Winston To Bucs “Virtual Certainty”
February 24th, 2015
The chorus of NFL insiders claiming Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston has charmed the Bucs into selecting the former Heisman Trophy winner No. 1 overall continues to grow.
This time, the missive is from Maoist Michael Silver of NFL.com and NFL Network. He, too, had an all-access badge to get behind the curtains of the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
What he has heard from the movers and shakers is that Winston left NFL types shaking their heads about his football IQ. In fact, Silver goes on to write that there really wasn’t much risk at all about Winston within NFL circles, unlike the howls of protests from fans and those who can’t keep their socks on tight about Winston’s so-called misdeeds.
As one veteran scout said of Winston while sitting in the Lucas Oil Stadium stands Sunday afternoon, “Everyone here is saying he’s really, really smart — and if you’ve been down (to Tallahassee), you’re not surprised. They love the kid. They talk about how sharp he is. He loves to compete. And he’s ready to attack this thing.”
If this assessment of Winston — one similar to that of more than a dozen coaches and general managers with whom I spoke in Indy — seems at odds with the pre-combine buzz about the talented thrower, it’s a prime example of the disconnect between outside noise (i.e., the Twitter morality police) and internal league chatter, and it tells us several things about the modern state of professional football.
First, even in the wake of a tumultuous season in which scandals involving ex-Ravens running back Ray Rice (domestic violence) and Vikings star runner Adrian Peterson (child endangerment) amplified scrutiny about dreaded character concerns to unprecedented levels, talent remains an eminently enticing aphrodisiac to NFL evaluators. Secondly, with all things being equal, NFL decision-makers will choose a flawed individual who convinces them he is being honest and authentic over anyone they suspect is conning them and feeding them pre-packaged baloney, every single time.
A Buccaneers scout many weeks ago told Joe that while he couldn’t predict who his boss, Bucs general manager Jason Licht would draft, he thought Winston would “knock it out of the park in interviews” and that Winston was “a football mensch.”
Everything that is coming out of Indianapolis is just what this scout told Joe weeks ago.
It’s difficult to believe so many people are being conned by so many NFL types about Winston.
February 24th, 2015 at 6:13 am
3…..2…..1…..
February 24th, 2015 at 6:29 am
and who´s the QB without shhh chatter?
Marcus, Marcus, Marcus Mariotta
and will be the Draft-Class-QB star,
because on.field: his skills are also superior?
thats right:
Marucs Mariotta!
aha
February 24th, 2015 at 6:37 am
That’s what people said about Mariota to you just block that out. They where impressed how well his foot work is and how smart he was . He knew every coach by name is every meeting. You can try to sell this as over but it’s far from over. Read your last post do you think they draft a guy first that isn’t in love will just football? Do you think the seahalwks are happy Russell is at spring training?
February 24th, 2015 at 6:50 am
A certain 3PM radio host in the Tampa Bay area won’t like this. His “I’m not biased” biased journalistic rant(s), ne crusade, against the Bucs making this draft pick will go on and force me to tune to another radio station.
Joe don’t you know Winston might play baseball…at least that’s what the non biased ranter said…
February 24th, 2015 at 7:08 am
Better passing stats? Check. Faster? Check. Better athlete? Check. Better off field resume’? Check. Better completion to interception ratio? Check. Better head to head record? Check. Better chance of increasing the fan base (as opposed to immediately losing more of the paltry fan base)? Check. Don’t know about you, but I like “checks”…..
February 24th, 2015 at 7:09 am
I guess the Winston haters Bucs fan days are numbered…bye-bye, see y’all when we start winning again…
February 24th, 2015 at 7:38 am
Twitter (and JBF) Morality Police:
:sticks heads in sand; LALALALA We can’t hear you Joe.
February 24th, 2015 at 7:42 am
Marcus who?
February 24th, 2015 at 7:48 am
Get those clicks started early eh Joe
February 24th, 2015 at 7:55 am
Winston is much of a lock as Manziel was in last years draft. Lovie was soo close to pulling the trigger.
February 24th, 2015 at 7:56 am
The Mariota Mob is going apoplectic on this one. Should be fun!
