Remember The Last Time
October 29th, 2018
“Greg, Koetter and Licht are in a real pinch, you know? And Jameis hasn’t gone mental like the fool we had to deal with.”
If Bucs fans believe the decision whether or not to start America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, next week at Carolina is as simple as wins and losses and interceptions, think again.
The last time a franchise quarterback was benched by this team, the two head honchos of the football wing at One Buc Palace paid dearly for their decision.
In 2013, then-Bucs starting quarterback Josh Freeman started the first three games of the season. And he was pretty awful, throwing three picks to two touchdown passes and he had several run-ins with team violations. On opening day against the Jets, he simply wasn’t mentally ready to play.
Then-Bucs commander Greg Schiano had seen enough. He met with Team Glazer and Dominik and both he and Dominik informed ownership that Freeman, a first-round pick in 2009, was no longer the Bucs starter.
Three months later, Dominik and Schiano were ousted. Depending on who you talk to, Team Glazer decided to move on from Dominik and Schiano as early as October of that season. If true, that would have been within days of learning Freeman was benched.
The two have yet to collect a check from an NFL team since.
You cannot tell Joe that Licht and Koetter are unaware of this. You cannot tell Joe that both Licht and Koetter are not factoring this into their decision today on what to do with Jameis.
If history is a barometer — and Joe is a huge history guy — benching Jameis this week would mean Licht and Koetter are likely writing their pink slips unless journeyman backup Ryan Fitzpatrick leads the Bucs to the playoffs.
That’s one helluva roll of the dice.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:04 am
Make Ameria Great Again! Impeach America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston!
Make TAMPA BAY Great Again!
I think I saw that on a hat somewhere!
October 29th, 2018 at 9:05 am
If Licht and Koetter continue with Jay-Miss, then they are both telling the rest of the team that they believe Jay-Miss gives them the best chance to win next week.
You, me, JBF readers, and most importantly the other 52 players in that locker room know that’s a lie.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:05 am
I think a bigger dice roll is riding Jameis all the way down the toilet.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:05 am
UNBELIEVABLE! How the Joe’s tie themselves to this fraud of a QB. It’s not about coaching or GM jobs. The team is better with Fitz, period. It’s proven. We all see it. If WinSTUNNED is playing next Sunday, the coach and GM are truly clueless. The only way to beat Carolina is to rally around a QB that can actually play.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:06 am
Um Joe, your “Rockstar” was 28-52 and your favorite mesthead scout is 25-46 with the Bucs missing the playoffs every year. Let’s start with that as a good reason to clean house then we can get to Licht’s specific failures (and there are many).
October 29th, 2018 at 9:07 am
Did you see the disgusted by Demar Dotson after one of the interceptions? The guy threw his hands up in the air in the middle of a play in utter disbelief. The players will quit if America’s Finger Sucking Groping Turnover Machine is the quarterback.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:08 am
Schiano lost the team by benching Freeman.
Koetter will lose the team if he doesn’t bench wINsTon
October 29th, 2018 at 9:10 am
Ive seen a enough of this puke show. I dont care where the chips fall ,tough luck. If they run them all off at least we may have hope with maybe a new regime the way it is right now its the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Like I have said from the start,show me forget the rah dah cr@p. Well they showed me
and it isnt pretty
October 29th, 2018 at 9:11 am
Well hopefully Joe is right and America’s Benched QB will make sure that Kooter and Lick are gone. HE WAS BENCHED! AND NEEDS TO STAY THAT WAY!
October 29th, 2018 at 9:13 am
If the Bucs are smart they trade Jameis for a 2nd round pick. They also trade for some help in the secondary, specifically a nickel corner, MJ is just not cutting it!
October 29th, 2018 at 9:13 am
The offenses body language was so much happier and excited when Fitz started playing. Koetter’s legacy is his offense being the best in Bucs history, not Jameis. Jameis needs to go, he can “fix” his problems on another team.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:16 am
He is not America’s Quarterback… he is the worst quarterback in America right now. How bout that?
Jameis better get used to splinters in his arse.
