Enough “Leader” Talk!
March 26th, 2019
Superb teammate, not a leader.
Joe’s so fed up with this “leader” talk by the Bucs, Joe almost wants to get thrown out of his favorite watering hole for hollering at the bartender.
Sometimes listening to Bucs types talk about “leaders,” Joe thinks he’s listening to a non-stop loop of Dan Sileo shows.
This just in: The Bucs have had no leaders the past two years and may not have one this year. At least, not leaders who refuse to tolerate constant losing and p!ss poor play from a team with the longest postseason drought in the NFC.
Yesterday Joe was listening to Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht on SiriusXM NFL Radio with Friend of Joe host Alex Marvez, who asked Licht about the loss of middle linebacker Kwon Alexander to the 49ers in free agency.
Licht responded how tough it was to lose “a great leader” like Alexander.
Stop! Please stop!
Has anyone checked what the Bucs defense has done since Alexander was drafted and won a starting gig to start the 2015 season? Or how about the Bucs as a whole?
Joe has repeatedly stated Alexander may be the perfect teammate but “great leader?” Of what, a garbage team? Is that something to beat your chest about? Leaders like that ought to be run out of town!
The Bucs have no leaders. America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, was thought to be a leader but he’s not. Leaders don’t let s(p)its like Swaggy Baker pull his stunts all season long (until, Alexander confronted Baker the day before Christmas!).
Why didn’t Alexander or Jameis toss malcontent wide receiver DeSean Jackson up against a wall for all his shenanigans (both in public and behind the scenes) to get Jameis run out of town?
Alexander was a great leader? Then why didn’t he make the defense better than worst in the league for two straight years until Alexander left the team with a season-ending injury? Why didn’t he run off Brent Grimes when Grimes groused about having to cover Antonio Brown?
Joe honestly is starting to think Bucs types don’t know what a leader is. Leaders help make a team better. Leaders root out the jerks and the guys dragging down the team by working feverishly to implode the team from within. Leaders hold teammates accountable. Leaders don’t lie to their teammates. Leaders don’t get suspended over hassles with Uber drivers.
Alexander, once again, may be the perfect teammate. But he is not a leader.
Or to be more precise, Alexander wasn’t a leader.
March 26th, 2019 at 10:16 am
Everybody is sick of hearing the same speal every off-season.
You can almost hear the Buc players now…”so and so is gonna have a billion sacks, this guy is a man monster, I can learn a lot from this freak of nature”,…..blah, blah, blah, talk, talk, talk.
And then comes the actual season….”we have to communicate better, that flag really got us down, we can’t turn the football over, we have to make that one stop at the end of the game.” blah, blah, blah, talk, talk.
Since the SB the Bucs do more talking to the media and less showing on the field.
There has been a culture change at the Bucs.
It started when Malcom left us.
March 26th, 2019 at 10:16 am
Why do you think that most free agents that the Bucs pick up have been tried and propped up to fill leadership void in that locker room year after year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And those examples are not even the top 10 reasons why jw3 is not a leader!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it was majorly exposed last year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like that joe is so upset with Djax, thinking he tried to ruin jw3 job!!!!!! But is not that what jw3 did to Djax for two years with his bad play, bad decisions, Djax just caught on joe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#exposed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2019 season will reveal answers to the shep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 26th, 2019 at 10:17 am
I wish Joe was more passionate about GMC non leadership skills …. GMC self proclaim leadership has dragged this team down worse JW and Kwon. But all you hear ” GMC is the best DT of this generation” …. SMH. At least JW and Kwon tried to be leaders giving how young they are and they were leading the “established” players on the Bucs. It could go wrong has it has
March 26th, 2019 at 10:18 am
Absolutely correct! Alexander played with a lot of passion…and I loved the guy for his spirit. However, many times out of position and over ran plays…so I would have like to see him play a little more under control.
March 26th, 2019 at 10:19 am
Attitude reflects leadership! Leadership starts at the top with the head coach!!
