“The Winston Camp Is Prepared For The NFL To Levy A Suspension”

June 20th, 2018

In April, Joe wrote in great detail to expect Jameis Winston to be suspended by the NFL, but that unfortunate reality has become much clearer in the past few weeks, culminating in a fresh report today.

This afternoon, veteran ESPN Tallahassee (97.9 FM) host Jeff Cameron, a who covered Jameis extensively at FSU and maintains a strong relationship with Jameis’ camp), said on his show that the NFL will suspend Jameis.

“What he’ll be suspended over is a failure to report,” Cameron said of Jameis today on the air. “And that’s frustrating. That’s a league obviously attempting, and understandably because they’ve made previous mis-steps, transgressions, they’re now apt to protect themselves to the nth degree and protect the shield and so on and so forth.

“… The league can’t worry about what’s real and what isn’t. They have to go by perception and PR and protect themselves.

“This is what I do know: the Winston camp is prepared for the NFL to levy a suspension of some kind,” Cameron continued. “The thought from the Winston camp is that would be a maximum of three games. I do not know at this time whether or not they plan to appeal, and I do not know that three games is an accurate number. I’ve been told that would seem to be the maximum number of games that the suspension could be. It’s also likely that it’s less than that and it’s one game.”

Via Joe’s link above in the opening paragraph, you can read about the NFL conduct policy and how it can apply to Jameis for a suspension, per Roger Goodell’s discretion.

NFL rules require a timely reporting of any player behavior or accusation that, if true, would violate the conduct policy. And the case regarding the alleged Jameis groping of a female Uber driver back in March 2016 would qualify. Jameis was accused publicly in November 2017, via a BuzzFeed report that revealed Jameis was aware of an accusation, and then the NFL launched its investigation hours later. Bucs officials have said they had no knowledge of the accusation prior to November of last year, including Dirk Koetter.

The following is Joe’s exchange with Koetter on Nov. 22.

JoeBucsFan.com: Coach, there’ll be a lot fans and just people across the Bay area tomorrow, Thanksgiving, talking about the Jameis Winston investigation. Is there anything that you’d want them to know or consider while they talk about it?

Dirk Koetter: No. Because I can’t talk about it. That is in the hands of the NFL right now. And we’re cooperating with that investigation to whatever extent that is I don’t even know. There’s just nothing I can say about it right now. It’s got to run its course. And when it does, we’ll have more to say at that time.

JoeBucsFan.com: Can you say when you first learned of it?

Koetter: I learned when we were on the field, coming off the field on Friday.

Cameron’s discussion today jibes with what Joe has been hearing over the past two months, that it’s just a matter of when the NFL slaps a suspension on Jameis for fear that any other outcome would result in the league appearing soft on sexual harassment in the midst of the #MeToo movement, leading to a public relations nightmare.

Proof of guilt or innocence is not the issue here. Cameron highlighted that as well, and you can hear his full take today here with producer Tom Lang.

Fair or not, that’s how the NFL works.

Joe knows Cameron personally and the quality of his sources. He is trustworthy.

Fingers should be crossed across the Tampa Bay area, and one can only hope the NFL will factor in Jameis’ tremendous and consistent work in the community.

93 Responses to ““The Winston Camp Is Prepared For The NFL To Levy A Suspension””

  1. Duthsty Rhothdes Says:

    Great way to start the season, especially these super tough first 4 games, an 0-4 start does not bode well for the season or the staff

  2. Joe Says:

    an 0-4 start does not bode well for the season or the staff

    If Bucs do start 0-4 and Jameis misses those same games, the staff may very well get a mulligan.

  3. Defense Rules Says:

    The only one who really knows what’s going on in terms of a suspension is Roger Goodell. We’ll all just have to wait & see, just like the Bucs’ coaches & players. One thing I do believe though is that this year’s team has the potential to rise above a suspension like this. Even if the suspension is at the start of the season, and if Fitz is at QB, Bucs will still be competitive. Fitz did go 2-1 last year, was very competitive in the Atlanta game, and put up a lot of points against the Cardinals in relief.