I’m done hearing America’s Quarterback. It’s pathetic. A terrible name to choose. Even after smoking a big one and a whole bottle I can see plain as day that is dumb.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:19 am
njbucsfan i couldn’t agree more, it was as clear as the nose on jimmy durante’s face, how this team, both sides of the ball rallied for fitz, they believe in him, his presence calms the huddle, he knows how to place the ball for YAC to whichever receiver he throws to, they played inspired, and rejuvenated, i have been a big time jameis supporter, (enabler) i no longer can support him in a starting position, fitz gives this team the best chance to win period!!!!
October 29th, 2018 at 9:23 am
In all seriouness, JW needs to be shopped real hard before the trade deadline ends Tuesday. Phones should be ringing at all 31 NFL offices right now. If we can get a pick in the top 50, plus a later round pick… I would seize the day! We do not know if the JW’s stock will ever rise again while he is a Buccaneer. However, from the outside looking in… Teams may wait until the Bucs release him at the end of the season, which is very likely. If this occurs, as predicted, opposing teams will not have to give up any picks and possibly get JW on the discount rack at America Supercenter, Wal-Mart… JW will be a hard sell after yesterday. There were not just interceptions, there were some throws way-way off the mark and a significant demeanor change in his teammates when he was benched. The team came alive with enthusiasm. This makes 2 first round QB misses. I can send my resume. I could do better.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:24 am
@Gunslinger
it was evident from the get go the team just responds to Fitz. It’s part of the reason why wINsTon was not voted team captain by his peers. It’s why the team took down his phots on the stadium. It’s why this team carries itself differently when Fitz is in the huddle.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:25 am
They are writing their pink slips either way…..They continue to start Winston who is obviously not giving the team the best chance to win and you lose the rest of the team. Winston continues to fail….everyone is getting canned. But if by the grace of God, Fitzpatrick holds things together, Koetter can at least say he coached his tail off turning lemons into lemonade once again. Koetter will find work….I have zero doubt. Licht is the one that will be in cover his rear mode.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:26 am
Bill Belicheck famously said, “Do Your Job!!!” You can’t worry about your job. Just do whatever is best for the team. The Bucs CANNOT win with with Winston at QB. If the team wins everyone’s job is safe. If they don’t win then everyone needs to go. It’s that simple.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:28 am
“JW is mentally and seen yesterday emotionally broken…
TIME TO SEPARATE AND BOTH PARTIES MOVE ON
*Kobe agrees with 2notJoes Jameis is different and received alot of “Bad coaching” from George Whitfield during those 3 weeks
JW is not the same player as the last quarter of last year
You just look at Jameis with his HUGE bug eyed deer in the headlight look that his game is broken. all he thinks about is not messing up and throwing interceptions…JW needs a total redo and someplace else and different people talking to his ears
TIME TO MOVE ON!
History repeats itself….Steve Young part 2?
October 29th, 2018 at 9:28 am
you can’t put JW back out there after that performance – NO WAY! We should have moved on from him awhile ago, but after yesterday – now is the time to turn the page!
October 29th, 2018 at 9:29 am
Vita Vea was touted as a man-mounting run stopper… Did anyone tell Mixon that because he didn’t seem to be listening. RoJo – should be Ron-Gone from here on out. SO SICK OF THIS TEAM but they’re my home team so… sigh…I hope Licht Koetter and this whole staff gets the boot. THROW MONEY AT DUNGEY to come in here and be Pres of Football ops before hiring anyone else. This has got to stop.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:33 am
What a crappy article with a crappy logic….
where is Josh Freeman now?? why was “wrong benching him” ???
Play JW and lose fan base every Sunday to save Koetter and Light jobs??!!!
I don’t understand this mentality.