March 26th, 2019 at 10:20 am
I knew Licht was clueless when he said on Hard Knocks that Winston inspires him….Licht drinks too much of his own koolaid and like Winston, likes to hear himself.
March 26th, 2019 at 10:23 am
Yup. We are bashing the young talent for not being leaders but how can you when your surroundings make up of Grimes, djx, gmx, Fitz, tj ward. Baker Thats a hell of a locker room
March 26th, 2019 at 10:24 am
Yes!
March 26th, 2019 at 10:28 am
People who chest-thump and run their mouths without actions to support it are not leaders. They are Big Mouth Self-Promoters.
This team is much better off without Kwon Alexander.
March 26th, 2019 at 10:28 am
Owners!
March 26th, 2019 at 10:28 am
I love the logic. Since we aren’t winning then every player stinks.
Like I said, the negativity on this blog starts at the top. Every day. No doubt this is a glass half full blog – heck, one quarter full. And before you say “what have they done to make me positive” we are all aware of the Bucs recent history. Hope isn’t a bad thing, its a good thing.
March 26th, 2019 at 10:30 am
Every off season? SOS ! Hell, enough of everything people. Arians is this, Arians is that. We gonna do this..and that. All bravado and cash Sh..talkin now. But once the smoke fades..we shall all know and see what we got. Thats the great thing about the NFL. No cover-ups, no investigations or castigations. We are what your record says you are. Time to stop talkin Bruce Arians and Co. Lets get to work. No excuses baby. We Buc fans are sick and tired of being losers…every yr. Lets Go!!
March 26th, 2019 at 10:37 am
I hear that successful teams don’t just look to draft talent. They look to draft team captains who have talent. How many collegiate team captains are playing for the Bucs? Wish I had time to research this.
QBs don’t count. They are always “captains” whether deserved or not.
March 26th, 2019 at 10:40 am
Wow Joe, care to tell us what you REALLY think? “The Bucs have no leaders.” Agree. But identifying the problem is less than half the battle. In my experience, coming up with SOLUTIONS is the hardest part. And the sad thing is, I’m not seeing any SOLUTIONS coming out of anyone.
Sapp was a LEADER, but not because he was a a big DT with HOF talent, but rather because he REFUSED to accept mediocrity from ANYONE (including himself). Does GMC have that same attitude? Not hardly. Does Jameis? Nope. Anyone on the OLine or our RBs or WRs/TEs? Not from what I’ve seen. Anyone on our DLine or LBs or Secondary? PERHAPS JPP, but that’s it IMO. You’re 100% spot on: “The Bucs have no leaders”.
So if we have NO LEADERS, our choices are to import them or develop them, or both. One of the key reasons I want MLB Devin White … MLB is the centerpiece of both the 3-4 and 4-3 defense IMO, and White appears to have strong leadership skills from what I’ve seen & read. And the key reason I wanted I wanted us to sign a quality starting RG with strong leadership talents is because our OLine has none right now. Same with bringing in a quality starting CB … our Secondary lacks FIELD LEADERSHIP right now and they desperately need it.
March 26th, 2019 at 10:44 am
pretty harsh words
March 26th, 2019 at 10:45 am
Arians needs to find a leader then ride his azz all year.
March 26th, 2019 at 10:46 am
Fitz and JPP were probably the closest to a leader as you were going to get for the Bucs. Time for Evans to step up and be that person now.
March 26th, 2019 at 10:48 am
Man Joe, you’re really on fire today with the great articles. I wholeheartedly agree with you. This organization has been void of real leaders for a long time. It’s in this regard that the GMC and LVD critics have a fair point. They’ve never been leaders either.
Kwon wasn’t a leader.
Jameis isn’t a leader.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:07 am
D-Rome:
Thank you. Look at Sapp for example. You think anyone would have gotten away with what Grimes pulled? Heck no!
