Jameis Watch: Michael Vick–Approved
December 20th, 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.
Not only does Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston have the attention of fans, scouts and general managers, so too does he have the attention of NFL quarterbacks.
A current starting QB in the NFL is going to lose his job to Winston. And maybe because of fear, since his team is not just in the market for a quarterback but perhaps in position to draft Winston, Michael Vick opened up about Winston to Darryl Slater of NJ.com.
The Jets quarterback was clear he thinks Winston will shine on the next level.
“I think he’s a great player,” Vick said Friday in the Jets’ locker room. “I’ve been around so long, I appreciate guys coming out of college. I look forward to watching him. I have high expectations for him. I think he, over time, has made some poor decisions. Have I been there to know exactly what happened? No.
“But I do know one thing: He may make some poor decisions, but he gets on that football field and he plays his ass off. Yeah, he can mature. He’ll mature. I see him maturing as time goes on. Like, this year hasn’t been as bad of a year as the first year was for Jameis. I think the kid will continue to improve. I think he’s the future of the NFL.”
Joe isn’t so sure there is a better endorsement this side of Bill Belicheat. Vick had his problems in Atlanta, learned from them, paid his debt to society, and has had a long career afterwards. Who would know better the pratfalls of life as a franchise quarterback than him?
December 20th, 2014 at 5:08 pm
Oh boy this should be fun. let’s the comments begin.
December 20th, 2014 at 5:17 pm
I looked at the title to the article and spit my beer All over the Computer screen. You owe me a beer Joe.
December 20th, 2014 at 5:25 pm
Incognito says he’s a safe pick too.
December 20th, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Aaron Hernandez also gives him “Two Thumbs Up”.
December 20th, 2014 at 5:33 pm
Don’t build him up too much, you’ll be extra bummed out if the Bucs miss out on him.
December 20th, 2014 at 5:53 pm
Joe, the only reason I’d be bummed if they drafted Winston is because I’d have to read this every day for at least five years: “Crab-legs-stealing, BB-gun-shooting, obscenity-hollering,”
After yesterday’s article about race (very good, btw) it occurred to me that you’re really not doing him any favors, either.
December 20th, 2014 at 6:04 pm
Ryan Leaf probably wants to be his life coach and mentor as well
December 20th, 2014 at 6:15 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo was very disturbed that the race card was brought up last night regarding Jameis Winston…..Pablo doesn’t tolerate racisim….Pablo is not a racist….as proof of that Pablo will reveal his favorite NFL players, past and present…..Pablo loved Anthony Munoz & Jeff Garcia…..his favorite QB now is Mark Sanchez….he likes Aaron Hernandez, Gavin Escobar, Robert Garza, Louis Vasquez & Manny Ramirez. Pablo was very upset when the Bucs parted ways with Jonathan Cassillas.”
December 20th, 2014 at 6:18 pm
LOLOLOL Toesontheline
Noice!!!
December 20th, 2014 at 6:21 pm
This is getting ridiculous. The majority of experts agree there is NO Andrew Luck in this draft. Forget character issues, neither one of these guys is worth the first overall pick. We need to trade down, pick up a boat load of picks and take a chance on Hundley in the third round or wait until next year. Remember at this time last year many including Joe were pounding the table for Manziel with the 7th pick. Cleveland got him at 22 and that now looks way to high. He may develop but, looks like a bust canidate. Trade down, forget both of these guys!
December 20th, 2014 at 6:23 pm
Ray Carruth & O.J. give their thumbs up also……
December 20th, 2014 at 6:23 pm
mike vick learned a lot about college QB players while doing hard time in Leavenworth prison. looking at the walls of his cell 24 hours a day makes him a great mentor for this young man. LOL 🙂
December 20th, 2014 at 6:53 pm
WHY oh WHY don’t you guys just listen to Bucnut??????????
December 20th, 2014 at 6:57 pm
Thanks gatrbuc17.
December 20th, 2014 at 7:04 pm
Bucnu2,
OK, using your logic where neither one of these QBs are worth being drafted at #1. Then please tell me who is going to give us a boat load of picks for our spot?
