Jameis Is Hard
June 17th, 2015
It’s one thing for Evan (nee: Dietrich) Smith to mouth off about the rookie quarterback he must lean on to keep his job with the Bucs.
It’s quite another when a well-respected yet quiet former Pro Bowler like left guard Logan Mankins offers feedback on “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston.
For if Mankins, who has exerted himself as not just the leader of the offensive line this offseason, but perhaps the leader of the offense, has an issue with Jameis, then there are problems.
Nope. Add Mankins to the chorus of Bucs veterans who have roundly talked up their new quarterback.
Mankins spoke with the Tampa Bay pen and mic club after minicamp practice yesterday and he sure seemed to imply Jameis is the real deal. In fact, the word that Mankins used over and over again in describing Jameis was “hard.”
“He has been great,” Mankins said. “He’s working hard; he’s studied hard; he has practiced hard. He has been a good teammate. Everything you want in a rookie. He listens. He wants to learn. That has been great.
“He has good command of the huddle. He gets the plays out to us good. We understand them the majority of the time. He’s got a ways to go. He’s working hard. That’s all you can ask.”
Joe asked Mankins about the story when he was running gassers with his fellow offenisve linemen paying the penance of mental errors, when Jameis jumped in out of nowhere to run with the group. Mankins snickered and admitted he was impressed by Jameis’ move.
“It is kind of expected,” Mankins smiled. “He is a rookie and he needs to be in shape, too. I know some quarterbacks just stand there the whole game. Every once in a while they have to run and they need to get their conditioning in, too. And that is something that is important to me: that we are in good shape. So, I feel if we need to do extra running, we are going to do it.”
And, yes, Mankins looks svelte. Joe doesn’t know how much weight Mankins shed but it is noticeable. Joe heard rumors before OTAs Mankins may be in the best shape of his life. With the weight loss, it tells Joe that Mankins is motivated, something he didn’t appear to be last year when he came to the Bucs in a trade from the Belicheats.
June 17th, 2015 at 8:07 am
Keep working Jameis. That’s all I expect this year is for u to get experience and get better each week.
June 17th, 2015 at 8:12 am
i think mankins was shell shocked when new England traded him, and no less to the bucs, he probably thought he would finish his career in new England, did not personally know any one, and genuinely missed his friends team mates and home, after last seasons debacle, I see a man on a mission, not only to get back to the prowbowl, but to make this line better and hold them accountable, for their mistakes, he will lead the Oline and if Donavan and marpet are at least serviceable, if not average then I see a huge difference than last year. I honestly think we will challenge for division championship, be prepared for some teams sleeping on us ass we put the smack down on em. hell yes!!
June 17th, 2015 at 8:17 am
That’s what she said
June 17th, 2015 at 8:26 am
LovinTheCrabLegs while challenging for the division title would be welcomed, I think we Bucs fans should set our sights on getting 6-8 wins this season. Going from 2-14 to the playoffs or division title the next season would be VERY hard to do.
June 17th, 2015 at 8:36 am
@chanepic 6-8 wins would challenge for the division title
June 17th, 2015 at 8:44 am
I have a great deal of empathy for Mankins…..just think….surprisingly being traded right before the season….family uprooted….what a distraction. But….Mankins is a true leader at heart and now that he has adjusted, I think we’ll see an entirely different player.
We can joke about the BBQs…..but it makes sense he missed that.
June 17th, 2015 at 8:54 am
Nothing Mankins said was indicative to Jameis’s success. There have been a lot of players that practiced hard, worked hard, and we’re good teammates. Let me know when he can at least surpass Glennon for the first team reps…..yawn
June 17th, 2015 at 9:09 am
Not to mention Mankins had to watch the Pats win a Super Bowl without him. Lots of talk about all the new additions to the team but I think Mankins is the key to a majority of the offenses hopes this season.
June 17th, 2015 at 9:12 am
Capt Stagger.
The point you seem to be missing is that the players are responding in a very positive way to Winston. They are starting to believe in him. They are starting to believe the team will be better because of him. That attitude is infectious, its even spread beyond the offense to the defense. Dude, thats something Glennon never brought to the table.
June 17th, 2015 at 9:27 am
Go back to sleep Stagger. There are going to be no meaningful games until Sept. So there is nothing for you to get excited about. Some of us however, will continue to enjoy what we can of the off season. Your boredom is irrelevant.
June 17th, 2015 at 9:37 am
@lovinthecrablegs – just an observation – try to use a few less commas and a lot more periods.
June 17th, 2015 at 11:05 am
Jman – 6-8 wins challenged for the division LAST year. Who knows what the # will be in 2015. If we’re challenging, great but expectations should be set for steady marked improvement with playoff contention being gravy. IMHO.
June 17th, 2015 at 11:33 am
I have heard about as much of the “gasser” story asI can take. Move on, it was blown out of proportion, he’s not a saint – he’s a rookie – he was told to run by a vet and that’s why he was running with the o-line.
You’ve spread it on SO thick that you’re beginning to fall face first into your own BS.
Give it a rest already. We know you went to FSU and we know you’re carrying his water…but even HE is getting uncomfortable with how much BS you simpleton’s are slinging..
June 17th, 2015 at 12:03 pm
Good team mate
very hard worker
Just like everybody said about him at FSU on the baseball and football teams.
June 17th, 2015 at 12:17 pm
“White Tiger Says:
June 17th, 2015 at 11:33 am
Give it a rest already. We know you went to FSU and we know you’re carrying his water…”
You don’t come across as still bitter. At. All.
June 17th, 2015 at 1:47 pm
@warrick
I thought Winston was pro ready? You backtracking on your love for Winston? He is gonna suck worse than freeman. Already does. I hope you have the balls to post when Mariota spanks his a$$ on opening day.
June 17th, 2015 at 2:00 pm
Jody- why not drag your ass to a Titan site, where your attachment to Mariota’s balls will be appreciated? Titans may still need a few- but we’ve met our “idiot quota” here.
June 17th, 2015 at 2:47 pm
“Jody Says:
June 17th, 2015 at 1:47 pm
@warrick
I thought Winston was pro ready? You backtracking on your love for Winston? He is gonna suck worse than freeman. Already does. I hope you have the balls to post when Mariota spanks his a$$ on opening day.”
1. Point out exactly what I said that is backtracking, in any manner, above.
2. What other names have you posted under, “Jody”?
3. Who’s Mariota? Are you talking about the contract holdout guy in Nashville?
4. It’s weird, all those bitter and salty flavors you expel come across as SO SWEET to me. Glad you still aren’t over it, cupcake.