Don’t Believe The Blame Jameis Spin
February 12th, 2019
Fear of women’s group rallies was a factor, says Rick Stroud.
“The Bucs couldn’t afford to take a chance on Hunt, particularly because they already are under scrutiny for the trouble that seemed to follow Jameis Winston to the NFL.”
That piece of supreme nonsense came from the typing of Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud on TampaBay.com yesterday after the Browns signed soon-to-be-suspended Pro Bowl running back Kareem Hunt off the street. Joe had a good laugh at that sentence, but it became far more interesting when Stroud piled on during Sports Day Tampa Bay.
Stroud said he is certain the Bucs had a community fear factor when it came to Hunt.
“Look, I’ve talked to people over there [at One Buc Palace],” Stroud said. “And whether, I don’t care if people want to believe me or not, it’s a thing and John Romano has written about it. And I mentioned it in my story, but on several levels, there’s a couple of things to unpack here with Kareem Hunt.
“First and foremost is it’s a heinous videotape [of him hitting a woman] and it’s an ownership question. Only an owner can make this decision with Kareem Hunt. … This is a public trust. This is not, yeah, the Glazers own the football team but [the games are] played in Tampa. These are their fans. They want their fans to like the players. You could have women’s groups, you could have all kinds of, inviting all kinds of scrutiny. And oh by the way on top of that, it’s not like you haven’t gone through a few things with your quarterback and in fact are still in a way going through them.”
Stroud went on to reference Jameis Winston’s transgressions and repeat that this kind of thing from players “is really a thing” at One Buc Palace, “you just can’t continue to take chances on players.”
On Hunt not coming to Tampa for football reasons, Stroud said he may be being fed a line of spin from One Buc officials but they claim to be very happy and eager to get the most out of Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones.
Joe thinks the Bucs dropped the ball on Hunt, whoever made the call to pass on Hunt at One Buc Palace. His paltry contract with the Browns lets everyone know money was not the issue. Joe reached out to the Bucs 24 hours ago to ask if they were bidding on Hunt and got no reply.
All that written, Joe is quite certain that Jameis’ off-field history was no factor in the Hunt decision. On the off chance it was a factor, well, then Bucs have a whole new set of problems.
As for Stroud’s assertion that Team Glazer places critical importance on fans liking players and ownership might fear female activists, Joe applauds the wild imagination and ability to fantasize.
February 12th, 2019 at 2:28 pm
I’m a fan. All in to keep the likes of Hunt and WinSTUNNED off the team. Have some class at least….
February 12th, 2019 at 2:30 pm
Of course licht is going to tell stroud he is happy with those 2 RBs, he is solely responsible for the terrible state of the bucs as well as drafting ronald jones (who cannot catch) and has no one left to throw under the bus now
February 12th, 2019 at 2:39 pm
..hoping the bycs can start getting respect nationally ,even with Winston so all good
February 12th, 2019 at 2:40 pm
I can see Stroud’s point here; JayMiss lied to Bucs MGMT about the Uber incident. He DID have a previous incident at FSU that triggered a lot of national outrage.
Bottom line, don’t go looking for trouble should be Glazers/Licht’s/Arians mission statement.
February 12th, 2019 at 2:41 pm
We all see how these well liked players have worked out. It takes ballsy decisions to build a winner!
February 12th, 2019 at 2:51 pm
So the Bucs dealt with Jameis lying about “hassling” an Uber driver now people are upset that they didn’t sign Hunt who lied to his old team about abusing a woman?
Then throw in the fact that Licht is still banking on Jones not being a bust oh and Hunt would probably miss 6-10 games.
If being suspended hurt Jameis like the Joes think how will it hurt a RB who will be suspended longer?
February 12th, 2019 at 2:53 pm
guys is right except Hunt didn’t do much.
just a victim of the METOO thang
February 12th, 2019 at 2:56 pm
Are people this easily fooled that the Glazers are scared of women’s groups? When have any broads been protesting outside of One Buc or the stadium?
Just go look who is in the Ring of Honor. The Glazers pick those players, don’t they?. Jameis and Hunt may not be angels, but have either one of them been prosecuted for slapping around street hookers after youknowwho tried to lowball them? Did anyone see women’s groups picketing outside the stadium when youknowwho was inducted?
February 12th, 2019 at 2:58 pm
You know Darci Glazer Kassewitz had something to say to her brothers. I tend to believe Stroud on this one.