  4. Sweeptheleg Says:

    Every single season it’s something with this franchise.

    It never fails.

  5. stpetebucsfan Says:

    If it’s one game we should all just move on. We can still beat N.O. if the defense blows up…ROJO and Barber provide a solid running game..and Fitz does a good job of managing the offense which still has all those targets.

    Three seems really excessive to me for what amounts to an administrative error.

    I do have to say this though. I love Jameis…good guy in the community…great teammate and leader and a blossoming QB….but this off field stuff just HAS to STOP!!! No more off field distractions.

    Ben Roethlisberger did far worse than Jameis and managed to keep his career. I realize those were different days but I think if Jameis has NO more off field incidents he’ll be like Big Ben and have a great career.

  6. Blue-footed booby Says:

    Surprise! Oh, wait, of course I’m not surprised. I was anticipating that this would happen when we drafted Winston and passed up on Marcus Mariota. Boy, Tennessee Titans fans sure don’t have to worry about their starting QB getting a suspension.

  7. Dave Pear Says:

    Joe,

    the staff may very well get a mulligan.
    ——————————————————-
    I think the only way they get a mulligan is by finishing at least 8-4.
    If they go 6-6 I think we are looking at a whole new coaching staff.

  8. Bobby M. Says:

    The hope should be that his story from Winston was truthful….not that his good works in Tampa should offset his bad behavior elsewhere.
    Darren Sharper was featured in a book about NFL Dads Dedicated to Daughters and spoke out on violence against women….He also was a rapist that’s now in prison.

    Strategically…the NFL is smart going hard on him vs not. Maybe the NFL misses something that comes out later in a lawsuit. Winston screwed up….fans have every right to be upset with him. The more it stings maybe the better he’ll remember it this time.

  9. ChanT Says:

    Hoping Jameis is the victim here!

  10. Dooshlarue Says:

    If it happens I hope it’s before TC.
    I’m fine with Fitzpatrick under center to start the season. He is much more mature and seems to have a calming and productive presence with the Offense that we haven’t had the last 3 years.
    How many times do we have to wait for our Soiled Messiah to calm down in the first half?
    Fitz made it look substantially easier than JW.
    I’m not giving up on JW yet, but
    what if Fitz wins?
    Do we roll with him until he cools off?
    I say hell yes and let’s see how far he takes us.

    This is the make or break year for #3.
    I hope he gets his act together.

  11. feelthepewterpower Says:

    It wasn’t the player’s duty to report when the allegations came out. It was the team’s responsibility. How can they suspend Winston when the rule back then was different than it is today??

  12. Dave Pear Says:

    ChanT ,

    I really don’t think it matters WHO is the victim at this point.
    Jameis DID NOT report this situation to the league.
    Game over. Do not pass GO.
    Guilty.
    BS!

  13. Rod Munch Says:

    Failing to report what, that Uber suspended his account? Do I need to report that Facebook suspended my account because they demanded I sending them a copy of my license to confirm my ID and I told them to kindly go f themselves. Uber is a tech company, they have zero enforcement of anything, I don’t understand the concept of being suspended because of something that happens with an app. I honestly don’t understand how this is a suspendable offense and Jameis should tie them up in court for years if they did try something.

  14. Kobe Faker Says:

    “This article is hogwash….no one knows …alot of moving parts (attorneys)”

    the players union(attorneys) will get involved and JW3 is a member

    failure to report? lol! the players union will fight this till the end. they dont want this he said/ she said accusation to be a precedent to future numerous instances

    Did everyone know that no one including philly/seattle/nfl knew about michael bennetts pushing of the fans?

