Thank You, Lovie!
January 26th, 2016
Lasting legacy.
News last night that America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, was named to the Pro Bowl brought out all sorts of emotions in Joe.
First, of course, was that the Bucs finally have a quarterback.
The nod to the Pro Bowl, even if it was through the back door as a rookie, cemented it. Nothing drove Joe to reach for a bottle(s) more (other than watching Tony La Russa manage a baseball game) than watching the constant schlop at quarterback the Bucs trotted out year after friggin’ year.
The second thing that came to mind was how Father Dungy tried to Pearl Harbor this franchise by begging the Bucs both publicly and privately not to draft Jameis. Joe hopes last night’s Jameis news finally puts the final nail in the coffin of Father Dungy masquerading as some sort of offensive savant. A drunk in a bar knows more about quarterbacks.
Lastly, as Joe has pointed out several times, if Lovie Smith didn’t want Jameis, then he wouldn’t be here. Simple as that.
Lovie had a lot of faults as Bucs head coach, and Joe has detailed them on this very corner of the Interwebs. Still, Lovie’s legacy will likely last for a long, long time. He could have so easily caved to public opinion. He easy could have listened to his close friend Father Dungy and not drafted Jameis.
Instead, Lovie was his own man. He thought for himself. And there is no question he was spot on in his evaluation of Jameis.
You can say a lot of negative things about Lovie and few could or would argue. But Lovie’s decision to bring Jameis to the Bucs was spot on. Joe will never forget.
Thank you, Lovie!
January 26th, 2016 at 5:44 am
Joe,
Why so hard on Dungy with the don’t pick Jameis, there were others, many others, at least Father Dungy had a personal reason no one else had and tha was spending time with Mariotta and seeing him daily, others were just procostinators (if that’s a word). Yeah I’m glad Lovie followed his instincts on that one too.
January 26th, 2016 at 5:50 am
That is great news as Jameis will need the extra work if we are going to have any chance of competing with “funny man” Cam and his Panthers in the years to come.
January 26th, 2016 at 5:56 am
100% spot on Joe.
Dingy was not only wrong but a hypocrit due to his support for actual convict Michael Vick.
Lots of folks joined in the BSPN witch hunt of Jameis who knew nothing about the kid. Dingy included.
Sweet justice they are broadcasting the Pro Bowl…….
January 26th, 2016 at 6:01 am
Dungy not Dingy…….although maybe auto correct was correct this time.
January 26th, 2016 at 6:05 am
@Joe … “Man, Joe wants the Bucs to draft Johnny Football so bad Joe can just taste the cold beer.”
The date Joe was Jan 9, 2014. Lovie was the new Bucs HC and Jason Licht hadn’t even been selected as GM yet.
You’re right about Jameis … I’m happy also that Lovie went with his instincts and didn’t listen to the myriad of conflicting voices out there promoting other QBs.
January 26th, 2016 at 6:27 am
Yes THAT was a competent move!!!!!
As Simple As That!!! It’s All About The Future!!!!
January 26th, 2016 at 6:34 am
Jameis needs to send Licht, Lovie and Koetter some crab legs as a thank you!!!!
Man, I can’t wait to see the Pro Bowl!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!
Publix will run out of crab legs and pineapple this weekend!!!!!!
January 26th, 2016 at 6:44 am
Um, didnt Licht say Lovie gave him total freedom to draft who he wanted? I’d say Licht needs to be thanked more than Lovie…..or thanks Lovie for allowing Licht that freedom.
January 26th, 2016 at 7:19 am
Oh but let’s not forget the good old days….
Nick H Says:
April 21st, 2014 at 12:28 pm
Please just… neither of them for the love of god
Nick H Says:
April 21st, 2014 at 12:33 pm
Winston is a surgeon? Oh god this is absolute football hell.
Hype trains die fast and hard when the NFL defenses come around. I can’t wait for these 2 trains to come crashing to a halt when reality strikes.
Buc1987 Says:
April 21st, 2014 at 12:47 pm
If Winston declares himself for the draft. He goes number 1 overall. That is of course after he leads his team to back to back championships and wins back to back Heisman’s. He’s not a “project” QB. He’s a slam dunk.
