Mark Dominik: Absolutely Bucs Will Franchise Jameis Winston
December 14th, 2019
“Mark, what else am I going to do?”
Former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik put his foot down on national radio yesterday.
Decision Jameis isn’t much of a decision, Dominik said while co-hosting on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“Absolutely I think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will franchise Jameis Winston and play out another season to see. Because you see the upside but you understand the interception thing just is real. It’s not gotten away from him,” said Dominik, who spent two decades working for Team Glazer.
Dominik went on to note Jameis never has had a season in which is his touchdowns doubled his interceptions.
“Never to be 2-to-1 shows you a lack of critical decision making when it’s really important, even though you can make all the plays to bring your team back to win a game, you can also lose the game for them,” he said.
That’s always been a hot button for Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian, as well as Dominik, who watched Josh Freeman (2010) and Mike Glennon (2013) accomplish that with the Bucs.
Bottom line: Joe knows Dominik is on good terms with many power players at One Buc Palace. He knows the driving forces and pervasive attitudes inside the building. This isn’t some wild take from a completely disconnected former GM.
Barring an epic meltdown in the final three games or an off-field incident, Joe would be stunned if the Bucs don’t franchise Jameis. It’s a strong fit. Still, Joe hopes the Bucs seriously consider drafting a quarterback.
With all the quarterback-coaching talent in place, it feels foolish to not have a young QB on the roster.
December 14th, 2019 at 4:36 pm
I believe the Bucs will franchise Shaq Barrett. Sign Jameis to a 1 or 2 year deal.
December 14th, 2019 at 4:36 pm
I would prefer a 2 or 3 year team friendly contract….but if franchise is the choice, I’m good with it.
December 14th, 2019 at 4:37 pm
Jameis is a young QB using a draft pick is simply foolish as we are trying to win a championship so spending a early draft pick on a player you fully expect to be a backup is simply wasteful. This has nothing to do with Jameis at all, simply put if you are sticking with him you don’t waste a draft pick on a player you hope never steps on the field while the teams behind us will benefit from a new olinemen, safety, pass rusher or running back.
December 14th, 2019 at 4:39 pm
Agree on all counts, except I’d rather see two years at 12 to 15 million than a franchise tag 27-30 million “let’s have another look ’cause 5 years ain’t enough”. Also agree on drafting a young QB with potential. (He can always be traded for draft pics if Jameis proves out.) What the market might offer Jameis is a big question, but I’m assuming the Bucs can up their offer, if necessary. Plus we may need the franchise tag for someone who’s getting a lot of sacks.
December 14th, 2019 at 4:43 pm
Ndog…Jameis may be the QB of the future. But if a guy we want is there in the second or third round, and we don’t draft him, this organization richly deserves all the failure it has seen the last decade, and likely would the next.
If the guy is there, you take him. You can’t roll the dice on Jameis, and then hope to draft a QB the next draft should Jameis fail to continue to improve. That would be plain crazy. You make sure you have options at the most important position on your team.
December 14th, 2019 at 4:43 pm
Drafting a QB in the 3rd or 4th Round, I’d be okay with. Time to build up the trenches. Remember, our schedule will be a lot tougher in 2020 with a second place finish in our division.
December 14th, 2019 at 4:46 pm
playing devils advocate, do you really want to draft a young qb,sit him down to learn, and have JW teach exactly …. what ?
December 14th, 2019 at 4:52 pm
One Trick…if you draft one, that is because you are not sure you want to sign Jameis to a long term contract. And I think that is where we are. The next year the guy is traded if Jameis becomes a 2-1 to 3-1 QB, or Jameis goes, if he fails to grow. And if he is here and Jameis is allowed to walk, you don’t have to worry about what Jameis will teach him…any young kid replacing a sixth year vet that could keep his job isn’t going to look to that QB as his role model.
December 14th, 2019 at 4:54 pm
Only franchising him makes sense.
Frustrating, yes, but way too talented to cut
but
Not proven enough for a long-term dealio
December 14th, 2019 at 4:58 pm
Why would Jameis sign a one or two year deal? If that is his offer he will say I’ll hit FA or you can tag me. Most likely the team will tag him unless they’ve already decided they want him long term.
