Bruce Arians Talks About How He’d Handle A Star Player Who Wants To Be Traded

January 12th, 2019

“Trust, loyalty and respect.” New head coach Bucco Bruce Arians says those principles are the foundation of his renowned football program.

They’re also three words that do not describe DeSean Jackson’s two seasons in Tampa.

The me-first Buccaneer yearned to be traded this season and remains under contract (non-guaranteed). Arians told Joe and other media Thursday that everyone on the roster gets a clean slate. But there is talk, and then there is reality.

Jackson remaining on the roster would make Joe ill, along with many other Bucs fans.

Is he really needed? Joe will have more on that tomorrow.

NFL Network reported Arians wants to open his arms to Jackson and talk to him about staying in pewter and red.

After punching a wall, Joe started digging and uncovered a 2018 interview of Arians point-blank being asked a hypothetical question of how he would handle a player who asked to be traded and whether he thought a scenario like that would be a big distraction to his team.

(At the time of the interview, Arians was retired and there were reports All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson wanted out of Arizona.)

“Yeah, it would be [a big distraction],” Arians said. “I mean, to me, ‘Why?’ You know, why do you want to be traded? And if you don’t want to play here anymore, let’s see what we can do as far as what are we going to get for you. Because I’m not going to give you away. And then if there are things that you need as a player, I’ll try to give you those things as a player, but, you’re under contract.”

So there you have it. The new Bucs chief and spiritual leader confirms that a player asking to be traded, especially a high-profile player, is a major distraction.

Yet Jackson was retained and the Bucs’ season collapsed.

Joe sure hopes general manager Jason Licht puts his foot down and explains to Arians that Jackson isn’t a Buccaneer man and that the team shouldn’t make the same mistake over and over again.

Joe is concerned that Jackson will do whatever he can to convince Arians to keep him so he’ll get that $10 million he is due in 2019.


DERRICK BROOKS & IRA KAUFMAN talk about the BRUCE ARIANS hire on TAMPA TWO, presented by Caldeco Air Conditioning & Heating.

87 Responses to “Bruce Arians Talks About How He’d Handle A Star Player Who Wants To Be Traded”

  1. Mike Johnson Says:

    One never knows Joe. DJ and Arians just might..hit it off. Like you said here, New coach..new slate. I would not be surprised to see DJ stay. We fans have no control. We only hope and wish..coaches and ownership make good decisions. I
    got McCoy still here this year too. Arians will get to the bottom of the DJ situation for sure.

  2. Dapostman Says:

    Get rid of all the malcontents and selfish players like MeSean. Keep the grinders. Locker room atmosphere is paramount in winning culture.

  3. westernbuc Says:

    Everyone that wanted Koetter fired hung DJax on him like an albatross. But somehow I’m sure you’ll justify Arians keeping “MeJax”.

    And after his stint with the Jets, I’m not so sure that Bowles is any better than Mike Smith

  4. JimmyJack Says:

    A few words from BAs presser said how the whole team needs to be working towards the same goal & how one guy with a different agenda can divide the team. D. Jackson is that one guy IMO.

    He divided Our team. Not with a motive of winning either.

    I have no doubts he could divide the team again.

    Cons out way the pros.

  5. Bobby M. Says:

    Its funny we have this laundry list of things for the new coach to fix…..yet act shocked Koetter couldn’t succeed. We need a stud runningback….new offensive linemen…an entire secondary….get rid of disgruntled players….a kicking coach. Then you have Winston…For all the hype on Winston’s leadership and talent, the recent polls make him look like a tool in the league.

  6. AKickInTheBucNuts Says:

    Smoke and mirrors.

    BA is setting the stage to make the rest of the NFL think they want and/or keeping him a Buc.

    What that will do is make those teams come up with offers instead of just waiting for us to release him for nothing.

