Lovie: Off-Field Actions Haven’t Ruled Out Winston
February 18th, 2015
Lovie Smith implied today that his strong belief in the American judicial system is why he and the Bucs are comfortable having Jameis Winston become their quarterback of the future.
Joe’s got Lovie’s full take, live from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Of course, Lovie was blasted with Winston questions, including how he feels about Winston’s questionable off-field actions.
“What I feel right now, with information we have right now, I understand allegations are against him. I understand that he went through the justice system, the court system, to be exonerated on some allegations against him,” Lovie said. “I understand some of the college things that some guys do that you wish you wouldn’t later on. And I understand some of the things that he did that are on his record right now.
“We just take all the information we could possibly get at this point. It’s early, keep in mind we’re just to the combine and we have a lot more research to do and we’ll do that. Right now, with the information we have now, we haven’t taken him off our list or anything like that.
“I think if a player’s been accused of something, and then they’ve been exonerated of it, you have to go with that. That’s what our justice system is all about. So, that’s how we’ll go forward.”
Cue the God Bless America lyrics.
Stick with Joe through the day, and the week, for much more.
February 18th, 2015 at 12:01 pm
Who better to shut the moronic haters up than lovie. Been saying it for weeks. INNOCENT TIL GUILTY NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. ITLL BE WINSTON BOYS
February 18th, 2015 at 12:03 pm
Gene: Winston to Evans. TOUCHDOWN TAMPA BAY!!
February 18th, 2015 at 12:07 pm
Meh I wish it was draft day
February 18th, 2015 at 12:12 pm
Anyone have a problem with Lovie for his “on-the-field” issues?
lol
February 18th, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Lovie and Licht said exactly the same things about Johnny Manziel at this time last year and we see how well he turned out. If Bucs draft Winston it will just be a repeat of Manziel, a disaster
February 18th, 2015 at 12:14 pm
Winston is the best QB and everyone at OBP who matters is on board. Drafting Jameis is definitely your fastest path the being “relevant” again Lovie.
February 18th, 2015 at 12:16 pm
I’ve been saying all along his character isn’t an issue. People grow up.
February 18th, 2015 at 12:20 pm
Take the QB with the higher ceiling. Have him sit behind Glennon. If he really wanted Winston I would expect more emphasis from Lovie.
February 18th, 2015 at 12:20 pm
Mike Glennon would be a much better plan than drafting Jamarcus Winston, but the best pick by far would be Marcus Mariota
February 18th, 2015 at 12:22 pm
Nothing like going from the Dunkaneers one offseason to the Rapeaneers the next.
February 18th, 2015 at 12:24 pm
Drafting Winston is the fast path to becoming the raiders. He is a bust just like all Jimbo fishers pro ready QB expect the other once didn’t get in trouble with the law
February 18th, 2015 at 12:25 pm
No comment. Why bother.
February 18th, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Pickgrin Says:
Winston is the best QB and everyone at OBP who matters is on board. Drafting Jameis is definitely your fastest path the being “relevant” again Lovie.
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And your inside source at OBP is..? Have you been sitting in the draft meetings with the staff that “matters”?
February 18th, 2015 at 12:26 pm
Better than the Kagaroo Courtaneers
February 18th, 2015 at 12:28 pm
Im glad Lovie is smarter than the idiots who think they are judge and jury and already found Winston guilty beyond any shadow of doubt. Not a good football coach but at least he has common sense.
February 18th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
I hope the Bucs like picking at #1 because if they screw up and draft Turd Winston they will find themselves picking there a lot
February 18th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
“It’s early, keep in mind we’re just to the combine and we have a lot more research to do and we’ll do that”
still waiting. waiting for what? you should have guys talking to everyone he knows! find the skeletons or the gold….but to say, we’ll get to it? WTF?
“I think if a player’s been accused of something, and then they’ve been exonerated of it, you have to go with that. That’s what our justice system is all about. So, that’s how we’ll go forward.”
