Landing Spot: Bucs
January 22nd, 2020
Former NFL QB explains.
In the mind of a former NFL starting quarterback, if veteran and soon-to-be free agent quarterback Philip Rivers leaves the Chargers, his best landing spot is Tampa Bay.
That’s the word from David Carr. The NFL Network talking head, typing for NFL.com, lists the possible landing spots for Rivers, 38, if he doesn’t return to the Chargers. Carr has the Bucs as the best place for Rivers.
Remember what Bruce Arians did with the aging Carson Palmer in Arizona? Palmer played some of the best football of his career and helped the Cardinals go on a deep postseason run in 2015. This is exactly what I envision for Arians and Rivers in Tampa. Arians wants a veteran quarterback who’s competitive and not afraid to take chances. But one who doesn’t throw 30 interceptions (maybe just 20). Tampa Bay’s offense makes a lot of sense for the veteran passer. He had an uber-talented receiving corps with the Chargers, and that’s exactly what he’d get in Tampa with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and tight end O.J. Howard. Bring in a running back in free agency or the draft, and this unit looks poised to make some magic. Not to mention, Tampa is now close to home.
Can we please stop this narrative that Rivers now lives close to Tampa Bay? Can we get someone at NFL Network studios in Los Angeles to access Google Maps on their phones so they can see for their own eyes how “close” Destin is to Tampa? It’s not like Rivers moved to Wesley Chapel or Venice.
Now we all know Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians is in a win-now mode. Arians, 67, likely won’t be here in 2023. Yes, there are still two quarterbacks over 40 that led their teams to the playoffs, Tom Brady and Drew Brees.
If Arians feels he cannot be patient with Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston any longer, then Rivers makes sense.
(If interceptions give you irritable bowl syndrome, then you won’t want Rivers.)
Isn’t Rivers nothing more than a 38-year old version of Jameis without the escapability?
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:35 am
Thank you joe, that last line is what ive been saying since these stupid rumors started.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:38 am
Joes Rockstar Failed GM Fired from ESPN says
“I would be surprised if they pay him,” Dominik said in an exclusive interview with PewterReport.com at the 2020 Senior Bowl. “Maybe they will. It’s their decision, but I would be shocked if the Bucs franchised Winston – or transitioned him. I think the decision they have is certainly difficult because there has been some production there, but I don’t know how you could justify paying Jameis Winston more money this year than he made last year.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:40 am
Patient with Jameis? Ha ha ha ha 70 starts over 100 turnovers
How much more do you need to see Clueless Joe?
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:46 am
THIS Joe gets Yummy Tummy syndrome from watching Jameis
So delicious he just wants to take a bite
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:47 am
I suspect Rivers is leverage and a plan B. It’s almost like a transition tag. This news is causing Winston and his agent to reach out to other teams with the hopes he won’t find much of a market. He has one winning season, never made the playoffs, has a history of bad pub, got two HCs fires, and is the poster child for INTs. The Bucs know they are his best option so they are pushing the price down.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:49 am
At the very least all the Rivers press about Tampa is good for the Bucs from a negotiation stand point. If Jameis begins to think the Bucs have other options he may start talking more realistic team friendly contacts. I’m sorry but much like Humph last year, if someone wants to over pay for him, wish him well on his way out the door.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:53 am
My fantasy:
1. Sign Jameis to a 2 year deal
2. Trade him for at least a 2nd round pick.
3. Sign Rivers
4. Draft in 1st or 2nd round a mobile QB
5. Move on from this bad dream- -if it is still bad at least it is not the same bad dream.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:55 am
Even as critical as I have been of Jameis I wold still rather have him than Rivers
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:56 am
With the way the Bucs defense came on late in the season, we can win now if we just get a QB that doesn’t turn the ball over as recklessly or as frequently as Winston does. To Joe’s point, add a good running back (free agency or draft), shore up the Oline a bit, and draft a good young QB (Eason, Herbert) who can learn for a year or 2 before taking over the reins. Rivers is still talented enough to be that bridge QB that can get us over the hump, and mentor a young guy.
The fact that he bought a home 6 hours away in Destin shouldn’t make a big difference. He can easily rent a home in Tampa during the season and still have his “retirement” place in the panhandle too. But the tax savings alone between Cali and Florida will save him millions, and make TB an attractive target for his remaining playing days.
