It’s In The Eyes

January 30th, 2016
"The Playmaker" talks America's Quarterback.

“The Playmaker” talks America’s Quarterback.

So earlier this week, Michael Irvin and Jerry Rice picked their respective Pro Bowl rosters as team captains and general managers. Before the draft, when all Pro Bowlers were gathered together, one player stuck out for “The Playmaker,” Irvin.

That would be America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.

Irvin, speaking to multimedia maven Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com, offered most of the players seemed to take the scene casually except for one player: Jameis, who Irvin said appeared locked in on the process.

“You have to play with heart,” Irvin said. “No matter where you are playing, you have to play with heart. And as I was looking around the room talking, looking at eyes of the guys who received the message of what I was saying.”

Irvin said he turned to a colleague and was asked if he saw the eyes. Irvin was told, “I saw Jameis’ eyes. We have to get him.” Irvin replied. “I’m glad you saw that too. That’s exactly what I saw, I saw it in his eyes. OK, that kid there, I’m going to get him.”

Irvin then shared a story about Jameis. Late night on the NFL Network set, Irvin’s fellow analyst Steve Mariucci will often text Jameis to see how he is doing. More often than not, sometimes past midnight locally, Irvin said Mariucci will get a text back from Jameis asking if he could text later because he is fully involved in game film study.

Irvin said Jameis is building the foundation of becoming a great player the right way, by grinding at his craft.

“Tampa’s got a good one,” Irvin said.

Irvin also shares a quick thought of Bucs linebacker Lavonte David, so be sure to click that link.

18 Responses to “It’s In The Eyes”

  1. OneBuc55 Says:

    You can’t coach heart/passion/desire..Jameis has it; his will forward win is of the charts…Irvin is right, we do have a good one here in Tampa…

  2. OneBuc55 Says:

    “Will to win”…

  3. R.O. Says:

    Hate Michael Irvin. One of the most annoying people to watch on the NFL Network. I usually avoid any coverage him and Ray Lewis are involved in. One of the most overrated players ever to play the game.

  4. tdtb2015 Says:

    I remember Winston being interview last year, I think it was before getting to
    Tampa, he kept mentioning wanting to win a Super Bowl. I believe Winston’s inner focus is getting a Super Bowl Win. That fire won’t change until he gets it.
    Once that is done he is going to want more SBs.

    We are so fortunate to see him grow as a Buc. Everything is right on track for us. When is coming I don’t know. But my gut feeling says Neo I mean Winston is THE ONE to get us there at the QB position. He has the HEART and he has his mind focus on the right direction.

    Go Bucs!!!!

  5. Notonline4 Says:

    R.O.
    This was an article about Tampa’s QB and his desire to win.
    Because Michael Irvin’s name is there was not an invite to post your feelings on retired player who never played in Tampa.
    Please keep comments on the subject at hand or start your own blog “R.O.’s opinions on old washed up players that nave no relevance.”

  6. Espo Says:

    R.O.

    I can’t stand him either. Not as an analyst anyways. I think he’s just there because he has a big mouth. I hope I’m not on the other guy’s list now for commenting on something only somewhat related to the article.

  7. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    @Notonline4

    Where do you get off telling people what to comment about? RO’s comments were related to the article, regardless of how you feel about what he said. I wasn’t aware that you made the rules here.

    (moving on)

    Irvin said
    “Mariucci will get a text back from Jameis asking if he could text later because he is fully involved in game film study.”

    That is the most impressive bit of information from this article. Most people would say “Can you text me earlier in the evening? Trying to rest here!”

    But Jameis wants it later so his studies are not interrupted.

    I love that.

  8. Stanglassman Says:

    I saw Donovan Smith at the grocery store Thurs night and without thinking I looked up to him and said ‘What are you doing in town” and he smiled at me and said “Workin” . It’s was nice to see him here in the off season working on his craft to get better. So much for the ‘lazy’ label pinned on him pre-draft.

  9. BUC55 Says:

    R.O. – I agree completely!! Michael Irvin and Ray Lewis….I hit mute when they come on.

  10. LargoSamIM Says:

    Joe….is it true that you are pregnant with Jameis kid ?????

  11. DB55 Says:

    Real recognize real and iron sharpens iron.

    Rejoice! for the kingdom of Jameis is here!

    The First Meal
    https://instagram.com/p/BBIz-yjPCr1/

  12. DB55 Says:

    Largo

    We are all jameis’s children. Lol

  13. Chris Says:

    Michael Irvin overrated? Just because he’s not a like able guy doesn’t take away his talent.

  14. OneBuC55 Says:

    I respect everyone’s opinion here but calling Ray Lewis overrated is just ridiculous…

    I agree with Irvin being overrated as a player (he may not even be in the top 20 WR’s ever to play the game) but Ray Lewis is Imho one of the top 20 players EVER to lace’em up…I’m a 40 yr old football junkie; I’ve watch thousands of games from High school to the NFL and If I had to select an all-time fantasy defensive team Ray Lewis would be somewhere in my top 5 picks…Lawrence Taylor, Deion Sanders, Derrick Thomas, Reggie White, and Ray Lewis are probably the most dominant defensive players I ever saw play…so those 5 guys would be my top 5 defensive players selected…

  15. Buc1987 Says:

    Good stuff Joe, but the prophet has spoken anyways. lol

  16. SCBucsFan Says:

    @Largo

    If Jameis turns this into a winning franchise, I would gladly bear his children.

  17. BigHogHaynes Says:

    R.O. & Buc55: I respect your right to have your opinion, but also recognize that you guys are not color blind or do you have some kind of hidden evidence to prove they were not High Quality, Pro Bowl, Championship Players!

  18. Buc1987 Says:

    Largo…pleeeease let the hatred continue. Don’t let up not one bit.

    No sarcasm at all. Jameis NEEDS your hatred.