If thats the case they damn well better be going after Carolina criminal as well.
damn, lovie must love him some crab legs and pimp hands.
February 18th, 2015 at 12:31 pm
“87ForWinstonNOMariota Says:
February 18th, 2015 at 12:25 pm
No comment. Why bother.”
Just picture how that orange jersey will fit on you. Are you getting a number five or a one like it will be at the podium? Make sure you specify to Erik.
February 18th, 2015 at 12:35 pm
The Bucs should say positive things about every prospect. It’s one of the advantages of holding the #1 pick. Winston might end up being the pick but it doesn’t hurt to keep everyone guessing.
February 18th, 2015 at 12:38 pm
HAIL KING JAMEIS!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 18th, 2015 at 12:38 pm
I wonder if Winston will set the single season most interception record in the NFL?
February 18th, 2015 at 12:39 pm
“Mike Williams is still a part of this team. Revis has a place on our defense. I love Manziel, he looked great at his pro day.”
Lovie Thurston Howell III
February 18th, 2015 at 12:41 pm
“We have a favorite, but we want the process to play out,” Licht said, per Dan Kadar. That favorite will have to have mental toughness, football intelligence an decision-making, which are the top three traits he’s looking for, according to Scott Smith. WELCOME TO TAMPA MARCUS MARIOTA!
February 18th, 2015 at 12:42 pm
If the Bucs do draft Turd Winston, they should change their names to the Tampa Bay Turds. Personally, I like Tennessee Turds better
February 18th, 2015 at 12:43 pm
Winston fans should realize this is the death blow to drafting him. Lovie is a pathological liar, virtually every time he speaks publicly it turns out to be a lie. Mariota or Willaims, the only two players Lovie is actually considering.
February 18th, 2015 at 12:43 pm
ODB…most likely a #5 whether he buys it or not.
I’m trying to get people in here to come to grips with all this. I told them it’s going to be like a tsunami soon when 85% of analysts are all picking the Bucs to draft Winston. Their constant whining about Winston is going to be swallowed up and drown out by the tsunami.
Yes, yes. Most mocks are wrong about a lot of the picks, but hardly ever do they get the first pick wrong, ezspecially when they are on the same page.
As of right now mock drafters are giving Winston a 9-3 lead over Mariota. That’s a wide margin. I expect that margin to grow for Winston in the next few weeks. I am paying attention to the mockers. Because I know they very rarely get that first pick wrong.
Everything else is just chatter form here on out.
Did you see Winston in Michigan outside in the snow? The kid was walking soooooooo slow on that snow. I just had to laugh. He was clearly walking as slow as possible to avoid any injuries before the combine.
February 18th, 2015 at 12:43 pm
@marshallu I loove America my friend but you saying “Mike Glennon would be a better plan than Winston” should be illegal. That has to be just the dumbest thing I’ve read in years. WATCH THE GOD DAMN WASHINGTON TAPE HE CANT THROW IT OVER TWENTY YARDS SO LOVIE BENCHED HIM TO TRADE HIM. CANT WAIT TIL THE GLENNON MOB IS GONE WHEN THE BUCS SIGN A VETERAN AND TRADE GLENNON
February 18th, 2015 at 12:44 pm
Donovan
Don’t you mean King Crab Jameis?
February 18th, 2015 at 12:45 pm
Trade the pick. Start glennon pick up Bryce petty to sit behind glennon for a few years fill in the pieces with our extra picks and we will be competive for years. I wouldn’t mind mariota if we do go qb. Just believe he has a higher ceiling than Winston
February 18th, 2015 at 12:48 pm
Broy 34
Just wait and watch
February 18th, 2015 at 12:52 pm
ODB..What’s also going to be fun…is watching these people squirm in here and try to spin it into anything they can. Like they are doing now, only it’s going to get worse in a couple of weeks.
Here are some of the comments that we will be reading from some of the anti-Winston crowd in the next few weeks.