  7. rrsrq Says:

    “Yet Jackson was retained and the Bucs’ season collapsed”

    So the team circling the drain in October was because DJax was a distraction. That was in line behind keeping Mike Smith to start the season, letting him coach beyond the bye – that’s on DK. Maybe it’s behind Grimes not wanting to cover Antonio Brown. Maybe it was JW 3 game suspension or DK not handling the QB situation very well or maybe DK was over his head. They will never admit to it but you know BRUCE Arians was likely called before the season started.
    Licht: hey Bruce, if this doesn’t work out, what cha think about coaching the Bucs
    Bruce: you gonna keep Jameis?
    Licht: well, huh
    Bruce: call me when you know

    Later that year:
    Bruce: hey the browns just fired their coach
    Licht: yeah I heard, but the Glazers don’t make mid season coaching changes
    Bruce: ok, I’m gonna put it out there that I am thinking about a return to coaching, but I really don’t want that Browns job, too damn cold, I would rather be retired
    Licht: BTW, we keeping Jamie’s but Dirk is good as gone
    Bruce: alright, remember Jason no risk it no biscuit
    Licht: I got cha, I also got the Glazer boys on board

  8. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Joe….are there any important dates we should know? Or, can Djax be traded anytime…..on draft day?

    For me, I’d like to see if John Brown can be brought in in FA……but, I’ll trust Arians to deal with Djax…..

  9. tbbucs3 Says:

    Let’s be clear that Desean Jackson is no “star”, not anymore at least.

  10. WillieG Says:

    What was the Bucs’ productivity with and without Jackson? Weren’t their highest scoring games the ones when he played? Weren’t their lowest scoring games the ones he didn’t play?

    That’s what I remember.. of course I mostly tuned out in November, so I could be mistaken.

  11. Bucs fan #7423 Says:

    Swallow that nut joe!!!!!!

    Arians wants Desean Jackson to stay!!!!!!!!!!

  12. Arian Nation Says:

    DJ has some value.

  13. TexBuc Says:

    rrsrq

    spot on!

  14. AfrikaThaRapper Says:

    F*ck Mesean Wackson, no biscuits for you. Go Bucs !!!!

  15. JimmyJack Says:

    Jackson divided the lockerroom. If that divide is going to remain then there is no choice but to let him go or trade him.

    This is what BA needs to find out if he does want to keep Djax.

  16. JimmyJack Says:

    Rrsq……I think the combination of all the things you said was the reason Our season collapsed. But Jackson needs to be included in that. Documented facts say that Jackson was one of the problems with this team last year.

    You blame M.Smith and Grimes. You’re right, and guess what? Neither will be a Buc next year. Djax could very well join them. He’s been part of the problem. Not the solution.

  17. Jameis “Will” Win-A-Ton Says:

    JASON LICHT/BRUCE ARIANS

    Here’s a novel trade idea: Jackson and a second round pick to the Cardinals for Peterson. You are welcome.

  18. tmaxcon Says:

    No leadership and Mickey mouse ownership divided locker room well before djax ever set foot in Tampa

  19. DBS Says:

    So Licht could put his foot down now but not last when he wanted out? Wasn’t Licht the GM too?

  20. Iron Wombat Says:

    If other GMs know you’ll cut him he has no trade value.

  21. BucFan3 Says:

    Cut out that Cancer! Trade MeSean Jackson.

  22. AlteredEgo Says:

    I agree it is a PR make over that will benefit both DJax and the Bucs….of course the Bucs will move the “Good DJax”

  23. Bucs fan #7423 Says:

    Patrick Mahomes is the greatest quarterback of all time

  24. Jameis Almighty! Says:

    DJax is bad news

  25. Jameis “Will” Win-A-Ton Says:

    WOMBAT

    Not nessecarily true. A team might want him, and might no want to get into a bidding war with another team for him.

  26. Jameis Almighty! Says:

    Jameis Winston is the greatest QB of all time

  27. Dirks Great granpappy Says:

    What would it cost to get Larry Fitz here for a year or two. Bring a true professional in as a mentor. He obv doesn’t have much in the tank but can still get the job done. He had huge success under BA in the slot

    A 7th? 6th?

