“I Am Usually Screaming At Him”
December 5th, 2018
“Please don’t take too many hits, Jameis.”
It’s one of those moments when fans are likely sitting home in their boxers on the leather couch and America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, takes off running out of the pocket, and fans start yelling at the TV, “No Jameis, no… good job Jameis!”
Since he’s returned from this three-game sentence from NFL strongman Roger Goodell, Jameis has shown a side of his skills he hasn’t demonstrated much before. He’s a nimble scrambler.
No, he’s not Fran Tarkenton or Michael Vick, but Jameis has a knack for getting positive yards with his feet.
In his weekly sitdown with Dan Lucas of WFLA-TV Channel 8, Bucs Bit-O-Honey-snacking, Ozark-watching, yams-eating coach Dirk Koetter admits he gets nervous watching Jameis run.
“As far as the running goes, that is the competitive side,” Koetter said of Jameis. “When he breaks out of the pocket like [he did Sunday], I am usually screaming at him to get down because we don’t really love him taking those hits.
“Those two 18-yard runs were big plays for us.”
Jameis actually led the Bucs in rushing Sunday. Given that he’s not Kyler Murray, the fact he led the team in rushing may say more about the Bucs’ running game than it does about Jameis.
Also in Koetter’s sitdown with Lucas, he explains why Jameis has been more accurate since he regained his starting job.
December 5th, 2018 at 5:09 am
Koetter lost this season, keeping an obviously inept DC way too long, and starting a 35 year old below average journey man QB, NY and Washington were games JW would’ve won, Koetter is an idiot, pathetic
December 5th, 2018 at 5:11 am
Jamies copied Fitz scrambling style, that can setup the deep pass over the middle. I still don’t trust him to win games for us in the 4th quarter with less than 2 minutes left, he’s just gonna turn the ball over.
December 5th, 2018 at 5:13 am
Guzzie
If Jamies didn’t get benched he’d still be turning the ball over 3 times a game
December 5th, 2018 at 5:14 am
@ guzzle
100 percent agree
December 5th, 2018 at 5:50 am
I love this narrative that Koetter benching Jameis cost us the season.
At the same time, you argue Koetter doesn’t keep anyone accountable.
Jameis threw the Bengals game away and nearly threw the Browns game away. Since being benched, he’s turned his game around. Maybe being held accountable for once in his life made him a better QB.
Everyone trying to fire Koetter wouldn’t know what a good franchise was if a Lombardi smacked them in the face
December 5th, 2018 at 5:55 am
@Joe … “the fact he (Jameis) led the team in rushing may say more about the Bucs’ running game than it does about Jameis.” Aah yes, the bottom line Joe. The Bucs (now up to a 5-7 record) have the #1 passing attack but the #28 rushing attack (in terms of YARDAGE). Perhaps that explains why we’re #10 in terms of POINTS SCORED. Lack of ‘balance’? Too one-dimensional?
Of course, there MAY be another reason for our offense’s disparity between TOTAL YARDAGE and POINTS SCORED. Perhaps (?) it’s that we’re #1 in another category: TURNOVER % (percentage of drives ending in an offensive turnover).
December 5th, 2018 at 6:04 am
Jameis getting benched was probably the best thing that could have happened to him. I do think its Koetter’s fault the running game is so crappy. After every sucessful pass play, they would line up in the I-formation and run up the middle for at max a 2 yard gain. No creativity, no surprises, play completely telegraphed. Everyone on the planet knows its a run up the middle. Clearly our offensive line is not good enough at run blocking for the play calling to be that predictable. Not to mention, the Bucs make a good pass play, we all know what play comes next, team has momentum, in in comes Jones. WTF? He is certainly not the guy to bull through the entire defense to get a few yards when everyone knows your going to run up the middle. This is Koetter’s fault for having a offensive line incapable of creating holes for the running game and also not adjusting the run play calling to adjust for The Olines deficiencies. He is not creative or flexable enough to manage around things that are not working. He is lucky to have Jameis continually bail him out of 3 and long after the robotic play calling puts them in a hole time after time.
December 5th, 2018 at 6:05 am
Bucs Fan #7423 Says
“I still don’t trust him to win games for us in the 4th quarter with less than 2 minutes left, he’s just gonna turn the ball over.”
Irony:
Jameis Winston has led the team from behind to take the lead in the final minutes of games more than any other QB in franchise history…only to have the defense blow that lead in the final seconds most of the time.
