Jameis Watch: “Desperate” NFL Teams

December 1st, 2014

jameis winston 1113Crab-legs-stealing, BB-gun-shooting, obscenity-hollering, Heisman-Trophy-winning, national champion James Winston, the pride of Florida State University, continues to look like a much better quarterback prospect than Mike Glennon and Josh McCown.

It’s Joe’s daily nugget on the Jameis Watch, celebrating the best quarterback to wear No. 5 ever in the state of Florida.

December 1 has arrived, and the BSPN draft gurus have moved their clutches into third gear. Yes, the NFL Draft is less than 150 days away.

Among many topics Todd McShay and Mel Kiper addressed today was the potential No. 1 overall pick. Not surprisingly, quarterbacks were on their minds.

Oregon QB Marcus Mariota and Florida State QB Jameis Winston are the two most likely No. 1 choices. Part of that is due to the importance of the quarterback position, but it’s also due to the fact that both players are top-tier talents. Mariota needs to continue to improve his accuracy and consistency as a thrower, as he has done so far this season, but he grades out well in terms of his mental makeup and intangibles and he is a dynamic athlete whose dual-threat ability puts major stress on defenses. He has a quick release, strong arm and rare straight-line speed.

Winston’s off-field issues have been well documented, and NFL teams will put him under the microscope if he does enter the 2015 draft. It wouldn’t be a surprise if concerns related to his off-field behavior scared some teams off. But given how desperate NFL teams are to land a franchise QB, I think it’s naïve to write off the possibility that he could go No. 1 overall — at least based on what we know now. As a player, he possesses a very good release and arm strength, good pocket mobility, and he appears to be a very good on-field leader.

The Bucs need a quarterback, and Tampa Bay now sits with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, based on tiebreakers. But there’s plenty of NFL season — and college season — to play.

Of course, there will be plenty of “desperate” NFL teams, as referenced above. Will there be one more desperate than Tampa Bay? Probably.

61 Responses to “Jameis Watch: “Desperate” NFL Teams”

  1. lightningbuc Says:

    The rapist has 21 TD and 17 INT this year. Seriously, you’re still talking about him?

  2. DB55 Says:

    F* Winston draft Cook.

  3. The Wizard Says:

    I can see why Joe would’ve initiated this segment a couple months ago, but now it definitely seems like Mariota is far and away the better prospect. Get up to speed, Joes lol…. Has anyone heard about that computer program that Mariota has been using to increase the speed of his reads??? Wow, that’s awesome stuff. That guy is seriously an elite prospect. Joes, you could probably have much more profound content in this segment if it was a Mariota watch. Just sayin….

  4. mikeh Says:

    I agree. lovie friggin dovie is not going to draft a QB he needs wins to keep his job next year. he is not going to play a rookie that’s for sure.

  5. Matts17 Says:

    Winston is NOT worthy of the first overall pick. How many more years are teams going to waste high first rd picks on guys that do not possess the ability to be a pocket passer which contrary to popular belief is still and will always be key to being a successful QB in this league.

    Winston is overrated period. The Bucs would be uber foolish to draft him 1 or 2 overall. No more than a 3rd rd pick here. God these NFL talent evaluators have got to stop this mindless and desperate reaching for the next Brady.

  6. tgreg Says:

    Please tell me which “franchise QB;s” have a turned a team around in their initial year? For that matter their initial contract! You think maybe the Skins would rather have their picks back? I am sure Jay Gruden would.

    Have Bortles, Bridgewater, Carr or Manziel changed the face of the franchise this year? Or Geno Smith last year? I will give you Andrew Luck but he is a once in a decade talent who played in a pro system.

    As Beckles pointed out last week, the “athletic QB’s” Joe loves fizzle out pretty quickly. Only way to build a winner is from the front back

  7. ryan Says:

    I never root for the Bucs to lose between 1pm-4pm on Sundays but I can say I’m not upset that they found a new way to lose yesterday. Cant imagine them winning against the Lions,Packers or Saints. Gotta hope the Jets can squeeze out another win and the Redskins winning this upcoming weekend(Rams) will be nice too.

    Jags-no chance at QB
    Raiders–doubtful but never know with a new HC
    Jets–yes but they play Titans so someone’s gotta win
    Titans–quite possible
    Redskins–quite possible

  8. The Wizard Says:

    Winston is basically JFree 2.0 or Jamarcus Russell 2.0. Take your pick

  9. Zam Says:

    I could see Winston going to Denver or New England type of team that has an established QB that’s long in the tooth.

    That’s a gamble late in the first round that doesn’t really have to pay off.

  10. port richey george Says:

    if another team is in love with the FSU superstar they might trade the family farm to get ahead of the bucs in the draft to take him. it has happened in the past where a team with leap frog ahead of another to take a player they regard as a future all pro. example: mike Ditka coached the saints he traded his entire draft in 1999 to move up and take ricky Williams running back. yes running backs used to be top 5 draft picks.

