Cam Newton: Buccaneers Might Be “A Mentality Away”
February 1st, 2020
It’s not every day that a rival quarterback serves up a candid take on the Buccaneers that includes a quality backhanded slap to the face.
As regular readers here know, Joe is an NFL junkie. No offseason. February means Joe will catch up on NFL games not watched in 2019, look deeper at Bucs film, and listen to interviews around the NFL.
Joe grilled salmon this morning and settled in to listen to various interviews from this week at the Super Bowl. And wow, did Joe find a gem.
Cam Newton sat down with CBS Sports Radio and did not like when the host told him he thought the NFC North is better overall than the NFC South. Newton was adamant that the NFC South is the best division in football, and he put his foot down.
Unfortunately, Newton’s explanation included a slap at the Bucs.
“I’m not here to debate another team,” Newton said. “I couldn’t care less either way. But at the end of the day, we know in that division that we play, there’s no such thing as a walk in the park. Even playing the Bucs for so long, those guys are a player or a mentality away. Straight up, you know. Jameis has grown; we know who he is, as well as Matt Ryan, and you know what you’re going to get out of Drew Brees and playing at the Superdome.”
Hmmm, so Cam Newton watches the Bucs and sees a weak mentality compared to the rest of the division, and probably the league.
Joe would remind Newton that the Panthers lost 11 games this season after imploding in the second half of 2018, but that’s not really the point here.
Is Newton right? Is the Bucs mentality weak? Did he see that in 2019 under Bruce Arians.
For those wondering, Newton said he “absolutely” expects to be back with the Panthers next season after great meetings with the Panthers ownership and new head coach. Hopefully, the Bucs can show Newton that he’s wrong about their mentality.
February 1st, 2020 at 11:22 am
One player away who doesn’t keep making pick-6 mental mistakes. Thank you Cam for speaking what everyone knows but is afraid to say.
February 1st, 2020 at 11:23 am
Salmon for breakfast! You’re my kind of guy Joe.
February 1st, 2020 at 11:23 am
That mentality WAS apparent before Bruce. It will be BACK if Bruce let’s Jameis walk. He’ll be retired at seasons end and back in Arizona if he’s that dumb. But I don’t suspect he’s as dense as a .25 of this, remedial, fanbase.
February 1st, 2020 at 11:28 am
Tell Cam to go finish transitioning and STFU
February 1st, 2020 at 11:34 am
“Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Bucs”
As in David Ruffin and the Temptations
Whoever has the weak mentality we would never know because who else plays for the Bucs?. Nobody knows or cares it’s all about JW the Goat
February 1st, 2020 at 11:47 am
You tell’em Thelma!
February 1st, 2020 at 11:50 am
Bucs fan will watch Winston dominate with another team and win a ring…Winston doubled his average picks of 14.5 to 30 threw more pick 6s this year then he did in the previous 10 years of his football career and they don’t think other factors were at play with these picks. Scheme and wr tipping off routes were big part of it not just Winston on errors. If his teammates are not studying their playbook like Winston is the turnovers will never change. Bruce said he was going to bring accountability and a run game, he did neither. They couldn’t run and they were penalized the most. Media too busy being on Arians’ dick to call him out. Its funny a bad coach in Lovie kept a rookie Winston committed less turnovers. Focusing on fixing Winston has been the issue. Evans still isn’t consistent with his route running and drops catchable balls. Smith & Dotson get beat badly all the time. They want Winston to be consistent when the quality of in-game decision making is inconsistent, his best wr Evans isn’t consistent, oline isn’t consistent, defense isn’t consistent and kicker isnt consistent. Thank God for Godwin who is the most consistent player Winston can rely on.
February 1st, 2020 at 11:58 am
Don’t do it like that Joe…Salmon for breakfast. I ain’t mad at cha. Interesting comment from Cam there. A mentality away. Meaning we are tough just lacking a little something. I like his comment though. Say Joe, A glass of wine would set that salmon right. Oops.. too early for some though.
February 1st, 2020 at 12:01 pm
This year we got rid of GMC, Hargreaves, and Spence! Imagine the jump we will have once we replace Dotson and Barber
February 1st, 2020 at 12:02 pm
I believe he was referring to a “winning mentality.”