December 5th, 2018 at 6:21 am
Dreambig Says
“This is Koetter’s fault for having a offensive line incapable of creating holes for the running game… ”
Actually, it isn’t. A head coach works with the players his GM gets him, then trusts his assistant coaches to make each unit play well.
George Warhop has run an offensive line that has allowed an increased number of sacks each year since drafting Jameis, and except for Doug Martin’s last good year, a line that has done nothing to help the run game.
And, this season, Dirk Koetter has only called the plays in one game (maybe two. I don’t know about the last game). It was Todd Monken calling most of those runs up the middle.
Also, there is a good reason to run up the middle frequently, even if it doesn’t produce well. With a hard running RB, it wears down the Defensive Tackles, which gasses them quicker, which gives the QB more opportunities to move about or scramble.
That’s why most of the sacks on Jameis come from the edges instead of the middle.
December 5th, 2018 at 6:26 am
A person might say Koetter could have insisted George Warhop be replaced, and he could have…but you also have to consider the roster shifting George Warhop has had to work with as playing a factor.
Personally, I think the lineup of Wester, Cappa, Jenson, Marpet and Smith should be the permanent lineup.
December 5th, 2018 at 6:39 am
Some of you guys have nailed it
You worship Jameis but criticize Koetter.
Koetter May have saved Jameis career.
Before there was good vs bad Jameis with bad Jameis winning the battle . Say what you want but his turnovers torpedoed this team.
Now we have “visor “ Jameis. I want to say the superpower is The glare from sun won’t allow defenses to read his eyes as clearly . Plus it’s gotta be to help vision as well as he has talked about wearing contacts in past . So now he can see better then Testaverde Not buying the “it gives him swag” comment
Regardless , visor Jameis is careful with the ball, runs for first downs when he would force something in past …and takes what defense has given him. And all because he got benched for first time in career … he admitted it was humbling. It was difficult. He has been given everything his whole career and worshipped. Then he was forced to watch fitz turn it over and what that did to team. Losses from stupid turnovers.
December 5th, 2018 at 6:41 am
Somewhere lost in all this is the stupidity of Jameis poor making decisions…….
In two games….. it appears he’s changed but underneath the surface I do not think he has.
Had anyone here doesn’t think his playing style right now isn’t the result of trying to get a 20 million dollar contract next season????
….. and after he gets paid, he’ll revert back to turnover bad Jameis?
Think about that for a second.
December 5th, 2018 at 6:49 am
For those who were screaming for Mariota a few years back, love him or hate him Jameis was the right pick…
Mariota wouldn’t have been a good fit in Koetters vertical offense (Alex Smith 2.0) and he’d probably be half dead by now playing behind this offensive line the last 3 1/2 years…
What I really love about Jameis is he really doesn’t want to scramble but when he does it he keeps his eyes downfield; not to mention, he’s really good at throwing on the run, whether hes scrambling right or left…
I know it’s a long shot but if he can win out it would shut alot if his naysayers up…
December 5th, 2018 at 6:52 am
Defense Rules- Great point. The bottom line is simply this: If you don’t turn the ball over you give your team a chance to win. Football 101!
On the run-game, does it strike anyone else as odd that we are so prolific at passing and we cannot move the ball on the ground. You know, the ‘ol pass to open the run mantra?!
Just an observation. It could be Doug Martin’s fault!
December 5th, 2018 at 6:52 am
new rule in tampa bay:
“ball out or be out”
come sunday let’s remind the saints…they’re still the “aints”
December 5th, 2018 at 6:59 am
The Bucs anthem. You must be fat, single and hairy. How would you know about playing/working for 21 million? You predict the future, we all predict no one will touch your dick but your right hand
December 5th, 2018 at 7:00 am
if we win on sunday – once again the league and pundits will take notice and talk it up…making it more so, one crazy azz season…it has been a wild ride for sure – but this rollercoaster is not yet over…25% more to go, before we can all go chill at mons on mabry
December 5th, 2018 at 7:01 am
I criticize Jamies but D#MN I am thankful we are not starting Mark Sanchez
December 5th, 2018 at 7:04 am
Lol, he probably picked that up from old man fitzy.
