“Makes Me Wonder Who ESPN Is Hiring As Draft Experts”
January 11th, 2015
The biggest knock on University of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota is that he’s not running anything close to an NFL offense, therefore, the experts say, he’s got a lot to learn in order to become NFL-ready.
This line of thinking makes no sense to former Bucs backup quarterback Scott Frost, who happens to be Mariota’s offensive coordinator at Oregon.
Speaking to media recently at a news conference about Monday night’s national championship game, Oregon vs. Ohio State, Frost expressed his frustration at the “NFL-ready” argument when it comes to Mariota.
“Makes me wonder who ESPN is hiring as draft experts,” Frost said, when asked about the opinion that Mariota isn’t as NFL-ready as Jameis Winston.
Joe appreciates Frost’s passion for his player, but that is the consensus — from ESPN talking heads to guys like Warren Moon, Donovan McNabb, Trent Dilfer, Shaun King, Bucky Brooks and many others Joe has documented right here. They think Winston is ready now, and Mariota is at least a year away.
Joe cautions fans to realize the draft is a wacky, fluid phenomenon. Last year at the time, Teddy Bridgewater was the consensus No. 1 overall pick, and he actually came from a pro-style offense at Louisville.
But then the draft experts watched him have a rough pro day and oddly decided he was a little skinny, and Bridgwater fell to the last pick of the first round, where Minnesota wisely traded up to draft him.
Joe never bought into the Bridgewater nonsense, and Joe regularly campaigned for Bridgewater-to-the-Bucs until draft day.
The point is that, right or wrong, Joe expects there to be plenty of twists and turns to the quarterbacks debate for at least the next few months.
January 11th, 2015 at 1:24 pm
Since it is hard to figure out who the best quarterback is in the draft or what round they will be in, I recommend the Bucs draft quarterbacks with all their picks. Those that don’t work out can play RB, WR, CB, or Safety.
January 11th, 2015 at 1:33 pm
The debate as to who’s ready to start RIGHT NOW is an odd one to me. This is a franchise that’s been consistently losing for decades without a strong long term QB option. So, who is the better option long term? I don’t care if it takes another 1-2 years to adjust to the NFL. It’s going to take years just to rebuild the OL and other weak areas of the team. Which QB has the most weapons and the most long term upside?
January 11th, 2015 at 1:35 pm
^^ haha totally makes sense lol
January 11th, 2015 at 1:41 pm
Realitycheck
Exactly. Does ANYBODY here or anywhere for that matter believe the Bucs are ready to contend for a Super Bowl next year?
IMHO you could have your pick of any QB in the NFL and we wouldn’t be ready to compete for a SB. We have LOTS of holes.
Having said that, given our division ,watching the champs of our division last night, I don’t think it’s totally unrealistic to hope for a sneak into the playoffs and a one and done but something to build on for 2016. I think it could possibly happen with either of the two QB’s being debated.
I’m pinning my hopes on Koetter not the draft.
January 11th, 2015 at 1:42 pm
Does anyone think Bortles or Bridgewater is better or has a higher ceiling than Winston or Mariota? Just curious.
January 11th, 2015 at 1:43 pm
@rayjay no.
January 11th, 2015 at 1:46 pm
I would take either of these guys over Bortles or Bridgewater. I think Carr was the top QB from last year.
January 11th, 2015 at 1:48 pm
@rayjay hell no
January 11th, 2015 at 1:49 pm
I like Mariota for his quickness of thinking and acting plus he is very flexible on plays. You can’t teach that.
As far as draft experts, I don’t think there are any, they just give their opinion on what they see and think they know what is required.
Instead of looking at what the scheme is for the QB to play in, which is more important. Just look at all the good QBs after they left the Bucs but while here were misused and not very good.
January 11th, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Would you consider Brett Favre, George Blanda, Fran Tarkenton, Johnny Unitas, Dan Marino, Y.A. Tittle, Bobby Layne, Dan Fouts, Peyton Manning, Warren Moon and John Elway some of the best quarterbacks to ever suit up in the NFL? Of course you would.
Nine of those quarterbacks are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and two more (Favre and Manning) will join them when they are eligible. But did you know that all nine of those Hall of Famers are on the list of top 15 quarterbacks that have thrown the most interceptions in NFL history?
