What The Scouts Say
July 1st, 2019
Harsh feedback.
Joe doesn’t believe in summer siestas. That’s why it is common during these steamy days for Joe to bring a laptop to a beach bar and bang away on the keyboard while enjoying the (ahem) summer scenery over a cold, frosty mass-produced domestic lager.
And dogged reporter Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report is no different. He used his large library of NFL sources who are scouts and sort of did an ode to legendary Packers beat writer Bob McGinn. Freeman had scouts break down the good and the bad on every NFL team.
Those scouts like how the Bucs got Bucco Bruce Arians. But per Freeman, that’s about all the scouts like about the Bucs.
And they seem to loathe America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
The hope: That the Buccaneers transition from this coming year, a rebuilding one, into a playoff team in 2021. Yes, the dreaded ‘R’ word is being used, but I can’t find anyone in the league who believes the Buccaneers will win more than five or six games this coming season.
The reality: People around the league continue to have strong feelings about Winston, and few of those feelings are positive. It’s stunning in a lot of ways how low of an opinion some in the game have of Winston as a player. From the way people speak about him, you’d think he peacefully protested during the anthem or something.
In truth, the biggest complaint is that he’s not an accurate passer and never will be.
In the NFC South, would it really shock anyone if the Bucs only won six games? This defense is banking on a lot from untested rookies and young players who haven’t accomplished squat in the NFL.
Then you throw in no run game and no pass rush and that could add up to a trainwreck of a season.
July 1st, 2019 at 12:16 am
It would only be wise at this point for the Bucs top brass to follow the college QBs closely this season and learn all they can…
They have to get it right at qb sooner or later!
July 1st, 2019 at 12:39 am
Tye…maybe never.
Go Jameis!
Go Bucs!
July 1st, 2019 at 12:50 am
If Mike Freeman ever actually watched Jameis play a game he’d probably wouldn’t have failed to mention that he has consistently improved every year from 57% as a rookie to 64.6 (which was right at Joe Montana and Brett Favre career avg) this last season. 70% being Drew Brees, Steve Young, P Manning the very top level. Considering Trent Dilfer was career 55%, Shaun King 57%, Brad Johnson 61%, and Josh Freeman 57%, I’d say ole’ Jameis is doing just fine in the accuracy department.
July 1st, 2019 at 1:48 am
Would someone google Mike Freeman’s 10-Point Stance Mock Draft? Then someone tell me why I should listen to this guy? lol.
July 1st, 2019 at 3:35 am
Ray,
Completion % and accuracy.
You understand that those are 2 different words, right?
Well, why do you suppose that is?
Is it because of a flaw in the language or is because it’s 2 entirely seperate things…
….
July 1st, 2019 at 4:20 am
Offense hasn’t been our issue..
July 1st, 2019 at 4:50 am
“And they seem to loathe America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.”
Most of America and likely half the Buccaneer fans too. Does Jameis have any endorsements even in Tampa? No one want’s America’s Choir Boy as the face of anything. Is he on the side of Ray Jay again?
“In truth, the biggest complaint is that he’s not an accurate passer and never will be.”
Ding-Ding-Ding But BA and his Golf cart is here to participate in working it all out.
July 1st, 2019 at 4:56 am
“It’s stunning in a lot of ways how low of an opinion some in the game have of Winston as a player.”
Likely as a person too!
He has a lot of foolish things to make up for, far more than your average 25 year old.
July 1st, 2019 at 5:01 am
But thanks to BA and his Golf cart Winston has another chance. BA or Bust for Jameis “meaningless stats” Winston.
Bring on the season!
July 1st, 2019 at 5:18 am
The opinion tide will change when we open 6-0.
I continue to LOVE the fact Winston and the Bucs continue to get no respect in the league. Arians and Bowles know what they’re doing. Those counting us out already should save their pennies to invest in glass belly buttons so they can actually watch the Bucs win the division.
July 1st, 2019 at 5:26 am
Sad but great read Joe. I like the “hope” vs “reality” format, because it’s so frank. It is troubling here though that the the “hope” sucks and the “reality” is even worse. And I think it’s accurate.
I still think they can’t (but should) call this a rebuilding year though…since they really can’t afford to really rebuild right now. Maybe another paragraph could easily be “hope” that THIS is the building year, but “reality” this is a “bridge to rebuilding” where it will be multi-year project in full swing next year. Of course, assuming WR, TE, LB, K, and DB are “reapaired” they still have to address O line, (maybe) RB, D line, and more than likely in my view, QB.
If Winston has a lights out year but there is still reluctance to sign him (and I don’t think he can overcome all of his issues/perceptions in one year), best case I see for him is consideration of a franchise tag. But that would be a hefty cap hit, and may create another contentious obstacle between Winston and the organization (a la Kirk Cousins). So I think it more likely than not they’ll be drafting a QB in ’20 and use the $20M or so for other positions to try again to get this thing on track.
While it’s too early really to look at the schedule and start circling games, I think six wins is optimistic. I’m in the 4 win expectation, and I haven’t had a forcecast that low since Raheem’s third year.
Was it BA that said he wasn’t here for a rebuilding project? Well, he may not get a choice (if he opts to stay next year). I know the Bucs are very senstitive on the “R” word but if this is anything less than a season where things are “pointing up” (may not need a winning record) they’d get on with it. Though some say BA is tied at the hip to the GM, I strongly disagree with that. I see it as being quite possible they win a small handful of games, BA hangs around if h wants, and Licht gets replaced.
July 1st, 2019 at 5:28 am
Pete I, you’re stronger than my espresso roast this morning! Good posts.
