“It Is My Duty”
February 11th, 2019
Responsibility.
It is a call to duty.
That’s what America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, said during Super Bowl Week in Atlanta. He has a responsibility to lead the Bucs to bigger and better things.
As we all know, Jameis is in the final year of his contract. And Jameis noted he’s playing not just for wins but for a “Big!” contract, while appearing on-set during an interview on The Tiki and Tierney Show heard and seen on both CBS Sports Radio and the CBS Sports Network.
It’s not just the contract, though, that Jameis has in mind. It’s a call to arms. Jameis feels the responsibility now that new Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians has knighted him as the Bucs quarterback.
Or as offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich said, “That’s it.”
“It is my duty to be the quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,” Jameis said. “It is my duty to go out there and execute with precision and to be an elite quarterback in this league. I have to take advantage.
“I don’t feel [the] pressure. This is what I do. I have been playing this game since I was four-years old.”
We all know one reason Arians was hired is to fix Jameis. And Arians often says he’s not here to rebuild. If you are searching for a new quarterback, that’s a rebuild.
Joe got to thinking about this issue this morning. As much as it would outrage some Bucs fans, if Jameis plays OK this fall, just OK — not awful but the Bucs do have a winning season — Joe can see the Bucs slapping a franchise tag on Jameis for 2020 for one main reason.
Seemingly overlooked is that the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the NFL and the NFLPA expires after the 2020 season. Now why would Team Glazer (or any other owner much less an agent of a high profile player) want to sign a “big” contract with a player when no one knows what the next CBA will look like?
No one has any clue what the salary cap will be after next season. Hey, it’s entirely possible that the NFL and NFLPA could agree to an NBA-like salary cap where one veteran free agent player’s salary is exempt if he re-signs with his team. This is known as the “Larry Bird Exemption.” You know, like potentially a quarterback?
Or, the NFL could have a built-in drag on a salary cap in exchange for guaranteed money contracts, which players do not currently enjoy.
The makeup of the new CBA is anyone’s guess. So why commit mega-millions to the unknown?
February 11th, 2019 at 11:14 am
I hope Jameis has a terrific season! ..because if he does we all reap the glory. But, ..there has been this false narrative that somehow Jameis feels he’s always looking over his shoulders. And then here he implies that,
“I don’t feel [the] pressure. This is what I do. I have been playing this game since I was four-years old.”
Folks need to stop coddling him and making his excuses. Let him grow up.
February 11th, 2019 at 11:17 am
I can see the logic in that. If we make it all about money, which it is, this makes total sense.
February 11th, 2019 at 11:21 am
He’s been playing since he was 4 years old and still doesn’t understand ball security?! Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and say his interceptions are because the NFL is much a faster game. Yeah, he’s had a few years to adjust, but let’s give him the benefit of the doubt anyway.
But what about fumbles? Does it take a lifetime to learn that you have to keep both hands on the ball once you decide to run? It seems to me that a 4 year old could grasp the concept, a middle school kid could improve upon it, and a high school kid could perfect the concept.
What am I missing?
February 11th, 2019 at 11:29 am
can he stuff MORE BS in a couple sentences??????
it’s his duty to the Bucs???? c’mon man. His (and any mans) only duty is to his family and future, including theirs. and yeah, winning would help that.
elite quarterback????? *insert playoffs meme here*
I don’t feel the pressure???????? did you see him last year? he folded like a wet blanket at a kjorean laundromat
Been doin this since 4 years old?????? I been talking since younger than that, but Obama was probably a better speaker at 15
this guy aint real, he aint even close, he’s so FOS it’s coming out his ears.
If he hasn’t yet it’s a bad bet thinking he ever will be “real”
February 11th, 2019 at 11:32 am
New coaching and direction can do a lot.
Excited. Go Bucs!!
February 11th, 2019 at 11:41 am
“As much as it would outrage some Bucs fans, if Jameis plays OK this fall, just OK — not awful but the Bucs do have a winning season — Joe can see the Bucs slapping a franchise tag on Jameis for 2020 for one main reason.”
