Front Office Divided?
October 30th, 2018
Drama.
One well-respected journalist believes there may be significant intrigue going on at One Buc Palace.
In fact, Jeff Darlington of ESPN seems to hint at a house divided down at Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Darlington, who is a proud graduate of Seminole High School, Twittered out yesterday something that invites speculation. The move to lower the flag on America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, he says, is an unpopular decision within the walls of One Buc Palace.
The Bucs’ situation is especially interesting because you’ve got a lot of amicable people trying to navigate how to handle a QB they like — yet still with a coach and a GM who have unavoidable personal interests that are conflicting. Sticky deal in Tampa.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) October 29, 2018
This almost reads to Joe as if the family that signs paychecks at One Buc Palace isn’t all that keen about the move, or perhaps certain levels of the football administration aren’t on board.
(Remember, the last time a Bucs general manager and coach decided to bench a franchise quarterback, both the GM and coach found themselves unemployed a few months later and both have yet to cash a check from an NFL team since.)
And let’s be honest, what sober mind exactly believes nearly 36-year-old journeyman backup Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the starting quarterback for the Bucs in 2020 much less next year?
Joe knows fans enjoy drama and intrigue but this is getting to be a little much.
October 30th, 2018 at 10:06 am
Jameis needs to stay and Dork I am dumb ass Koetter and Jason Gump need to go… NOW!!
October 30th, 2018 at 10:06 am
Mike Evans JW was playing on short lease. Perhaps???…..
October 30th, 2018 at 10:08 am
A 35 journeyman QB may not be the long term answer and unfortunately a 1st overall pick isn’t the answer long or short term either. Fitz has the hot hand and this team is judged on Ws. I’m blown away that people think JW may change his ways after such a robust sample size. It’s over and it’s time to focus on winning games not analyzing a failed investment
October 30th, 2018 at 10:19 am
How you doing decamper?
October 30th, 2018 at 10:20 am
The Front Office will be more divided after the season
Once they get their walking papers
October 30th, 2018 at 10:24 am
You can’t go from #WeaponsForWinston”
To ” Best Offers” for Winston
In less than 18 months
Look at the 2018 draft
Look at the free agent signings
Look at the 25-46 record
Look at the talent on this ” Pathetic’ team
I’ve seen more talent in Semi-Pro football
October 30th, 2018 at 10:24 am
How old are brees, brady, rodgers, roethlisberger and maning? Why is it so bad to get 2 more out of fitz if he keeps playing the best ball ever played by buccaneer qb?
And since we are here, remind me why Winston has more talent. Give me one thing he does better. One thing.
October 30th, 2018 at 10:31 am
Honestly this is Koetter and Licht only option. If Fitz wins games down the stretch and can put us in the playoff mix, maybe they keep their jobs. If they stay with Jameis, and don’t reach the playoffs, they get fired anyway.
Last nugget of thought. The Glazers don’t care about anything other than filling seats. I think the stands will be full of beards again with Fitz at the helm. If I’m right, the Glazers get what they really want.
October 30th, 2018 at 10:33 am
You need to wrap Jameis in tissue paper and bubble wrap and pray he doesn’t play or get injured on the bench or we owe him 21 mill
October 30th, 2018 at 10:34 am
Anyone with a brain knows Fitz isn’t the long-term solution, but neither is Jay Miss. Is it gonna be ugly, sure. Four years is long enough to know if you have a franchise QB. Just ask the Jags and Cowboys.
Like it or not, it’s time to move on. If Licht was a real GM, he would have secured Teddy Bridgewater when the Jets were dealing. Instead, he let him go to a division rival that understands the order of QB succession.
I’m not saying Bridgewater is the answer, but neither is Jay Miss.
Worst case, ride Fitz as long as he is serviceable/successful. Then give Ryan Griffin a chance. Not sure what he has to offer, but after four years in the same system as Jay Miss we need to see.
October 30th, 2018 at 10:37 am
Tampa is done with Winston on and off the field. It’s a better team with Fitz period. Licht has been good at cutting his losses early. This is a big one, but it’s got to happen.
