Smoke Is Healthy At One Buc Palace
February 23rd, 2015
Joe can’t believe how much inhaling is going on around town and across America.
And nobody should be happier than the folks working and puffing at One Buc Palace.
Joe heard Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud on WDAE-AM 620 talking in definitive terms that the Bucs are clearly leaning toward Jameis Winson this morning. Peter King, of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports, nearly has done a complete about face towards Winston. (More on that later).
Man, the marketing and sales types at One Buc Palace must be licking their chops.
Every ounce of rollercoaster, Winston-Marcus Mariota chatter is money in the bank. It’s driving interest in a bad team, and will drive it higher when the rollercoaster next swings back toward Mariota soon. And it will. Guaranteed.
Joe would advise fans to enjoy the drama and inhale all the smoke they can. It’s fun. And it’s legal. Just don’t think any of it is real.
The Bucs are quarterback starved and Winston and Mariota are great prospects. There’s no debate there. But don’t think for a second the Bucs are going to publicly tip their hand for any other reason than to paint a picture — and pictures aren’t real — of their extreme interest in both players.
Everybody wins that way.
Who does Team Glazer like? That’s the only question that really matters.
And that answer won’t be a traceable scent, unless Team Glazer chooses to join the fun and puff out a little smoke at the NFL Owners Meetings next month.
Joe hopes they do it.
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:25 am
After watching Saturday’s combine workouts and the Mooch interview – I don’t see how anyone wouldn’t take Winston first overall.
Exactly. The Mooch interview was an edited-for-TV, 3 1/2 minute clip. Keep inhaling. It’s fun. –Joe
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:30 am
If Winston passed the interview process, then I think it’s all but a done deal.
We just have to wait it out to hear that name called.
Interview process has barely started. He hasn’t even been grilled and drilled in Tampa yet. –Joe
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:31 am
@hotrod
Agreed! But remember these are the Bucs where anything that defies reason is possible.
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:34 am
Desperate teams make desperate picks….
See Browns, Raiders, Jets, Jags…
Don’t be desperate Rob Lowe.
Manzeil also supposedly killed it in his interviews, everyone loved him, what a great guy, very charismatic, really knows his X’ and O’s, a real leader, yada, yada , yada. The PR machine is in full-sell mode, I’m sure The Legacy Agency (his agent of record) has already “Loaned” him a cool $500k or so and has him in classes on how to be an adult and how to interview and how to impress those he needs to. My question is, what happens when his days aren’t completely planned and scheduled for him. That time between the draft and the first OTA, you know, the days the cameras caught Johnny 8Ball in the bathroom in Vegas. My feeling is, as a franchise the Bucs shouldn’t have to raise their number one pick, that should have been taken care of by his parents.
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:34 am
i agree he look good hot rod, but it’s the things he says that make you question his maturity and what reality he is in.
SB year one? brady, manning? delusional, egotistical? either way he is in for a rude awakening.
Off the field issues, let’s say he straightens up. there is still going to be a huge distraction with the lawsuit, not to mention being the no.1 pick and starting nfl QB. you think his ego is big now. just wait.
I agree with others, he’ll set the franchise back years, and years. love his skill, dislike him as a person and major character flaws.
character is destiny.
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:35 am
Don’t be desperate Rob Lowe.
post of the day!! 🙂 RFLMAO
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:36 am
I don’t think any of the pen and mike club will see any of the in depth interviews/tryouts that both of these QBs will have with the Bucs and they will be the ones that the QB is picked on.
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:40 am
I disagree, Joe. If they really are leaning towards Winston, it would be wise of them to prepare the fans for such thing, from a PR standpoint. Don’t think it would be smart to catch the fan base by surprise, and have a possible uproar afterwards.
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:45 am
I for one and glad for the national news because if your not a bucs fan that’s fine but this coverage will make you curious about what our number 1 overall pick is doing when we come to your city to play against you during the season and bucs are set up right now to make a jump in fanbase, in wins, in coverage and honestly the season was bad but there was steady improvement in the defense so that counts as momentum….im desperately in need of a young infusion of talent at the safety and corner positions just as much as our defensive end positions. even Michael Johnson gets a clean slate with a new year. now it’s all on lovie because mccown is no longer your excuse and this has to be a breakout season
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:49 am
Lol. You dislike that he wants to compete for the super bowl year 1? You dislike he wants to be Manning and Brady?! Wtf…we have never had a guy that talented AND that charismatic. I love it.
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:49 am
Forget the smoke, Joe(s) passing out cool-aide by the mega-gallons….
I love how some folks think the defense has already improved….and there hasn’t even been an injury yet…..
No way to tell what will happen come July……this time last year everyone was looking forward to an 8-8 season at the worst….
