It’s Not About Jameis
December 16th, 2016
Not carrying Bucs (yet).
America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, often used a cool phrase during his first few months with the Bucs (but hasn’t used it in a while).
When answering a question, Jameis often started his response, “It’s not about that.”
Well, it seems Ohio State honk Albert Breer of theMMQB.com wanted to use that phrase too.
In typing about the north Texas showdown Sunday night between the surging Bucs and the sagging Cowboys, Breer essentially said the Bucs are not about Jameis now but about the defense.
Bucs’ best test. Sunday night against Dallas will be, in many ways, a reintroduction to the national stage for Jameis Winston, who hasn’t played many national games as a pro. But to me, the group to watch is coordinator Mike Smith’s rebuilt Tampa Bay defense, which has held three of its last five opponents to under 300 yards and four of the five under 20 points (San Diego scored 21 on the Bucs two weeks ago), while forcing 14 turnovers over that stretch. Not coincidentally, Tampa won five of those games, the last three against Russell Wilson, Philip Rivers and Drew Brees. And that’s all after the Bucs spent the first half of the season yielding nearly 30 points per game.
Look, Craig Krenzel Breer is correct. Jameis is having a nice season but we have now seen the effects of the Bucs needing to outsource local staffing agencies to find wide receivers.
The offense has been stuck in a rut for much of this beautiful five-game winning streak and Joe is convinced it is the result of stooping to Nos. 6 and 7 receivers like Josh Huff and the tuxedo-wearing organist and band leader, Freddie Martino, straight from the velvet-lined lounge of the greater Vero Beach Ramada Inn.
How bad is the depth at wide receiver? The Bucs (again) promoted Donteea Dye from the practice squad (which Joe predicted weeks ago). They just can’t get rid of the misplaced Stampeder.
This Bucs defense has put the team on its shoulders. And it is really fun to watch. Can it continue to bail the team out Sunday night in Dallas?
December 16th, 2016 at 12:24 pm
We’re gonna have alooooot of value in Sims this week. Jameis is gonna get that offense better.
December 16th, 2016 at 12:32 pm
“Sagging Cowboys”…. Just as everybody was jumping off a cliff, whining the sky is falling, describing Armageddon when the Buc’s Started 1-3 then 3-5.. You call a team that’s won 10 of their last 11 as “Sagging” because their “Stats” are down the last 2-3 weeks. So if we win its because the Cowboys were overrated? If we win its because they weren’t good and they were “Sagging” anyway? If we lose “The sky is falling” again because we couldn’t beat a “sagging” Team…… Unbelievable!!
December 16th, 2016 at 12:38 pm
He’s correct. It’s been all about the D.
Now it’s time for our D to show up Big D and see who really has the bigger D 😀
December 16th, 2016 at 12:45 pm
Defense wins championships.
Look at the Colts and Andrew Luck. They’ll never win sh1t until they improve their defense or offensive line. Their drunk owner will probably keep signing and drafting WRs
December 16th, 2016 at 1:16 pm
Jameis has done an excellent job of being a game manager the past few weeks. He has been excellent with protecting the football, and giving us just enough to win with. I wont blame the entire offense’s struggles on not having depth at WR. It is truly a nimber od things. On one series it might be a holding penalty that puts the offense in a hole. The next series might be an inaccurate pass on 3rd down. The next might be a hell of a defensive play. The next a play call that just doesnt work. It takes a lot of good things to happen for a team to score a TD. Out of the 10 plays or so it takes to drive and score a TD, you have to be pretty mistake free over those 10 plays. 1 penalty can spoil that entire drive. 1 defender unblocked and you give up a sack to end the drive. Etc.
Overall im not worried. the leadership on this team will push the offense to new heights. It’s just a matter of time.