October 30th, 2018 at 10:37 am
This is a win now business. Yes, all owners are rich billionaires and make money hand over fist, but they all want to win. Every owner puts their other money making businesses on hold for Sunday’s. They put football first. They all want to win now. It’s an ego trip. They don’t give a $$hiit about the future. Look at how teams dismantle their roster right after winning a Super Bowl. Everyone is on the chopping block unless you are a SB winning QB. It’s a QB driven league. Jameis has not showed he is. Neither has Ryan. But Ryan has shown that he can propel this team to win more than JW. There isn’t an owner that wants to be associated with being a loser. They all want to win. They have egos. They all want to be crowned king/queen of the most coveted achievement in sports.
October 30th, 2018 at 10:41 am
@ IsrBuc
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You are 100% correct.
The FSU fans are rooting for JW, they don’t care for BUSC .
No one is saying the Fitz is the future, but he is here as second QB, is playing OK, why not use him UNTIL we find a decent good character/leader QB with average or better skills, and prep him for the future, while the team is getting better!
You can not hope forever that something magic is going to happen to JW.
Trading/Gifting/Cutting him now, is not a punishment for JW, but a strong stand, that BUCS are moving to a different direction.
…and of course we are joking our self for a SB nor playoff with Fitz at this point, BUT don’t forget Philly last year…….:)
October 30th, 2018 at 10:42 am
The Bucs are not winning anythig
You can change QB
But you’re still the ” Worst” team in the NFC South
They will be home in January, playing Madden
Once again, for the 11th straight year
October 30th, 2018 at 10:42 am
**anything**
October 30th, 2018 at 10:43 am
Jameis has no running game whatsoever and no blocking he is a franchise QB we just have not put pieces around him to win such as an effective running game, steady blocking, and an at least average defense.
October 30th, 2018 at 10:44 am
Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter are ” Dead Men Walking”
The Glazers have no clue about football operations
But they can’t be this ” Dumb”
To not see what is going on with this team
October 30th, 2018 at 10:44 am
who’s worried about 2020? Why do you keep throwing that year out? If he’s the starter this year and next that gives you 2 off-seasons to figure it out.
October 30th, 2018 at 10:45 am
Please let’s stop talking about the playoffs and realize the prudent move is to get rid of GMC, JW, not re-sign Donovan Smith and get Nick Foles short term and draft a QB this upcoming draft. The 20 million Bucs are on the hook for next year with JW could be better spent on Oline, DBs and LBs. If I’m an up and coming coach, I would still clear of the Bucs if they still have JW. And let’s not forget, he’s one screw up away from banishmnent. First order of business, trade JW and then fire Licht!!!
October 30th, 2018 at 10:45 am
This is koetter basically showing everyone that jason licht is the main reason this team is so TERRIBLE with all his piss poor personnel moves that have been going on, dont forget he drafted a Kicker and then the 2016 draft the entire class is a bust, the 2018 is trending towards a bust aside from one player, that gets you fired
October 30th, 2018 at 10:55 am
Joe, you’re questions about the decision are a little much as well. It’s as simple as this: Do you believe Dirk Koetter could stand in front of 52 other players and tell them Jay-Miss gives them the best chance to win on Sunday?
If he doesn’t start Fitzpatrick then he is telling the rest of the team it’s all about Jay-Miss, the future, and no one else. The Bucs are not out of a playoff hunt by any means. If Koetter doesn’t bench Jay-Miss he likely loses the locker room. For what? For whom? For a guy that is wildly inconsistent and turn-over prone.
When Ryan Fitzpatrick entered the game he told a joke, according to OJ Howard, to the players to get them all to laugh. What it did was probably loosen them up a bit. See, that’s real leadership. Jay-Miss doesn’t bring real leadership and you’ve said it many times in the off-season that he’s not a leader. The players needed something at that moment and it seems that between the dressing up in D-Jax clothes, to joke telling, or to saying the right thing at the right time…it’s the kind of leadership this team needs from that position. Not this manufactured “W” eating.
October 30th, 2018 at 10:56 am
A couple of problems here. Jameis can’t get better. You perhaps….PERHAPS…could fix his hard head and get better decisions. HE DOES NOT SEE THE FIELD!!! He’s not going to be the guy even if he stops being a jerk.
Second…THE GLAZERS.
One of the Times writers made a great point. What should be going on behind the scenes? If the Jameis experiment is over it’s time to review WHO were the people pushing Jameis in the draft? Keep them the hell away from future football decisions.
