The Morning After
January 1st, 2018
A rare site at the Den of Depression: Celebrating a game-winning touchdown. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
When the Bucs complete a 95-yard drive to win the game, of course it’s a Happy New Year!
1. All hail America! Yes, the Bucs would have been better off with a loss for the draft. But the more Joe thinks about it, the way the Bucs won on the shoulders of America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, couldn’t have been better, short of a playoff appearance. So Jameis can’t throw deep, huh haters? That 39-yard pass to Chris Godwin couldn’t have been thrown any better. So yeah, let’s cut Jameis for… who exactly? Yeah, Jameis had picks yesterday, three to be exact. Last Joe saw. Jameis brought the Bucs back twice in the fourth quarter. Scoreboard. The trick here is Jameis has proven time and again despite his fumbles or his turnovers, he brings the Bucs back. Isn’t that what you want in a franchise quarterback, giving the team a chance to win with a lead or a tied game in the fourth quarter? Five of his last seven starts, Jameis either put the Bucs ahead in the fourth quarter or tied the game. And outside of last night, the defense shat the field. Well, last night they did as well but there was just enough time on the clock for Jameis to win the game. Sure, the Bucs could go find Charlie Checkdown, who never turns the ball over, but good luck moving the ball 95 yards in the final two minutes to win a game. That drive, that play last night to win the game, that’s why Jameis was drafted No. 1 overall.
2. Couple of weeks ago, Joe remembers telling Alex Marvez of The Sporting News and SiriusXM NFL Radio that the Bucs don’t have any problem moving the ball between the 20s, they just can’t score touchdowns. Are field goals a mentality of Bucs coach Dirk Koetter? It was interesting that last night, Jameis’ 39-yard pass to Godwin for the game winner was not the play Koetter wanted. Koetter wanted a down-and-out to the left in front of the Bucs bench to set up for a field goal. Clearly, Jameis said F’ it and went for it all and cleaned up the table. Koetter admitted he freaked out when he saw Jameis throw that pass. Jameis swore he could hear Bucs coaches screaming “Oh, no!” Joe isn’t saying Jameis should blow off Koetter’s directives but perhaps Koetter, in looking in the mirror beginning today about how to improve the Bucs, could learn something by Jameis’ throw? Maybe, with a gunslinger like Jameis, Koetter should be more daring when inside the opponent’s real estate? That might be one way to score more points (touchdowns) and not have to settle for a field goal with kickers who, for whatever reason, give Bucs fans heartburn each week.
3. This Chris Godwin, all he does is produce. Joe is starting to think the Bucs might be just as well off with Godwin than DeSean Jackson. Now this isn’t to bash Jackson. For whatever reason in games – but not in practices – Jameis and Jackson just are not on the same page. And it seems like the Bucs force passes to Jackson. Now Joe isn’t saying to bench Jackson next year. That’s insane. What Joe is saying is that Godwin next season, so long as he is healthy, needs to be on the field more. Dude gets results. It just seems the Bucs offense runs smoother with Godwin than it does with Jackson. Why that may be, Joe has no clue. But Joe is a big believer in not repairing something that isn’t broke.
4. So who comes back next year? Well, we don’t know if Brent Grimes will. Time will only tell but Joe is confident Grimes will want cash and the Bucs are in no bargaining position. They may have to bite the bullet. There is no way in hell half-sack cancer Swaggy Baker should be on this roster. Joe has nothing against Will Gholston but was is he worth his salary? Are blocking two field goals worth that much? Joe likes Robert Ayers but it seems Father Time is catching up with him. Even though he is a great locker room guy, at some point a player has to back it up with play. When Ayers is healthy, he’s fine against the run. T.J. Ward, well, it’s clear why Denver let him walk away. Joe senses aside from linebackers, GMC and Grimes – provided he returns – the Bucs are looking at a major overhaul on defense and yes it is needed. Offensively? Evan Smith, bye, and take Doug Martin with you. Who knows about Kevin Pamphile, who really slipped this year. It looked like he was about to hit a massive payday but now? Well, it’s a buyer’s market for Pamphile, Joe believes.
