Almost In His Grasp
May 7th, 2018
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Jameis Winston’s financial future is in his hands — the same hands that have struggled mightily to hold onto the football.
Don’t read too much into Tampa Bay’s decision to pick up Winston’s fifth-year option. That call was a “no-brainer,” according to Jason Licht.
The real moment of truth is still to come, and it may not be a no-brainer.
After three pro seasons, Winston still has the support of everyone drawing a paycheck at One Buc Place. He was the first overall pick in the 2015 draft and his intangibles are off the charts.
Does he love football? Love isn’t the proper word for No. 3. Winston breathes football, a quality that has eluded some Buc quarterbacks of the past.
I’m talking about you, Josh Freeman, as you try to resurrect your career in the Canadian Football League.
But at some point, and that time may be soon, Winston has to start winning more football games. Yes, football is the ultimate team sport, but quarterbacks are treated differently.
That’s why seven of the eight players in the NFL with the most guaranteed money coming to them are the guys under center. That’s why Matt Ryan just broke into Arthur Blank’s bank account and walked out with a 5-year, $150 million deal that includes $100 million guaranteed.
It won’t be long before Aaron Rodgers has his hand out, setting the quarterback salary bar even higher.
Ryan has posted 95 wins since entering the league in 2008, tied with Drew Brees. That’s one less win than Ben Roethlisberger and one more than Rodgers, who has dealt with a few injuries in the past decade.
Winston’s 18-27 record as a starter certainly doesn’t shout out “Pay The Man.”
Security Issue
There’s a lot more work to be done before Winston deserves to be the first quarterback drafted by the Bucs who is awarded a lucrative second contract with the organization.
It didn’t happen to Doug Williams, Vinny Testaverde, Trent Dilfer or Freeman.
“Whenever that time is, that will come,” Licht says. “Right now, it (5th-year option) was a no-brainer for us. It’s a formality, if you will. But it tells you what we think about Jameis. He’s exceeded expectations, in my opinion. But we have plans for him in the long term and when that time comes, we’ll address that. Right now, there’s no signs of anybody wanting Jameis to walk out of this building.”
Few, if any teams, boast a better receiving corps than the Bucs.
Evans, Jackson, Humphries, Godwin, Brate, Howard … that’s an embarrassment of riches. And at every opportunity, Licht and Dirk Koetter keep telling us Tampa Bay’s offensive linemen don’t deserve the criticism that has come their way.
Koetter is supposed to be one of the premier play-callers in the league, so what gives?
Giveaways, my dear readers.
With 59 turnovers in his 45-game NFL career, Winston simply has not protected the ball well enough. Perhaps that will change this fall, perhaps not.
Still In The Culture War
Winston isn’t a rookie anymore and he’s facing a possible NFL suspension. If Winston groped that Uber driver, as alleged, the Bucs would be wise to be in the market for a new quarterback.
Suddenly, Licht’s 2015 draft class wouldn’t look nearly as stellar.
“It’s exciting to start the fourth year, especially with my teammates, my class coming in,” Winston says. “Donovan has a big year coming up, Ali has a big year coming up, and obviously, I have a huge year coming up. And seeing guys like Cam and Mike – they reap what they sow.
“It’s about that postseason, man. It’s about getting some wins together, it’s about bringing this community behind us, it’s about really changing this culture around here and we’re taking strides to that, but now it’s time to get it done.”
Winston’s ailing right shoulder has healed. He’s ready to go, ready to lead this embattled franchise out of the NFL wilderness. There’s big money to be made, money beyond his wildest dreams.
Like all those loose footballs, it’s almost in his grasp.
Ira Kaufman is the most revered sports personality and writer in town. He has hung his hat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters since July 2016. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Ira busts out columns here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can also hear Ira on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio Wednesdays during football season, and see him now on Mondays at 10:30 p.m. on Spectrum Sports 360 (aka BayNews 9). Ira also is part of the FOX-13 Tailgate Sunday and enjoys beet salads, Riesling, Chiefs victories and needling Joe.
May 7th, 2018 at 10:07 am
For years we have waited for Jameis to Click to turn the corner to become that Badass QB we know he has the talent to be. I hope this year is that year I hope we witness Jameis 2.0 reborn under the MMF lights we need him to dominate games with his high football IQ and that big arm.
