Why Bucs Won’t Say Jameis Is No. 1
March 24th, 2015
It seems to be such common knowledge from NFL insiders outside the inner-workings of One Buc Palace that the Bucs will take Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston with the No. 1 overall pick on April 30.
You never hear about teams trading up for Winston. It’s as if Winston is off-limits, untouchable. Almost like the Bucs have him locked into a secret pact.
You won’t hear the Bucs talk about this, publicly of course. Even Lovie Smith struck terror in the hearts of Bucs fans this weekend, suggesting on NFL Network he may trade down. Charles Davis of NFL Network explained why the Bucs won’t discuss Winston. It has absolutely nothing to do with smokescreens, he said on “Path To The Draft.”
Rather, Davis said, the Bucs are covering their arses.
“I think [the Bucs] will go all the way down to the wire and then go on the clock and [then] announce that Jameis Winston is their guy,” Davis said. “Why? Becuase of everything that has happened in the past. I believe they want [Winston] to prove all the way through, no more hiccups. No more bobbles. No more off-the-field quote/unquote incidents.
“[Winston] has been doing a fantastic job on the run up to this. I mean, I don’t think he could have done a better job in answering the questions along the way, lighting up a room wherever he went, dominating things at the combine — the visits with teams? All I have heard is just off-the-charts with him.
“But I don’t know if Tampa will afford him that luxury of, ‘OK, he’s our guy.’ And 30 days out [from the draft], start negotiating.”
NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah, a favorite of NFL general managers, chimed in saying if the Bucs came out saying Winston is their pick and their ongoing investigation of Winston unearths something tawdry, or, God forbid, Winston does something dumb, then the team has a major public relations disaster on their hands if they pass on Winston.
Davis added he would personally be “shocked” if Winston derailed himself as the next quarterback for your Tampa Bay Buccaneers, baby.
March 24th, 2015 at 10:05 am
Welcome To Tampa Jameis… Lovie needs you…
Please help Lovie with his fear of points. Please make him understand the scoreboard is your friend. Thank you!
March 24th, 2015 at 10:06 am
Doesn’t speak well for trust……if you can trust him with the “Face of the Franchise” only after he recieves his contract….seems like you should be able to trust him now.
March 24th, 2015 at 10:10 am
Tampabaybucfan
I disagree. I think it speaks the opposite. They have given this fine young man his first project or test. Do this and we will take you. By all accounts, he has done everything asked of him and more. You have to earn trust and I believe Jameis is well on his way to doing just that one project at a time.
March 24th, 2015 at 10:11 am
This is big coming from Davis. Probably one of the last guys besides Klatt and Landry to all but endorse Winston as the pick. Hopefully Lovie doesn’t screw this up.
March 24th, 2015 at 10:13 am
There is absolutely zero benefit to the Bucs in declaring that Jameis is their choice now. Why would you not wait until the very last minute for any first pick of the draft?
March 24th, 2015 at 10:14 am
If they don’t trust or believe in the guy at all, they won’t draft him.
Typical draft posturing. There really is no rush. The earliest I can recall someone signing is 7-10 days before the draft.
March 24th, 2015 at 10:14 am
lol that’s like giving all your trust to the hottest girl you ever met even though you know she loves men, lol she likes you so none of that matters because she’s hot hahaha of course they are covering themselves because the simple truth is even though he’s the logical pick you still hold the power to change your mind if you want too
March 24th, 2015 at 10:18 am
@tampabaybucfan,
It’s the right way to do business. With the new bargaining agreement, rookies don’t hold out anymore, so it’s not like you need a head start on their contract. Why make the pick before you have to? There’s absolutely no point. I would expect the same if Mariota was their guy. What if some team comes in with a last minute insane offer? Nothing wrong with exploring all options, as long as you stick with your guy.
March 24th, 2015 at 10:19 am
no team with the number pick should claim their choice 30 days out. What if he got hurt training. or ( not likely) got in trouble. Its not like if the bucs don’t choice until the draft that they lose something.
And by the way the best offers always come in the last few hours until the draft. But the 1# overal is to expensive for most teams.
