Running Jameis

July 25th, 2016
Please be careful.

Please be careful.

No one will ever mistake America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, for another Fran Tarkenton.

But will Jameis try to be, say, his boyhood hero Randall Cunningham?

That’s the hint from Jenna Laine. In a recent BSPN radio spot with Dari Nowkhah and Booger McFarland, the Bucs correspondent for the four-letter suggested Jameis might be running the ball more this year out of design, and not so much because he is being chased out of the pocket.

“Jameis really is more of a that drop back passer, but you will see him move around more,” Laine said. “He has worked on his footwork but he is also starting to make plays outside the pocket.

“One of the things that stood out for me in minicamp was on one particular play, he realized he had nobody open — this was in red zone — he just raced to the end zone completely untouched and you are like, ‘Hey, that guy is pretty fast.’

“You don’t really think [of Jameis as fast] but I think he is going to show off more of that athleticism.”

Joe hopes this isn’t true. Seriously. Andrew Luck liked to do the same thing, and last year he had the holy hell beat out of him. Luck was so banged up there is doubt he can recover fully to be the elite quarterback he was.

The last thing Jameis and the Bucs need is for some headhunting linebacker to knock Jameis out — for the season.

Jameis took enough hits last year, in the triple digits. Tough SOB that he is, he didn’t miss a snap. One cannot reasonably expect that to continue.

It is one thing to see an open lane to the end zone. It’s quite another to charge upfield on designed rollouts.

20 Responses to “Running Jameis”

  1. The Buc Realist Says:

    Maybe after seeing all the numbers of being the most hit QB, That would be a good Idea to roll out/bootleg from time to time!!! As long as the Tackle and/or TE can seal the edge rush so no free shots in the open field!!!!!! It also might give our slow and often injured WR more time for their routes!!!!

  2. Buc1987 Says:

    Just don’t tinker too much with the toy.

    As far as JW goes that’s all I’m worried about.

  3. Aaron Says:

    Let him run – he just needs to be smart and get down (protect himself)

    It’s usually not the big hits – its the “grazing knee to the head” or getting your foot or knee caught in the grass that cause the most damage.

  4. tmaxcon Says:

    Cant coach or play scared. If it is there take it. Just dont take any stupid chances. Bucs must be aggressive and smart

  5. BucFan20 Says:

    To run it in is one thing. To play superman and fly in. somersault and the rest of the showboat stuff QB’s like to do when a defender is nowhere around is foolish. Just make sure he does not get hurt doing that kind of stupid thing.

  6. Bucsfanman Says:

    @1987- Amen brother! IMO that’s what they did with J-Fro and he was never the same. That 10-6 season he was running around and seemed to have more confidence. They tried to turn him into a pocket-passer and ruined him.
    I don’t have a problem with moving him around a bit on designed roll-outs, just keep him safe. He’s already shown that he’ll scramble when needed.

  7. Buccfan37 Says:

    Let’s get this Jameis and crew show on the road all ready.

  8. Bob in Valrico Says:

    you can get hurt standing in the pocket or running.But if you take the improvational skills from Jameis he wouldn’t be Jameis.That said Joe has a point, Aaron Rogers has also been slowed by injuries in the playoffs the last couple
    of years.

  9. grafikdetail Says:

    Cunningham > Tarkenton

  10. Buccfan37 Says:

    I liked Andrew Luck before he went to Indy, now not so much. Some teams just seem so obscure.

  11. Fsuking Says:

    Gotta let the kid play the game. Joe don’t know what’s best for Jameis. Jameis knows what’s best for Jameis

  12. Pickgrin Says:

    Jameis will do what he feels he needs to do to win and I am fine with that – as long as the coaches are constantly reminding him to be smart and protect himself whenever possible.

    Winston is a much more effective runner than most people give him credit for.

    But the only “designed” QB runs I want to see called are 3rd/4th and 1 – and perhaps inside the 10 yard line in the red zone.

  13. NoleZak Says:

    Joe my man, If we learned one thing from year one (and his two great years at FSU), Jaboo is the present day Houdini QB. I don’t know how he does it, but the kid is a savant at recognizing pressure and being able to shake off the tackles. Honestly, give him the ball and let him work his magic. We won’t be disappointed.

  14. feelthepewterpower Says:

    Josh Freeman wasn’t allowed to run by dictator Schiano and we all saw how well that worked out…..

  15. feelthepewterpower Says:

    I remember Elway running for a td at the age of 40 in the super bowl 😉

  16. America's Commenter Says:

    The safest place for Winston to work from should be the pocket, if the offensive line can hold up.

  17. Brent bull/buc Says:

    This is a bad move imo. I wouldn’t have designed running plays. He should be protected. He’s the franchise. Wish we had owners with a spine. If I was glazers I’d tell dk to forget about that if he wants his job..

  18. martinii Says:

    There is no prettier play in football than a QB inside the opponents 3 yd line, running a play action, putting the ball on his hip and walking into the end zone. I remember Kenny Anderson from the Bengals was an expert at that play. It’s beyond me why you don’t see it more and based on what i saw last year Jameis is elusive enough. Don’t get him killed, but give him the option.

  19. Sammy spires Says:

    As far as j.Winston goes my boy raw let the man play his game.
    That’s the problem.he’s a true winner let him win!!!!!

  20. Bob in Valrico Says:

    Joe has a good point about too much running. Can’t think of a single running QB that has not had injuries because of it. Conversely Brady and Roethleburger
    have both sustained multiple injuries standing in the pocket. Jameis’s ad libbing
    has given the team TD’s with his arm and legs. I am sure a lot of coaches wish they could solve this dilemma.