    Not saying it would or even should happen but just throwing it out there

  28. Bucs fan #7423 Says:

    Chiefs will sign levante bell and make it to the super bowl next year

  29. StAugBuc Says:

    Who this levante bell ?

  30. Defense Rules Says:

    JimmyJack … Not sure I agree that DJax divided the locker room. That would imply that some in the locker room were for what he was doing & some were against. These guys are pros, and ‘Me-First’ guys like DJax probably don’t sit well with ANY of them.

    Personally think that two things last season did divide the Bucs locker room: (1) the back & forth shuffling of QBs for a stretch in there; and (2) losing. Particularly the latter; some players take losing a LOT more personally than others as we’ve seen (Kwon vs Swaggy comes to mind).

    A big part of me agrees with you about DJax (bye bye). But if Coach Arians believes that DJax can still contribute big-time to this team winning, I’ll gladly go along with him on that. But I sure wouldn’t pay him anyplace close to $10 mil for this coming season after what he pulled last season. Personally I’d tell him that if he stays, he gets say $5 mil plus some pretty substantial ‘incentives’ based on production. Take it or leave it.

  31. Bucs fan #7423 Says:

    StAugBuc Says:
    January 12th, 2019 at 6:46 pm
    Who this levante bell ?

    ——

    I stand corrected once again. Le’Veon Bell

    LOL

  32. StAugBuc Says:

    Lol

  33. Ludicrous Speed Says:

    Looks like national guy out-scooped local guy, cause this story showed up this morning and then was re-reported on Florio’s site. Now it’s here – thought I was gonna have to comment on the Leftwich thread until this one finally showed up.

    I commented throughout the season how many teams covet a guy with the speed to get behind the DBs and stretch the defense, opening up things underneath and helping the running game; about how Jackson’s attitude was stoked by repeatedly getting a step on the defense, yet not having a QB (after Fitz) with the touch and accuracy to get the ball within 5 yrs of him.

    Now here comes BA and as reported earlier: “One of the FIRST things that Bruce Arians did upon getting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers job was reach out to people for a phone number for DeSean Jackson,” Rapoport said. “They haven’t connected yet, but what he intends to do is re-recruit DeSean Jackson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”

    He’s even brought in Todd McNair, who Jackson likes a lot and who recruited him to Cal. But the biggest challenge in appealing to Jax is to be able to convince him that he’s going to be able to teach Winston to throw the ball with touch and accuracy to a target that’s not standing still, but is moving away from him with speed.

    I fear that may be a bridge too far, yet I hold BA in high enough regard that I say, “let the experiment begin.” I will follow the progress (hopefully) with avid interest and yes, support, as I would love to see him succeed in this, as the problems with Winston have always been “business, not personal, Sonny,”

    As for those who always wanted to place the blame on Jackson for problems created by Winston’s inaccuracy, I see your dilemma. It looked like Winston was never going to be able to find a target moving away from him with speed (even though Fitz could do it). So blame the target and get rid of him, rather than the Scattershot Kid, with whom you’re so enamored with fanboy awe. It could just as easily be Joey Galloway, and if it was, you’d blame him, too, rather than Der Wunderkind.

    It says a lot that one of the first things BA does (a priority), is to go out of his way in an effort to re-recruit Jackson in an effort to prevent him from getting away. He, as I, see the real value of such a speedy weapon, something that, since losing Joey Galloway, we used to dream, “if only we had a receiver fast enough to get behind the defense.” Well, now we have him and shouldn’t let him get away and I’m glad to be on the side of a true football strategist rather than those whose level of football expertise is limited to pecking out their undiscerning “feelings” on a keyboard.

  34. ATLBuc Says:

    DJax’s problem is the inability of he and JW to connect on the long ball. This is something that could be corrected with good coaching. Who knows, DJax could have been disenchanted with the coaching staff instead of JW

  35. Bucs Nick Says:

    Man amongst a week of great news I must say this is definitely very very discouraging.

    Look it’s real simple for me. When a guys personal stats, and personal touches, is more important than a team win he is a cancer plain and simple.