I guaranty that if they continue with JW 100% they are going to lose their jobs. I hope THEY understand this, and depart once and for all from this trouble maker, below average, interception/turnover machine QB.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:34 am
Don’t understand why you have to back hand Fitzpatrick everytime you bring him up. “long history of awful play.” “one hell of a roll of the dice.” “Journeyman.” We get it. We’re aware. Why not only look at how he has played during his tenure with the Bucs? Besides – what – a bad half against Chicago, he has been nothing short of spectacular. OBVIOUSLY he lacks consistency but teammates absolutely love him and there is a different energy with the team. Give me Fitzmagic all day every day launching bombs to Desean and Evans. Playoffs are a A LOT more realistic with that happening, and you know what? A LOT more f’ing fun to watch.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:35 am
Week 8 betting lines of Tony Dungy as President of Operations
YES -2500
NO +10k
“Dungy in means JW out”
Kobe Faker
October 29th, 2018 at 9:36 am
Licht is the main problem, terrible draft pics and terrible free agents, we suck. jameis is a broken man, vita vea name was mentioned once yesterday and that was on a penalty. RoJo did us all a favor by getting hurt, now maybe we will get a decent running back.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:37 am
Sad times being a Bucs fan. If they cut Wiston I’m gone. Tired of incompetent management
October 29th, 2018 at 9:37 am
But look at Freeman’s backup compared to Winston’s backup
Fitz > Glennon
October 29th, 2018 at 9:38 am
please no to dungy……that would be as bad as brining in lovie
dungy is way over rated. sapp, lynch, alstott, manning …many people contributed to his success, but he was a byproduct
October 29th, 2018 at 9:39 am
Doesn’t matter who starts against Carolina, this team has no chance. Fitz or Jameis, doesn’t matter. This team is just bad. Housecleaning at year end either way. Glazers are paying too much for this third rate garbage.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:39 am
Kobe, you may be on to something with the whitfield thing because jameis looks horrible great point there, i mean he wasnt that much better before but sunday was bad
October 29th, 2018 at 9:40 am
The Bucs are a perennial 6-10 football team at best. They are a dysfunctional franchise, competing in the toughest division in the NFL. It doesn’t matter if it’s Jameis or Fitz at QB. They simply don’t know how to win football games. They just don’t have it. The other teams in the division are set at QB. Some have offensive systems and good players in that system, where as you can plug in an average QB and win. The Bucs are loaded with talent at WR and TE and the other positions lack talent.
The bottom line,
This is not a good football team
They can throw the football up and down the field
And accumulate a lot of yards
But this don’t make you a good football team
They have a habit of self-destructing
This team has no identity
They lack talent
They are not a well coached team
They are not a well managed franchise
Their front office are one of the worst in the NFL
October 29th, 2018 at 9:40 am
Bye Jay-Miss wINsTon!!!!
Don’t let the door hit ya in the @&$ on the way out!!
October 29th, 2018 at 9:41 am
Cut Winston and Dirk!!! They should have known better
October 29th, 2018 at 9:48 am
But Freeman nor Jameis are franchise quarterbacks though so???
October 29th, 2018 at 9:50 am
Lakeland 100%, got in a disagreement with someone on here who claimed to know football that jameis has weapons he should be the top qb…..well you do not build a car or a house and put all the glitz on the outside and expect it to last through a hurricane or to even run. You build a foundation like an OL or a solid defense and jason licht doesnt understand that and the bucs are a garbage team 6-10…just like when the joes thought revis was agreat signing, that was terible and set the bucs back years on missing an all pro DT, dumb GMs and management get the bucs to 6-10 every year
October 29th, 2018 at 9:51 am
Look we have a 6-10 roster
We have some talent here and there but we aren’t a winning team
We need to start positioning for the future drafts
But the problem is we have a marginal gm
We don’t have a q.b Fitz is fun and we will win some games here and there
But it’s time to start building some drafts picks for when Tua comes out.
Trade 93 and D jack for 2020 considerations
Tua in 20
October 29th, 2018 at 9:52 am
I have had season tickets since 1978. I’m done throwing away money. I have a slightly used Winston jersey for sale. Anyone interested?
October 29th, 2018 at 9:53 am
Dungy, Brooks, are among big promoters of JW and JF.
…and their time is gone.
Someone new is going to emerge, hopefully this time Glazers are going to be lucky… I don’t know and no one here knows who the right guy/guys will be.