This writer came up with some likely candidates including….
THE GLAZERS. Who wouldn’t salivate at having a LOCAL FSU star in Tampa. I understand the $$$ and visions of filling RayJay again messed up their minds.
Bottom line…I don’t care about the reasons. The Glazers are horrible…horrible football people. Great investors…nice guys…I like them. But they suck at football decisions.
Hire Tony Dungy and get the hell out of the way while he brings in a new GM/Coach and staff. Stick to what you know Glazers and it’s clear to all of us you do not know squat about football.
Hire someone who does!!!
October 30th, 2018 at 10:57 am
We new since day one, at the presentation, that J Light is not the smartest guy out there, has no fantasy, and is driven buy pass statistics, NOT from personal skills and intuition.
Saying that, most of the decision are group decisions and some of them even with owner interference.
Unfortunate we are loaded with very mediocre people that are in charge @ One Busc place.
I don’t think JL “head” is going to lead to a great manager finding. “OUR guy” @ 49ers is not doing any better.
October 30th, 2018 at 10:57 am
Dusthty
We have been saying this for 3 years
But this fanbase is too SLOW to see it
October 30th, 2018 at 11:22 am
The offense looks pathetic when turn over machine is QB. Even overlooking the turnovers look at his throws, they are off 50% of the time, usually thrown so far over the receivers head, he can barely touch it. And why throw to an open receiver when you can force it to Evans in double coverage. The team looks pro when Fitz is playing, like amateur with JW.
October 30th, 2018 at 11:28 am
The smart move would be for Koetter to go. He’s given us about all he’s got. Jameis needs fresh coaching and new insight. But thats the …smart move.
Its gonna be intriging to see if Koetter stays put with a less than 500 season.
I got Jamesi staying and doing well next season under new mngt.
October 30th, 2018 at 11:30 am
Maybe Jason can get Gruden to give us a straight up trade of Derek Carr for Jameis. He could fill a role as a “game manager” QB in the interim. He doesn’t have as bad a TD/INT ratio as Winston for his career.
:-S
;->
___________
Go Bucs!!!!!
October 30th, 2018 at 11:33 am
Yes LakeLand!
October 30th, 2018 at 11:37 am
well if the front office is divide, I cant only imagine what the locker room is…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
October 30th, 2018 at 11:37 am
With the way a QB who was hailed as pro ready and a franchise qb prior to the draft who is to say he’d be here in 2020 the way he’s played?
Lot of fans here seem to have the interest of one player over the franchise
October 30th, 2018 at 11:48 am
Loyal…..Nailed it about the fans.
October 30th, 2018 at 11:56 am
@Ray…. Every owner that is except the Glazer boys. They only care about the greenbacks.
October 30th, 2018 at 11:57 am
That’s exactly right. We would not be having this discussion if it was a running back constantly fumbling the football. As a matter of fact, weren’t we all bashing Dirk Koetter to sticking with Drug Shamster too long last year? We were all saying he should have given him the hook weeks prior. Well, Dirk Koetter is in that same position with another player and a few of you are crying about it.
Jay-Miss is not a franchise QB.
Simple as that.
October 30th, 2018 at 12:06 pm
People who believe fitz will be the starter next year are ridiculous
October 30th, 2018 at 12:16 pm
Joe honestly … do you actually believe the glazers were not involved with what’s going on? They make the payments.. this is their baby here… if I’m invested in millions of dollars not just to a quarterback but hey this is my team for God sakes … I’m sure litch informed the glazers and they were basically like ok if you go this route you better make this work cause your jobs on the line now…. glazers knew about this … no way they watch tv see what’s going on and say omg jameis is benched? And not do or say anything
October 30th, 2018 at 12:18 pm
Lakeland right on and we have been called dummys because we are not NFL gms…..again wish I was wrong and the bucs were building a winner but teh crap he has drafted and moves licht has made has been malpractice and laughable
October 30th, 2018 at 12:23 pm
Jameis is to going anywhere but I bet Koetter will be fired he has lost us so many games with bad Decisions we need a stronger coach to help Jameis !
October 30th, 2018 at 12:38 pm
Fact is the players don’t consider Jameis a “leader.” There is no “C” on his chest.
Winston’s worst enemy is not the front office or coaching. It’s his poor play and leadership skills.