February 24th, 2015 at 8:01 am
The Bucs should have already signed Jameis. I don’t understand why they are wasting time.
February 24th, 2015 at 8:05 am
Can’t wait until he’s not the pick
February 24th, 2015 at 8:06 am
All these reports that he is so smart, sharp, intelligent yet he kept making foolish choices off the field. Which is it? As a “Franchise QB” you should not have worries about what they might do off the field. If we draft Mr Winston will we be singing his praises if he has a few more foolish immature actions off the field? I do doubt it.
February 24th, 2015 at 8:07 am
L&L should just announce to the world that the phones are disconnected at One Buc Place and Jameis is coming to town. Now it’s just a waiting game to make it official. His rookie season may be bumpy but I really think this may give the Bucs a chance to be contenders from 2017-2027. Any real Buc fan has to be ecstatic about this!
February 24th, 2015 at 8:12 am
Marinara (on purpose) hasn’t called a play since he was in high school. Maybe we could just call our play number 3, number 13 on 2. Ridiculous. Waste of time debating. You know who them Bucs are/should be picking. The kid is going to stay in his home state. Deal with it, support it, it’s our Bucs team.
February 24th, 2015 at 8:28 am
I know the pick is Winston because this franchise doesn’t know what a good quarterback is anymore. @Joemariota- you got it right bud these fools are lining up for failure boy.
Better passing stats? Check. Faster? Check. Better athlete? Check. Better off field resume’? Check. Better completion to interception ratio? Check. Better head to head record? Check. Better chance of increasing the fan base (as opposed to immediately losing more of the paltry fan base)? Check. Don’t know about you, but I like “checks”…..
How does anyone read this and not choose Mariota! Because it is after all very true!
Why would you want anymore negatives for this team, haven’t we seen enough losing? Mariota is better in every category on and off the field. Who would you rather have your kids look up to? Who would you rather count on to play instead of be suspended for who knows what next? MARIOTA! Winston equals BUST! Watch and learn. Winston was among the worst in every category at the combine except for his throwing drills and practiced and coached speeches (regardless of what was said) Question & answer session. Mariucci is nothing more than a paid yes boy for the NFL. I trust his opinion as much as any of you Winston Lovers!
February 24th, 2015 at 8:36 am
It has never been about Jameis the football player…
the risk has aleays been
Jameis the manchild’s good judgement IQ
February 24th, 2015 at 8:41 am
I dont read the 700 daily comments on this subject so forgive me if its been covered.
But, I cant get over the spread option. I’m curious from the Maorta fans: With all the failures of the spread QB making in the NFL, what makes Mariota the exception? Every year we hear about this QB or that QB that is going to transition well into the NFL. And it almost never happens. What does Mariota have the rest of them dont?
February 24th, 2015 at 8:43 am
Don’t know if it will hold true here but have always loved the old saying:
“The obvious is obviously wrong…”
Comes from countless years of growing up on military bases and blessed to have grown up in the midst of many, many quiet warriors.
February 24th, 2015 at 8:55 am
Everybody use to hate running qb.now everybody in love with mariota.
February 24th, 2015 at 8:57 am
I keep going back to the same refrain, as a franchise the Bucs shouldn’t have to raise and home-train their number one pick…apparently there was a disconnect somewhere as he doesn’t seem to have the ability to make mature life decisions. Do you honestly want someone who has proven he cannot be trusted to make mature decisions to be the face of your BILLION DOLLAR enterprise. If he were a safety, a DE or even a LT I’d say, with his talent yeah, take the risk, but he’s a QB and thats a horse of a different color…He can claim all he wants he wasn’t coached-up for his interviews, TLA wouldn’t make the investment in him if they couldn’t control him to a point and get their ROI back as quickly as possible, which means coaching the hell out of him on what to do and what to say in those interviews. And the anonymous GMs, Scouts and HCs can state all they want that he’s super brilliant, what a mind, only Stephen Hawking would be able to keep up with him, they have to, think Gruden on MNF , everyone is awesome, everyone is a HOFr, it’s what coaches do. If he walked into those rooms and gave his “Real know real” schpeel, he’s flossin’ for his boys, the coaches expect to hear, yes sir, no sir, etc…these aren’t 20 year old homies he’s talking to, these are 50 year old men, and if he came at them with that crap, they would have shut him down as quick as possibly. They’re not hiring some bag boy at Publix, they are looking to make a long term multi-million dollar investment, you better bet they treat it as such….