    JW3 uber case is in the nfl attorneys hands…and they cant figure out what to do because they know the players union will be fighting this all out

    Kobe & Kobe lakeland attorneys

    “For the posters”

  15. Joe Blahak Says:

    Bucs are cursed….another chapter in unfortunate circumstances

  16. feelthepewterpower Says:

    stpetebucsfan Says:
    June 20th, 2018 at 6:21 pm
    If it’s one game we should all just move on. We can still beat N.O. if the defense blows up…ROJO and Barber provide a solid running game..and Fitz does a good job of managing the offense which still has all those targets.

    ————————————-
    In a stacked NFC…ONE game is enough to decide our playoff fates. Buccs must get off to a strong start, and ultimately win their division if they want any guarantee of postseason bliss.

    I don’t see how they’ll suspend or can suspend Winston for this, at least without a showdown from the player’s union with a new contract looming, imo. The league inform rule was different when Winston had the sexual allegations made against him. Individual players werent mandated to report directly to the league. A suspension of this sorts would set precedence, a bad one at that especially if there is no evidence to pinpoint his guilt as to the accusation..

  17. Duke Says:

    Rod,

    Face facts, this situation is over your head. If you don’t get it by now, and your own words indicate that you don’t, it’s not coming anytime soon.

    BTW, kudos on a post you made explaining the Nazi party and it’s philosophical roots . Way off base but I think that was a great post.

  18. feelthepewterpower Says:

    The only fail to report is the NFL on this investigation.

  19. Knoxville Buc Says:

    Too bad JW didn’t try to get his punishment forced upon him in last seasons pathetic outcome. Should’ve just went and had a sit down with Roger around the end of November and asked to get this over with

  20. Casual Observer Says:

    The NFL investigation and report is unsupportively slow.

  21. Duke Says:

    Pewter and Kobe,

    It is happening and the union will most likely file an appeal as a formality. But that’s all it will be. The NFL has been sided with in several cases and it has been reaffirmed.

    I still remember that pin head Demaurice Smith giving press conferences acting like He’s the man. I thought……HE’S TOO STUPID TO NOTICE THAT HE WAS BUTT BANGED. Worse the players voted this charlatan to rep them. So easy to shuck and jive this group collectively that it’s embarrassing.

  22. BringBucsBack Says:

    StPete, you used 3 exclamation points after the sentence, in which you screamed; “Jameis’ off the field stuff just HAS TO STOP!!!” Be careful, your keenly observed and articulated sentence, about Jameis might earn you a lowly “hater” moniker, no matter how succinct it may be! However, at the risk of sounding like a “hater”, I will have to agree on that point.

    This “determination” could have been levied 7 months ago. How much longer before we hear the official news? Are we still waiting for the conclusion of the “investigation”?

  23. BringBucsBack Says:

    One more thing: bone-up on the run-game!

  24. Chris in WA Says:

    Again, for everyone and their “do I have to report whenever X happens” I ask: Do you? Some employers do require it and specify it in their contracts. I work for the military and I would have to report something like this even if it never happened in a million years and i have witnesses. Your average Joe 6pack most likely doesn’t have to report stuff to their jobs. But Jamie’s isn’t an average joe, he is an NFL QB and is subject to the personal conduct policy. Just like how college students are subject to a student code of conduct.

    It’s not about justice, it’s about protecting the image. I don’t agree with it, but I’m not confused or surprised at the same time.

  25. AlabamaBucsFan Says:

    I doubt Jameis misses the start of the season as he will most likely appeal the NFL decision. The suspension will probably be pushed to mid season.

  26. libucfan Says:

    So, using the logic of failure to report an accusation, shouldn’t Matt Patricia be suspended? The rule was in affect when he was interviewing for the Lions job, regardless of when the accusations were.

  27. Tony Says:

    How much more of this nonsense is a fan to tolerate particularly from a franchise (?) OB.

  28. SB Says:

    Not to blindly defend JWs case but I think Rod has a point. What are the by-laws of “things you must report in lieu of penalty”? Do you have to report the suspending of your Uber account when no accusations had been made? I mean C’mon. Now if I am unaware that Uber told JW that his account was being suspended for inappropriate behavior then By ALL Means Jw is at fault for not reporting it. But if not then there is nothing to see here. Only hear say.

