. Wasted effort dirk. Also the cardinals cant handle the blitz. I hope we arent gona play another soft zone and give palmer time to pick us apart. Send em smitty. Looking at the schedule and standings this next game looks like a biggie. Go Bucs
October 8th, 2017 at 7:58 pm
these idiots don’t understand NFL football. The Packers have only had 2 and yes I said 2 QB’s in 20 plus years and both are first ballot hall of famers. And the Packers have only won 2 Super Bowls in that time. So stop with this Jameis should’ve already figured this out crap. It’s the NFL Man it’s a tough league.
October 8th, 2017 at 8:32 pm
The ratings are dropping JOE and partly due to the kneeling.
October 8th, 2017 at 8:38 pm
It’s a joke that people are saying that these players are disrespecting the American flag. It’s a fact that most of these people don’t care nothing about the American flag. The flag that represent them is the Confederate flag. Why do a REBEL flag even exist in America?
October 8th, 2017 at 9:09 pm
I just lost a bunch of respect for you my Lakeland brother. I fought for the right for EVERYONE to protest! For you to say something so completely stupid is confounding to me. Protest all you want but to use the flag that I had to fold for all of my fallen brethren that died for everyone to have a free life is unacceptable to me. These guys have more money than I will ever have. PHUCK taking a kneel Get out in your community and tell everyone to STOP making the problem.
October 8th, 2017 at 9:11 pm
THE FLAG HAS NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING TO DO WITH COPS. NOTHING.
GET YOUR PROTEST IN THE RIGHT FORUM.
October 8th, 2017 at 9:14 pm
When you disrespect the flag as a Multimillionaire you look STUPID!. WE that fought for the right for you to be a millionaire take offense to your “Stance” because you are too stupid to do it correctly.
October 8th, 2017 at 9:37 pm
NOBODY is disrespecting the flag. It’s never been about the flag. Jerry Jones now says any player who protests won’t be allowed to play. So much for freedom in America. Excessive force is not an issue for him. Why should he care? He’s not black and he’s not poor. That’s why. Poor black people don’t buy season tickets.
October 8th, 2017 at 9:48 pm
@1sparkybuc. Anyone who protests during the Anthem is Disrespecting and that is ALL there is to it! The National Anthem has ZERO to do with what is at hand here. That stands for all of US that fought and DIED for the right for people to “protest’ WTF would you protest for if we didn’t fight and die for people’s right to do so???
October 8th, 2017 at 9:55 pm
Venue, venue, venue.
The National Anthem stands for the SOLDIERS that fought for “YOU” to have a right to achieve whatever you can!!! The fact that So MANY Millionaires that cant even spell equality disrespect me over and over again irks me to the n’th degree.
October 9th, 2017 at 4:21 am
When I read this it galvanized my resolve to never watch another NFL game. The players’ union crossed the line in my opinion. “NFL players’ union teamed up with Soros to fund leftist advocacy groups.” Washington Times
October 9th, 2017 at 8:51 am
“America’s QB” was playing on Thursday night, just for the winning team.
Jameis is what 1-4 in prime time games (Monday Night and Thursday Night) Let’s retire the awful nickname and franchise QB until he earns it.
October 9th, 2017 at 10:31 am
@1sparkybuc: IF it isn’t about the FLAG then why kneel during the anthem??? OF course it’s about the flag and America!!! Thank God for Jerry Jones to stand up the idiots who kneel. And the reason he should care and all Americans should care is because you live in the most blessed country on earth. IF you don’t like it then get out!! Last I check poor people weather they are white, black, Asian, Latino, or what ever race they are don’t buy season tickets either…. So stop being a racist!!
October 9th, 2017 at 6:45 pm
I am old enough to remember when racists were proud of the fact. George Wallace campaigned for governor of Alabama AND WON with a platform of racism. It never went away but most racists learned not to brag about it public. Now it appears that the latest tactic is to cloak their racism in outrage at the affront to the flag, even though the protest has absolutely nothing to do with patriotism. The amount of money a protester makes has no bearing on a person’s right to protest, and the use of deadly force as a first step should be a concern for everybody, not just the black and poor.
October 9th, 2017 at 7:01 pm
… and I’m old enough to remember when the playing of the national anthem brought tears of national pride. I also am old enough to remember the 1960s age of rebellion when anyone in authority was mocked and the colleges were hotbeds of insurrection. Now, the protesters don’t quite know what they’re protesting.. first it’s one thing, then another. Actually, the NFL Player’s Association are aligned with George Soros…you might want to check on the background of Demaurice Smith and his political leanings. He is the first political activist in that position. So, we’ll see how it all shakes out. For me, I will not participate with the politically aligned new NFL. (Oh, and of course, I am expecting the customary “Bye, bye”) When the NFL returns to football only, then I’ll consider watching and spending again. Fact is, I’m not alone in the actions I am taking.
October 10th, 2017 at 10:07 am
All I wanna see is Jameis learn when to take something off the ball, specifically swing passes to RB’s in the flat and start putting some air underneath his deep throws so the receivers can adjust and run under the ball.
He has the arm strength, the toughness and the intangibles. His decision making has to be better and the offensive game plan needs to change so there are more spaces for him to find other targets than Evans and Brate.
I think DeSean Jackson has shown toughness and sure hands. The overthrows are on Winston. Jackson deserves more targets.
I pull for Winston to have great games every week but since opening day at Atlanta last year and the Kansas City game, there have been too many quarters where the offense just goes dead.
Maybe it is the coaching and play calling. Maybe they should be in hurry up most of the time, shorting up the routes, screening more, rolling out more, missdirection fakes and cutback runs. This offense has to be able to score 30 points a game with a great possession receiver, a speedster, a very good slot receiver, 2 tight ends, one that gets open and the other supposedly an athletic freak. Then you add Doug Martin.
That is an offense that shouldn’t be going into 3rd quarters with 7-10 points on the board. C’mon guys, show your stuff!