Mentality–
DEROGATORY
the characteristic attitude of mind or way of thinking of a person or group.
“the yuppie mentality of the eighties”
Naturally, the gossipy gossipers on this website elect to point to a single, unnamed individual mentality, and we all know who that happens to be.
If someone said that Wynn Dixie was a mentality away from becoming a winner (like Publix), many of you would blame the pickles because you found them not to your liking. When, in reality, Wynn Dixie needs an entire culture change, not a just new pickle department.
February 1st, 2020 at 12:02 pm
I think the mentality comment was meant for Jameis super hero attitude to throwing interceptions not the team.
February 1st, 2020 at 12:07 pm
The Bucs need someone to tell Jameis to get it together or go away. I don’t think the Bucs would suffer too badly if he does walk. He is the detriment that causes them to miss out.
There are at least 15 college QBs in this draft that could play the position of Bucs QB better than Jameis. There will be some of them around in the second and probably the third round of the draft.
If Jameis is back someone needs to be able to tell him to ride the pine if he gets reckless with the ball again.
February 1st, 2020 at 12:17 pm
Some of last years best ball was watching Shaq breakout against the Panthers, Cam Newton must be one of the most fun quarterbacks to ground.Cant wait to watch it every year going forward, our secondary is better too, hope to get more picks aginst him with our devout pass rush.
February 1st, 2020 at 12:20 pm
Craig:
just read your post, who is your best five or so that will go after the 1st round, I’m thinking J.Eason will go in the second.
Bucs need someone to tell Jameis to get it together or go away. I don’t think the Bucs would suffer too badly if he does–completely agree!
February 1st, 2020 at 12:22 pm
Can someone explain to me why you think we have been a QB away?
The have Bucs defense have yet to play a complete season of competent football meanwhile the Bucs offense have been VERY good the past couple of seasons.
I’m no rocket scientist…..but I think the defense is the problem.
Sorry I know I’m not aloud to say that without mentioning the decent stretch of games the D played against the Lions, Jags and the 2 meaningless games at the end of the year.
February 1st, 2020 at 12:25 pm
Fire the cannons,
The QB gives it away too much. We lose games because the turnover margin doesn’t help us. In 8 home games, Jameis tossed 24/30 INTs. Can’t have that.
February 1st, 2020 at 12:26 pm
Cam Newton would be one of the last players I would accept mentality lessons from……His mentality meltdown after their Superbowl was epic.
February 1st, 2020 at 12:28 pm
Craig.
That was terrible analysis. I pray to God nobody has your mindset in the front office cuz that was just a garbage take. Na it’s too bad for a pro to agree with so I think we’re good.
Anyways, I was at the game vs cam this season in Charlotte. Man we embarrassed him badly. I hope he doesn’t leave because I love wrecking that dude. It was brutal.
February 1st, 2020 at 12:35 pm
“There are at least 15 college QBs in this draft that could play the position of Bucs QB better than Jameis”
I hope this is sarcasm
February 1st, 2020 at 12:46 pm
Tbbucs3,
It’s not just about yards and points. The yards and pints come at a cost of turnovers higher than any other QB. It’s fool’s gold. 28 ppg looks great, but not when you average 7.5 ppg for the opposing D.
We’ve lost too much and no team can win turning it over this much. Apologists want to point out the flaws of their players on the roster and they’re right, but when a QB has flaws their impact is tenfold to that of other positions.
Add in the draft position, fifth year of experience, and it’s heir not cutting mustard.
February 1st, 2020 at 12:48 pm
He is just saying what BA said when he said the team was soft. I’m sure he could see it in their eyes for years.
February 1st, 2020 at 12:50 pm
Mental strength is a key attribute, like a qb not being able to play without looking over at the bench at a viable backup who should be replacing him during a 4/5/6 int game, let him walk.
February 1st, 2020 at 12:54 pm
Why is it the Winston defenders will attempt to blame literally everything else even the damned wind in some cases as to why he threw so many picks?
Like guys yes the two top 5 WR’s are his issue. then again according to them Winston is so elite he single handedly wills this team to every win they have and it’s never anyone else.
February 1st, 2020 at 12:55 pm
SteveK
Here’s the thing. 30 ints is very unlikely to happen again and I would even be surprised if Winston passes 20 ints next year.