    There could not be a more uplifting moment for this team in the off-season then the announcement of just DeShawn Jackson either been cut or trade it.

    If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything !

  36. HolyBuc Says:

    Ludicrous Speed…Why would Todd McNair recruit Desean to Cal when McNair never coached there?

    I would like someone to explain to me why Winston can’t hit D-Jax? I have seen him hit Evans, Godwin, Howard and Humphries. I have also seen D-Jax not give much effort on a 50/50 ball.

    D-Jax is a Buc under contract there is no need for BA to recruit him. There is a need for teams to believe the Bucs aren’t going to cut him. If teams know he is getting cut your asset loses any trade value.

  37. Ludicrous Speed Says:

    Jameis Almighty! Says:
    January 12th, 2019 at 6:24 pm
    Jameis Winston is the greatest QB of all time

    One of the reasons I post so seldomly here is the pervasiveness of the “profundity” demonstrated above (seen only in Gooberville and nowhere else). To speak out against it in any way has pretty much the same effect as “casting pearls before swine.”

  38. Ludicrous Speed Says:

    HolyBuc Says:
    January 12th, 2019 at 7:19 pm
    Ludicrous Speed…Why would Todd McNair recruit Desean to Cal when McNair never coached there?

    Appreciate your thought. As per a report by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapport, “BA did hire Todd McNair, formerly of USC who recruited Jackson when he ultimately decided to go to Cal. That is something he liked.”

    For the full report to those who are interested:

    http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001009791/article/bruce-arians-wants-desean-jackson-back-in-tampa

  39. Ludicrous Speed Says:

    HolyBuc Says:
    January 12th, 2019 at 7:19 pm
    Ludicrous Speed…Why would Todd McNair recruit Desean to Cal when McNair never coached there?

    Appreciate the thought. As per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapport, “BA did hire Todd McNair, formerly of USC who recruited Jackson when he ultimately decided to go to Cal. That is something he liked.”

    Here is the full report for those interested in the latest Bucs related news:

    http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001009791/article/bruce-arians-wants-desean-jackson-back-in-tampa

  40. stpetebucsfan Says:

    @Jameiswill

    Wow that WOULD be a huge deal. If you could make that I think the Bucs might hire you to replace Licht.

    Patrick Peterson is a “generational” DB. I doubt the Cards will give up a proven vet…8 straight pro bowls…4.3 speed in the 40…dude is a physical specimen and likes to PLAY for a second round pick. DJAX would be virtually irrelevant in that deal unless the Cards are DESPERATE for a deep threat.

    Speaking of fast…only 17 guys have run a sub 4.3 at the combine in the past 20 years….Patrick Peterson ran a 4.34…just 4 hundredths off that mark. Greedy runs between 4.4 and 4.5…he’s not slow…but very few match Peterson once they get as large as these two DB’s. Peterson is 6-1 Greedy is an inch or two taller. What makes them both special is they are the rare “long” DB’s who can cover the smaller quicker receivers as well as the big guys.

    So here’s a hypothetical. Peterson was selected #5 in the draft coincidentally our position this year. The Cards would make that trade would you? A proven superstar with 8 years wear and tear or Greedy…still unproven? Hard call for me because I’m a giant fan of both players.

  41. ElioT Says:

    Total political move on Bruce’s part.

    He knows what he’s got to do to enhance the trade market for this guy.

    If they can get a 4th Rd pick from this guy, that would be a freaking awesome deal.

  42. cw_buc_crazy Says:

    Desean Jackson was not a problem by himself; playing with a mediocre QB that was the problem. BA sees that. DJax knows that JW has problem with accuracy on deep passes, and is so light mind and tunnel vision.
    Don’t think that is any coach that can fix that….

  43. JWBUCS Says:

    Let Jackson go…. We do not need this arrogant jerk or has distractions in the locker room…

  44. JimmyJack Says:

    Cw…..maybe you need to scroll the archives and read some of the stories about Djax.

    It aren’t just about deep ball accuracy. Problems are much deeper then that buddy.