December 20th, 2014 at 7:10 pm
The Jets and Titans will give us plenty….Trading down for extra picks is a good option for us….
December 20th, 2014 at 7:14 pm
Bucnut:
Joe finds it much more alaming that Josh McCown, with the weapons he has, had a worse completion percentage than said rookie making his first NFL start.
December 20th, 2014 at 7:15 pm
Beeric:
Thanks.
December 20th, 2014 at 7:15 pm
TBBF,
Why would the Jets or Titans give us any picks?
Are the experts only talking to the Buccaneers?
If it is so well known that Mariota and Winston are throw away picks at #1
Then they would be foolish to give us anything for our pick.
December 20th, 2014 at 7:19 pm
Draft O line, O line & O line.
That is all
December 20th, 2014 at 7:24 pm
@ Dave Pear
There are ‘foolish’ teams every year. Last year it was the Browns. A few years ago, it was Washington. This year, it could be the Jets, or even the 49ers. There will always be a coach who needs the insulation of a rookie QB or he believes that HE can bring out the HOF-type play that no one else sees. Some times a team trades up and does get a good player, but still not worth what they gave up. Only time will tell.
December 20th, 2014 at 7:25 pm
@DavePear
You raise a great point. There has been a lot of chatter that Kelly, with the Eagles stuckat 20th or so in the draft would be very interested in getting Mariota.
That could lead to some interesting scenarios. My problem is that if Kelly who has clear knowledge of Mariota is willing to expend that much, it make me nervous that he knows something we dont’.
Jim Mora now coach of UCLA has faced Mariota twice and also has more than 20 years of NFL experience. He gushes over Mariota as a bigger stronger Aaron Rodgers.
And so everybody has their biases, I’m talking athletics now not racism. FSU and Florida locals in general are naturally prejudiced in favor of their player on the other hand one could perhaps say Kelly is biased for the same reason and Mora as a Pac 12 coach is slanted as well.
@Bucnut You make very valid points. Perhaps we load up this year and get either Connor Cook or Dax Prescott or even wait on the Penn State kid.
To follow your thoughts Bucnut it’s then not Jameis versus Marcus but both of them against the talent coming out next year. You may be right. Still I won’t be disappointed if we select Mariota, and if we pick Jameis, I’m not a hater but I’ll truly be very, very nervous. Still I would support Winston if we draft him.
December 20th, 2014 at 7:28 pm
Oops. Should have made it clear that Cook and Prescott won’t be available until the 2016 draft. So if we don’t go with one of the Heismans we still need a QB.
December 20th, 2014 at 7:50 pm
Janay Rice said she’d ride in an elevator with Jameis!
December 20th, 2014 at 8:16 pm
Dave, the eagles will trade for Mariota. He is a system fit. Besides team are desperate for QBs and will reach. The smart move is to take advantage, not set the franchise back another 5 years. See Freeman or Bortels, Bridgewater or Manziel from last year. Want more? how about Jamarcus Russell, Geno Smith, Mark Sanchez. Do I need to go on? There is NO Andrew Luck in this draft.
December 20th, 2014 at 8:23 pm
Bucnut2,
I do get it. But Chip Kelly is desperate for a QB and we are not?
Chip Kelly’s third string QB is better than our first string QB but yet they will give us a “Boat Load” of picks to move into #1?
I’m not sure that is going to happen. We shall see.
December 20th, 2014 at 8:23 pm
Hopefully these 2 will spend plenty of time together in NY…
December 20th, 2014 at 8:24 pm
Joe, I hope that you are not aurguing that MAnziel having a better week than McCown makes him a competent NFL QB. McCown is the lowest common denominator among NFL QB’s. M point is simple, at this point, Manziel doesn’t look like an NFL QB and in my opinion, he is unlikely to be meaning the Browns wasted a first round pick. The NFL figured him out hence his drop to 22. I think the character debate about Winston is the wrong question. The question should be and is whether or not either of these guys are worth the first overall pick. Based on my research, they are not. We should take advantage of other team’s desperation and trade for a boat load of picks, build the rest of the team and work on QB later.