But you guys love to brush off an increase amount of yards and a high scoring offense like it’s nothing and any QB can do that. The production is why you bring Winston back.
Teaching a QB to not throw turnovers is easier than teaching him to dominant in the yards and points category.
February 1st, 2020 at 12:57 pm
Can someone please explain to all the Jameis lovers that we all wanted him to succeed but he’s just not that good .
February 1st, 2020 at 1:01 pm
Alanbucsfan:
I want Jameis to succeed as well. I’m not blindly defending him, there’s just not a better option at this time. Plus I do think he deserves another year in BA’s system. And I do think we should draft a QB this year.
February 1st, 2020 at 1:03 pm
“Here’s the thing. 30 ints is very unlikely to happen again and I would even be surprised if Winston passes 20 ints next year.
But you guys love to brush off an increase amount of yards and a high scoring offense like it’s nothing and any QB can do that. The production is why you bring Winston back.
Teaching a QB to not throw turnovers is easier than teaching him to dominant in the yards and points category.”
As pointed out by Joe, the season before our qb’s had more yards and Fitz played 7 of them, we are not giving up anything and if we don’t try something different the result will be as it has for 5 years (and since JW started at college).
The definition of insnaity, doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result.
February 1st, 2020 at 1:06 pm
“The definition of insnaity, doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result.”
I agree, it would be insane to put another bad defensive product on the field and expect to win.
February 1st, 2020 at 1:07 pm
Tbbucs3,
I just look at the bottom line. Points and yards are cool, but I want wins. And the team that turns it over less wins more often than not. So scoring all of the points is just not that good when it gives the other team an average of 7.5ppg.
Look at the beginning of the seasons with Jameis too. Not a lot of winning. Only one two game winning streak w Jameis in the first half of a season. Look at his number of turnovers compared to the rest of the league since 2015. Only two guys were close: Eli and Bortles. One was put out to pasture and the other is a backup. I see Jameis as a backup QB in this league. It until he can reign in consistency and hand ways games like crazy. As a fan of the Bucs I will root for whomever the QB is, but if Jameis gets another shot, not if it were up to me, and he bombs- there won’t be a hook quick enough. Tired of watching dumb ass turnovers that don’t get better. I hear how he’s ballin’ but he’s not. He’s just throwing it up for grabs.
I am willing to wager another QB could replicate the offense success in this environment, if allowed to turn it over this much. Ala Fitzmagic.
February 1st, 2020 at 1:08 pm
Tbbucs3,
#1 run defense in the NFL
A 20 sacker
5th in takeaways, but Jameis’ turnover shat on our turnover margin.
Keep on cherry picking stats. This is nkt the ACC. He’s not good enough to turn it over two plus times a game and then expect to win
February 1st, 2020 at 1:09 pm
TampaTown
There are better options, but like Joe, many are enamored with stats
Bucs can’t win with his screwups and he’s not going to change
February 1st, 2020 at 1:13 pm
Steve K
#30 in pass defensive, enough said. Lovie Smith has a good run defense when he was down here.
February 1st, 2020 at 1:15 pm
Tbbucs3,
Last 8 games the D turned the corner. The Rollie DBs found their way.
How are we 7-7 with two home games remaining and our QB tosses 6 picks in the last two games? I get the top targets were out, but it’s just not getting better.
Let any other team invest in the turnovers. We are better off without them. I am convinced. Five years and no playoffs also backs it up.
Jameis is mediocre at best when you consider everything.
February 1st, 2020 at 1:18 pm
Alan:
What’s your suggestion that’s better?
February 1st, 2020 at 1:27 pm
Carolina had 2 (at least) turds on their team, and finished in last place. Both quit on their team. Newton is an expert in the field, alright.
February 1st, 2020 at 1:28 pm
Low price transition QB, draft a QB
Spend cap on D, OLINE and RB
February 1st, 2020 at 1:30 pm
“What’s your suggestion that’s better?”
There have been suggestions on multile combinations of vet and draft pick mentored by said Vet, however that cannot be JW a he cannot even get his own fame together and in his mind he is “ballin”, the look at BA after the last game said it all, what’s behind door 2,3,4,5,6 – there is a multitude of options and I trust BA to get the best, eg his last ringing endorsement of Rivers.
