McCown Exit = Winston Entrance?
February 12th, 2015
Joe thought it was an absolute bombshell when he learned the Bucs ripped up the contract of turnover-prone quarterback Josh McCown and waved him goodbye yesterday. Stunning because Joe thought Lovie Smith would keep McCown as a bridge of sorts for a rookie QB, whether it was Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota.
That premise blew up in smoke. That is why Joe was sort of shocked, not that McCown’s turrible play didn’t deserve getting kicked to the streets.
The move means more than just a new Bucs starting quarterback come September. Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune, appearing with raconteur Dan Lucas of WFLA-TV Channel 8 last night on the 11 p.m. news, said the move signals there is a new leader in the clubhouse for starting quarterback, and he hails from Alabama by way of Tallahassee.
And that man goes by the name of “Jameis.”
“I don’t think there is any question [the Bucs] tipped their hand and maybe in a big way,” Cummings said. “You could say, and you could certainly make the argument now, that this is a move that looks like are going to go with Jameis Winston as their guy because let’s face it, he is the most NFL-ready of those two quarterbacks, between him and Marcus Mariota. You have to go with the guy who is ready to play because clearly they don’t have what they think is a starting quarterback unless they think all of a sudden Mike Glennon is their starter and I doubt that is the case.”
This all adds up, but what Joe has learned in the 13 months of the Lovie Smith administration is that the unpredictable is predictable. What Cummings suggests may be too obvious.
It wouldn’t shock Joe right now if Lovie did name Glennon as the starter — or traded for China Bradford. Of course, if Lovie knew Glennon really was going to be the starter, and that he was going to unload McCown, then why the hell didn’t he play Glennon more to give him valuable experience?
Lovie has been unpredictable. Getting rid of Darrelle Revis and signing McCown are just two of many inexplicable moves Lovie has pulled off thus far.
On paper, it sure smells like Winston is the chosen one after yesterday’s transaction. In fact, it is too logical. Joe can’t go there only because just when you think you have Lovie figured out, he throws you another curveball.
Joe sure as hell wouldn’t want to play poker with Lovie.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:04 am
I wish someone would oust Lovie next.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:11 am
And…then…we pick up a FA capable of spread option and all bets are off…..
Glennon could be the starter no matter which QB we choose….sure Mariota will have to learn the type of offense Glennon would be successful at…but that could be the plan.
Bucs won’t draft Mariota unless he could fit that role.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:12 am
One more lousy season and Lovie is done here. Put a good product on the field or pack your bags.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:12 am
I don’t see this at all. I would be more inclined to believe releasing McCown points to the Bucs taking Mariota. Glennon is more than capable of running the offense while MM learns and develops. If Winston was the pick, why would you cut the long time “nice guy” veteran who would be expected to mentor him until the “maturity” concerns can be addressed? Sure Glennon could probably do it, but Glennon is still at the start of his own career, while McCown is clearly at the tail end of his. If you are grooming Winston, why do,it with a guy who clearly has a shot to take his job and keep it for a long time? It doesn’t make sense. However a battle between Mariota and Glennon could absolutely raise both QB’s level of play and seriously help the team and its new OC….who BTW has ties to Mariotta.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:12 am
Heard Derrick Brooks came out and said if we drafted Jameis that he would personally mentor him, even bring him into his home if necessary. If that’s the case, pick Jameis because I believe Derrick Brooks is the kind of guy that can inspire him to be a great player, but more importantly, a great human being.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:13 am
Anyone who thinks Jameis”the hunting ground” Winston is ready to be a NFL starter day one is smoking crack. Not that I think Mariota is but I think as of late read option QB have had more luck day one.they bring another element for defenses to think about. Jameis beside being a bad character throw 18 interceptions 2 most in college football last year it was in the crap ACC.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:13 am
Koetter has Openly praised Glennon. The only way Winston comes here is if the Owners Demand it. Im not sure I see that happening. Certainly not right now. After months of investigation maybe.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:14 am
If Licht outs Lovie, maybe he can get Jimbo. Didn’t he turn Jamarcus into a star?
February 12th, 2015 at 10:14 am
WTF?
thats not even logic. lovie has stated MG is the QB of the future consistently.