But first thing first, and that start with JW out. At the and of the season the Koetter Light decision are going to be evaluated…. as
of now in my opinion, for the reasons that a lot of comments here point out, both should be fire.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:53 am
You know, I’ve been watching football a long time, and a Bucs fan just about my entire life. And I’m here to tell you that THE ONLY THING that matters in regards to Koetter’s and Licht’s jobs is wins and losses. If they ride Jameis into the sunset and fail, they’re done anyway. “Rolling the dice” on Fitzpatrick—at least at this point—provides far better odds than alternative, especially if this team is still fighting for a playoff spot down the stretch. If Fitz falters, and Winston gets his head right, then excellent, so be it. The coach’s job is to play the best players and find ways to win games, not to hitch their future to the success or failure of individual players. Anyone who says otherwise is fooling themselves.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:53 am
Nothing much to say. Everyone has pretty much said the obvious. I’m just so emotionally spent from supporting this organization. All I want for Christmas is for the Glazers to sell the team to a somebody who will not stand for the b*llsh@t that we have become accustomed to. Nobody’s perfect, we all make mistakes. Rip the damn band aid off. Go ‘Bucs.
October 29th, 2018 at 9:56 am
Heinous wINsTon must be stopped, cut out the cancer now.
October 29th, 2018 at 10:08 am
@destinyjohny… we have a 6-10 roster??? LOL, that’s funny. We have 3 pro bowl recievers, 2 great TEs, a good rb and an adequate OL. Wehave a Dthat can be average. We look good when a career back up plays because we have so many weapons. A few plays at Cinci, vs Pitt and at ATL and we are 5-2. We just need good qb play to go 10-6. Yes the D sucks so can’t play with the big boys but come on.
October 29th, 2018 at 10:08 am
Its 10am Monday morning, why is the kicker still on the roster?
October 29th, 2018 at 10:08 am
The very obvious mistake was drafting him in the first place. Everything that happened in the pros already happening college. He’s a terrible quarterback and the fans deserve something to cheer for this season. The writing is already on the wall. The GM and head coach already got fired they just have a been told yet
October 29th, 2018 at 10:15 am
Coaches always say “We will put the best players on the field that give us the best chance to win”
So now…PROVE IT!
Play Fitz.
October 29th, 2018 at 10:19 am
Destin Johnny and Lakeland right on this is 100% a 6-10 roster and if you know football its obvious, the OL is terrible, the Defense is NFL historically worst and there is not a REAL starting NFL RB on the roster and oh ya no kicker, pretty good punter though……i know i have been in the minority and got called dumb and ignorant and the rest for saying licht is a horrible gm for a while now but it is time to move on and again Saban is the one to turn this thing around, i am pretty confident he will take a huge paycut to come to the bucs because it is about proving he can win at the highest level. He would have stayed in miami as he was the only one that wanted drew brees as a dolphin but he got the cleo lemons of teh world, had a great defense as usual, hope they get this done
October 29th, 2018 at 10:20 am
Bucs stunk enough to get first overall pick and were desperately in need for a quarterback, so licht has no choice but to take one or the other. Winston and Mariotta suck but blame Winston for his play on the field not all the other failed draft picks licht had and all the other coaching failures of dirk. Blame Winston for being inaccurate but they clearly don’t have enough pieces to win anything, overpriced veterans and underperforming players waiting for dead they haven’t earned
At this point having not drafted anyone who could make the pro bowl without others dropping out or getting injured I’d say licht is done and if that’s true who will come in and decide to keep dirk as coach.
After a decade of losing I’d say it’s time to blow it up and rebuild that way at least you have an excuse for sucking so bad.
October 29th, 2018 at 10:32 am
Sorry but I did a copy and paste!!!!! (below)…. Maybe, we should keep Winston. Go like 5 & 11 or 4 & 12… Get another top draft slot and screw that up too… lol..
Joe, you seem like a decent person. You certainly do a great job with your Buc’s insight and such…. You seem to report fairly and not let your personal feelings for a player interfere with your post and articles. It seems as though you are a big Winston fan, nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately, Winston is not (and probably will not ever be) a great NFL QB. Heck, he isn’t even good. There are at least 29 other starting QB’s in the league who are light years ahead of Winston and another dozen or so back up QB’s who are better than Winston. Is Winston Athletic, CERTAINLY. Does he Desire to Win. Absolutely. Unfortunately, he does not have the “IT” factor. Winston simply does not have ” it “. He will never be a great NFL QB. He’s making the same mistakes now that he made five, six and seven years ago in college. He is a decent back-up at best, probably should be a third QB on most roasters.