December 20th, 2014 at 8:29 pm
Dave, watch. I’ll bet you a beer that if we end up with the #1 pick the Eagles will make a run and attempt to get it. Kelly is on the record as not being satisfied with any of his QB’s. This will happen. If not, some desperate team without a QB will. There are 12 of them.
December 20th, 2014 at 8:31 pm
Bucnut2,
Are you counting us as one of the twelve?
December 20th, 2014 at 8:46 pm
Dave and Bucnut
Remember that Kelly announced an open competition at QB before last year.
It started as a 3 way between Foles, Vick and draft choice Matt Barkley.
It quickly narrowed to Foles and Vick with Vick outplaying Foles in the preseason and getting the starting nod for 2013. Foles has had some brilliant streaks but they are just that streaks. He’s yet to display consistency.
Having said that Foles is absolutely head and shoulders above both of our QB’s.
I’m wondering whatever happened to Matt Barkley. Is he still on the Eagle practice squad?
December 20th, 2014 at 8:57 pm
LMAO everybody wins this thread. #elevators #vickapproved
December 20th, 2014 at 9:13 pm
I don’t get you people that want to draft oline with picks first through our 7th rounder. There were certain times where the line held up this season and neither of these qb’s we have could get the ball to two huge targets. Either way no matter what it is a rebuilding process regardless if you draft a QB 1st overall or go oline 1st overall. Why every year do we have to pass on QB’s. There is never a for sure thing out there and by the time you do have that guy the consensus thinks is Andrew Luck we probably will not be in a position to draft him.
December 20th, 2014 at 9:15 pm
Dave we need one and there
are 12 others
December 20th, 2014 at 9:18 pm
Armchair I’m with you as long as we don’t burn #1 overall on a qb this year. We can get very good o-line in 3rd or 4th.
December 20th, 2014 at 9:20 pm
I’m ok with trying to find the next Russell Wilson in the 3 rd. imo neither of these 2 qbs warrent #1 overall.
December 20th, 2014 at 9:22 pm
St Pete, great point. Totally agree with you. Would take Foles and a ton of picks for our #1
December 20th, 2014 at 9:34 pm
Bucnut How can you say that? Look for instance at the Packers new center the one that is starting for them after we picked up their scrub EDS. He was undrafted and is now a Stud, just because you pick an offensive lineman does not mean he will be successful. No matter what position you pick their is a chance they can be a bust. Robert Gallery for one never lived up to his potential. And then there are those like Greg Robinson picked # 2 overall who couldnt even get into the starting lineup and looks like a project. No matter what you do you are rolling the dice. Now after the combine and pro days these guys don’t check out then so be it. But until then I am not thinking trade when in position to potentially take something that has been missing here for pretty much the existence of the franchise. I wonder how many of those teams that passed up on Russell Wilson feel, although he went later imagine if a team would have rolled the dice on him, same goes for Brady (although he was a deeply hidden gem) or Drew Brees etc etc. Fortune favors the bold and sometimes you have to make the gutsy calls. At least drafting high doesn’t impact your franchise the way it used to under the old rookie cap. You can get oline in rounds 2- whatever , get undrafted guys, sit your rookie qb for a year and draft oline again the following year. All this if these guys check out and look the part during evaluations, u don’t shy away when u sit this high and beat out 32 other teams being this bad, you will rarely be in this position many times in the history of your franchise.
December 20th, 2014 at 9:43 pm
Armchair I get what you are saying but history is against your argument. Look at Jamarcus Russell, teddy bridge water, Blake Bortels, geno smith, mark Sanchez, Sam Bradford,rg iii, freeman, Ryan Leif, I could go on and on. The bottom line is that teams with no qb reach and over draft them. I can find no experts that think either Winston or marriotta is the next Andrew Luck. Assuming they are right, I prefer taking advantage of the desperarion and trading down, assuming a lot of high picks accompany the trade.
December 20th, 2014 at 9:48 pm
armchair
I used to be in full blown agreement with bucnut. I think Jameis has the talent but his head obviously scares me. Increases what bucnut has already clearly identified as a gamble under the best circumstances.