May 7th, 2018 at 10:13 am
Jameis had a good season last year. Holding penalties that stopped momentum was a problem. No running game to speak of especially in the red zone when a running game that could help with play action would be valuable. I’m not going to bring up the bad kicking game, nor the horrible defense that forced the QB to throw a lot of high risk passes. Jameis is the best thing this franchise has going for it. The fumbles are a problem, but the interceptions will go down as the running game gets better and the defense is more reliable.
May 7th, 2018 at 10:16 am
First 3 games should write the story…
May 7th, 2018 at 10:21 am
Keep in mind Winston is a young dude who will mature more as time goes by. If you think he’s going to stop taking chances you are wrong even with a great running game. That’s not how he is now or will ever be. That’s kind of what I like about him though. Don’t loose that fire to win just harness it a little JW.
May 7th, 2018 at 10:22 am
Jameis is going to be 24 this season. People forget that he came out of college early for a QB. We need to be patient with him. He’s clearly the best QB we’ve ever had playing for us. Is he consistently a top 10 QB right now? no. But most 24 year old QBs aren’t. Pay him unless he completely implodes because I’d rather 4 more years of a talented by turnover prone QB than the scrubs we’ve rolled out since Brad Johnson.
May 7th, 2018 at 10:32 am
Good take Ira.
I like JW, but I’m not blind.
I see all the JW apologists are hard at work.
Tell me this though Winston supporters:
What does age and maturity have to do with the simple act of holding on to a ball?
I think I mastered that skill by age 4.
May 7th, 2018 at 10:40 am
Syl you couldn’t be more right. People have to stop saying look at his won loss record. People have to stop saying he turns the ball over to much. Look at the causes of these turn overs. One his defense is non existent basically for his 3 years here. Only exception was in 2016 when his defense played great during the 5 game winning streak. So here is Winston during these games knowing his defense is going to give up points at will, probably thinks he has to make things happen every time he has the ball. Thus holding the ball a little longer than he should, hoping someone will get open, thus causing hits from behind and fumbles happen. Two no running game causes more passing attempts during a game, thus more chances for a turnover. Playing QB is much easier when you have a running game just ask Blake Bortles. By the way i don’t know how many times Winston has given the Bucs a lead in the 4th quarter and we have watched the defense give it up. So lets see how Winston does with just a little help from his Defense,and a good running game.
May 7th, 2018 at 10:40 am
we’ve waited long enough for you and others Mr. Winston…..this year will tell us if its coaching and scheme vs players and talent……
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
May 7th, 2018 at 10:45 am
They are still trying to fix the culture? Wow that’s not good
May 7th, 2018 at 10:50 am
Please stop with the “he’s 24” crap. This is his FOURTH season.
May 7th, 2018 at 10:52 am
If Tampa’s o-line can stop teams from rushing up the gut at will, the production will go up. Especially with a vertical pass offense. Coaches got JW TAKING 5-7 step drops with a sieve for an o-line. SMDH!!!
May 7th, 2018 at 10:52 am
Jameis has never really had a running threat for opposing teams to worry about, and as a result, had often had to force the ball into tight coverage. IF we can establish a legit running game this year, IMHO look out for Jameis.
Of course, a lot will depend on our O Line’s ability to protect Jameis, in Koetter’s slow developing passing offense.
May 7th, 2018 at 10:58 am
Nonsense. Let him walk. They’ll be many, many teams lining up for his services. I hope he does move on from the uneducated fan and media bases in Tampa. For all the accolades Ira receives, I’ve yet to understand his blindness to the future of Jameis. At least preface your generic turnover stats with other great and HOF qb’s who’ve shared similiar , if not worse, starts to their career. And with much better teams. Brees, Manning, Elway, Aikman, all had inauspicious starts to their HOF careers. I wonder how the media handled their deficiencies. Let me guess….differently.
May 7th, 2018 at 10:59 am
I’m really tired of this current QB market. If Winston doesn’t make the next leap in his play and he is suspended he should be gracious and accept a top 5 QB contract instead of demanding the highest ever just because it’s his turn. However if he does make the leap then he deserves the big contract, suspension non-withstanding. Big-Ben has proved that the leauge will forget about innappropiate behavior as long as you win. Hell even Peyton Manning had some serious allegations from back in his University of Tennessee days yet you would never know it with all the winning he has done.