December 5th, 2018 at 7:06 am
Bonzai……Agree with you mostly on everything, I have to say that I disagree with your irony……. when you say on the franchise history, first of all doesn´t tell me much, and secondly I have my serious concerns on JW…….I am far form being a JW hater, but I saw him turn the ball ober so many times that I lost confidence on him, I just don´t know what he is going to do….Of course at the same time I see him do some extraordinary plays to be fair. If he can keep his game mode like the last two games everything is going to change.
But again, I agree with you on most of your posts…..
December 5th, 2018 at 7:20 am
@Bucsfanman … ” It could be Doug Martin’s fault!” LMAO. (Probably got Joe all excited with that one).
@Adam … “come sunday let’s remind the saints…they’re still the “aints”. That’d be nice, especially since we’re playing here, but have a feeling that the Saints are probably still pissed about that first game loss (dropping 48 points on them in their house undoubtedly shocked them). Saints reeled off 10 wins in a row after that before losing last week to Dallas (BOTH teams played incredible defense BTW).
Saints offense has been very consistent all year long (until the Dallas game), scoring an AVERAGE of 35 PPG this year (quite impressive). Saints defense came alive after we shocked them, and has allowed an AVERAGE of 20 PPG since that first loss (quite an improvement IMO). Only 4 teams all year have gained more than 20 points against them: Ravens (23), Rams (35), Falcons (37) and yes, the Bucs (48). Interestingly, the Saints WON 3 of those 4 games (great to have a high-flying offense that plays COMPLIMENTARY FOOTBALL).
Bucs COULD beat them Sunday (Saints have already won the division for all practical purposes) but I won’t be betting on that game. Saints will be looking for revenge for one thing, and for another, ON PAPER they have a significantly better TEAM. Still, as they say, “On any given Sunday … yada, yada”.
December 5th, 2018 at 7:23 am
the d line is starting to really come together on this team…never thought i’d say that…but it’s great and all 3 units are benefiting from it…if duff can keep building on what he’s doing – gotta let him stay in the role moving forward…all hail the duff-man!
#WeHaveAyeDefenseInTampaOnceAgain
December 5th, 2018 at 7:24 am
Read elsewhere that that the run blocking that Warhop employs requires more
stationary blocking. Suggestion was that we need to get our maulers moving
forward and turn them loose to be more agressive and open up more holes.
December 5th, 2018 at 7:28 am
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
December 5th, 2018 at 6:05 am
Irony:
Jameis Winston has led the team from behind to take the lead in the final minutes of games more than any other QB in franchise history…only to have the defense blow that lead in the final seconds most of the time.
___
And how many times did he turn the ball over those games?
December 5th, 2018 at 7:33 am
imagine we run the table and make it to the playoffs…and make it to the superbowl somehow…and jameis gets hurt, but not too bad, and fitzie comes in like a hot potato, for the last 2 games including the superbowl – and plays like the first two games of the year…it would be the wildest season ever…anything is possible – just win…win rocky win
and we ride our new found defense to a superbowl victory…and gruden looks on in dismay…and the players carry duffner off the field, as he cheers with his hands above his head
December 5th, 2018 at 7:37 am
ok coming back down to earth now…
we have won 2 of 2 after dropping 7 of 8…
but one can still dream right?
December 5th, 2018 at 8:32 am
If they can get to 8-8 I think everybody returns. That is a three win improvement over last year.
On the other hand an 0-4 or 1-3 finish and everybody in the building needs to start getting a moving company.
Saints Ravens Cowboys Falcons.
Best team in football then on the road against desperate playoff contenders.
Lordy.
December 5th, 2018 at 8:46 am
Would like to see Fameis in more 2-minute drills and no huddles. He’s good at playing both calls. No reason why we can’t beat the Aints Sunday. We beat them in NOLA their SB/Who dat year with a weaker team. Just watch out for Payton cos he cheats!
December 5th, 2018 at 8:50 am
Dream on Adam as long as they’re as cool as that dream!!!
Sadly some guys dreams about the Bucs are always nightmares.
I the odd guy out in the running Jameis argument. Jameis is a big dude…6-4 230..he’s not a fragile type..other than his shoulder injury he’s remained healthy….unlike say some others who seem to be walking injuries.
I have never liked playing to “not get hurt”….ironically it almost always results in an injury.
When we were trying to finish the clock Sunday we handed off for the simple predictable dive over the left side of our line in the hope that Marpet and Smith could be dominant enough to push the other line a couple of yards. Did not work. Hardly EVER works…I like Ali and Donavan but they are far from the “road grader” style of OL.