But two things have me leaning towards picking Mariota. First too many people who should know have gushed about Mariota’s talent comparing him to a bigger stronger Aaron Rodgers.
2nd. Having the top pick translates throughout the entire draft. Our #2 is like a late first rounder..our #3 like a 2nd rounder and on down. This means we could select Mariota and still have great shots at picking up the desperately need OLinemen and a DLineman who can actually rush the passer. I’d like another Linebacker but I don’t mind waiting on hoping for a good pick in a later round.
My picks would be Mariota…Andrus Peat/Scherf/Stanley (all first round picks at OT.) We might get one at the start of the second or perhaps trade up to get one. Then we need to get a rusher. I’m a homer and he probably won’t be around late in the 2nd but I like Dante Fowler. Of course he’s from St. Pete and so you see my prejudice there. 🙂
December 20th, 2014 at 10:13 pm
Michael Vick knows that playing QB in the NFL is a dog-eat-dog situation
December 20th, 2014 at 10:15 pm
St Pete you make some really great points and I really respect your passion research and willingness to consider other opinions. Where I seperate from you is that I can find a scant few experts who agree with the Rogers comparisons. And frankly moras comments don’t impess me because coaches who compete against marriotta want to be smart about what they say. I view his comments as coach speak. If the balance of talent evaluators were saying the same thing, I would support drafting him. The word I hear most about marriotta is that he has talent but is a project. That means we have to have a brilliant OC and QB coach who will develop him. I’m skeptical that we will hire those kind df people. I do think the Eagles alrady have that in place and marriotta could ver well thrive there. Unless we fire Lovie and hire an offensive minded coach, I think he’ll be a bust here. I think he’ll need help. I don’t think Lovie will provide it. Hence I think it’s a bad fit.
December 20th, 2014 at 10:21 pm
Bucnut
When was the last Andrew Luck before Andrew Luck? Payton Manning? Before him? John Elway? So we will wait another 10-15 years before getting that quarterback. Also I love how you have already counted out Brodgewater, Bortles, and Manziel.
December 20th, 2014 at 10:24 pm
St Pete, by the way, I think we are headed back to the Clyde Christian days in Tampa. Lovie is stubborn and has shown no ability to build an offense. I’m convinced that Lovie will build a top 5 defense. I am also convinced that the nfl has passed him by. Our best case under Lovie 9/10 win seasons and 1 and done in playoffs. While that would be a vast improvement it won’t win Super Bowls. History will repeat and Lovie will be fired after a winning season.
December 20th, 2014 at 10:27 pm
Vern, you are making my point. UNLESS you have a Luck, you trade the pick and build your team. My point with the others is that this class is comparable and none of those guys is worth #1 overall. Guys with that talent can be had in the middle to late first or later rounds.
s
December 20th, 2014 at 10:35 pm
Bucnut
From Mariota’s perspective there is no doubt he’d be better off in Philly with the innovative Kelly than here in Tampa with the dinosaur Lovie.
And that is the problem. If Lovie continues to insist we play “Dungyball” and we have another “Clyde Chrisitiansen” era then we’re doomed no matter who we draft.
At the end of the day it’s how accurately we draft whatever the position. Look how St. Louis cashed in on their RGIII deal. They’ll be a handful next year with that killer defense. Of course I think they still need a QB don’t they.
I mean Bradford seems done to me. The last guy to get away with playing on knees that torn up was Joe Namath…different era..one of a kind talent.
With the number 1 pick we should get at least two impact players and two other starters.
December 20th, 2014 at 10:38 pm
BTW I’ve enjoyed these debates guys. That’s half the fun of being a sports fan.
But can we ALL agree on one thing.
No Jay Cutler. I wouldn’t want Cutler if the Bears gave us THEIR #1 pick just to get him off their hands. Talent isn’t even a consideration anymore. Cutler is the worst kind of loser who not only sucks at time he takes the entire team down with him with his sour attitude.
Got that Joe. NO JAY CUTLER!!!
December 20th, 2014 at 10:45 pm
StPete,
Amen to that.
Just say NO to Jay Cutler.
He looks like he might have a case of Ebola.