If not, hopefully Ryan Griffin has been groomed sufficiently because there is no QB in the 2019 class of note so far.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:00 am
@dooshlaru so you can hold onto a football with multiple 300 pound men hitting you at age 4? Why you aren’t a qb in theNFL, is astonishing. Just stop with the stupid comments.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:05 am
@ Chris, it Winston’s first year in the league I believe we had pone of the top running attacks in the league with Martin. Not much the last two years though. Excited to see us getting that going again next year because Winston and this offense need it.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:05 am
We´ve been debating this several times. Everybody know the cap is higher every year, now came Ryan with his new demential contract, next will be Rodgers, so that makes JW next one. The question is if JW is super elite demential money value? My opinion is not yet and he has one more year to prove it. I agree the kid is talented, but talent is not enough, he has to mature in and out the field, Far away to be a JW hater, but that doesnt mean I am blind that he is elite, because he is not…….This will be a pivotal year for JW, I hope he makes it,
May 7th, 2018 at 11:06 am
Hey Joes,
I want to let you know how much I enjoy our site. Yes, there are takes that I don’t agree with. Yes, you go on tangents that become redundant to those of us who don’t have a life and log on 10 times a day. But for you Joes to post a half dozen fresh articles a day, day in and day out, in season and off season, for we Buc-centric people, like we’ve never had in 40 years of Buc fandom. I appreciate your hard work. Keep em coming.
Sure do miss the “Morning Cup of Joe” though. I’m just sayin’…
May 7th, 2018 at 11:09 am
Elway avg. 55% completion rate for the first 10 seasons. Never cracked 60% until ’93. Td’s to Int during that time was an awful 158/157. Bet you guys wouldn’t have run him out of town. But because the media loved him, like Luck, he’s “one of the greats”. He could be, but so will Winston. And he’s having a helluva better start than him. With a much lesser team around him. Let the team grow, and watch the Winston dialogue change. This team sucked a long time before Jameis came to town. Run him out. He’ll be fine.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:16 am
@cgmaster
I’m talking about the times when the ball magically leaves the hands of your savior while he’s running around, not when he gets hit.
15 fumbles last year.
They were not all caused by vicious contact.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:21 am
Doosh
You got an example? Can you find a video clip of all the times the ball just magically flew out of Winston’s hands? Show your work my friend. Site your sources, provide some evidence. Surely can’t be that hard to find with such a large sample size.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:22 am
Dooshlarue
Right on point!
I would only add, for those that say JW is the best thing that ever happened to the Bucs….
I just don’t see that. Not at the moment. An inaccurate QB, with “maturity”and character issues and a penchant for misogny cannot possibly be the best thing that ever happened to the Bucs.. Lee Roy would turn over in his grave.
Even Jlicht prefaced his endorsement with “right now” no one wants JW to leave. That was most telling for me.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:22 am
Age does matter because quarterback get better with age. Yes it’s his 4th year and he’s 24, Carson Wentz is 25 so I’m sure the turnover issues will get better, don’t think they will complete go away but I think he will take his rightful place among the league best. Big Ben sucked out loud early in his career and was carried to the playoffs by his defense just ask Terry Bradshaw.
Not everyone develops at the fans pace, we are much closer to him being a playoff qb than we would be starting over so haters shut up and let the man getting as a player. It’s funny how so many wanted to be patient with Mike Glennon but Winston can’t be given credit for being better. Yeah he had less turnovers because he was scared to do anything more than check downs.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:23 am
Should be interesting with no RG or RT, Dotson is 34 and already injured, Sweeny enough said, who we got, Evan Smith is barely backup material, Wester an inexperienced former udfa, Caleb a 5th rounder with limited experience, smelling this year’s down fall, hope I’m wrong, but hard to be right every year, JIM SWARTZ 2019
May 7th, 2018 at 11:24 am
If Jameis does not become Elite, and then demands Elite money, because it is his turn to get a new contract, I can see the Glazers saying No. IMHO, there is no shamus, if we say No to Jameis.
Even if we win 10 games this year, his overall record is not that of an elite QB, no matter what he does this year.
Things are sure gonna get interesting around here, when it is new contract time for him
May 7th, 2018 at 11:28 am
@DB55
Watch the games.