“It only means this”
“This means nothing”
“This is just a smokescreen”
“Lovie’s lying”
“Can’t be the face of the franchise”
February 18th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
@87
There’s a small segment of people that WILL NOT change their mind predraft. It’s just not happening. When you call a guy a rapist, there’s no coming back from that. Don’t even bother.
The people spitting that type of venom towards him will be ignored post draft, and eventually ostracized as the team improves under him. They can follow the Phins, or come to grips.
I can see him picking up a Publix endorsement, making fun of getting the hook up . It’s going to be great to see his engaging personality shine through to the public.
February 18th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
Bucs #1 is a butt hurt Gator fan, no?
February 18th, 2015 at 12:57 pm
No marshal you’re a baphoon. You and every Glennon fan ignores the redskin game. The air comes right out of the ball after 15 yards. It’s a damn fact. A gM a head a coach a fanbase and EVERY SINGLE DAMN ANALYST AND RADIO PERSONALITY SAYS TAMPA NEEDS A QB. SOrry joe gotta disappear until Glennon gets traded. I feel like I’m arguing with Glennons mom not mob on here. Just delusional in every way. Lovie just said when comparing both QBS “whoever we go with we’ll be confident” it’s an absolute fact that a team never before having a QB would rely on a 3rd round QB a unemployed coach drsfted when they have the first pick. Also said when asked if Glennon can be the franchise QB”: paused and said “I think Um..pause..Glennon could play at a high level” read between the quotations boys. Today the Mike Glennon mob has officially died. If they didn’t want a QB they’d make it known so people would start pondering trading up. Don’t you get it. Making it seem were taking a QB and then not is the worst drsft decision they could make. Nobody will be prepared to trade up for one of them if they believe they’re drafting one of them
February 18th, 2015 at 12:59 pm
Smokescreens people smokescreens. Its about the draft so don’t take it too serious. He willalso heap praise on mariota and everyone else who can throw a football. Having said that though I hope they do take winston. And yes innocent until proven guilty. Nobody knows exactly what happened so no reason to assume anything. Let’s just win some damn football games and everyone will forget that crap anyway. Let’s go bucs get a franchise QB for once
February 18th, 2015 at 1:00 pm
He is saying all the right things to lay the groundwork for Jameis. I can understand the position of claiming he was cleared of wrong doing to draft him onto the football team, but again, don’t try to tell me that he is innocent. I will support him, but I would like to know that Winston and the girl both get the counseling they are going to need.
February 18th, 2015 at 1:01 pm
L&WD
They’re just going to disappear. That’s what trolls do.
Trolls do troll things, and talking smack then disappearing when you are proven to be 100% wrong is how they operate. Enjoy NewYorkBucsFan, Robert 9 and Greg Schiano now because come next September when Jameis is leading this team to W’s and Mariota is sitting on the bench they will be nowhere to be found
February 18th, 2015 at 1:01 pm
And then there are the fools that tbibk lovie is in charge of the pick. As if Licht And Glazers don’t have equal or more say. Some of you blow my mind. Ya lovie of course lied all last year. Don’t forget lovie wanted Revis to restructure. Gave williams a chance. But if you think trading mike Williams results in passing on winston is more horse shit from the Joe Bucs fan website comment section.
February 18th, 2015 at 1:05 pm
Broy34 Says:
February 18th, 2015 at 12:43 pm
@marshallu I loove America my friend but you saying “Mike Glennon would be a better plan than Winston” should be illegal. That has to be just the dumbest thing I’ve read in years. WATCH THE GOD DAMN WASHINGTON TAPE HE CANT THROW IT OVER TWENTY YARDS SO LOVIE BENCHED HIM TO TRADE HIM.
_______________________________________________________________
Ummmm….Mike Glennon has never, ever, played against Washington…ever…like not once….not even in preseason…possibly in Madden though.
Jesus Christ people I know you don’t like him but try and stay in reality a touch while you’re slamming him. Or keep showcasing sub-retardation IQ if you’d prefer, whatever works.
