“Whatever Team Gets Him Is Going To Be Great”
January 18th, 2015
A true NFL great, a quarterback before his time, a guy young Joe worked with on a TV game show in 1993, issued a powerful endorsement for one of the premier college quarterback prospects.
The man doing the talking was Randall Cunningham.
You want to know how much the NFL has changed? During Cunningham’s rookie class, in 1985, three running backs were taken in the first round, and Cunningham was the first quarterback drafted overall — in Round 2. The bungling Bucs took defensive end Ron Holmes at No. 8 overall — because they had Steve Young on the roster and weren’t interested in drafting Jerry Rice or other ’85 studs like Al Toon. Doh!
Anyway, Cunningham is all in on the Marcus Mariota bandwagon, as you can see in the Comcast SportsNet video below.
“Whatever team gets him is going to be great,” Cunningham said.
The former Eagles star likes the way Mariota’s teammates respect him and he likes his parents choice of soft drinks.
“If you saw what happened when he got hurt, his offensive linemen got emotional and took personal fouls because they loved their quarterback so much,” Cunningham said. “They love Marcus. When you look up in the stands and see his parents, they’re not drinking beer and acting crazy. They’re respectable people and that’s what you’re going to get out of a kid like that.”
Joe’s not sure whether Cunningham was taking a shot or Jameis Winston’s family or just likes conservative fans. He is an ordained minister. Regardless, Philly fans like Cunningham will continue to pray daily that the Bucs make a miraculous trade down and send Mariota to back to Chip Kelly.
Keep dreaming.
January 18th, 2015 at 2:47 pm
Thank you Joe for this article…..I am certain that there are many positives for both QB prospects….
Knowing that will help Buc fans to eventually better accept the choice.
January 18th, 2015 at 2:48 pm
Love what he did in the league but I’m sticking with Winston.
January 18th, 2015 at 2:51 pm
ok…so has randall watched film on both or is this just a philly thing?
January 18th, 2015 at 2:51 pm
Easy choice between the two, Mariota. Neither ,however, is worth the 1 overall.
January 18th, 2015 at 2:51 pm
Mike Glennon will have a better Career than either of them.
January 18th, 2015 at 2:52 pm
RG3, Tebow, Alex Smith, Blaine Gabbert, Manziel all spread QBs in college all struggling in the Pros. Stay away from spread QBs
January 18th, 2015 at 2:53 pm
I would be more comforted if his parents were tanking beers in the crowd. I want my football team to be blue collar, not Nobel winners
January 18th, 2015 at 2:57 pm
This crap about not being worth a #1 overall, that’s bull. No one knows that until their career is established. I’d bet anyone would draft Tom Brady #1 overall.
Or Kurt Warner.
A pick is worth being chosen if you think he is an answer to your team and you don’t think he will fall to your next pick. Period.
No other player in this draft will score as many points as these two. So that makes them WORTH the #1 overall.
January 18th, 2015 at 3:01 pm
@ Bonzai
Absolutely!!! Both are worth the number one pick if you need a QB…..evidence of that will be the trade offers that Tampa & Tenn will recieve…..and if accepted, those trading will tak a QB….
January 18th, 2015 at 3:06 pm
Look at the QB still in the playoffs. How do you think fits in with these guys Winston or Mariota? I don’t think any of these guys want to videotape Winston fornicating with women. I don’t think Gerald McCoy would want to. There’s three quarterbacks in the NFL like Winston Johnny football and Ben Rothlisberger. I think Mariota fits the mold of franchise quarterback personality. I also think he’s a lot like Russell Wilson
January 18th, 2015 at 3:08 pm
Mariota is the choice. I understand his version of English much better
January 18th, 2015 at 3:11 pm
sorry many people don’t speak bigot and ignorance like you
January 18th, 2015 at 3:14 pm
ps mariota was hard to understand his during the post championship interview walking to the tunnel choking back tears…
January 18th, 2015 at 3:21 pm
Lurker thanks for proving to us you’re an idiot. Well done sir
January 18th, 2015 at 3:23 pm
Choking back some tears is a bad thing?……the guy’s last college game….the National Championship?…..
There may be some serious concerns about his immediate NFL readiness…but, I think he is emotionally stable….
January 18th, 2015 at 3:24 pm
@Lurker I find it hard to believe your a Winston fan. I mean the way you talk down to people on here and talk smack nonstop. Way to keep it classy.
January 18th, 2015 at 3:38 pm
Nybucsfan, “There’s three quarterbacks in the NFL like Winston Johnny football and Ben Rothlisberger.”