December 20th, 2014 at 10:49 pm
St Pete well said and totally agree! No Cutler!!!!! As a franchise we are in a bad spot until Lovie is gone. To have some hope, we need some innovation on offense. Judging Lovies history I doubt we get it. I love this team and hate what we are going through. I do remain convinced that until we gain some offensive coaching talent, using the #1 overall pick on any of the available qbs is bad for the bucs, a wasted opportunity and does a disservice to whomever we select, marriotta or Winston.
December 20th, 2014 at 10:53 pm
Bucnut I see where you are coming from but what if they are not like Luck? What if they are something different, so we sit out and not draft a QB every year because there is no Luck. We might be waiting for forever. StPete I agree with you 200% Either way you gotta roll the dice. Every player you pick is a roll of the dice, say u trade down and draft oline, what if that pick is a dud? I mean you just never know. Its so funny because you go on other draft boards for other teams and Titans, Jets, Skins , Houston fans wish they were in our position and would like to have a shot at either one of the Qb’s. I think it’s kind of ingrained into us as Bucs fans we have been around an organization that has never had a great quarterback so as fans we are used to mediocrity from the position and don’t believe in taking one high because we have been losing so much we are in fear of falling further down the rung. I agree with StPete also that I favor Mariota over Winston. I also believe it is unfair to try to compare anyone to Luck, that was several years ago and it may be years from now that anyone like him comes out again, does not mean we should not address an area we pass over year after year.
December 20th, 2014 at 10:56 pm
Armchair, who’s going to develop mariota if we draft him? He doesn’t play under center. He needs lots of footwork help. I get where you are coming from but respectfully disagree
December 20th, 2014 at 11:06 pm
Until we figure out who our OC is we can’t just dismiss the notion of drafting him. I agree with you that Lovie could potentially pose problems with his stubborn ways but until we get and OC and see which one we get and was style of offense he will run I won’t totally dismiss the notion of taking Mariota. Thing is regardless I see Lovie sitting a rookie Qb should we draft him, honestly see him playing Mcclown to start next season. I think Mariota’s footwork is not bad , but playing from under center I will agree with you there. I dunno life is about risks I heard the kid is a quick study and I like what he brings to the table. I don’t want to be the franchise that continually sits around worrying about everything instead of pulling the trigger. If we get an OC that fits his skill set then shoot! Time for some hope around these parts, time for our franchise to be talked about in a positive light instead of being a laughing stock! I think we need to take a shot, trading down hasn’t done anything for the Rams they still have not made the playoffs, on the same token you could say they drafted a bust due to injuries. What I am saying it is a 50/50 shot either way. I just wish as fans we could be more optimistic for once and shoot!
December 20th, 2014 at 11:55 pm
Pablo thinks that you people need to open your minds.
Culter pouts a lot so did James Dean and he was an icon.
Culter has off the chart skills that can only be brought out
by Lovie and his BFF McCown. Besides Pablo trusts Lovie.
December 21st, 2014 at 12:58 am
Redskins won so that makes our SOS go up. We may not get the #1 after all.
December 21st, 2014 at 1:00 am
If that is the case then Mariota is gone anyways and then Winston is there at 2. Do you take the gamble or hope that someone might trade up for him. Doubtful.
December 21st, 2014 at 1:15 am
Our SOS didnt go up they played Washington as well and also played Philly. So nothing changed from yesterday. What would have helped us is if Philly beat Washington it would have lowered our SOS
December 21st, 2014 at 8:56 am
He reminds me of me!
December 21st, 2014 at 10:50 am
IF THE BUC’S DRAFT WINSTON QB ,,I WILL QUIT WATCHING THE BUC’S FOR EVERY…….AND I’M A SEASON TICKET HOLDER AND MY WIFE…….
December 21st, 2014 at 4:12 pm
Im torn between winston and mariota. Winston is a beast that knows how to win. But dont want our first pick going to jail or getting suspended. And mariota looks good but part of me feels its fools gold. But his speed is exciting. Dont kno. But one of them has to.be drafted by the bucs.
December 21st, 2014 at 5:09 pm
Takes a POS person to know a POS person