Jameis’ Football Love Triangle
November 27th, 2015
Jameis turned to his “football daddy” during trying times this fall.
As you may have heard before, America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, is a football junkie.
Combine a smart guy with a passion to learn, good things often happen.
Oh, and Jameis always mentions how much he worships Bucs offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, and last spring on NFL Network, he referred to Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher, as his “football daddy.”
So it was interesting to learn from Robert Klemko of theMMQB.com that earlier this season, the speed of defenses got to Jameis so much that, in a fit of frustration, he turned to Fisher to seek advice.
Early this fall, when Jameis Winston threw seven interceptions in his first four games and the Buccaneers started 1-3, the rookie passer called his old coach to solicit advice and, honestly, to vent.
“Jameis was kind of amazed at the speed of the linebackers and how well they could cover,” says Jimbo Fisher, the Florida State coach who helped Winston win a Heisman trophy and a national championship in 2013. “With how much more athletic the linebackers are, the underneath windows become really condensed. Throwing the vertical inside seams, you’ve really got to drive it and be good with your eyes.
“Early on, that’s where he really had to concentrate.”
This isn’t a surprise on several levels. Jameis talks to a lot of people outside the Bucs to solicit advice. He’s like a research scientist consumed with trying to unearth a cure for the common cold. Among Jameis’ inner circle is former Bucs quarterback Trent Dilfer, and of course, Bucs Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks.
Also, it is not a surprise that Jameis was stumped with the speed of the linebackers. He said early in training camp linebackers were as quick as cornerbacks and it surprised him.
Klemko also had other really good tidbits, including Fisher talking about how he met with Koetter three times as Koetter was researching Jameis leading up to the draft. In one particular meeting, Koetter just wanted to talk about Jameis’ football smarts and Fisher replied, “This is going to be a very short conversation.”
Lot of good stuff in that story that sort of lifts the curtain on how the Bucs did their pre-draft research on Jameis, and what seems to have been their biggest concern.
November 27th, 2015 at 3:59 pm
Rookie of the Week again
November 27th, 2015 at 4:15 pm
And in a few seasons league MVP.
November 27th, 2015 at 5:08 pm
Jameis > Mariotta
November 27th, 2015 at 5:16 pm
Bucs Fan #7423 Says:
November 27th, 2015 at 5:08 pm
Jameis > Mariotta
Duh:)!
November 27th, 2015 at 5:31 pm
Make the playoffs with this kid and anything can happen!!!
November 27th, 2015 at 5:47 pm
I’m not a Mariotta hater. Sometimes it was hard not to be when so many people were annoyingly pro Mariotta and bashed Jameis, so I’m not here to talk about him. He may turn out to be a good QB too. But I felt, and always have felt, that in the NFL you must be a passer first and that anything else is a bonus. Because of that and because I had seen Jameis play so often, I wanted him to be the pick. Their careers may turn out to be similarly successful, but Jameis is the QB that the Bucs needed and I couldn’t be happier with his progress so far. We already had plenty of quiet leaders, what we needed is some fire and that’s what we have in Jamies. Very excited for our future and very excited About this young, talented Bucs team! Go Bucs, let’s get our third in a row!!
November 27th, 2015 at 5:52 pm
Without Winston it is doubtful to me that the Bucs would be .500 right now with a shot at a possible wild card.
November 27th, 2015 at 6:33 pm
@Jameis haters
Crickets chirping too loud, I can’t hear you
November 27th, 2015 at 8:41 pm
Everyone knew Mariota would take time to iron out the bugs…more time than Winston. He started hot, but teams adjusted and now his learning has begun.
Winston started out rough…but learned quickly. Still is.
Although I wanted Mariota, Jameis was my second choice. He still has the faults I pointed out before the draft, but because the offensive line is coming along so well, he is able to work thru the faults.
I’m impressed.
So far as off the field, he has been great. Of course, being the first pick in his rookie year, he’s been pretty busy off the field. That will change this off season.
That is when he will prove doubters wrong or right.
Personally, I’m hoping he really is our solution. He sure seems like it so far.
November 27th, 2015 at 8:43 pm
Let me just add…Winston’s learning ability is what impresses me the most. His never quit attitude too.
I LOVE seeing him between possessions sitting and studying the playbook. He’s carrying the team on his back too. Encouraging them.
November 27th, 2015 at 8:44 pm
BTW…Andrew Luck is out. Does that mean we will have a chance against the Colts? Sure would be nice if we did to them what we did to the Eagles. Been itching for payback for a good long time.
November 27th, 2015 at 10:26 pm
@BuccaneerBonzai
I’m glad you acknowledge Jameis, he is the best QB we have ever had–only because he puts more effort into learning more than most other people. That whole “offensive line” thing you said, honestly I didn’t like because “an offensive line that blocks well” brings out the best in every QB. Truth is undeniable
November 28th, 2015 at 12:09 am
Quarterback, or lack there of, is what has held this team back for so long and it looks like we got one in Jameis. Finally. Just hope Jameis keeps working tirelessly to keep improving. The sky very well could be the limit with this young man.
November 28th, 2015 at 12:25 am
D@#) you all for not giving me a hard time being a buc fan =)
November 28th, 2015 at 4:44 am
You guys have me knocking on wood like crazy! All this positive talk is gonna jinx the Bucs right out of the playoff race!!!
November 28th, 2015 at 5:51 am
Anyone who watched the Dallas – Carolina game heard the announcers say how the stinking Panthers were changing up the way they were covering and how Luke Kuechly would continue on the post route in the middle of the field instead he broke on the deep in-route without ever looking back at Romo and made the pick-six. Romo was having a real hard time figuring out their coverage schemes. I was thinking how much time Winston puts in studying the game plan and his opponents and how well he has been reading the defense. When I read Fisher told Winston that he really has got to drive it I thought about Evans and the dropped passes?
November 28th, 2015 at 9:40 am
For the same reasons I didn’t want Manziel (off the field notoriety) I didn’t want Winston either. Unlike some others, when the Bucs picked Jameis, I trusted they had done their homework, so I never looked back. Even after his first NFL pass (a Pick 6), I wasn’t re-thinking the pick like others were. So it’s nice to see all of the decisions being validated to prove how shallow some critics think. I had two remaining hurdles after the Atlanta game to be sold that Jameis is not just the right pick this year, but is a long-term franchise QB: I wanted to see him lead the team down the field in the last minute and win the game; and I want to see how he does in the offseason on his own time when he is not supervised. He already went over the first hurdle by beating the Cowboys at the very end. Close, but very nice. I’m elated with all I have seen so far. One more hurdle this offseason…off field conduct…but I’m confident that he will be fine.
[Buddy: Please stick with this username. You have commented under four different usernames in the past month or so. Why? Joe is cracking down on guys with multiple handles as in banning them. It is not something Joe wants or likes doing so please use just one. Thanks. — Joe]