“All My Life I’ve Been A Winner”
August 21st, 2019
Big talk.
Bold words from America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
For Bucs fans mired in depression from watching games at the Den of Depression as the losses mounted year after agonizing year, and players, coaches and suits come and go, one thing in the post-Chucky era has remained a constant.
Losing.
That s(p)it ends now, said Jameis in an interview with Kimberley A. Martin of Yahoo! Sports. Jameis predicts this season he will become the first quarterback since Jeff Garcia to lead the Bucs to a second winning season under his watch (the Bucs finished 9-7 in Jameis’ second season).
“All my life I’ve been a winner. And this is the year,” Winston told Yahoo Sports. “This is the year that I can put a stake in the ground and move forward.”
Strong words but Joe hopes Jameis remembers who is in his division. The Dixie Chicks, the Stinking Panthers and the Saints, all with Super Bowl pedigrees and MVP quarterbacks, they might have a different idea.
Martin writes despite what some outside the Bucs’ organization look at as a T-intersection in Jameis’ career — do it now or move on — the Bucs have embraced Jameis as the team’s leader.
But in order for the Bucs — who have finished 5-11 the past two seasons — to be a legitimate contender in the NFC South, Winston has to be the best he has ever been. His coaches, however, insist the former No. 1 pick isn’t far off from where he needs to be.
“This is not a situation where we all have to put our heads together and fix Jameis. This kid don’t need fixing,” said Leftwich, who will call the offensive plays this season. “I think I can help him play better football. That’s all I’m trying to do. I don’t think he’s ever played bad football. That’s the misconception. …
“You look at what this kid did his first year in the league — it’s all-time great, right?” he said of Winston, who became the first NFL quarterback to eclipse 4,000 passing yards in each of his first two seasons. “Look what he did in the beginning. You didn’t get the win-loss record that you wanted, but being in that position, a lot goes into winning football games.”
Joe is still skeptical of the defense. Yes, of course, it should be better than it was the past two years. How could it not be? But can the defense rise to the level where Jameis doesn’t feel as if he has to throw a touchdown on every possession to keep the team’s head above water?
It has been the defense, not Jameis, that has been this team’s noose in recent years. No, Jameis’ fumbles haven’t helped but good grief that defense!
Does Todd Bowles have enough answers to fix this defense? Joe isn’t so sure. Yet.
August 21st, 2019 at 12:16 am
Jameis hasn’t won a road game since 2016. He is not the answer. Joe you have to feel foolish calling him America’sQuarterback, because you look foolish.
August 21st, 2019 at 12:24 am
Name another quarterback other than Tom Brady that moves the needle like Jameis?
Maybe Aaron Rodgers, due in part to his celebrity girlfriends.
Maybe Baker Mayfield because the guy is a loose cannon.
And those are two maybes.
August 21st, 2019 at 12:41 am
“But can the defense rise to the level where Jameis doesn’t feel as if he has to throw a touchdown on every possession”
_____________________________________________________
I agree with you about the defense but disagree with your analogy
Jameis should be trying to score on every possession regardless of, or in spite of, their defense.
August 21st, 2019 at 12:48 am
“You didn’t get the win-loss record that you wanted, but being in that position, a lot goes into winning football games.”
August 21st, 2019 at 12:54 am
He has been a winner all his life…. Until the Bucs drafted him.
August 21st, 2019 at 1:58 am
^^^ that’s right on!! There was a lot of heavy lifting that had to be done, FAMOUS has done all the lifting now it’s time to win, we need 5 extra wins to get a play-off bid! I’m down with that! GO BUCS GO FAMOUS GO SUHY!!
August 21st, 2019 at 2:23 am
Mahomes. Dak. Kap
August 21st, 2019 at 3:12 am
It’s time to shut up and put up that’s the bottom line. So it was said so it was written. Come on man.
August 21st, 2019 at 3:51 am
You can’t make this stuff up. Talk and words haven’t ever won a game yet. Actually, quite amusing…
August 21st, 2019 at 4:31 am
“But can the defense rise to the level where Jameis doesn’t feel as if he has to throw a touchdown on every possession to keep the team’s head above water?”