5. So the Bucs pick seventh in the draft in 2018. A lot of Bucs fans were crying the Bucs won last night because they think Bradley Chubb will be gone by the time the Bucs are on the clock. Nonsense! Haven’t folks heard of trading up in the draft? Look, the Bucs are totally miserable at rushing the passer and this crap has gone on way, way, way too long. If it takes parting with some draft picks to get Chubb, provided Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht likes him, so be it. Hey, the Dixie Chicks paid a price for Julio Jones. You think they are crying they coughed up a ransom to get him?
This is the final “Morning After” column for the 2017 season. Hope you enjoyed it. It is not uncommon for Joe to be typing this in the wee hours of the morning after a game. It will return in September when the 2018 season kicks off. Thanks for reading.
January 1st, 2018 at 8:09 am
Enjoyed them as always. There’s going to be a few more ‘Morning after’s’ next season!!
January 1st, 2018 at 8:19 am
4 years licht destroyed this franchise assisting dom on this 9 years into the pit of misery and now licht supposed to pull the bucs out in 4 months? who is available in 2019 draft?
January 1st, 2018 at 8:21 am
Joe why haven’t you posted anything about that brat Sean Payton. Did anyone else see him slap Koetter’s chest after the game. Talk about an immature punk. If Jameis did that it would’ve been your first post. SMH double standard!!!
January 1st, 2018 at 8:21 am
I’ve rarely been more torn as a Bucs fan as I was watching that td pass to Godwin. Great play…but it came at a price. Fifth pick vs 7th ( somehow the Bears strength of schedule snuck ahead of Tampa’s or it would have been the 8th ) could be a huge deal. Gaines Adams ( RIP ) instead of Calvin Johnson or Joe Thomas? Or ancient history of Broderick Thomas instead of 3 Hall of Famers ( Derrick Thomas or Barry & Deon Sanders ) due to a late season win vs the Lions. If Chubb is gone ( he will be )…I’d be all for Barkley. The importance of a stud ( vs Dougie Dud ) running back is once again very important. Look what Fournette, Hunt, Kamara and Zeke Elliott mean to their respective teams ( mentioning only recent draft picks. ) Great job Winston…but couldn’t you have listened to konservative Koetter and played for a Murray missed FG? 🙂
January 1st, 2018 at 8:24 am
Joe , you are jacked up and in rare form this morning .looking forward to the off season articles , podcast etc . Just can’t pull myself away from this team .
January 1st, 2018 at 8:30 am
Happy New Year to the Joe’s!
Dirk Koetter and Jason Licht enter the new year as dead men walking. All of you pining for Bradley Chubb, do you really think that even if the Bucs drafted him he’s going to make an impact in 2018? If the Bucs want a high quality DE that will make an immediate impact they will have to find another way. Jason Licht lost his opportunity with Calais Campbell and there likely is not going to be a player of his caliber in FA this off-season. Quite frankly, he’s lost opportunities in FA throughout his 4 years here. Yet, those “Totally Confident” think he’s going to somehow turn things around in year 5.
The Bucs under Jason Licht have a worse winning percentage than they did under Mark Dominick. That should speak volumes.
January 1st, 2018 at 8:31 am
pfff… an article by the wrong joe. don’t know where to begin so i’ll leave it. waste of time (actually my english is not good enough for what i want to say)
January 1st, 2018 at 8:32 am
The view from the stands was beautiful. Great way to end a rough season. Let the haters suck on that drive like a ripe lemon. Suck it haters.
January 1st, 2018 at 8:32 am
Jameis. …America’s turnover machine
January 1st, 2018 at 8:33 am
Knowing Evans only needed 54 yards to get 1,000 I knew jameis was going to force him the ball. I don’t think he was being 100% sarcastic yesterday when speaking about this. I don’t think yesterday was a typical game so I’m not worried about the picks. I do hope they bring in a new QB coach. I also think Godwin needs to play more. I like how he comes back for the ball and doesn’t just wait on the ball to come to him. Too many of our receivers do this enough and I think it hurts the passing game. Need major improvements on both lines this offseason. I like Licht, but for someone who was an offensive lineman in college you would think we’d have one of the better offensive lines in he league.