That’s what I did.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:29 am
If Jameis plays well this year he will land an 8 year 250 million dollar contract 150 million guaranteed.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:34 am
Which game, Doosh? Which one where he just lets it go, for no reason. C’mon tell us. I’ve seen Benenoch knock it out. I’ve seen Jameis hold it too long. I’ve seen Jameis get lit up trying to extend the play. I’ve seen a running back run the wrong way. I’ve seen Marpet snap a few wayward. Put I haven’t seen the non chalant throw away play, and I’ve watched every game he’s played since his freshman year at FSU. Enlighten me.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:34 am
Don’t think Winston is worried as much about money as most NFLers. Winston craves the same thing we all do.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:35 am
So Matt Stanford can get 135 mil contract no problem but Jameis hasn’t earned his big money contract?
How many P.O. games has Derek Carr won? Enough to justify his 25 mil contract?
I know you guys hate the race card but man it’s hard not to think “wtf is the difference?” and not conclude the obvious.
To hear you guys tell it Jameis needs an undefeated SB season with 0 turnovers to make 18mil a yr. Glennon got 16 mil for holding a clip board.
Run Jameis Run.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:39 am
Not there yet
I wish JW “sucked out loud” this bad… But then again Ben was ONLY 23
Roethlisberger earned the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2004 and his first Pro Bowl selection in 2007. He became the youngest Super Bowl-winning quarterback in NFL history, leading the Steelers, in only his second professional season, to a 21–10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL at the age of 23. Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a second Super Bowl title in four seasons as they defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, 27–23, after completing a game-winning touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes with 35 seconds left in the game. He appeared in his third Super Bowl in Super Bowl XLV, but the team would fall by a score of 31-25 to the Green Bay Packers.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:43 am
Doosh
You’re completely full of it. I doubt you can provide 1 example at all. I watch games at the time, more than I should. You sir are wrong.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:50 am
DB55
Obviuosly I don’t speak for everyone but, I don’t care about him being black. He’s weird. And Inacurate..
May 7th, 2018 at 11:50 am
leading the Steelers, in only his second professional season,
————-
Are you guys dumb? Nvrmnd don’t answer that you’re posts have already provided the answer. So Ben lead the Steelers? It had nothing to do with his HOF running back Jerome Bettie or his # 11 ranked defense? Is that what you’re saying?
May 7th, 2018 at 11:50 am
What you fail to mention is the Bucs had the worst defense in the NFL last year to go a long with the worst group of running backs in the NFL and Jameis was battling injuries last year.
Do you think a QB(any QB) may feel a little pressure to throw into a tight window because he knows the running backs are not going to help him out and the defense he had on his side was historically one of the worst in NFL history?
The best example was the Bills game this past season. Jameis played an outstanding game (32 of 44 for 384 yards and 3 TD’s and one Interception) against a very good defense, but the Bucs still lost because the defense was so atrocious and the running game was pathetic.
If the Bucs defense could have stopped the Bills just one time in the 4th quarter the Bucs could have used a solid running game to finish out the game, but the Bucs did not have that either as Dog Martin ran 20 times for 49 yards in the game.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:53 am
Dooshlarue,
I don’t think it’s necessary to add larue to your name.
Doosh says it all.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:55 am
Aikman, 165/141 td’s to int’s. Won/ Loss without Irvin, Smith and a great defense and O-line doing their thing, 31-47. Things magically changed when the team around him got better. And then, magically they got worse when they passed their prime. Funny how that works, huh. Maybe it is a team game after all….Nah, it’s Jameis’ fault. We believe some “cleat chaser” we never heard from instead of the guy we all witness doing great things on a daily basis because he’s…….well, he’s um,….. Yea, that’s what I thought.
May 7th, 2018 at 12:01 pm
jmarkbuc Says:
May 7th, 2018 at 11:50 am
DB55
Obviuosly I don’t speak for everyone but, I don’t care about him being black. He’s weird. And Inacurate..
————-
Inaccurate yet finished the season with 63% completion rate and a 92 QBs rating.
Matt Ryan who just broke the bank = 64% completion rate and a 91 qb rating.
So wtf are you talking about? Certainly not facts but he’s “weird”. Is that a new code word?
Yea no one is a race it’s. People just hold certain people to different expectations based on what they look like. Weird I know. 🙄
Then again I’m sure most of you agree that David Duke is not a race it’s. He just a patriot who loves his country and his people. A nationalist, amirite?! Foh
May 7th, 2018 at 12:02 pm
DB55
I think we all agree the Bucs have sucked all over for ten years.. My point was Ben didn’t suck out loud…
JW does unorthodox things with the fundamentals. His football IQ was supposed to be so high, and yet he still does them. It just doen’t pass the eye test.