  11. Brent Says:

    I think mariotta is top qb prospect, Winston has regressed and is immature. I think I’d take mariotta or try to trade down. If cant trade down and no mariotta take the sure thing at dl or ot.

  12. Jim Says:

    I smell JaMarcus Russell.

  13. Sick of this $hit Says:

    A month ago, I was all about drafting a QB in the first, especially Winston. But, we need Oline more than anything else in the draft at this point. The play of the current Oline is seriously disturbing. Holding, False start, clipping, cant line up in correct position, rolling the ball to the QB from the center, etc. Im not even sure how you could get 5 guys to be so bad, even if you were doing it on purpose. We need a stud tackle, a guard, and center real bad.

  14. BucFanInArkansas Says:

    I want the Bucs to win every game they play. That said, theis year they suck, and if they’re gonna suck, they might as well “Suck for the Duck”!! Go get Mariota.

  15. Mr. Patrick Says:

    What may be scaring teams off of Winston is all of those interceptions. Won’t be able to get away from those in the NFL

  16. Pelbuc Says:

    As much as I want a “franchise QB”, no one will succeed behind this Oline. If Mariota is not there, then trade down for extra picks or get the best Olineman. Bucs have no depth at all.

  17. 87ForJameisOrMariota Says:

    First off you can take away about 5 of those INT’s that were deflected passes off of his freshmen WR’s hands, because he throws the ball so damn hard.

    I’ll take either one though.

  18. Arealbucsfan Says:

    How about randy gregory?

  19. BillT Says:

    NFL may be concerned about Winston’s off-field issues, but they better realize his on-field play is sooo overrated. He sucks against good defenses. 17 Ints are ridiculous. Any pressure and he’ll force balls into coverage. Just like Geno Smith his first two years

  20. Mariota is RG3 Says:

    In terms of talent, Mariota is RG3 and Winston is Luck. Oregon’s offense doesn’t translate to NFL (unless he’s drafted by Philly). Winston is Bucs best option at QB. He’ll also need a REAL OC…..not Arroyo.

  21. Pwnasaurus Says:

    Winston far and away the better pro prospect. He has Elite pocket passer skills and pre snap reads. Mariotta is the next dual threat project system QB. Any of you losers calling Winston names and hating on him are probably just gator or SEC homers that are butt hurt he is kicking the SEC’s butt. Winston to the Bucs 2015

  22. BucFan20 Says:

    Just imagine how great this turn over machine would be against NFL cbs.

  23. Skyline Crew for Mariota or Winston Says:

    Mariota

  24. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Poll time…..Joe doesn’t really care what we think…..he’d rather keep running these articles without knowing.

    Said basically….why ruin a poll when Winston hasn’t declared for the NFL yet….exactly….why run daily articles?

  25. Skyline Crew for Mariota or Winston Says:

    Mariota is the best pick for us. People were wanting Watkins this year and I was wanting Evans. We got Evans and I believe he has proved to be much better than Watkins mentally and physically.

  26. Harry Says:

    @Lightning,
    Sorry, I was confused. I thought you were referring to Ben Rapelesburger, the scumbag…

  27. Please Says:

    Either of these guys will be dog meat on the Bucs. We need o-lineman that are mean dudes who like to run the ball. And an OC who will pound relentlessly (especially into the 2nd half if it’s working in the 1st!)

  28. 87ForJameisOrMariota Says:

    “Said basically….why ruin a poll when Winston hasn’t declared for the NFL yet….exactly….why run daily articles?”

    TBBF..Because like Joe says and you know all to well. It’s Joe’s site and Joe writes about what he wants to write about. It’s not a democracy here man.

    Why does it bother you so much?

  29. jo_mama Says:

    Joe Seriously Fack Winston.

    Let’s start a Brian Hoyer Thread. Matt Cassel Thread. Sam Bradford Thread, Matt Hasselbeck

    17 Ints this season in College football is not want you want in the NFL.

    Or at the very least change your Winston Thread to a Mariota Thread

  30. Shane Marco Says:

    Wow Joe, you must be really excited about this kid being drafted by the Bucs….it will be so much fun watching him average about 3 pics a game.

  31. Greg Says:

    Mariota is like having a Vick for a qb. How many times can a qb run the ball around NFL defense b4 somebody lowers the boom on them. Anybody that says mariota will b better just think about how good he’s gonna b w a few concussions. Winston is by far a better passer than mariota. He was read defenses when he was n middle school

  32. 87ForJameisOrMariota Says:

    You stats people are hilarious. 17 INT’s 17 INT’s 17 INT’s!