You named two goober and one of them is going to be in the hall of fame.
January 18th, 2015 at 3:41 pm
Not sure why anyone is picking on Lurker based on this thread. I think it’s incredibly prejudiced to pick on an ACC academic all American because his speech patterns reflect those of his influences growing up. Poor form and highly suspect considering the forum andthe topic. The Bucs are in need of a signal caller, not an English Professor.
January 18th, 2015 at 3:49 pm
The Bucs are in need of protecting the signal-caller… and their pass rushing credibility… and more
January 18th, 2015 at 3:54 pm
Immediately throwing out insinuations of bigotry and insults of ignorance is what brought the blowback onto Lurker. Instead of referring to previous posts where many Bucs fans lamented Winston’s lack of articulation skills, Lurker jumped immediately on the “You Hate Winston for (Insert Logic Here) therefore you are a (Insert “Racist”, “Bigot”, Ignorant @$$hole” Here) bandwagon”.
Quite frankly, that thread is tired and needs to be put to rest. Get the QB we need, then build an O-Line that will protect him stronger than a Castle wall! Or else it’s all for naught.
January 18th, 2015 at 4:05 pm
Doc, all I said was its easier for me to understand mariota. That was separate from mariota is the choice. If I would have substituted the period with the word because then lurker would have had a point. Also, lurker then stated mariota was hard to understand after the NCG because he was crying. He brought the backlash on himself. Therefore, I commented to him that he’s an idiot.
January 18th, 2015 at 4:32 pm
What is with the random comments from the MGM? So rare that anyone turns into an elite NFL QB. There is a reason most teams and all media don’t put any time into MG.
People, he is not our future or the future of any franchise. Let the Bucs get a decent draft pick for him and let it go.
January 18th, 2015 at 4:38 pm
Hey first time commenter just wanted to say i’m a big fan of the site been coming here for about 5 years now its part of my daily routine, keep up the good work!!
January 18th, 2015 at 4:43 pm
I really don’t see a franchise QB in this draft. All through the NFL there are teams that are going nowhere because they over-drafted a QB in the 1st round out of desparation and it set them back 5 years
January 18th, 2015 at 4:52 pm
@ Sapp
Agreed. They kept Glennon healthy for a reason
January 18th, 2015 at 5:08 pm
Whatever, it is not cut and dried that MG will be leaving the Bucs. If he does get traded away he should bring at least a 4th rounder in return.
January 18th, 2015 at 5:40 pm
badjeff, period or not (your last sentence has no period) your inference was there. there is plenty of racism and misogyny on these boards.
my reference of mariota being hard to understand was to counter what you said. plenty of people here blast players (josh mccown, et al) for crying, so blast away at mariota…or you won’t because you like him.
players are not drafted for their elocution, but their football skills. so you would never draft a great qb who was deaf?
most comments on here are opinions with very little substance to back them up. i call them out when it intrigues me. i do not think it is any more “classless” than most other post, but whatever. funny how a newyarker comments about class…lmao (see how stereotypes work?)
January 18th, 2015 at 5:47 pm
I love you sissy sensitive guys. Bigot? Sound like women.. Who cares. White people and blacks make fun of dumb rednecks all the time. Never hear crying from whites. Dumb sounding speech is dumb speech. Race isn’t issue. Save that weak crap for Oprah. Waah. Waah. So sensitive. Funny.
January 18th, 2015 at 5:53 pm
Randall Cunningham said “If he’s being talked about then he’s doing something right. He has a lot of value”. That’s all well and fine but the question posed was about him being talked about as a system QB. I award Randall no points and may God have mercy on his soul. Nobody really knows. Mariota could go on to be an elite QB and Winston could go nowhere. Nobody and I mean nobody predicted Brady coming out of the 6th round and being the QB he is today. With that said, history has taught us that the guy that appears ready now and familiar with a system like he will see in the NFL has a greater chance of success. I’m on the Winston wagon.
January 18th, 2015 at 5:56 pm
see, misogyny.
my mistake badjeff, if it was not race reference. what was your inference and implication, since the good ole boys want to believe your comment was innocenct.
January 18th, 2015 at 5:56 pm
innocent
January 18th, 2015 at 6:03 pm
@lurker. Here’s a non racial guy who thinks Winston talks stupidly. I lmao when he has long interviews. Who cares. I feel the same way when I hear some backwoods redneck white guy. Who cares????? So what if its environmental. Still sounds funny.. 90% of people I’ve heard think Winston is a smart qb. That’s all that matters. Lol! Nobody laugh at a black guy. Whites, Asians, Hispanic no problem. You’re a riot.
