Jameis Watch: The Numbers
December 15th, 2014
Crab-legs-stealing, BB-gun-shooting, obscenity-hollering, Heisman-Trophy-winning, national champion James Winston, the pride of Florida State University, continues to look like a much better quarterback prospect than Mike Glennon and Josh McCown.
It’s Joe’s daily nugget on the Jameis Watch, celebrating the best quarterback to wear No. 5 ever in the state of Florida.
Joe was so aghast the Bucs were planning to select Josh Freeman with a first-round pick in the 2009 draft for two reasons: 1. Freeman never threw for a 60 percent completion percentage. That is usually a threshold. Very rarely do quarterbacks who cannot complete 60 percent of their passes in college do so in the NFL.
No. 2: Freeman never put Kansas State on his back. The Wildcats with Freeman were a middling team. OK, not good. Average, even though Freeman had a future NFL Pro Bowler to throw to, Jordy Nelson. That spoke volumes to Joe.
That brings Joe to Jameis Winston, whose numbers have been consistent during his two years at Florida State (66.9 and 65.4 percent completed, respectively), though his interceptions jumped this year (maybe because of lesser receivers, maybe because of a lesser offensive line). His numbers resemble Teddy Bridewater’s at Louisville.
The big difference between Winston and Freeman is that Winston may be the biggest clutch quarterback Joe has seen in a long time in college football. He has yet to lose. If he can win two more games, then he will leave college football undefeated. That is simply an amazing thought.
The fact Winston can dig FSU out of a hole week after week impressive. It often says more about a guy’s intangibles than anything else. Something Freeman, for example, lacked.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:07 pm
Nothing like Freeman.
Nothing like JaMarcus.
Nothing like Cam.
Those are just people being lazy, or worse….
He’s closest to Big Ben, as far as NFL QBs.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:08 pm
2nd coming of Geno Smith. Want no part of him- and honestly, would probably have to pick another team until we figure out he is not even close to the caliber of a franchise NFL QB. NO TO JAMEIS
December 15th, 2014 at 5:09 pm
^^^^ Also, nothing like Geno Smith (see the pattern?)
December 15th, 2014 at 5:09 pm
I hope Jameis likes Florida Stone Crab as well; he would at least be able to pay for it if we do take him!
December 15th, 2014 at 5:11 pm
I am concerned about the “possible” claims against him waiting for him the get drafted ,sign a contract and actually have money. Why would someone with a claim want to diminish his net worth/draft position by filing a law suit now….think about that !
December 15th, 2014 at 5:12 pm
Very important point Joe. Heart and will to win are some of the most important attributes a QB can have. And these are hard to measure looking at stats or through all that gets measured at the combine.
Watching Winston pull out victory after victory from the jaws of defeat so many times this year has been very telling as to how much will to win is in his heart. A TON!!
IMO, Winston will be a top 10 NFL QB in short order. Lovie probably won’t draft him if Mariota is on the board – but whichever team Winston goes to is getting a hell of a QB prospect.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:15 pm
@Joe what did it for me was the Clemson game last year. He went in there with what 50,000 screaming fans and music blasting “jump around, jump around” and routed them as a freshman. I mean flat out routed them on his own.
I can’t remember watching a game in my life where the crowd was that loud. Nothing fazed Jameis, nothing.
Just like the season, he could throw terrible picks, but nothing fazes him. He just picks himself up, shakes it off and keeps firing away.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:19 pm
Mariota has Comp %s of 68, 63 and 69 for his 3 years, and never threw for more than 6 picks (curren TD/Int Ratio is 38/2 for 2014), plus he’s a running threat.
People will make the argument he’s a system QB, in a system that doesn’t translate to the NFL, which there’s a valid point to, but Winston plays on a loaded team, and still just barely beat teams with significantly less talent. While you can get away with that in College, playing down to the level of competition in the NFL is a sure fire recipe for inconsistency.