And did you know that Favre, whom some consider to be the best playmaking and improvisational quarterback of all time, has thrown more interceptions – 336 – than anyone else in the NFL? Of course Favre has also thrown 508 touchdowns, which was the most in NFL history until Manning (530) topped it last year. —Pewter Report
January 11th, 2015 at 1:54 pm
I love Frost. I really hope he becomes our QB coach next week. And I would have no problem with a QB that may be a little ways off but has promise for the next decade after that. Until the last couple of years that’s always been the mindset. Its better for a rookie QB to sit for a year or two to learn how to be a man and professional athlete. Both of the QBs are going to be very good NFL QBs. I just prefer the one that has better athleticism and is more accurate. And has a quicker release. That just my opinion though.
And JOE you couldn’t get off Johnny’s jockstrap long enough to support a different QB last year. Kinda reminds me of this year with a certain player…
January 11th, 2015 at 1:55 pm
And by the way Mariota is not a bigger version of Russell Wilson, good grief!!
At the very least he would need a year and a half on the sideline and when he finally gets in he will want to make an impact and depend on his running (not escape) ability. Maybe during that time on the sideline he will get in the weight room and bulk up but that will slow him down a tad and he would spend the rest of that season working out the kinks in his throwing game which will not bode well for an explosive offense. If Mariota is the choice then the Bucs will have another top 5 draft choice in 2015 and a mediocre 2016 season, which by then he still will be an unknown and the next Peyton Manning will be the top draft choice. But hey, at least he’s the good guy right?
#sickandtiredofmariotavwinstondebate
January 11th, 2015 at 1:56 pm
The Bucs better take one of them and the right one at that. I don’t claim to know which one is the right one. But if you listen to the sound bite montages of Winston I know I have never heard a playoff QB sound like that.
I just don’t know if he is smart enough to match witts with NFL D Cordinators.
Can’t wait to see his wonderlic score.
January 11th, 2015 at 2:00 pm
The main issue I have is simple. If you have one kid who never gets in trouble and you have another one that averages a story every few months. And then your going to give both of them millions of dollars. What do you think will really happen?? Money does not change the core of someones true self. It usually ends up increasing the issues exponentially.
Atleast he can afford his crab habit after the draft. That’s about the only positive I see from him getting so much money. And taking care of his family which one would assume he would do.
January 11th, 2015 at 2:02 pm
Here’s a wager I’m willing to make. Given the odds against Heisman winners is anybody here willing to bet that at least one of these two will be a bust?
Not saying which one but I can’t help feeling that one of them will certainly not make it.
I want a QB. I want it to be Koetter’s choice not ours. Thankfully it will be!
January 11th, 2015 at 2:02 pm
The real debate should be whether either of these guys’ ceilings are that much superior to the second grouping of QBs. Petty, Grayson, etc. This will be the real test to determine what to do at #1. Would we be a better team by going QB, OL, DE or DE, OL, QB? But then again, we do have Lovie Smith judging and eyeballing talent. Looking at his draft history the sky is already starting to fall.
January 11th, 2015 at 2:04 pm
@newbucsfan
Have you ever watched an Oregon football game??????? Mariotta never looks to run the ball. He is 100% committed to the passing game. If he goes through his progressions and they are all covered and after he buys as much time as possible, then he will run it. But he has never been a run first QB.
#sickandtiredofidiotsonthiswebsite
January 11th, 2015 at 2:04 pm
Joe. I want to see the article for bridge water to bucs
Joe referenced literally dozens of times last year that Bridgewater and Johnny Football were the QBs Joe absolutely thought the Bucs should pursue in the draft. Joe was not a Bortles or Carr guy. Many times, readers saw a Johnny Football picture and assumed Joe was writing just about Johnny, or they were so enraged their comprehension was flawed. –Joe
January 11th, 2015 at 2:05 pm
With the new 5 year..controlled $$$ first round contracts….it isn’t a huge investment to sit a QB for a year.
Buc fans have very little patience…..rightfully so….but we need another year anyway to improve our line and pass rush…..How about lets bring in Mariota and put him in a wildcat once in a while….at least that way he would be contributing while adjusting….
January 11th, 2015 at 2:05 pm
I just hope its not another Manning-Leaf thing and pray we don’t end up with Leaf.