  29. JB Says:

    So Jameis gets accused in November and the league launches an investigation within hours…so Jameis was supposed to somehow know this woman was going to accuse him before she went public? The NFL is a joke

  30. BucEmUp Says:

    Fitz can win some games with a solid D and this cast of weapons that he has never had to enjoy anywhere else he has played. He can win a game with help.

    Mike Smith soak his balls in Miracle Grow and figure out a way to coach a top defense for at least a week, We he can’t do it consistently through a whole season

  31. Mike Johnson Says:

    I don’t care. Plug in Fitz. Het her done. This is the NFl. Not For long..Koetter and Smitty! Finish less than 8-8 ? Mow’em down like the movie, Wild Bunch!! NO EXCUSES!!!

  32. stpetebucsfan Says:

    SB

    The rules concerning his reporting requirements were negotiated by the union in the CBA. Agree with you it was pretty stupid of the players to give that up.

    I think Duke nailed it when he blamed Demarice Smith for getting taken to the cleaners by the owners when he was repping the players.

  33. Trench War Says:

    Just hope for the best, I guess. @#$%^

  34. SOEbuc Says:

    STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT HE DIDN’T REPORT?!!!

    THAT HIS UBER GOT SUSPENDED?!

    HOW CAN THIS RULE ONLY BE ENFORCED UNLESS THERE IS SOME KIND OF POLICE REPORT OR INVESTIGATION.

    Am I missing something about this case and dumbass rule???

  35. Im tired and 87 is right Says:

    Do the season ticket holders get a mulligan as well in other words give my money back for the season. I’m tired of every season their being an excuse. How about we get the year off as paying for this crap year in and year out. That’s pretty much what they are asking the fans to do. My old ball coach used to yell excuses are for losers. The NFL is going to lose its fan base if this crap keeps happening. One game would be fair three games is to much in the NFL. That can destroy a season.

  36. Not there yet Says:

    Hopefully they are smart enough not to spend the guy for like the only primetime game we have. Hopefully ratings are important to them also and if so he’ll play the first 3 games

  37. Jim Says:

    I guess I’m having some trouble grasping the up-roar over a possible Winston suspension. Fitzpatrick performed delivered as a back-up, and ended with a better record than Winston. Having an adult at quarterback worked pretty well…

  38. Buccaneer scotty Says:

    It cool man! We have Fitzpatrick I’m cool with him and a great running game for 16 games if needed imo

  39. Ndog Says:

    stpetebucsfan I have to ask what off field incincidents have happened since he has been here “that has to stop!!!”

  40. T in Orlando Says:

    If Jameis is suspended for lack of reporting something in March 2016, when the Policy was updated 6 months after the fact, then he should whole heartily appeal; to a federal judge if needs be; and should win. I understand that typically appeals don’t hold water, because of the vague wording used in the CBA, and basically I’m OK with that (don’t like the wording, negotiate it out). However when a Policy is updated, without player vote, to punish someone in violation of the Policy for something they did; or in this case didn’t do; before it was updated, is a clear case of ex post facto (not to go all latin-legalize here), and any ruling by the NFL should be immediately dismissed by a judge. If he’s punished for this, and it holds, how far back can the NFL go with punishment? What if an active Player was accused of something back in 2014, but those accusations didn’t go anywhere? How about 2010? To allow a punishment to stand for not doing something that at the time wasn’t against policy is a very slippery slope.

    Now if the league has evidence of wrong doings against the Policy in effect for March 2016, then by all means, levy whatever punishment is in line with those wrong doings.

    Otherwise this should be nothing more than a stern talking too. Even a fine shouldn’t hold water IF the basis of the fine is Jameis not reporting the incident. Granted I don’t think Jameis will try to appeal a fine if that’s all it is.