If Jameis hits FA, oh god, he will be making 30M a year. SOMEONE will go all in on him, it only takes one. If Mike freaking Glennon commanded 18M/yr a few years ago, with little to no resume/evidence of success, then Jameis will be the most coveted FA QB in a looooong time.
It’s like Donovan Smith, he might not be the best, but there aren’t enough as good as him so any team would jump at the chance to get him.
December 14th, 2019 at 5:03 pm
Why wouldn’t Jameis sign a 1 or 2 year deal? If he wants a job in Tampa?
December 14th, 2019 at 5:03 pm
Also, I agree about drafting one in the 3rd round range. You just never freaking know… Seahawks weren’t expecting Wilson to win the job his first year, shoot they just signed Matt Flynn to take the job.
Worst case we waste (another) 3rd round pick.
Best case we draft a gem, have a cheap rookie QB, and get a first for Jameis.
Or somewhere in the middle where we get a developmental QB to bring up in this system and be ready in case he’s needed in a year or two.
December 14th, 2019 at 5:05 pm
Personally, I’d like to see him walk but I know that isn’t going to happen. A franchise tag at roughly $30 million seems excessive, a 4 year deal with only the first 2 guaranteed is more than likely what’s going to happen. I agree with most of you that I hope the base salary is team friendly and has performance escalators (TD:INT ratio, completion %, etc etc). That being said rounds 4-7 I hope we draft a QB to serve as competition to RG4 and learn from BA, Byron, Tom Moore, and Clyde Christensen. Like most of you I see around the league that QBs drafted in the later rounds coming from non-marquee schools are succeeding every Sunday and some insurance for the future would be nice.
December 14th, 2019 at 5:14 pm
I have more faith in Arians drafting a QB in the 3rd Round than I would in past Bucs regimes. I think most NFL teams realized Glennon was like a statue in the pocket, yet we take him in the 3rd Round. The Bears giving him the big contract still baffles me.
December 14th, 2019 at 5:26 pm
Tears For Fears-lovin’ Bucs ex-GM Mark Dominik is trying to sow the seeds of love for his old team, and like Licht, is clearly head over heels for JW. If JW is franchised and can put together a mistake-free season, he will rule the world.
December 14th, 2019 at 5:31 pm
If they franchise him, they SHOULD draft a QB in the 4th-7th rounds, just in case Jameis signs elsewhere in 2021, they’d at least have a young QB with a year under his belt … then again, who wants a 4th-7th rounder taking over as the starter?
The better plan would be to sign JW to a 2-3 year deal and bring back Griffin, so if JW gets hurt, you actually have a guy who knows the system, rather than a rookie QB.
December 14th, 2019 at 5:40 pm
Jesus Jim……Those numbers you brainstormed are completely irrational.
Let me know the last time a team resigned a starting QB for 12M?. My guess is sometime in the 80’s maybe early 90’s.
December 14th, 2019 at 5:40 pm
The tag will need to be used to negotiate with Barrett. I think that the Bucs will offer Winston a deal similar to what Jacksonville gave Foles. Winston doesn’t have any leverage with Dalton, Bridgewater, and possibly Rivers and Manning hitting the market. There is no clear path to start for Winston in any other market. I’d like to see him resigned and he probably will be, but Jim, no starting QB is signing for 12-15 mil. With a cap of 200 million those days are over.
December 14th, 2019 at 5:43 pm
I think most signs suggest that the Buc’s will try to get something done with Jameis.
Just funny though how inaccurate Dominik has been in the past on prognostications. He tends to over value guys who have played in the league, Revis, Dez Bryant, Adrian Peterson. Maybe he has an inside track on knowledge – or maybe no clue.
He still talks about how good he was as a Buc’s GM saying that his success stories are McCoy, Doug Martin and LaVonte David. Those guys are fine but none ascended to the top of their position at any point.
So there is plenty to suggest he has no clue.
December 14th, 2019 at 5:49 pm
N puppy talking about trying to win a championship… meanwhile they’re trying to just get to .500 in December.
December 14th, 2019 at 5:58 pm
Franchise Shaq and work toward a long-term deal. sign Jameis to a LONG-TERM deal. Don’t d!ck around with it and lose either guy.
December 14th, 2019 at 6:05 pm
If you franchise him for one year then what? What happens the next year when you either franchise him again at a higher price or let him walk? Many teams would then come calling. Then you are screwed.