If Winston believes this , He is correct.
On the other hand, it would appear it’s on a play by play basis. And, its a problem. A Winston problem.
August 21st, 2019 at 4:48 am
Friday nght is Winston’s chance to “move the needle.” Yes, a “meaningless game” or is it? The game (that I agree should not be played) is more than a “dress rehearsal” for season start. It is the culmination of a very important camp for Winston because he’s the first overall pick entering into his fifth year without earning a new a contract; the real world knows he’s a turnover machine with potential to be better, and Friday will be the best and ONLY chance we see what Winston has learned under the said QB Whisperer before the game counts. Will he stink it up without Mike Evans and Hump in playing several series? Or will he do well? Will he be a mixed bag like the last four years? Can he play two smart quarters and put 17-21 points on the board WITH his team? Yes, how Winston “moves the needle” Friday night will also be a pretty big tone setter for how much fans want to show up and watch when SF comes to town. Yup, move the needle can be good or bad. Arguably this is the ONLY real reason the national media is paying attention to the Bucs right now. Bucs fans hope Winston does well, that the Bucs show they are ready, and get more fans energized for Sep 8. Right now, there are thousands and thousands of unsold tickets, free McGraw concert or not. Winston fans don’t care about the Bucs and will attack anyone who raises the harsh reality about their chosen one. Go Bucs!
August 21st, 2019 at 5:16 am
Blah, blah, blah, should have said ” All my life I’ve been throwing interceptions”
August 21st, 2019 at 5:31 am
Talk is cheap, show me
August 21st, 2019 at 5:49 am
Joe, you must not spend much time outside of Tampa unless your in Vegas gambling boozing as Jameis doesn’t move the needle nationally. Maybe in college he did with his off field antics but in the Pros nationally he’s an afterthought
17 out of 56 games he’s been turnover free, that’s not winning football or giving your team a chance to win much
Never thrown for 3 or more TD’s in consecutive games
Only thrown for 3 or more TDs in 10 of 56 games
For a #1 overall pick who was hyped as pro ready and with a high football IQ he doesn’t do much to help the team win. So no Jameis, you are not a winner
But I’d love it if you were
August 21st, 2019 at 6:03 am
“It has been the defense, not Jameis, that has been this team’s noose in recent years.”
Sorry, but your argument doesn’t hold water. Bucs have been a poorly-constructed team for at least 10 years, probably closer to 15 years. As they say about computers … ‘Garbage in, garbage out’. As they also say, ‘Follow the money’ and it becomes quite obvious why this team has two back-to-back losing seasons.
Last year the Bucs geniuses spent $73.5 mil on the defense (#7 most expensive) … NFL average was $61.1 mil BTW. For us to ‘get our money’s worth’ you’d expect us to have a Top-10 defense (like the Jags, Rams, Vikings, Texans, Broncos, Ravens, Pats). Only 3 of the high-cost defenses (Chiefs, Panthers & Bucs) stunk it up when it came to defense.
Why did the Bucs not get their money’s worth you ask? Because Licht put most of our money into the DLine … $49 mil (#2 most expensive) or 67% of the cost of the defense. The LBs got $11.2 mil (#24 most expensive) and our Secondary got $13.3 mil (#25 most expensive). Considering that LVD made $10 mil and Grimes made $8 mil of that, it becomes pretty obvious how lop-sided this team was. We stocked much of this defense with a bunch of cheap FAs & young draft picks, then expected them to play like world-beaters when injuries hit. Good luck with that. Put more simply, our BALANCE sucked and our DEPTH sucked.
