The Circus That Is The Bucs
November 19th, 2018
There are a lot of unknowns as we look at the just finished loss at the Giants.
The Bucs currently stand at 3-7. Though this is not a popular opinion for those with jobs on the line or in the locker room, the smart thing would be for the Bucs to tank the season in an effort to land Nick Bosa.
Barring the Bucs doing something crazy in the final six games, say, running the table to finish the season at 9-7, Joe suspects there will be a lot of changes next year, both on the field and in the coaching booth. And maybe more.
You can almost smell the bleach from the January housecleaning.
Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times wrote prior to kickoff of yesterday’s game that the Bucs could bring back Bit-O-Honey-snacking, Ozark-watching coach Dirk Koetter. The Bucs also could bring back America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. And Bucs fans could be looking at both a new coach and a new quarterback next season.
But, Stroud types, Bucs fans won’t see Koetter and Jameis return as a coach-quarterback partnership. One of the two, he believes, is gone in 2019, perhaps both.
You can’t fault Koetter for doing what he thinks gives the Bucs the best chance to win today. But you have to wonder what is going through the heads of the Glazer family, which I understand truly wants to see Winston remain with the Bucs. That explains why it picked up his fifth-year club option worth $20.9 million for next season.
If the Bucs had given up on Winston and merely wanted to safeguard that salary, which is guaranteed only against injury, Ryan Griffin would be the No. 2 quarterback today and Winston would be inactive.
Stroud also writes it’s not about the money whether Jameis returns or not. Joe agrees and has been writing that for weeks. As we stand today, Jameis’ 2019 salary puts him at No. 18 in quarterback salaries, per Spotrac.com. That’s not factoring in quarterbacks who will have their deals reworked so Jameis’ salary could easily slip into the bottom third of quarterbacks next season.
Joe just wonders what a new-age coach, you know, someone from the Andy Reid tree would do with Jameis. As he showed yesterday, the dude has talent. Why on earth would people want to throw him to the side for who, Mike Glennon? Tyrod Taylor, journeyman backup Ryan Fitzpatrick?
Good grief!
November 19th, 2018 at 7:11 am
Why on earth would people want to throw him over the side???? BECAUSE THIS IS TAMPA BAY!!!! Some people enjoy being terrible EVERY year! It is their identity, it’s what makes them breath it’s why they get up in the morning! To bitch and moan! It’s who they are!
November 19th, 2018 at 7:13 am
I would like to see the Bucs keep Winston, get rid of Koetter & keep Monken on to coach the offense and bring in a defensive head coach. This offense can score points we just can’t stop anyone. I don’t think we need to blow up the entire team just parts of it.
November 19th, 2018 at 7:19 am
That is why if you are judging the Bucs and holding accountable this year, How can you not Replace the GM who clearly did not assemble a roster that can compete!!!!!!! The defensive coordinator so scapegoating that is out the window!!!!!!! The new GM will then decide who stays and goes!!!!!! and evaluate the roster!!! And if competent will turnover the roster!!!!!!!!!
Otherwise the buc will get a lesser coach to “fix jw3” only to see bad results and the same articles that joe is posting now will apply in the wasted year next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 19th, 2018 at 7:20 am
We need a QB coach ASAP!!! If you are spending 20M you need to find the best coach out there and fix Jameis
November 19th, 2018 at 7:26 am
What’s the worst part of this is how bad the timing is for everything that’s happening.
Unless JW turns out to be a top 5 QB in this league, we’ve already missed our window to win. Once he starts getting into the money, we’re not going to be able to surround him with the same talent he has now.. and that’s not even including a RB.
Second, if we’re going to suck just to get a DE at the top of the draft, that doesn’t fix poop. We needed to tank next year, at least line yourself up for a game changing QB in Tua…
November 19th, 2018 at 7:28 am
We need a Mike Tomlin or Sean McVeigh type of Coach here in Tampa. We need a coach that has a winning pedigree even if as an up and coming assistant
November 19th, 2018 at 7:42 am
Fix Winston. He will get better ? Enough with the mirage. We have tolerated his turnovers fumbles and stupid offfield behavior for 4 years. And the whole oh but he could get better magically and stop giving the ball away is garbage. You can see it every time things break down he goes into this mode of do anything to force the ball no matter how stupid it may be. Dirk is a lousy coach but how many times can he say to Jamie’s dude if you turn the ball over you and I will be unemployed soon.