    If you’ve watched the games then you would know that many of the INT’s we’re not his fault, but it’s obvious most of you only go by that stat.

    17 INTs 17 INT’s 17 INT’s…this loser has 17 INT’s…WTF ever.

  33. Shane Marco Says:

    That feeling you get when you hear Winston’s name called while your holding 87’s hand and wearing your Noles gear, hold on to it, that will be your happiest moment for the next five years, it’s all down hill after that.

  34. snook Says:

    Matt Ryan threw 19 INTs in his last year at BC.

    He’s turned out ok.

  35. Dave Pear Says:

    Hey Joes,
    How about a Glennon poll?

  36. Skyline Crew for Mariota or Winston Says:

    Mariota doesn’t run as much as you think. He had maybe 40 yds last week with 2 tds running. Mot exactly running like Manziel or RG3. Also why are people down on Mariota when you all wanted Manziel. Mariota is way better than Manziel.

  37. Kevin Says:

    Here’s the thing about Winston, he’s a top tier athlete and competitor. I do think though that the offensive line and receivers do a lot of the heavy lifting in that offense, hence the statistical drop off. My biggest worry with him is not, “Can he make an NFL throw?” (Yes), it’s, “Can he read (or be taught how to) an NFL defense?” – FSU fan

  38. Patrickbucs Says:

    You do not have to draft lineman early to have success, usually the top flight QB’s are first round picks. I know about Brad, the guy that didn’t start his senior year in college.

  39. Fort Myers Dave Says:

    Speaking of desperate teams; nice gag job by the Jets tonight in Miami. Nothing like being in FG range to take a 16-6 lead then Geno bobbles a snap and get knocked out of FG range and then punt and let Miami go 90 yards for the tie and then let Miami get a late FG to ead 16-13. Jets get to midfield and Geno throws a pick to seal the loss; sounds a lot like our Buccos don’t it. Another 2-10 team desperately trying to stay in range for that high draft pick next spring. Good to see the Bucs have some company as far as ineptitude, bad coaching and total screw ups on the field…..

  40. Loggedontosay Says:

    Kevin Says:
    December 2nd, 2014 at 12:26 am
    Here’s the thing about Winston, he’s a top tier athlete and competitor. I do think though that the offensive line and receivers do a lot of the heavy lifting in that offense, hence the statistical drop off. My biggest worry with him is not, “Can he make an NFL throw?” (Yes), it’s, “Can he read (or be taught how to) an NFL defense?” – FSU fan

    You either have not watched FSU games or you know nothing about football.

  41. lurker Says:

    “I smell JaMarcus Russell.”

    tell him to get off your face!

    😉

  42. Todd Says:

    draft winston and keep glennon dump mccown

  43. Dylan Says:

    Pfft I actually agree with joes. Winston is a beast bucs lucky to have him. Marriotta sucks

  44. Todd Says:

    winston is a winner on the field we need a full culture change in tampa

  45. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    The Winston tears taste delicious. Please keep them coming.

  46. gobucs12 Says:

    Whoever isn’t rooting to draft Winston is a Gator Homer who knows absolutely nothing about football and also subconsciously hates the bucs. He is a winner, period! Talk about intangibles, isn’t winning the one that matters the most. All you gator Homers weren’t talking about Tebow ‘s talent, or lack there of, during his short stint in the nfl. What yall said is he is a winner! Well Winston is a winner that can actually throw a ten yard out, with rare accuracy and understanding of coverages.

    Winaton will be a pro bowl QB in years to come and Mariota will be the next Kaep/RG3.

  47. gobucs12 Says:

    People please stop with the JaMarcus Russell comparisons, it just shows how ignorant you are about the game of football. Russell lost 4 games in college, so far winston has lost 0. Winston threw more TDS in his freshmen year than Russell did in his entire career. Russell in interviews has talked about how he never studied up on opposing teams and didn’t understand coverages. Winston knew coverages better than him and the majority of college QBs when he was 12 years old. Just go look at his note pad at the age of 12.

    So please stop!

  48. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    “gobucs12 Says:
    December 2nd, 2014 at 10:22 am

    People please stop with the JaMarcus Russell comparisons”

    I think we both know what those people desperately want to say. They just hide behind non-existent football comparisons. Jameis is nothing whatsoever like JaMarcus.

  49. Rob Says:

    “The rapist has 21 TD and 17 INT this year. Seriously, you’re still talking about him?”

    And Mariota has 36 passing TD’s, 11 rushing TD’s, and 1 receiving TD – against TWO interceptions.

    There’s no question here which guy the Bucs should go after.

  50. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    One guys runs a spread offense. How many spread offense QBs have SUCCESSFULLY adjusted to the NFL?

    The others has thrown for 7307 yards at 66% with 61 tds and 27 int in his 2 year career. He runs a pro style offense, and can snaps under center or in shotgun.