February 24th, 2015 at 9:13 am
Everyone should have the opporunity to grow up. Give Winston his opportunity. He is only 21 years of age. Let’s hope he does. On the field, at this moment, Winston shows he has developed the skills to go #1 in the draft.
February 24th, 2015 at 9:14 am
Yeah stick your heads in the sand like ODB said.
Have a look around the net. JBF is not the only site that is writing articles about the Bucs and Winston being a sure bet.
Someday you fans will realize it. I think it will happen long before draft day too.
February 24th, 2015 at 9:15 am
well stated flmike
Buc Luck served up this dilema
February 24th, 2015 at 9:17 am
Chef Paul …the question I have for them is do they really think Lovie Smith is going to have his OC run some up tempo fast paced offense?
Because I don’t.
February 24th, 2015 at 9:21 am
has anyone noticed phil?
He keeps saying the bucs should sign Winston and he doesnt know what they’re waiting for…
joe should have some sort of screening process before you are allowed to post on here…
February 24th, 2015 at 9:29 am
I dont either,
February 24th, 2015 at 9:31 am
Pat Yasinskas ESPN Feb 24th
“The Bucs already have done a lot of homework on Winston. They’ll continue to do more right up until the draft. But, barring new information or a misstep, it seems like Winston has passed the off-field tests.”
“Smith isn’t the type to blow smoke. He said he’s fine with Winston. For the moment, all we can do is take Smith at his word.”
February 24th, 2015 at 9:35 am
I can’t get past this point, because it sheds some light on the maturity level of Winston…
There’s no way TLA sent him into those rooms without coaching the hell out of him on what to say and do. TLA has made a large investment in him and they expect a quick and big return on that investment. If he went into those rooms and gave those coaches anything but “Yes Sir” and “No Sir” they would have shut him down and sent him on his way before his 15 minutes were up, no matter the talent level, you’d better be able to relate to and give due respect to those who hold your very future in their hands. For him to go on national TV and state that he wasn’t coached or coached up properly, but he kept it “Real” ’cause “Real know real” and ’cause he “’bout it”, now we are starting to see the narcissism in his personality. This kid is trouble, this is him arguing with Fisher on the sidelines, he just doesn’t seem to get it. This is him putting himself above his team, which is now him and TLA, wait till the first time he throws his HC under the bus..cause he will. He just doesn’t get it.
February 24th, 2015 at 9:38 am
flmike…calm down…like Jameis will after his has $30,000,000.00 burning a hole in his pocket
February 24th, 2015 at 9:39 am
87,
I’m serious. My mind can be changed. Hell, I switched political parties a couple years back. I even voted for Obama. Then I started listening to the conservative side of politics instead of just being told what they mean, and their message resonates with me more, so I switched. But i digress.
I dont want anything to do with Mariota. I’ll be pretty ticked if we draft him. Trade down? I’m fine with. Winston? Fine. But spread option QB is the biggest red flag out there in my book, aside form just sucking out loud. I think of spread option QB’s as bumpers in bhowling. So what, you have great stats, you had bumpers. But if Mariota has something the others dont have, I’d be willing to listen. RG3 comes to mind. Remember how GREAT he was going to be? Even his first year in the pros was good. But it caught up with him. I’ve only read reasons why not to draft Jameis, but not any on what makes Mariota the spread option exception.
February 24th, 2015 at 9:41 am
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I’d still prefer Mariota but I’m done debating it, it’s old and meaningless at this point. The only near certainty to me is that we will be taking a QB, which makes me happy enough. All the talking heads say Winston is the pick though so they must be right… Nothing could possibly change in the next 2 months.
This horse has been beaten to death, resurrected and beaten dead again. Can we get some info about some other college prospects maybe? Look at rounds 2-4 perhaps? A week in Indy should have resulted in at least a bit of information on possible fits for the Bucs. Late round pass-rusher, good cover MLB, O-line maybe, anyone stand out?