  45. catcard202 Says:

    This is easy. DJax will not be back..I know it, you know it, Arians knows it, Licht knows it, Glazers know it & DJax knows it.

    Bucs need the 10M in cap space, because they plan to keep Humphries.
    He’s a better bet, at this point in time. It’s just business.

    (DJAX will have options in the $5-7M range, nxt yr…But I see him in NE on a 2yr/$12M deal…Brady has maybe 2yrs left…That & fact that the Pats WR corp is lacking – makes DJax a fit…Plus, Boston Bill has a way of buying low on top talent & then getting guys to play the Patriot way on the back end of their career.)

  46. Bucs fan #7423 Says:

    Cat card-

    Desean Jackson would resurrect Tom Brady’s career like randy moss did

    Jamies sucks as a quarterback so djax is useless here

  47. catcard202 Says:

    Mike Evans & Adam Humphries sure haven’t had a problem performing with JW3 throwing the rock around. Just sayin’…

  48. AleteredEgo Says:

    ElioT Says:
    January 12th, 2019 at 8:11 pm
    Total political move on Bruce’s part.

    He knows what he’s got to do to enhance the trade market for this guy.

    If they can get a 4th Rd pick from this guy, that would be a freaking awesome deal.
    .
    .
    .
    You know what would be FREAK’n Awesome….if they traded DJax when teams needing him and playing this weekend would have been very interested in him and his value higher than this spring…Blundering…Dundering Licht !!!
    Seee what he has done …shift the focus/blame….new coach buzz and another silly high….Oh well….go Bucs

  49. AleteredEgo Says:

    cc….yeah Jamyth gets his completions with Evans and Hump….but not all completions are equal….you should watch the completions with YAC’s this weekend…excellent QB’s are playing

  50. Bucs fan #7423 Says:

    Cat card-

    Mike Evans and humphries aren’t deep threats

    Desean the second greatest deep threat of all time next to randy moss Jackson needs a qb who can hit him in stride 30+ yards down the field

    Unfortunately Jamies is too stupid to do that

    We need a real quarterback

  51. Brandon Says:

    Sit on his rights and let him know that you’ll cut him the day before the season starts unless he cooperates.

  52. catcard202 Says:

    Most on this board wouldn’t recognize a future HOF QB, if they were standing next to one in an elevator… JW3 has all the tools to be a HOF QB & BA knows it.

    Do yourselves a favor & go look who JW3 compares to – with his #’s..to other Great NFL QB’s w/ 4yrs exp before age 25.

  53. Dave Says:

    Jameis couldnt hit him. Fitzpatrick could.

    Jameis cannot throw a deep pass. His accuracy is garbage after 15 yards. That’s why Humphries and Evans is fine. Because they catch short and medium passes and make a play. That’s not what Jackson was supposed to do. Jackson is a deep threat meant to be hit with the deep ball in stride. Jameis simply lacks the talent to make that pass. Period.

  54. AleteredEgo Says:

    cc…there are a lot of carpenters and mechanics that have all the tools…but are hackers when it comes to delivering a finished product…..

  55. Bucs fan #7423 Says:

    Cat card-

    If Jamies keeps doing what he has done, he will never be a hall of famer

    That’s a fact

  56. tnew Says:

    Fitz didn’t hit Djax after week 2. I get it, it was great, for two weeks. Then the single high safety look disappeared when the lack of running game was exposed. The last deep pass TD to Djax was vs Cinci, from Winston. In Fitz’s last 5 starts, 0 touchdowns, 0 100 yard games, 0 passes over 25 yards.

  57. DB55 Says:

    Welp! Coach said he likes next gen stats. GULP!!!
    #TheMesiah #RunJameisRun

    In short, Winston ranks around 28th in deep ball accuracy (pre-djax) AnDThReFoRE only likes throwing deep. Deep balls traveling 20 yards or more. Dope video, check it out. Btw, Desean Jackson catches 50% of deep passes (pre-Bucs) and ranks #1-2 in virtually every other category.