November 19th, 2018 at 8:04 am
“John deflippo
Its going to cost 8 million and he will demand Gm duties
***WE WILL NOT GET THE TOP HC WITHOUT GIVING THEM GM POSITION ”
Kobe Faker
November 19th, 2018 at 8:04 am
I like how those QBs are the ones Joe uses to bolster the “keep Jameis” mantra.
I’m all for getting a coach that knows what they’re doing and can innovate. Are we really to believe though that Jameis, after 4 years, only needs better coaching? That’s what 4 years of turning the ball over and bad decisions have led us to believe?! It’s the coach?!
I wish that I could believe that. I’m not so sure.
November 19th, 2018 at 8:06 am
Nick Saban as GM/HC get it done….I am ambivalent on jameis but even watching yesterday he did THE exact same things he does all the time, throw in to triple coverage and fumble, the ball bounced the bucs way this game. If saban cannot or doesnt want to leave bama for the browns, bucs, jets then the bucs need to pounce on the OC from minny, john deflippo or OC from KC eric bienemy, bienemy is going to make a deep run in the playoffs but will have a fee week in the bye week….another guy who will be on the hot seat of new coaches is nick sirianni up in indy who has helped luck come back to luck form…..think jameis is what he is a 30 td 20 int guy each year
November 19th, 2018 at 8:10 am
Its amazing how many people blame the GM for not having the team ready to play… you can’t back up every position in the NFL. you don’t have 100 man rosters, you have 53, and a few practice squad players that ANYONE IN THE NFL CAN TAKE at any time, so they are scrubs, future talent at best. See what happened in Green Bay when Rogers went down last year? The GM backed up the QB spot, or we wouldn’t have two of those wins we DO have.
The firing of Mike Smith was not scapegoating, the defense no longer gives up 400-500 yard games. Skins didn’t pass 300, Giants got about 350. But when your down TWO of your best players, at the same position, your going to be weak there.
The problem is Dirk Koetter as he is a great OC, not a Head Coach. You don’t bench QBs in todays NFL. That will be his undoing. And for anyone who has anything bad to say about James Winston, learn two things. 1) He was suspended for an action that took place 3 years ago, the only thing he’s done since before he was suspended at Florida State for a game; dudes turned his life around. You would ask for forgiveness for yourself, learn to give it. Besides, who cares, I want to watch pro football, not have a team sponsored my Mother Theresa. 2) We can now see that Fitz throws more pics than James, but at least Winston is 24. He’s only playing his 4th season…and clearly he has only one area left to work on. Brett Favre struggled with Turnovers too. When you ask the QB to do too much, thats what happens.
Again, on the GM.. the Bucs have the no.1 offense and could be the NFLs greatest offense ever statistically they way they are headed, because Bucs have drafted all offensive players over the last few years. THIS year they went D, and need to again for a year or so. These rookie corners and safeties, are going to be good in the coming years.
Just bring in a Head Coach to coach them up and make better decisions.
November 19th, 2018 at 8:12 am
Jay Cutler 2.0 is Jameis, who will never be great.
November 19th, 2018 at 8:30 am
Marriotta is hurt again so bucs made the right choice Winston is 24 and of course gets better at decision making the more he plays. So many of you are no longer haters your just stupid thinking at 24 he’s hit his ceiling. A new voice would help any qb
Lol you guys are so funny, it took Fitz-Tragic a Harvard grad until 35 to figure it out which only lasts about 2 games but Winston at 24 cant improve
November 19th, 2018 at 8:48 am
@Duthsty Rhodes…
Bro I love like a brother but please stop with the Saban mumbo jumbo…He’s a God in the State of Alabama and Imho wound a fool to leave that situation to come to Tampa…Some coaches are control freaks, Nick Saban being 1 of them, Greg Shiano was another…those types rarely succeed on the NFL level..Jimmy Johnson falls into that category as well, but was the obvious exception to the rule…
As for “America’s Most Wanted QB” Jameis Winston I personally was happy to see him get back under center where imo he belongs…I wasn’t pretty but I thought he came in a played very well…He’ll never be perfect; that being said, I can settle for consistent and have him build off of that…
He’s the perfect QB for this band of misfits…It obviously won’t happen this season but if we can fix this defense, tweak the offensive line, and balance out the offense a little Winston can take us where we wanna go…I believe he can get this team back to respectability and most importantly the playoffs…we just have to weather the storm and stop hitting the reset button every 2 or 3 years…
November 19th, 2018 at 8:48 am
Joe throws Jameis defense items as much as Jameis turns the ball over….NOBODY is coming to FIX this flawed QB…it’s 4 years, you get what you see now…The baby is a grown yup now….GET HIM THE F**K OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!!