Joe Says :
September 18th, 2015
Iconic John Lynch, a likely Hall of Famer one day, watched Mariota face America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, and the Bucs on Sunday. He then proceeded to hop on FOX Sports Radio to say, “I told you so.”
Yeah, he really said, “I told you so.”
R@staMon Says:
November 7th, 2014 at 7:18 pm
He his the epicenter of stupidity…..kinda like the hottest horniest girl you ever encountered sticking her tounge in your ear as a horned up 19 year old…whispering…I have A.I.D.S.
Kingpin1 Says:
November 7th, 2014 at 7:24 pm
Joe it doesn’t matter how good he can throw or how fast he can or how many championships he may win, if he continues to do the things he does off the field he will be nothing but a memory in a few years. Talent will only take you so far. His personality is what will bring him down! But go ahead and keep shoving the Jamis watch down our throats it really makes your site great!
R@staMon Says:
November 7th, 2014 at 7:52 pm
@Buc 1987….chances that Flameis becomes a Buc are about the same as Al Lopez Field being reconstructed outside the RayJay.
R@staMon Says:
November 7th, 2014 at 7:58 pm
Word is Flameis has already signed a movie deal…..
“The Longest Retard”
R@staMon Says:
November 7th, 2014 at 8:09 pm
@ Newbucsfan….Do you guys and gals realize how much SHAME the Bucs and Tampa would receive from having Winston as the BUCS QB?
Mr. Patrick Says:
November 7th, 2014 at 9:29 pm
Seriously, are you guys so desperate for a winning team that you would want a guy like this as the face of your team? Wow
January 26th, 2016 at 7:19 am
Thanks for 2-14 Loser!!! So we had a chance to get Jameis!!! Thanks for wasting 4 hours of my life for 32 Sunday’s!!! Glad this loser is gone
January 26th, 2016 at 7:19 am
Sorry Joe I forgot that R@stamon is a filtered word.
January 26th, 2016 at 7:26 am
Bucnut2 Says:
January 22nd, 2016 at 8:45 pm
I dont hate JW at all. I’m on the record as preferring MM. I WANT JW to be successful. I just think we need a balanced view. He had a good season but is NOT a franchise QB YET. Remember Josh Freeman? He threw 25 TD’s and 6 picks in one season. I just think the jury is still out and this leadership/fire BS is way overrated. It only matters if a player performs. And in the MOST important part of the season, with the playoffs on the line, JW played poorly and is PART, not all, of the reason we sucked down the stretch. That is undeniable and something NO ONE is talking about.
January 26th, 2016 at 7:42 am
No one was more vocal. No one put more pressure on the Bucs than Father Dungy. No one did his best to Pearl Harbor the Bucs.
January 26th, 2016 at 8:13 am
I don’t get it…. Lovie was a genius for picking James, but he isn’t smart enough to help his own defense outside of one player in two drafts? He’s like that idiot from “Shine.”
January 26th, 2016 at 8:15 am
Thanks Lovie. NOW GET OUT OF HERE !!!!!!
January 26th, 2016 at 8:29 am
I’ll always be thankful to Lovie for sucking so bad that we got Jameis
January 26th, 2016 at 8:32 am
I don’t get why the pro bowl cements anything for Winston, the pro bowl is a fashion show, I realized it’s a sham when LVD got shammed, Winston was just as good before being named to pro bowl.
I didn’t want Mariota and he wasn’t the guy for Tampa, but for people using this as the I told you so, WTF, Mariota was pretty decent this year and may have some Pro Bowls in him. I’d rather have Winston, but some of you sound silly acting like Mariota totally sucks
January 26th, 2016 at 9:03 am
“The second thing that came to mind was how Father Dungy tried to Pearl Harbor this franchise by begging the Bucs both publicly and privately not to draft Jameis.” – Joe
Oh, give me a freaking break, Joe, lol.
Dirk Koetter had successful experience with both pocket passers AND mobile quarterbacks. You don’t know that Mariota would not have had the same success if the Bucs drafted him.
Especially with the Bucs offensive line coming together so much quicker than expected. We WOULD NOT have been Pearl Harbored if the Bucs had taken Mariota.