And DJax? Sapp went crazy because Key didn’t show up for OTAs. And Key was productive, balled out and never threw his QB under the bus.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:11 am
Being in the locker room during media time doesn’t qualify anyone to say whether he is or isn’t a leader he was a good player an ok player and he’s gone no need to continue to question different holes in his game. Dude according to coaches and players was the heartbeat of the team
The guy you should be going after is Geraldine to have the mantle taken by first Winston as a rookie then Kwon in his third year. It’s pathetic to keep piling on young players but no one in the media wants to call out the supposed leader and future ring of honor for all the losing
Stop please stop
March 26th, 2019 at 11:13 am
stop being butt hurt joe…..
if kwon wouldve resigned, you would be saying licht did a great good of keeping the leader of the defense…..
dont bash kwon…..bash GMC, gholston and LVD…..they have been here the longest and still arent leaders…..you cant bash kwon for stepping up and being a leader…..
the man made the PB playing in smitty’s sh!tty defense…..he deserved an extension for that alone……
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
March 26th, 2019 at 11:15 am
You shouldn’t have to lead grown men making millions of dollars!!!! If being in the NFL doesn’t motivate you than I don’t want or need you on this team!!!
March 26th, 2019 at 11:53 am
What 42years said..
March 26th, 2019 at 11:55 am
Licht–have your staff go back and look at the players you are interested in drafting from a leadership point of view.Joe you are spot on!!We need players that were leaders on their college teams.We have been ending up with locker rooms of sweet mama’s boys.
March 26th, 2019 at 11:55 am
“End of this season, Glazers going to need fans
This coming up season can very possibly turn to a total meltdown…
we can be the worst team in the NFL
*Not including Miami because they actually want to be the worst but
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED…
TAMPA BAY BUCS IS GOING TO HIT ROCK BOTTOM”
Kobe Faker
March 26th, 2019 at 11:59 am
And what DB said, and to first poster you’re right. Ish ain’t been right since the Daddy passed.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:02 pm
Also what crackpipe said. Fantastic point sir. One of the reasons I’m on team Devin White.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:05 pm
Defense they don’t seem to get it bro,this team is need of more than some flash in the pan @$$ edge rusher. It needs more accountability. It doesn’t take much research to find out Devin White checks these boxes.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:10 pm
Agree with the above posters on Sapp being the true leader when this team was good. Loved Brooks and Lynch too, but it always seemed like Sapp was the heart and soul of the team…arguably the last Buc to truly wear the mantle of “team leader”. How sad that he’s been gone for over a decade, and we’re still waiting to see if another Buc will step up like that and demand the best out of the team every game vs. just talk a solid game.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:11 pm
Buccaneerscotty the fact that they make millions of dollars in my opinion is why they need even more leadership and motivation bro. You sign me,give me 20 million guaranteed you better have very interesting methods in place to convince to continue giving up my body for you knowing what’s in my bank account.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:18 pm
GMC has NEVER been a “leader”. He was made a Captain by his teammates and coaches but has NEVER been a leader.
The running diatribe over GMC and his leadership is so tired. We KNOW! OK?! He’s been an above-average to good player on some of the most horrendous defenses in the NFL.
Some may want it to, but the buck does not stop at DT.
This ORGANIZATION has been leaderless since Malcolm’s death. They have no idea what a leader looks like. How do we know? 5 head coaches since the Super Bowl and ZERO playoff appearances, that’s how!
Kwon is not even a “good” MLB.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:23 pm
Boi:
Not bashing anyone. If that’s what you got out of this you need to re-read the post.
As far as the others, Licht was not talking about them. He was asked about Kwon and referenced Kwon only.
To call a guy a “great leader” on one of the worst defenses in the history of football where the loafers ruled the roost is insulting to anyone with half a brain.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:24 pm
Damn Kobe lol. That must mean you think Winston’s career is going to flop and that Arians & staff are over-the-hill and ARians specifically is in bad mental shape.