Our offense is just as big a joke IMO, even worse in some ways. Last year, with no high-priced QBs or RBs, Bucs paid $79.8 mil for our offense (#8) … NFL average was $64 mil BTW. Our OLine got $22.9 mil (#18 most expensive) but our WRs got a whopping $37.7 mil (#1 most expensive … by far). Our TEs ranked right up there too, making $7.7 mil (#8 most expensive). Three of our receivers got the lion’s share (ME13, DJax & Brate), but only 1 deserved it IMO (ME13). So Jameis had a mid-cost OLine protecting him, the league’s highest-paid receiver group to throw to, and yet we only produced the #12 Scoring Offense. Why? IMO … turnovers, by both Jameis & Fitz AND because of our poor running game (our most costly RB in 2018 BTW was Jacquizz at $1.6 mil, with RoJo coming in at $1.3 mil … Peyton made $630K last year). This team structure is a friggin joke. Good job Jason.
August 21st, 2019 at 6:08 am
Joe, yes, Winston “moves the needle” but so does Jeffry Epstein. Not in a good way. To be sure, when Winston’s name comes up in New Orleans, Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Pittsburgh, oh, he moves the needle, but it is NOT because of his football abilities. America’s Fool, indeed.
August 21st, 2019 at 6:15 am
Magadude … Friday’s game against Cleveland isn’t ‘meaningless’ IMO. Jameis has a history of struggling against above-average defenses, and Cleveland’s defense this year has been quite impressive. Can Jameis move this team consistently and SCORE without ME13 in there? Can this team run against a decent defense? This is the last ‘warmup’ until the 49ers come to town. Jameis & the offense especially need to make the most of it (our defense is missing too many key pieces right now to really know what we’ve got IMO).
August 21st, 2019 at 6:16 am
All my life I had to fight – but we gon be alright – Kendrick Lamar
August 21st, 2019 at 6:24 am
Lets get this straight and keep it real. A lot of guys don’t like Jameis because he is black. Look at Baker Mayfield he is the new wonder boy of the league. Baker doesn’t have better numbers then Jameis and also has off the field issues but the media loves him. If Jameis was out chugging beers and in the media talking about other teams draft picks he would be killed by the local media and fans
August 21st, 2019 at 6:25 am
Morgus, to compare Jameis who got handsy with an Uber driver to a pedophile who abused multiple under age girls/children is sheer garbage. Think about what you are writing?
August 21st, 2019 at 6:31 am
I see a BUNCH of haters. Nothing more
August 21st, 2019 at 6:35 am
Let the hate flow, it feels sooooo good doesn’t it.
August 21st, 2019 at 6:48 am
This mantra that ONE aspect of this team has doomed it is an outright farce! You can’t use the “it’s a team game” to defend Jameis just to turn around and blame it all on the defense. No one aspect of football lives in a vacuum.
Defense matters!
Run-game matters!
Kicking matters!
Coaching matters!
Turnovers MATTER!
Decision making MATTERS!
Read @Defense Rules above to understand why this team has s@cked out loud for so long. It starts at the top, ALWAYS has. BAD management.
August 21st, 2019 at 6:57 am
Listen guys… football is played in three phases. Since Jameis has been the QB the other 2 phases have been less then pedestrian at best. At Best!! The guy has the pedigree. Jamies has the physical tools to be elite. ELITE!! We have a better kicking game and defense then we have had since he’s been here. Not to mention better coaching across the board. How many games have the Bucs lost due to leaky 4th quarter defense and limp noodle legged kickers in the past 4 years? How many years has he had a legitimate running game? I understand that haters are going to hate but honestly if you don’t think he can be a franchise quarterback then what World Beater QB could win a Super Bowl with the teams that have surrounded him his past 4 years? Don’t waste your time, I’ll answer for you: NO ONE!! Pipe down, be a fan, and let the man play.
August 21st, 2019 at 7:01 am
Not the first time that the lip service is supposed to make him something. Been a LOSER in the pros, talk means nothing….
August 21st, 2019 at 7:32 am
This year is all
About the defense. To think
Otherwise is madness! Winston can be the exact same qb he has always been , AND WE CAN WIN WITH THAT if the defense improves to middle
Of
The pack.
August 21st, 2019 at 7:54 am
Joes web marketing and web presence firm must have reached out to him in reference to low web-site activity, as this article will surely receive a lot of attention. You see, Joe makes money by advertising dollars and the ad space pricing depends on the traffic on his site. Writing an article that is so far from the truth will always garner “click cash”. Good job Joe!!! Although you did fail to mention that JW is a loser on and off the field.