  41. BigMacArtack Says:

    I hope Fitz is ready. Be nice to have Jameis for the first quarter of the season. I think the Bucs are going to hammer the Saints. If Defence can hold to 17 pts it shouldn’t matter who is QB.

  42. Dewey Selmon Says:

    What happens if Winston is suspended 4 games and Fitz goes 3-1?

  43. SB Says:

    SPBF…….I get that but I want to see the fine print on things a player “Must report in lieu of penalty”! If she didn’t come forward and let him know somehow then WHAT is there to report. Now I restate what I said before…….If Uber contacted him and said that his account was suspended due to inappropriate behavior THEN he is guilty of not reporting it. If not then there was nothing to report.

  44. Knoxville Buc Fan Says:

    @Ndog That’s just it, America’s QB has been squeaky clean on a very sorry team. BSPN is probably behind all this BS

  45. The Buc Realist Says:

    If JW3 is suspended some games for not reporting, Then the “real” fans will give a huge pass to the coaches this year!!!!!

    GO Bucs!!!!!!!

  46. Mike Johnson Says:

    Meantime..Mariota over in Tenn sippin on lemonade..squeaky clean. Ready at the quickstep to lead his team back…to the playoffs.

  47. Joe Says:

    What happens if Winston is suspended 4 games and Fitz goes 3-1?

    Fitz goes back to the bench when Jameis’ suspension is over.

  48. Joe Says:

    HOW CAN THIS RULE ONLY BE ENFORCED UNLESS THERE IS SOME KIND OF POLICE REPORT OR INVESTIGATION.

    Am I missing something about this case and dumbass rule???

    Simply put, the NFL (Goodell) can enact virtually any player conduct rule he wants under the current CBA which was agreed to by the rank and file members of the NFLPA (the players). Thus, Goodell is judge, jury and executioner. There is no such thing as due process in the NFL.

  49. Chris Rob Says:

    Dirk gets a mulligan if we go 0-3/0-4 w/o jameis WOW really joe?? lol ur crazy… The eagles WON THE SUPERBOWL w/o out their starting QB. I dont want to hear any excuses, if we dont make the playoffs get these below avg coaches OUT THE PAINT ASAP!!!

  50. mark2001 Says:

    I’ll make a guess…one day, the minimum…not likely. Three the max? Pretty harsh. So I’ll guess two games.

  51. buccanstopit Says:

    Don’t make the playoffs, He, Koetter and Licht are gone

  52. Howard Cosell Says:

    This team is truly cursed.

    This years curse: The Winston suspension

  53. Lamarcus Says:

    I am not watching the Bucs if Fitz starts….. He is sooooo boring. JW is a fun Qb to watch.

  54. Patrickbucs Says:

    Ugh.. hope it’s not going to ever come to fruition. With or without him possibly 0-3: if this dude is in trouble or has to pay off more hush money, cmon. I’ll wait too bear before my real reaction, unlike a lot of the media fools.

  55. Baker Mayfield Says:

    What cannot happen is him appealing it Zeke style and dragging it out the whole season. If he does that just F-ing cut him.

  56. Defense Rules Says:

    Lamarcus, I’ll take boring for a WIN any day over a ‘fun’ LOSS. No such thing in Bucsville.

  57. Ndog Says:

    Realist I swear you must be a coach on this staff.

  58. BrianBucs Says:

    Keeping it real and honest;

    If Jameis, or Any player on the Bucs roster is suspended because they are guilty of what the Uber driver said happened to her, then they should be released immediately.
    I Jameis, or Any player on the Bucs roster was dishonest with the coaching staff or management about the facts of an accusation like what the Uber driver said happened to her, then they should be released immediately.
    That being said, if the NFL suspends Jameis for Failing To Report or any of the other protocol BS not pertaining to what actually happened to the Uber driver then he should not only appeal the suspension but also file his own lawsuit against the NFL for deformation for not clearing up the original matter.
    I am a Truth guy, so I hope that 100% of the Truth comes out whatever it is and where it points

  59. Black Panther Says:

    When you have broken a rule, and you know you broke the rule. Which he did because the make it very clear. You take your punishment and move on.
    You don’t act like that b**** Elliott and ruin your teams season

  60. Lamarcus Says:

    Defense Rules.