All the props in the world to Winston if he goes undefeated in his college career. However given his maturity issues, I’d hate to see how he reacts on a team in which he goes 6-10 or 3-13, which is likely given where he’ll be drafted.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:20 pm
Surprisingly there’s no story or comments about Geraldini going on IR
December 15th, 2014 at 5:21 pm
Jameis creates these “come from behind wins” with horrendous first half play against subpar talent. He is playing with the best 10 other guys on his side, and he consistently digs himself holes to play out of. The fact that he has dug himself out doesnt make him Montana- Montana doesnt throw 3 first half interceptions against unranked teams on the reg.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:22 pm
How about the one with his picture on it just a few articles back…..
December 15th, 2014 at 5:24 pm
Actually there is Brandon, your head is just buried in Lovie’s nuts as usual.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:29 pm
I am TOTALLY with you on this one Joe. I prefer Jamis over Mariota because Winston is the more clutch of the two and because I think it is just too hard to get a scrambling QB (Mariota) to be a pocket passer. A scrambler relies on his instincts to run to get him out of a jamb (instead of his receivers), and it is hard to break that habit. Yeah, Steve Young did it, but I can name more such QBs that could NOT make the transition than those that did.
Jamis can read the field, he is NOT afraid to get hit, and his QB rating is thru the roof when his team is down late in a game. Attach him to McCoy’s hip and he will stay out of trouble.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:33 pm
Except of course, for the part of Freeman leading 12 4th qtr comebacks in his time as QB. And led two possible game winners before his LB blew one game out of bounds and his kicker botched another game. But yeah, I can totally see where Freeman was not clutch.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:34 pm
Take Jameis and don’t look back. Damnit I want a real QB so damn bad. We always suck because we always have sub par talent at the most important position on the field, especially this year with that clown shoe McCown. Lose out Bucs. Whatever you do don’t lose at losing!
December 15th, 2014 at 5:35 pm
@Harry – I really doubt that McCoy would be an influence at all. From what I’ve read about NFL locker room dynamics, yeah they know each other but the offensive and defensive players don’t spend that much time together at work and I doubt that GMC, with his new kids, is going to be spending his off time babysitting his QB.
I really hope that we are able to snag Trestman this offseason. Then, we won’t be so desperately in need of a QB, as McCown will be able to get back in to Trestman’s system that he plays so well in. Then we can draft a QB at a place where they should truly go and not over reach for one of these project QBs because we’re grasping at straws.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:36 pm
TiredofLoviesBS Says
“…would probably have to pick another team…
Why wait? You are tired of Loviealready. If they draft the QB you don’t want, you’ll move on? Don’t bother waiting. Go now and save us from the constant negativity.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:36 pm
@ tiredoflovie
Check Montana’s college stats. They are not good. 52% completion and 25 TD/ 25 Int’s.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:39 pm
@Bonzai – I’ll second that to both “TiredofLoviesBS” and all of the other fans that throw out the bogus threats that they’ll leave if the team doesn’t bow to their wishes. Just go. The fact that you have takes like that says that you don’t have anything of value to add to the conversation anyway. Enjoy your life with the Jets. They appear to be a team that tries to appease the fanbase with their personnel decisions.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:42 pm
“Montana doesn’t throw 3 first half interceptions against unranked teams on the reg.”
on the reg? You mean like once, ever?
December 15th, 2014 at 5:44 pm
This team is doomed if Winston is drafted. Do you all really want to spend 4 years grooming a rookie QB? Are you willing to give up 6 years if the QB isn’t a Franchise QB? Winston’s IQ is not what a NFL should be. He’s just not bright enough.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Winston or Mariota? Honestly, I don’t care which. Long as we get one.
I have some concerns about Winston off the field, and I have some concerns about Mariota on the field.
JoeJoes Fungi Nails, makes a valid point though. There could be lawsuits in waiting for when he gets drafted.
Here’s what I think though. One of these guys is Ryan Leaf. I don’t know which one. It’s a 50-50 shot to me so far. I plan to watch every game for both of them before the draft so I can evaluate them.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Until a QB plays special teams and defense, the win/loss record of a team is because of THE TEAM. QB stats are just that… QB stats. Wins and losses are on the team. How many of those games that Winston ‘dug’ FSU out of were because of his bad throws. Why did he have to ‘dig’ them out late in the game? What was he doing in the early part of the game? *I* would like a QB (or any other player) to be consistent throughout the game. I don’t hear people saying that Lavonte David only comes on strong in the second half to assert the defenses wishes on their opponent. He is elite because he is consistent. A ‘come-back’ QB is one who drives for the winning score when his defense/special teams have let them down. Had McCown drove for a late winning score, I’d be happy for the win, but because the late drive was needed to balance his earlier ineptitude, I certainly wouldn’t be singing his praises.