    That was painful to write.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BbPKcQxbHAo

  58. Bucs fan #7423 Says:

    Tnew-

    You see how Djax forced the defense to change???

    That means he did his job, what we paid him for

    Unlike garbage Jamies Winston that has a brain too child like to adjust to sophisticated NFL defenses

  59. Jim Says:

    Obviously, Arians feels the Bucs offense is better with Jackson, while Jackson feels he’ll do better with a different QB and a different team.

  60. Dave Says:

    If you get rid of Jackson, who do you replace him with? This offense won’t do as well next year without a proven deep threat to pull the defense back.

    So you get rid of Jackson, what other deep threat should we target who will want to come here with a QB that can’t hit receivers in stride?

  61. JimmyJack Says:

    7243…….Djax didn’t do his job all the time. He was actually caught sleeping on the job.

    He wouldn’t even return punts. That’s not doing your job either.

    BA may want to see if he thinks it’s worth it to keep Jackson. That’s only gonna happen if Jackson is ready to kiss some ass.

    Not a chance he makes it on Bruce’s team with the same attitude. Things are going to be different for Jackson if Our coach does decide he is worth the risk. Nobody is going to be gifting him captain honors and in no way will he be able to dictate whether or not he returns punts. If he aren’t ready to be told no way is he a Buc next year.

  62. Ndog Says:

    Bucs fan #7423 just find a new team bro cause you clearly are going to hate this one for the next 10-15 years with Jameis on it.

  63. Bucs fan #7423 Says:

    Ndog-

    Lol I don’t care what physical body our quarterback posses, just that our quarterback is great.

    If Jamies becomes great I will love him, but what he’s done so far he is an embarrassment

  64. Tbbucs3 Says:

    Random thought but….

    Man does Mark Barron look good in Zone coverage as an LB for the Rams….would’ve been a nice tool to still have in a pass happy league.

  65. Bucs fan #7423 Says:

    Tbbuc-

    Yes would be nice if our incompetent coaching staff actually built a system around what our players can do

  66. lurker Says:

    That is funny stuff, ndog

  67. JimmyJack Says:

    Good thing is the Bucs are in a win-win situation. BA might wanna give Djax another chance but he defientaly can’t like what’s he’s heard about Djax coming in.

    If Jackson want to be part of this he better be ready to kiss butt and be ready to get told.

    Nobody is going to be gifting away team captain honors & he is gonna have to take punts when the team needs it. Its can only work if he can be a team player and set a better example.

  68. JimmyJack Says:

    And it’s win-win because if Jackson don’t wanna be a Buc there will be guys who can replace him that do wanna be Bucs. John Brown & M. Bryant are 2 examples.

  69. tnew Says:

    7423 the reason why single high was no longer in play was the total failure of the running game and Djax not being willing to run the crossing route. Know what other speed receivers do vs two deep?? Crossing patterns. He might get hit tho. Kind of like returning punts. My point was not about Djax tho. Its about how “great” Fitz was hitting Djax. Just revisionist. Last five Fitz starts, he couldn’t find Djax either. Djax targets created the most interceptions by anyone on the team by both QB’s by a far cry.

    When Djax decides he wants to play, he’s very dangerous, but he has to be constantly placated to. This is why he doesn’t stick with teams. There are 52 players on the team. One player can’t demand such a high amount of attention unless they are truly transcendent players. Djax is not that guy. This isn’t a guy that just wants to win and gets crazy frustrated when he’s not… see the San Francisco game as the perfect example.

    Some of you guys really want him from the sole reason that he is anti-Winston.. Some don’t solely because he is anti-Winston. I could care less. They don’t have to like each other. My issue is that Djax picks and chooses when he wants to play hard. Djax dogged it enough over the past two seasons to void the threat of explosiveness that obviously brings. Like you said, he can have all of the tools but if he half a55es it, it doesn’t matter.

    I know you threw that at Winston, but at least his motivations and effort isn’t the question.