February 18th, 2015 at 1:10 pm
Winston will make Glennon look like a clown in TC and will start on day 1.
February 18th, 2015 at 1:21 pm
Bucrightoff
Just the Winston groupies showing their widespread ignorance. I know love is blind, but geez
February 18th, 2015 at 1:22 pm
The funny thing is some of you think Jameis is ready to play in the NFL. We all no I hate Jameis I do think he is a real dirtbag. This pro system he comes from that he had 18 ints in the acc 2 most in college football. The DB in the NFL will pray on him. No way he is pro ready to think he is just shows a lack of football knowledge.
February 18th, 2015 at 1:25 pm
For the last time Winstonites, there was no hook up in Publix. Shameis admitted he stole, did community service and had to pay the store $35 for stolen seafood. Video footage of theft. No reports of employee giving freebies!
February 18th, 2015 at 1:30 pm
MarshallU
Of course all of the Winston groupies are ignorant. Look at the King Turd that they worship and follow
February 18th, 2015 at 1:35 pm
From what I can tell, most FSU fans want Jameis, most Gator fans want Mariota, and most Schiano fans want Glennon…
February 18th, 2015 at 1:38 pm
“carlstoe Says:
February 18th, 2015 at 1:25 pm
For the last time Winstonites, there was no hook up in Publix. Shameis admitted he stole, did community service and had to pay the store $35 for stolen seafood. Video footage of theft. No reports of employee giving freebies!”
Sure, the reigning Heisman winner has to steal. He fell on the sword because NCAA violations were worse. I have a bridge I would love to sell you…
http://thebiglead.com/2014/05/01/marcellus-wiley-suggests-jameis-winston-took-fall-for-florida-state-players-getting-free-food/
It’s been going on for a very long time. And it’s not just Tally…
February 18th, 2015 at 1:48 pm
Lovie & Licht aren’t going to rule out anything at this point in the process…..let the process play out…..anyone reading more into this than that is experincing wishful thinking.
If they do this right the bulk of Buc fans will be happy with either choice once it is made.
February 18th, 2015 at 1:49 pm
When was the last time a thieving-criminal turnover machine was selected 1st?
February 18th, 2015 at 2:05 pm
My guess is Glennon already has the book in hand .
February 18th, 2015 at 2:06 pm
This is America. Stop using things he wasn’t charged for as you’re only argument. Go back to communist Sweden you losers.
February 18th, 2015 at 2:06 pm
This is what i expected to hear. I can’t wait till Winston’s name is called with the Buc’s first pick in the draft on or prior to April 30th.
February 18th, 2015 at 2:07 pm
Johnny Dejay
I’m a Nole and my son now attends there also and I am a Mariota supporter. Picking Winston would be a bad mistake
February 18th, 2015 at 2:13 pm
“Yungry Says:
February 18th, 2015 at 1:49 pm
When was the last time a thieving-criminal turnover machine was selected 1st?”
I don’t know. How will it feel to root against TB when he is our new QB?
February 18th, 2015 at 2:28 pm
Thief! Thief! Thief! He will become my new favorite criminal…
February 18th, 2015 at 2:36 pm
Presumed innocent until proven guilty is in the courts, only because government has so much power. Last I checked, as individuals we are free to presume whatever we want.
If you rely on the courts to determine truth for you, then you are believing a lot of things that aren’t true.
February 18th, 2015 at 2:37 pm
Winning in TB beats all the losses in Gainesville, aye?
February 18th, 2015 at 2:38 pm
@bucrightoff — Thanks for making that correction.
February 18th, 2015 at 2:39 pm
lovie smith has never been more poorly regarded as a coach than he is this offseason. sadly, lovie endorsing jameis is kind of like when donald trump endorsed mitt romney in the last election. it doesn’t help the kid’s case, and in fact probably emboldens the critics
February 18th, 2015 at 2:47 pm
@pick6 – That’s funny, cause Koetter said Lovie was one of the main reasons he wanted to work here. Despite what our hateful fanbase thinks, I’m sure many in the NFL still have plenty of respect for Lovie.