It was the offensive line that made Winston look so good as a rookie. Mariota didn’t have the same benefit.
Bucs Offensive Line allowed just 27 SACKS.
Titans Offensive Line allowed 38 SACKS.
And even with a worse offensive line, Mariota only had 10 Interceptions compared to Winston’s 15.
Mariota was under so much pressure that he fumbled 10 times (compared to Winston’s 6 times).
And Mariota got hit so much he got injured and only played 12 games.
His rating is even higher!
So it WOULD NOT HAVE PEARL HARBORED the Bucs. Dirk and the offensive line would have made Mariota look just as good.
January 26th, 2016 at 9:05 am
Joe Says
“Why so hard on Dungy with the don’t pick Jameis”
“No one was more vocal. No one put more pressure on the Bucs than Father Dungy. No one did his best to Pearl Harbor the Bucs.”
Not true. I was more vocal. Heck…a LOT of people were more vocal than Dungy.
January 26th, 2016 at 9:10 am
@Buc1987
I’ve been seeing you pull up an awful lot of people’s posts lately. Imagine if someone did a search of your posts over the last 5 or so years. Would you like someone to constantly bring up your words too?
You haven’t quoted me yet. I imagine that’s because I eat crow easy enough, because I certainly have provided plenty of ammo. I just think do it to anyone is petty. Everyone says things they wish they hadn’t…even you. It’s more mature to not do that.
January 26th, 2016 at 9:27 am
“BuccaneerBonzai Says:
January 26th, 2016 at 9:05 am
Joe Says
Not true. I was more vocal. Heck…a LOT of people were more vocal than Dungy.”
True, but, no one listens to you.
🙂
January 26th, 2016 at 9:27 am
What about theHeisman House commercials, anybody seen Jameis, how about calling them out
January 26th, 2016 at 9:32 am
personally, i hope i never see Jameis in another probowl, because he is going to the superbowl instead…..
But it is so exciting for the growth and anticipated gains that will happen to our young team!
January 26th, 2016 at 9:44 am
I was wondering why Jameis isn’t in the Heisman House commercials. That’s just wrong not to include him!
January 26th, 2016 at 9:56 am
get a hold of yourself, my good sir.
January 26th, 2016 at 9:57 am
I love #3 and absolutely believe he was the best choice for OUR team. I have confidence in him going forward.
Perhaps I’m just too superstitious. All this crowing against Dungy because he preferred Mariota…others jumping up and down because they enjoy #3 besting MM THIS YEAR!!!
Their careers are just getting started. Again as the old saying goes…you don’t make your own furniture look better by chopping up your neighbors.
I’m old school. I LOATHE the “in your face” attitude so prevalent. What ever happened to a little class and sportsmanship?
So I say…hooray for #3…but I add…good luck to MM..he’s a decent human being.
In that vein I’m hoping for Cam and the Panthers destruction of the Broncos…I would love that. It would set up a great benchmark for the Bucs and #3!!!
We’ve had QB rivalries in the past…but in the same division…imagine the excitement twice a year when Cam and #3 faced off…I can’t wait!
January 26th, 2016 at 9:59 am
Bonzai, mariota’s sack and INT numbers both look better than winston’s by comparison because those are volume stats and mariota missed a third of the games. granted i never foresaw winston risking his body the way he did this year but my main marks against marcus were:
1) we had too many “leaders” with that quiet demeanor already. the locker room and the fans NEEDED Winston’s energy and charisma
2) Mariota’s tendency to get hurt pretty significantly in college (3 out of his 4 seasons i think), despite being able to count on some of the better protection in college football and a scheme that forced him to distribute the ball pretty quickly
#1 has revitalized this franchise and fan base and #2 has continued to be a bugaboo for marcus in his rookie year
January 26th, 2016 at 10:04 am
Lovie Smith-
Thanks for being so unbelievably incompetent that you rightfully earned the #1 overall pick in the 2015 draft allowing the Glazers to choose their long sought after franchise QB.
In a nutshell, thanks for sucking so bad.