Let’s be realistic. Jameis has played well and the Bucs lost. Jameis has played badly and the Bucs just lost more. Jameis will be judged solely on how he plays on the field and how he presents himself off the field. If he plays GREAT and the Bucs have a winning record, the Bucs are still taking a huge risk by signing him up long term UNLESS he starts owning up to his mistakes–and one season of five isn’t enough time to determine that. So I would agree that the BEST he can hope for is the franchise tag–and he won’t earn that for just being “okay.” Winston himself saying he’s got to do better, that he need to be great, etc, is all the right stuff to say–Winston is no dummy. But he has yet to be accountable for anything on or off the field gong into five years. A leader and an elite like he proclaims he wants to be, is a guy who can rise above all and find a way to inspire his team to play better as a whole–to win even when they play badly enough to lose. To lead on and off the field with goodness from his heart, not for the camera. Right now, he’s not even good enough to be team captain due to questions and proven failures on and off the field. And he’s going into his fifth year. The Glazers have made some big mistakes in drafting QBs over the years, including Winston, but they are not going to sign this chump up for a big contract on one good year unless he really shows he’s accountable…and not the immature embarrassment to the game, to our community and Americans in general that he has been. I was all in for him for three seasons into the fourth…but he has been nothing but a liability overall. Going into year 3 it was a prove it year. Then with his NFL-concluded misconduct it was “well, he’s really got to show us this year.” He didn’t. Now folks are saying he can “okay” this year and still get a franchise tag for yet another year? No. Play great and win and maybe a franchise tag. Play mediocre, win or lose, and he’s gone.
February 11th, 2019 at 11:41 am
Why did our QB coach not talk to JW about putting a glove on is left hand until his 4th year – A glove a lot of Qbs wear to reduce fumbles to a degree
February 11th, 2019 at 11:45 am
@WillieG,
You missed the last 6 1/2 games of 2018.
February 11th, 2019 at 11:48 am
Winston had Top-10 offense 3 of 4 year despite the 27th ranked Rush, & 31st O-line, running for his life nearly play. Pressure is the #1 cause of QB’s problems, Bucs QB were hit in the top 10, at least 100+ QB hits last 2 years. Throw in the The 32 – 27th ranked Defense that was outstanding at giving point away every time opposing QB touched the ball, and how can Winston win?
Protect him and he will be a Top-10 QB. Put a Top-15 Defense on the other side of the ball, and this team will make the playoff this year. Why are the fact so invisible to some.
Here are more NFL Record Winston facts:
Most passing touchdowns in a single game by a rookie quarterback: 5
Most passing touchdowns by a rookie quarterback in one half: 4
Youngest player to pass for 3,000 yards
Youngest player to pass for 4,000 yards
Second youngest player to pass for 10,000 yards
Youngest player to pass for 40 touchdowns
Most seasons of passing for 4,000 yards to begin a career – 2 (2015–2016)
Most touchdown passes before 24th birthday: 69
Bad QBs don’t set records for high achievement. Just say’n.
February 11th, 2019 at 11:55 am
Good points joe.
Forgot about collective bargaining agreement .
Let’s see how this season plays out. I’m excited.
I think arians will get best out of Jameis so let’s see what that looks like?
February 11th, 2019 at 12:02 pm
I feel like the expectations for a 5th year #1 overall pick should be high regardless of the situation.
I don’t feel like we should be OK with him being “OK” at this juncture. “OK” can and should be replaced. Look at the Jaguars and Blake Bortles. Their mindset was one of “well, we have a great defense and a good run-game, we just need our QB to be OK.” That clearly did not work out.
As we raise our expectations of the defense and run-game, shouldn’t that also elevate the expectations of the QB?
February 11th, 2019 at 12:21 pm
mikey
i agree….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
February 11th, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Ken… Well said!
February 11th, 2019 at 12:26 pm
As long as he is not looking over his shoulder or trying to do to much.