January 22nd, 2020 at 10:57 am
A good QB coming out this year would also relish a world class set of receivers. Maybe he has a buddy who is a real running back to bring along?
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:01 am
Rivers ain’t a Buccaneer. The morons know less about Buccaneer football than Manchester United football.
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:03 am
Rivers wouldn’t last in our system. He’s not mobile enough.
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:04 am
Did David Carr really need to use the term “UBER friendly”, when discussing the BUCS QB position?
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:04 am
Hey rivers. Aint no melvin gordon or austin ekeler in Tampa. And by the way, remember you had a Real defense in LA. Your old ass will have to throw almost 50 times a game in tampa, just to keep it a 1 score game
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:04 am
Correction, “UBER talented”
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:05 am
My son was married this past June in Destin…it IS a long, long drive. You get to Tallahassee already a long drive and still have to keep on driving!!!
Agree with all that this is great leverage for contract negotiations. It MIGHT be a wakeup call for “blameless” as well. No JW…30 ints is not ballin’!!!
@Oregon
I like your plan with one addition. We have to make the trade and see at which level salary the other team will actually pull the trigger. IE make the trade and then sign JW. Do a Kirk Cousins style trade.
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:08 am
Does this metaphor help? Say a buddy sets you up on a blind date. She’s a Harvard grad incredibly smart, she has a killer body, awesome hair, great personality but no teeth!!!
Do we think BA can help “blameless” find his teeth next year?
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:14 am
Rivers does not have the arm strength!!
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:15 am
Check down Charlie we don’t need it.. Winston is light years better!
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:15 am
Maybe if Rivers does come to Tampa, Gordon follows it just makes sense. I am warming up to Rivers because sometimes where there is smoke there is fire. Also as far as Rivers mobility Carson Palmer wasnt the most mobile of QB’s but he got the job done by getting it out of his hands and making a decision before the DB’s zeroed in on where the ball was going.
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:21 am
If Rivers comes here, than 30 Int’s is on the table for him too. Just keep Jameis. JW’s Int number should drop in year 2.
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:24 am
(are on the table)
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:28 am
The rivers news Is really for the “bucs fans” who hate Winston. You know those few who refuse to look at the likelyhood that he will sign a one year deal with the bucs and we wont need a franchise or transition tag. He has more value on the bucs than anywhere else basically to say who in the nfl would him as close to 40 million as bucs because no other franchise but us would pay that type of money for a liability. Winston will be under center in 2020
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:28 am
LOL Atlanta a Jacksonville are both closer to Destin that Tampa is, Atlanta doesn’t need a QB Jacksonville does, Tampa is still a maybe. Its all hyperbole at this point
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:29 am
@ St[etebucs fan —
You said
“Does this metaphor help? Say a buddy sets you up on a blind date. She’s a Harvard grad incredibly smart, she has a killer body, awesome hair, great personality but no teeth!!!”
In some circles that would be considered an advantageous attribute.
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:31 am
the questions is: Can Rivers be any worse? Have we been to the play-offs in the last 5 years? I like the trade Winston plan with the Veteran training a draft pick that Arians can mold into a winner. And wouldn’t the play-offs be nice in a year or two?
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:36 am
I’ll take 10 less interceptions and a QB in waiting… assuming we draft one.
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:43 am
I have only seen Rivers play a few times over the past three years. He is certainly no Mr. Excitement if I recall. Stays in the pocket takes his share of sacks with very limited mobility. I think his age and experience would make him a good field manager but he certainly would be a departure from Josh Freeman and Jameis, (and Fitzmagic) I know that a few older QB’s, Brady, Breez, and Mannings have had success but it seems like a team forced to take one is not moving forward. With our corp of receivers and BA I feel like we are in a Win Now mode but a Rivers Type is not the catalyst we need. If only a coach could cure Winstons turnover problem he has the other intangibles to be that guy. I would make him a reasonable offer, 1 year show me contract, with incentives tied to turnovers. Maybe draft a 3rd RD project.
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:47 am
Hmmm….
So which is it with JW. Make or break contract year with BA on year 1 or year 2 or 3 or 4?
So many seem to think of him as another possible Steve Young. What?
Steve Young was mentored and groomed for years with Montana.
JW needs to follow in his footsteps and be groomed as a back up to clean up his overall game. Then maybe you’ll have another situation such as Steve Young.