January 11th, 2015 at 2:06 pm
Hmm an unorthodox opinion but a valuable one at that! Maybe the Bucs would be wise to Draft Mariota/Winston AND Hundley as a back up plan. Trade Glennon for hopefully a 3rd rounder to make up for Hundley and move in that direction. Kind of like Washington did with RG3 and Kirk Cousins. It seems wise because it gives a plan B incase anything was to happen to either Winston having a mental lapse or Mariota ends up injured from running around to often.
Let that sink in for a second!
January 11th, 2015 at 2:06 pm
It tickles me how Joe appears to despise, in his words, “BSPN”, but here lately he’s been quoting anyone and everyone from that network as long as they support Winston. In fact in this article he didn’t refer to them as “BSPN”. Well I’ll be …imagine that?
Joe doesn’t always refer to “BSPN.” The archives reflect that, as does Joe often referencing gurus and former players appearing on the network. Please direct your comments away from Joe, or you’ll be banned to eternal moderation again. Joe has no time to waste on malicious intent. –Joe
Wait till Koetter hires ex-Buc backup QB Scott Frost for QB coaches position, and all those BSPN EXPERT ANALYST Warren Moon, Donovan McNabb, Trent Dilfer, Shaun King, Bucky Brooks will hopefully start singing a different tune, unless of course they are to stubborn, and have their jaws tightly clinched on to Winston’s jock strap.
January 11th, 2015 at 2:09 pm
@blighe
I am obviously not a Jameis fan, but they say he is actually really smart. Hearing him talk says differently. But supposedly he is expected to surprise a lot of people with his wonderlic scores. I will believe it when his score is “leaked” out. But until then I will give him the benefit of the doubt.
Holy ish…I just wrote a post defending Jameis. Never thought that would happen…LOL
January 11th, 2015 at 2:16 pm
Not an open thread on the Packers. Thanks. –Joe.
January 11th, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Sorry Joe
January 11th, 2015 at 2:27 pm
I like most have done my own home work and QB for QB I choose Winston, Person for Person I take Mariota. I have my own beliefs on who i like more this year, but this isn’t about that.
Looking at the Bucs roster and how the offense is built now, Looking at how Lovie does things, and taking into account both QB’s style of play. I feel the pick will probably end being Winston. As much as the fan base would love to see a spread style system setup in Tampa, let’s face it as long as Lovie is the HC a spread style offense isn’t his style.
It seems Lovie wants to re-create the style ATL and CHI play. Strong run game with a RB who can also excel at catching the ball out of the back field ala the Charles Sims draft (comparisons to Matt Forte who’s strength is pass catching). 2 BIG receivers on the out side and a big do it all TE. When looking at who will fit what Lovie wants to get done with the offense. It makes it easier to see Mariota may actually not be the best fit and even with all that talent it could be wasted by trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. I go back to a previous statement. Even with the character concerns (which I fully believe Lovie can keep under control) Winston is a plug and play QB and can do exactly what the Bucs look like they are trying to do. This is gonna be a long 4 months. Has Mariota even declared yet?
Just some food for thought.
January 11th, 2015 at 2:30 pm
@ SAMCRO
Didn’t you know that it malicious intent is a synonym for hypocracy?
January 11th, 2015 at 2:37 pm
Scott Frost was a backup safety for the Bucs not QB, Joe. Get your irrelevant 3rd string Bucs history right.
Also, it’s hard to promote a positive statement or two you made about Bridgewater when you dedicated months to Johnny Football coverage at the same time. How’s that working out?
Sorry, sir, you don’t think Frost was an emergency QB in Tampa? Might want to look into that. Second, as Joe has written, there are literally Dozens of times Joe referenced Bridgewater and Johnny Football as his preferred choices for the Bucs. Joe has archives here you are free to search. –Joe
January 11th, 2015 at 2:43 pm
The consensus of a bunch of losers who could never win he big one. Sure.
January 11th, 2015 at 2:43 pm
I agree with Frost, the pro-style crap is overblown. Rookie QB’s will struggle regardless of their college up bringing. You want leadership, natural ability, a good arm, a strong mind, awareness and teachability. The intangibles. None of us will know who has the better football mind since we wont be conducting interviews at the combine but both of these guys can probably pick up a playbook and learn it with the right coaching, this is what they do. Just because Mariota doesn’t run the typical offense doesn’t mean he can’t grasp or understand football concepts that have been around for decades.
