Backup QBs
March 1st, 2019
Done with Bucs?
One reason why Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians is so adamant that America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, is the man, his man, is that he doesn’t want Jameis looking over his shoulder and thinking he will get the hook.
Even after he returned from serving the three-week sentence for his hassle with an Arizona Uber driver, Jameis confessed he was pressing and trying to put up historic numbers like journeyman backup Ryan Fitzpatrick did.
It is for this reason why Joe believes Fitzpatrick has played his last snap for the Bucs.
And earlier this week, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht gave no indication Fitzpatrick is a lock to return. When asked about the current Bucs backups, Licht said either Fitzpatrick or Ryan Griffin will return, but not both.
“I don’t want to rule both of them out but it probably will be one [or the other],” Licht said.
And since the Bucs are in a salary cap crunch, Joe is going to guess that the “one” that will return will be Griffin.
Now the next question is, will Griffin be the No. 3 quarterback or No. 2? Remember, Griffin, in his six seasons in the NFL, has yet to take a snap in a game.
March 1st, 2019 at 12:31 am
Every backup QB in the league is one bad play from being the starter, so you get the very best one you can, even if that means worrying the starter’ s fragile ego
March 1st, 2019 at 12:56 am
I’ve never been less excited to hit next article then when I just clicked on “Backup QB”.
After last season, I’m pretty sure I don’t believe in magic anymore.
Stanton would be great simply to watch the guy dance on the sidelines because that ish was hilarious.
March 1st, 2019 at 1:16 am
I can’t help but be a little curious, if given the chance to start, how Griffin would perform when it counts. You would think after 6 years, he would have the itch to find out.
March 1st, 2019 at 2:41 am
God forbid your $20+million a year QB can’t handle the pressure of possibly having a backup play better. Poor Jameis!
Get that TD/INT ratio up over 2:1, and don’t do stupid sh*t off the field, and you won’t have to worry about a backup taking your job.
March 1st, 2019 at 3:52 am
I feel like I’m on crazy pills here.
Agree with Brian and Jeagan.
You’re telling me we don’t want to have someone backing up Jameis that gives us the best chance to win… buhhhcause it’ll make Jameis feel threatened? What in tf!
Has anyone ever heard TB12 talk about taking every snap in a game and practice, as if he were constantly fighting off his backup. Because his job is always in jeopardy to someone else fighting for it.
I’ve been optimistic with the potential boost in coaching experience with this team.. don’t let me down and be that weak.
March 1st, 2019 at 4:14 am
Behind Door #1 we have Fitz, a 36-year-old journeyman QB who’s experienced, intelligent and up-and-down for around $3 mil. He’ll probably complete around 60% of his passes (his career average) and manage most games competently for the most part.
Behind Door #2 we have Ryan Griffin, a 29-year-old QB who’s also intelligent and experienced in the backup role but who’s seen no game action for around $1.5 mil. Hard to tell how he’ll do against 1st-teamers since he’s never had that chance.
OR … we could peak behind Door #3 and evaluate some of the other QBs who are on the market before making any backup QB decisions. And I’d bet that’s exactly what BA & company will be doing. Only FA QB I’d personally be interested in this year is Teddy Bridgewater but there’s a risk there also because of his past injuries. Heck, maybe it’s worth it just to stick with Griffin & hope that IF something happens to Jameis, that Ryan can prove to be the real deal when the bullets start flying.
March 1st, 2019 at 4:47 am
Well if poor Jameis is so scared of competition, than I’m available. No worries there, for $500.00 a game and a cold 6 pack, I’m ur guy.
March 1st, 2019 at 5:49 am
draft a rookie no reason to spend that kind of money on a backup
March 1st, 2019 at 6:08 am
Who ever is the back up QB he can’t be intimidating to the franchise, we wouldn’t want anyone who makes the franchise be worried about his competition. His fragile ego might just melt. I just hope if the franchise has several bad months we do not stick with him out of lack of a quality back up QB.
Go Bucs!
March 1st, 2019 at 6:10 am
Is Winston that fragile,that we dont want a backup worth anything ?
Than why even have one when you can send in the water boy as a relief q.b. and a lot cheaper.
This makes it seem like BA is trying to turn a spoiled child,into a man and not cause a boo boo while doing it
March 1st, 2019 at 6:29 am
I don’t think it’s Winston looking over his shoulder at just any backup…..I think it’s Fitz…….they just don’t want Fitz there because of what happened last year.
Griffin would be fine as a backup. From the times I’ve seen him he’s looked good.
We could also draft a mid-round QB……..
I don’t place great importance on the backup because if Winston goes down, we are toast anyway…..and we may not be contenders with him healthy this year…..
Regardless….we need a cheap option.
March 1st, 2019 at 7:09 am
Onetrickpony
That’s pretty funny. Gotta aim higher though. Start at a case of beer and negotiate in the middle /with a 12 pack.
I have to agree. Jameis is the overall #1 pick , a God to some people here ,
His ego / confidence is that fragile? Is worried more about looking over his shoulder then trying to win on the field. Trying to out do Fitzpatrick ?Competition is supposed to bring out the best in athletes . SMH
Arians staTes Jameis is “the man” , yet concedes he is worried about him looking over his shoulder ? Wow.
Regardless , Fitzpatrick is 100 % gone
This is Jameis year to shine
No more excuses
March 1st, 2019 at 7:28 am
What other “franchise qb” is afraid of his backup outplaying him?
Pathetic
Enough of the excuses!!! It’s year 5 time to play well Week in and out or join Johnny drunk in the XFL
March 1st, 2019 at 7:36 am
Do you guys realize this is BA’s psychology as a coach under Big Ben, Luck, P. Manning and Carson. This has nothing to do with Winston he just wants his Qb to take responsibility for the Offense good or bad. He thinks people respond better when they’re believed in and trusted.
