No Issue With Jameis Comments
September 2nd, 2018
Doesn’t like crystal balls.
Thursday night, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht got Bucs fans worked up when he said it wasn’t fair to declare America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, the Bucs’ starting quarterback for the second road game of the season in Chicago.
That also happens to be the first game on the schedule after Jameis serves his three-game sentence handed down by NFL strongman Roger Goodell.
So Friday when Dirk Koetter spoke at his day-after press conference, he was asked if he had an issue with his general manager seemingly taking a stand on who Koetter should be starting behind center.
Koetter explained Licht is in the loop when it comes to the team’s plan with Jameis. Koetter also seemed to believe it is naive to try to predict what situation the Bucs will be in four weeks from today.
“Jason and myself have both talked to Jameis about it and Jameis is a very mature guy,” Koetter explained. “I think the word in there was, ‘Can [Licht] guarantee [Jameis will start],’ right? We can’t guarantee anything.
“Jameis had an excellent preseason and as I’ve been saying all along, Week 4 is Week 4. It’s a shortened week coming off of a Monday night game. Who knows what’s going to happen then? We’d be foolish to be focusing on anything else except Week 1. Then after Week 1, Week 2. After Week 2, Week 3, which is a Monday night game. Then a shortened week leading into Chicago.
“I’m confident that Jameis is going to do everything that he can do to be ready when he comes back, but it’s just that – when he comes back. He’s going to be out of the building for a while and when he gets back we’ll see and we’ll see how we’re doing and we’ll see how the quarterbacks are playing.
“I promise you we’ll make the best decision that we think gives the Bucs the best chance to go beat Chicago, when it’s time to make that decision. Today, or last night or any time before that is not the time.”
Here is the way Joe sees it: Koetter is speaking the truth. Who knows if Jameis is going to be rusty or not? If he comes back as sharp as he has been in training camp and preseason, it is an absolute no-brainer he plays.
If it were a full week, even if Jameis wasn’t sharp in the first practice back, Koetter would have two, maybe three days to get Jameis ready. On a short week, Koetter doesn’t have that much luxury.
Joe just wonders, if Jameis let’s say sprained an ankle and team doctors said he would be ready to get back on the practice field the day after the Steelers game, would we be having this very same conversation?
As Cam Brate said this past summer on SiriusXM NFL Radio, when an interviewer seemed to suggest Jameis was hot garbage as a quarterback, Brate said that Jameis was a starter for a reason.
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:04 am
Only the “sheep” were riled by the comments of NFL GM Licht!!!!!! As the “real” fans know that you let the other team prepare for both QB’s and you don’t announce the starter until the last possible moment!!!!!!!!! Good on the GM and Head Coach for deception and gamesmanship!!!!!!!!!!!
#trust the coaches!!!!!!!!!! Fix the “real” problem, the roster!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:11 am
This is an overblown issue IMHO.
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:15 am
If we’re winning we HAVE to keep the momentum going. Besides it being great, a lot of jobs are depending on the win/loss record. It sucks for Jameis that he needs to have a great year but he made that call for himself two years ago. I so understand the decision making process when you’re drunk. You always make the wrong one. I want Jameis to be our QB for a long time.
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:17 am
MQC
“Manufactured Quarterback Controversy”
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:24 am
Koetter’s first statement in this piece made me spit out my coffee laughing!!!…….. “Jason and myself have both talked to Jameis about it and Jameis is a very mature guy,”
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:25 am
Amen Walter.
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:29 am
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK 1 is all that matters for 53 guys who make up our TEAM. A win in nawlins is all that matters to fans. And that win would have been won by the 46 that dress a week from today. Not just the QB. Week 4 will take care of itself.
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:29 am
Well said Tampbaybucfan.
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:31 am
I believe the quote from Head Coach Koetter is the best explanation…. Its all a matter of evaluating the team and circumstances following the first three games, and how Jameis is performing in practice after he returns. If Fitzpatrick has an amazing performance ongoing during all 3 opening games and the Bucs are 3 – 0, do you pull Ryan for the labeled starter who has not worked with his team in 25 days?
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:36 am
Success in the first three games ,will play a major part in the decision when to start Jameis. There probably would be some rust to shake off, but Jameis had his most consistent training camp so far. In his previous camps, I didn’t think he got enough work to be ready after his limited exposure in games. He has shown more patience, and touch on the ball and even completed some deep passes. If he can keep up some consistency on this , it will help pull the safety out of the box. That would be a big boost to the running game.
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:37 am
Yawn…non story here
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:39 am
Fitz was pretty good in games 1 and 3 IMO.. I felt he wasn’t sharp in game 2, could have been because of the replacement lineman.
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:40 am
There’s no reason that National Champion ~ Heisman Trophy Winning ~ #1 overall pick ~ Pro Bowler ~ record setting ~ Winston who just finished having his best Preseason in his NFL career should not be the starter after 3 games. Other than one thing, the spirit of HUGH MUTHA F’N CULVERHOUSE is hovering over Himes/MLK & up and down Dale Mabry and the Gboys are hoping one of the two Ryan’s Can get it done just enough to stay away from a $100,000,000+ Contract.