November 19th, 2018 at 8:54 am
Getting rid of Winston would be a huge mistake. And the Glazers had to signoff on that $20.9 million for next year, even knowing about the suspension and the turnover problem.
This tells me they will keep him at least through next season.
And contrary to what some think, paying big bucks for a QB does not mean you lose your other good players. The cap goes up each year for just that reason.
November 19th, 2018 at 9:22 am
Jesus! …Joe you talk about tanking the season and then regime change. How does that work exactly unless you fire the Coach now. Do you honestly believe Koetter will intentionally lose when he needs to win? …Have another drink lol
November 19th, 2018 at 9:23 am
Joe loves wasting money, that’s for sure. Have you ever seen someone with $100.00 in the bank buy a $99.00 car to have a car? That’s Joe with Jameis, Jameis is the $99.00 car. It’s a lemon, everyone on Earth knows it’s a lemon, but Joe wants the car so bad he’s willing to suck lemon. Joe will get his wish though, Jameis will trick the moron owners into the payday Joe seeks and everyone is screwed afterwards. Bucs life sucks.
November 19th, 2018 at 9:28 am
Bonzai- Maybe from a business standpoint and given that the draft is uncertain at best.
I can’t find too many more reasons to keep him. We’ve seen 4 years of a guy in the same system. He hasn’t even gotten better IN the system and with a bevy of weapons.
Maybe he needs a better coach?
Maybe he just needs more experience?
Maybe he needs better play-calling?
Maybe? Just maybe?
It’s an awful lot of maybe’s, even if the going rate is $20 mil!
November 19th, 2018 at 9:29 am
Nick Saban is 67. You really want to hire a 67-year old man to do an overhaul, especially one who has a spotty NFL record? 🙁
November 19th, 2018 at 9:33 am
the problem is coaching……no way winston should be looking like fitz…..there should be a clear difference winston and fitz and currently there isnt one…..both look horrible…..
the best thing for this organization to do is to fire dirk right now to see if you can get winston to be productive…..
with monken sometimes calling plays then dirk sometimes calling plays and the qb coach just standing there, its too many cooks in the kitchen, meaning winston has too many voices in his head or he’s being coached differently by all 3 coaches…..
fire dirk, licht, and the entire staff and keep winston……
then hire a DEFENSIVE HC!!!!!…..draft defense and let the HC mold the unit and create an identity…..
the offense will be fine because they have vets at every level….the defense needs the youth movement…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
November 19th, 2018 at 9:36 am
Actually at this point we already know what to expect from Jameis. A QB that still plays like a rookie.
Joe says, “Why on earth would people want to throw him to the side for who, Mike Glennon? Tyrod Taylor, journeyman backup Ryan Fitzpatrick?”
NO …no-one is saying that. Let’s draft another rookie. What do we have to lose, another rookie who plays like Jameis plays now? Or we could get our own version of a first year QB like Mahomes, Goff, Wentz, etc.. We can’t be scared to try.
November 19th, 2018 at 9:37 am
realist
if we replace the GM, that new GM will replace dirk…..the new GM will want HIS guy running the show not the incompetent one better known as dirk…..
dirk is gone….thats not even a question of if but rather when….the sooner, the better for winston and the team!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
November 19th, 2018 at 9:42 am
Draft Grier to be a Buccaneer!
November 19th, 2018 at 9:47 am
Jameis isn’t going anywhere. I actually think Jameis can win in this league if we had a decent defense. Look at Trubisky. That kid is God awful yet sits at 7-3 and in first place. He threw two picks last night and should have thrown two more. Everybody talks about the progress this kid has made. Jameis is better I have no doubt about that.
November 19th, 2018 at 9:56 am
They did the contract because it was cheap. Draft a QB and let’s get on with the future. Maybe we can trade Winston in the draft to move up.
November 19th, 2018 at 10:00 am
7. Buccaneers: QB Drew Lock, Missouri
The Buccaneers picked up the fifth-year option on former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston for $20.9 million in 2019, but it doesn’t become fully guaranteed until mid-March. The Buccaneers benched Winston in favor of Fitzpatrick and looked ready to cut him. Then Winston led four second-half touchdown drives in a loss to the Giants. Now what? Move on.