January 1st, 2018 at 8:33 am
The last drive was a great effort by Jameis and I am glad we won. But to put it in the proper perspective Jameis had 19 TD’s and 18 TO’s . So when jameis consistantly has half the turnovers as has he does TD’s his team will have more chances to win. And quite possibly have earned the title of America”s Quarterback. He just isn’t there yet IMO.
January 1st, 2018 at 8:35 am
Godwin is a tough SOB !
Lawrence Dawsey tough !
January 1st, 2018 at 8:36 am
Absolutely, positively don’t trade up!!! Joe, you aren’t thinking.
I think Chubb will be there at 7…..and if he isn’t, trade down or pick Minkah….there will likely be 4 QBs picked ahead of us.
I agree with all the cuts…..we will free up a bunch of cap space with these guys…….need to resign Grimes….offer him 2 years.
Our free agent picks will give us some indication of our draft selection priority.
Now, for all of the “fans” who are disappointed in our last minute victory…..you can kiss my a$$. That victory was absolutely meaningful to all of our team…..especially Jameis & Godwin….and perhaps Murray who didn’t have to make a 56 yard FG to win.
We won a division game and beat a very good playoff team…sure we went from drafting 5-7 but there will be fantastic players available at 7. Maybe Barkley, Chubb, Minkah, Key….
So, losers…..suck it up, crawl back in your hole…it’s done….and we won!!!
January 1st, 2018 at 8:38 am
Chubb wouldn’t have lasted till pick #5 anyway – and NO to trading up in the 1st round!!!
January 1st, 2018 at 8:41 am
I saw the peyton Koetter exchange and I thought it was congratulatrory.
Could be wrong ,but the defense holding his offense to 17 points deserves congratulations,not poor sportsmanship.
January 1st, 2018 at 8:44 am
Licht needs to quit looking for bargains in FA…..lets get a player like Freeny or Peppers to add to the DE corps….great teachers and they will get sacks.
Go out and get a top notch Center & CB….you can take a bit of a chance on a RB.
I will say this….Licht seems to usually achieve team-friendly contracts….we never really get burnt more than a year with players…..that’s a good thing.
Now for the draft…..we need to go DE then CB or vice versa.
Then we can work on RB & the Oline.
If we get three starters…..that would be fantastic.
January 1st, 2018 at 8:45 am
i got a chubb in my pants watching that 95 yard drive
January 1st, 2018 at 8:46 am
OK Joe–no to checkdown Charlie but why the fok does he not see throwing to ME13 with 4 saints players there in the area is a bad idea–examine that
the Vikings game–throw to me13 in endzone in triple coverage
some of the ints are truly outrageous bonehead throws
needs to stop the truly bonehead throws and fumbles(the ones where he is getting sacked and pitches it it up for grabs)
January 1st, 2018 at 8:47 am
“Chris Godwin, all he does is produce. Joe is starting to think the Bucs might be just as well off with Godwin than DeSean Jackson.”
I was clear after the first half of the season that Godwin well out-performs Jackson. Not a bad thing; Jackson can be traded.
January 1st, 2018 at 8:48 am
I think we all understand Jameis has all the talent to be a top five QB………but mentally he doesn’t.
So what he finally hit ONE deep pass outta the 100 he previously did not complete……that doesn’t change my mind he sucks throwing deep……Hell…I think Josh Freeman completed more deep passes than Jaboo did.
This team will never get to the payoffs as long as Jaboo keeps on turning over the ball.
January 1st, 2018 at 8:52 am
Two things Joe. That game was true Jameis, that last throw to Godwin was as perfect as it could be (the good) but realistically he threw the terrible picks and probably should have had at least two more.