In 4 years he has not made “the leap” and shows zero ability to do so.
October 30th, 2018 at 12:51 pm
JOE say’s – Joe knows fans enjoy drama and intrigue but this is getting to be a little much.
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Not this fan. I had a sweet taste of the glory years and that hunger has grown and my appetite is insatiable. I want to see my team with a roster of players like Sapp, Brooks, Alstott, Lynch, Rice, Barber etc. Players who competed, played with pride, gave 110%, took defeat to a personal level. I damn sure don’t want to see a unit dance on the sideline when losing the game. Sick of this crap, I have had enough of Koetter. We need a Bill Cowher type of coach. Someone who commands respect and motivates his players. Kicking myself hard for believing in Winston, trusting he will do right on and off the field. IT IS TRULY A BUCS LIFE
October 30th, 2018 at 1:00 pm
You people that are saying they haven’t put pieces around Winston to be successful are nuts.
How in the hell was Fitzgerald putting up Madden numbers with the same offensive unit?
How many chances does this dunderhead Winston get? He got bailed out by his university multiple times in college. He’s been coddled his whole NFL career thus far. At what point is he responsible for what he does on and off the field?
Put him on the dead wagon and get him the hell out of he so he quits infecting the rest of the roster. The loser’s with the losers mentalities on this team need to go. McCoy and Grimes are just old guy collecting checks. Does anyone actually believe that these old vets on this team give a damn about winning and losing anymore? They are numb to it now. Move on.
October 30th, 2018 at 1:21 pm
Let this be a lesson. Never hitch your wagon to a talented but troubled star athlete that had and has baggage with the number 1 overall pick.
October 30th, 2018 at 1:40 pm
We are the Browns
October 30th, 2018 at 1:52 pm
Destinjohnny
The Browns are in better hands now
John Dorsey just fired the HC and the OC
He means business
These Yucs are still going backwards
Like a bunch of backward hillbillies
October 30th, 2018 at 1:54 pm
My feeling is the locker room is frustrated with Winston, from the suspension to the turnovers, especially the other players on offense. The front office likely wants to stick with Winston to see if he can overcome the issues and develop.
Either Koetter and/or Licht see the potential to lose the locker room and thus their jobs or the order to bench Winston is coming from up high (Glazers). I have to think the Bucs play Fitz for a few games to see if he can reignite the magic and win and if the team loses you have to go back to Jameis and see how he finishes the season.
It’s ugly right now, and a shame too, since this is the best Bucs offense I’ve ever seen.
October 30th, 2018 at 2:13 pm
How old was Rich Gannon when he took the Raiders to the SB again? He was on his 4th NFL team when he got to the Raiders in ’99. Previous to that he done zippo. He was 34 yrs old when he joined the Raiders. Sound familiar?
October 30th, 2018 at 2:18 pm
Jameis costing everyone their jobs because he can’t do his
October 30th, 2018 at 2:35 pm
Joes know who to keep those $$$$$$clicks coming. Boring.
October 30th, 2018 at 2:38 pm
Licht and Koetter didn’t take Winston’s face off the side of the stadium…nor did they remove the title of captain from Winston.
Ownership has turned on him….The coaches have seen enough…His teammates stripped him of his captain’s title….And the fans are over him.
The only people wanting to see more of Winston are our opponents and division rivals.
October 30th, 2018 at 2:48 pm
Licht and Koetter need to GO!! This draft class has been absolutely abysmal and the previous ones haven’t been much better. The only pro bowl talent on this team is OJ Howard.
October 30th, 2018 at 4:18 pm
So leave it to Jason Licht to do nothing. Wait until the very last minute, and then suck cheese. It’s time for the G’s to end the JLDK experiment. What’s joke, yet again.
October 30th, 2018 at 6:02 pm
Jameis Winston is a former pro bowler.
October 30th, 2018 at 6:08 pm
So lemme get this right. Jameis leads the Bucs to a 9-7 season with just Mike Evans to throw to and a bad OL… now he’s 1-1 in complete games played this year and he’s terrible. He played all last year hurt and did well all things considered when he should’ve been shut down. Now y’all want him gone. You Jameis Haters are baffling. Gotta take the totality instead of a small dip in performance where he was throwing on a high school field for 3 weeks. Facts: Fitztragic has a 3.5% INT rate Jameis has a 3.2INT rate. Those are career stats. Get a life Jameis Haters. He’s good. He’s gonna get better. Jameis is the man and u can’t stand it! Hahahaha
October 30th, 2018 at 6:51 pm
Licht’s Out, Dirk Done, Winston can’t seem to Win. Fun times!