May 7th, 2018 at 12:07 pm
C’mon DB
Not code. weird=weird
He’s fascinated on National TV to watch roaches F***. The issues with acting the fool with women,Eating W’s, and the crazy things he does on the field. Great QBs don’t do that, or they are better managed.
There may be racists here. I am absolutely not one of them.
May 7th, 2018 at 12:08 pm
“If Winston groped that Uber driver, as alleged, the Bucs would be wise to be in the market for a new quarterback.”
This opinion is messed up Ira – for several reasons.
– It will never be PROVEN one way or the other if Jameis did what was alleged. There is NO PROOF.
– So if Jameis gets suspended because of this – do you assume that he is “guilty” and that its then time for the Bucs to cut ties with the best QB this franchise has ever had??
– Where do you draw the line to make a decision of that magnitude? If there is no proof of the actual allegation – but circumstantial “evidence” (like if Jameis WAS proven to be the only person in that car for instance) leads some/many to believe that Winston may well have placed his hand momentarily on that woman’s crotch – do you assume since he lied about others in the car that he’s lying about what the girl alleged as well? And thus jettison the best QB this franchise has ever had?
– Lets take the worse case scenario (which is totally hypothetical because as stated – there is NO PROOF of the allegation itself forthcoming). If the appearance via circumstances that CAN be proven is that Jameis DID momentarily grope that Uber driver – is this 3 seconds of an obviously bad decision worthy of getting rid of the best QB this franchise has ever had?
Serious question. If 22 year old (at the time) Jameis was drunk and let his hormones get the better of him and placed his hand on that drivers crotch area (she was wearing pants obviously) for 2 seconds and pulled it away when she (fairly casually by her own statement) spurned his “misguided advance” – is that REALLY an action/bad decision that should necessitate cutting all ties with the best QB that has ever worn a Buccaneer uniform?
C’mon man.
Has our society become so “sensitive” and politically correct and influenced by the #metoo movement – that we are willing to break out the torches and pitchforks to basically ruin the hopes and dreams of this franchise over the next 15 years as well as the career and life of a talented young QB – not to mention throwing the investment of a #1 overall pick into the trash can – all because a drunk, horny 22 year old had a momentary lapse of reason and placed his hand in the area of a woman’s crotch for “2-3 seconds” while she was wearing pants??? And removed it immediately when she casually said “what’s up with that”?
Is this actual criminal behavior where someone was truly “harmed”? Or just a bad decision by a drunk, horny 22 year old making an ill advised and inappropriate “pass” at a girl he thought was attractive?
If Jameis DID what was alleged (which I don’t believe for a second) – but if he did do it – then of course there should be some repercussions (ie; suspension) for that bad decision.
But to suggest we should walk away from Winston – for something that happened 2 years ago – that isn’t really THAT big of a deal in the 1st place – and for which no criminal charges were brought forth – pure ridiculousness…
I saw video evidence of Elliott pulling up a woman’s shirt and exposing her breasts in public. There were other worse allegations against Elliott as well that may have had some merit – but we all KNOW he groped/exposed that woman’s privates because we saw him do it. This action is just as bad if not worse than what Winston is alleged to have done. Yet I never heard anyone involved with the Cowboys organization suggest that the team should cut all ties with 4th overall pick Elliott because of it….
Just sayin.
May 7th, 2018 at 12:10 pm
@Dave Pear
I feel the Larue part provides a bit of panache.
May 7th, 2018 at 12:15 pm
I just don’t get how “he’s the best Bucs QB ever” Just how? Stats? Wins? Stellar performances? What about bad Jameis?
May 7th, 2018 at 12:20 pm
Drew Lock….
May 7th, 2018 at 12:22 pm
Jmark
You need a ophthalmologist.
May 7th, 2018 at 12:29 pm
Pick
Once again the accusers story has massive holes in it. Has anyone taken the time to read the accusers incident report to Uber? She isn’t aware of who touched her and made it seem as though it was accidental.
It wasn’t until later when she texted her friend that she used Winston’s name and the word groped.
May 7th, 2018 at 12:30 pm
DB
I guess so. Let’s just hope he and the Bucs put this conversation to rest once and for all THIS year.
I still say his head ain’t quite right..yet.