MG this year will start and we will get our backup/competition in a major trade for the pick and build the trenches.
can you really see Glennon mentoring mr arrogant?
February 12th, 2015 at 10:17 am
I think Woody Cummings is wrong about this tipping their hand.
It could just be that because McCown played so badly, he was cut. Maybe their plan is to bring in another veteran, one that is better proven to be the bridge.
If anything, I think the clue here could be that McCown was the wrong type of QB for the one they intend to draft…meaning he wasn’t a pocket passer. There is a clue there maybe, but we really won’t know until they sign a veteran.
Which I firmly believe they will do. And the veteran will say it all. If he’s a mobile QB, we’ll get Mariota. If he’s a pocket passer, we’ll get Winston.
OR…maybe Dirk just didn’t want McCown.
There is no showing of their hand here.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:17 am
Chances that the Bucs picking up a Qb went up…but in What round?
February 12th, 2015 at 10:18 am
All of you guys are making far too much about systems! If Mariota has the arm strength and can make the throws he can readily learn to play from under center. It’s not freaking rocket science, it’s still football!
Mariota is probably spending everyday working with his QB Guru taking snaps from under center. If he has the requisite talent learning to play under center is not the big deal it’s being made out here. He is clearly a very bright young man.
And he is clearly coachable. Not to mention the fact that the NFL seems to be going more and more to the shotgun and spread offenses anyway.
As far as being more NFL ready…hogwash. Playing two years in Jimbo’s offense does not necessarily make a player NFL ready. Neither of these QB’s should be expected to take the franchise on their back the first year anyway.
Tom Brady in his prime would not get the current Bucs roster farther than one and done in the playoffs. We are not even contenders to win our conference much less a SB. Each QB would have at least a year to learn and another year for us to fill the many holes before we truly become competitive.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:20 am
Walter Says
“Heard Derrick Brooks came out and said if we drafted Jameis that he would personally mentor him, even bring him into his home if necessary. “
THat was proven to be a lie. Yes, he said he would be willing to offer advice IF ASKED FOR IT, but during his weekly show he made it clear…he would not invite Winston into his home to be around his family.
He doesn’t trust him THAT much.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:20 am
One thing is for certain. The Bucs are not done doing their homework by a long shot so reading anything other than “McCown sucked” into this is flat out Ignorant
February 12th, 2015 at 10:23 am
“he is the most NFL-ready of those two” =’s Global Warming
February 12th, 2015 at 10:23 am
Jeagan1999 Says
“I don’t see this at all. I would be more inclined to believe releasing McCown points to the Bucs taking Mariota. Glennon is more than capable of running the offense while MM learns and develops.”
I want Mariota…but there is fault in your logic.
Glennon is a completely different style quarterback. You don’t prepare the offense around a pocket passer and then put in a mobile quarterback.
McCowns release really points to nothing but clearing cap room. It will be the first of several moves.
Who they sign to replace him? That will be what points in any direction.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:23 am
I don’t see Glennon being here much longer either. He will be traded come draft day. I think the Bucs pick up a solid veteran that will know his role while a rookie QB is groomed to start. Paying McClown $5 mil would have been insane. I think they had to cut him even if he was a good guy. Lovie would be fielding questions from the media all off season as to why McCown was named his hands down starter last year before competition to now being a mentor/beginning of the year starter. Personally, I think the rookie QB starts game 1. If he isn’t ready and the veteran backup has to start that wouldn’t be good. Could you imagine McCown being our week 1 starter next year!?!?! The only thing that would in the stands at the stadium would be tumble weeds.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:23 am
There’s going to be some really angry Winston haters on April 30th.
And, I will be here to help you sort through your feelings. BWHHAHA
February 12th, 2015 at 10:25 am
The odds were against Lovie when u have current players,former players, n HOF players advocating for JW. History tells us when Lovie has total autonomous, he reach out to 2nd n 3rd string mediocre vets to lead his offense. Check his history with The QB he believes in. Thanks to Derrick Brooks for taking the lead on reasons to draft JW n I’m sure one of the Glazers put a bug in Lovie’s ear. Lovie’s job is on the line cause it wasn’t Litch’s idea to bring in McCown. My hope is that Koetter will take over the offense n put them in the top ten. If Lovie don’t adapt to the new schemes of running an offense then he’ll soon be out of a job. Last season, he talked about marketing n filling the stadium…did he really think fans had an interest in coming out to c McCown or does he have a better chance wit Bucs, FSU, n hater fans filling the stadium to c JW.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:25 am
His replacement will be the real clue. If it is a mobile QB, we will get Mariota. If it is a pocket passer, we will get Winston.