IMO this team is ready to win now with a QB under center that’s also ready and hungry for wins now without all of the boneheaded turnovers causing momemtum killing plays which in turn translates to turnovers from the reat of the team. Yes, turnovers are contagious especially coming from your team leader.
Will Rivers make a difference now? I don’t know but would be willing to see anyone else under center since I don’t have any hair left to pull out thanks to mr. Jekyll and hyde.
Definitely a Bucs Life!!!
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:48 am
Nothing. It’s all rumors. 30 days more and the sky will clear.
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:52 am
Jameis will continue playing just as he always has…
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:53 am
Correction Joe, That would be Comeback player of the year, 8 time pro bowler, 5 playoff appearances, 123-101 career record, 9th all time in wins QB Phillip Rivers
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:53 am
SPBF
Maybe you shouldn’t draft a #1 chick with no teeth.
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:56 am
^ Or as Swampbuc said, maybe you should.
January 22nd, 2020 at 12:16 pm
Just be patient folks. Give Winston five more years and he will one day be able to call an audible and maybe learn how to properly read a defense…
If he won’t play on the transition or franchise tag let him test the market. There won’t be any other teams interested for the money he wants. No way.
January 22nd, 2020 at 12:17 pm
I hope we get Rivers it will be great to see y’all crying
January 22nd, 2020 at 12:21 pm
Big difference between Palmer situation and River.
Palmer was 33 when he started playing for Bruce Arians. Rivers is 5 years older already.
January 22nd, 2020 at 12:25 pm
@JOE…”Isn’t Rivers nothing more than a 38-year old version of Jameis without the escapability?”…. Wouldn’t you say the same about Carson Palmer when he went to the Cards?
January 22nd, 2020 at 12:26 pm
I don’t believe Philip Rivers is even a consideration for the Bucs. The is all media generated hype to fill the dead period of the off season.
Rivers may even retire.
No, the Bucs are quiet like they always are. In a week or two, they will start announcing some deals.
January 22nd, 2020 at 12:30 pm
@Bonzai.. Palmer also went to a very bad last place Cards team. Rivers would be coming to a playoff team that needs a qb. I really don’t think he comes and don’t think you want rivers unless you like a guy in the draft that can sit… and if you like a guy in the draft and want to sit him, Rivers would say no thanks, I saw what happened to the giants last year so I don’t think any of this would work
January 22nd, 2020 at 12:30 pm
Mariota and a rookie draft pick QB….Febreze the RayJay
January 22nd, 2020 at 12:32 pm
@bonzai… totaly agree with you. Rivers probably retires unless there is a perfect situation like Brees left saints or cowboys can’t sign dak or Jimmy G tears his acl in superbowl.
January 22nd, 2020 at 12:33 pm
The Bucs aren’t saying anything because this rumor is being used to get JW’s camp to lower their ridiculous $30M price tag.
January 22nd, 2020 at 12:38 pm
I guess people forget that in the first year of BA’s offense the QB typically throws a lot of INT’s. So It wont be far fetched to say Phillip Rivers would possibly throw more INT’s next year. As well It isn’t far fetched to say JW may go back to his average of around 15-18 Ints next year.
So why not keep the 26 year old that’s familiar with the system and bet on him improving the chemistry he already has with most on the offense that will be returning instead of bringing in a a 38 year old that’s going to need to at least 8 weeks to get familiar with the offense. We don’t have 8 weeks to wait hoping we go 4-4 and make a playoff run the second part of the season.
Eason has bust written all over him. Herbert is Josh Freeman 2.0. Love may have the most upside but if any front office is worth anything they will pick him early if thats the case. Continue building the trenches and get a RB in the draft and Draft Cole McDonald in the later rounds. He has the tools and the upside and could turn out to be good after sitting. But wasting a 1st rounder on QB’s with question marks makes no sense.
January 22nd, 2020 at 12:43 pm
^ You are probably right about the BUCS letting the rumor drive down the price a bit. But frankly, 30M is going to pretty much be the going rate for starting NFL QB’s anyway. The asking price is not really a big deal.