February 12th, 2019 at 3:01 pm
I agree that the Hunt decision would have to have Glazer approval……&
Why would the Bucs admit to bidding on Hunt?……..They would take all the heat for wanting him in the first place and then even more heat for failing.
February 12th, 2019 at 3:03 pm
“Victim”, huh? A millionaire victim. BTW, other instances that are KNOWN about.
You don’t “miss” something you never had. I cannot understand why people are so raw over this.
February 12th, 2019 at 3:03 pm
Since Ms. Kassewitz has stood up for Jameis before, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him at public appearances, and since she has a vested interest in the team, Joe’s guess she asked her brothers to get a running back.
But to be honest, no, Joe doesn’t know any of this and a couple of years ago was told she has no say in the daily operations of the team.
February 12th, 2019 at 3:04 pm
That’s the most beta thing I’ve ever read from a sports writer. Some people refuse to win.
February 12th, 2019 at 3:15 pm
The biggest issue with signing Hunt is that if we are trying to fix our run game, it’s not ideal to be counting on a guy who will miss like 6-10+ weeks.
We need a fix that can impact week 1 performance – not week 11. Signing Hunt may result in us passing on some RBs in the draft who could be active as early as week 1.
February 12th, 2019 at 3:21 pm
Look Joe…you already have a divided fan base because of America’s Groper/Kinsman-battling/Crableg lovin’/FHITP-shouting/starting-a-fight-from-the-sidelines-while-in-street-clothes/lying to his coaches, team mates, and owners QB. Add the despicable Hunt to the backfield, and you’d undoubtedly have a “Field of Bad Dreams” Who in the hell can root for such people, and buy their little kids those jerseys??
February 12th, 2019 at 3:22 pm
Do you know for a fact that we didn’t try to pursue Kareem?
February 12th, 2019 at 3:25 pm
i mentioned this to some friends of mines who were all pissed we didnt sign hunt as well…and we all agreed…..
i think rick is right…..
folks here were saying cut him and his situation happened a few years ago….folks talked about protesting and boycotting…lol…they(glazers) snatched his moral from the side of rayjay before the me2 mod got down to OPB…..
browns have a few players with character issues, mayfield being 1 of them but no one(at least that i know of) has been accused of a crime like winston or hunt…..
but it is what it is….nice guys finish last….
develop rojo and draft d.henderson…..
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
February 12th, 2019 at 3:28 pm
Thinking maybe we should sign the girl from the nfl 100 commercial as our RB …..
February 12th, 2019 at 3:31 pm
LC
i think its a combination of both the suspension and what rick said….
imo, if he wouldve had to sit 6-10weeks for an injury, PED’s or weed, i think we wouldve been a huge player….
we’ll find out why we didnt sign him after the season…lol…
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
February 12th, 2019 at 3:44 pm
Not sure why you would think this was a non-factor. Sport casters have been talking about it for awhile. Which ever team brings in Hunt was going to more than likely divide the fan base. We already have a divided fan base because of Winston. You add in Hunt and you would divide it even more. Those are just facts and we now live in a time where everyone gets offended for anything. Money is going to trump picking up a free agent every time.
Real question here, is why did the Browns pick him up when they have Nick Chubb as their RB. Are they looking to trade in the draft? Or do they know something we don’t?
February 12th, 2019 at 3:52 pm
Not sure why my post got blocked. I didn’t accuse anyone of being a felon.
February 12th, 2019 at 3:53 pm
@813
Yeah hopefully we find out. Local denver media was even a little upset at not looking at Hunt and they have 2 promising young backs already between Lindsay/Freeman. I think it’s natural that everyone gets mad when their team doesn’t sign a proven player for cheap
February 12th, 2019 at 3:54 pm
We’ll probably never know for sure but, this is likely another concession made BECAUSE of the man-child that has harmed his team! This is what folks mean when they say, “I wouldn’t touch him”. Constant residual effects!
It’s not just the wrong act itself. The wrong act places the perpetrator in a position where they never get the benefit of the doubt, unless, they go many years without a hiccup. #3 has hiccuped.
February 12th, 2019 at 3:55 pm
I just saw MJD’s mock draft, he has the Bucs drafting a RB. Josh Jacobs – Alabama.
Alabama RB Josh Jacobs is the top RB in this year’s NFL Draft, but there’s something to Jacobs that makes him different than the typical top RB.