Although, given the coach signings, it could be someone that combines both playing styles.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:27 am
This whole premise that this move means Winston is pure tabloid fodder. Woody is playing connect the dots with a crayon folks.
Simple as this, Glennon saves the Bucs about $4.5M over McCown and he has more upside too.
The Cannon is the bridge to Mariota and Brooks loses out on his babysitting…err, mentor’s job.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:27 am
Its interesting to see how pepole with an obvious bias read into things….
Now….if we don’t select a from QB in FA….that probably means we keep Glennon….but that’s all it means at that point….
It could also signal that we are open to trading the pick.
We won’t know anything more until the end of FA…..perhaps not really even then.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:28 am
Unless theres something brewing, a deal in the works that will be announced March 10th, then Im sure we’re going QB with our #1. Dang, and I wanted Williams! Its good though, hopefully we’ll get Hardy.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:28 am
Our new OC knows what’s up. Glennon is a poor man’s Matt Ryan, while McCown is a poor man’s Chris Simms.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:28 am
I live in the DC area and certain local sports radio analysts that I was listening to this morning concluded the same thing based on McCown being cut; Tampa is going to draft Winston. After reaching this conclusion, they said to Tampa, “Welcome to the circus!” The Skins have been a circus for years and I guess they feel Tampa will be joining Washington’s ranks with Winston being drafted. Sad thing is, they probably are correct. But that is a good thing for people like Joe. A circus always promotes traffic to sites like this one.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:29 am
I don’t believe Lovie’s job is on the line at all. Everyone accuses him of being stuck in the past…if anything, this shows his willingness to let go just as it does for Licht.
Personally, I still believe it just means they needed cap room and McCown’s playing made him expendable.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:31 am
Pat Says:
February 12th, 2015 at 10:17 am
Chances that the Bucs picking up a Qb went up…but in What round?
—————————————————————————————-
Outside of Mariota and Winston, this draft is turrble. You pick either QB at number 1 or you wait until next year. By the way, there aren’t too many good QBs next year either. It’s the main reason I hate that there are so many spread offenses in college now. It has ruined the pipeline in my opinion.
I remember the fist pass I saw Tebow throw at Florida. I think it was a touchdown that I saw but the throw was absolutely horrible. He was a 1st round but I just knew he would never make it.
Draft Winston and enjoy the ride.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:32 am
Marito can easily become a “pocket passer”
Winston can never become a “mobile QB”
February 12th, 2015 at 10:33 am
LutzBuczFan Says
“Our new OC knows what’s up. Glennon is a poor man’s Matt Ryan, while McCown is a poor man’s Chris Simms.”
It is Glennon who is more like Chris Sims. Playing style, pocket presence, all of it.
No one on the roster is like Ryan.
McCown is more like…Josh McCown. Which means he is a backup.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:33 am
This is what I had hoped for all along and I was somewhat expecting if Lovie had made any smart moves previously. this is the first logical move he has made or perhaps the GM is getting more power from the owners.
Glennon has started 16 or so games in two years and is smart. he can mentor Mariota. only other option is to trade for Bradford and let Mariota be the back up for Bradford. the latter probably the better move.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:36 am
Maybe , just maybe , they held Glennon out due to the porous O-Line. Perhaps they thought Josh was better able to scramble and could better avoid getting broken in half. Just a guess that they might believe the stork could do a decent enough job this yr behind a (supposedly) better line long enough for a new qb to acclimate enough to start.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:36 am
Glennon Mob, please answer:
If Glennon had any future with this team, why 0 snaps in December??