As for trading up, that’s what you do when you are one player away from making a jump. Obviously it’s way too easy to neutralize a solo generational talent on the defensive line (see GMC). This team doesn’t need one A+player, we need five or six solid Bs.
January 1st, 2018 at 8:54 am
Last year could end up being Licht’s best draft……I think OJ is a guaranteed star…..Evans is getting better every game and looks to be a long term starter at Safety…..Godwin….no doubt about it….is a #1 or 2 WR….and Beckwith is really, really good….and a starter.
If somehow Stevie T….can play….that would be icing on the cake.
January 1st, 2018 at 8:55 am
Hire Jim Caldwell as the New OC!!
January 1st, 2018 at 8:59 am
10 year playoff drought
Only Cleveland is worse (15 years)
That’s the reality
January 1st, 2018 at 9:07 am
That was Elway like.
And the kid changed the play at the end!
Speaking of Elway his stats first thee years. 47tds vs. 52ints. Did not have more touchdowns than interception until his fourth year.
Jameis has had more tds than INTs every year. And has 69tds vs. 44 INTs.
Brilliant stuff.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:11 am
Americas Touchdown Machine.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:16 am
Jim Caldwell HC: IND
• (2009) 14-2-0 | Lost Super Bowl 17-31 vs. New Orleans Saints
• (2010) 10-6-0 | Lost Wild Card 16-17 vs. New York Jets
• (2011) 2-14-0 | Suck 4 Luck
Jim Caldwell OC: BAL
• 2012 – 10-6-0 | Won Super Bowl 34-31 vs. San Francisco 49ers
• 2013 – 8-8-0
Jim Caldwell HC: IND
• 2014 – 11-5-0 | Lost Wild Card 20-24 vs. Dallas Cowboys
• 2015 – 7-9-0
• 2016 – 9-7-0
• 2017 – 9-7-0
Jim Caldwell – Offensive Scheme: Air Coryell
• (2009-2010) Peyton Manning – IND
• (2012-2013) Joe Flacco – BAL
• (2014-2017) Matthew Stafford – DET
Head Coaching Record: 62-50-0 | .554 ← Just In Case Some Issh Happens
January 1st, 2018 at 9:17 am
*Jim Caldwell HC: DET
January 1st, 2018 at 9:20 am
That is a funny article Joe!!!!! For weeks you have been pleading to abandon the deep ball because “it does not work” !!!!! Then one is connected to CG12 and you are playing “look see, look who is wrong now!!! LOL!!!!!! Even the sheep think you are flipping sides to easily!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and CG12, Who had a great game, and fought hard just to get some yac on plays!!!!!!! Should be praised today!!! As should the defense!!!!!!!! Great team win yesterday!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
January 1st, 2018 at 9:33 am
If you don’t turn the ball over 3-4 times….you don’t have to come back from being behind.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:36 am
You never know how the draft will play out kids. I wanted the 4th or 5th pick because of the amount of good qbs coming out. That would have put the bucs in prime position to pick up more picks to trade down. 7th is still good. If chubb is that good he will be gone top 3 anyway. Theres plenty of edge rushers inside the top 60 who can get it done. Lets hope licht picks the right one, or two. And yes we can still trade up for chubb, even tho i think all lichts trade ups so far have hurt his drafts big time. We need more picks this year not less. If this same coaching staff comes back theres no reason that every pick shouldnt be dline, oline and rb. Then hope they actually practice tackle football during camp. I am not a dirk fan, but since he is coming back i sure hope he learned from all his mistakes this season. Also I think marvin lewis ends of coaching this defense next year. My guess is dirk sold the glazers that marvin could turn around the d.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:40 am
@ Realist aka “happier than usual, Buc Fan”
I agree with the all of the sudden Jameis hit deep passes…..although I do like ending the season with that play.
As you know, I was not in favor of churning another coach….so, I am happy with that…..although I think there needs to be some changes…perhaps delegating playcalling or hiring a OC if Monken isn’t chosen for more responsibility.
I don’t think a new QB coach for Jameis would hurt….but I don’t subscribe to the theory that his recklessness is due to poor coaching….more due to poor listening.
