If Rivers Comes…
January 30th, 2020
More speculation.
Until the Bucs put a lid on it — and they do have the power to do so — speculation on who the Bucs will have at quarterback next year will continue to fester unabated.
(Does anyone find it wild that a member of Team Glazer, who avoids the public eye like Joe does warm beer, has spoken publicly since the start of the 2019 season but Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Light is in hibernation? Or is Licht under a gag order? To the best of Joe’s recollection, Licht hasn’t fielded any questions on the record since his post-draft wrap-up last spring, aside from appearing with Gene Deckerhoff on the Buccaneers Radio Network. Joe can never remember a general manager going dark like this.)
Over at The Draft Network, Trevor Sikkema decided to take a stab at where the free agent quarterbacks will land.
Sikkema believes, for now, Rivers leads the Bucs out of the tunnel at the Den of Depression this fall.
[I]f [Rivers] does intend to come back for more football in 2020, a potential match could be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There is a strong possibility that the Buccaneers could be moving on from Jameis Winston. If they do, they’ll need a quarterback to engineer Bruce Arians’ vertical offense.
Not every quarterback can handle that though. Rivers will have to prove he still has the arm to stretch the field, but the personality and competitive nature of both Arians and Rivers could make for instant chemistry.
Here is the thing: To Joe, Rivers is nothing more than an old, immobile version of Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. Joe honestly does not believe Rivers is an upgrade. If this were 2015, different story.
If the Bucs do decide to bring in Rivers, then they better be drafting Jordan Love or Jacob Eason because there’s no future at all with a 38-year old immobile quarterback with a knack for picks, whose arm ain’t what it used to be — but his mouth runs as fast as always.
January 30th, 2020 at 8:02 am
I agree Joe
January 30th, 2020 at 8:07 am
Rivers certainly won’t make the STUPID throws that Winston has made for FIVE YEARS. And he doesn’t have the off-field baggage that turns off half the fans.
January 30th, 2020 at 8:08 am
What a great picture!!! haha
I largely agree. A younger Rivers would definitely be worth a look but at this point in Rivers career I think we should pass. The only way signing Rivers makes sense is if Bucs intend on drafting a QB round 1 for Rivers to groom otherwise I would pass.
January 30th, 2020 at 8:09 am
Not sure what to think of Rivers but I do know he’s never thrown 30 picks in a Year, so that is an upgrade
Until the Bucs get a smart accurate qb that protects the ball they won’t make the playoffs unless the defense is elite
January 30th, 2020 at 8:10 am
No arm! Just stop!
January 30th, 2020 at 8:10 am
It’s not about Rivers being the “answer” as much as admitting the “truth” that jay-miss was a MISTAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 30th, 2020 at 8:13 am
I don’t know why but that picture…..looks like Patrick Star from Spongebob anthropomorphized into real life. It’s actually kinda hard to look at.
January 30th, 2020 at 8:15 am
Joe, how about some real reporting instead of these endless Philip Rivers scenarios? He ain’t coming here. Meanwhile Joel Segal, Winston’s agent, has been meeting with other teams. Segal just had an audience with Jerry Jones who has a Dak Prescott decision on the horizon. Why pay Dak $35+M when you can get a better QB for $30M? Joe, try to tear yourself away from the free barbeque on Radio Row and report some real stories. It’s no wonder Bucs fans are the most clueless in the NFL.
January 30th, 2020 at 8:18 am
Rivers can mentor a young drafted QB. Winston?
January 30th, 2020 at 8:24 am
I know this…
If Bucs sign Jameis to $25 million +, then you can say goodbye to JPP or Suh or both.
The D will not be as good, Barrett will be criticized as overpaid because his production will be down.
The secondary will not be as good because the DLine pressure won’t be as good.
And Jameis will get his stats and continue turning it over
And Bucs will have another losing season
January 30th, 2020 at 8:27 am
If the RayJay janitor can throw the long ball, sign him.
Gotta do something to distance this franchise from the stench that is JayMiss.
Peace, out
January 30th, 2020 at 8:32 am
Licht Headed Says:
“Joel Segal, Winston’s agent, has been meeting with other teams. Segal just had an audience with Jerry Jones who has a Dak Prescott decision on the horizon. —- Joe, try to tear yourself away from the free barbeque on Radio Row and report some real stories. It’s no wonder Bucs fans are the most clueless in the NFL.”
—–
Well that will be really damn interesting when Dallas gets hit with tampering then, Mr. Know-It-All. — They CAN NOT TALK until MARCH!!!!!!
SOOO glad that YOU are so “in the loop” (eyes roll), while criticizing JOE and others for actually being there and working.