Fans make plans and God laughs…….
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:50 am
Not what a lot of you want to consider, but 300+ pound Leonard Williams ran a 40 yard time as fast as Winston. Depending on how involved ownership gets, I still wouldn’t rule out Williams being taken at #1. All depends on what the coaches, GM, and ownership really think of Glennon I guess?
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:55 am
As far as the Glazers go….we’ve had exactly one report from Charlie Campbell that the Glazers were on board with Winston…..that report has never been confirmed by any other reporter….so it may not have much validity…..and yes….the Glazer’s opinion does count.
The Mocks in part believe that Lovie needs to win now thus the Winston pick….but, it will be the longer term vision of the Glazers that will prevail….that could still mean Winston…but it also opens up the door for Mariota development.
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:56 am
Lovethepewter…it’s called nitpicking, it’s what he does.
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:57 am
I cannot wait for the Gruden QB Camp with Winston on ESPN.
He may know more than Chucky…
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:58 am
Come on now. They will fill you with the good stuff on TV. It’s all BS. I want Mariota in tampa. His demeanor is more acceptable. Nothing against Winston he seems like a goo kid and will be a great player. I just feel way more comfortable handing it over to Mariota.
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:58 am
Mooch is always such a Nad Hugger to EVERYONE that it is hard for me to put much faith in anything he says. Gruden and Mooch are cut from the same cloth. (other than Jon has that shiny ring)
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:59 am
Winston is a lot like Newton, IMO. Except Winston is more pro-ready. And Winston is probably a little more charismatic.
And who here wouldn’t take Newton as their QB? Carolina has won the division with a good defense and 3rd best QB in the NFC South. Two years in a row.
February 23rd, 2015 at 10:01 am
this isn’t raider nation, they are the only one who draft based on 40 times……there is no other position that can improve this more than an upgrade at quarterback position it’s been proven time and time again. and yes the defense did steadily improve last year despite an ineffective pass rush and even in a losing season you have to look at what you have on your roster than you can build upon not just what your record was last year, that’s thinking like a fan and if you work for or own a team that is not the top priority, fans follow winners period and apparently losers. only the pessimist see’s doom based on our record, those are the guys who sit and watch the ball and don’t watch the game…if you ignore the ball when glennon drops back to pass and watch whats going on around him then you know why the guy sucks, you can always catch up to the ball especially with him because you know he’s only gonna throw it like 4 yards downfield
February 23rd, 2015 at 10:06 am
Guess some people would rather have Dante Fowler and his opinion of the Bucs.
Last we heard, 32 teams have a goal of making the Super Bowl. Should he lower the team goal to single digit win seasons?
February 23rd, 2015 at 10:11 am
So much mis info this time of year. Bucs never draft who I’d like so I’m readying myself for more losing and a bad pick.
February 23rd, 2015 at 10:15 am
Snook Says:
February 23rd, 2015 at 9:57 am
“I cannot wait for the Gruden QB Camp with Winston on ESPN.
He may know more than Chucky…”
Snook I was thinking this exact same thing last night.
February 23rd, 2015 at 10:15 am
I know that football is a physical sport, filled with tough guys from the streets.
And I was scared about just how Winston would come off in the interviews and his whiteboard work with Coach Mariucci.
He came off in interviews as passionate, funny and a very engaging fellow.
In the Coach’s room, he blew me away. He not only understood the concepts and defenses he was being quizzed about, but he redid the whole complicated scenario on the board himself. The kid really is a bright, personable QB with the brain sorta like Peyton, the winning drive of Farve and the work ethic and teach ability of Aaron Rogers.
Will he reach any of the heights those 3 did? Probably not, but it’ll be fun seeing him fighting every last second to pull out a win for Tampa.
Hey…did you notice Coach Steve said “in this wide receiver position, you have Jerry Rice”. Then told Winston, you won’t have Jerry Rice and Winston responded, “But I’ll have VINCENT JACKSON”!
Loved it.
February 23rd, 2015 at 10:35 am
After the combine, especially seeing his football IQ displayed, Im sold on Jameis. So far, heres my pre free agency wishes for us (not all rounds just yet)
1. Jameis Winston
2. Bernardrick McKinney (LB) or Stephone Anthony (LB) or Cam Irving (C or G)
3. Tre Jackson (G) or Donovan Smith (OT)
4. Senquez Golson (CB nickel) or Kenny Bell (WR)
5. Eric Rowe (CB but could be a Safety)
5. Davis Tull (LB or DE if he can bulk up a little more)
It all boils down to what we do in FA before I settle in on my final mock/wish.