January 22nd, 2020 at 1:01 pm
30 mil isn’t ridiculous. That’s the market. Apparently Dak is aiming for 35. With the new CBA looming. Its probably better to give him the 30. Depending on how he performs next year if he does take a massive leap with the new CBA the asking price may jump to 40. Would we want to pay that based on one year of excellence. 30 would be a steal at that point. With flexibility in the future for free agents. Imagine having all our core players locked up and having Cap space the remaining years of Winston’s contract if he does in fact improve on his turnovers.
Dak asking for 35 mil, played in a poor division had everything set up for him to return to the playoffs. Behind a top 5 oline. top 5 back and top 15 defense. along with a staff he is familiar with.
Winston asking for 30 mil lead the league in passing yards. top 5 in scoring w/ no run game. a decent o-line and a defense that only participated in half the season. In a average Division. His one knock his turnovers. Which history shows the first year in BA’s system that occurs.
If Dak gets 35 you have to pay Winston 30-32.
January 22nd, 2020 at 1:19 pm
Nonsense
January 22nd, 2020 at 1:20 pm
Rivers,Manning maybe even Case Keenum we would end our playoff drought throwing to 2 pro bowl receivers. Winston is vastly overrated he threw 30 ints last year it could have easily been 40 with the changes he takes. Which if they bring him back is a distinct possibilty🤗
January 22nd, 2020 at 1:20 pm
Though I’m not crazy about swapping the highest interception thrower for the 3rd highest… it would still be about 30% fewer. That’s how horrendous Joe’s Mancrush was last year.
Yards are meaningless if you’re just going to cough it up anyway. How many yards would Winston have had if you didn’t count any drives that ended with him turning the ball over?
January 22nd, 2020 at 1:25 pm
Would it not just be easier to just draft a QB!!!!!!!!!!!! The bucs would save the most money and continue to build the team (which they need to do) I don’t know why joe and the local media and the last of the FSU robots continue to force jay-miss on the “real” fans that clearly don’t approve of the human turnover machine being on the team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The only thing worse than looking for a franchise qb, is thinking you have one when you don’t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 22nd, 2020 at 1:27 pm
I’m still waiting on all of these reports on potential landing spots for James Winston outside of Tampa.
Oh, that’s right….they don’t exist.
January 22nd, 2020 at 1:27 pm
And for all the sheep, Rivers could leave his house in Santa Rosa, and be standing at RJS right at 2 hours. There is an executive airport right next to Rivers house!!!!!!!!
Go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 22nd, 2020 at 1:29 pm
@D-Rome
Did you try jail or on his azzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 22nd, 2020 at 1:32 pm
Girls with no teeth do it better!!…🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
January 22nd, 2020 at 1:41 pm
Literally PRAYING the Bucs bring in Rivers and dump America’s Grop……errr, Quarterback.
January 22nd, 2020 at 2:10 pm
dude said he got two coaches fired. Can someone make his statement makes sense to me ?
January 22nd, 2020 at 2:25 pm
D-Rome – They’ll come out when Jameis agent needs leverage. Right now he doesnt. Just like you havent heard and Dak Prescott news. He needs a new contract too. Both will get a new contract.
Philip Rivers wants to keep playing and his agent wants to be paid. So the agent will keep pushing this story to drum up some competition for a team that may need a QB or wants to get a vet to allow their rookie or younger QB to sit.
January 22nd, 2020 at 2:48 pm
Joe you seem frustrated folks mentioning how Rivers lives close to Tampa Bay now. I think it’s significant in the fact that it does raise the likelyhood that Rivers would consider Tampa.
A narritive before Rivers moved was that he would not consider Tampa Bay because then he would have to move his family across the country. Well he has now moved across the country. I would say that puts a lot of teams on the side of the country in play for Rivers including Tampa Bay.
January 22nd, 2020 at 2:49 pm
Tampa is closer than 90% of the league, Joe. Calm yourself
January 22nd, 2020 at 2:51 pm
I seriously doubt Tampa Bay is even thinking about Philip Rivers.In their system he would get killed.
January 22nd, 2020 at 2:58 pm
JMark
OK that was funny! To which I reply…but she is very young and even though they haven’t grown in yet…trust me they will…NEXT YEAR.
January 22nd, 2020 at 3:18 pm
I do not worry about locking up JW or any QB because of fear the cap will go up.
Think through it. This is all monopoly money!!! Do we care how much the Glazers actually spend? They have deep pockets!!