January 30th, 2020 at 8:33 am
Unless we can save at least $7 million on Rivers…..IE a $20 mil contract, he makes little sense….If we move on from Winston, regardless who we bring in, we need to draft a QB.
For me, I’d be up for saving most all of the money and just going with a decent rookie next year……sometimes you just have to bite the bullet…….saving all the money on the QB position for 5 years would give us plenty to build a team around him.
Regardless of situation….we need to draft a QB.
January 30th, 2020 at 8:36 am
The Bucs have the 3rd most cap space in the NFL.
The Bucs have the money to sign Jamies, JPP, Suh, Shaq and extend Godwin.
I think the chances are good all are resigned by the Bucs.
They will probably have tough decisions on Perriman and Nassib. I also doubt they will be able to do much in free agency outside of signing their own guys.
January 30th, 2020 at 8:37 am
Joe, One thing that all Bucs fans know for sure is that in Winston we have a QB that in his 5th season alone threw 30 ints. And has never led the team to the play-offs. Of course there were a few fumbles along the way too. The Bucs & BA know just how empty the Stadium was for home games last season and should know how empty it will be in 2020 if they keep Winston. While I like Winston as a person, it’s time to make a business decision and move in another direction for a QB. I still vote for a decent QB to play next year and help BA train a good Draft Pick. Still say pick up a seasoned Vet at RT too. The Glazer boys say they want a Super Bowl. So lets see just how much of Malcolms smarts they may have inherited. So far they’ve shown nothing but greed.
January 30th, 2020 at 8:44 am
Bringing rivers here makes no sense at all. Who gives the team a better chance to win next year rivers or winston? Easy.
January 30th, 2020 at 8:49 am
Love these guys (like Licht Headed above) who think they are “in the know”.
There are at least 350 media members on Radio Row right now, representing just about every state in the Union. — You don’t think that if Jameis Winston’s agent was meeting with the DALLAS freaking COWBOYS, before it is even allowed…. that SOMEONE would not have reported it?
But YOU KNOW. Right?
Fricking RIGHT.
January 30th, 2020 at 8:49 am
Yeah, I agree. Backstabbin’ Jason Licht cannot hold this franchise back because of his pride and hubris. It’s unfair to the owners, coaches, players, and fans. The sooner the Ol’ Backstabber admits to himself that Jay-Miss is not the future, the better this franchise will be for it.
January 30th, 2020 at 8:50 am
Disagree Joe..it isn’t “festering”..it is called negotiations. And if Arians thinks we can upgrade the QB position, who am I to disagree? Or that we can get Jameis to play for 20 plus, plus incentives and resign most of the D, who am I to complain? I just hope he is right. And BTW…I’m certain it isn’t hurting all the Bucs boards, including this one.
January 30th, 2020 at 8:54 am
And BTW Jameis…not saying either is a Rhodes Scholar. But who is to say they read defenses the same, process information the same, have the same release time, make the same decisions and such. I think to call him simply an older version of Jameis is the kind of thing a casual fan might say. But not a guy like you.
January 30th, 2020 at 9:00 am
If you are going the older/expensive vet route…..why not Brady?…….It seems to me that he would definitely fill some seats and create some excitement where very little exists…..not necessarily in favor of either Rivers or Brady but if I had to choose between the two, I’d pick Brady.
At least he knows how to hit tight ends….
January 30th, 2020 at 9:13 am
They’ll either go out and acquire a veteran that still has juice left in his arm, like maybe Andy Dalton, or they’ll draft and use Gabbert as the bridge.
Heaven help us all if they plan to give Winston a contract and continue to “develop” him.
It won’t be Phillip Rivers though, I feel pretty confident about that.
January 30th, 2020 at 9:14 am
Rivers & Eason lock in, unless Winston takes a one year team friendly deal
January 30th, 2020 at 9:23 am
People are nuts if they think Rivers is going to come in here at his age and do any better give Jameis another year to draft a back up quarterback and that’s it don’t get these old quarterbacks that are ready for retire that’s ridiculous
January 30th, 2020 at 9:23 am
Licht speaks when Arians says he can.
In BA I Trust!!!
January 30th, 2020 at 9:28 am
Sikkema also predicted that the Bucs would draft Eason.
If Rivers comes here, Bucs make the playoffs.
If it’s Winston, it’s just a sad repeat of this lost season
January 30th, 2020 at 9:30 am
upgrade is a broad word…..
and upgrade could mean to some a QB that is consistent, smart, accurate….
upgrade to others may mean strongest arm, athletic, faster, younger…..
tannihile/jimmy g was an upgrade in the former….lamar/mahomes was an upgrade in the latter….
do the bucs need/want a QB that is smart accurate and consistent(tannihile jimmy g)…..or do they want/need a QB that can throw the ball a mile and make plays when things break down?