March 24th, 2015 at 10:21 am
This doesn’t make sense. Kids don’t stick their hands in the cookie jar when they know they are being watched. Make the announcement and see how he handles it. Hell….it’s not official until the name is called and the pick is certified by the NFL.
March 24th, 2015 at 10:27 am
the closer we get to the draft the bigger the offers get for trading up….don’t think the bucs will but lol I think lovie is simply making the titans sweat. if the consensus is the bucs are going with JW can you imagine the offers the titans are going to get if someone wants MM. i think with Winston as long as he doesn’t end up paying his accuser this sketchy college past of his will go away just like ray Lewis past did lol he laughed when people brought it back up when he was about to retire a hall of famer
March 24th, 2015 at 10:30 am
I’m all in on JW becoming the Bucs’ franchise guy. Have to admit though, Lovie’s disrespect for the offense-side of the ball does concern me a bit. Can’t remember the exact words so I will paraphrase last year’s statement from the lips of LS: “A good defense will win you 8 games every year, offense and special teams just needs to win 2-3 more and then you’re a playoff contender.”
Geez, that keeps me awake, sweating as the clock ticks down leading up to the draft. Yeah, I know I probably butchered the quote, but the message was quite clear, Lovie thinks a team can win with a top-notch defense and just an average offense with only a QB that doesn’t lose games. I keep having visions of the Rams QB Kurt Warner tossing the winning TD down the sideline in the final minutes of the NFC Championship Game not too many years ago against what was arguably one of the best defenses in the history of the NFL, and roll over accidentally poking my wife with an elbow as the sweat gets worse.
It takes more than an average offense Lovie! Yet, I would not be surprised, wildly upset, but not surprised to see the Bucs stick with MG and pick one of a top DE with the first pick, or even trade down and pick a DE a couple spots lower in the round and then taking Hundley, Petty or even Grayson in the 2nd round or trading back in to the bottom of the first.
Geez, where did I leave my Tums!!
March 24th, 2015 at 10:39 am
@Hawaiian
I’m not disagreeing with the strategy…just the premise of the article that Winston isn’t trusted as the reason for the last minute decision….”making sure he doesn’t say/do something between now & the draft.
@Tmaxcon…..
Nice try…..I’ll trust you later….but not now….how on earth you can spin the Bucs waiting means they trust Winston more than not waiting is laughable.
I don’t agree with the article’s premise anyway……I think they are waiting because they can…
March 24th, 2015 at 10:41 am
NJBucsFan
Jameis is already being watched 24 x 7. He has been under a microscope ever since his first snap for the Seminoles. To not acknowledge that this kid has been microscope and has consistently done the right thing for almost 8 months is short sighted at best. He made mistakes no doubt but by time he is drafted I believe it will be 8 months without incident while living under a microscope with losers just waiting for you to screw up. sorry the kid deserves some credit people.
I highly doubt everyone on this part of the interwebs could survive the scrutiny Winston lives under each and every day. I know I could not.
March 24th, 2015 at 10:43 am
Is it possible they’re waiting to hear about the 2nd woman I read about in the Tampa Tribune article by Joey Johnston on January 7th?
“Meanwhile, the lawsuit, filed today in U.S. District Court in Orlando, indicated FSU’s confidential victim advocate told the accuser on Oct. 25, 2013, about a second woman coming forward and saying she had been raped by Winston, a claim that was not reported during the high-profile 14-month process since the incident first went public.”
March 24th, 2015 at 10:43 am
Tampabaybucfan
no spin at all… life is a series of choices and tests. the bucs gave him a test and he is passing with flying colors. no spin
March 24th, 2015 at 10:46 am
Why make the pick before you have to? There’s absolutely no point.
!.)Fameis gets a big head start in working with Koetter in the video room and should have Koetter’s offense down cold by August training camp. Not an insignificant advantage.
2.) Fameis could work with Bajakian on his mechanics and maybe tighten up his throwing motion a bit. In addition Bajakian and Koetter could work with Fameis on learning to read NFL defenses. Again not an insignificant advantage.
3.) Fameis could begin throwing with VJAX, Evans, ASJ, Sims and begin to develop some chemistry early. Again an advantage!