November 19th, 2018 at 10:01 am
You would get nothing for Winston in a trade. He has a civil suit hanging over his head from the transgressions in the Uber car. I am willing to bet that Brees, Brady, Rodgers, Wilson, Ryan, Rivers, Mahoomes, Cousins, Luck, or any other PRO does not have a civil suit in place for molesting a young lady while she was simply trying to earn a buck to pay her bills.
November 19th, 2018 at 10:10 am
I can’t wait for when our new GM/Head Coach tell Bucs Fans that Jameis is their guy!!! He not going anywhere people the sooner you accept it, the less painful it will be for you Winston Haters!!
If playing QB was easy half the league wouldn’t be looking for their franchise QB. I honestly believe Jameis mistakes can be coached out of him, this kid is terrific without those dumbass turnovers. 4/5 year veteran but still only 24 yrs old!!
November 19th, 2018 at 10:19 am
Jarhead….
4 to 5 year veteran still looking like the career backup Fitzpatrick? The same people who rip Fitz miss one very important point, Fitz and Jameis ARE the same QB. So is Fitz a “potential franchise QB” ? They’re both turnover machines and this isn’t new. Jameis turned the ball over in college too, do you know how hard that task is to accomplish? The sooner people realize the Bucs have two of the same QB the better they will understand the situation Dirk Koetter is in right now.
November 19th, 2018 at 10:38 am
I agree with Bonzai.
This musical QB game is not going to work. Back-up QB’s are for injuries. Yes Winston screwed up 3 years ago, and has used up his get out of jail free cards with the Buc’s, but I beleive going forward (like Brett Farve,) he will mature mentally. Problem is like Farve he is a gunslinger and will have to work on field mechanics. The key though is wins and as much as everyone wants to think that one factor contributes to wins, it is now more than ever a team effort. The obvious transition to a higher scores through a dynamic passing attack does not equate to W’s and a solid defense doesn’t aways result in in a W. You need a “pretty good and consistent approach to both.” Rules have changed, Medical restrictions have changed, and coaching has changed. Now days if you’re not wining half way through the season fans are yelling “Tank” for a draft pick. The game has changed. I’ve posted many times that the great SB Defense under Dungy would spend most of the time on the bench today suspended for what made it great (aggressive head-hunters) and Brad Johnson (a perennial Back-up) is all you need at QB.
November 19th, 2018 at 10:39 am
Yes, Jameis has been here for 4/5 years. He isn’t our guy. Move on. He has flashes in a pan, but he isn’t consistent. You wanna keep him, fine, but we need to draft a franchise QB and Jameis can be the guy to provide competition and be a great Backup.
November 19th, 2018 at 10:50 am
Everybody is beating around the bush when it comes to the problems this team is having. It rests squarely with ownership. The Glaziers need to realize they no nothing about running a pro football team. They need to hire a President of football operrations that knows how to build a winner. Give that individual full control ove GM, Coaches and just about everything else. That way the Glaziers can do what they do best. Swing by every now and then to collect the checks…
November 19th, 2018 at 10:55 am
SJ,
Agree, the owners are the problem as well. They aren’t good at it. This isn’t soccer.
November 19th, 2018 at 11:05 am
IF you are not a good owner, You have to face up to that fact and hire people around you who know Football inside and out. Hint….Glazers!
November 19th, 2018 at 11:12 am
As far as I concerned Saban had his NFL chance & blew it, leaving Miami hanging. To me he’s a worthless piece of crap. Isn’t it funny after a decent half of football fans are back on the JW wagon. Sorry not me. Although he should start the rest of the season no matter what. Unless they start Griffen the last day of the season. Griffen should also be Winston’s backup.
November 19th, 2018 at 11:58 am
Fans here go with the wind. Winston will start off slow and Fitz will come back in and almost save the day and we will be right back where we are. We don’t have a starter here. Let Griffin show what he can do.
November 19th, 2018 at 1:38 pm
common man JW interceptions the defenses are not even trying to make a great play the ball.. the ball is being thrown right at them you kidding me this team has no identity neither side of the ball and it starts from the top..
November 20th, 2018 at 1:05 am
Jameis Bashers/Doubters are idiots and dumb. Fireeeee Licht. Can’t Koetter! In Jameis I Trust!
November 20th, 2018 at 1:06 am
Locomotive. You must not be familiar with the term “bad route” or DJax not fighting for the ball. Famous Jameis is a star. He’s a bargain at the money and will like it or love it be around in Tampa for a loooong time.