GO BUCS!!!!!!
January 30th, 2020 at 9:33 am
Next time you think Clueless Joe knows more than Arians about QB play remember Clueless Joe wanted Manziel drafted over Mike Evans…
How’s Manziel’s career going these days…
January 30th, 2020 at 9:35 am
The sad thing is we could of had Rivers, Gordon and a 1st round pick for our pick of winston… that would of changed the franchise course. Now Rivers may have one more good year but if you got Rivers, it would need to be team friendly price and use a 2nd on a qb. You would have more yards if we keep Winston but more wins with a replacement…. which to me is more exciting
January 30th, 2020 at 9:49 am
I’m guessing the Glazers met with Licht and Arians and said “Put fans in the seats.”I really think it comes down to what they think fans will come and see. Obviously fans want a winner. If Brady comes, that’s a no brainer. Rivers-I don’t know?
The other thing that goes with putting fans in the seats is do fans want Winston? I would guess half of the fans want him gone. It may have gotten to the point that Arians doesn’t know for sure if he can fix him and when you weigh it all out, percentages of them attracting fans goes with another QB. Who knows…
January 30th, 2020 at 10:11 am
I agree 100% Joe…..
Rivers is not the answer, that doesn’t mean JW is the answer either.
January 30th, 2020 at 10:15 am
Rivers isn’t coming anyway. The Chargers will take Herbert in the first and keep Rivers around as a bridge.
Taking any QB in free agency is risky. It will either break morale or break the bank.
Ryan Griffin is riskier than he should be, because Jameis never had to ride the bench, but the team is behind him.
Draft a QB and see where Griffin can take us. I have seen him play like a star when ti didn’t count.
January 30th, 2020 at 10:17 am
The league is being won by young mobile QB’s. Look at the S.B.. Out with the old, Brees, Brady, in with the new, Jimmy G., Pat Mahomes. It would be like a stale biscuit, to bring in a stale biscuit as Q.B.. Let’s hope there’s a better choice out there then, Jameis, or Rivers.
January 30th, 2020 at 10:26 am
The media is really enjoying all these old veteran QBs becoming free agents this year. It’s giving them something to write about during the low news cycle period.
But it is all speculation and opinion. No different than fan opinion.
As I’ve said several times, Winston will be our 2020 QB, and Rivers, Brady, Bridgewater, Brees, Dak, and Stafford will not be playing for the Bucs. Ever.
January 30th, 2020 at 10:30 am
Its perplexing that folks say Rivers isn’t an upgrade but then somehow a bad year for Rivers at 20 INTs would be a good improvement for Winston.
And this idea Rivers doesn’t have an arm is grossly exaggerated. All Winston does is throw the ball up for grabs and let Evans/Godwin go make a play. Most QBs, particularly a guy like Rivers, can handle that assignment.
IMO…The biggest concern with any vet is their desire to win/compete or are they just collecting a check. Rivers seems like he plays with passion similar to JPP, if he steps on that field, the goal is to win not worry with collecting stats. To me, it was telling that Winston hangs his hat on his stats…aka “balling”.
January 30th, 2020 at 10:32 am
All I want for free agency is to keep our own guys. If we retain suh, jpp, shaq, winston, and nassib, we don’t have many holes outside of tackle, ol depth, and possibly rb.
No matter what you hear about the cap, we CAN afford to keep everyone and then some.
January 30th, 2020 at 10:32 am
Bonzai,
Keep dreaming! I believe we are moving on from Jameis and i can’t wait to see a QB in this offense that doesn’t turn over the football at an absurd- Winston rate. Our chances of winning games will go up exponentially.
January 30th, 2020 at 10:36 am
Joe…
You are so on point here. It’s been so dark lately that we can’t see any Licht at all lol.
I can only HOPE that the FO is taking this off-season very seriously for the players, player fans, team fans and community.
I don’t know if Rivers as a bridge to draftee is the answer but I imagine he can’t do any worse with ball protection and overall team quicksand when JW tends to start the majority of games with some type of turnover.
I HOPE we see some Licht soon in this never-ending darkness at the den of depression…
Go Bucs!!!
January 30th, 2020 at 11:00 am
What the h3ll does this Sikkema dude know?!?
Anyway..this makes NO sense, especially not as a BA move. BA did not come here to draft a young QB at all, and Rivers at best would be a 1 year bridge. Plus BA KNOWS that Rivers is less mobile than Jameis, noodle arm now, and doesn’t have the quick release and decision-making of…Brady! And Brady would fill seats, luxury suites, and greatly alter our TV schedule hello! Plus… drum up massive team appeal before 2021 Super Bowl here.