As for the defense…that’s a tougher issue for me….I’m now willing to give Smith somewhat of a pass because of our lack of talent there….and that is because of the last couple of games playing with injuries….but playing very hard and well.
As for the draft….I’d certainly rather have # 7 with the win than #5 with a loss…
I think we have to choose Chubb or Minkah…..or if they aren’t there and we find a willing partner….trade down a few slots….then pick Key.
As for FA……depending on Grimes….go for an older DE who has produced….a really good Center and a RB
I think you will agree that Licht is far better than the “Pop Star”
January 1st, 2018 at 9:47 am
The last thing I want to read is Joe’s hairbrained drsft analysis and strategy.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:48 am
Darnold, Rosen, Mayfield and Allen should be chosen in the top 6…..leaving at least one of these players at 7
Barkley, Chubb, Fitzpatrick…..
Trading partners could be the Bengals or Cardnals for a QB if one is available at 7.
The tough decision if Chubb is gone would be between Barkley & Fitzpatric and that may depend on what happens with Grimes.
January 1st, 2018 at 9:52 am
If neither Barkley, Chubb, Fitzpatrick are on the board @ 7….trade down for more picks………I was really impressed with Barkley’s post game interview….high character !!
January 1st, 2018 at 10:03 am
Beating the dead horse…
No. Do not trade up for a single defensive lineman. That do very rarely works out for anyone. The Bucs need to add at least 8 players to the offensive and defensive lines to compete, beat out, and add depth to the incumbents they decide to keep. Some of those 8 should be premium picks or free agent signings. Others can be lower tier guys who can compete and surprise. The Bucs need 8 of them – a complete overhaul.
If anything, they should accumulate additional picks by trading back instead of losing picks to move up,
Fix the trenches, fix the Bucs.
January 1st, 2018 at 10:05 am
My arguments against Winston – who is NOT America’s Quarterback, you save that for guys who win Super Bowls, stop hyping – are that he’s still reckless with his throws.
All three interceptions came when he was throwing into triple coverage, where his target had the narrowest of eye-needles to work with, and on the second INT itself he damn well should have seen Evans was triple covered because Winston had shaken off his would-be sacker and had an extra second to evaluate the throw. HE STILL THREW IT, and it was an INT in the end zone. A smarter QB would have thrown it out of bounds at point.
All because he was trying for THE BIG PLAY. Meanwhile he’s got greater difficulty figuring out to get the ball cleanly to open receivers 8-10 yards downfield in order to get the first downs the offense needs to maintain drives.
January 1st, 2018 at 10:13 am
You guys are absolutely Stupid..if you think Chubb’s gonna be there at 7. He’s an Aaron Donald. Warrenish Sapp type guy. He will be gone by no 5. HE will be a game changer in the NFL. Wish we had lost Sunday.
January 1st, 2018 at 10:23 am
Way too many holes on this roster to throw away draft picks at potential. Wait to see if he falls or Barkley, if not it BLA
January 1st, 2018 at 10:29 am
That last drive was fantastic!
However, if one of the Saints defenders had not dropped what was surely another Jameis pic the drive would have ended at the Bucs own 16 yard line
January 1st, 2018 at 10:40 am
I’m on board @Tampabay buccaneers.
1. Get Koetter to delegate play calling
2. Lewis as DC
3.Get rid of Martin, Ayers, Baker
4. Look for DE, CB, OL, DT in FA.
5. I think Chubb may be there at 7. At least 3 of the first 6 picks will be QB and Barkley will be gone for sure. Colts (and maybe Broncos) go T. The big question is who do the Browns take at #4??? Nobody knows or can predict how they think. The only other wild card could be the Jets, but I think they go QB.
6. I believe in the double check. Get one in FA and another in the draft. At least one should work out and it could provide depth the Bucs need.