Winston hasn’t shown me that he can elevate the play of the players around him. He has a very good (not great) team, but he hasn’t been able to raise the offense up in order to throttle lesser opponents. That will come back to bite him in the NFL.
Winston may just turn into a very good QB in the NFL, but IMO, he will need to sit and watch and play sparingly until he gets used to the way the big boys play. And that may take several years.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:48 pm
@Bonzai – I would agree that one of them is probably going to be Ryan Leaf. I’m not sure that the other one is going to be Peyton Manning though. I just don’t think that either of these guys are particularly special.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:49 pm
Dig fsu out of a hole week after week??
He put them in the hole. Re watch the Florida game… simple underneth coverages really confused him. 4 picks in his territority… yikes
December 15th, 2014 at 5:51 pm
“You hear about how many fourth quarter comebacks that a guy has and I think it means a guy screwed up in the first three quarters”
― Peyton Manning
December 15th, 2014 at 5:51 pm
Barry- if you ever hear Rothlisburger speak you don’t come away thinking this guy can count to ten but he is a baller with 2 SB rings. From what I have seen Winston seems to have a high football IQ and he is a winner. Something we could use around here. He may end up being the next Vince Young but he also may just end up being a HOFer. It’s worth the risk because this team isn’t doing squat right now. Bucs couldn’t be more irrelevant at this moment.
December 15th, 2014 at 5:54 pm
(maybe because of lesser receivers, maybe because of a lesser offensive line)
Gawd! Does this freaking kid ever make a mistake? Draft him and he’ll be able to walk on the water across Tampa Bay to sign autographs in St. Pete!!!
Maybe he’s thrown all those interceptions this year precisely because OF HIS OFF FIELD HASSLES.
Why do you guys wish to remain so co dependent with an immature kid who takes all of his God given gifts for granted?
Nobody here, NOBODY in NFL personnel offices can know for sure whether either Jameis or Mariota will make it in the NFL.
We do know that Jameis is a loose cannon with ENORMOUS athletic talent…he’s a true freak and I get that. But if we’re going to gamble SOOOO MUCH…an incorrect decision with a “franchise QB” sets a franchise back at least two and maybe three years…an incorrect pick in the 2nd or 3rd is just a wasted pick.
IF we pick a QB with the top pick it will be a circus or expectations. Mariota is a kid with enough class to handle it….Jameis? Are you freaking kidding me?
Again though I want Andrus Peat OT. Trade the #1 and get as many picks as you can while preserving enough positions to get a Peat or possible future pro bowl tackle. If we can get a super star edge rusher OK. Pick a QB in the 2nd or 3rd or hell pick two..with a 50% rate maybe one of them will stick.
Again…look at the list of Heisman Trophy Winning QB’s and tell me how they’ve all fared the past two decades.
December 15th, 2014 at 6:09 pm
^^^Because Jameis hasn’t delivered under a circus like atmosphere this entire season, aye?
No, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
He clearly has ice in his veins. Nothing rattles him.
December 15th, 2014 at 6:09 pm
Boston College missed on a wheel route then missed on a 40 yard fg or so. Florida State proceeded to run on EVERY play on their last drive to kick the winning fg. Yep he’s clutch
December 15th, 2014 at 6:12 pm
Jameis will settle down once he has a little money in his pocket…
December 15th, 2014 at 6:15 pm
If Winston grades out as the best QB coming out in the draft. Take him. It should not be about being a nice guy. Nice guys finish last. I want attitude,a great work ethic and someone who strives to be great.