January 26th, 2016 at 10:06 am
Love and Warrick Dunn Says:
“True, but, no one listens to you.”
lol…so true.
pick6 Says
Bonzai, mariota’s sack and INT numbers both look better than winston’s by comparison because those are volume stats and mariota missed a third of the games.
Kind of supports my point that our offensive line was better…and that if Mariota had been drafted by the Bucs, he would have had more protection…and done better.
January 26th, 2016 at 10:23 am
BuccaneerBonzai….wrong on both accounts. I could bring up yours too and some posters LOVE what I do when I do it. I don’t just post old posts about people being wrong. I post old posts about people saying OUTRAGEOUS things about Jameis Winston prior to the draft. It’s not a matter of them being wrong, not at all.
Always check who and what they say if I re-post what someone said abut Jameis. It’s the words that matter. I skip over a lot of the “I want us to draft Mariota” posts. Nothing wrong with those posts. Everything wrong with the venomous ones though.
January 26th, 2016 at 10:55 am
AGAIN…
g@trbuc17 Says:
November 22nd, 2014 at 7:39 pm
@ Patrick
I didnt know there was a misunderstanding.
I am SO against Winston and it is not because of him being from FSU
I couldn’t care Where he is from. I care that he is an Idiot and I dont want any more Idiots QBing for us.
Kingpin1 Says:
November 23rd, 2014 at 6:33 pm
When Winston takes the wonderlic and had to do interviews with teams he will drop. Vince young ring a bell ???
Supersam Says:
February 2nd, 2015 at 10:01 am
@87forWinston Thanks for the tip! I just called and told them that if they draft Winston I’ll cancel my season tickets and so will my uncle and 3 brothers, if also read the women’s task force against sexual violence is gonna camp out a few days before the draft and protest against women. I’m thinking of joining them. No way in hell Winston comes to this team. It’s Mariota, has been for awhile. The Keotter Helfrich connection is so obvious it’s scary.
SuperSam Says:
February 2nd, 2015 at 10:32 am
@87forwinston Yea? well im gonna camp out in front of BucPalace all week long of the draft, and protest. You should come by, were gonna have lots of fun stuff! Crab legs, Burger King Soda, A BB gun shooting contest at squirrels, and then when the sun is setting were all gonna stand up and yell F%$K HER IN THE P%&*Y!! All in honor of keeping Winston out of Tampa!!
January 26th, 2016 at 11:50 am
Supper Mario is on the downside of his career anyways
January 26th, 2016 at 12:00 pm
People’s minds can be changed on Winston, like my own. I’m happy we have him.
January 26th, 2016 at 12:03 pm
Joe is right, the 76ers have been spending the better part of 4 years trying to tank their way to a superstar. Lovie was able to do it in one year.
Fans should be grateful, instead of staring down the barrel of an Eric Fisher or Jake Long at number one the Bucs had the fortune of sucking at one of the best possible times and didn’t take a chance on a brittle Mariota (he’s going to get hurt again, wait and see).
January 26th, 2016 at 12:35 pm
DB55 Says:
January 13th, 2015 at 12:33 pm
With the first pick in the 2015 NFL draft the stinkaneers choose Leonard Randy Williams Gregory.
Marriota is not ready yet. Sucks too cause I was ready to see him light it up but once he got hit he was done which has been my fear all along. IR by week 4.
———————-
A) I didn’t think Lovie had the cojones to draft JW.
B) I knew Mariota wouldn’t finish the season.
January 26th, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Bonzai….besides I still like you. lol
January 26th, 2016 at 6:39 pm
Like I’ve told you all, Lovie is not a bad coach. Did he get a raw deal? Probably no and yes. Kinda hard to feel sorry for a guy who is still gonna be collecting a Huge Salary from the Bucs the next 2 or 3 yrs. But I would not count him out.
And we Bucs are good at..counting talent out. Quite a few former Buc personel
have gone on to win SuperBowls. Is 2 yrs long enough. Some some yes some No. Our Defense fell apart this past season. There were 4 or 5 games where if we had a halfway decent Defense, we should have won. But in Lovie’s defense, he was not allowed to draft a defense. He would have maybe..if he were around this season. So a new scheme/coaches come in. Lets see what the 1st regular season game produces next year….Defense has got to get much better for us to start stacking up the wins.