Let the talking heads keep talking about how much they love Winston, they loved some Manziel too and wrote off Bridgewater after his pro-day.
January 11th, 2015 at 2:48 pm
Anyone who thinks Winston isn’t smart enough to outsmart or challenge D-coordinators needs to know that Winston on the football field is notorious for outsmarting opponents defenses. This guy has one of the highest football IQs I’ve ever seen. The dude plays like he has ADHD (after bad throws, he forgets about them and plays great football). Be like him and wipe out the negatives and focus on how he is on the field. In my mind he is the way quicker transition. There are people in the nfl right now that used to have off the field issues like Dez Bryant, tyrann Mathieu, and even cam newton. They all made the playoffs by being a huge tribute to their team. Forget about off field crap and argue their football play.
January 11th, 2015 at 2:52 pm
Joe,
Do you have a second choice for Bucs’ QB this year……,for example, what if we had 2nd pick and Winson wasn’t available or didn’t declare. (realize it is hypothetical) but everything we are discussing is….
Joe’s written that he thinks Mariota is a fine choice, just not the right choice with the No. 1 overall pick with Winston on the board. –Joe
January 11th, 2015 at 2:57 pm
Of all the expert’s Joe named I would only call one of them Fully credible to make any assumptions on a QB and that would be HOFer Warren Moon. Just like I appreciate the writings of JBF writers I do not consider them PERSONNEL experts. They see what I see and write about. Just like there was really no way to figure that Manning was going to be the big star over “Cryin’ Ryan” Leaf there is no way we can ever tell who is or if they will ever become an NFL star. What if Winston is the star but gets his career knocked short by an injury and Mariota goes on to be the next Brad Johnson (Steady and Sure). Brad Johnson never lit up anything but he was steady and made limited mistakes. Johnson was a 9th round pick of course. IMO I think you can’t go to wrong with a safer bet for the face of your franchise. This team is so bad that either QB should sit for at least a couple of games if not the whole season. We wouldn’t want to ruin eithers confidence or get them hurt before they can really get into the swing of things.
January 11th, 2015 at 2:59 pm
It’s not about offensive style it’s about the ability to throw the ball to people with anticipation and into tight windows. For every throw you find like that for Mariota there is 10 for Winston. This is not really close as Mariota is a good dude and all but he is not on the same level as Jameis. And for those of you comparing Mariota to Russell Wilson are you kidding he has some of the best touch passes ever and Mariota is a straight line thrower which does not equate to touch.
January 11th, 2015 at 2:59 pm
I liked Teddy B. He gets it, he got it in college. He has great anticipation and enough arm and athleticism to make it big. He could be the next Aaron Rodgers minus the discount double check commercials.
January 11th, 2015 at 3:02 pm
Russell Wilson played in a pro-style offense at NC State for several years before going to Wisconsin where he had a ton of pro-style mixed in with the spread that the Badgers put in specifically for him.
January 11th, 2015 at 3:04 pm
Joe when did you ever say you wanted Teddy B. All I saw was Johnny Football posts……..
Many, many times. Many of those “Johnny Football posts” included Joe’s desire to draft either QB. Joe was not a Bortles/Carr guy.–Joe
January 11th, 2015 at 3:09 pm
Winston or Mariotta? The only opinion that matters now is Koetter’s. Who does he want to run his offense?
January 11th, 2015 at 3:15 pm
“The main issue I have is simple. If you have one kid who never gets in trouble and you have another one that averages a story every few months. ”
Comments like this beg the question of what do we want a good person, or a quarterback who can lead us to wins, and as quick as possible! We’ve all seen the high pick choir boy who can’t play a lick, & the ‘bad boy’ who consistently lights it up. Let’s face it, if we pick Winston, and he screws up all that bad , we’ll get to try again, soon enough. Sure we’d like to have both, but I’m not convinced Mariota’s anything more than a system QB. Just me opinion, prolly a stupid one at that.
January 11th, 2015 at 3:19 pm
I thought Lovie said glennon was the qb of the future .