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:48 am
As Ira mentioned, the longer Fitz plays, the more his weaknesses will be exposed- Bucs will probably be 1-2 or 2-1 when Jameis returns, IF the DL is all that.
Jameis will be ready on a short week- he’ll be studying Chicago every day and practicing with camp cuts
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:58 am
Total nonsense, J.W. will be starting week four count on it. Jameis will have three weeks to study the Bears, Fitz will be coming off a short week, who has the best chance to win? Fitz’s 35 year old body will be coming off a short week, J.W. will be fresh as a daisy, who will be more physically ready? Fitz is a 35yr old journey man, Jameis hopefully is our 24yr old franchise Q.B. that we need to see is worth a big contract. The sooner he plays, the sooner we’ll know what our future can be. Fitz has no future with the team. For all of you who say what if Fitz goes 3-0, I have some swamp land I’d like to sell you.
September 2nd, 2018 at 9:32 am
Misleading.
Jason Licht did NOT take a stand. He refused to commit either way. And that is exactly what he needed to do.
September 2nd, 2018 at 9:36 am
Even if Fitz wins 3 in a row (no chance of that happening; have the Bucs ever beaten the Steelers?), even if…Winston will start game 4.
September 2nd, 2018 at 9:38 am
The Bucs are not going to tip their hand on which QB plays against Chicago because they don’t have to. Let the Bears prepare for both.
#Get After It!
September 2nd, 2018 at 9:43 am
Bonzai- Bucs beat Steelers in 2014- highlight of Glennon’s entire career
September 2nd, 2018 at 9:50 am
Bonsai… Have you forgotten the Mike Glennon miracle?!? I think the Bucs win in front of a pumped up Monday night crowd!
September 2nd, 2018 at 9:58 am
Bonsai…
The MGM will have your head for a short memory. Remember that glorious day in Pittsburgh for the “mob”?
The headline….Glennon leads Bucs to stunning upset over Steelers.
The play…Mike Glennon found Vincent Jackson for a 5-yard touchdown with seven seconds remaining as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pulled off a shocking 27-24 comeback victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
We CAN beat the Steelers!! Like all NFL teams they have turned over 1/3 of their roster during the off season. Even the really good teams need awhile to incorporate all that new talent into a well oiled machine. This is why catching these “good” teams early is actually a huge benefit for us. Generally these teams become better and better as the season goes on.
I absolutely get Joe’s point about an 0-3 start all but ending our playoff dreams.
But in terms of actually winning against these opponents it’s far better to have them in the first three games of the year than the final three games when they will be peaking for the playoffs.
September 2nd, 2018 at 10:06 am
It’s irrelevant they will be 0-3 going into week 4. Chicago will run all over gmc and company bringing them to 0-4. Therefore the only relevant topics will be draft talk and regime change from werk 5 to 17. But don’t worry they will seal basement title by week 9. Instead if debating week 4 qb starter you guys should be working in your excuses to justify another failed season and why you are ok with it.
September 2nd, 2018 at 10:17 am
Alanbucsfan
Bucs will be 0-3 make no mistake about it. With that pathetic offensive line licht is sending out there both fritz and grif could be paralyzed by halftime week 2
September 2nd, 2018 at 10:27 am
Walter I took you for a swallower not a spitter, you and nogodeep.66
September 2nd, 2018 at 10:32 am
Lol
September 2nd, 2018 at 10:45 am
I agree with Licht and Koetter, let’s get through the first 3 games first. Stirring controversy before we’ve even played our first regular season game is nonsense.
September 2nd, 2018 at 11:12 am
One week at a time…the way it must be.
September 2nd, 2018 at 11:16 am
DavidBigAssFan99, you’re such a classy guy. GFY.
September 2nd, 2018 at 11:46 am
Snore………
September 2nd, 2018 at 11:54 am
Jameis will be cocked, locked and ready to rock when he sets foot in the building. I guarantee it and a Griffin will be the guy he has to supplant, not Fitz. Remember Aaron Rodgers carried a clipboard for 4 years and we know how that turned out.
September 2nd, 2018 at 12:36 pm
The same nonsense annoys me about politics. We’ve got important elections coming up in 2+ months and it’s all 2020, 2020, 2020! Give me a break! Opening the season in NOLA against the Saints in 1 week is what I’m focused on. The Bucs brass knows a lot more than any one commenting on this site. So, give the Bears game a rest. Gawd!
September 2nd, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Reality is a beotch is correct
September 2nd, 2018 at 8:02 pm
Reality-
If Bucs start 0-3, it will be because D Line is not effective and overhyped. This offense will score points, even with Fitz.
September 2nd, 2018 at 10:49 pm
I can guarantee you one thing. Jameis will be starting game 4.
September 2nd, 2018 at 11:57 pm
Jameis will start and nogodeep.66 and Walter Ziegheil will be up here whining and crying like the females they are!