December 16th, 2016 at 2:37 pm
Let’s be real here – IMO, we’ve dialed back the offense because we know the D is solid and don’t want to risk turning the ball over. Not a philosophy I agree with necessarily, but effective none the less. Jameis had 4000 yards last year because we were playing from behind and had to sling the rock to play catchup.
“THE GOAL IS TO WIN THE GAME” – Herm
December 16th, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Smfh you gotta be kidding me. ITS ALL ABOUT JAMEIS!!!
He’s the leader, the motivator, the pace setter. It was Jameis that refused to let this team lose anymore which sparked Ayers to not let this team lose anymore. It’s all a dominos effect bc the team Trusted in Jameis.
#Blasphemy
December 16th, 2016 at 3:27 pm
Exactly DB55. None of this happens if not for Jameis. He not only stirs the drink, he makes it. All follow his lead. And you all know this. Why the doubt. Let it go. This ain’t your Bucs of old. They’re gone and forgotten by this team.
December 16th, 2016 at 3:43 pm
If they stop the run they can win.
On offense I expect t a lot of short passes to humphries and Simms and Brate and Martin and shepherd. That’s what their d gives up and they are good against the run. Oddly enough they aren’t great at stopping the dump offs from becoming first downs.
JW is going to pass a lot. Hopefully it is used like a run game and eats up clock
December 16th, 2016 at 3:44 pm
Another big thing will be to get up early like the last couple weeks. It shuts the crowd up but also takes carries away from Zeke. I’m just not afraid of Dak passing
December 16th, 2016 at 3:45 pm
Franchise qbs shouldn’t have to be carried to victories
Jameis needs to make those around him better and get the offense in gear
December 16th, 2016 at 3:54 pm
We could have had Michael Floyd but we forgot to put in a waiver claim for him.
December 16th, 2016 at 4:03 pm
@Phil- just another personnel gaffe by this franchise
December 16th, 2016 at 4:09 pm
Jameis needs to make those around him better and get the offense in gear
—————-
Evans is like second in the league in TDs for WRs, so is Brate for TEs. Russell Shep, Freddy martino have both come up big in recent weeks and Alex Cross of all people is making solid contributions to the offense.
Why you such a hater?
December 16th, 2016 at 4:12 pm
DB55 he’s a troll. Nothing more, nothing less. Irrelevant.
December 16th, 2016 at 4:27 pm
Nuff said.
December 16th, 2016 at 4:28 pm
@DB55 & Gilhealy
Yes! Thank you both! He’s just what this site and this town don’t need. Enough already.
December 16th, 2016 at 4:29 pm
@db55- is it being a hater if it’s valid criticism? Some Jameis nuthuggers and FSU fans refuse to see the bad plays and are just happy he made their favorite college team relevant again.
I’m a fan of the team first, and expect a lot when a player is drafted #1 and called a franchise guy by analyst and fans. He’s good, very good but franchise guys don’t get held out of the end zone by bad defenses
December 16th, 2016 at 8:18 pm
Tampa Tony sure sounds like a hater to me. Maybe he lacks depth and thus does not see the clearly demonstrated effects of Jameis’ leadership. The statistics alone should be enough to shut him up, but he has no respect so he will keep yapping indefinitely. That guy is loser that has to project negativity in order to feel something.
December 16th, 2016 at 8:41 pm
Roberto to the rescue!!
December 16th, 2016 at 9:07 pm
They didn’t forget to put a waiver claim in on Michael Floyd ,rather they didn’t ad not to create a distraction as they are doing well like it is.Humphries is back this week and that helps a lot.If it ain’t broke dont fix it !
December 17th, 2016 at 6:59 am
Evans, Brate, Humphries and Simms will get things done. But until the blocking in the running game gets better there will be an out of balance offense. The return of Luke at TE should help.
Go Bucs!!!
December 17th, 2016 at 8:35 am
@Nolebulle- your name shows where your allegiances lie.
Not a hater just have higher expectations for someone labeled a “franchise” qb he needs to improve his game to earn that label