January 1st, 2018 at 10:43 am
Darn autocorrect. I’m on board @tampabayBucfan
January 1st, 2018 at 10:50 am
Altered
“Lawerence Dawsey tough”. 😀😀😀
Haven’t heard that name in a long time..we used to call him “glue”. Guy never dropped a pass…
January 1st, 2018 at 10:55 am
@ Mike Johnson
Yea….we are stupid to think Chubb could be there at 7…….just as stupid as the whole world was on OJ Howard falling to 19th last year.
The first 10 picks in the draft is somewhat unpredictable due to trading up and team needs……hang on and see what happens….but do not trade up!!!
January 1st, 2018 at 11:04 am
Jameis is the best ever
January 1st, 2018 at 11:09 am
Joe, #2 is what I say all year long. Allow Jameis to be Jameis and we will be fine. I’m on board with a new OC who is an aggressive playcaller.
January 1st, 2018 at 11:11 am
I would try to trade DJAX. As you wrote CG12 is just as good in terms of production on the field – so why not try to get something for the vet.
January 1st, 2018 at 11:18 am
Either put Jackson in the slot….or trade/release him. He’s definitely an upgrade over Hump….Hump is back up material, he shouldn’t be out there more then Godwin.
January 1st, 2018 at 11:25 am
No issues with americas qb
He won that game yesterday. Any other qb would have thrown 6 INT
Not Jameis. He is great. I challenge anyone to say otherwise.
Best ever.
January 1st, 2018 at 11:26 am
We just may find a trading partner for Djax…..I’d be OK with that…….
And, don’t laugh but Freddie Martino always does his job…..and we have Bobo hanging around.
The only problem is if Evans or Godwin goes down, we are not that deep with top-notch talent.
January 1st, 2018 at 11:27 am
Joe’s goals for 2018 :
To make sure Jameis ‘s balls continue to gargle IN their mouths. They should never not be in motion. Like a washing machine.
January 1st, 2018 at 11:33 am
Don’t trade up for anyone, trade down if you can. Joe, don’t be silly, this team is further away then one pass rushing end. Didn’t Cleveland, and S.F. drat D ends with their first pick, how’d that turn out? Not saying we shouldn’t draft a D end, just saying we have a lot of holes to fill.
January 1st, 2018 at 11:43 am
Jackson.. one more year for cap reasons. After that, there is no need to have him on the roster, or trade him this coming season for a pick, if possible.
January 1st, 2018 at 12:12 pm
Too many holes to trade up Joes! The Bucs need several D-linemen, CBS, Safeties, And O-linemen. And a RB. So trading up ain’t gonna happen.
January 1st, 2018 at 1:42 pm
@Bird,
Speaking for both my wife and me, thank you for the wonderful seats.
We had a great time. Especially, because of the nation’s best young QB and the way He led the team to a last second W. Again, thank you.
—-to the Joe Buc nation, Bird is a stand up guy and His word is his bond.
January 1st, 2018 at 2:40 pm
I’m not jacked one way or the other about individual players…other than Barkley or Chubb it seems there are a lot of good players out there. Surely we can find a couple. It’s such a crap shoot anyway with individual players.
I’m more concerned with where we take our crap shoot. I want us to focus on DE’s…perhaps a DT and definitely some more OL. I don’t care about any other positions.
We can find some FA’s and UDFA’s for the other spots. It’s time to truly concentrate on the trenches and build this team from the front.
January 1st, 2018 at 2:41 pm
Thanks for all the great info this year, Joes! Happy New Year!
January 1st, 2018 at 3:00 pm
@GRT1
Watched Koetter’s presser ,and he was evasive about what Peyton said.So you are probably right.
January 1st, 2018 at 4:56 pm
I said right after the draft that Chris Godwin was the best pick.
January 1st, 2018 at 8:59 pm
Hilarious how bad Jameis played this season but for some he can do no wrong no matter how many losses, Int’s, fumbles, and poor character he displays. This bum will be suspoended for doing something to a woman that is criminal in nature and lead us to picking a new Qb next year. 1-9 in his last 10 starts, 1-5 in the division and more turnovers than any player in the league. But that one 39 yard pass he threw! Stupid Semen holes!