Let him walk ! ever since the first game against the Titans to the debacle at London, its a disgrace !
February 1st, 2020 at 1:34 pm
First of all, who gives a flying F what Cam Newton thinks; since when did he become a mental juggernaut…
Secondly, last time I checked the Bucs were a laughing stock before Jameis played a game in RJay Stadium so you can’t put that one on him…
Its a team game guys…Did Jameis have his struggles in this new offense? Of course…The kid played the last month of the season with a broken throwing hand; what was Arians solution? “Keep firing”…
But let’s stop pretending like the defense was lights out all year…let’s stop pretending that our kicking game wasn’t an issue yet again this season..let’s stop pretending that our Oline and running game stuck fear in the hearts of opposing defenses and put every lose on Jameis…
Who are we kidding?? In reality the Bucs letting Jameis walk is a plus for Jameis not the other way around…smh
February 1st, 2020 at 1:41 pm
First of all, who gives a flying F what Cam Newton thinks; since when did he become a mental juggernaut…
1. Joe does.
2. When a division rival starting quarterback is talking about the Bucs, Joe thinks that is both relevant and interesting to Bucs fans.
3. As always, you don’t have to read a story that is published on this site.
February 1st, 2020 at 1:43 pm
That’s right he is such an MVP LOL
February 1st, 2020 at 1:44 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
February 1st, 2020 at 12:55 pm
But you guys love to brush off an increase amount of yards and a high scoring offense like it’s nothing and any QB can do that. The production is why you bring Winston back.
__________________________
The Bucs actually threw for MORE yards, MORE TDs and less picks LAST year under a Dirk & Todd.
How do you explain that? Go ahead…tell us.
Winstonites are a scourge on the Bucs and Tampa. A crap stain on the underwear of the community. No one wants that loser. PR nightmare.
February 1st, 2020 at 1:49 pm
Why? Why does the posters here insist on blaming one side of the ball or the other? Why does our 7-9 losing season either have to be all on the defense or all on Winston?
Here’s a noble thought. Why can’t we just acknowledge that both parts of the team contributed to losing. Both parts also had good moments and helped lead us to victory.
I’ll never understand why most of all need to always have one scapegoat.
It’s freaking pretty sad to say Winston didn’t contribute to losses when he freaking threw 3 picks on drives that could have been game winning drives……The key word there is contribute. Do y’all even know it is possible to point blame at more then one part of the team?
And yes the defense had their struggles and held us back from winning a few games too.
A big difference between the defense and Winston was how they finished. The defense started playing good football and they were consistent. Sorry is you disagree but 6 games is a very healthy sample size in the NFL. We can literally and justfully expect the defense to enter next season with the same form they showed to end 2019 and be consistent. With Winston we cannot simply because he has never been consistent……..And sorry if you don’t like that. It not even criticism. It’s just an observation.
That said I do think Winston will improve in year 2 with Arians. The consistency is another question. He will have to proove that & it is hard to be hopefull he can sustain solid play.Just being honest.
Aside from that there are other areas that must get better. These areas kinda get swept under the rug but also contributed to losing…….
-Special Teams/Place kicking
-Running the darn football including short yardage plays.
-Discipline/Pentalties
-OJ Howard(personal)
Scapegoating in football is just lazy analysis. They don’t call it the ultimate team sport for nothing.
February 1st, 2020 at 2:04 pm
SteveK:
I’m not a stat guy, more of a consistent team effort mentality, however I can’t get the 24/30 Int’s in 8 home games out of my mind. While I am not as football Savvy as most and just leaned this while eating my Cheerio’s this morning, it’s obviouse we win on the road more when Jameis is not in front of Home crowd. Seems like that would be something BA would get his teeth into in the offseason.
February 1st, 2020 at 2:06 pm
Brees, Brady or Rivers is not a better option. A one year bandaid and basically a set back. Start a newly drafted QB? Also a set back. Hello? Is this thing on?
February 1st, 2020 at 2:09 pm
Jimmy,
The truth is somewhere in the middle and I refuse to allow the turnovers to be excused. They’re overlooked a lot and swept under the rug. The D got better halfway through the year.
February 1st, 2020 at 2:11 pm
What’s a setback?