School: Alabama
Year: Junior
Height: 5’10″
Weight: 216 lbs
During his time with Alabama, RB Josh Jacobs spent most of his time as a rotational player. He didn’t start many games with the Crimson Tide. Despite not being the starter for most of his time with the team, Jacobs made the most of the playing time he did receive.
In fact, he did so well with his limited playing time, he’s being considered the top RB in draft class full of RBs who have been the starters for several seasons. That’s impressive. Let’s take a look at what Jacobs has to offer an NFL team.
Strengths:
Size and strength
At 5’10”, Jacobs is a little bit shorter than the typical workhorse RB, but his frame is right where it needs to be. Just by looking at Jacobs, you can tell he’s got the body to punish defenders. NFL teams will love that about him. A workhorse RB needs to have the size to be able to consistently punish defenders, especially on runs inside the tackles.
February 12th, 2019 at 3:58 pm
What Stroud said makes complete sense to anyone that understand that Jaboo is under a microscope that is well deserved
February 12th, 2019 at 4:06 pm
Every time I read this blog I completely understand why the Bucs have been basement dwellers for so long.
Den of depression indeed.
These guys like their DTs to skip around dikes blowing on daffodils while singing I feel pretty oh so pretty
February 12th, 2019 at 4:13 pm
Not sure why you guys want Hunt so bad. There will be plenty of RBs in free agency and the draft. I sure wouldnt sign a guy who just did that and was looking at at least 6 game suspension. If he wasnt gona be suspended than yes. Why have the whole organization have to answer questions about a guy who wont play until 9 months from now? New staff doesnt need it. Im all for second chances but in this instance I’m glad they passed.
February 12th, 2019 at 4:14 pm
I agree Bucs had an opportunity to get better with that move but dropped the ball.
February 12th, 2019 at 4:20 pm
Darin
I seen this same comment posted on Twitter and my question to you is, if RBs are so abundant then why is it that the last “good” RB we drafted was in 2012 or 2010? Inquiring minds want to know.
Let me guess you want to use the #5 pick on a RB. That’s how you maintain a stranglehold on last place in the division for the last 100 years.
February 12th, 2019 at 4:36 pm
Yep, I said it as soon as Joe mentioned bringing in Hunt. They can’t do it. Even though I am with JW and think he is going to be the cornerstone of this franchise for many years, there is a cost to keeping him. He has a black cloud hanging over him. In many fans eyes he is a sexual abuser. He just had to sit out three games last year and was banned by Uber for groping a woman. The team cannot afford to go after shady players like Hunt or Mixon who have physically abused women. When the face of the franchise has serious allegations hanging over his head you can just go out and bring in more character issue guys. It is a fine line and the Glazers have to be careful with the players they bring in. For you to act like Stroud is being ridiculous is actually very ridiculous on your part Joe. This is an entertainment industry. Winning is never the only concern an owner has to worry about.
February 12th, 2019 at 4:36 pm
?
February 12th, 2019 at 4:39 pm
if we pick josh jacobs in the 1st round i’ll be half way done with this team…lol…keeping GMC at his current salary would be the breaking point…..
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
February 12th, 2019 at 4:39 pm
Why is that ridiculous? The face of the franchise has a black cloud hanging over his head. The allegations about JW are serious and the owners can’t afford the PR hit the franchise would take by signing other guys who also accused of assaulting women. For you to act like that is a riculous take by Stroud is actually ridiculous by you. It is way out there for many reasons. We can disagree. –Joe
February 12th, 2019 at 4:43 pm
Owners have to worry about a number of things, not the least of which is how fans will react to bringing in guys with bad character. I am a JW supporter but many aren’t. You bring in a guy who is on video kicking a woman and you might alienate even more fans. On top of that there is a national perspective to consider and you add him to the JW saga and NFL fans around the country will vilify the Bucs.
February 12th, 2019 at 4:48 pm
Kudos to Stroud for answering your questions, Joe. Unaware of any answered questions. Joe has no questions for the writer. –Joe Don’t be so quick to call him out on his article and opinion piece. He is paid to report the news based on the facts he is given as a beat writer. Joe is unaware of any facts in the quote above. Stroud, based on alleged facts, was the same guy calling Joe’s detailed and factual report on the upcoming head coaching hire fake news.–Joe He’s not in a position to call out the team for possibly feeding him a line until he’s burned the bridge to the current management in place. I don’t blame Stroud in his article or coverage of the Bucs; I blame the dilapidated staff the Times has for Sports coverage now and the dying print media.