February 12th, 2015 at 10:38 am
@ Joes
The reason we felt comfortable getting rid of McCown is bcuz the QB we’re going to draft doesn’t need a moral & professional mentor/role model. He’s already a strong character/strong work ethic guy…. His name is Marcus Mariota. U don’t need McCown’s presence with a guy like Mariota. SMH. All you Winston people are so blind.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:39 am
Derrick Brooks will mentor Jameis Winston, if Bucs draft him
Posted by Mike Florio on February 9, 2015, 4:45 PM ES
Appearing on Monday’s PFT Live, Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune said that, if the Bucs do what Brooks has suggested, Brooks will have a key role in helping Winston adjust to the NFL.
“I think if Winston’s the pick — and I think he will be — I think Brooks will play a role in trying to corral this kid, mature him, even bring him into his home, if necessary,” Kaufman said. “That’s how much Brooks cares about FSU, about the Bucs, and seeing this franchise get relevant.”
So will the Bucs take the 2013 Heisman winner?
“I see Winston in a Bucs uniform,” Kaufman said. “Yes, there will be protests . . . but I think in terms of pro potential, I think most people would tell you Winston is ahead of [Marcus] Mariota.”
February 12th, 2015 at 10:39 am
You guys are HILARIOUS!!!! And your buttons are so Big and Shiny just screaming “PUSH ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
I cannot resist checking in here daily to read the comments. Brings a smile everytime
February 12th, 2015 at 10:41 am
@Luther
Would you agree that the NFL offense is changing?
The new rules make the spread offense more workable. Heck…Winston himself ran with 4 WRs at times, didn’t he? Often?
And nearly all of the successful NFL team offenses take more snaps from shotgun too.
I think that’s where people talking about NFL Offenses are making a mistake. They are speaking of the past offenses, but the current ones. While Peyton Manning is an old style offensive guy, there are few others left in the NFL. Tom Brady has gradually moved toward the shotgun. Russel Wilson uses it a lot.
The playoffs were laden with the shotgun and a spread style offensive display.
I believe this is intentionally steered toward by the NFL. Our new OC plays a mixture of spread and old style NFL offenses.
While mobile QBs have won the superbowl, there really hasn’t been a straight up established superstar. Wilson is heading that direction, but ot there yet. But that doesn’t mean one won’t come along.
And with the rules changing constantly to benefit the quarterbacks and the offensive side of the ball, its becoming more likely that a fast paced spread offense can work.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:41 am
Is Brooks going to be with Jameis when he is @ Cabo Wabo in Cabo San Lucas next offseason ?
February 12th, 2015 at 10:43 am
Im not a Tebow supporter but it is funny to hear some of you drag him down.
He is 9 and 7 as a starter with a Playoff win and Several NFL records. Still has a better win % than Sam Bradford(I love to bring that up to Rams fans. Pisses em off.) and Cam Newton. He has still won as many playoff games as Matt Ryan.
I don’t even enjoy listening to him comment a game but he left the NFL a Winner
February 12th, 2015 at 10:45 am
@ nick
glennon got no snaps in December because there was nothing to be gained.
if they won they hurt their draft, if he got hurt they hurt the team or his trade value if thats the intent. It was a no win to start him
February 12th, 2015 at 10:45 am
And dont give me that “The Broncos were a ready team”
They had won 5 of their last 22 games with the same surrounding cast and Orton at the helm.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:46 am
@87ForJameisNOMariota
Ira Kaufman must have missed Derreck Brooks show with Steve last week, when he clarified it all. He said, straight up, that he would advise IF ASKED FOR ADVICE (in other words, he would be available) but he would NOT invite Winston into his home.
Brooks is the kind of guy who will always respond when approached for advice, but that doesn’t mean he trusts Winston around his own family.
Ira tends to make up a lot of stuff in the tribune too. He’s merely going with the common rumor, and he really has nothing to back up his statements with. He would have known that if he actually listened to Brooks show.
Or maybe he did listen and it didn’t fit his own agenda. Wouldn’t be the first time he ignored facts for publicity reasons.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:47 am
If Mike Evans made Manziel. Did Kelvin Benjamin make Winston? All those jumpballs went his wat then. He was somewhat less than spectacular this season. Wonder why?