4.) Fameis could work out at OBP with OUR strength and fitness guys alleviating an concerns that Fameis is going to go all Leftwich on us.
5.) The sooner we sign him the sooner the gnashing of teeth and wailing can begin and end. Hopefully by August if Fameis doesn’t pull any bonehead moves or say something stupid we could enter practice with that crap behind us.
There’s five advantages. Perhaps somebody sees even more.
I certainly accept Davis point but how pathetic is that. We are sooo worried about this guy that we don’t want to commit until we have to in case he screws up again. We’ve done tons of due diligence by now. If we’re not comfortable he’s finished screwing up then we shouldn’t freaking draft him.
The other ostensible reason to hold off was in case a big trade happens and we could have scored a lot of high draft picks. What are the odds? Really.
Sign him and get him into OBP ASAP!!!
March 24th, 2015 at 10:46 am
@TBBF,
Yeah, I know, but I see it as a good thing. We all know there are questions with his character. I am 100% on board with drafting him, but even I know he has concerns. At least the organization is doing its diligence all the way up until the buzzer, which sounds like common sense, but with our organization, common sense isn’t always their greatest attribute. I tell my daughter to always be the last one to turn in her tests, even if she finishes first. Use that extra time to check and double check your work. It’s the same situation with the Bucs. I applaud that strategy, even though I can’t imagine any team doing any differently.
March 24th, 2015 at 10:48 am
@StPete,
I could be wrong (but I’m 99% sure I’m not), but Jameis can’t do those things until after the draft anyway.
March 24th, 2015 at 10:53 am
FAMEIS isn’t coming to Tampa, there’s a reason L&L haven’t said anything, and it has nothing to do with off the field issues…
“His wind-up delivery and marginal mobility outside the pocket are reminiscent of Byron Leftwich, but his arm talent and issues with decision making are more in line with Eli Manning’s. Winston’s football potential is clearer than so-called “system” or “one-read” quarterbacks, but every stone must be overturned in an attempt to piece together a predictive character profile on Winston. Winston’s supreme confidence might be considered arrogance by some”
Lovie HATES turnovers and Winston led college football agaisnt sub par defenses in that category. HE WILL GET KILLED IN THE NFL. Mariota is smart, has a quicker release, and doesn’t force balls like Winston.
DRAFT DAY CAN’T COME SOON ENOUGH!
#MariotaorBUST
March 24th, 2015 at 10:53 am
From the Kongos “Come With Me Now”
Afraid to lose control
And caught up in this world
I’ve wasted time, I’ve wasted breath
I think I’ve thought myself to death
Has anybody ever heard the expression about OVERthinking something?
March 24th, 2015 at 10:57 am
Best explanation I’ve heard yet. Thanks, Joe.
March 24th, 2015 at 10:58 am
@Hawaiian
You could be correct. But I think that would be impossible to enforce. The NFL and players union can easily enforce the restraint against ORGANIZED TEAM activities but I’m not sure they’d even have legal ground on telling an individual he’s not allowed in OBP.
I’m pretty sure that some Bucs who stay in town work out there year around.
If Fameis simply came in to work out are they really going to send in spies to make sure he doesn’t slip down the hall to work in the film room with Koetter and Bajakian?
But I could certainly be mistaken…wouldn’t be the first time.
And since the CBA was rewritten teams haven’t felt the need to make sure they can come to terms with a #1 pick before wasting it now that rookie salaries are capped.
I just know I was at OBP I’d be trying to get EVERY advantage I could.
March 24th, 2015 at 11:04 am
Sad to think the Bucs need to “test” the number one overall pick in the first place. Doesn’t that make any of you Fameis supporters wonder…..Why?
March 24th, 2015 at 11:08 am
@stpetebucsfan
The NFL is very strict about no player/coach contact during “dead times”. Players are allowed to workout at facilities on their own but the NFL live-streams every weight room to make sure there is no coach contact. Obviously, there are ways around this but to the larger point, there is no advantage to signing him now. Only downside.
March 24th, 2015 at 11:12 am
Why let other teams “peek under the kimono”? Makes zero sense.