Hope you’re wrong but nothing would surprise me with how bad this franchise burns us every year.
GO BUCS!
March 26th, 2019 at 12:31 pm
Joe this article is very disappointing. I can’t believe you actually pinning our terrible defense the past 3 years on kwon. Jpp had a monster season last year so does that means he wasn’t a leader
March 26th, 2019 at 12:38 pm
Joe how do you expect Jameis to put mesean against a wall when the coach has meeans back? How are you supposed to set someone straight when they to fight a coach and then the head coach makes him a captain the next game? Misplaced rage there Joe, just because a team is losing doesnt mean there isnt leaders on it. Leadership and winning dont have a lot to do with each other. Talent and coaching have a vastly more important effect on wins and loses. Stop worrying about who the leaders are. And on a side note you never talk about the golden boy McCoy when it comes to leadership.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:45 pm
Joe’s so fed up with this “leader” talk by the Bucs,
Now you know how we feel about the “Americas Quarteback” label.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:52 pm
Jason Licht — not Joe — was specifically asked about Kwon Alexander and Licht specifically replied with an answer about Alexander and referred to the starting middle linebacker who called each and every defensive play on the worst defense mankind has ever seen a “great leader.”
Not Joe, but the general manager of the Bucs speaking to an (inter)national radio audience.
So out of that Joe is supposed to call out… Will Gholston???
March 26th, 2019 at 12:56 pm
TBBF (and others),
The “America’s Quarterback” label for Jameis Winston is literally perfect.
If you take 5 minutes to think about it, it isn’t hard to figure out why.
It doesn’t need to go anywhere.
March 26th, 2019 at 12:59 pm
For whatever reason, Jameis is a completely polarizing figure for our fan base. We all see it here on JBF every single day, right?
It is about as polarizing as anything in AMERICA right now, whether it be politics, racial relations, religion, etc etc etc etc etc
Hence…
Jameis Winston – America’s Quarterback
Why has it taken everyone so long to get it?
March 26th, 2019 at 1:01 pm
FIRE:
That’s part of it, yes.
March 26th, 2019 at 1:09 pm
Should have known better than to speak for you, JOE, LOL!!!
Definitely should have provided that it was MY TAKE on it.
March 26th, 2019 at 1:44 pm
look, Tampa Bay’s Quarterback, Alternate Pro Bowler, Jameis Winston is not the leader of this team. Right now, since Fitz is gone, that’ll probably fall to JPP again, and then whomever gets drafted. Unless some of these 2nd or 3rd year guys step up. Ali might step up for the OLINE. Who knows.
March 26th, 2019 at 2:14 pm
GRRRR!!! YOU CAN’T BE A LEADER IF YOU READ COMIC BOOKS!!!! GRRRRR!!!!!
March 26th, 2019 at 3:23 pm
Deep, calming breaths, Joe(s), deep, calming breaths. Its going to be alright.
March 26th, 2019 at 3:52 pm
Preachhhhh brother preach!
March 26th, 2019 at 10:07 pm
How many ways are there to lead? If you’re not with someone 24 hrs a day can you really say you know what kind of x/y/z they are? I say again, worst shiney-object chasin’, non team sports playin, false conclusion drawin fans on the planet. Queue the “we have a right” crowd. Go Bucs!
March 27th, 2019 at 1:44 am
I thought JPP had a tremendous season, he played confident and played hurt most of the time. JPP deserves his stellar reputation. He is a leader by setting example especially in his personal life, his honest talk and how he shares his truth. Hope to see JPP get the captain patch. JPP is Licht’s best Buc signing period. Can’t wait to watch him in Todd Bowles defense. OK with Kwon leaving, glad he scored well, he was a good teammate, hope we get an awesome LB to replace him. LVD–always appreciate him and especially his ability to make a play–he is excellent at forcing fumbles. I think both JPP and LVD lead by example.