February 18th, 2015 at 2:51 pm
@zam, and yet, unless all of us want to be criminal investigators\litigators or champion mob justice, we have to be okay with the rulings of some institution as an adequate proxy to commensurate personal investigations on a case by case basis. even the most ardent follower of this case through articles and documents does not have all of the depth, information, and context that the attorneys and judges trying this case had. it’s how people fill in the blanks that leads them to wildly different conclusions about what happened that night. fortunately for the innocent, we live in a society where those blanks must be filled in by facts and not theories or popular opinion in order for a person to progress from accusation to punishment.
February 18th, 2015 at 2:58 pm
ODB’s throwing punches out here today. Look out! 🙂
February 18th, 2015 at 2:59 pm
JFat, i am not dumping on lovie. i think it is an objective fact that his stock has never been lower. he has never put a poorer set of players on tape at any level of coaching, and the league (and its analysts\observers) have never been more fickle. it doesn’t mean he is not respected, but i think a subjective “coaching power rankings” from last year to this year would see a shift from Top 10 (remember the hype last spring and summer?) to at least bottom 15. the comment about the endorsement was more regarding the local fan base who is paying the most attention to this interview and who is largely sick and tired of the verbal misdirection and euphemisms lovie has had to spout across 14 losses in 16 tries and a brutal offseason of recruitment. i don’t think he is radioactive, but he is one bad season from a sam wyche type of downfall in his legacy or spending the rest of his NFL years as an elder statesman defensive coordinator type. especially in a knee jerk league like this one
February 18th, 2015 at 3:39 pm
@pick6 – Thanks for clarifying. And I agree, without a marked improvement this season, he will likely be out of here. And you’re right…he had his worst year as a coach last season, even though I think a lot of that was related to the loss of Tedford.
I’m just not throwing the towel in on him yet and feel the need to defend the guy because I want this team to succeed. I see too many posts on here that seem to want the guy to fail this season so we can rush out and get another coach, continuing this agonizing cycle.
February 18th, 2015 at 4:06 pm
JFat, if he shows more of the same this year, i’d like to see him go, but i am rooting for the exact opposite. the last thing i want if it can be avoided is another new regime, another housecleaning, and another round of players and coaches “gelling”.
February 18th, 2015 at 4:36 pm
What else would the Head Coach of the current owner of the number 1 one pick overall say about one of the top QB prospects coming out this draft?
Really digging lately with the quotes from the Owners to the GM and HC.. Do you really expect him to say the following?
Nah Jameis off the field is too immature for our franchise we aren’t spending our number one pick on him so if you guys want to throw the kitchen sink at the Titans for that number 2 pick…
EVERYTHING that has been said could be true… But it could ALSO mean they are trying to drive the price up if you want Winston then come and get him..
Weren’t you the one who says this is the season of smoke? Now I do think we take a QB 1st overall but to think honestly that we would be comfortable with taking him without first interviewing him privately first at OBP you got to be kidding me..
February 18th, 2015 at 5:00 pm
Here’s to the Bucs making the correct choices, regardless of our opinions and improving into the team we hope for in the future!
February 18th, 2015 at 6:22 pm
biff barker Says:
February 18th, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Pickgrin Says:
Winston is the best QB and everyone at OBP who matters is on board. Drafting Jameis is definitely your fastest path the being “relevant” again Lovie.
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And your inside source at OBP is..? Have you been sitting in the draft meetings with the staff that “matters”?
Ummm – Are you not keeping up with current developments? I’m just going by the multiple reports in the past 3 days by valid sources saying the Glazers, coach, OC and GM are all on board with the idea of Drafting Winston as long as he gets through the process cleanly and interviews, work outs and investigations go well. It’s looking more and more likely that everything is lining up for Winston to be the pick based on reports by insiders. Could be smoke of course but something tells me its not.