February 24th, 2015 at 9:49 am
I’d like to add more:
Many people when starting fresh at something, go into it with the right mindset and fully intend to do what they plan on. For instance you had some bad habits at an old job and decide you are going to do everything “by the book” at your new one.
You get to the new job, a few weeks or months go by and you are doing things correctly. You are focused on that, but it’s difficult. You start to notice a co worker (or coworkers) who excel at what they do, but you notice they may cut corners here and there, or they party hard here and there, or they do things outside of work that could get them in trouble – but they never get caught.
You start thinking (the bad apples at least, trying to start fresh) “well, these guys are good at what they do but they’re not perfect” you start to make excuses as to why YOU TOO can cut corners or have fun on the side as long as you don’t get caught.
Problem is YOU DO GET CAUGHT. This is a mentality no one prepares for but is very realistic to life in general. Winston does not strike me as the type to “do the right thing” when no one else is looking. And it will, inevitably, come back to bite HIM, the Bucs, and the fans in the butt down the road.
February 24th, 2015 at 9:51 am
Joe, where’d my firs comment go?
February 24th, 2015 at 9:52 am
Unfortunately I can see this happening….might as well draft Erving in round 2 to help the OL and give Winston familiarity and hopefully support to mature.
February 24th, 2015 at 9:54 am
If actually like to see MORE articles about the other prospects. Maybe tone the QB talk for a tad.
February 24th, 2015 at 9:54 am
Tone down*
February 24th, 2015 at 9:55 am
@JF
I agree with you, it would be nice to hear more and discuss what the Bucs opportunities are later in the draft. The topic of Winston/Mariota however will not go away until the evening of April 30th. It’s too hot of a topic. Expect the discussion to get down right sizzling as time goes on.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:01 am
PFT reported that Jameis has not ruled out playing baseball.
That does not sound like he is committed to football.
Is this another red flag like “Bo Jackson”.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:03 am
I’m not sure why Joe deleted my first comment. It did not criticize Joe and gave a pretty darn good reasoning to potential issues with Winston.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:22 am
“the twitter morality police”
Exactly.
When the NFL types take the opportunity to meet with and investigate the kid they conclude he is super smart, great competitor, and not at all how he is portrayed by the media.
Couple that with his film in a pro style offense, his masterful throwing at the combine, and the decision is obvious, as Lovie said it would be.
Go Jaboo.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:24 am
Wshful Thinking
interpretation of facts, actions, words, etc., as one would like them to be rather than as they really are.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:25 am
Still, cometely missed throughout all of this is the simple fact:
Eliminate names and break it down for what it is. A person, lined up for any job, albiet one where there is a bright spotlight, gets involved in a rape case. Whether the allegations are true or not, this person would be wise to stay OUT of the negative spotlight and walk a fine line.
Instead, this person is then busted for what is labeled as theft. Granted, this person supposedly had a “deal” worked out with employees and was busted because “his guy” wasn’t there. Shouldn’t the person in question have had second thoughts about potential negative publicity?
Even after THIS. The player was involved in a “for fun” BB gun fight where others could have been injured. Oh, just college kids being college kids, but again, drawing negative, distracting attention to himself
February 24th, 2015 at 10:27 am
Yet still, this person, now with a bright hot spotlight due to rape allegations, theft, and dangerous gun play, decides it would be okay to jump up on a table (or chair) IN A PUBLIC FORUM, and yell out an obscene (albiet hilarious) reference. No mention of the FAC that the person (with rape allegations, mind you) yelled a SEXUAL reference that by those unaware, could be construed as a direct reference to his court case.
This person,considered intelligent by book smarts as well as extremely knowledgeable in his intended profession, CLEARLY lacks common sense. Besides the rape allegations, any of his previous incidents, individually, would be no big deal. Chalk it up to college kid being young and immature, but when you lump them ALLLL together, it makes you wonder if this kid is ready for the spotlight and to be “the face if a company (franchise). What says this person doesn’t continue his foolish ways once the ijo dries on his new contract with his Jew company? In real life, you go out and hire another viable candidate, in the NFL you have to tolerate and ” work through” his issues.