January 11th, 2015 at 3:20 pm
Joe did pimp Bridgewater…I know I’ve read it many time. I think he wanted Manziel more.
January 11th, 2015 at 3:29 pm
See that’s it right there. Every couple of months? He has had exactly three issues in two years and one of those is a unfounded accusation. So you have that the crab legs deal, and the cussing in the quad. Does that sound like enough to add upto a incident every couple of months? All this crap has been blown out of proportion because of the accusation. You all realize that any one cam claim anything against anyone and I’d not even charged it means nothing right?
January 11th, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Winston threw 17 interceeptions this year against mostly bad teams. He gets confused by coverages then tries to force the ball. He is NOT NFL ready
January 11th, 2015 at 3:34 pm
I think a lot of decisions will be made after each QB has their Pro Day and the NFL eyes see them both throw. I don’t expect either of them to throw at the combine
January 11th, 2015 at 3:36 pm
I don’t know whether Smith or Garrett is the worse coach…..what a bone head…after seeing Dallas play, think maybe we got the better of the two. And glad we will likely have either of these two QB prospects over Romo.
And Joe..this debate regarding our #1 draft pick has a long way to play out…still, the journey should be interesting.
January 11th, 2015 at 3:36 pm
Please stop using the Bridgewater argument to justify yourself from last year (Manziel??). Bridgewater will be a mediocre to slightly better than mediocre QB throughout his career.
January 11th, 2015 at 3:36 pm
However, we all know there is much more to being a successful QB than just throwing, so the interview process will also be very important
January 11th, 2015 at 3:37 pm
All of this comparing QBs is interesting but somewhat futile….
I compare Winston to Testeverde……
Potential #1 pick for Bucs
Fla School
Tries to fit throws into tight wiindows (doesn’t know his limitations)
Like I said….foolish to compare….
January 11th, 2015 at 3:38 pm
@Fritz is it too much to ask for both? As much as people seem to think Mariota is just a system guy I have yet to hear anyone say he isn’t a first round talent. People act like throwing to an open receiver is a bad thing or taking off and running is a terrible choice instead of throwing in to double coverage.
January 11th, 2015 at 3:42 pm
Has no one considered the fact that Glennon studied Matt Ryan in college, had his old college coordinator in college, has been compared (loosely, albeit) to Matt Ryan while in the pros, and now has Matt Ryan’s offensive coordinator of the last 3 years as his very own? Might Koetter examine Glennon and believe he has another excellent pocket QB in Glennon in his system?
January 11th, 2015 at 3:45 pm
Joe I truly believe you’re playing devil’s advocate and you really want Marcus Mariota.tampaaaaa
January 11th, 2015 at 3:47 pm
can you guys imagine if the bucs were playing today with GMC leading smashmouth defense and Marcus Mariota throwing balls to Evans four touchdowns
January 11th, 2015 at 3:47 pm
Possible Jason. Would be boring to debate the top offensive lineman for the next 4 months though.
January 11th, 2015 at 3:47 pm
Pick the QB who has the most upside and the higher ceiling. Our roster is so lousy that picking the QB just because he more ready right now would be rash and not in the team’s best, long term interest. This is one example how the GM, not the head coach, should be in charge of selecting the pick in order to not let this be an issue. The GM has to think long term, and most coaches don’t have that outlook.
January 11th, 2015 at 3:51 pm
I know my opinion don’t mean spit, but when your torn between two players that are similar in skill sets, you have too lean towards off the field behavior and character. I’m sorry but Mariota wins that hands down, and so he should be the pick.
January 11th, 2015 at 4:03 pm
Bridgewater joe? I remember daily reminders on Johnny football and little on bridgewater
January 11th, 2015 at 4:03 pm
Mariota easy hands down I bet he is smarter than Winston too off field perfect we don’t need a drama queen Winston
January 11th, 2015 at 4:09 pm
Trade for Atlanta’s QB
January 11th, 2015 at 4:11 pm
Tampabay…when I heard the analysts talk about Winston, Vinnie was the first name that came to mind. Don’t think Vinnie had the fire that Winston has, but he didn’t have the off field issues…but both guys had very good arms.