February 12th, 2019 at 4:52 pm
TD
Good point bc the stadium is empty as it is and I thought it was bc we cant win enough games. Glad to know it’s bc the players are likable. Guess we should get rid of jaboo and we’ll have a full house. Just goes to show wtfik
February 12th, 2019 at 5:36 pm
Can’t sign Hunt. Can’t have another key person that you can’t hang a banner of so I see what Rick is saying. Also, Hunt most likley ain’t going to play this year before Thanksgiving.
February 12th, 2019 at 5:52 pm
Bring Stroud onto the podcast and hash it out fellas. His podcast comes out on time so maybe he could help the Joes with that
February 12th, 2019 at 5:59 pm
This shows how Jameis’s past hassles has an impact on the mindset at One Buc Palace. If we had never had The JW “hassle” would we have been more inclined to reach out to Hunt? Jameis BS has caused a ripple effect in the way the Bucs do business now.
February 12th, 2019 at 6:19 pm
Stupid take as usual by Stroud.
In regards to the Hunt “incident” – local police came to the scene. They investigated – watched the videos that we’ve all seen – interviewed all who were involved – and decided NOT to arrest or bring charges against Hunt or anyone that was there.
Why does ANYONE think its somehow proper to hold NFL players to some higher “moral” standard than the law requires??
Same question applies in regards to Winston!
Buncha BS!
February 12th, 2019 at 6:25 pm
I like Stroud, he’s just so PC at times, and I can’t stand Political Correctness. Here’s hoping the Joes build an App in the near future.
February 12th, 2019 at 6:33 pm
DB there is a difference between being likeable vs beating and kicking or grabbing thier crotches like 45 does!
February 12th, 2019 at 6:34 pm
Women
February 12th, 2019 at 6:45 pm
It did not follow him. He creates and recreates continually. He is a ignorant Moran that will never change. If only Ryan Leaf got four chances ….
February 12th, 2019 at 6:55 pm
Stroud never misses a chance to remind everyone of Jameis’ “transgressions”.
February 12th, 2019 at 7:04 pm
As much as I hate to say it, Stroud is 100% correct.
February 12th, 2019 at 7:09 pm
I can’t stand Stroud or his old pal Tom Jones, that was a truly awful radio show those 2 had I’ve always wondered if the tampa bay times paid 620 to put them on the air. I don’t know if he’s a true believer in the PC nonsense or he’s towing the company line out of fear. Being an older guy in a dying industry that’s now full of 20 something idiots with a reputation for destroying (or trying to) anyone that doesn’t believe what they do might be terrifying. Or he might just be a cluck that’s bitter that a fan site run by 2 guys got it right. Also there’s a good chance joebucsfan will outlive the tampabay times or at least their sports section.
February 12th, 2019 at 7:36 pm
It will be interesting to see if the Browns bottom line is impacted because if it’s not I totally agree with you Joe. In light of the possibility that Kaepernick is not employed primarily due to the backlash almost every team would get, it is possible that a team would make that decision based off poor prioritization. Clearly the browns haven’t melted or season ticket holders just drop off like a cliff
February 12th, 2019 at 7:58 pm
Stroud must be doing something right he sure has some posts space taken up around here. I can’t say that I do not know of him, I have read a few things of his(bucs news) and they were, bucs news related. Yar! As for His reporting “style”.
Eh?
DKDC.
Go Bucs!
Thanks for what you provide buc fans JBF.
February 12th, 2019 at 8:26 pm
I’m not at all surprised by Stroud’s comments. A few members of the local pen and mic club just can’t do enough to keep the black cloud over Jameis.
As for Hunt, I never wanted him and don’t know why so many did. Yes, he’s a good back, but not a guy we could count on. He’s going to be suspended for probably half a season, and any future transgressions will almost certainly bring a full season ban. Furthermore, I believe a message needs to be sent to young players that there are serious consequences for his kind of actions.
I know I’m gonna take some heat for my position, but that’s ok. Maybe if the girl in the video was your sister or daughter, you would feel differently.