    You’ve made all of your thoughts clear by calling the QB who finished the season ranked 8th in Total QBR as garbage in favor of a player that refuses to celebrate a win because he didn’t have a catch and he doesn’t like the QB. This voids credibility. You clearly don’t remember the years of Trent Dilfer, Shaun King, Rob Johnson, Brian Griese, Chris Simms, Bruce Gradkowski, Josh Johnson, Byron Leftwich, Ryan Leaf, Mike Glennon, Josh Freeman, Josh Mckown just to name the ones I can remember.

    Keep throwing dirt on him, watch him with a real coach.

  70. Bucs fan #7423 Says:

    Tnew-

    No one has turned the ball over as much as Jamies Winston since he entered the league. 76 times

    He’s garbage bro

  71. Dave Says:

    I wonder what excuse the Winston supporters will come up with when he continues to turn the ball over or keeps sailing balls over everyone’s heads.

    When DJax is gone, which receiver will get thrown under the bus next?

  72. Common Sense Buc Says:

    All you Jameis slobberers out there, think about Jameis, the dual sport athlete in College. He was a pitcher. That’s why his short to mid-field passing game is really good. He can throw a rope from the mound and from under center with a football. If he would have played outfield and could accurately throw someone out at home, then I could see him being able to throw long bombs accurately with a football as well. I hope and pray BA recognizes this and is able to help him improve this area of his game. Ask Kirk Cousins how cool it was to have Desean 10 yards from the nearest defender knowing he did not have to throw the ball perfectly but within a few yards far or short and Desean would still catch it. Desean was not used properly and he knew it.

  73. tmaxcon Says:

    Dave

    Thankfully those of us who support winston will not have to manufacture BS and make as many excuses as the cancer93 nuthugger apologists have been spewing for a decade to justify their mancrush on the most overrated buc of all time and the undisputed face of the basement years

  74. Erik w/ Clean Athletics Says:

    The 1 and only reason that DJax doesn’t want to be here is bcuz he doesn’t want to waste the prime of his career with a QB who cannot effectively use him.

    That is all.

    You can’t blame him.

  75. Erik w/ Clean Athletics Says:

    Our offense does need a speed receiver though. John Brown should suffice if we can get him…

  76. Defense Rules Says:

    Bucs fan #7423 … Jameis isn’t “garbage bro”. Neither has he shown himself to be the ‘savior’ that Bucsville anointed him to be starting when he was a 20-year-old rookie QB on a 2-14 team. He’s still a young QB with lots of POTENTIAL. Whether or not Coach Arians can help him advance into a bonafide starting QB remains to be seen IMO, BUT … that scenario offers us long-suffering Bucs FANS the best opportunity at the present moment to finally root for a playoffs-bound team in 2019. We all just need to be patient & let it all play out.

    What’s the worst that can happen? We go 5-11 yet again (or worse?), pick high in the 2020 draft & select a QB with our 1st pick. Been there, done that. More than once actually. Bucs history has shown that the reason we did it more than once was because we couldn’t develop our shiny rookie ‘franchise’ QBs properly because they were surrounded by mediocre talent & mediocre coaching, NOT because they were crummy selections (unless you consider picks like Steve Young, Vinny Testaverde, etc ‘crummy selections’ that is). Let’s see this time what this coaching staff can do with Jameis BEFORE we throw him on the scrap heap of ex-Bucs QBs.

  77. Bruce Blahak Says:

    Need for speed…just sign free agent John Brown…

  78. adam from ny Says:

    hopefully bruce forces djax to prance around the locker room in a kool kangol…

  79. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    There is a good chance that a good veteran starting QB could become a free agent this year or next.

    Heck, if Flacco’s replacement had done better in the playoffs, he’d be on the street. Flacco hasn’t recently done well, but he hasn’t had the weapons he’d have here either. He could win big here.

    Or Stafford this year or next. Or whoever. We could see a situation like when Drew Brees first went to the Saints. I wanted him in Tampa, but most fans claimed he was washed up.

    If Winston fails, there will be long and short term options. Sigh a proven vet, and draft an heir to develop. No rebuild needed.