December 15th, 2014 at 6:21 pm
“If Winston grades out as the best QB coming out in the draft. Take him. It should not be about being a nice guy. Nice guys finish last. I want attitude,a great work ethic and someone who strives to be great”
it is about return on investment….
as in
will Winston be able to play on work release
December 15th, 2014 at 6:35 pm
With the Bucs OLine, I’ll take a scrambling QB like Mariota any day. Winston has a number of positives too, but don’t like that he’d be coming out of college after just 2 years of football. Kinda hope he hangs in at FSU for a third year.
December 15th, 2014 at 6:42 pm
No poll needed, Joe.
December 15th, 2014 at 6:43 pm
Freeman did take a K-State team and lead them to victory over the Texas Longhorns before it became the popular thing to do. His fall was more about his personal problems than his ability. I wasn’t a fan of the pick initially either but the guy was a stud at times as a rookie, bringing the Bucs back against the Packers and really ascended until he flamed out like the Hindenberg.
That said, Jameis is oddly underrated because of the off-the-field shenanigans. The Rose Bowl will be a fun game to watch.
December 15th, 2014 at 6:47 pm
PREACH ON, StPeteBucsFan! But only the choir is listening and yelling, AMEN!
December 15th, 2014 at 6:55 pm
If the Bucs had a decent O-line, they could open up their options to take ANY QB (FA or draft). With this O-line, it would take a player like Demps to play ‘QB’. Of course, he can’t throw, but at least Lovie would get to show that his FA picks are still ‘starters’.
December 15th, 2014 at 7:00 pm
If Winston is the baseball player he IS supposed to be, his best move would be to forgo the NFL for the guaranteed money and longer career in MLB
December 15th, 2014 at 7:06 pm
So Barry If we draft the wrong QB it could set the franchise back a few years?? Exactly how close do you think we are to a Super Bowl?? L&L whiffed on everything except Evans in the offseason and there is no light at the end of the tunnel! This team is several years away from even being 500 so why shouldn’t they take a shot at a QB that may have a chance at being great. With Glennon or some other scrub 3rd round QB this team is 6 years away from 500 so why not take a shot now! The way I see it there is no downside and who knows maybe one of these two will end up being a top 5 QB. Where is the downside? Unless you think the giraffe is on the verge of being all world!
December 15th, 2014 at 7:11 pm
On field knock on Winston for me is his windup and delivery. It’s Kinda slow, reminds me of tebow but not quite as bad. He throws some nice balls with good zip on them but they seem to sail a lot on his receivers. Maybe something that is easily correctable but it’s noticable to me. Marotia IMO is just an all around better package. Risks on both of them but I can see Mariotia being a better leader and making smarter playing like a Russell Wilson in a kaepernick body.
December 15th, 2014 at 7:27 pm
“He clearly has ice in his veins. Nothing rattles him.”
Thank God for that! Tell us how many interceptions Jameis would have thrown if he does get rattled He had more ints in a half against his arch rival…had enough against Louisville too.
Jameis has had more interceptions in some halves than Mariota had ALL SEASON!!!!
December 15th, 2014 at 7:33 pm
My thoughts on Jameis:
First, say what you will, he is an ultimate alpha dog. He heads a team with high school All-Americans and many All-Stste players. There are head cases, big egos and bigger egos. He rules guys twice his size. That’s impressive.
Second, his arm and confidence are off the charts. One ridiculous throw he made in the Notre Dame game went through two defenders in position — and hit a wideout in stride. I had to watch the replay twice to see how it didn’t get intercepted. The kind of throw only Fsrve would attempt.
Cocky, gutsy, a winner –Joe loved Johnny Football, and now he has a new crush.
December 15th, 2014 at 8:00 pm
Thing is, the reason Winston — and Freeman before him — has so many heroic comebacks is that he often puts his team in the hole to begin with. I’m hesitant to give credit for climbing out of a hole when you dug it and jumped in yourself.
December 15th, 2014 at 8:06 pm
“Jameis has had more interceptions in some halves than Mariota had ALL SEASON!!!!”
Good for Mariota! How about losses? How many of those does he have?
December 15th, 2014 at 8:29 pm
Mariota runs all trick plays
December 15th, 2014 at 8:31 pm
Winston reads the d
December 15th, 2014 at 8:44 pm
Trick plays? Hahahhahahahaahahaha
December 15th, 2014 at 8:50 pm
#1 in completed passes over 15 yds. Throwin Samoan!