February 12th, 2015 at 10:47 am
Im in favor of Winston. But I would argue this means its very much probable the Bucs pick up a vet at QB and start the season with him and Glennon. What does Glennon have to offer any rookie besides camp competition? If anything, the future just got harder to predict.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:49 am
@BuccaneerBonzai….you are incorrect. The logic around my previous statement is actually very sound. It’s not uncommon to have QBs with different skill sets on a team. With a new OC and a team that vastly underperformed last year, I think new OC Dirk Koetter realizes that he cannot afford to put all his eggs into one basket…like Lovie did last year with McCown. If MM can be molded I to the QB Koetter envisions, than keeping Glennon and ditching McCown makes even more sense. We also don’t know what system Glennon and Mariota would be asked to execute yet. I agree with you that McCown’s release doesn’t necessarily mean anything more than gaining cap space…at this moment. But my point is that releasing McCown doesn’t lead straight to Winston….that would be the real faulty logic.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:49 am
“Pat Says:
February 12th, 2015 at 10:47 am
If Mike Evans made Manziel. Did Kelvin Benjamin make Winston? ”
I don’t know. Did Kelly/Helfrich’s offense make Mariota?
February 12th, 2015 at 10:53 am
@Robert 9
Your latter point is probably closer to the truth thus proving that they are looking to move him. Plus, there is zero evidence they were trying to tank games until the 2nd half of Week 17. Therefore why not start Glennon a few times. If you truly want him to be the future QB don’t you want him to have meaningful reps before the McCown security blanket is cut out.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:53 am
Just curious…why is everyone opposed to bringing in Cutler?
Brandon Marshal caused a lot of the issues early on with the Bears. Marshal had…what was it? Some personality disorder that was not diagnosed and his antics caused a lot of problems, because his primary target was Cutler.
One minute he would be all “this is my brother!” and the next he would be kicking the football away from refs and a ton of behavioral things.
Heck, when Marshal played for the Dolphins and they faced the Bears, Marshal caught the ball and intentionally ran straight at Cutler and once out of bounds, he tried to beam him with the football.
So I’m curious, what are the reasons to NOT want him here?
February 12th, 2015 at 10:55 am
Glennon is NOT going to mentor anybody!!! Glennon still wants and expects to be a starter in this league. He is not going to be cool with mentoring someone. I don’t even know how someone would expect that from him. Dude has played maybe 16 games under 2 different offenses (a 3rd if he’s here next year) with marginal results. Glennon couldn’t hold Winston’s jock strap. Mariota has a completely different playing style than Glennon. What’s Glennon going to teach Mariota? How to avoid taking hits while scrambling? C’mon man! The biggest reason why Glennon won’t be a mentor for any new QB here is because his brother won’t allow it. LOL
February 12th, 2015 at 10:55 am
I have no idea why this is Winston is such a slam dunk all of a sudden with this cut. Listen I want Winston to be drafted by the bucs but seriously this is kind of dumb to me because there is nothing on earth that makes me think that marcus mariotta NEEDS mccown in order to be drafted by the bucs. no one needs mccown, it was smart money move to me and I don’t want anyone getting my hopes up only to have me cursing your name and never taking you seriously anymore as a writer and Cummings especially. no one not even joe is willing to admit that all this means is bucs are leaning towards drafting a quarterback, how does this say this is absolutely Winston? answer that and I can relax
February 12th, 2015 at 10:56 am
Jeagan1999 Says
“my point is that releasing McCown doesn’t lead straight to Winston….that would be the real faulty logic.”
I agree with you on this point.
However, could you give examples where the #1 and the #2 quarterbacks of teams play in opposite styles?
Off the top of my head, I can think of none.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:57 am
At least, not teams that have stability at the position.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:57 am
mccown even playing was evidence they were tanking.
lol
a 3rd stringer should have been in there before him. a joke would be a compliment to the way he played.
i firmly believe he got his 5 mill as lovies boy…..with lovie knowing not to far into the season it was lost………..and lovie leaving him in there to get crushed, all the while knowing he would not get fired and would have a good draft pick and glennon to trade or start. mcclown got 5 million to lose!!
February 12th, 2015 at 11:01 am
I also believe that in the forth quarter of the season, they tanked it on purpose.