MOST LOGICAL move? Trade him him if you can get anything out of him. Trade him to Oakland, our old head coach out there LOVES Winston, heard him say it countless times on ESPN. Anyway, When the Buc’s selected Winston I was one of the OMG’s out there asking “why in the hell would the Buc’s take Winston? He’s a proven “pressure punk” in college and it’ll get worse in the NFL. I was one of the ones screaming NO, NO, NO. I’m not patting myself on the back because I’d much rather be wrong and the Buc’s be raising hell in the NFL. I simply hope the Buc’s make wiser decisions moving forward. Way too much talent on this football team for them to be so far behind the eight ball…
October 29th, 2018 at 10:35 am
Benching Jameis may help him in the long run.
Or not…
Watching Fitz and reflecting on turnovers causing him to lose his job may sink in with a maturing Jameis.
In any case, Jameis needs to be accountable for his mistakes like any player and should be benched and Bucs should go with Fitz as long as it works- even to the end of the season if wins start racking up.
October 29th, 2018 at 10:38 am
Another season where the organization is in self preservation mode as opposed to doing what’s best for the franchise and the fans. Glazers need to realize JW will continue to divide this team and its fan base and that Licht and Koetter are over their heads. Koetter didn’t fire the DC until it was too late and he didn’t bench JW until it was too late. These guys are dumb enough to continue to play JW until he gets hurt and of course guarantee his huge salary for next year and then be forced to play a horrible QB and of course cause a mutiny!
October 29th, 2018 at 10:44 am
From the moment Jaboo posted that draft party picture of himself with a platter of crab legs we were in for the slow-burn implosion. What makes it hurt so bad is how much I fought this inevitability…How much I denied it. One week I wanted to believe it was the game plan. Another week it was the D. The following week, a lack of a running game. There were enough plays- like the 1st down run against the Falcons- that allowed me to keep it telling myself he was going to be special.
Sadly, the harsh reality is that Jaboo is exactly the same QB today as we was during the prophetic start against the Titans. That for the palace coup and Lovie’s deserved ouster and all of the weapons surrounding him, Jaboo is still dreadfully inaccurate and reckless with the football. In many ways, we got exactly what we drafted. Exactly the player that drove Jimbo crazy.
He’s proven himself to be the same man-child narcissist off the field too. Look, I don’t know what happened in the Uber, but it sure seems like Jaboo crafted a false alibi, or at the very least, was less than candid (or truthful) with investigators and/or perhaps the team.
Is Jaboo being Jaboo his fault or the team’s? Heck, is it my fault for excusing his play, like so many at FSU and this organization have ? Maybe. Maybe I’m to blame for believing the savior/messiah narrative that was carefully crafted and sold to us. Maybe I should’ve known better, admitted it sooner.
I’m not being emotional when I say that it’s in the best interests of the franchise to listen to any and all trade offers…and if nothing can be worked out, then Jaboo should sit for the remainder of the season (as the 3rd QB) and be forced- for the first time in his career- to watch and learn. Maybe that’s the only way to save him from himself…
I think we’re at the point of no return. We were always going to get here- and I’m glad I can finally admit that to myself.
October 29th, 2018 at 11:03 am
Robert Says:
October 29th, 2018 at 9:38 am
please no to dungy……that would be as bad as brining in lovie
dungy is way over rated. sapp, lynch, alstott, manning …many people contributed to his success, but he was a byproduct.