The only solution is a 3 year + contract and a team friendly deal. We know the guy can make all the throws and wants to win. You are betting he can get the turnovers down with better decisions.
The Bucs should be either all in or out. If you walk this franchise tag path you may end up like the Redskins/Kurt Cousins situation. Now they have Haskins.
Give the guy some security for a team friendly deal. Win win.
December 14th, 2019 at 6:13 pm
First…I love the positive psychology within this thread about JW. However…paying JW will come at a TREMENDOUS cost to the D. For whatever that turns out to be, say adios to: Suh, Allen, JPP, et.al; those dudes make Shaq the maniac he is. We need to fill those spots AND draft accordingly on the O-Side of the ball (no disrespect to DD 69). But WT(H) do I know…?
December 14th, 2019 at 6:15 pm
he is a turnover machine dammed if you do and dammed if you dont……..
December 14th, 2019 at 6:29 pm
He’s in the “trust tree”’,””media” (within the “safety of the nest” at this point…Mistakes can be Liquid Papered at this point…regardless of who you “”know”. Media Schmedia…
December 14th, 2019 at 6:33 pm
@Jim:
Winston is already making $21 million and may lead the league in passing yards.
Do you really think $12-15 mil is a possibility?
The franchise # for a QB in 2019 is $24.9 million.
December 14th, 2019 at 7:41 pm
Ways to decrease Winston’s turnovers:
A) Draft an O-Lineman to take Dot’s spot
B) Coach Winston to not hold on to the ball so long (decreases fumbles)
C) Coach Winston to throw the ball away when nothing is there
D) Game plan easier, safer passes for Winston
If we do any/all of these, Winston will still probably throw 20 to 24 interceptions in a season, but I’d be fine with that if we are winning games.
December 14th, 2019 at 7:43 pm
Mort and the Snowman live in the real world…
December 14th, 2019 at 7:58 pm
BA’s offense is the 4 Vertical which is play action based long ball offense. BA coaches Winston to read the safety and look for long shot 1st and then look for shorter options. So without a stronger running game play action is not effective giving the QB less time.
December 14th, 2019 at 8:03 pm
Please some one explain sign him to a two to three year contract. That is just plain stupid. If he balls out we are paying a high price to retain him. Sign him to a long term contract with only 2 years guaranteed. That way if it doesn’t pan out you can cut him, if he turns the corner than you have him at a bargain,
December 14th, 2019 at 8:12 pm
To Jason Licht:
Look at what the Titans and Derrick Henry have done for RYAN FREEKIN TANEHILL!!!! Somehow he is 6-1 since being named a starter, including beating the Bucs. A running game will make the playaction click and that’s exactly what BAs offense is geared to do!! Build the Oline and establish a RUNNING GAME!!! The QB, WR, and TE position is secure for 7-8 more years! If you CANT build the Oline and RB position in that time and establish a feared, balanced, offense in the next 2 years, you need to demote yourself, plain and simple!!
December 14th, 2019 at 8:36 pm
Do a deal similar to Nick Foles in Jax.
4 years $88 million with 2 years guaranteed.
Draft Tua or Hebert from Oregon if available when they pick, don’t reach.
If they’re not there, grab an OT from Alabama.
December 14th, 2019 at 9:21 pm
“Like Kobe has said numerous times
This is out of JW3 hands
Jay Segal and the NFLP will not be happy with a 1 year franchise tag
They want Mahomes. Jackson and Watson to hit the $40mill mark and they won’t accept JWs contract to stall that organic elevation”
Kobe Faker
December 14th, 2019 at 10:06 pm
I’m seeing a lot of give him a one or two year deal at 12-15 per. Why would his agent allow him to sign at 12-15 per? That would be negligent. He would rather test the market. I’m sure if we don’t tag him he would find a better deal! Teams that need a QB will pay. He is a turnover machine, yes. He’s also in his mid 20s with experience and an arm. He won’t take a crazy discount to stay here. If your in his shoes would you play for 12-15 as a starting Qb when you see guys around the league getting 20 plus? Bucs must tag him or give him a long term deal if they want him to stay. If he signs a 2-3 million dollar deal it would have to be fully guaranteed and probably in the ballpark of 60 million plus. That market says starters aren’t getting paid 12-15 with 5 years of starting experience. Won’t happen.