January 18th, 2015 at 6:07 pm
so where is badjeff to clarify? you have no idea what he meant either, brent. and you are just silly if you think there are no racists here nor misogynists.
January 18th, 2015 at 6:19 pm
@lurker
You MAY be right about racism with SOME posters. IMHO a very small minority.
But YOU and Jameis would be the ones accused of misogyny not the posters you think might be racist.
mi·sog·y·ny
məˈsäjənē/Submit
noun
dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women.
The people you are accusing of racism would simply turn around and say you guys who called the woman cleat chaser and any number of other deprecating terms would be the misogynists. Not saying it was you who said all the horrible stuff about the woman, just saying that would be the charge against those who did.
I honestly do not remember who said what. I simply do not believe race nor gender LOL have anything to do with this. Again Mariota is not white.
January 18th, 2015 at 6:27 pm
i know what misogyny is and i used it correctly. the racism is not winston vs mariota just vs winston.
BadJeff Says:
January 18th, 2015 at 3:08 pm
Mariota is the choice. I understand his version of English much better
i called this ignorant and bigoted…the inference is there. there is no other clarification. there is plenty of racist and misogynist comments here.
January 18th, 2015 at 6:32 pm
Lurker
Who is against women? Most of the antiJameis fever is from people who support women and tend to believe them when they claim rape. There is no misogyny involved. Nobody is against women.
January 18th, 2015 at 6:38 pm
I like black women. And, I’d rather we draft Mariota.
January 18th, 2015 at 6:39 pm
wow, really. remember all the ray rice comments and saying treat you like ray rice did his fiance? always implying women are inferior. there are always plenty of comments, always have been, always will be. anonymity brings about the bad.
January 18th, 2015 at 6:46 pm
MG8
#ROY #SetTeamRecords #SetNFLRecords #3BlindMice #LovieIsIncompetent
January 18th, 2015 at 6:47 pm
jfat, lol
January 18th, 2015 at 6:55 pm
Running QBs and Read Option QBs have run their course in the NFL. Winston doesn’t have the capacity to read a NFL defense.
January 18th, 2015 at 7:03 pm
I like Mariota but I also liked Doug Williams and no one ever knew what language he was speaking. As long as they can perform for our Buccos. Winstons character issues are the key to my not wanting him no matter his color or up bringing. Where there is smoke there is fire. Bring on the draft. If the team has questions about Mariota skill and readiness for the NFL, trade down for a Buccaneers bounty of picks and maybe a solid stop gap QB or FA QB then draft the more project level QB like Grayson from Colo State or Hundley from UCLA or Mannion from Oregon State amongst other well rated QB’s that will go 2nd, 3rd or lower rounds. Maybe one of them is the next Brady from the 7th round? Draft season should be awfully interesting!
January 18th, 2015 at 7:11 pm
Wow.
I go to pick up dinner with the game over and come back to find out and onside kick and now a Lynch TD!!!
Damn Lurker you freaking jinxed US. If Brady wins that means both my teams lost today and your theory just went down in flames as a 3rd pick battles a 6th round pick in the SB!
Thanks for the jinx!
January 18th, 2015 at 7:17 pm
lol…i do my best
January 18th, 2015 at 8:08 pm
Did lot’s of research on the Man New Buc #5 Winston..Was a Marcus supporter but after objectively watching both I can now see what the Winston supporters are talking about…Big arm…Many more NFL throws than Mariotta and extremely patient in the pocket. He’s a guy who processes things quickly and plays in an NFL system…Forget the off field stuff. Most are embellished…including the rape case by the accusers Lawyer/aunt (how many are alter boys at 19 in collage anyway) Jameis will be fine. Hes has that it factor, something about him…The straw that stirs the drink thing, I think. Also saw a few of his interview’s ie Dan Patrick .. I recommend people look at this…he’s a cool kid!
January 18th, 2015 at 8:10 pm
Jamies Winston’e Dan Patrick interview..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V244vXWhKU
January 18th, 2015 at 8:14 pm
I was a Mariota supporter back in November. After going back and looking at the games. It was easy to see that Winston was the better player. Lots of people were surprised that I switched but I like to be objective and if I see a reason to change my opinion, I do it. People saying that Winston can’t read defenses but are so sure that Mariota can do it with ease are either blind or lying.
January 18th, 2015 at 9:19 pm
@Bucs#5
You can’t forget the off field stuff when the guy is about to be your “Face of The Franchise”. If he is crazy enough to keep getting in trouble when he knew the nation was watching. What leads you to believe that will change in the NFL. Remember, he will be surrounded by “yes” people for the rest of his career. Do you really believe people will say no don’t do that??? Not a chance.