August 21st, 2019 at 7:58 am
Day1BucFan preach my brother!
August 21st, 2019 at 8:01 am
He may have also won at the college level but was a true loser off the field. Lack of campus police protection has exposed this as a professional.
August 21st, 2019 at 8:03 am
Improved kicking game alone will account for at least two extra wins this year.
August 21st, 2019 at 8:04 am
DtmStChuck…all I said was “move the needle” and I stand by that comparison. I did not compare the misdeeds of the two men, but apparently you’re trying to do so.
August 21st, 2019 at 8:13 am
@Megadude
FYI “Hump” is no longer on the team!
August 21st, 2019 at 8:15 am
joe
whats your definition of “move the needle”…lol….
none of the QB’s you named moves the needle in a positive manner except for TB…if you’re looking for drama or distractions then yes JW, AR & BM move the needle….but when was the last time they made the playoffs?
JW has only moved the needle when he’s embarrassing himself or the team….he hasnt moved the needle in the way TB has…..with winning consistently…..
keep it real….he moves fsu fans needle….thats about it…..unfortunately, imo, fsu fans like yourself could care less if he won….as long as he “moves the needle” folks will make excuses for him…..
with that said, im glad he’s come out and said the losing stops now…..but he wont “move my needle” until he proves it on the field…..
GO BUCS!!!!
August 21st, 2019 at 8:35 am
Manzel…yes, I know Hump is not here and hasn’t been here. Which is why I ask if Winston will stink it up by not having them in several series.
August 21st, 2019 at 8:36 am
Pittshore…but but but haven’t most NFL QBs won at the college level?
August 21st, 2019 at 8:41 am
Morgus has the comment of the day about moving the needle. ouch.
August 21st, 2019 at 8:43 am
@Defense
again, you are the article within the article! Great info, thank you!
August 21st, 2019 at 8:44 am
Maga, most have both most did not have all the character red flags that we drafted.
August 21st, 2019 at 8:46 am
@
dlotebhturt
Not even a close comparison Mayfield set the rookie record for TD passes in like 13 or 14 games took a winless team and had them in the playoff conversation late in the year.
Mayfield hasn’t had the level of off field problems as Jameis. You can criticize other players and talk the talk when your play backs it up. Jameis play after 56 games doesn’t back up any talk other than inconsistency and turnovers and losing play.
I’m black and it’s not about race it’s about play. Let’s hope Jameis plays better and earns a new contract this year
August 21st, 2019 at 8:55 am
Joe, you hit the nail on the head when you said Jameis feels like he has to throw a TD on every possession. That’s a tremendous amount of pressure on any QB, especially a young one who has incompetent coaching and limited help from his line. If you want to look for reasons for 10-22 the past two seasons, you’ve got to look way beyond Jameis. Jameis has made plays unlike anything I’ve ever seen from a Bucs QB.
August 21st, 2019 at 8:58 am
Yup, I think we could find a QB who is at least a bottom tier starter like Winston AND who stays out of trouble. But you know what, he is talking and I believe him this time. And you know, all that stuff all happened a long time ago and there is now a 10 year waiting list to get Bucs season tickets and the stands are packed every weekend. It will probably go to 20 years waiting list because Winston is going to send that there needle he’s moving into orbit. Off the charts man.
August 21st, 2019 at 9:00 am
Okay, enough parody for one morning. Go Bucs! Let’s hope they ALL play well so we go into the season with the arrows pointing up.
August 21st, 2019 at 9:05 am
He has all the tools, he does make head-scratching decisions, but he is a smart football player. “IF” they can put together a running game, and some semblance of a defense that can keep the score respectable, he has a shot to turn this thing around. Between BA and Lefty, he the support and resources he needs. It’s up to him in the end.
August 21st, 2019 at 9:11 am
You know what they say – If you have to go around telling everybody how great you are…………………….