I just don’t believe it was wrong to do so. If we ever hope to get a true franchise QB, we need to get #1 or #2 picks.
In truth, I halfway expect another top ten pick next year, no matter who we draft. As much as some people say Winston is NFL ready, he really isn’t. He may even NOT start the season.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:03 am
Had they gone with Carr last year, all we would need this year would be offensive line and a WR and DE.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:07 am
@Nick, not a Glennon mobster but I don’t hate the guy.
Speculative, but it’s possible they knew the injury chance was high with our crap protection, playcalling run game, and Glennon’s lack of mobility. They could have also known they weren’t going to keep McCown, throw the guy that is getting paid 5mil to the wolves and make him earn it while sparing the kid who has a possible future in the league.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:08 am
Pat Says:
February 12th, 2015 at 10:47 am
“If Mike Evans made Manziel. Did Kelvin Benjamin make Winston? All those jumpballs went his wat then. He was somewhat less than spectacular this season. Wonder why?”
That’s easy if you watched FSU games. Winston only had Greene and O-Leary. The rest were all freshman that often times ran the wrong routes, which some of his INT’s can also be attributed to poor route running. Not making excuses but it did happen quite often this past season. Winston’s line also didn’t protect him nearly as well as they did the previous season. Winston was getting hit left and right this past season, but always hung in there to deliver the ball somewhere.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:11 am
Mister Niceguy…I see a top 10 pick next draft as well.
This team is 2-3 years away from the playoffs and that’s IF Lovie starts to turn things around. If not he’s fired and we start all over from scratch.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:11 am
@Mister Niceguy
Had we gone with Carr last year he would have been ruined, just like his brother.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:15 am
Joe, thank you for this thread. To sign on and see the Winston HATERS attempt to spin this move as anything but a giant batsignal with JW’s face is just hilarious.
Yea, the Bucs released last years starting QB is a signal that they’re going to draft the QB that EVERYONE has said needs to sit a year or two. Just hilarious watching this….I can’t imagine how NYBF, Buccaneer Bonzai and Mr. Patrick are going to implode on draft day when Goodell announces the pick for the Bucs is the best QB in this draft, Jameis Winston. We are going to need cops patrolling the Skyway for those three.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:15 am
the bucs have been scouting every draft-eligible QB since the time they signed a 35 year old to be their QB. they didn’t know they’d be picking #1 overall, but they’ve probably had an inkling they were going to pick high in the draft since the end of training camp. they know everything they want to know about mariotta and winston and have made up their minds. while we debate this, they are locked in on their next 6 picks
February 12th, 2015 at 11:16 am
In this division the bucs are an offensive line and good quarterback play away from the playoffs. worst quarterback in the division and look at the records last year. you can argue we are more talented than the saints and falcons on defense and we’re not very far away from what the panthers are without greg hardy. we have the best running backs in the division I think so get the offensive line fixed and how can you say we’re worlds apart in talent (in this division) which is what matters winning games in the division
February 12th, 2015 at 11:17 am
You commenters are funny.
When I see books written in these here comments sections theyre almost always anti-Winston diatribes that’s mostly ignoring just about every talking head who has Jameis Winston as the #1 pick. Even though just about 90% of all talking heads has Winston #1.
I laugh at you guys who consistently spew the same opinion every day, in each comment section under each JBF post.
Winston won more games at FSU in 2 years than the Gators and Hurricanes teams did combined over same span. I know why you guys hate him. But stop telling yourself he’s not a good football player, it’s just flat out wrong.
Go Bucs!
February 12th, 2015 at 11:18 am
More dot connecting… McCown’s release tips nothing at all about the draft. The only thing this tells me is the Bucs realized they made a mistake with the money they spent and decided that 5 mill could be better spent elsewhere.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:22 am
Im a JW fan and would love to see him in a Bucs uniform next year. But im not going to go jump off a bridge if they draft Mariota either…Its all going to come down to how Koetter tailors the offense to them…. I do lean towards JW just because he has that grit and fire on the field that you see in a lot of great QB’s. Wish Mariota was little more emotional on the field IMO.