January 11th, 2015 at 4:16 pm
When you have the #1 pick in the draft, you have to be 100% positive that this guy is your man. Not 99.9%. You have to have absolutely no concerns, questions, reservations or variables. I don’t see the Bucs having that 100% confidence in either one of these QB’s. I look for them to try to trade down or pick the best OT or DE
January 11th, 2015 at 4:16 pm
I gotta go with Joe and Luthur. I clearly recall Joe trying to sell Bridgewater last year as well as Johnny Football.
In my recollection Joe’s position was the same last year as this year. He just wants a QB!
Last year Joe was selling Johnny Football with acceptance and mentions of Bridgewater and I’m not even sure Joe wouldn’t have settled for Bortles, the ONE thing I am sure of is that Joe has basically been begging for a QB for two years.
This year he’s begging for Jameis but acknowledging Mariota’s talent and while preferring Jameis he’s clearly on the record as supporting Mariota if that’s what the Bucs do.
I think Joe’s position has been clear. He wants a QB!!!
Now if he comes here and starts advocating trading the pick then that will be a change in position.
January 11th, 2015 at 4:17 pm
Actually, that’s EXACTLY what the Bucs need!
Bucs fans on one hand cry the team is irrelevant and on the other don’t want drama. Well, drama = relevancy.
This just in: The Bucs aren’t making the playoffs any time soon. Just look at this weekend’s teams and then the Bucs. Way too many holes. Way too many. If you are going to lose, as least be entertaining. At least add some drama, some interest.
(P.S.: The NFL loves drama. They know drama sells.)
January 11th, 2015 at 4:19 pm
Never dreamed Bridgewater would get past the Bucs. They could have had him twice (traded up from second round, perhaps).
Again, Joe will be content with Mariota. At least the Bucs would be addressing their greatest need. Joe vows to support Mariota if he is chosen. Remember, Joe railed against drafting Josh Freeman, the “Bust in Waiting.” Once training camp started, Joe was behind him.
(Joe isn’t railing not to draft Mariota, but rather, to draft Jameis.)
January 11th, 2015 at 4:22 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo believes Mariota is like a taco……comes with all sorts of possibilities….and Winston is like an enchilada…..usually made the same way. Pablo believes you can get heartburn from each”
January 11th, 2015 at 4:22 pm
I leaning your way Mr. Patrick. i wouldn’t be surprised to see the Bucs trade down.
The Bucs will be LUCKY if they could win the division next year and go one and done in the playoffs. They can still add talent and if they believe Glennon has never had a fair shot give it to him next year. I realize there is a lot of hate here for Glennon, but Koetter may see something we don’t.
January 11th, 2015 at 4:25 pm
I’ve got $10 that says Koetter was brought in here because he thinks he can turn Glennon into a Matt Ryan type of QB. It makes a ton of sense. Not saying im on board with this, im not totally against it either though.
Licht comes from the Bill Belichick school of draft ideals. I truly believe that if they have a trade partner willing to give up next years 1st and maybe this years 2nd and 3rd they will move down.
January 11th, 2015 at 4:27 pm
gotbbucs
I agree!!!
January 11th, 2015 at 4:28 pm
I don’t have a horse in this race. We need a quarterback, one of the two should be the pick. Found this on ESPN sportsnation, interesting to see what America thinks.
What is Jameis Winston’s NFL future?
8%
Pro Bowler
27%
Starter
19%
Backup
46%
Bust
(Total votes: 1,166,799)
+
January 11th, 2015 at 4:29 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLOu8O_7KI
To all you Marcus Mariota haters out there, watch this video and tell me you don’t want this kid to be the future of our franchise.
January 11th, 2015 at 4:34 pm
@ gotbucs
You could be right……would be music to everyone’s ears…..trade down….boatload of picks….avoid the controversial choices….
Trade partner would be the Jets…..not too far down & they need a QB….and I think Mariota would like to play in NYC….
January 11th, 2015 at 4:43 pm
joe says: Joe regularly campaigned for Bridgewater-to-the-Bucs until draft day.
huh? I must have missed that with the constant johnny football stuff you posted several times a day.
who played better in 2014? johnny or teddy?
answer teddy. bridgewater wasn’t down at the local watering hole next to johnny football every night bending his elbow.
teddy bridgewater was working his butt off to be a top nfl QB.