March 24th, 2015 at 11:18 am
OAR
everyone of is tested each and every day. your boss tests you every time he gives you an assignment. your wife or husband tests you every time they ask you to handle an issue. everything in life is a choice or test. even when the test is only to ones self knowledge or accomplishment you are either making a choice or trying to achieve a goal in essence a test…
nice reach though.
March 24th, 2015 at 11:24 am
There’s a chance the Bucs could unearth something new and previously unknown from Jameis’s past, but I would think it’s unlikely. The Bucs and a few other teams have probably spent numerous resources trying to find the skeletons in the closet. If there was something to find, it would’ve probably been found by now. The media, including non-sports media are always trying to find a story. If there’s a shred of anything remotely controversial, it would be reported.
It’s even more unlikely that he does something in the next 30 days to jeopardize his draft status. His entire pre-draft process has been geared toward creating a positive image. If he screws up now, there’s no possible way the Bucs can take him. If he is the Bucs pick, hopefully he can keep the same attitude and good behavior for years to come.
March 24th, 2015 at 11:33 am
Jameis seems to be laying low. He would be real dumb to get involved in anything that could affect his draft status. I think he should accept his overall 1st pick and show up for the draft in person. He can visit with family and friends after the draft. If he is picked first by the Bucs, he needs to be there.
March 24th, 2015 at 11:34 am
WINston should wear jersey #1 just to piss people off even more…lol
How ironic the QB with the “Red Flags” gets drafted by the team with a Red Flag as a team logo…Face it haters Winston is perfect imperfection just like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so if 2 negatives make a positive then WINston to Tampa should be a match made in heaven..The stars have finally aligned my fellow Buc Brothers we’re about to go on a run…
March 24th, 2015 at 11:38 am
@St.Pete & Nick,
In addition, I don’t think a rookie can do that before the draft. First off, I can’t ever remember another draft pick doing such. Even the ones who got signed before the draft. I do know that teams are only allowed a certain number of visits from draft picks, and that draft picks can only be at the facilities for I believe 24 hours. I can almost guarantee you that a player trying to work out at the facility before the draft would be against these rules.
March 24th, 2015 at 11:39 am
@ Tmaxcon & Hawaiian
I posted earlier that I am now quite sure Winston is the pick…and even though I supported Mariota….I can now root for Winston wholeheartedly because I am a Buc fan first.
I don’t believe the Bucs are waiting to make sure Winston doesn’t screw up between now and the draft…..I think they are waiting because it its simply the prudent thing to do and they have the first pick….so nothing can interfere with their choice.
I am quite convinced that Winston is a good person that is simply immature…and I am also convinced that he will have future incidents….but that behavior will be mitigated because of his value on the field.
There is always the possibility that we could be surprised on draft night….but I wouldn’t bet on it.
March 24th, 2015 at 11:43 am
@Bucfan37,
Apparently you are in the majority. I seem to be one of the few that think it’s kind of cool that he’s staying home. I said the exact same thing when Joe Thomas stayed home, so it’s not a Winston bias thing. If it were me, although I would love to walk on stage, I think all the other stuff that comes along with being there would be more than I would want to deal with. I would rather relax at home, but again, that’s just me. Maybe it should bother me, but it just doesn’t.
March 24th, 2015 at 11:52 am
@Hawaiian
Maybe I’m selfish…but I want Winston to be at the draft because it’s the Bucs consolation prize for being losers….I want Winston to walk up to Goodell and give him a hug and cry and recieve his #1 Buc jersey & hat….
I still hold out hope that he changes his mind and shows up…..
From a PR standpoint, if that’s why he’s sitting at home…that is a negative message to be sending…better to show….face the music….get it over with and press on. But to avoid the ceremony because of fear of blowback…..mistake.
March 24th, 2015 at 11:57 am
@St pete
Veterans aren’t even allowed to meet with the coaches yet (per new CBA.) So its no benfefit in locking him up now
March 24th, 2015 at 11:59 am
This is what I’ve been thinking…because of his past, you gotta let him work for it…let him sweat it out…not just hand it to him. This way, we get to see how bad he wants it….how hard he prepares for his pro day next week. There is no benefit whatsoever for them to announce it early.