And my guess is…that Light and BA are indeed under some type of gag order from the Glazers indeed. Something is up their sleeves..
January 30th, 2020 at 11:02 am
Rivers is a gamer, Winston is a gifter. Too bad Rivers’ ball lacks zip, otherwise it is a perfect fit.
January 30th, 2020 at 11:04 am
Figured..it out. Just because the last name of the Bucs ownership is entered into a comment, doesn’t mean it should be included, albeit very nervously, in the WordPress software “keywords” for screening. That’s sad, really SAD…remove that. Sad. Someone’s apparently really worried about…structuring, altering…how those people are, or are not, commented on…here.
Remove that. Sad.
January 30th, 2020 at 11:08 am
^^ Um…. huh??
January 30th, 2020 at 11:16 am
@BucsFIRE…do you not know how WordPress screening software works?? The owner can enter keywords that they seem “sensitive” or important into it, to catch and set aside any posts for them to then review…before allowing to hard post out here, if at all.
The ownership’s last name…is one of those screening keywords. As is the 3 letter name of this site’s namesake. As well as others.
What makes it really sad…is WHY…the last name is in the software, to begin with.
January 30th, 2020 at 11:18 am
I’m pretty much over wondering WHO plays under center for us next year.
813 did a great job of laying out the choices stylistically and then you can plug in the QB that fits.
For those of us in the BA I trust crowd this has become an irrelevant question. We are ready to roll!
Since I agree with Mark that this code of silence is simply related to business and contract negotiations we just have to put up with it.
HOWEVER…Alaskan and I had a great conversation last night. He is a JW supporter…I am not. He offered to wager that JW will be back and will lead us to the promised land.
I didn’t accept the bet because if JW is back it means BA thinks we can win with him and I’m not going to bet against BA.
In addition…even though I”m in the ready to move on crowd…if JW comes back I want him to blow up and become great. If we reach the playoffs largely on great QB’ing I’m prepared to have NDOG and his posse come here next year offering a full course dinner of crow. I shall be happy to eat it…in fact I’ve eaten enough crow in my life to have developed a taste for it.
Alaskan was nice enough to say he too would simply be happy as a Buc’s fan to win and wouldn’t feel the need to come here and say I told you so.
Bottom line…the Bucs and their silence as Joe accurately reports have created some dissension in our ranks. Once the decision is made hopefully we can all reunite…doesn’t mean we can’t have opinions and observations but hopefully we can lose the “CLUELESS” ad hominem personal attacks. Just sayin’
January 30th, 2020 at 11:19 am
^^ Yes I do understand, Wyoming. I was just kidding that I lost ya a little bit at the end of your post.
But you are right. It’s why you can’t type T.M.A.X. into your comments either (the proper way)… because it is a trigger.
January 30th, 2020 at 11:26 am
@BucsFIRE…it will all make much more sense, once my post that is HUNG UP is finally posted prior to my 11:04 am comment.
I hear ya on that other name commenter being a trigger too. Thing is there…around there, there are not huge stacks of CASH and hired counsel…that can sit around and influence with topics, such as slander, defamation, libel…etc.
Just leaves one…shaking their head, all around.
January 30th, 2020 at 11:28 am
Awake the sleeping giant……..go get tom brady
January 30th, 2020 at 11:28 am
@wyomingdude
I think but cannot speak to @bucsfire inquiry about your post.
To what relevance are you asserting a software keyword search has in reference to this article or posts.
I can only speculate and I hate to, but I can only imagine you’re referring to screening of these posts for legal reasons such as slander but I could be way off.
Please elaborate…
January 30th, 2020 at 11:31 am
stpete
I can respect that. If jameis comes back and fails I will eat crow.
I just think you should accept that bruce IS bringing jameis back. Just watch all the social media. It’s been all jameis.
They are preparing the flock for slaughter. People are going to freak out. But I sincerely hope WE CAN ALL GET OVER OUR DIFFERENCES AND CHEER FOR INEVITABLE STARTING QB.
If he screws up with a defense in year 2 of this system, then you can serve crow.
January 30th, 2020 at 11:34 am
Never mind @wyomingdude
Your post finally caught up and I was pretty close on figuring out your first post beforehand lol.
January 30th, 2020 at 11:39 am
Buccernutter Says:
“I sincerely hope WE CAN ALL GET OVER OUR DIFFERENCES AND CHEER FOR INEVITABLE STARTING QB.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
Agreed, brother.
We all wear the same colors.
We have more in common than we don’t.