When he gets s in trouble again, for whatever reason, be it large or small, who fills his very important position? There are no viable options kid season or even during the off season that can replace all the things invested (first overall pick, money, and schemes) dedicated to this person. Meanwhile, the “nice guy” that needed a little tutoring is blazing through what looks like a promising career (and likely turns out to be) a promising career at “another company. The candidate you initially passed on.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:34 am
he looks like the better pick to me as a football player.
not sold on him as a person though, or that he will not be suspended for off the field stuff. definitely the riskier pick.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:41 am
Lovie said he has been in BB gun fights.
The NFL people know all about the BB Gun fight, the theft of crab legs, and the repeating of the you tube obscenities.
After having all that info they have glowing opinions of Jameis because they look at stuff like NFL ready film, football intelligence, and opinions of people who actually know the guy.
But of course you people, who have done none of those things, know better.
Its all been considered, ad nauseam. The NYT’s and ESPN have looked and looked and looked again, nothing else is out there on the guy.
Absent a bank robbery Jameis is the selection.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:43 am
“A Virtual Certainty”
OK…so lets move on to the debate on the #2 pick.
No reason for rehash…..
Can someone please bring somehing new to the debate?
Starting to get very boring…..
February 24th, 2015 at 10:49 am
JV what exactly do expect him to do when, as you say, he sees other “co-workers” having fun and will think he can do the same? Do you think he is going to steal crab legs again? Do you think he will hang at Ray Jays parking lot shooting fans with a BB gun? He is allowed to have some fun you know and the immature things he did in college are probably not going to happen again. By all accounts he is not some big party boy looking to replace Johnny Football in the lime light. He may swear again and someone in Tampa may see him with a beer in his hand at some point but supposedly he is 100 times more committed to the game than Manziel.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:50 am
Eric, the point is, one thing after another. Individually, none of those other things are big deals. Combined and innsuchbshort span of one another is an issue and shows he lacks common sense.
I too am ready to move past this topic.
Joe, who ya got for theb2nd round? I’m hearing LBs. Potentially aperryman of Miami born then kid from UCLA?
February 24th, 2015 at 10:51 am
@Robert that was the nicest thing you have ever said about Jameis. I’m quite surprised. Maybe there is hope for this boards after all.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:51 am
“JVNootz Says:
February 24th, 2015 at 10:25 am
Even after THIS.”
The bb gun stuff happened in 2012 (first semester on campus), before the other stuff mentioned,. I honestly doubt we would have heard about most, if not all the other stuff if he wasn’t put under a negative spotlight with the false allegations. Once TMZ type reporting starts snooping, it all gets magnified.
I would bet some players that the detractors on here admire have done all sorts of knuckleheaded things in college, we just never heard about it.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:59 am
The majority of the people commenting here have no idea what they are talking about. They are merely taking a stance because that’s their guy. Kind of like democrats and republicans fighting for their candidate. It’s idiotic. Take emotion out it. No one knows who is going to be the better QB. Its a crap shoot regardless. How many locks have turned to busts. All you can do is take a chance and hope. 40 yd times and workout measurements are good for just that..Marriota won the 40 yd dash great, but how many speed demons have the raiders drafted that have done nothing. Look at the game film, make the best decision you can and hope. We need a Franchise QB right now. I think both QBs have great film, both have risks, I’ll be happy with either. But I think Winston can help sooner while we figure out o-line. Ultimately it’s still a risk no matter who you take.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:06 am
Ever since Kevin Hart told Jameis to “Stop doing stupid $*!%” Jameis has not done stupid $*!%. Jameis obviously heeds wise counsel.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:06 am
@JVNootz,
That is all baked in the cake already.
I agree moving on is the way to go. We need to hit on a lot of these draft picks this year.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:06 am
JVNootz Says:
February 24th, 2015 at 10:25 am
“Even after THIS. The player was involved in a “for fun” BB gun fight where others could have been injured.”