February 23rd, 2015 at 10:38 am
I agree with adown above and i actually said it yesterday. All this smoke screen stuff is kind of silly! WE HAVE THE NUMBER ONE PICK! We don’t need to fool anyone! The Bucs are in desperate need of a QB and they are on record as saying they have a favorite in this race. The prospects will be brought in for visits and workouts along with a pro day but that seems like just a formality at this point. The Bucs have been doing there research for over a year most likely and very in depth no doubt the post couple of months. There is no way they will trade this pick either. On top of being just idiotic, there would be a mutiny by the fans if they passed on one of these two guys (aside from the few morons who want to trot Glennon back out there and pick up a guard with the 15th pick in the draft). The Glazers run a business and want to make money, they don’t want to have 20k fans showing up for games next year and that is about all they would get if they don’t give us some hope with a potential franchise guy. Having said all that, Winston appears to be the guy and the team needs to pave the way for him. Just announce that he is the guy and start the PR work. I will say it again, WE HAVE THE NUMBER ONE PICK AND WE AINT TRADING IT. STOP THE SMOKE SCREEN BS!
February 23rd, 2015 at 10:56 am
the bucs have one move left to try. if they figure out who the titans badly want and are happy to have the other guy, they might be able to bluff the titans into a swap and extract a slight ransom. but if both QBs continue to impress the bucs would be crazy to trade out of the top 2. they won’t tip their hand until a guy is on stage holding one of our ugly buccaneers #1 jerseys.
February 23rd, 2015 at 12:08 pm
The media goes back and forth. The Bucs brass likely made their decision a while back. They’re doing their due diligence on the players and will have a chance to get a closer look during private workouts. Barring any big surprises, it’s likely the Bucs have already made up their mind.
February 23rd, 2015 at 12:38 pm
Well if Leonard Williams wants to be a Raider why not try a trade down with them? They take Williams at #1, Titans take one of the top QB’s, Jags drafted a turnover machine QB last year, so unless the Jags trade out of 3 that gives either one of the QB’s or Gregory available at 4. Plus I’d hope to see the Raiders 2016 #1 in that package
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:14 pm
Good thinking, Joe. TheBUCS love this attention, and probably have daily sessions on how they are going to answer #1 pick questions.
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:32 pm
This must be the other Joe typing this article or they both finally woke up… Because clearly one or both were sold on every positive note coming out about JW…
The Glazers, Licht, and Lovie all endorsed the kid and would have no problem taking him 1st overall so we must be taking him… The other or both now understands the “season of smoke” and common sense that no one in their right mind would come out and say JW or MM aren’t worthy of the top pick if they work currently for the Bucs.
Now if we could get some moderation over some of the comments section that would be an added bonus.. So much hate spewed over something NONE of us will actually have a say in at the end of the day.
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:37 pm
Posters post
Bucs GM draft
Thank goodness.
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:47 pm
BirdDoggers, i share your opinion, they’ve known who their #1 pick would be probably since before the superbowl. it is possible for their lead candidate to blow it if the bucs uncover a major concern that didn’t emerge in the months they’ve already invested into researching this duo. it’s also possible they consider a ricky williams or RG3 type of draft haul, but i don’t think that offer is out there this year. so, for the most part it’s now just draft kabuki with the #1 overall and putting more serious planning into the rest of the draft board.
February 23rd, 2015 at 1:58 pm
“Joe would advise fans to enjoy the drama and inhale all the smoke they can. It’s fun. And it’s legal. Just don’t think any of it is real.”
That sentence alone is better than any football realted article you will find from Scott Reynolds or the whole Tampa Newspaper D-Bags – Joe, you are showing who the true talent is – King of football related writting
Love that!^^
(and Steven White is king of analysis)
February 23rd, 2015 at 2:10 pm
I’m not saying it hasn’t happened but I keep hearing teams want to trade up in the draft for MM. I personally haven’t heard any team say they want to trade up for Winston.
February 23rd, 2015 at 4:29 pm
Think teams want to trade up for MM because in their mind, Winston is off the board.
February 23rd, 2015 at 7:23 pm
I agree with adown above and i actually said it yesterday. All this smoke screen stuff is kind of silly! WE HAVE THE NUMBER ONE PICK! We don’t need to fool anyone! The Bucs are in desperate need of a QB and they are on record as saying they have a favorite in this race.
——————————————————–
Not necessarily. It’s a poker game, perhaps you don’t want to trade the pick or can’t because we do need a qb, but you still don’t tip your hand. A team might come along and offer you way more than you expected, at which point, you entertain the offer anyhow.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:04 am
Lenard Williams PLEASE!!!
Draft Defense please!!
Hes 300 lbs and faster than Jameis Winston!!
Hell, Mike Glennon is faster than Jameis Winston!!
Please get Leonard Williams!!
And put him mext to Gerald. Oooooowwweeee!
Thats Nasty!