You all should read his book The QB whisperer and watch All or Nothing Season 1. There’s also plenty of full old Cardinals games on YouTube with both BA and Bowles that will give insight.
March 1st, 2019 at 8:05 am
If BA can fix JW, he can take RG to the next level. Lots of potential talent but needs polishing.
March 1st, 2019 at 8:20 am
This thread is full of people that have never lead people in their lives. What you people don’t get is it’s not about eg if youo it’s about your coach undermining you and having players split because of it. Like I said week 2 last year Koetter was going to screw it up. From the second they decided to keep Jameis after the suspension was announced they should have said he was the starter upon his return. I mean does anyone with a brain think it was going to end any different than it did with the course he took. He put his eggs in the basket of a journeyman backup instead of the overall#1 pick who like it or not has put up pretty impressive numbers this far in his career. Koetter is a classic example of a guy that gets promoted because he is good at his job but really should never have been a head coach cause he doesn’t understand people and how they all react to things. By not sticking with Jameis after the suspension he destroyed his own team himself and Fitz and his dressup antics just added fuel to the fire. Why intentionally invite anything to do with that back in the locker room when you understand anything about team, unity or WINNING!!!!!?
March 1st, 2019 at 8:34 am
I would like to nominate Ndog for leader of the year ?
He clearly has led people his entire life. A true hero in my opinion.
He claims to be a former qb as well. 😂
March 1st, 2019 at 8:49 am
Jay-Miss should be looking over his shoulder. Heck, every single player in the NFL looks over their shoulder. It’s why coaches love competition in training camp. When did competition for the starting QB job all of the sudden become a bad thing?
March 1st, 2019 at 8:58 am
Great idea. “Fitz played too well…….let’s get rid of him”
March 1st, 2019 at 9:02 am
When did B.A. say that?
Joe inferred that he did but didn’t give a quote.
Until I get a quote, I’ll have to assume Joe is stirring the pot again to bring out the “no real man quarterback should be threatened by a backup” crowd.
And it worked!
March 1st, 2019 at 9:15 am
He should not return the NFL network ran replay of the GIants BUCS game and fitz was so careless with the ball he looked like he didn’t even care hes a shellfish player and he needs to go .
March 1st, 2019 at 9:51 am
bucem7
i agree…
draft tyree jackson from buffalo….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
March 1st, 2019 at 10:47 am
These articles are getting better. Now we have an ego issue with Tampa Bay Quarterback, Alternate Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. I thought you lovers told us he thrived on competition. Now you are saying he can’t handle competition.
“Alternate Pro Bowler” LOL That was a very good one. –Joe
March 1st, 2019 at 10:55 am
Joe….a “hassle with an Uber driver” is when said driver scratches your suitcase putting it into the trunk, or gives you back the wrong change.
Putting your hands on a female’s genitals without permission is actually called “sexual assault”. Big difference!
if Jameis’ ego is so fragile that he can’t take a backup outplaying him for a few games while he is on SUSPENSION, than maybe he should avoid more “hassles” in the future.
March 1st, 2019 at 10:59 am
He was never charged. Kind of hard to be guilty of something you were never charged with.
March 1st, 2019 at 11:29 am
[We’re not rehashing this crap today. And remember, suggesting a Bucs player committed a felony unless he stood in front of a judge can and will get you run from this site. — Joe]
March 1st, 2019 at 11:34 am
Oh right Joe…..Alternate Pro Bowler Winston is COMPLETELY innocent of groping the Uber driver……………RRRRIIIIIIGGGGGHHHHTTTTT. Get real.
March 1st, 2019 at 12:36 pm
Rah Rah, the one time alternate pro bowler, doesn’t want to look over his shoulder because of competition. Please. Do your job and you won’t have anything to worry about. No one should be anointed forever no matter what. Do you want to win games or stroke egos? Go Bucs!
March 1st, 2019 at 12:45 pm
wow
foles
March 1st, 2019 at 1:26 pm
Let’s get it straight shall we? Arians said it is his philosophy to not have competition for the QB on his team. He did that at AZ and everywhere else he’s been. Has nothing to do with Jameis being “fragile” etc. Quit implying that because there isn’t going to be any QBs that would maybe start somewhere else, it’s got something to do with Jameis specifically. That is Arians stated policy as a Head Coach. Nothin’ else. If he thinks Jameis stinks nad has to be replaced, he’ll get another QB next year, and it will be the same deal.
March 1st, 2019 at 1:54 pm
I wonder if the Colts and Steelers had fans dumb enough to criticize their Qbs when BA had the same coaching philosophy. It’s the same people who have always hated Jameis finding an excuse to fault Jameis again. Joe stokes this crap and you guys fall for it every single time. To speak your language. SAD.
March 1st, 2019 at 1:56 pm
Bradinator- Don’t bother I already explained it. They won’t read and/or understand it.
March 1st, 2019 at 3:26 pm
DR
“Heck, maybe it’s worth it just to stick with Griffin & hope that IF something happens to Jameis, that Ryan can prove to be the real deal when the bullets start flying.”
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As long as Griffin doesn’t play to well and scare Jaboo…..I guess.
Bird
“Arians staTes Jameis is “the man” , yet concedes he is worried about him looking over his shoulder ? Wow”
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I’m with you on that Bird..Arians is starting to have me SMDH. However, this is the Silly Season..can’t really believe much of what is said. Hopefully.
March 2nd, 2019 at 6:11 pm
Here’s the rub. Winston can have two ways of being sidelined. Bad play (already happened) and off the field problems (already happened). Now you don’t want to have another QB on the roster that he might think Could play better than him. If that’s true he’s weak and so is management.