December 15th, 2014 at 8:58 pm
Love and Warrick Dunn
Dude I get that you’re blinded by your Garnet and Gold glasses. That’s cool.
But be careful before you jinx the Noles!!!
Good for Mariota! How about losses? How many of those does he have?
Let’s see this year one more than Jameis…but they have this game scheduled don’t they?
And of course you sell the Nole defense and the rest of that NFL talent around Jamies short. Yeah Oregon sends plenty to the NFL as well but FSU has had a top draft class every year since Jimbo has taken over.
Hey give your other guys some respect. Jameis has been an integral part of your success but far from all of it. It’s still a team sport. Look at that freaking freshman running back you unleashed on Florida.
No matter what anybody thinks of Jimbo Fisher the dude can recruit!!!
December 15th, 2014 at 9:36 pm
It doesn’t matter.
Even if Jameis leads FSU to a win over Oregon, it won’t change how many feel. Same goes for beating Bama.
Some people want to hate him, regardless. I get that.
And yes, it’s a team sport. But, people refuse to accept that when you look at his play this year. Most of the season, the new center(s) constantly struggled, collapsing the pocker. Karlos Williams struggled to run the ball. Multiple Soph and freshmen receivers stopping on routes, that caused multiple interceptions. So, it’s a team sport when he does great. But, it’s excuses when you use the same concept to explain much of the struggles.
So, he pressed some year. A lot of it was him trying to make up for deficiencies elsewhere. Did he regress some? sure. But, he played at a historical level last year. So, he gets bashed for not replicating the most successful offense in D1 history. That’s near impossible.
And remember, he won by huge margins all last season and that was also a flaw according to his critics. So, win big or win close, it doesn’t matter. Some people just don’t like him. So be it.
December 15th, 2014 at 9:53 pm
Guys, come on and think about it. With Lovie as head coach we won’t end up with either one of these guys
December 15th, 2014 at 10:14 pm
Mr Patrick
As I told Bucfan I used to feel exactly like that. But then I started playing it all out. Yes Lovie would never take a QB with his philosophy. I don’t even want us to take a Heisman Trophy winner.
But if I was Lovie’s agent I’d make one point. If Lovie takes either Jameis or Marcus they will be anointed savior and ALL the pressure shifts to them. Lovie can lose next year and still get a third season because he can claim the rookie QB just needed more time.
If he does what I’d like and goes for more talent, more picks taking a QB in a later round then he HAS to win next year.
Simple draft one of the Heismans and have two years left…draft the right people and win or else.
For me it comes down to how much job security Lovie wants.
December 15th, 2014 at 10:18 pm
@Love and Warrick Dunn
All very valid points! We’ll just have to see how it play out. While I’m not hoping to draft either Heisman winner I am truly hopeful your guys win out and claim a second national title. Gator fans will live and you guys can rejoice.
I’m not a Nole but Jimbo Fisher has certainly earned my respect whether you guys beat Oregon or whether Mariota turns out better than Jameis or not.
Time will tell.
December 15th, 2014 at 11:05 pm
..Barry Says:
December 15th, 2014 at 5:44 pm
“This team is doomed if Winston is drafted. Do you all really want to spend 4 years grooming a rookie QB? Are you willing to give up 6 years if the QB isn’t a Franchise QB? Winston’s IQ is not what a NFL should be. He’s just not bright enough.”
And where in God’s name did you get that from? Dude is a academic all American, he was one of the brightest qbs coming out of hs according to Trent Dilfer. And you can’t be a stupid qb running a pro style offense. It’s not a gimmick offense like Auburn, Georgia Tech or even Oregon. Not saying you can’t be smart in those offenses but you can’t be stupid or unable to read defenses in a pro style. And come on guys, Joe was not saying Winston hadn’t made mistakes throwing all those interceptions but, 4 out of the top 5 WRS are true freshmen or inexperienced sophomores. Does any other power 5 conference qb have to deal with that?