February 11th, 2019 at 12:59 pm
Ken
Exactly. You’re spot on bro. I tried to tell some dude named walkdaplank that yesterday and he had an excuse for every record Jameis set. There’s too many positives for there to be so many excuses. Dude needs to work on consistency and ball control but improving his supporting cast will help immensely.
We’re going to be very successful very quick with finally a coach that isn’t so pessimistic like Dirk and quite possibly the best staff we’ve ever had.
All hail king Jameis!
February 11th, 2019 at 1:02 pm
Joe
I was thinking too and this is what I’m doing as Bucs gm. If Josh Allen is gone at #5 I’m drafting Haskins. Yea I said it. Iron sharpens iron plus if Winston f’s up this season you got a Jaboo clone (body-type) on a rookie contract for the next 4 yrs.
If Jaboo balls out we got trade capital.
Darn sure ain’t drafting no RB at 5 and the oline should be and can be found in the 3rd round but wtfdik
February 11th, 2019 at 1:08 pm
Surely I’m not the only one who thinks we need to help Jameis with a running game and simply an average defense?
Fix the lines……
February 11th, 2019 at 1:30 pm
Jameis
“stop talking about it and be about it”
February 11th, 2019 at 1:56 pm
Lets hope Winston he is done not being truthful to his own team !
February 11th, 2019 at 2:09 pm
foles
February 11th, 2019 at 2:34 pm
Buccernutter
Hello again sir! Nice to see you on JBF.
Still talking about those records, huh? Like I was telling D1 the other day, literally every single one of Jameis’ records you are mentioning have to do with his age. His AGE. Not every quarterback had a Heisman-winning, National Championship-winning, highly successful college career and left after only their sophomore year. It’s very rare for a QB to come out of college after only 2 years. And some come out and don’t even play right away (see Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre, Mahomes, etc.).
This D1 guy himself said that there were only like 9 people that you could even compare Jameis to because of the age. Now I haven’t researched that but it’s not hard to believe. You see my point here, buccernutter? I’m not saying Jameis’ records are meaningless, but when you say “record” people want to think things like “wow that guy is really elite none of the big name or hall of fame QB’s did that”…well you see it’s because Jameis isn’t going up against big name or hall of fame QB’s. He’s only going up against other QB’s who played in the NFL at the age of 21 or 22. Idk about you but that takes away a little bit of the luster in the records. Guys like Brady and Montana and Manning and Favre don’t have those records because they were incapable of getting them in the first place.
February 11th, 2019 at 2:43 pm
I believe in Jameis but he should sign a 1 year deal to take a pay cut. He does not deserve that kinda money yet.
February 11th, 2019 at 2:54 pm
Is JW better than Bridgewater, Flacco, Tannehill or Foles, that’s the type of QB everyone who wants to replace him seem to forget, it’s not like QBS are growing on trees, and barring a collapse next yesr, or trading away multiple high draft picks for a rookie QB, which will guarantee multiple more years of losing, JW is our bes/only option for the foreseeable future
February 11th, 2019 at 3:28 pm
Well hello again.
It’s getting kinda silly that you are still making excuses for those records. Especially when you were so sure they didn’t exist but now they don’t hold weight because of his age. Lol. I’m sorry man but you cannot belittle those accomplishments. Most quarterbacks were arguably not as NFL ready as jaboo that young. He came into the league and player very well at nearly the youngest in history. You also act like he hasn’t been good at all since his rookie season. Again that’s just you ignoring facts.
Not to mention I didn’t even post them today. Another real buc fan did because he pays attention. You were so adamant that there were none yesterday and went ghost when I listed them or belittle them because he was a rookie.
Give the guy a long NFL career and he will be battling the goats. Fact is he can hang and his issues are fixable.
Never seen a fan base hate their QB as much as we do. It’s ridiculous considering people base their opinions off of other people’s opinions and rarely anyone does their due diligence.