March 24th, 2015 at 12:05 pm
Its premature. That’s why they won’t say Winston is the pick. He hasn’t even had his pro day yet. Hasn’t had any private workouts at OBP. Those things are all part of the process. Let the process unfold. No use in getting worked up that they won’t say or indicate for sure who the pick is until draft day. There’s no reason to. They control the draft. Nobody can take Winston away from us.
Relax.
March 24th, 2015 at 12:07 pm
Andrew Luck was the Best Prospect and Lock for the #1 overall pick in a very long time. The colts did not announce anything till draft night!
March 24th, 2015 at 12:37 pm
The Bucs should have already signed Winston so he could be working out with VJ & Mike Evans.
March 24th, 2015 at 12:46 pm
@Phil,
Seriously dude, did you even bother to read any of the comments prior to yours?
March 24th, 2015 at 12:48 pm
Any and all options are available to the Bucs at #1. There could be several reasons why they have decided not to publicly throw their support behind one guy yet…the most obvious of which is, maybe they really haven’t made up their minds yet! There also could be no consensus (or even major disagreement) between the Bucs coaches/GM or even the Glazer family…(BTW, I think the Glazers are the “wild card” in all this!!!) I’m sure the team has worked up dozens of scenarios based on taking this player or that …or trading down and collecting more picks…or trading picks for established players…etc. When you hold the best cards at the table, why would you tip your hand to the other players? Let the speculation continue to rain down, but we won’t know anything definite till around Apr. 30!
March 24th, 2015 at 12:55 pm
It’s what I’ve been saying. Bucs/NFL will make us wait til draft night to get an official answer. I hate waiting.
Welcome to Tampa, Jameis!!
March 24th, 2015 at 1:01 pm
37 Days 6 hours and 59 minutes until Jameis Winston is Tampa Bay Buccaneer.
March 24th, 2015 at 1:11 pm
I’ll say this, it sure as hell is better to have the #1 pick. We don’t have to worry about moving up to get our guy, nor do we need to hear nonsense like “this guy would have still been our pick even if we had the first pick (ahem Josh Freeman)”. We are going to get the guy we want, and there are no excuses.
March 24th, 2015 at 1:41 pm
@TBBF,
I guess it depends on why he’s not going. If he’s afraid to face the music (which from all I’ve seen of him over the last 2 years, that seems highly unlikely), then that’s a bit of an issue. If he just prefers to stay home, I’ve got no problem with that. Again, maybe just because I could see myself doing that if I were going to be drafted.
The players coming out on stage has never been a big deal for me. All I care about is who we draft and how they are going to help us. The walking on stage and hugging Fidel Goddell is meaningless to me. I get how many players would want to do it, but I just personally don’t care one way or the other.
I am, however, a sucker for those who do things a little differently. As I said, I remember thinking it was really cool that Joe Thomas stayed home to go fishing. I still remember that about him, and still admire him for it. I thought it was pretty cool when Johnny Drunken football did his pro day in his helmet last year. I just like guys that do things their way as opposed to the normal way. By no means does that mean I think they are right, just my personal preference.
March 24th, 2015 at 2:41 pm
I just do not understand how people can be so blind here. If a team cannot sign a players early, or negotiate early, for fear that it will go to his head or lead to him doing something stupid, it is clear he cannot be trusted at all.
EVERYTHING screams don’t trust this guy, yet you twits choose to ignore every single warning sign.
Unbelievable. Tampa. City of Idiots.
March 24th, 2015 at 2:44 pm
But they are supposed to trust a guy who has never run a pro style offense with an NFL road littered with failed spread quarterbacks.
Yup. Adds up.
March 24th, 2015 at 2:45 pm
iamkingsu Says
“@St pete
Veterans aren’t even allowed to meet with the coaches yet (per new CBA.) So its no benefit in locking him up now”
In team facilities. They can hook up away from the facilities all they want. Which is why AP has been meeting with various Vikings coaches, the GM and owners.
March 24th, 2015 at 2:57 pm
@BuccaneerBonzai,
So since we are “twits”, was Indy dumb for waiting until the last minute to draft Andrew Luck? Name me one team in the history of the draft that has signed their guy over a month before the draft. You go ahead, I’ll wait, since I’m apparently a twit. When was the last team to announce their pick before the draft started? You are expecting the Bucs to do something differently than all the other teams why? Who’s the twit again? I’ve never had a problem with you, but don’t make like us not signing him a month before the draft makes us stupid.