February 12th, 2019 at 8:27 pm
who listens to stroud or romano, both are losers and are FAKE NEWS,they dont want Hunt here. Sick of this lying rag of a paper. Dont need your worthless opinion. A** Clowns
February 12th, 2019 at 10:40 pm
I groped my wife today. She told me to stop and I stopped. Then I asked, “Was that me assaulting you?”
She said, “No. That was you being a perv.”
The Uber thing was NOT assault.
February 12th, 2019 at 11:02 pm
Dumbest thing I’ve read today Bonzai lol
February 12th, 2019 at 11:43 pm
Like clockwork… from Breitbart…. “Women’s Groups Critical of Browns Signing Kareem Hunt”
NOW President Toni Van Pelt told NBC that the re-hiring of the player shows that the NFL does not care about the feelings of women.
“The message this sends is that money matters more than women,” Van Pelt said, adding, “Women don’t matter to the NFL, which is rather surprising because they’re a big part of the viewer audience.”
Erin White, a spokesperson for the victims-service group Safe Horizon, was equally dour.
“Consistently, the message survivors hear is that their experiences aren’t valued. When we treat abuse or violence as a private problem or sweep it under the rug, that behavior is reinforced,” White told NBC.
February 13th, 2019 at 12:06 am
What a hack.
February 13th, 2019 at 12:11 am
DB55 Says:
February 12th, 2019 at 4:06 pm
“Every time I read this blog I completely understand why the Bucs have been basement dwellers for so long. ”
Biggest understatement I’ve read in a looooong time!
February 13th, 2019 at 1:09 am
Kudos to Stroud for answering your questions, Joe. Unaware of any answered questions. Joe has no questions for the writer. –Joe
Partial apology here from me. When you quoted Stroud in your article it implied (incorrectly on my part as the reader) that you spoke to him. Not to proud to admit my own error.
Don’t be so quick to call him out on his article and opinion piece. He is paid to report the news based on the facts he is given as a beat writer. Joe is unaware of any facts in the quote above. Stroud, based on alleged facts, was the same guy calling Joe’s detailed and factual report on the upcoming head coaching hire fake news.–Joe You do seem to be taking a bit personally Stroud’s lack of confidence in your inside information on who the next coach would be. Calling it “fake news” is harsh, but rise above Joe and be better than the Times and their poor staff writing/writers. Again I blame the fish-wrap for not giving their writers the tools to do their job properly and stretching them thin between covering multiple sports. Perhaps Stroud would be better at his job if he wasn’t covering/writing about multiple sports at once.
February 13th, 2019 at 1:36 am
Kaptain Morgan…Are you Rick Stroud or is this tequila really effing with me?
Stroud answered questions from Joe? WHERE?
Dayum this tequila………… and I thought it was mid shelf.
JBF is strange these days….
February 13th, 2019 at 2:56 am
Pugs&Bucs- “Consistently, the message survivors hear is that their experiences aren’t valued. When we treat abuse or violence as a private problem or sweep it under the rug, that behavior is reinforced,” White told NBC.
Lol “survivor”, the only thing that girl survived that night was alcohol poisoning.
February 13th, 2019 at 5:47 am
Dumb arse Bonzai: if I grabbed your wife (wearing medical gloves) would it be assault?? Secomd thought….its illegal to touch a manatee.
February 13th, 2019 at 6:50 am
Joe, just how tiresome it must be, to defend Winston constantly. And make no mistake, he NEEDS defending. He’s earned that badge. Just think how much easier it would be to IMPROVE this team, and have ALL the fans (and team mates) on board without him !!!
February 13th, 2019 at 7:12 am
why would anybody welcome Hunt on their team, did ya’ll see that video. this crap has got to stop. have some morals and principles. all this oh well we believe in second chances. SHUT UP. no you don’t. if he was a practice squad player he wouldn’t even get in the building let alone the team.
February 13th, 2019 at 7:22 am
Man I just want my team to win. Yall want a team full of choirs boys. I don’t watch football to see who is the good guy on the team. A lot of yall said get rid of Talib, Bennett, and many others who went on to help teams win super bowls while we lose every year. Bring players in that can help us win. Go look at what Jimmy Johnson said about all the same stuff yall are crying about on this site. Go look at what he told Colin Cowherd. Can the player help me win games that should be the only thing matter right now for our team. It wasn’t rape or murder or did he rob anyone no so why do yall worry about the good person so much more than the team wining.
February 13th, 2019 at 7:31 am
Definitely not Stroud!