“There Was Something That Clicked”
July 18th, 2018
Faith in America.
For three seasons, the sect of angry and aggravated Bucs fans expecting America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, to turn the corner and become an elite signal-caller has nearly been driven to the brink.
Jameis will never get it, these folks claim, and therefore they holler for Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to cut bait with Jameis and hoist a white flag, handing the keys to the franchise over to journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick and his 41 percent winning percentage.
Speaking on the NFL Network this week, Nate Burleson, co-host of “Good Morning, Football,” in so many words said, hold up!
Burleson is of the mind that folks may have seen that proverbial corner turned by Jameis last year in the final quarter of the season.
“I’m not going to sit here and bash Jameis and say ‘It is all on Jameis,’” Burleson said. “Because Jameis, over the last four games of the season, led the NFL in passing. Jameis, last year, [threw] for the most yards in a game in his career. Jameis last season [had] the highest completion percentage of his career. There was something that clicked.
“And now you have to think about the tight ends that they have. [Cam] Brate, [O.J.] Howard. And now you have to think about the wide receiver position. Of course you have Mike Evans. But the DeSean Jackson experiment, it was just that last year. Now you have [Jackson for] the second year in the fold.
“The only thing that is frustrating is now you have Jameis sitting on the sideline. … Jameis needs to get back. Here is the thing: This will either be the reset and the start of something special for his career in Tampa or it could be the beginning of the end.”
Burleson talked about the Bucs possibly dragging themselves out of Buccaneers Cover (last place in the NFC South). While he scolded Jameis for his turnovers, Burleson suggested Jameis’ passing appeared to be on the cusp of something special.
Like most sober fans including Joe, Burleson believes Jameis’ turnovers very well could hijack his career. But Burleson pointed to Blake Bortles across the state in Jacksonville as an example. Once Bortles cut down on the turnovers, he was a different quarterback and the results were the Jags had the Belicheats on the ropes in last year’s AFC title game.
As Burleson said of Bortles dialing back the turnovers, “And you saw what kind of turnaround that had for the Jaguars.”
July 18th, 2018 at 10:13 am
i am pulling for jameis, i see his game and potential, i hope he gets his act together on and off the field, i think it would be a mistake to cut and run this season, but on the other hand, if he can’t get it done after the suspension, and way to many turnovers, well what do ya do? franchise him for a make it or break it year next season? or cut bait, the never ending saga of it’s a crying buc shame
July 18th, 2018 at 10:40 am
I actually watched the final drive from the New Orleans game over the weekend. 95 yard drive. 4th and 10 from our own 5 at one point. Jameis has the tools. But there’s no common sense upstairs.
That’s why you see the eating W’s thing. And the Uber crap.
He’ll never be anything more than what we’ve already seen.
July 18th, 2018 at 10:41 am
“He’ll never be anything more than what we’ve already seen.” Well he could be worse.
July 18th, 2018 at 10:43 am
Indeed @PUorSU, I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. If we don’t win games then that decision will be up to the next regime. Koetter needs to focus on getting this offense firing on ALL cylinders. We literally have talent at every single skill position. I would like to know exactly how itchy the Glazer boys trigger finger is.
July 18th, 2018 at 10:44 am
@put up or shut up
Well put, and with ya man. I too see the game and potential.
July 18th, 2018 at 10:47 am
Stay the course.
If changing player’s and coaches every other year is the answer then the question is what’s that accomplished?
For a fan base used to losing there really shouldn’t be pressure on JW . Anyone who would like to see Winston run if it’s not a turn the corner year is not seeing the forest from the trees. The team doesn’t need another tear down and start over.
Bucs fans should never have their expectations smashed because they lose. Losing, It’s what they do.
July 18th, 2018 at 10:50 am
JW is the man…If Fitz can manage to win 1 or 2 of the first 3 games, we can make it to the playoffs…Jameis should come in with a brick in his shoulder…
July 18th, 2018 at 10:51 am
On his shoulder
July 18th, 2018 at 11:00 am
Jameis has a .40 win PCT
July 18th, 2018 at 11:06 am
“The only thing that is frustrating is now you have Jameis sitting on the sideline.”
And why is he on the sideline? Did he suffer an injury or something else out of his control? Is this the only fup in his past?
I’d love to see Vegas pick this up. What are the odds they’d set that Fameis doesn’t get in any more trouble?
There are some people who didn’t want Fameis because they are racist…although obviously MM wouldn’t have solved that problem.
There may be some who are against him because they are UF and some who support him because they are FSU. There are some more stupid reasons for not being on board with Fameis but they don’t matter.
There are folks who truly think he doesn’t have the ability on the field and while I understand their points…I think he DOES have the ability from the neck down.
But his judgement has been so amazingly stupid that I do not know how you guys get past it.
I think Fameis has the talent…courage…drive..work ethic to be a great player.