    There’s definitely no question who to choose.

  51. gatrbuc17 Says:

    If his game against UF didn’t wake the Joes up then there is Simply No Hope for them

  52. gatrbuc17 Says:

    Yup…………It’s official. Gobucs12 is an idiot

  53. gatrbuc17 Says:

    I challenge ANY of you to show me which of Winston’s FOUR first half interceptions that were not on him Saturday.

  54. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    Winston is 2-0 against UF. Sure, he had a bad game last week. But, his 2 year career (As Frosh and Soph) includes a win in hostile Gainesville, where he went 19/31 for 327 3 td 1 int.

    Jameis has not replicated a season that went down as the GREATEST offensive team in HISTORY of Div. 1 football.

    I’m not sure who expected him to. The 2 incoming receivers replacements have routinely run poor routes and stopped on plays. Quite a few picks have come from this. He lost his starting center to the NFL. His replacement broke his arm, so much of the season a redshirt frosh center was largely a welcome mat that lead to the pocket being broken up. The top 2 running backs also were replaced.

    The reality is, he has tried too hard at times to carry the team (after so much attrition), but he has kept on winning. Even against UF. Hate on!!

  55. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    “gatrbuc17 Says:
    December 2nd, 2014 at 1:03 pm

    I challenge ANY of you to show me which of Winston’s FOUR first half interceptions that were not on him Saturday.”

    I challenge you to show me any QB stats that show one half of one game, that is more indicative of his career than actually looking at this entire career. He’s been winning and playing at an high level his entire career. High school, QB camps, Freshman national champ, Heisman, back to back undefeated seasons, the list goes on.

    Or, we can look at the first half of a game against his arch rival, that he won.

  56. gatrbuc17 Says:

    Love and Dunn
    My “hate” as you call it for Jameis has absolutely NOTHING to do with what school JW goes to or what school I went to.
    The kid is completely and totally stupid, immature, makes horrible decisions on and off the field. Simple as that. I think he is a bust waiting to happen as he is already unraveling in front of our eyes.
    I want a QB with integrity and that leads by example. Is that too much to ask for?

  57. gatrbuc17 Says:

    The dumbarse is stealing Crab legs at a Publix with one of the most recognizable faces in the Country. That is the kind of stupid a script writer cant even make up. WTF makes you think he’s gonna get smarter with Millions of dollars in his pocket?????

  58. gatrbuc17 Says:

    Well nothing Im typing is showing up anymore so……………

  59. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    gatr,

    Fortunately, neither me nor you is any NFL front offices. If TB gets him, and I will be happy, you will not.

    Re: crab legs. I’d put money it was a case of him getting the hookup, and some employee not knowing. It was better to take the ticket than the NCAA violation.

    I don’t claim for any successful D1 program to be much cleaner than the others. They are recruiting the same guys. The bag man exists at every school, and there’s hookups at every school. They are agents at every school (Tank Black for instance) Some are just more obvious than others (cough*Auburn*cough). But, yes, it shows up as shoplifting, sure.

    Bottom line, you think he’ll be a bust. I do not. I think he’s been a coddled athlete his entire life with the maturity level of a 16 year old. But, I don’t agree with you on your view of him.

    So, we will see in a few years.

  60. pick6 Says:

    best case scenario for me would be winston being on the board when we pick…..and the phone ringing with some sucker on the other end of the line offering an RG3 style haul. Winston will show just enough promise and ability to kill a franchise and the careers of a few coaches along the way. don’t need that here.

  61. Brandon Says:

    Anybody comparing Winston to JaMarcus Russell is either being lazy or they’re just plain stupid. Russell was a care-taker on a great team that won the QB position in his junior season. He had one year as a full-time starter and it was no guarantee he would start that season due to questions about his work ethic. Athletically, Russell was far superior to Winston, much bigger, much better arm, probably better straight-line speed…but Russell was a lazy tub of crap. If the collegiate warning signs weren’t enough, Russell showed up at the biggest job interview of his life at a blubbery OG-like 265 lbs. It was ZERO surprise to me when Russell ate his way out of the league in 4 seasons (I said it would take 5, I was a little off).

    As for Winston, he is the point man for the FSU offense. He is relied upon to win games, and that’s all he has ever done…. win. If he has a bad game, FSU struggles, if he plays well, they are dominant. Teams come into games with FSU with the sole mindset of shutting down Winston. He has not played extremely well at times this season, but as a collegiate player he has been leaps and bounds better than Russell EVER was in his entire collegiate career.

    Off the field, even the lazy, laid-back Russell, was less of a risk than Winston. NFL teams are counting on Winston to grow the EFF up and are hoping he isn’t just terminally stupid. Cam Newton is a very good example of Winston and what NFL scouts are hoping will happen off the field.