    In “Bucsville” or most popular Den of Depression is losing team. .38 percent win history. Odds are simple less than 4games out 10 we win. Accept and u will love them more

  61. Lamarcus Says:

    And I’m hoping JW takes his fade. Just take it. He will learn faster. He needs some or little discpline . JW is a big boy he can handle it and I hope as a team knowing he will be suspended be prepared for it.

    Wins/Losses/Ties. Doesn’t matter anymore. Go Bucs!!

  62. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Three games or fewer would make me happy. I was expecting 4 games.

    So far as Fitz, I recently went back and watched so games. He got lucky. He was nearly picked off multiple times. Counting on him for wins is a mistake.

    Defense will have to win those games.

    Maybe Goodell will only hit Winston for one game.

  63. Bucanole Says:

    Nice to see a lot of you people live by the words of your leader Clayton Bigsby. If you have hate in your heart let it out!

    Maybe wait until actual facts come out then show your true colors. I know you’ve had to wait a long time like the rest of us. But is there a chance you may have jumped the gun?

    Until then Go Bucs!

  64. DalvinCookRules Says:

    The rule is stupid and Roger Goodell must be one of the dumbest people in America. Why? Because…

    The Mainstream Media’s narrative is going to be, “QB accused of sexually assaulting Uber driver given only a ONE GAME suspension”.

    In a foolish attempt to avoid bad publicity, the rule is going to make the NFL look more like the National Felon League. “Failure to report” penalty should be a WARNING (maybe 2-strike policy before suspension) with a FINE.

  65. Howard Cosell Says:

    A zero game suspension would make me happy.

    Lol @ Hard Knocks, Hurricanes, MRSA and linemen who live on IR for decades and trading or releasing key elements of your team

    IABL

  66. Howard Cosell Says:

    Almost every ex-Buc coach is not in the NFL. Lovie ‘s college team is bad. Schiano is a college coordinator. Rock star is a talking head. Tedfords college team is good but again he’s not in the NFL.

    Jim Bates…he was a Buc DC Lol.

    Jeff Jagodzinski…GREAT HIRE!

  67. webster Says:

    Dear jameis

    Please leave this idiot fan base as soon as you can

  68. Howard Cosell Says:

    How did Lovie ever get his son hired at a full assistant coach?

    Mr Glazer, I’m going to hire my son who has no NFL experience as the Bucs DB coach for this season okay?

    Ok Lovie, Whatever you say. We have faith in you to return this franchise to it’s glory days

  69. Howard Cosell Says:

    Yes the problem here is definitely the damn stupid Buc fans. Anyone with a shred of intelligence can see that the Bucs would obviusly be perennial winners if not for the fan base

  70. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    It’s GMC’s fault, of course!

  71. Bad call Says:

    If only there was some kind of red flag in his history that he may not have been a guy who could stay out of trouble. Dude is 20-28 as a starter heading into a huge make or break season and gets suspended. What a leader.

  72. Erik w/ Clean Athletics Says:

    It could actually work in our favor, if Fitz successfully distributes the ball to whoever the open man is and takes whatever the defense gives us, and if Jameis pays close attention and really tries hard to emulate that when he returns…

  73. Wayne Haddix Says:

    If only there was some kind of red flag when he was coming out that he couldn’t stay out of trouble… seriously the guy is 20-28 as a starter, going into a huge make or break year for this franchise and gets suspended. Bucs fans should be pissed at him. Can’t even take an Uber. Talib and the taxi all over again.