I do not trust him though. I’ve always had difficulty with liars especially if they’re lying to cover their own backside.
July 18th, 2018 at 11:15 am
@Joe … “While he scolded Jameis for his turnovers, Burleson suggested Jameis’ passing appeared to be on the cusp of something special.” Good Jameis … Bad Jameis. Same old horsepuckey & it’s translated into a 18-27 record in 3 years. Enough already.
Bucs have FOUR years to figure out who Jameis REALLY is… 2018 plus his 5th year option plus 2 franchise tags IF they choose to use them. I sincerely hope the Bucs’ management doesn’t run him off prematurely BEFORE figuring out IF the Bucs can in fact be a consistently winning T-E-A-M with Jameis at the helm. But if we see more of the same, on & off the field, then Bye Bye Jameis far as I’m concerned. Time for Jameis AND the Bucs to get their collective ‘act’ together. NO MORE EXCUSES.
July 18th, 2018 at 11:16 am
Great to see more media burping confidence in JW guiding the Bucs to great rewards. For me, I’m shutting up to let mgmt. and coaching staff live up to all their records of accomplishment and evidences of coaching skills so I can enjoy the season with great pride.
July 18th, 2018 at 11:16 am
He is good Qb probably rank him 5-15 any day
July 18th, 2018 at 11:22 am
Michael Bennet, Aqib talib, legarette Blount, now possibly Jameis Winston?
When are we going to learn that sometimes we gotta suck up some off field issues to win. These guys had issues on their new teams too. Those markets didn’t want to banish them for it and it paid off.
So glad we’re finally sticking with our boy who has the potential to be in the hall of fame. Unfortunately a big reason for our roster deficiencies was because of intolerance and dreams of an all boy scout roster.
Hate me if u must but I’m all in on Jameis.
July 18th, 2018 at 11:24 am
Jameis played outstanding the last four games last year. I think he benefited form the injury in that he got an opportunity to watch from the sidelines.
Defense cost us at least two games down that stretch.
Football wise he is nearing elite IMO.
July 18th, 2018 at 11:48 am
This is your year Jameis.
13 games to make all the doubters and judgmentalists look like idiots.
GET-R-DONE!!!
Playoffs?? Your talking PLAYOFFS????
Damn straight
July 18th, 2018 at 11:56 am
Well, the turnaround in Jax was a little more then Bortles. That D is legit.
July 18th, 2018 at 12:00 pm
He needs to start wearing a glove to help reduce the fumbles, and he needs to take the check down more. Just those 2 things would be huge for our offense.
July 18th, 2018 at 12:05 pm
Winston could of had 4 ints during the Saints games. he was throwing into triple coverage.
July 18th, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Winston was also trying to get Evans that record.
If u think he was doing that due to poor play then you are WRONG.
July 18th, 2018 at 12:13 pm
I’m obviously bias but Imo our WR/TE group as a whole is 2nd to none…Jameis has no excuses in that dept…
What I love most about Jameis is his Die Hard mentality on the field; he’ll find a way to make something out of nothing because he never quits…That a double edge sword though; he also has to recognize when to let the play die and move on to the next one…many of his turnovers happen when he’s trying to do to much…
Jameis just needs to understand that he we need him to manage the football game, not try to win the game with every throw…70% game manager, 30% gunslinger would work fine for me…
July 18th, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Eric, with al due respect elite or near elite QB don’t turn the ball over so many times, if he can correct that, get better on deep balls, and mature I agree he can be an elite QB…. Far from being a JW hater, trying to be honest and realistic…….This will be an important year for him and for we the fans that we get very frustrated for most of this franchise history, with some exeptions.
July 18th, 2018 at 12:38 pm
“Jameis should come in with a brick in his shoulder…”
LOL , I know oneBuc55 fixed it but it’s more accurate this way considering the Turnover Toucher’s accuracy.
July 18th, 2018 at 12:40 pm
“Football wise he is nearing elite IMO.”
hahahahahahahahahahahaha… I needed that, LOL didn’t do this justice.
July 18th, 2018 at 12:45 pm
Funny thing is if we play offense at exactly the same level and the defense goes from 32nd to 8th and we get to average on special teams, this team is in the playoffs. Playing at exactly the same level and kicking field goals better gets us 5-6 points a game more. The Jaguars and Bortles had 30 more drives (possessions—chances to score). And good field goal kicking…
July 18th, 2018 at 12:51 pm
Well, Jameis had those exact same tools last year and the Bucs went 5-11.
We can sway facts both ways.
I’ve been an upfront believer that Jameis is the Bucs best chance. He’s the classic case of a guy with too much hubris, thinks his s$&t don’t stink.
He’s been humbled beyond recognition this offseason. People are writing that no other team would even want him.
Let’s see the humbled version play out. I think it will. Dude is only 24.