What counts is the % of the cap we use. IE…if 40 million under the new CBA is a smaller % of the cap than 30 million under the present cap we can look forward to cap relief.
It’s all down to the % of the cap. I trust D.R. to keep us abreast of the amounts and the % dedicated to QB…to the offense and to the defense.
The money is sooo crazy who freaking cares…it’s only relevant as a % of the cap.
January 22nd, 2020 at 3:18 pm
if they take rivers which i doubt it means they are drafting a new quarterback. otherwise this is an idiotic move.
January 22nd, 2020 at 3:31 pm
this is starting to get good!!!!….lol….
whatever Bruce decides, im cool with….
GO BUCS!!!!!
January 22nd, 2020 at 3:39 pm
Joe, can you throw Ego into the cooler? Mariota and draft a 3rd rounder? WTF is wrong with you??? That guy lost his job in like week 5 and he couldn’t even be a game manager with one of the best O-lines and RBs in the game as well as a very good defense. Please Joe, just until after we re-sign Winston or we let him walk away. Certain comments should disqualify people from posting here. This is exhibit A. Rivers would die here with this line and running game (or lack there of). If you fix these things, Jameis earned the right to have a year with these. This also assumes that the D is actually fixed and the kicking game doesn’t disintegrate again.
January 22nd, 2020 at 3:44 pm
Can’t let Arians future handcuff our own.
January 22nd, 2020 at 3:55 pm
I can say Jameis is a better quarterback than Baker Mayfield or Cam Newton. Cleveland is destined to stink for quite awhile. Maybe The Panthers will give Jameis a job.
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:10 pm
I hope BA gets a full blown choice at the QB position. I hope he is confident in signing a Vet for an affordable contract and drafted my a guy to be groomed. Let the turnover machine light it up elsewhere, please!
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:15 pm
AGAIN…our OL does not suck as badly as people post. We’re a poor run blocking line but middle of the pack in terms of pass pro. Middle of the pack with a QB with a long windup..in an offense that takes awhile to get WR’s deep enough.
Our OL could become top ten with the addition of one of those monster Tackles in the draft.
Rivers is older…but not any slower than JW. He won’t get killed behind our OL any more than JW or any other QB not named..Wilson…Mahomes…Jackson..Watson
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:50 pm
Ball comes out of the pocket faster w Rivers…
January 22nd, 2020 at 4:55 pm
Teach the olineto run block and teach leftwich how to sceheme rbs into the game unpredictably and Jameis would be just fine. Id tag barrett, transition tag winston and go from there
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:04 pm
Good observation Rivers is Chrohn’s disease you’ll need a strong immune suppressor to control his gastric bumbles.
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:09 pm
So Rivers would NEVER THINK of renting a home in the bay area or an our north of Tampa. If he wants to be here he will find a way (HE’S A PROFESSIONAL)whether it be here Tennessee or Carolina etc.
Why is this so hard to imagine?
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:26 pm
Don’t worry guys. No matter what decision the Glazers make it will be a bad one. They do not know football, don’t care about football, and only care about making a $.
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:50 pm
Could we please have a different rumor? Al the permutations of this one have been used up.
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:54 pm
Even JayMISS is way better than old man Rivers … NO THANKS!
January 22nd, 2020 at 5:55 pm
Rivers is an upgrade over Winston even at 38
He’s a seasoned pro
January 22nd, 2020 at 11:38 pm
Rivers is such an upgrade that his team scored about 100 less points and won 2 fewer games all while playing with a better run game and a better defense.
What an upgrade!
January 23rd, 2020 at 12:20 am
Rivers’s turnover issues have never been as bad as Jameis’s, but they’re bad enough that I don’t want him on the team. Jameis is young enough to improve and even though I think thats a pipe dream, theres still a chance.
January 23rd, 2020 at 5:11 am
Destin is more than 2 hours closer to New Orleans than Tampa
It’s one hour closer to Atlanta.
I’m not surmising he’s going to play for either, but the conclusion that he’s moved his family to the neighborhood is pretty specious.
January 23rd, 2020 at 8:45 am
The guy is from Alabama, he’s not coming to Tampa, JW3 is our QB, Mark it down
January 23rd, 2020 at 9:59 am
8 time pro bowl QB Rivers, or 3 time pro bowl QB Andy Dalton might take pro bowl QB Jameis Winston’s job…..