And where exactly do you want these workouts to take place? You want them to go to some park down the road on some torn up field and throw balls around like 5th graders? What if someone tears an ACL playing on a crappy field? Who says Jackson or Evans is even at that point in their offseason to where they are ready to catch passes? You know, a lot of these guys have outside lives and like to spend time with their families before the grind begins. McCoy, who is probably the hardest working guy in football, has been vacationing in Maui and California. These guys don’t always eat, sleep, and sh!t football as you apparently expect. Relax, it’s freaking March! These guys can all use some time to rest and prepare. They’ll have plenty of time to work out.
March 24th, 2015 at 2:58 pm
@To all who responded
Thanks for clearing up the issue on when Fameis/Marcus would be allowed to do anything at OBP.
Generally learn something here from you guys and today’s no different.
March 24th, 2015 at 3:00 pm
Hawaiian
And where exactly do you want these workouts to take place? You want them to go to some park down the road
Isn’t that exactly what JFro did one year? Remember back in the day when he was still a leader and not a sleepy whiner?
March 24th, 2015 at 3:05 pm
HAHA there are still some clowns living on fantasy island that believe we wont draft Winston…oh Lawddy
March 24th, 2015 at 3:14 pm
@StPeteBucsFan,
Yep, which further proves my point. I don’t want Jameis Winston to follow in the footsteps of Josh Freeman. I’ve gotten past the point that they wear the same number. Can’t handle much more after that. I think it’s safe to say those workouts in the park didn’t do too much to help us that year.
March 24th, 2015 at 3:23 pm
Bonzai believes everything is a sign or red flag with Jameis. That’s been clear since his “scouting report” he posted. LoL. I suspect he will be very very angry on draft Day when Winston is announced.
Welcome to Tampa, Jameis!
March 24th, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Couch Fan …I was sitting here thinking who on JBF is going to have the biggest meltdown when Winston’s name gets called.
Bonzai was my first thought….then Mr Patrick.
March 24th, 2015 at 3:31 pm
What’s really going to be sad is those same “meltdown men” are going to be wishing for his failure, and quick to point it out with everything he does. It’s really kind of sad if you ask me. I want Winston, but if we draft Mariota he’s going to be my guy. I’m not going to jump the kid for every bad throw he makes. The meltdown crew will probably not be as forgiving. They’d rather Winston be terrible so they can be right, rather than look like “twits” and have Jameis lead us back to the playoff. I personally can’t understand that philosophy, but I am well aware that there are a huge number of people exactly that way.
March 24th, 2015 at 3:37 pm
Hey………..guys look at it like this. When was the last time Tampa made national headlines about the Qb? or better yet , when was the last time Tampa had a Qb with an above average resume past or present? Hell, when is the last time Tampa had a Legit Qb period. a QB that other teams really would Love ……………….(Go ahead I can wait. )…….hey the Kid Winston a leader in the huddle & locker room. The guy has the arm to make all throws , knows the system. just needs to get out there and get it done. also there is a Great Qb over in Carolina, that young man also had a little off field trouble while in school . a lot of people rallied around him and you can believe that that is not the same person leading the Panthers into the NFC South’s 1st back 2 back division leader in it’s entirety. and I for 1 believe Jameis Winston is will grow and become a Great a teammate, athlete, Leader and as well as Great person. so with that being said , the Kid JW has got great upside. ” and with the 1st pick of the 2015 NFL draft. the Tampa Bay Bucaneers select_?
March 24th, 2015 at 3:38 pm
HawaiianBuc…so true. It’s okay, it’s been Jameis Winston vs America for the last 2 years. Jameis just keep winning.
March 24th, 2015 at 6:05 pm
I was just reading on NFL.com how they’re gonna celebrate the 50th super bowl this year. Im really, really asking God for a Bucs super bowl win with a Jameis Winston mvp now (not like i wasn’t before)
March 24th, 2015 at 10:54 pm
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