December 15th, 2014 at 11:53 pm
Cleary has ice in his veins- that is a typical FreeShoesU fan comment. You should not get credit for playing inconsistent and fixing your own damn mistakes! Do you actually trust this scumbag to study and work as diligently as an Andrew Luck? Dont care if he raped someone- fact is that he is not a model citizen- and you need to be very mature to handle the pressures of being an NFL guy- it breaks guys who didnt have a problem with the spotlight in college like Cutler. Last guy in the world I want is Willie Beamin’ 2.0 haha.
December 16th, 2014 at 1:52 am
Your obsession with Winston alone guarantees the Bucs steer clear of him lol.
December 16th, 2014 at 2:46 am
Barry says :
“Winston’s IQ is not what a NFL should be. He’s just not bright enough.”
Yet he DID get accepted to Stanford.
His football IQ is through the roof and you’re just not bright enough to see it or have never seen him play.
December 16th, 2014 at 3:33 am
“The fact Winston can dig FSU out of a hole week after week impressive. It often says more about a guy’s intangibles than anything else. Something Freeman, for example, lacked.”
LOL, What Joe? No intangibles? That’s ridiculous. Freeman was the best two minute qb we’ve had in a while. How many comeback wins, or losses (we should of won) where we cameback to lead late but faltered because of the defense.
December 16th, 2014 at 5:36 am
@Love and Warrick Dunn – you’re comparing an individual stat to a team stat. Apples and oranges my friend
December 16th, 2014 at 7:47 am
You guys can all say how jameis screwed up every beginning of every game including the Florida game but you think of what was going on in his life off the field ( keep in mind the crab legs incident is the only thing he’s been guilty of so far ) and then you see the Georgia tech game which was played after the hearing on that monday, where he had to miss two practices in the week,band that was his best game of the season! You can say he has been sucking lately but when he doesn’t have anything else to worry about but football, the guy is a stud QB and he is a way better option than that “spread system mariota”
December 16th, 2014 at 8:07 am
@Rex – that would be all fine and good but all of those off the field stuff that he has going on is self inflicted and it’s all just dumb stuff. There’s nothing to suggest that he has gotten beyond those things being an issue in his life. Josh Freeman had a lot of off the field issues that affected his on field play as well and that didn’t excuse him for the bad play. JF’s was all self inflicted as well. Not an excuse.
December 16th, 2014 at 8:17 am
We should do everything possible to get Jameis Winston on our team. The guy is a winner. I just hope the Bucs are smart enough to draft him.
December 16th, 2014 at 8:28 am
@joe
I said this too about a month back.. You just left off brandon banks (former washinngton kick returner/wide receiver) because that wouldve been plagiarism lol
December 16th, 2014 at 10:10 am
Rex,
He is also guilty of $4,200 in damage to buildings while shooting BB guns at them.
December 16th, 2014 at 12:47 pm
I’m sure he’ll play very well in the NFL. In fact I think few would argue his NFL potential.
So it comes down to whether you:
a) want to cheer for someone is a d-b
b) want to spend the once in a generation #1 pick on a guy who could easily end up in jail
Too much risk. That counts for something.
December 16th, 2014 at 2:57 pm
“Skyline Crew for Mariota or Winston Says:
December 16th, 2014 at 10:10 am
Rex,
He is also guilty of $4,200 in damage to buildings while shooting BB guns at them.”
So, you saw it happen? And saw him do the damage?
There were a GROUP of players/friends. He was alleged to be part of the group. We don’t know how many people. We don’t know who actually caused the damage. But, by all means, let’s paint with a broad brush, and just say he cause ALL the damage.
December 16th, 2014 at 7:19 pm
Patrick in VA, I see what you’re saying but in past drafts, other teams have taken chances on players with off the field issues and they’ve turned out successful. Trayvon Mathieu from LSU they said had weed problems and the cards took a chance on him and now he is a great safety in the league. I know it’s a different position on the field and a more important position on the field. But sometimes you have to take chances on your gut and my gut is saying that between the two QBs, mariota is a bust and Winston, despite the issues off the field, is the correct choice. And if we don’t choose him we will never know how he would’ve panned out for us. But I know for sure that oregon does not know how to develop an nfl caliber QB according to history.