  74. THETRUTH Says:

    Please help me understand, A women at anytime can come out and say
    -she was assaulted sexual
    -no proof be found-
    – maybe even a predetermined lie
    – player found innocent
    -Goodell can than still suspend an innocent man

    ***not saying this is the case here but wondering in this scenario can this actually happen? ***

  75. Owlykat Says:

    If it turns out the NFL is acting on a policy not in place when Jemesis first learned of the Uber Driver’s allegation but did not report it to the NFL any
    Suspension would be Ex post Facto and illegal.

  76. Upthegut Says:

    FREE JAMIS

  77. Chris Says:

    Failure to report for over a year means guilt. I’m sorry but just because Jameis is heavily involved in the community doesn’t excuse the now multiple sexual assault accusations. The way it was handled at Florida state was almost like it was protecting its star QB during the undefeated seasons.

    Jason Licht: if you want to keep your job, give the Jets a call and inquire about teddy bridgewater. See if you can swing a 4th round pick. No way they’re keeping all three guys and mccown is probably better for the young Darnold.

  78. Tom Edrington Says:

    I like Dave Pear’s math, are the Bucs only playing 12 games this year????

  79. BartButtplug Says:

    Meanwhile, the NFL gets YOUR season ticket money upfront and laughs all the way to the bank. If you think owners care about championships, we’ll, you just don’t get it. They care about and like to brag about (to the other owners) $$$$. To them, that is prestige. Not championships.

  80. Dave Pear Says:

    Tommy Boy,

    Joe Says:
    June 20th, 2018 at 6:10 pm

    an 0-4 start does not bode well for the season or the staff

    If Bucs do start 0-4 and Jameis misses those same games, the staff may very well get a mulligan.

    Then I responded…

    I think the only way they get a mulligan is by finishing at least 8-4.
    If they go 6-6 I think we are looking at a whole new coaching staff

    Then you add 4 + 12= 16.

    Math for dummies.

    Thanks for playing the game though.

  81. feelthepewterpower Says:

    T in Orlando Says:
    June 20th, 2018 at 8:42 pm
    If Jameis is suspended for lack of reporting something in March 2016, when the Policy was updated 6 months after the fact, then he should whole heartily appeal; to a federal judge if needs be; and should win. I understand that typically appeals don’t hold water, because of the vague wording used in the CBA, and basically I’m OK with that (don’t like the wording, negotiate it out). However when a Policy is updated, without player vote, to punish someone in violation of the Policy for something they did; or in this case didn’t do; before it was updated, is a clear case of ex post facto (not to go all latin-legalize here), and any ruling by the NFL should be immediately dismissed by a judge. If he’s punished for this, and it holds, how far back can the NFL go with punishment? What if an active Player was accused of something back in 2014, but those accusations didn’t go anywhere? How about 2010? To allow a punishment to stand for not doing something that at the time wasn’t against policy is a very slippery slope.

    Now if the league has evidence of wrong doings against the Policy in effect for March 2016, then by all means, levy whatever punishment is in line with those wrong doings.

    Otherwise this should be nothing more than a stern talking too. Even a fine shouldn’t hold water IF the basis of the fine is Jameis not reporting the incident. Granted I don’t think Jameis will try to appeal a fine if that’s all it is.
    ————————————————–
    Nailed it T, and it is what I originally stated above (there will be no suspension for said reasoning). Good publicity for the Joes based on bad info.

  82. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Chris Says
    “Failure to report for over a year means guilt. ”

    Not if he thought it was nothing. After all, it was simple a false accusation made by an unregulated employee of a company that does not put the customer first. Uber ALWAYS takes the side of their drivers…because a driver makes them more money than a customer does.

    Remember, Uber is really nothing more than an app made by guys who design useless apps for a living. They just happened to come up with a good one that caught on.

    They do not perform any sort of qualification process. No background checks. No nothing. For all anyone knows, this unidentified driver could have made false accusations toward a dozen other customers, but Jameis is a celebrity so it made the news. She could have a mental history of any sort.

    Uber does not care. So long as she has a drivers license, she can drive for them.

    And that is one of the reasons many cities have banned the use of Uber.