However it is very entertaining listen to everyone spin every story Joe puts out to favor their point of view. We have zero idea on what the Licht and Lovie are going to do…sit back and enjoy the ride.. and i hope at the end of the day all of the true die hard bucs fans support whoever the Bucs draft…
February 12th, 2015 at 11:25 am
JTHV Says:
“…theyre almost always anti-Winston diatribes that’s mostly ignoring just about every talking head who has Jameis Winston as the #1 pick. Even though just about 90% of all talking heads has Winston #1.”
I feel it’s fair to point out that 98% of those talking heads get it wrong every year, with only an occasional exception. That’s why guys like Warner, Brady, Russel Wilson and others slip through the cracks.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:26 am
87: “Mister Niceguy…I see a top 10 pick next draft as well.
This team is 2-3 years away from the playoffs and that’s IF Lovie starts to turn things around. If not he’s fired and we start all over from scratch.”
I feel that way too. Trenches need too much work. But going QB will buy Lovie more time and will be a little more digestible, I think, by the Glazers if we’re picking top 10 next year. I just dont trust him though, and I hope we make the best of these picks while he’s helping us land high picks. I do trust Dirk though. Atlanta did have a pourus O line and were hurting on the D line while he was there, and he did pretty ok with Matty Ice. So Im happy he’s here and giving him a chance.
But if we do draft Winston, we better damn well draft his Center Cam Irving! We need a replacement there anyway.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:26 am
@MiserNiceguy….I can think of several examples off the top of my head, and probably many more if I researched it a little! Probably the most classic example was Montana/Young…two very different types of QB. More recently, look at what Derek Anderson did to us while Cam was out…again, two very different styles. You could point to Pittsburgh with Big Ben and Gradkowski as being very different (I know Rothlisberger isn’t neccessarily a running QB , but he is certainly more mobile than Grads). And of course, lest we forget, Joe’s crush from last year Johnny Rehab is very different from Brian Hoyer. My point is that it’s not that unusual two have QBs with different skill sets on the same team.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:28 am
Josh P Says:
“…it is very entertaining listen to everyone spin every story Joe puts out to favor their point of view.”
To be honest, it’s biased both ways. In the articles, it is biased toward Winston. As much as Joe states he would accept Mariota, he isn’t doing daily pushes of him. It’s all Winston.
And much of it is not based on fact, but opinion.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:30 am
@Jeagan1999
Those are pretty good examples.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:32 am
@mister niceguy,
Very good point as I too wouldn’t hold much water for the Kiper’s of the world.
However, if you pick the consensus #1 guy and he flops, you don’t get the ridicule that comes with taking a guy that everybody considered a reach. Although you still may get fired.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:33 am
87, if it’s going to take 2 to 3 years for the Bucs to right the ship, I would go with someone with a solid footing. I know and believe both QBs have great potential, the sky is the limit…Will the One we pick still be with us in Year 3? My concern is please do not waste the pick.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:35 am
@MisterNiceguy i hear ya…. its a blog and of course its going to be bias to a certain degree.. Its just entertaining listening to everyone come to their own conclusions on what the Bucs are going to do next based off of speculation by the media…
February 12th, 2015 at 11:39 am
“I feel it’s fair to point out that 98% of those talking heads get it wrong every year”
Mister Niceguy…but do they get the first pick wrong?
Not usually. Hardly ever.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:40 am
@Mister Niceguy….. I know that if I was in our new Oc’s shoes, I probably love to have two promising young QBs like Glennon and Mariota to plan around. As we saw when Freeman melted down in 2013, Glenon stepped in and did well, even though he was a different type of QB than Freeman. I can see both Glennon and Mariota (or Winston) operating in the new offense. The only difference might be that Glennon checks down if his primary receivers are covered, while Mariota/Winston would probably take off and run. The reason I would lean Mariota even more now that McCown is gone, is that I just don’t see Glennon in the “mentor” role…he wants the starting job for himself, where as a guy like McCown…who is at the tail end of his career, would be more willing to take a young guy under his wing.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:45 am
josh McCowns release don’t mean anything but a money save move, in fact if it means anything at all I would say it’s the total opposite of what Joes trying to convince us of. I think it means we’re drafting Mariota, Mariota doesn’t need a Mentor/babysitter like Winston does.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:47 am
It’s a smoke screen. By releasing the QB now the the number one pick will garner more picks so they can start rebuilding both lines.