January 30th, 2020 at 11:45 am
Why stop the speculation? I for one want jameis back and nothing to do with rivers and his wet noodle arm. But the Bucs and jameis agent are playing a game of chess right now. I think the bucs should double down and sign jameis long term this year if we franchise him and he does well next year (like most qbs year two under Arians do) we’re going to be paying up the wazoo to keep him next season and beyond
January 30th, 2020 at 11:48 am
TBD
Dude, that sentence alone was worth gold. WE HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN WE DON’T.
Hopefully we can all learn that and unite to ultimately raise the lombardi together….WITH JAMEIS!
January 30th, 2020 at 11:54 am
^^ Thank you so much, brother. I know that it is grammatically VERY incorrect, lol, but it is supposed to just hit home with all of us. — Because it’s TRUE!! — I really appreciate that you felt that too.
January 30th, 2020 at 11:55 am
It really is weird to find myself OK with going with a guy like Eason over Winston…
But that’s where I’m at man lol. I have been the biggest homer but 2019 is his worst most indefensible year yet. The interceptions / how they happened / etc were just astounding
January 30th, 2020 at 12:01 pm
TBD
It is so true. There’s a solid number of us. Hopefully some change their tune sooner than later.
LC
It certainly wasn’t his most indefensible year yet. 5k yards and #2 for tds. If that were the case, this wouldn’t be a debate. You’ll be back on board soon enough.
January 30th, 2020 at 12:02 pm
Sign Jameis.
January 30th, 2020 at 12:42 pm
Good gosh Joe. First, do you think the Bucs give one hoot about your goofy call out about how they can put a lid on the speculation. Why would they/should they? This is good for negotiations which is good for the overall cap management. And duh? Don’t you think they already know that Rivers (and probably Winston too) is NOT the future/long term solution? Both guys are at best a couple of years. Of course ALL know they need to draft or get a longer term FA in here OR draft a QB. That said, this should fester unabated. They don’t want to tell real media people about their thoughts…sorry, but they are not worried about narrow JBF. I am all for waiting. Make the media toads do their jobs. Don’t just sit around and gripe about it.
January 30th, 2020 at 1:04 pm
We shall see which know it all’s change their names. And who is right and wrong with the. Guarantee,book it and so on.
January 30th, 2020 at 1:11 pm
He threw 4 picks against KC n I saw several 2 int games in his stats he threw 20 picks this year n that wasn’t in BAs offense but magnificent u go ahead n keep thinking he would do better than JW when he’s 38 n has lost some of his zip on the ball ur really think he’s gonna be able to throw the ball 40 to 50+ times a game. If we r gonna replace Winston it better be with a better QB n not one that probably won’t even make it through a whole season throwing the ball 50 times again n being sacked 3 to 5 times a game 40+ times a season
January 30th, 2020 at 1:23 pm
I want to know why hasn’t Ryan Griffin being talked about. He is way better then any rookie quarterback. He is young and hungry give this guy a shot.
January 30th, 2020 at 1:45 pm
The only reason we are discussing Rivers is because he relocated his family to Florida. If we want to sign a veteran and draft a QB to develop, there are a lot of veteran QBs available this year:
1. Tom Brady
2. Drew Breese
3. Cam Newton
4. Ryan Tannehill
5. Andy Dalton
6. Teddy Bridgewater
7. Marcus Mariotta
Breese and Tannehill aren’t coming to TB, but the others are a definite maybe. I’d consider making a run at any of the other five before Rivers (and JW).
January 30th, 2020 at 2:47 pm
We will all chip in and buy Joe a Winston crying towel, with Jameis face on it.
Maybe it could help with that needle this from Pittsburgh. Who knows.
When the M.O. to beat our team is to force our QB to pass, because you know he is going to turn it over. It should be time to replace that QB. How many times have we heard that from defesive players we just lost to? Far to many for my liking.
GO!BUCS!
January 30th, 2020 at 2:48 pm
Needle thing.
January 30th, 2020 at 8:42 pm
Nutter
I was wrong you are a Fan
Maybe a little too high on Jamies but you are right if He is the QB then we cheer for the best
January 30th, 2020 at 11:57 pm
just let Jameis walk then go from there. Keep it simple. Give me a day to celebrate
January 31st, 2020 at 7:38 am
Bobby Sansom Says:
January 30th, 2020 at 1:23 pm
I want to know why hasn’t Ryan Griffin being talked about. He is way better then any rookie quarterback. He is young and hungry give this guy a shot.
I posted this same thought yesterday.
January 31st, 2020 at 9:58 am
Atrain
thank you! I love this team and I’m just sick of all the hate all the time.