February 11th, 2019 at 3:41 pm
First, not sure what you mean by “ghost” as I reply to all arguments on JBF and I replied to you as well it’s actually a good time waster trading shots with fellow Bucs fans but still being fans of the same team.
Second, I do not “hate” Jameis. I’ve repeatedly stated my wishes for him to succeed and have never said I want him to fail. As Joe likes to say, check the archives. I simply don’t believe Jameis is the savior of the franchise at QB as he is touted to be by many of the Buc faithful. If he does well I will gladly take my crow but it hasn’t happened yet. Jameis himself said “I don’t know” in response to being questioned if he’ll still be here after the season finale. Franchise QB’s don’t have to question their place like that.
And lastly, I can see that we will not come to an agreement on either side about this record nonsense. So let’s just agree to disagree. However I will leave you with this question: Would you hold Jameis’ record of being the *youngest* QB to throw “x” amount of TD’s in a season in NFL History in as high of a regard as, say,the record for just being the *quarterback* to throw the most TD’s in a season in NFL history? (Peyton Manning)
To me, one is worth far more than the other considering the competition.
February 11th, 2019 at 4:01 pm
Well u stopped responding yesterday thus going ghost. But that’s just irrelevant at this point.
Agree to disagree on Jameis. But him questioning whether he would be here is more than just about talent. You and I both know there were so many moving parts that he was eluding to the change at HC and possibly an entire face lift. Also the issues with his off the field drama. But yes it impeded on his success and we should know who we got by now. We discussed the defensive, ol and kicking game influence too. Not to mention the head coach. Those shouldn’t be overlooked.
That question is insanely biased when you consider the sample size is 4 years compared to 18. I know u think Jameis isn’t as good as some Young guns today but if you make a list of stats by his age (23), then he is at nearly the top of almost every list. They still hold merit regardless of when most quarterbacks began their careers and whether you like it or not the longer he is in the league, he’ll reach the top of lists with all quarterbacks at this rate. But then the excuses will be, “oh he started earlier than most”. We’ll see man. Jameis is a baller.
February 11th, 2019 at 5:07 pm
Aaron Rodgers didn’t even have a winning record this year yet alone make the playoffs. This is factual proof that a QB CAN NOT win by himself in the NFL. If he could Aaron Rodgers would have won. Rodgers record is 10-12-1 the last two seasons combined with a 41/8 TD/int ratio. As always the Bucs fan base is…….
#stupiestfanbaseintheleague
February 11th, 2019 at 5:13 pm
“Rodgers record is 10-12-1 the last two seasons combined with a 41/8 TD/int ratio.”
So his team sucks but he still played well. What was Jameis’ TD/INT ratio the past 2 seasons?
February 11th, 2019 at 6:37 pm
@Dappstman
Yeah, I saw the last 6 games of last season. He played like an average second year player. And how long has he been a pro?
The Packers sucked, but Rodgers was not a part of the suckage.
The Bucs sucked, and Winston was a HUGE part of the suckage.
February 11th, 2019 at 7:39 pm
Yada Yada Yada Just more useless dribble
February 11th, 2019 at 9:25 pm
Jameis should ball out this year then refuse to sign an extension with this horrible fan base that wouldn’t know a good QB regardless of what they do. Then we would be left with nothing and all of these idiot “fans” will all be saying man why did Jameis leave he’s such a pink. Of course then we would franchise him and then all those same people would be pissed saying he is overpaid. You can’t win with these people cause they are clueless!!!!!!
February 12th, 2019 at 3:38 pm
One of the reasons teams like Atlanta can came back and scored 17 points in the dapostmans account of the Atlanta game. The offense had a history of taking the third quarter off under Jameis . You have to grow your lead ,not sit it. Look up the 3rd quarter splits for Jameis last year. He had 0 TD’s and 5 TO’s. In past years slow starts were an issue,but last year the third quarter was a major stumbling block. Be honest ,how many times have we been behind last year and laid an
egg on our first posession of the second half. BA will need to help Jameis be
more consistent throughout the game.