    Another thing.

    This supposedly happened during Winston’s first real off season here (discarding his rookie year because he was too busy to have a personal life). It was YEARS AGO. The driver did not pursue it until years later when a popular blog learned of it. Even law enforcement isn’t taking it seriously.

    There is a reason for that.

    Have there been any other incidents since? Nope.

    There is a witness that says nothing happened and that Jameis was not even seated in a position to touch the driver that way.

    Anyone who has followed the case knows he is innocent. Your assumption, therefore, proves you have not followed the case.

  83. Anonymous Says:

    It is what it is. Hopefully he learns a lesson from all this and starts to make mature decisions.

  84. ATrain Says:

    Why does it take a billion dollar a year company this long to investigate a simple grabbing situation. How much evidenydo they need to go through? How many people have knowledge of the situation?

    May be the NFL knew last season was a loser and well let’s slow the Bucs down this season too. The NFLPA needs to get a time line built in the contract for how long they can drag out a ln investigation

  85. Marlow Says:

    America’s QB…. Please add a laughing emoji.

  86. MoeBuc Says:

    But lions head coach gets a pass..

  87. 813bucboi Says:

    why would they get a pass?…..they’ve had months to form a plan for this situation…..they’ve known about it since last year…..lol….

    #NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!

  88. Owlykat Says:

    And after a Federal Judge throws out an ex post facto operation of a rule that was not announced as applying backward, Jameis needs to hire the toughest Plaintiff’s Trial Lawyer he can find who has gotten the highest verdicts in 1983 Civil Rights Cases and have him study the actions of the NFL toward a successful NFL white QB, Roethlisberger with a much more serious sexual incident and compare to the NFL’s present treatment of Jameis who they did not find guilty of the accusation, and if there is different treatment sue both the NFL and also their Commissioner individually. Because the NFL with the Batson rule cannot keep Blacks or other minorities off the jury, and Jameis in a say three week suspension would lose millions of dollars and in a contract year the bad publicity could cost him many millions more off a long term contract, and the boos for the Commissioner at the draft show the public already hate him, and even if the NFL got off, likely the Commissioner wouldn’t and he would have to pay many millions out of his own pocket, which serves him right for picking on Jameis with an ex post facto rule that does not apply, and teaches him a big lesson not to make decisions based just on the me too political movement!!!

  89. SOEbuc Says:

    @Joe

    “HOW CAN THIS RULE ONLY BE ENFORCED UNLESS THERE IS SOME KIND OF POLICE REPORT OR INVESTIGATION.

    Am I missing something about this case and dumbass rule???” – SOEbuc

    “Simply put, the NFL (Goodell) can enact virtually any player conduct rule he wants under the current CBA which was agreed to by the rank and file members of the NFLPA (the players). Thus, Goodell is judge, jury and executioner. There is no such thing as due process in the NFL.” – Joe

    I just don’t understand where this all began and how NFL got the information. If she told Uber, did they tell the NFL? If I remember correctly they didn’t tell the police. And according to Jameis all they did was cancel his account after this.

    If you or anyone could tell me how this thing was made public (girl?,Uber?,etc.) and how Goodell got his hands on this info to try to enforce this ridiculous rule, I’d appreciate it.

  90. Jaboo Says:

    In Fitz we trust!

  91. Destinjohnny Says:

    Acquiring wealth is a so so so hard
    Our friend Winston is just killing himself financially on sooooo many levels
    I don’t get it

  92. Marc Says:

    BUCS FANS

    I’ve got an idea that might even the playing fields:

    Let’s start calling/e-mailing the league office and falsely accuse the other NFCS QBs of inappropriately touching us years ago.

    -Desperate Bucs fan

  93. RileyBuc Says:

    Why can’t we be a team that shows up ready to play? We always have to deal with something. Damn man! Failure to report? Now our Qb is gone when we all need home the most. Just when you think this is the tear for playoffs now we have to dig ourselves out another damn hole!