May 7th, 2018 at 12:31 pm
Glennon led the Bucs to a win at the Steelers and again a win over the Steelers with the Bears. 18.5 million from the Bears paid last year is ridiculous though. I see Winston and the improved Bucs winning the 3rd week MNF game because Roethlisberger and the Steelers are past their prime.
May 7th, 2018 at 12:39 pm
Jmark
Let’s see a 24 yo millionaire starting nfl qb, won a national championship, went undefeated 2 years in a row. 1st overall pick. Relentlessly work with kids, sick kids, people with diabetes. Has earned the respect of most of not all of the football players and even legends like Eddie Debartalo.
What an embarrassment! I bet his parents don’t even claim him. Goot lawd I hope my son never does anything that Jaboo does, horrifying. I’m mean what kind of person puts his fingers in his mouth?
May 7th, 2018 at 12:46 pm
Look, I said his head wasn’t right yet. Maybe he will get it all together. Maybe he won’t.
May 7th, 2018 at 12:50 pm
Right now, there’s no signs of anybody wanting Jameis to walk out of this building.”
Right Now
May 7th, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Ira is absolutely correct
And figures. Db55 who trashes everything bucs sticks up for one person and one person only. Jameis
Wheat happened to poster dbag56. He was legit.
May 7th, 2018 at 12:57 pm
I think Winston has his best year
May 7th, 2018 at 1:15 pm
Db55 who trashes everything bucs
———–
That’s not true!
I simply state facts. Not my fault most of you guys are clueless.
When joe spent a yr calling mike Evans KY hands I defended him.
When people continue to say Donavan Smith can’t block I defend him.
When people say cut Alan Cross I say are you crazy?
Lavonte David can do no wrong.
Miko and Brent, imma fan of Optimus and miko. Jay Hayes, McDonald and Ayers were all good in my book, shaggy too.
I disagree with 98% of the decisions the FO and coaches make. And I think the avg Bucs fan is completely clueless. This is a good thing for me considering the Bucs winning percentage.
May 7th, 2018 at 1:43 pm
@CharlieB … “Jameis is going to be 24 this season. People forget that he came out of college early for a QB. We need to be patient with him.” Charlie, you & so many others will make excuse after excuse for Jameis (he’s young … his OLine didn’t protect him … he had no running game … he played with a bum shoulder … the defense sucked … so did the play-calling … blah, blah, blah). Enough already.
Jameis has all the talent & skill needed to be a premier Qb in this league, on par with Aaron Rodgers & several others. He only has to overcome one major hurdle to excel: HIMSELF. Once he figures out how to do that, he’ll be a roaring success in this league, and hopefully that happens while he’s a Buc. But until Jameis learns how to control his natural aggression on the football field & to take what the opponent’s defense gives him, he’ll continue to mix brilliant plays with WTFWT plays. Unfortunately the latter ‘I can’t believe he just did that’ plays cost us dearly last year. My big hope this year is that by working closer with Monken (like ME13 did), Jameis can stop being his own worst enemy & lead this Bucs’ team to the playoffs.
May 7th, 2018 at 1:50 pm
Def rules
his OLine didn’t protect him … he had no running game … he played with a bum shoulder … the defense sucked … so did the play-calling
————
This is NOT legit? Crazy talk.
May 7th, 2018 at 2:12 pm
I still think the OL is suspect and then that falls on the coach to design winning football plays…..dirks best play all year was the throwback to OJ and I believe it was 4 out of 4….I was 100% behind Jameis until the saints game and when he poked the guy in the helmet and it was kind of a punk move
May 7th, 2018 at 2:26 pm
Much better tradecraft on this one Sagemeister. Brings out the Negative Nellies, who infuriate our most intelligent commenter to the point where he writes a tome in rebuttal.
May 7th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
I don’t care to argue about the past. I see both sides of the Jameis arguments.
But both sides are still in the rear view mirror.
What we’ve learned from that view is that this year is put up or shut up. I can’t imagine any excuse short of injuries…#3 misses half a season…a few other critical injuries at the wrong time…short of injury armageddon there are NO excuses.
So let’s forget the past and embrace the NOW!!! We ALL know the coaching staff’s hot seat…#3’s warming seat as franchise QB with the big money coming due…so everybody is motivated…we don’t really need to spend all of ’18 kvetching about past futility and the shaky future of the Bucs if they don’t produce.