————————————————————————–
The “BB gun war” involved a # of football players and happened in late fall of 2012 when Jameis was an 18 y.o. Freshman who was not playing football on Saturdays because he was redshirted. Lost in the details somehow was that while some were shooting BBs – a # of the players were shooting airsoft guns which are not dangerous at all. We don’t know whether Jameis was shooting BBs or airsoft pellets. Either way – it was not a big deal IMO. He was just being one of the guys having a little slightly risky fun. Yes – some of the participants were careless and caused some window damage. All who were involved paid a fair share to fix the resulting damages.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:10 am
I see that both QBs can play. I think keeping Glennon (if not traded) is more of a sign that we get a QB that needs to sit and learn for a year or two. Glennon is not a pro bowler at present but is a viable starter in the league for a Mariota to grow behind. Im not going to cry if we get Winston. Part of me also thinks long term we amass tons of picks.
I dont even know any more.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:14 am
@Nick I saw that video. It was quite funny and you could see Winston was not very comfortable. He needed that very much.
Now we just need to draft the guy
February 24th, 2015 at 11:17 am
Pickgrin …I’ve told them more than once on here that Winston was not the ONLY football player on FSU involved in the BB gun deal.
That doesn’t matter.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:20 am
@ Luther
Robert has been nicer since being sent to (awaiting moderation)
Several others are missing from the site…..I won’t name them because every time I do….I get sent to “moderation”
February 24th, 2015 at 11:21 am
Mark. Bo refused to play for the Bucs because they told him the trip to tampa via their jet would not effect hi NCAA elligability to play college baseball…well it did. He made it clear he would not play for tampa. The Bucs should have believed him.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:22 am
Stop the spin…it was not a BB gun fight like kids do….it resulted in thousands of dollars in damages….malicious vandalism
February 24th, 2015 at 11:35 am
Mr. Warren Sapp I miss your swagger.
Swagger is coming back to Tampa Bay.
Jameis is coming to Tampa!
February 24th, 2015 at 11:38 am
When I was 17 I accidently burned down an old house. Costing thousands of dollars because I was partying there. Malicious vandalism.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:39 am
87ForWinstonNOMariota Says:
February 24th, 2015 at 11:17 am
Pickgrin …I’ve told them more than once on here that Winston was not the ONLY football player on FSU involved in the BB gun deal.
Good….we wouldn’t want to think that Jameis was shooting at himself!!!
February 24th, 2015 at 11:42 am
JoeJoes Fungi Nails Says:
February 24th, 2015 at 11:22 am
Stop the spin…it was not a BB gun fight like kids do….it resulted in thousands of dollars in damages….malicious vandalism
——————————————————————
You stop the spin. There was no malicious intent to cause damage. Some of the participants were careless and 3 dorm windows and a couple door frames wound up with BB holes. Big windows are expensive to replace which is why the damage totaled up to around $4k. Each player involved paid their fair share of a few hundred dollars to repair those damages. A “BB gun fight like kids do” is exactly what occurred.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:45 am
Speaking for Pablo
“Virtual Certainty……the last time Pablo heard that was with the Obama Amnesty for many of Pablo’s amiigos”…..then a Judge put the slam on it……maybe a Judge will stop the Jameis draft.”
February 24th, 2015 at 11:55 am
I started out on the anti Winston side, then leaning to him being the better QB. After all the back and forth comments I’ve straightened up to being now undecided on the wisdom of taking Winston. There is just too much uncertainty out there about this important pick. I think Mariota would be a very good Bucs QB. I’m stuck in the middle on this pick.
February 24th, 2015 at 12:05 pm
Real fans that are on the fence are slowly coming around to Jameis. The haters are losing steam but will likely display their stupidity all the way up until the draft. I predict by draft time most of us will be on the Jameis band wagon. Kind of disappointing though as I was looking forward to hearing a lot of people crying. Ah well, I’ll settle for just being happy we got Jameis.
Welcome To Tampa!!
February 24th, 2015 at 12:10 pm
lol TBBF
moderation zone kind of sucks
that, and how much more hate can I spew. I’ve said my peace. not backing away from it, but any more is just repetition.
still firmly in the trade back crowd given there is a trade partner.