As far as the racism and what not. There are definitely those people on this site. And honestly badjeffs comment did sound a lil racist. But who cares??? Its his opinion and he is entitled to it. Just like you have yours. It is hilarious to hear Jameis talk tho. But its funny to hear all kinds of different people talk. I’m sure some people say I sound funny to them. Its called being human.
I have faith Jameis’s mental issues will be exposed in the pre-draft meetings and doctors evaluations will say he is not completely stable. That doesn’t make him dumb tho. Reports clearly state how good his grades are and how intelligent he is. Mariotta is right there with him. He is bout to graduate early. He has better athleticism and a higher ceiling. It may take a year but that’s fine. How many great QBs throughout history started on day 1. Worry about the long run 3-5 years minimum. Not the 1st year. We have too many holes to fill anyways. Neither QB will make us a playoff team instantly.
Like Cunningham said, his teammates will go into war with him any day of the week. Jameis does not have that respect from his teammates. And MM crying after losing the national championship game is common for a ton of players. It was his last game in college ever and they got embarrassed. I would never change my opinion on a player based on 1 game specifically. That’s nonsense.
January 18th, 2015 at 9:34 pm
Joe, if the Tennessee Titans are not open to trade up 1 Pick, would arranging a promotion/demotion deal with the Tampa Bay Storm or the Cedar Rapids Titans look up? If Lovie wants to see all his 53 Players Worth, I’d restart the longest throw competition and see if anyone wants to catch footballs above the Raymond James Stadium Scoreboard. I wonder, is Lovie’s time on the 3rd Coast officially snakebit one way or the another?
January 18th, 2015 at 9:46 pm
If this is a Marcus Mariota article, whats the point of having a picture of Jameis Winston on it?? I mean really?
January 18th, 2015 at 10:11 pm
Luther Says:
January 18th, 2015 at 8:14 pm
“I was a Mariota supporter back in November. After going back and looking at the games. It was easy to see that Winston was the better player.”
I was right there with you up until December.
January 18th, 2015 at 10:41 pm
“I would never change my opinion on a player based on 1 game specifically. That’s nonsense.”
I looked at lots of games. draftbreakdown.com has games for both QBs. I suggest you look at them for several gamess with an open mind. If you refuse to be swayed and your mind is made up then you will just be upset when we draft Jameis. Many, many scouts have him graded higher than Mariota and its the off the field stuff that is giving people pause. I’m looking at the QB not the citizen. I’ll let the Bucs grade the citizen.
January 18th, 2015 at 10:59 pm
@Java Two Time Pro Bowler Alex Smith isn’t successful in the NFL? What are you smoking and where can I get some?
Other Spread QBs you can mention are Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers, Joe Flacco and Cam Newton… Hell, Collin Kaepernick just won 6 more games than us with a team more patched work together than we were.
January 18th, 2015 at 11:51 pm
I have faith Jameis’s mental issues will be exposed in the pre-draft meetings and doctors evaluations will say he is not completely stable. That doesn’t make him dumb tho.
Funky… Really? You have Faith that doctors are going to find him a candidate for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Part 2? No Drugs, No Pot, No speeding tickets, staying up late at night…does he miss or come in late to meetings? No reports of this.. Again, Jamies will be fine…Play ball #5 and Win!!
January 18th, 2015 at 11:53 pm
Where are those who were saying randall was probably a winston fan because he was black? Some were saying randall was overated due to what they assumed his belief was. Remember, they were saying this from a warren moon article on jobucfan site. Let this be a lesson to those who wrote such nonsence. Just because someone is black, it doesn’t mean they only support blacks. Blacks are smart enough to have an opinion based on how they view sports without color being the reason for their viewpoint. Sorry for the psa.
January 19th, 2015 at 12:48 am
Really nice opinion,..coming from another running QB. Guy was probably similar to both QB’s in this draft class. Nice props to the family. Not sure where all this going. Winston is still the better of the 2, I think anyone can see. Okay I would take either one, but if its too late to make a judgement just look at the highlights.
January 19th, 2015 at 1:07 am
As I have said before, the best QB’s to come out in the past 5 years, came from a spread system. Look it up, it’s there for ALL to see.
Then, review the list of ‘pro-style’ QB’s that have come out in the past 5 years.
You tell me which one’s have had more success…
If you don’t come back saying Mariota’s the MAN…then you’re not looking at it rationally and are married to the wrong QB….