Sorry guys. Joe wrote over and over about Bridgewater. It’s in the archives here. Yes, Joe often wrote about Johnny Football, but to say Joe wasn’t banging a drum for Bridgewater is flat out wrong. –Joe
January 11th, 2015 at 4:44 pm
Speaking for Maria Pablo’s mistress…Pablo has already eaten too many tacos and enchiladas. New year’s resolution will be to cut some calories.
January 11th, 2015 at 4:46 pm
@gotbucs that thought has crossed my mind as well, that would be right up Lovies alley. I don’t think Lovie will use the first pick on a qb, I could be wrong, I hope I am.
January 11th, 2015 at 4:46 pm
Guys…I don’t mean to sound like a Joe suckup but his position has been very clear. He wants a QB.
Last year his man crush was on Johnny Football but he wasn’t monogamous. He was clearly ready to cheat with Bridgewater and expressed his admiration for Bridgewater more than once. Clearly he “preferred” JF but he just as clearly would have accepted Bridgewater and maybe even Bortles
It’s the same this year. Man crush on Jameis but willing to cheat with Mariota.
January 11th, 2015 at 4:54 pm
@ St. Pete
Sure…Joe wants a QB….wanted one last year too….it doesn’t matter what Joe wants…..It matters what Lovie, Licht, Koetter & the Glazers want…
January 11th, 2015 at 5:07 pm
Take mariota take mariota take mariota this should be the topic of every single article over and over
January 11th, 2015 at 5:29 pm
@ndog
He has been in trouble multiple times in a 2 year period.
possible rape accusations
ranting in the quad
bb gun incident
burger king stealing
crab leg stealing
That’s 5 issues whether major or minor in a 2 year period. Mariotta has a speeding ticket that he made a public apology to the school and fans. Why would you want someone who has so many issues as the #1 pick in the draft?? He would also be the “FACE OF THE FRANCHISE”. What leads you to believe he will not continue to do stupid things that will eventually add up and with Goddell out there choppin heads. Its a recipe for disaster. I would much rather go with the guy whose talent level is not far off and has 0 character issues. And would be a great leader for our franchise for the next decade barring injury. No question at all to me. The only way I wouldn’t take Mariotta is if a trade offer was just too good to turn down. Which is a very high possibility.
January 11th, 2015 at 5:33 pm
I know the majority of Winston’s issues are minor. But it comes down to this. He knows the nation is watching what he does. Yet, he still continued to make immature mistakes that draw negative attention toward his football program. We need a guy who leads just as well on the field as he does off the field.
Jameis has already tarnished the credibility of my favorite school since my childhood. I do not want him to ruin my NFL team as well. Let another team deal with that headache!!!
January 11th, 2015 at 5:42 pm
The issues I see with are ones that might not be fixable, and that is my worry with him. He can’t move to his left and throw, at all. Not even a dump off. Can that be fixed?
His lack of mobility and pension for taking unnecessary sacks also really bothers me. There have been several times where he had time, but just ran put of bounds rather than throwing the call away.
January 11th, 2015 at 5:44 pm
I don’t have to look back at the archives to remember you mentioned Bridgewater as an acceptable pick many times prior to last years draft. I don’t have a problem with making Winston the top overall pick. Hiring Koetter suggests to me the Bucs have already decided who their QB choice is. They know who they want. The fans will have to wait months trying to figure out who their choice might be.
January 11th, 2015 at 5:45 pm
^^ Sorry that was issues with Glennon above.
January 11th, 2015 at 6:01 pm
The Bucs should definitely draft a guy with major off-field issues, because that always works out for them…just ask the cab driver Talib punched…
IMO “NFL ready” does not mean a lot for the Bucs, since almost the entire team wasn’t NFL ready this year.
January 11th, 2015 at 6:22 pm
Joe Says
“Actually, that’s EXACTLY what the Bucs need!
Bucs fans on one hand cry the team is irrelevant and on the other don’t want drama. Well, drama = relevancy.”
That’s right there is bull. You’re going to tell me the Freeman and MRSA drama made the Bucs relevent?
What we need is to start Glennon next year, give him his shot. Draft Mariota and sit him. Keep McCown to help coach him up.
Glennon will get his shot behind that developing offensive line. What he makes of it is up to him. If he does well, we have our QB or trade bait. If not, we put in Mariota.