October 30th, 2018 at 7:15 pm
813bucboi- that locker room has been divided for about 3 weeks now. It’s known inside that KluelessKoetter has lost it.
October 30th, 2018 at 8:22 pm
Y’all people need stop look at this team as hold jw made mistake but he tries to do much blame him you have that right fix don’t nothing good to say on jw behalf when he’s in front of that mic but jw never talk down on his team never said anything bad no matter how bad things got w jw when everybody go low to bring you down are to see you fell you go high because there something good is waiting for you Sean like everyone have lost their faith Good got a plan for you no matter what.
October 30th, 2018 at 8:57 pm
It was only a matter of time before some people at One Buc would start thinking of ways to save their own skin over what is good for the franchise so the infighting begins. It does not take a rocket scientist to guess that this would happen.
October 30th, 2018 at 10:02 pm
More importantly, I can guarantee the locker room is divided.
October 30th, 2018 at 10:37 pm
Team Glazer is probably divided, too. One brother wants to pay a coach not to coach. The other brother wants to pay the QB not to play. Both want to give contract extensions before they fire the coach and the QB. Decisions, decisions! #PaidFloridaVacation
October 31st, 2018 at 10:13 am
If I’m Licht or Koetter I go with Fitzpatrick. “Wins” solve everything; jobs, careers, opportunities, media, fans, backs, joints, toes…everything! Just win baby and that is what Fitzpatrick does especially against good teams like New Orleans and Philadelphia…remember? Do you think you would have gotten wins with those teams with Winston? I think not. Like I said WINS make everything OK.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:33 pm
DeSean “Diva” Jackson isn’t a team player and has created drama and division in the last locker room because he’s not getting the ball much due to all the weapons. He’s crying to Mgmt but don’t say anything about all those dropped balls. Trade him so he can be the diva there and get a veteran qb. He likes Fitz because he throws to him due to his whining.
October 31st, 2018 at 8:35 pm
DeSean “Diva” Jackson isn’t a team player and has created drama and division in the last locker room because he’s not getting the ball much due to all the weapons. He’s crying to Mgmt but don’t say anything about all those dropped balls. Trade him so he can be the diva there and get a veteran qb. He likes Fitz because he throws to him due to his whining.
October 31st, 2018 at 10:28 pm
My two cents.
We have no run game, no QB can survive without it.
There are not any better options in FA we will overpay for mediocrity.
I hear the 2019 draft class shallow on QBs.
It doesn’t seem like there are better options for the bucs at QB than Jameis. The reason we lose games, besides his turnovers, is our defense is worst in the league 2 years in a row. JW goes to Broncos they are playoff contenders. Defense wins championships Tampa would be foolish to get rid of him based on this season. Winston can play and he is still really young. If we had a run game and half decent defense we would be playoff team. Hell if we had a kicker last year we would have made playoffs.
To put it all on JW is unfair. This team has been terrible for 10 years because of its front office and culture. JW will go onto win a Superbowl with another team and we will add him to the list of successful bucs draft players we didnt have the patience to develop over the last 10 years.
It make sense that he was benched to keep the locker room. Anyone should be after 4 int. But what’s the plan, let fitz lose a few games then bring Jamies back to prove he deserves one more year? That means acknowledging our season is over. Also our O-line is god awful at run blocking what the hell.
Last year Jamies came back from Iinjury and looked unstoppable at the end of the year. Hes shaken up for some reason, pressure may be to much, I don’t know. Get a run game for christ sake! Fix the defense! (Thank you for firing Mike Smith).
Also, its Ryan Fitzpatrick, love the guy but theres not enough fitzmagic to get this team to the playoffs. Just ask the six teams hes played for. Fitzpatrick is an older slightly wiser Jamies. JW ceiling is way higher. I know we are the bucs but don’t repeat the mistakes of the past by doing buc stuff.
We get rid of Jamies we go back to full rebuild, see ya in 5 years.