July 18th, 2018 at 1:01 pm
Bucnutter
“Hate me if u must but I’m all in on Jameis.”
Not to worry Bucnutter…if they hate you it’s their problem not yours.
I totally understand your position. And I agree he has the talent from the neck down. He is an awesome physical presence with his size and arm strength. He’s the ultimate warrior( sometimes to his detriment…going after officials will get you run for a lot more than just three games if you get to them). He’s a hard worker…his weight loss and conditioning over his first years with us were exemplary. But his decision making on and off the field simply have caused many of us to lose trust in him.
But for those who can get past those trust issues I completely understand why you are fighting so hard for him.
July 18th, 2018 at 1:21 pm
He left out Humphries and Godwin, but not a bad take overall.
July 18th, 2018 at 1:35 pm
When they find out about his latest sex offense, He’ll be the most elite QB living out a lifetime ban!
July 18th, 2018 at 2:08 pm
Bucs need to run the short, quick, safe pass offense they ran in the last 3 weeks of last season. It was getting the ball out of Winston’s hands much quicker, cutting down on his mistakes and turnovers and playing away from his weaknesses. Lots of safe passes and dumpoffs also
July 18th, 2018 at 2:43 pm
Blah blah blah. End of season stats are for losers, which the Bucs are. winocheo did his usual padding stats at the end of the year when playing in nmeaningless games. You see that’s what thugs do, they talk a big game then get scared when you challenge them… and then try to talk a big game after the dust settles. He is, and will always be, a losing NFL QB.
July 18th, 2018 at 2:52 pm
Capt Tim, with all due respect that last comment is just dumb…
You’re literally making up stuff acting as if you know something everyone else doesn’t…You act as if Jameis is a serial rapist who finds a new victim every other day…There’s people on this board that if we put their life under a microscope everyday it’d make Jameis look like an angel…But yet you can sit behind a keyboard and judge people as if they fell out of heaven this morning…
July 18th, 2018 at 2:52 pm
I believe.
July 18th, 2018 at 2:54 pm
Capt Tim stop acting as if you have information confirming something that none of us knows about….smh
July 18th, 2018 at 2:54 pm
I like the Bortles analogy, here’s why: The Jags are not relying on Bortles to throw for 4,000 yards passing and carry the team. They have found a very balanced attack with a solid defense.
I have stated it before in the past that if Jameis throws more than 35+ times, I think we’re in trouble. We need to be balanced.
July 18th, 2018 at 3:12 pm
I agree 1000% Bucsfan…
Balancing out the offense would help Jameis tremendously…25- 30 passes per game at the most would be perfect Imho…
July 18th, 2018 at 3:40 pm
OneBuc- Leading in passing yards does no good if we don’t win. It’s not necessarily a knock on Jameis. The less we rely on a singular aspect, the better. If he can still throw for 4,000 yards and we have a 1,000 yard rusher, and our defense is average or better, I’d say that’s the formula for playoff football.
July 18th, 2018 at 4:46 pm
BFMMM….Making much sense again!!!! Bottom line is wins babeeeee!! Doesn’t matter what goes on during the course of a game, yards passing, yards rushing, Defensive stops and so on and so on!! Each game is different but the bottom line is doing what has to be done at the right time during the game(COACHING MAN) and win the game! I’m just hoping with the personnel we have obtained that our Coaching Staff puts players in position to win games and I really do believe we will this season with or without JW3.
July 18th, 2018 at 6:17 pm
Nothing matters with how good a guy is if you can’t depend on him to be there when needed to start and play a game.
July 18th, 2018 at 7:59 pm
I’m pulling for Jamieis but this is his last chance for me. We need to move on if necessary. I hear this Bridgewater guy is pretty good.
July 18th, 2018 at 10:56 pm
Comparing Jameis to Bortles isn’t a compliment. It was Bortles prove it year last year and with the help from the leagues stingiest defense he survived and played well enough. Also to Bortles credit he wasn’t the #1 pick in the draft either. This was supposed to be Jameis’s prove it year, and now he has less games to prove he can get it done with all the weapons he has around him. It will all be only his fault if he underperforms when he comes back.
July 18th, 2018 at 11:10 pm
What is completely unbelievable is that fans think that winning games forgives criminal behavior from an athlete or anyone for that matter. I hold my teams players to a higher standard than just wins. I simply don’t like Winston style of play. He talks the talk but can’t walk the walk. As for Winston clicking. He went 1-3 in his last 4 games. He nearly went 0-4 but was saved by some horrible defensive play by The Saints
July 18th, 2018 at 11:17 pm
So sick of the americas qb thimg. Ita not working so stop trying to ram a stupid title down our thoats. He isn’t the best qb in florida, muchless america.
July 19th, 2018 at 2:06 am
Lets run another quarterback out of town just like all the ones before JW3. That’s the Tampa way.
July 20th, 2018 at 1:12 am
Test