A by product? You must be high or drunk or both. Dungy built our Superbowl Bowl team and he went on to win Super Bowls with the Colts so just think that Dungy was a byproduct gives discredit to our only Super Bowl win along with Monte kiffin
October 29th, 2018 at 11:32 am
The questions the Glazers should be asking Licht and Koetter is can Winston turn it around. Right now they have two options Fitzpatrick and Winston. Fans live in the short term but when you are 3-4 the long term is coming into play. Probably will go with Fitz until they are eliminated then I could see Winston in for the last 4 or 5 games to see if he can turn the corner. That’s the only scenario that makes any sense to me at this time. There is no sense to play Fitz once the season is done and please don’t tell me Ryan Griffen is the answer. Maybe just maybe Winston will learn that suspensions and then bad QB play will get you a seat on the bench. I know I’m in the minority but Winston needs tough love. The talent is there physically whether he can develop mentally will be the 20 million dollar question. Here’s to hope.
October 29th, 2018 at 11:36 am
KOEETER WILL PULL A MIKE SMITH. KEEP JAMEIS IN FOR TWO MORE LOSSES AND THE GLAZERS WILL TELL HIM TO START FITZ, AND THEN KOETTER’S GONE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
I wanted to believe in Jameis coming back into week 4 but these numbers compared to Fitz are unreal.
Koetter and Licht’s jobs are already on the hot seat half way through the season and unless they at least get to 9-7 and a wild card, Koetter is definitly gone and JL has a good chance as well. Only way we have a chance at that is with Fitzpatrick and his sharpness.
October 29th, 2018 at 11:44 am
Start Fitz and see what he looks like the rest of the year. Continues to roll, resign him as a starter next year. These QBs seem like they can be great into their 60s now a days. If Fitz stays this hot the rest of the year, neither new head coach or new GM is gonna toss him to the curb for a player in a very small QB draft class.
October 29th, 2018 at 11:56 am
It’s time to move on from Winston, trade him or make him inactive for the season.
Fitz has been an inspiration, but he’s not the future, he’s what is is, a top-notch backup that every team wishes they had.
It’s time to see what Ryan Griffin can do as a starter. There is still time for the Bucs to make the playoffs, but they must stop rolling with Winston or this season is over only 7 games in. Sadly, that’s all too familiar to us that are Bucs fans.
Want to be a successful NFL HC Koetter and save the season doing it? Then grow a pair and make the boldest move to save the season, your job and the job of many others, and maybe build a true contender doing it, start Griffin! Go Bucs!
October 29th, 2018 at 12:37 pm
Pink slips all around but a handful.
October 29th, 2018 at 12:55 pm
Fun fact, the only common denominator between all these Bucs teams sucking is the Glazers. If Koetter makes the switch to Fitzpatrick and the Bucs right the ship, fire him at your peril. Glazers have to realize how good this offense is, and how Licht has more hits than misses
October 29th, 2018 at 1:39 pm
Nah, you’re being too harsh; Nathan Peterman is still worse.
October 29th, 2018 at 2:02 pm
Trade Jameis or bench him but do not play himeven in practice as he will develop an injury Bucs are contracted to pay for. Play Fitz and alternate in Ryan Griffen as needed and we may be pleasantly surprised. Either way look for a new QB that is not turnover prone–Bridgewater?–bet that dude could play well with our weopons
October 29th, 2018 at 2:46 pm
Freeman’s problem was different from Jameis ‘.
Jameis has more talent than Freeman.
Jameis may never mature , but his problem is probably not drugs or attitude.
October 29th, 2018 at 2:48 pm
Joe I agree with you that Lichts & Dirk are definitely aware of the Glazers decision in 2010 but this situation is lot different IMO because our backup was already needed this year and played some excellent football in his time.
October 29th, 2018 at 3:15 pm
The only way to find out about Griffen is to play him. Some point in the season he should start a game & see what he’s got.
October 29th, 2018 at 3:18 pm
The only way to find out about Griffen is to play him. Some point in the season he should start a game & see what he’s got. I still say the Glazers should sell the team to someone who cares about winning as much if not more than the almighty $.
October 29th, 2018 at 3:44 pm
If this team can somehow get into the playoffs, I think Dirk has a job next year. I don’t know about Licht though. If Fitz can keep playing well we should keep him around for another year in the same system. Then if we draft anothe QB, he can sit behind Fitz for awhile and learn
October 29th, 2018 at 3:48 pm
On a side note, I no longer trust this franchise on drafting quarterbacks in the 1st round anymore