December 14th, 2019 at 10:55 pm
I’d franchise Shaq and see if this season was real or some weird dream sequence.
Jameis, regretfully, will sign a four year deal with two years guaranteed for 50 mil.
Use the draft to reinforce the O-line, if Delpit isn’t available.
Round three or four, draft a QB. There are some 24 of them in this draft and there will be some around that are pissed that they fell so far, like Brady.
December 14th, 2019 at 10:57 pm
Hilarious. Worst GM in franchise history. Definitely listen to him.
December 14th, 2019 at 11:29 pm
Good article and drafting a QB is a sound plan. I would wait until after the first round though since qb is deep in 2020.
December 15th, 2019 at 12:11 am
Bills
Jags
Browns
Colts
Bengals
5 teams that would pay JW 30 Mil/yr RIGHT NOW
Anyone trying to convince themselves of anything is smoking crack.
Glennon got 18M
Cousins got 28M
Winston is getting < 30M
DEAL WITH IT!!!!
December 15th, 2019 at 1:27 am
The Bills are already giving up on Josh Allen? The Browns on Baker Mayfield? I think the main thing is Jameis wants to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I think we’ll be able to resign him, how much money he gets, I have no idea.
As far as drafting Tua, if his medicals check out, I think he still goes top 10. If he falls any lower than that, I imagine the Patriots would trade up for him. I also think Herbert goes top 10 also, unless teams picture him as being the next Blaine Gabbert (which I’ve heard, but who really knows until he actually plays in the NFL).
A way too early look at how I’d want the 2020 Draft to look for us:
1st: OT (someone to replace Dot, and take over at LT with some seasoning)
2nd: Rush LB (someone to take over for JPP in a few years)
3rd: DT/DE (someone to replace Suh, either next year or 2021)
4th: QB (someone to fight it out with Ryan Griffin for the backup job)
December 15th, 2019 at 1:57 am
@BucAllNight,
Take the Bills off your list but add the Broncos and Chargers … and possibly the Bears and Raiders.
But yeah, you’re right … if JW hits free agency, there will be a ton of teams going crazy to sign him.
No way the Bucs are stupid enough to let him hit free agency.
December 15th, 2019 at 6:21 am
I am with Joe In Michigan on this one.
I believe the Bucs will franchise Shaq Barrett, and sign Jameis to a 1 or 2 year deal.
December 15th, 2019 at 7:30 am
The pats aren’t drafting Tua. They ALWAYS try to get a team to jump ahead and make a mistake. Tua is a late 2nd early 3rd rd talent at qb….AT BEST!!!
December 15th, 2019 at 7:37 am
Haven’t drafted a QB with talent since Jameis five years ago. Look what the Ravens did. Had Flacco a franchise QB, drafted Jackson late in the first round, and the rest is history. Whatever contract you sign Winston to, we’d be remiss not drafting some talent at the position. Jameis has been durable, but you see with his thumb that can change in an instant, then what do you have? I’d rather see Jalen Hurts come off the bench then Gabbert, or Griffen. Get a QB in rounds one, or two if the guy you like is there. You still have plenty of draft to find a RT, DE, whatever, and FA. Cover your ass at the most important position.
December 15th, 2019 at 7:47 am
Works out to about a million per turnover next year
December 15th, 2019 at 10:42 am
Keep Jameis without paying him a long term deal, lets see if he does a salary cap friendly contract that the Bucs aren’t stuck with a lemon if he melts early in the season as he’s done over his career. It is fantastic that the team is now winning. Winston deserves the credit for some of the wins just as much as he deserves credit for many of the losses.
Under no circumstances if you can get a good prospect in the draft do you pass because you have Jameis. He needs competition and the Bucs need to develop a quarterback to take over if Winston can shake the turnover situation.
You cannot beat playoff teams with a minus turnover differential because they will score touchdowns on short fields.
The biggest improvement I’ve seen over the past few games is that the Bucs are not kicking as many field goals and when they get in the red zone they are scoring touchdowns.
Bring back Winston but draft a quarterback of the future that can get them into the playoffs. In year 6 if they start out 2-6, make the switch to the new QB.
December 15th, 2019 at 12:58 pm
As long as they sign Barrett, JPP & Nassib I don’t care what they do with JW.