But Lovie should NOT bend to fan and media pressure.
January 11th, 2015 at 6:34 pm
I’ve heard a bunch of those espn analysts say mariota is very accurate. Also he’s smart and can run. Plus he’s a hard worker. Whether he’s better than Winston or not I’m sure he projects to be a good qb based on his skills. Polian and Brandt said so. I’m not sure I trust Shaun king or Donovan mcnabb. These guys never drafted anybody.. They aren’t paid talent evaluators. Not to be mean, but Sean king was sorry. He single handed ku cost us a Super Bowl appearance with his champ game performance against rams. With solder we would have won. So who are these analysts. Does that mean ex jock.
January 11th, 2015 at 6:41 pm
Tell me if this sounds familiar.
Manning and Leaf were widely considered the two best players available in the 1998 draft, and scouts and analysts debated who should be selected first. Many favored Leaf’s stronger arm and greater potential, while others deemed Manning the more mature player and the safer pick. Most observers, however, believed that it would not greatly matter whether Manning or Leaf was drafted first because either would greatly benefit his team.
The Chargers decided Leaf was better and more NFL ready. We all know how that worked out.
Sounds eerily familiar, does it? Here we are, almost 2 decades later, and do we look back and say, “That was a 50-50 call”?
No. Everyone saw the warning signs and the Chargers decided to ignore them, traded the farm to move up to #2 and took Leaf after the Colts took Manning at #1.
The exact same signs are there in this draft. The experts said Leaf had the better arm. They say Winston has the better arm.
Leaf had a slight weight problem. Winston has a slight weight problem.
Leaf got in players and coaches faces. Winston gets in players and coaches faces.
Leaf had off the field issues. Winston has off the field issues.
Leaf had ” football smarts”. Winston has “football smarts”.
The simularities are astounding. It’s right there for all to see. Do we want to be the 1998 Chargers? Or the 1998 Colts?
January 11th, 2015 at 6:50 pm
Ironically, the Chargers could have stayed where they were and had their pick of at least 3-4 better quarterbacks in rond three or later.
January 11th, 2015 at 7:13 pm
If the Bucs draft a QB with the 1st overall pick,….He should not sit. Just sayin
January 11th, 2015 at 7:21 pm
@Danati74
You are wrong. No matter which is chosen, he should sit until the offensive line at least starts to gel. Unless you want him on I.R.
January 11th, 2015 at 8:51 pm
You know, there are a bunch of positives with the no.1 pick. We can get some good players if the teams are willing to give them up for no.1 and we can get an already seasoned QB that’s good already in the league or we can go with Winston or Mariota. But none of our opinions matter, the GM and OC with do their homework and whoever we get I will support their decision.
January 11th, 2015 at 11:15 pm
unbelievable Says:
January 11th, 2015 at 5:42 pm
“The issues I see with are ones that might not be fixable, and that is my worry with him. He can’t move to his left and throw, at all.”
Unbelievably wrong!
January 11th, 2015 at 11:45 pm
Since we have a terrible line atm. Wouldn’t it make more sense to draft the guy who is more mobile and can buy you more time. Because unless we make some major upgrades. Whomever our QB might be. He will be running for his life in the majority of games next season. I can’t wait for Monday night. I want Mariotta, without his top weapons. To go out and murder it and shut a lot of the haters up.
January 12th, 2015 at 12:47 pm
Would someone explain “football IQ” or “football smarts” and how it would be different from a good memory? Could you explain it without being an a$$hole? I really am having a hard time understanding this concept and how people claim it as something that can be measured.
January 12th, 2015 at 4:38 pm
With regard to the offensive line, more than offensive line talent goes into the production of an offensive line. The QB matters quite a bit when it comes to how the offensive line looks and performs, the system too.
Are the blocking assignments right? Does an audible need to be called? A hot read executed? I won’t say the offensive line is in good shape right now, but I don’t think McCown and Arroyo did them many favors either.
January 12th, 2015 at 4:48 pm
Brett, good question. I’d love to hear from anyone who has taken the wonderlik…
I would expect it involves things like blitz recognition, scheme weaknesses, ideal audible calls, knowledge of the rules, and so on. Much of that could fall into the category of memory, but I’d be curious to know if there are time constraints or other test policies aimed at better capturing on-field decision making.