February 12th, 2015 at 11:49 am
Kapernick and Gabbert opposites! Cam and Anderson opposites! RG3 and Cousins different! They just don’t run read option with back up. Pass plays stay same. Cannon and Mariota will work just fine!
February 12th, 2015 at 11:58 am
We will have a better idea after FA. Right now we know nothing.
February 12th, 2015 at 12:07 pm
@Skyline agreed!! hell we haven’t seen the combine and haven’t had one pro day….If either one of these 2 players bombs the combine interviews and or pro days it will change a lot of peoples prognosis.. like Rodges eloquently said people need to R-E-L-A-X..
February 12th, 2015 at 12:19 pm
Pro days and combines don’t make these decisions homie,tape is what make or breaks your draft stock.At this point you folks really believe this choice will come down to some well orchestrated throwing exhibition. Really? Man I wish I could see many of you alls faces win WINSton is the first individual to come walking across stage.
February 12th, 2015 at 12:39 pm
I’m suspecting Glennon got benched to keep him from taking a sever beating because of a pourous OL and crap coaching.
Is there a quicker way to destroy a young QB’s mind than with a crap OL and coaches, being thrown into the lions den unprotected?
McCown was expendable. Glennon isn’t.
Trade the #1 for some #1’s & 3’s and a solid OLman…
February 12th, 2015 at 1:22 pm
There’s a difference between “logic” as Joe likes to call it, which is still speculation by any reasonable measure, and actual logic, which is rarely seen on this site.
February 12th, 2015 at 1:35 pm
Everyone knows Lovie is a moron. Hell he might trade the number one pick for 2 10th round picks next year. Can’t wait until he is gone. He’s worse than Schiano.
February 12th, 2015 at 1:51 pm
Here’s my take:
The story about discord in the Bucs’ front office was planted. Both Lovie and Licht are on-board with trading down. That planted story along with the McCown release were intended to increase the Bucs’ leverage in negotiating potential draft-day trades with other teams. This was probably done (perhaps with Glazer prompting) as a means of gauging the market value for the #1 overall pick. The results of these preliminary talks with other teams will help the Bucs decide whether or not trading down is a realistic option, in which case they will have to determine where in each round they are likely to be selecting and plan their strategy accordingly. If the market value is not adequate, then they can decide they will just keep the pick and take the player they want. This is probably all part of putting a factual proposal together to present to ownership.
February 12th, 2015 at 1:53 pm
@Nole,
There are QBs that have dropped in the draft due to a terrible draft day. That is fact. Same when it comes to interviews. If you can’t talk X and O’s then you will drop in the draft. One could argue that Bridgewater dropped in the draft because of his pro day. Does it mean anything? No, not really, but it leaves impressions.
February 12th, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Pro Day*
February 12th, 2015 at 2:02 pm
Can’t argue it leaves an impression,not sold on the fact that that is where final decisions are made.
February 12th, 2015 at 2:07 pm
With Glennon on the roster, the pick will still be a mystery. NFL ready or not, the pick could still be MM. He could just sit behind Glennon for a year and learn. Lovie would probably prefer this anyway. He gets to start a QB with experience and appease the Glazers and a large contingent of the fan base by taking a QB with the first pick. Everybody wins. The downside is if the team doesn’t improve and Lovie is shown the door. There’s no guarantee a new coach would want Winston or MM as their QB.
February 12th, 2015 at 2:12 pm
I expected to get shot in the face with Joespooge at the middle of the article.
Truth is, it looks bad for us Mariota fans because Glennon is more similar to Winston, and McCown to Mariota, as backups when you are crafting an offense.
Though I’m still not convinced they keep Glennon either.
February 12th, 2015 at 6:08 pm
If I thought I understood what was going on between Lovies ears it would scare the hell out of me that I understood that.
February 12th, 2015 at 7:41 pm
You guys miss the point Mariota will not be the pick not due to system, Glennon, or and other reason other than he is not as good as Jameis Winston plain and simple.