August 21st, 2019 at 9:11 am
“All my life I’ve been a winner”
Except numerous sexual assault investigations, being disciplined multiple times at FSU, a losing record at TB, being arrested for stealing crab legs, not winning away since 2016, do I need to go on?
August 21st, 2019 at 9:11 am
No QB, in the NFL can win with a bad defense. DEFENSE wins playoff games, DEFENSE championchips. We could have Tom Brady, but without a DEFENSE we will go nowhere. Period! The key word to this entire godforsaken franchise is….(say it with me) DEFENSE!! Its not rocket science people.
August 21st, 2019 at 9:12 am
One day Joe will realize that Jameis Winston is a big reason for the bad D. It is hard to have a good D when they are on the field 3/4 of the game due to Winston’s turnovers and 3 and outs.
August 21st, 2019 at 9:27 am
Okay mate show us don’t tell us
August 21st, 2019 at 9:28 am
We need to get him better wideouts.. and tight ends
August 21st, 2019 at 10:31 am
Jameis will be fine. Suck it haters.
August 21st, 2019 at 10:48 am
3 is who he is
Not a bust
Not elite
August 21st, 2019 at 10:54 am
@DefenseRules:
Your post at 6:03am was one of the best I have ever read on JBF.
Kudos to you!
Thank you for all your research!
tickrdr
August 21st, 2019 at 11:03 am
SHAQUILLE O’NEAL got killed by the idiot fans and media when he used to say:
I’ve won at every level other than college and the pros, so winning an NBA title is only a matter of time
BUT … SHAQ WAS RIGHT in the end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JAMEIS is the GREATEST WINNER IN NCAA HISTORY … he got drafted by a terrible organization … but that terrible organization now has a legit coach, so we’ll see what happens this year.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:20 am
Since the Bucs’ defense has been less than stellar at times, shouldn’t Jameis and the Bucs’ offense be expected to win an occasional “shootout” where the defense was not playing well, especially since the team has been built with “weapons for Winston”. Did you know that in games where the opponents scored 24 or more points, the Bucs record is 4 – 33 over the last 4 years? Jameis was 0 – 9 last year, but they did win the game at NO with RF14.
tickrdr
August 21st, 2019 at 11:20 am
Jameis = Shaq. Got it. ….smh
August 21st, 2019 at 11:33 am
The two things you need to be a champion are #1 defense and #2 QB. Jameis has been inconcistent to say the least, but in spurts he has also been nothing short of SPECTACULAR. Go back and watch the games and not just the final stat sheets. Tampa has had one of the most consistently horrible defenses in the league and much od that is the fault of Jaswon Licht, from the bust draft picks, to the poor free agents, and the mediocre coaching hires.
We need to correct the bigger problems and not just lose our sh77t everytime everytime winston overthrows somebody or throws an INT, because even when Winston plays great football the Bucs STILL LOST games.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:43 am
@Morgus
Jameis was MORE of a phenom than Shaq.
He was BETTER in high school than Shaq.
He was BETTER in college than Shaq.
He LIKE SHAQ, was on a Hall of Fame statistical pace through his first 4 seasons.
Yet he is even MORE hated by the media than Shaq was … and like Shaq, he may flee Florida and turn into an all-time legend in another state.
If THAT happens, a large group of idiotic Bucs fans will deserve what they get in the same way a large group of those Magic fans got what they deserved.
August 21st, 2019 at 2:22 pm
Going to keep quiet and just hope for the best.
August 21st, 2019 at 9:07 pm
LOL @ July Joe comparing James Winston to Shaquille O’Neil.
Shaq was a generational beast. Jameis Winston is the 24th ranked starting QB in the NFL.
Shaq NEVER struggled. He DOMINATED from the moment he played in the NBA as a rookie.
Every year Jameis says, “This is the year!” And every year he struggles with turnover issues.
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:24 am
HA Winner? Haven’t seen it in 4 years!!!
August 22nd, 2019 at 9:38 am
Mike #13 is the Winner not this Clown. And the one season we did go 1 game over 500.It was because the defense showed up for 5 games. Oh! And Joe move the needle??? .The fumes from that jock strap are messing with your thinking!