If we had rolled JW to the right…worst case scenario the DE or LB play it perfectly and contains that left side…JW has to slide and eat the play. We eat anyway running into the line!!! In this case btw there was space…it would have been an easy first down.
December 5th, 2018 at 9:01 am
i dont think benching him had any effect….dirk shouldve just let winston play through it……
for those of you saying the benching was the best thing for him, was him getting injured last year the best thing for him?….because he was turning the ball over last year at a high rate as well but didnt get things worked out until after he came back from his injury……
bottom line is, dirk screwed up by benching winston 2games…..he was trying to show the world that he had the magic touch by starting fitz and taking over play calling but it back fired in his face…..
this year we’ve continued to see dirk make poor decision after poor decision…..
dirk has to go!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
December 5th, 2018 at 9:11 am
Winston acknowledged earlier in the season that he learned a better way of scrambling by watching Fitz.
December 5th, 2018 at 9:12 am
Yes.
December 5th, 2018 at 9:15 am
That’s a good point. But as you also cited Eric, much easier said than done with Bucs’ schedule.
December 5th, 2018 at 9:16 am
Dapostman Says:
November 4th, 2018 at 9:03 pm
IMHO, Koetter is giving Winston exactly what he needs, tough love. He doesn’t need to anoint Winston as his starter. What Winston needs is a coach who is not just going to give him the keys to the franchise anymore. These guy threw Winston in on a 2-14 team with no QB mentor and expected an immature kid to lead them to the promise land. Well ladies and gentlemen this is a MENS football league. To be a successful NFL QB you have to be poised and mature. Winston is learning that this year by sitting. The book on Winston is an unfinished novel and I think we will see a better player once Koetter puts him back in. I expect Winston to start the last 6 games. I don’t think the Glazers have signed off on Winston. I think they’ve signed off on Koetter turning Winston into a mature poised NFL QB. I could be wrong since I have been one or twice in the past but that’s my gut feeling.
If you haven’t noticed the difference in the Atlanta, Cleveland, Cincinnati Winston vs the Ny Giants, San Fran, New Orleans Winston you must have beer goggles on.
December 5th, 2018 at 9:17 am
*Carolina not New Orleans.
December 5th, 2018 at 10:53 am
The biggest of all improvements I’m seeing in Jameis is..He’s not wildly forcing the ball with crazy errant throws. If its not there he’s running or eating it. VERY BIG STEP FOR HIM. It took him a minute but he finally got the message. He keeps playing this way, A lot of tems are in for some big surprises.
December 5th, 2018 at 11:53 am
Wow Joe Winston said he learned rushing by watching Fitz?
WTF. Shouldn’t his coaches train him in this area? Sounds dysfunctional to me.
The second INT in the Bangels game was all coaching IMO. Because of the design of that play the middle of the field should almost always be open. Winston should be trained on that play to use the run as his third read. If both flats are covered he should never ever….. EVER look to pass over the middle.
It is clear on that play that Winston is not trained to use the run as an option. It was awful decision making by Winston & coaching could help him understand and simplify his reads and put him into more favorable situations.
December 5th, 2018 at 11:55 am
Winston is out there throwing ducks to decoys and he does not even see he has open grass he can exploit with his feet.
The problem is he shouldn’t have to see it. He should anticipate it. That falls back on coaching and preparation.
December 5th, 2018 at 12:16 pm
Dreambig Says:
“Jameis getting benched was probably the best thing that could have happened to him.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Big Jameis fan here, Dreambig, and as annoyed as I was at the time with Dirk for the benching, I think you just may be right. — The tough love approach by Dirk may have been just the ticket to get Jameis where he needed to be.
December 5th, 2018 at 12:19 pm
Bird Says:
“Koetter May have saved Jameis career.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bird, we have not agreed much, but you just might be right about that. Definitely hoping so.
December 5th, 2018 at 12:21 pm
TheBucsAnthem Says:
“….. and after he gets paid, he’ll revert back to turnover bad Jameis?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Does he really strike you as someone that is driven by the money? For better or worse in Jameis’ game,, it should be pretty obvious that he is driven by passion for the game. Hopefully he is learning how to better channel that passion in the right way. The calm & composed demeanor definitely helps too.