February 24th, 2015 at 12:19 pm
Buccfan37 Says:
February 24th, 2015 at 11:55 am
After all the back and forth comments I’ve straightened up to being now undecided on the wisdom of taking Winston. There is just too much uncertainty out there about this important pick. I think Mariota would be a very good Bucs QB. I’m stuck in the middle on this pick.
——————————————————————————-
The “back and forth comments” on JBF are hardly a good source of reliable info considering the amount of ignorance about and bias against Winston that is out there.
There is certainly not much “uncertainty” among NFL experts as to which QB has more NFL ready talent.
I think “Mariota would be a very good Bucs QB” too. I just think Winston will be a better NFL QB. He certainly is a much better fit for the skill position players currently on the Bucs roster as well as the pro style pocket passing system Koetter will run.
Once you see Winston with pressure in his face putting 50 yard bombs on the money with perfect touch to a streaking Mike Evans (which Mariota is not really capable of doing) – then you will understand why he was the better choice.
February 24th, 2015 at 12:50 pm
Just because you don’t know the rules doesn’t make someone else wrong.
Phil is 100% correct. If they have decided that Winston is who they want, they have the luxury of signing him to a contract BEFOREt he draft. The team holding the #1 pick is allowed to do that.
That’s starting to be my sintiments as well. I’d prefer Winston and I think it’s going to be Winston. Nothing I (or anyone in the front office) say can change the mind of a Mariota supporter. If they draft Mariota, I’ll still support the team like I have. The people who make the big bucks have way more to lose than I do.
February 24th, 2015 at 12:51 pm
Anyone that says Mariota is a better QB than Winston clearly doesn’t understand the position. Is Mariota faster yes, has he been better off the field yes, did he have better stats last year yes, but who cares look at Johnny Football college stats! Running QBs don’t have the success in the NFL that they had in college. Winston has a better arm, better footwork, higher football IQ, and much better anticipation which is what really matters at the position. Mariota played in a spread offense, a lot of dink and dump passes letting his receives make plays (boosting stats.) Do any of you know who we just hired as our offense coordinator? Dirk Koetter doesn’t fit Mariota’s style of play.
Winston doesn’t sound smart on TV, I was just as surprised as everyone else to learn he had a great GPA and got accepted into Stanford, Stanford!!! However it is very obvious he understand the game better than any other QB prospect. He will have great mentors and leaders on the team including Lovie and McCoy, off the field doesn’t concern me with that tutelage. It’s not even close, it’s no question NFL scouts and analyst are raving at Winston as the clear cut best QB prospect, they actually know what they’re talking about.
February 24th, 2015 at 1:24 pm
Winston will not be the bucs pick
February 24th, 2015 at 1:38 pm
I read about 50 to 60% of the comments on this here corner of the interwebs. Ive read nothing about what makes Mariota better than the rest of the running qbs. Why is he better than rg3, Johnny football, or Terrell pryor? Why will he succeed when they havent. The reply? “I’m tIred of rehashing everything…. Jameis is bad mmkay” No one wants to rehash again and again but instead of actually doing that, you just regurgitate every thong every one has read a million times. So my conclusion is people want mariota because he’s a swell guy. He’s the kind of guy u can bring home to meet mama. I’m pretty sure L&L will need a better reason than that.
February 24th, 2015 at 1:40 pm
Good grief, Charlie Brown. Can we please move the draft up to February 27 and just get this over with?
All of the speculation and outright lying is wearing thin. All of this childish reading of tea leaves is ridiculous.
Everything the Bucs have said and done indicates that the pick will be Mariota.
Lovie got hoodwinked by Cedric Benson. He will not get conned by Jameis Winston.
February 24th, 2015 at 2:03 pm
one time for the grown men in their 40s/50’s questioning Winston’s character/morals but getting arrest for driving around drunk
February 24th, 2015 at 2:15 pm
Winston=Bust
February 24th, 2015 at 3:13 pm
We don’t say Mariota is better than Winston, because he is not. I have little concern over Winston skill and agree with most sentiments about him being a helluva football mind. He has flaws in mechanics and at tines footwork. My issue isn’t even with the things by eBay’s done (or hasn’t done) my issue, is with him potentially doing MORE dumb stuff and being suspended or bringing negative attention to the team. The Bucs have had enough distractions over the last 7-8 years. I will support either QB if and when drafted. Simply stating (repeatedly) that common sense is lacking in Winston’s department.