We are 5-11, 5-11, 7-9 the past three years with Jameis.
What’s a setback? Finishing was last next year and getting Lawrence? Count me in. Let’s gamble on a Vet and a drafted kid. Pay less cap space, turn it over less, and make it a more likely scenario that you win games and go to the playoffs.
If it doesn’t work, it can’t be worse than what we’ve been subject to for an while now.
February 1st, 2020 at 2:12 pm
T-Rex that is just a poor display of cherry picking. Is that supposed to say that Dirk is a better coach or something? Don’t kid yourself.
We were getting blowed out on the football field with Dirk. Let me know when theres a stat for that.
Does it bother you that we threw for less TDs but scored more TDs?
Would you rather have a coach who throws more TDs? Or a coach that scores more total TDs? Rushing TDs just don’t count now?
And if your going to tout yards you better show me the points that come with it. I don’t care about empty yards nor should any Bucs fan. If that’s the case the Washington game should be deemed a success……..In actuality that Washington game was a disgraceful offensive showing where we raked up tons of yards and nothing to show for it.
Fact is we scored a lot more points this year and it’s not even close. Very unfair to bring up them stats you did and not even mention how effiecent we became in the red zone.
Your trying to Gussy up a turd here Bro and nobody’s going to buy it.
Now if you got more then 2 cherry picked stats then I’ll listen. Til then you need to check your sheet!!
February 1st, 2020 at 2:14 pm
That’s fair SteveK. The excuses bother me too.
February 1st, 2020 at 2:36 pm
Weak mentality away from a superbowl ring cam lol he is the last person that can talk about mentality.
February 1st, 2020 at 3:02 pm
“and our QB tosses 6 picks in the last two games?”
SteveK Obviously a good point but it’s actually worse than just the TO’s. I think we can concede that JW piled up all those yards because BA let him go bombs away without any discipline for those picks. And so yeah JW could gamble with “house money” secure in the knowledge that BA was protecting him.
But here is something hard to escape…JW’s vaunted high scoring offense put up 3 points…in the second half of both those games combined!!! 3 points in the 3rd Q against Houston and then a big ZERO in the final three quarters!!!
When is the last time that JW won a BIG game for the Bucs?
Can’t keep having it both ways!!! JW by all reports is an incredible hard working dude who gets in OBP at the crack of dawn and studies film endlessly.
So if we believe that then it follows that JW is either an incredibly slow learner or he just doesn’t get it! Some here believe the former. 5 years just isn’t enough…one full season just isn’t enough…we’ll see I guess.
February 1st, 2020 at 3:17 pm
Yes St. Pete…just ask yourself.. When was the last time Jameis put a game on his shoulders and led the team to victory? Frankly, seems like years.
February 1st, 2020 at 3:37 pm
It’s cool to be a fan but also be objective and be REAL.
Cam is absolutely right. The Bucs aren’t killers. We fold in crunch time CONSISTANTLY. We gotta change the mentality. We got talent no doubt, but apparently it ain’t enough
February 1st, 2020 at 3:46 pm
All this talk of the best thing for Blameless is escaping Tampa has me convinced. Given how good he’s been for us these last 5 years we all need to unite and return the favor. Apparently, the charitable thing to do is to just let him go. I’m in.
February 1st, 2020 at 3:48 pm
As for Cam, I agree about how close the bucs are. We need a player with the JPP/Suh mentality on offense… Brady or Rivers would sure do the trick. Maybe Trent Williams or a beast with an attitude in the draft?
February 1st, 2020 at 3:52 pm
CAM aint lying…..lol…
GO BUCS!!!!!!
February 1st, 2020 at 3:57 pm
The setback is there is no future here or anywhere for Brees, Brady or Rivers. They are done. Let them all ride off into the sunset like they deserve
February 1st, 2020 at 3:59 pm
LOL!!!!!!! Now all agree that the new coaches did not change the mentality!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep coming up with those long list of better players sheep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, this is getting good indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 1st, 2020 at 4:03 pm
Who cares what Scam Newton says… What a snapper head….