July 1st, 2019 at 5:49 am
Can BA and his friends fix Jameis, the run game, the pass rush, the soft defense, the kicking situation and the o line in one off season? Especially with Arians delegating more than he is actually coaching?
Fans and analysts around the country look at the Bucs as a train wreck. Let’s be real this year is not gonna be pretty
July 1st, 2019 at 5:52 am
The ave 25 year old can’t hold The Famous One’s jock strap nor does he have the money JW3 already has earned…not to mention the position he is in to “get paid” next season…this guy has improved each year in this league…and I expect a giant leap this season! Go Bucs Go Shuy!!
July 1st, 2019 at 5:55 am
The key here will be LESS Jameis. That’s right, less. I have droned on and on about passing attempts over 35. It is not good.
Less Jameis means more effective running. Less Jameis means sustained drives. Less Jameis means fewer opportunities for mistakes.
“What does that mean for the defense?” you ask.
Less mistakes, sustained drives by the offense mean that the defense is on the sidelines.
Complementary football=more wins! It’s so simple that it borders on criminal how previous coaches have ignored this tried and true philosophy.
July 1st, 2019 at 6:03 am
How in the world could the Scouts not like Jameis…..after all he is a Pro Bowler & America’s QB? What fools.
Actually, we can win with Jameis essentially unchanged……just improve the running game, defense and ST…..
July 1st, 2019 at 6:22 am
Once again, Raysaneer….comparing America’s Groper to Farve, Montana, Brees, and Manning is simply ridiculous. Fans purposely blinding themselves. ONLY a Winston/Nole fan would even attempt those comparisons.
July 1st, 2019 at 6:26 am
Bucs could have easily gone 4-2 vs NFC South last year
2nd Saints game was a 2nd half coaching meltdown by Koetter and crew
2nd Falcons game was a 2nd half Arena League defensive display by Bucs.
All of the National negative take on Bucs is based on National negative take on Jameis’ past. …. That’s why the QB whisperer is here.
If Jameis starts winning, that perception will change.
July 1st, 2019 at 6:29 am
@Joe … “This defense is banking on a lot from untested rookies and young players who haven’t accomplished squat in the NFL. Then you throw in no run game and no pass rush and that could add up to a trainwreck of a season”. And this explains even more.
It seems obvious to me Joe that you don’t share (some) JBFers views on the POTENTIAL of this team. Yours appears to be a very dark view of what that POTENTIAL might be. Yes several potential starters are rookies, and are thus ‘young’ & ‘untested’ but that doesn’t mean they won’t excel, or at least be better than what we fielded last year. And RIGHT NOW none of us have any idea how effective Todd Bowles’ 3-4 hybrid defense will be in pressuring QBs. Nor do we have any idea how effective the Bucs’ run game will be … more ‘pieces’ will very likely be added before season start IMO. Could we at least wait until we see these guys perform in preseason with pads on?
@Joe … not uncommon during these steamy days for Joe to bring his laptop to a beach bar, bang away on the keyboard while enjoying the (ahem) summer scenery over a cold, frosty mass-produced domestic lager.” This explains SOOO MUCH. Stop drinking that mass-produced swill while you type Joe. Go back to craft beers.
July 1st, 2019 at 6:36 am
I’m taking the over
Arians is perfect fit for Jameis. Takes his game to next level.
Only wish arians was calling plays.
8-8 or 9-7
July 1st, 2019 at 7:34 am
With all due respect, TBBF
Why put so much effort into improving the defense,ST and the running game and not address the QB ‘s game.
Change is good and absolutely necessary, when you have a QB who has 9 TD’s and 9 INT’s in the second half of his games in 2018. He has to stop being
one of the reasons the defense is on the field so much.
. His play against better teams and especially ones with good defense has to improve.
July 1st, 2019 at 8:08 am
There are three, of the 32 teams, top brass and scouting teams that LOVE JW….. Saints, Panthers, & Falcons. Great likelihood of a win on head to head games and an even better chance that the human turnover machine will single handily cause 5-7 other losses.
July 1st, 2019 at 9:11 am
10-6 and we get into the playoffs….
GO BUCS!!!!
July 1st, 2019 at 10:49 am
DK was made head coach for JW and BA was brought in to “fix” JW.
JW will need to have an above average season to keep his job here. That is the simple fact, the Glazer’s will not green light a turnover machine/average QB to get paid big money.
The league as a whole is trending to young in-expensive QBs and spreading the rest of your money around. If a QB wants to stick/get paid the need to over perform and possibly take somewhat of a hometown discount.
Love him or hate him JW needs a pro-bowl caliber year if he wants to come back. Otherwise rumor is the front office like From.
July 1st, 2019 at 10:50 am
Darn spelling, but the point is the same.
July 1st, 2019 at 11:57 am
Even if they do go 6-10, for Jameis to get a second contract, they can’t lose because of him. A weak defense, a bad kicking game, or substantial injuries shouldn’t go against Jameis. Only Jameis can hurt Jameis.
July 1st, 2019 at 5:57 pm
I hope BA is successful. And he takes a president type role when its time. Because Licht and the owners have no idea how to build a winning franchise.
July 1st, 2019 at 6:53 pm
TO MORGUS:
Comparing pass completion % to Montana and Favre is hardly comparing the whole body of work nor in anyway insulating that Winston was as good as them. But you already knew that. Keep up Einstein, the article at the end insinuated that Winston had terrible accuracy and that’s just not true as I clearly showed that his QB completion % is more than on par with quite a sample of other QBs. Go Bucs!
July 1st, 2019 at 7:22 pm
I could swear that Joe was all over getting rid of our former coach, and now you predict the same record? I like Dirk, and expect Atlanta to win our division.