I also feel the skill sets, while wildly different, are not that far apart. Mariota brings a different style to the table and has proven to be a winner, a good passer, accurate, and able to make the proper decisions with the ball. Also limits turnovers, thus, I’d be pleased with a man that needs a little QB tutoring, than a QB that needs a lot of growing up. And common sense.
Again, if we get Winston, I’d be happy with the talent, concerned over attention.
February 24th, 2015 at 3:47 pm
No worries guys I’m going to take Winston under my wing. I’ll show him all the hot spots in town, the best clubs, strip joints (don’t worry we’ll pay). It’s all good in the hood.
February 24th, 2015 at 3:52 pm
@ Celly:
Ok genius….name one time the 1st overall pick was signed before the draft….
Im waiting…
February 24th, 2015 at 4:08 pm
Thanks Celly I didn’t even understand why Real Molly said that about the comment, why the Bucs don’t just go ahead and draft him now. Hasn’t he every heard someone say — team is on the clock as soon as they get the #1 overall pick?
February 24th, 2015 at 4:40 pm
Winston 1st round perryman 2nd round we need qb’s for both offense and defense and no joe id rather eds starting at center than lansana playing mike
February 24th, 2015 at 5:22 pm
The Bucs draft choice will be just like the famous quote: “Sometime you win, sometime you no win!” Let it fly and let the chips land where they may.
February 24th, 2015 at 6:53 pm
I know that the Glazers could not care less what the fans think…they never have….but to trust this guy as the face of the franchise? I would like to think that they would not gamble like that…we won’t know for another 2 months
February 24th, 2015 at 7:46 pm
The bigger gamble is drafting a running QB who has never played in a pro system. Will he be able to adapt and learn how to do all the things ask of him in the NFL. If he starts to learn the NFL game in a year or two how many games will he miss due to injury? How effective will he be playing dinged up like all the running QB late in the season? That to me a much bigger risk. I wouldn’t draft RGIII with the 1st overall pick today.
February 25th, 2015 at 12:04 am
Mariota will not last 6 games in the NFL before he is injured. Jameis will lead us to the Superbowl in his 1st 3 years! Mark my words!
February 25th, 2015 at 12:40 am
People seem to be down playing that inefficiency of college running QBs entering the league. In times where they were able to elude would be tacklers to make plays will no longer be commonplace with the speed of the NFL.
Also Lovie said he would have no problem making Winston the face of our franchise. Not sure what the Glazers think, but I’m not sure what to tell you if you don’t trust the guy sitting in the captains chair.
I agree with Stanglassman, the bigger gamble would be to bring a running QB with worst (I be it not much worst) mechanics than Winston into a pro style offense, and expect him to prosper. Our offense would have to cater entirely too much to Mariota’s play style to succeed.
I am not as concerned with this immaturity debacle as some of you seem to be. FSU is a top ten party school, I did not attend but I know when my coworker is around old FSU classmates his professionalism drops dramatically. I think if Winston is taken out of that environment and surrounded by the likes of McCoy, Lovie, Lavante, and V Jax he to will begin to employ a level of professionalism that we as a fan base will come to respect.
February 25th, 2015 at 4:01 am
Real Malloy- 1st overall teams announce who they intend to draft and start contract negotiations prior to the actual draft day all the time. Luck was announce a few days prior to the draft. Jake Long, Mario Williams, David Carr, Carson Palmer, and Stafford I believe were all signed or well on their way prior to the draft. I think the Bucs announce they would be drafting Lee Roy Selmon prior to their 1st draft. This method made a lot more sense prior to the rookie salary cap when it was much more difficult to sign the 1st overall player. *Note- All from memory so fell free to double check.
February 25th, 2015 at 8:56 am
I can’t wait until its official. But when that happens. I hope they sign Freeman to really piss these haters off.