February 1st, 2020 at 4:04 pm
Cam ain’t lying. Jw has grown. 5000 yards is no accident. Jw just needs to relax and cut the picks or probably run some plays back in practice
February 1st, 2020 at 4:09 pm
Joe that was not an personal attack your article…
That’s my personal opinion on Cam Newton; sorry it touched a nerve…
February 1st, 2020 at 4:46 pm
Can’t wait until Winston is gone he’s another McClown or Fitzpatrick can you say journeyman he will bounce around to a couple teams and be in the xfl in less than 3 years maybe he will try baseball….
February 1st, 2020 at 5:19 pm
Tampabaybucfan–agree all the way–Jameis gives it away way too much–no post seasson for us ever like that so we need a change–if JW was ever going to change he would of last year instead he gives it away last play of last game–done with him
wanting to know who Bucs can get after 1st round I thought Jacob Eason if he is available–who else?
February 1st, 2020 at 5:21 pm
sorry TBBFan–for steve K
February 1st, 2020 at 5:52 pm
The panthers have been the better team this decade and since deangelo williams was running all over the D
February 1st, 2020 at 6:44 pm
“Teaching a QB to not throw turnovers is easier than teaching him to dominant in the yards and points category”…Tbbucs
What a crock! If it was so easy why didn’t he learn it in college? he came out of FSU (that saintly school) with a rep for turnovers. That was the big diff between he and Marriota. And here in year 5 he throws 30!!
Get this freak out of Tampa. He has a AR15 arm in a league that needs rifle arms (with a scope).
February 1st, 2020 at 7:17 pm
^ Never said it was easy. I said it’s “easier”. It would be insane for you to try to argue that putting up big points and consistently moving the ball in the NFL is easier than simply not throwing turnovers.
There are plenty of bad quarterbacks in the NFL who are good at protecting the football. Want Trubisky?
February 1st, 2020 at 7:56 pm
No. Keep your goofy outfits, pouty attitude, and fragile bones far, far away.
February 1st, 2020 at 8:46 pm
So why did you read it. More importantly, why did you comment? If you didn’t care, you would have ignored it. Right?
Guess who does care? Joe. Same guy who owns this site.
February 1st, 2020 at 9:25 pm
I care.
Newton lays in the NFC S, won an MVP, and went to a SB. He was a former number one pick. Did our former number one pick win an MVP or go to a SB?
February 1st, 2020 at 10:10 pm
^^^^^^
Hell SteveK…… ours can’t even sell yogurt!
February 1st, 2020 at 10:30 pm
The mentality that is missing is that the QB has to take care of the ball. Don’t be reckless with it.
When I coached peewee football ever QB knew that. Somehow Jameis slid by and didn’t learn it. Maybe because he could always pile on passing yardage.
Now he is in the NFL, the best of the best, and it is too late for him to learn what every other QB knows. He doesn’t seem to be able to not be reckless in a place where reckless causes you to lose.
I would love for Jameis to learn this, I just doubt that he can. We need a QB that has taking care of the ball like the palm of his hand.
The defense will be damn good next year. An offensive tackle that can run block, added to Cappa, Marpet, and Jensen, and a little stunt work on the OC side, could even make RoJo look good. Now we need a QB that takes care of the ball. I really don’t care if it is Jameis after Lasik eye work or not. Many rookies could come up with a better touchdown to interception total. Jameis ended up with 3 more touchdowns than interceptions. That is just plain mental.
February 2nd, 2020 at 6:22 am
OMG! Joe everyone knows this is your site…
You had to expect some of your readers to take shots a Cam when you posted the article…This is a sports blog; I’m pretty sure you’re aware of this since this is “Joe’s site”… We’re all adults here (well some of us)…Id just be cool if we could share our honest opinions in our own ways without being chastised by you for sharing our thoughts…
If you decide to ban me or whatever for these comments so be it… enjoy your day
February 2nd, 2020 at 9:13 am
It’s a team game, and for four and a half years, there was no team. It was just Jameis, and no QB can carry the whole team. When the defense showed up, Jameis went 5-3. The only game they had no chance to win was New Orleans, fractured thumb and all. With just Godwin, forget about Evans, they would have been 7-1.
February 2nd, 2020 at 4:17 pm
A dude that doesn’t try to recover a fumble in the Super Bowl has zero credibility when talking about anyone else’s mentality.
February 7th, 2020 at 5:27 pm
Salmon as in Lox on a bagel? Me hopes so…