January 19th, 2015 at 1:08 am
Oh. and by the way, thanks to whichever @joe wrote this balanced article (was wondering if you had it in you to KEEP doing these…)!
January 19th, 2015 at 1:38 am
so someone should agree with your opinion on who the best is to agree with your opinion on who the bucs should take…lmao
whatever
January 19th, 2015 at 5:51 am
White Tiger Says:
January 19th, 2015 at 1:07 am
As I have said before, the best QB’s to come out in the past 5 years, came from a spread system. Look it up, it’s there for ALL to see.
Then, review the list of ‘pro-style’ QB’s that have come out in the past 5 years.
You tell me which one’s have had more success…
If you don’t come back saying Mariota’s the MAN…then you’re not looking at it rationally and are married to the wrong QB….
———————
Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson both came from pro-systems. The drama is killing me who were you referring to?
January 19th, 2015 at 8:59 am
“The bungling Bucs took defensive end Ron Holmes at No. 8 overall — because they had Steve Young on the roster and weren’t interested in drafting Jerry Rice or other ’85 studs like Al Toon. Doh!”
Typical Culverhouse move; McKay just retired and the infamously cheap Culverhouse and his buddy Leeman simply went with the guy they could sign for the least salary; they would go 2-14 the next 2 seasons earing back to back #1 overall draft picks and draft Bo Jackson (big mistake Hugh) in ’86 and Vinny T in the ’87 draft after Leeman got fired and the Culverhouse managed to get a guy who coached @ his alumni; Ray Perkins to take the rwigns. I hope that whoever the Bucs take as qb has a better career then Vinny: not the epic bust like Jamarcus Russell, Tim Couch, Rick Mirer, Crying Leif, Akili Smith etc; but definitely average at best; maybe if the Bucs did not where Creamsicle his color blindness would not have been such a factor….
January 19th, 2015 at 10:04 am
I see why so many posters like Winston’s college career. Winston played in the highly competitive ACC conference and was undefeated(almost). The way Winston came back from all those interceptions to pull out victories over teams with next to no offense. If the Bucs could just draft Winston and play in the ACC it would be the perfect scenario. And Winston play’s in a pro-style offense where you throw the ball to receivers versus the other systems where you…… do the same damn thing.
January 19th, 2015 at 10:35 am
This debate is the wrong one, Bucfans, our concerns need to be directed to the picks after and free agency. No one can win without a line that provides protection and holes for the RB. We can debate till the cows come home about a qb but come on guys if you don’t change your focus, starting with Joe, we are just wasting energy. Average qbs look great with above average lines, so Joe, stop caving into the media hype and start posts that provide some real research which will elevate the discussion beyond racism, vernacular, and feminine support (or lack thereof); let’s talk football!
Here I’ll start… Andrus Peate 300lb Sandford lineman, smart, strong, good feet, good system, do you think he and two picks are worth the number #1?
January 19th, 2015 at 2:53 pm
If you think Wisconsin ran a ‘pro-style’ offense with Russel Wilson, or that Andrew Luck did for that matter…it proves you really don’t know what a college ‘pro-style’ offense is.
Russel Wilson ran, and runs, a spread system.
Andrew Luck’s offensive coordinator at Stanford, is his offensive coordinator in Indy – Pep Hamilton ran a spread offense based on the same concepts at Oregon – it’s called “Four Verticals”..
There is drama here, but it’s not coming from where you think it is.
Again, the spread is pretty close in concepts to the West Coast Offense. There are 3 basic spread systems: “Air Raid, Spread Option, and the Pistol. You may want to read up on them…Nevada had a pretty nifty “system” QB that’s done really well in San Francisco…maybe you’ve heard of him?
The traditional ‘pro-style’ is not played as much- and is nothing close to what Florida State plays.
The NFL teams that have had the most success transitioning college QB’s into a ‘pro-style’ offense – utilize spread QB’s to run variations of the West Coast Offense. The Seahawks, the 49ers, and Colts run a LOT more spread concepts throughout the game. The offense Russell Wilson runs in Seattle is JUST like the one he ran in Wisconsin, the version Andrew Luck runs in Indy is adapted from the EXACT COACH who coached him college.
The transition in the pro- game occurred already. Even the Patriots ran the spread the year they went undefeated and lost the Superbowl…
Don’t repeat what you hear, go read and you’ll find out for yourself.
The reason we hired Dirk Koetter is to update the offense and to run MORE spread concepts…the BEST field-general for the type of offense we’re about to start running, BEAT Jameis Winston’s ‘pro-style’…