    And I disagree that Jameis will get an extension this off season. The Bucs always wait on these things to see if a player steps up. And Jameis would be a fool to agree to one.

    He could become a free agent next year and get to dollar. Easily.

  80. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    We don’t need a speed receiver. We never did. And I said that before DJax came here.

    Jameis connects deep with Evans, Humphries, Godwin and Howard. We never needed DJax, and we don’t need another speedy WR.

    Besides, as Rojo develops, he might become a speed threat.

    That’s the problem with Tampa fans. They don’t grasp the concept of development. If they’d had their way, Mike Evans would have been released after his second year.

    Arians method of player development is among the best. Players fans thought were bust picks last year will take huge steps this year.

  81. gracelivin Says:

    I’m not sold that Djax should stay, but he does have talent, it is just his attitude that stinks. But on another note if we keep Djax, I wonder if BA asks ME to play a Fitz type role, move into the slot, catch a lot of quick routes, block DE/LB so we can get the edge in the run game…we would have Djax and Godwin on the outside, ME in the slot, OJ at TE….in the 4 wide set bring in Hump to the slot, two te bring in Cam, we could really mess with teams….. just thinking

  82. Erik w/ Clean Athletics Says:

    Bonzai, a speed receiver totally changes how defenses defend us.

    Research it, bro. I’m not going to spend time on x’s & o’s here. Peace

    We need a speed receiver who runs good routes to loosen things up, trust me.

  83. cw_buc_crazy Says:

    @Ndog
    “Bucs fan #7423 just find a new team bro cause you clearly are going to hate this one for the next 10-15 years with Jameis on it.”
    —————————————
    We are Bucs fans , been and remain Bucs fan. Not a crappie QB , nor a dumb GM, is going to make us to “find” an other team.
    But to put your concern at rest, will let you know that mean time, until this team come back we have Gators.
    Go Bucs!

  84. Tbbucs3 Says:

    “As ROJO develops”

    Devolops into what?? ROJO is never going to be a speed threat. He’s slower than Doug Martin. No idea where this ROJO has speed idea comes from, have you seen him run? He trips over himself when he gets the ball.

  85. stpetebucsfan Says:

    DJAX has been a player associated with “attitude” since he entered the league. Philadelphia grew tired of his antics…beginning with his gang connections which he finally eliminated…yet something soured for them and he was off to DC.

    I hate split locker rooms but all reports are that BA is the master of LOcker rooms so I guess I’ll just have to trust his judgement.

    TBBF asked earlier about dates and I’m curious as well.

    When are the Bucs locked into DJAX’s 10million….first day of TC or the first day of the season.

    IE do they have all preseason to see how he behaves before making that decision?

  86. Jammin8519 Says:

    these are some of Todd Bowles defensive stats in NY: (i got this from another Bucs site)

    Bowles joins the Buccaneers after spending the past four seasons as the head coach of the New York Jets (2015-18). Under Bowles, the Jets posted one of the best run defenses in the NFL, holding teams to just 4.00 yards per carry, the sixth-lowest figure in the NFL during that span, and allowing only 44 rushing touchdowns, tied for the eighth-least in that timeframe. Bowles’ Jets defense also allowed opposing offenses to convert only 36.0 percent of third downs, the fourth-lowest mark in the league. Opposing passers completed just 60.6 percent of their passes against the Jets under Bowles, the third-lowest mark in the NFL.

    I’m sorry but he is wayyyyy better as a DC than mike Smith ever could be

  87. Owlykat Says:

    Great info on Bowles. Thanks Jammin8519. That is consistent with what he did with the Cardinals—5th best Defense in the NFL. BA has always been able to develop players, which will be a big boost for us as well. We have plenty of young talent for him and his assistants to develop too. Sometimes Licht has been blamed for not bringing better talent, but he has nothing to do with development except for Vea who he turned around just giving him a talk. The problems have been Koetter, Smitty, and Warhop. They never developed anyone. When Evans was having problems dropping passes awhile back it was Monken that developed him into a great hands receiver; not Koetter.