And trust me if they don’t produce I’m willing to go full Cleveland Browns…blow up the entire freaking team and management and give the news staff about 20 draft picks and an empty salary cap. I do not believe it’s going to get that dramatic.
I wish I felt the Bucs would mimic the Lightning and reach the conference championship…if they make the playoffs and are competitive in the post season I’ll be happy.
May 7th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
Winston has NOT shown to be worth a number 1 pick as yet or the best qb the bucs have ever had.He is average and nothing more-so far … Paying thousands for season tkts ,lets hope he improves!
May 7th, 2018 at 3:25 pm
amazingly, i believe that Jameis younger than Jared Goff, Carson Wentz, Jimmy G, Mariota…pretty much all his peers in the “young starting QB club” including guys even 2 seasons after him.
so much left for Jameis to show the league, and plenty of time for the buccaneers to benefit from all of it.
May 7th, 2018 at 3:28 pm
*”including guys drafted even 2 seasons after him.”
May 7th, 2018 at 3:38 pm
DR
I think you said it best….Winston needs to get out of his own head….he’s his worst enemy…..when he presses, bad things happen….when he’s antsy, bad things happen…..when he’s too hyped/emotional, bad things happen…..
Winston needs to be “lazer focused” as tom brady would say…..he has to realize that he controls the game and his emotions and not the other way around…..
someone needs to tell Winston its ok to be a game manager(at times)…..just manage the game…..let your teammates make plays for you…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
May 7th, 2018 at 4:16 pm
Given his two years at FSU and 3 years with the Bucs Winston is one the more experienced 24 year old QB’s in the league.
I believe if he plays more like he did in the last four games he will be the right track.
He can improve on the deep ball and it did look like he was getting closer at the end of the season.
Its kind of a trend that he has been a slow starter in the first half,if he
gets better in this area fourth quarter comebacks won’t be required as much.
Defenses stiffen and its gets tougher to score when you are behind.
Hope he has a great year and we finally get back to winning consistantly.
May 7th, 2018 at 4:39 pm
Jameis has shown he has talent to be successful
Licht has assembled a roster that is ready to be successful ( except maybe kicker is still a question)
Koetter needs to show he is a winning head coach and not just a respected,experienced offensive coordinator
Last year Hard Knocks was a distraction, no doubt.
Anything less than 9-7 this year, barring injuries, is on the coach. Koetter is especially responsible for making sure running backs are more than pass blockers for Jameis.
Even if Jameis gets a suspension (BS in my opinion) , Fitzpatrick never had this much talent to work with and shouldn’t miss a beat
May 7th, 2018 at 5:05 pm
Jamies has not had the luxury of being a game manager, because he has had no running game, poor field goal kicking and a defense that has put him in a position that has forced him to have to press.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:18 pm
He’s shown moments that give us reason to keep him. I thought his play last December proved a lot to me. The whole team showed a fight n fire inside I didn’t think they had. To me , Jameis plays better when pressured.More stressful the situation the more he focuses. I think he has moments of being lax , or unfocused that need to be gone for good.Im also one of the few who doesn’t believe in the QB being the guy. I believe in stacking your defense to an elite level , along with a powerful, tough Oline n good ground game and then a veteran mistake free QB to manage and make the pass when needed and limit to’s. SB have proven to me that over 1/2 of the QB who’ve participated were acquired from other teams or non 1st rd picks.So if Winston reaches a point where he’s a bulk of the cap, then let him go.
May 8th, 2018 at 11:18 am
It’s real simple, give Winston a running game.
May 8th, 2018 at 7:05 pm
Love Winston. We should keep him and build an o-line around him. However, he absolutely needs to be more consistent and accurate with the ball. He missed throws badly, has nothing to do with lack of running game, defense, or protection. He missed very easy throws for an elite QB.
Winston has all the potential in the world. Best QB we have ever had outside of an old grizzled vet from FSU that has a superbowl ring… But Winston’s inaccuracy or just plain reckless throws need to improve, no dpubt, before we make him highest paid QB ever. Luckily, he is loyal. Treat him right. Make him family. Same young kid who said he would take a paycut to play with Jalen Ramsey…. And we were too stupid to trade up and take him… Think we could of used our 1st and two seconds (one we burned on a kicker) to move up and get him. Instead we settled on burnt toast. Hoping they put Vernon in nickle and let him play physical ball there.