Keeping Vincent Jackson Is Telling

March 27th, 2015
Vincent Jackson is your answer to the Jameis Winston puzzle.

Vincent Jackson is your answer to the Jameis Winston puzzle, claims a prominent national scribe.

With all the love Bucs coach Lovie Smith showed prospective savior rookie quarterback Jameis Winston, might the Bucs actually trade down?

Joe would just about jump off a roof if that happened, and Joe also has a decent idea it would cause unrest in the streets and nausea in the season ticket sales office at One Buc Palace.

NFL analyst Doug Farrar of SI.com believes the Bucs would trade down if there was a suitor, in a normal year. But this is not a normal year, Farrar explained in an “SI Audibles” podcast. So you can start saving up for your Tampa Bay Jameis Winston gear.

“Every team at No. 1 wants to trade down,” Farrar said. “Most teams won’t trade up unless they desperately, desperately want one guy. And while I think Jameis Winston has all the on-field traits that will allow him to succeed in the NFL, you know, Lovie is a pretty straight-up guy. I am not sure how much of that stuff — he said he is comfortable with Winston at quarterback — I don’t think that is illuminating in any way.

“In Tampa Bay’s case, would it surprise me if they took a pass rusher? A little bit. You have made all of these investments in the receiver corps. There really is no No. 1 pick to help out your horrible offensive line. So you are kind of left with do you take [Leonard] Williams when you already have Gerald McCoy? That is highly questionable.

“Are they seriously considering trading down? That is a fact that every team is. But will they? No. They will take Jameis Winston No. 1 overall.”

Farrar makes a helluva point: Yes, we know there are other edge rushers, including smokin’ Randy Gregory, the Bucs could trade up for and select. And no, there is no Orlando Pace or Joe Thomas in this draft.

Farrar hit home with the take that the Bucs have invested heavily in their receivers (including tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins). If the Bucs wanted to load up on draft picks (and save cash), then they easily could have moved Vincent Jackson. Could have done so last year. But the Bucs held on.

Last year proved that no matter how good your receivers are, if you have garbage at quarterback, it doesn’t matter. The Bucs kept Jackson, in part, because they are looking to build a dynamic passing attack, and partially because he would be the perfect, steady veteran a rookie quarterback like Winston would need.

To hear the entire podcast, click the orange arrow below.

67 Responses to “Keeping Vincent Jackson Is Telling”

  1. Stpetebucsfan Says:

    VJAX is desperately needed on this team. Mike Evans is a huge talent but nobody considers him a “character” guy. That’s not to put down Evans just to point out the difference between him and VJAX. Honestly would any of you be shocked if more TMZ video came out next off season on Evans?

    All this talk of mentoring. Bajakian and Koetter can “mentor” Fameis as well as any old retread QB. But VJAX will be a calming influence in the huddle and off the field along with DB55.

    Our defense already has GMC and Levonte as truly high character guys. IMO this means we could afford to take a flyer on Gregory.

    Now to p/!ss off all the Lovie haters here…seems to be the majority..I concede I’m in the minority…I think Lovie along with senior coaches like Frazier and Koetter are building the locker room as well as the team on the field. And I like the balance they’ve achieved so far. This is why I’m willing to take a flyer on Fameis and Gregory.

  2. bucs4lyfe Says:

    leonard Williams is just as risky as JW and only reason I say that is Houston Texans defense was just as dominant without it’s top draft pick as it was the year before but no offense, im sure they wish they had taken a quarterback in hindsight

  3. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    @ St. Pete

    I’m with you on Lovie, Koetter, Frazier….we have some adult leaders on and off the field…..GMC/Vjax…..essential.

    I like what I’m starting to see and I don’t think we are alone….the next Lovie confidence poll will show improvement…especially with the Koetter hire.

    I also like that there wasn’t a massive turnover with coaches…..

  4. WS99 Says:

    We need a burner so we can move vjax to possession recvr. We need a burner who can catch and return kicks.

  5. Ray Rice Says:

    @JOE

    Last paragraph, “if you have garbage at QB”…. YOU HAVE NEVER SAID ANYTHING MORE TRUE! And yes that includes MG too.

  6. John McKillop Says:

    I agree, Winston is the pick. As far as Gregory I would pass on him. Not because of the positive drug test, but because I don’t believe he is a 4 – 3 defensive end, he is to light at 230 or 235 pounds. He strikes me as more of a 3- 4 outside rush linebacker. He looks like he might get thrown around by 325 Lb. left tackles, I can’t see this guy getting consistent pressure from the defensive end position.

  7. Supersam Says:

    “Lovie is a straight up guy”!? Haha that’s the funniest thing I’ve heard In awhile, Lovie is the king of smoke blowers.

  8. Supersam Says:

    I still think he pick is Mariota, I think that the reason Lovie is giving Winston so much praise is a favor for Derrick Brooks, even though he knows were taking Mariota, that doesn’t mean he won’t say some good things about Winston to help his draft stock. And who knows maybe someone will offer him that mega trade offer he keeps talking about for Winston, the draft is a card game and No way is Lovie gonna reveal his hand.

  9. BUCSLEGENDS Says:

    Ray Rice, Another one of your POSitive posts ! Your input as always is so fresh and informative ! THANKS

  10. Erik the WiseMMan Says:

    Mariota will help our Oline. Winston will be a sitting duck, ironically…. #MariotaisbetterthanWinstonineveryway

  11. Celly Says:

    @Supersam

    LO-effin-L

    Still hanging on to as much hope as possible. That’s commendable.

    I just hope you’re willing to cheer for Winston when he winds up being the pick. We’ll welcome you back on the wagon…

    Go Bucs
    Raymond Jameis Stadium

  12. Stpetebucsfan Says:

    @WS99

    We need a burner so we can move vjax to possession recvr. We need a burner who can catch and return kicks.

    Agree completely! And I suspect you’ll agree with me that it’s not Herron.

    OK WS99 ask and ye shall receive. I could link to the video but Joe doesn’t like links so just the info. And the guy is local.

    Breshad Perriman wows scouts with 4.25-second 40-yard dash

    The Central Florida wide receiver’s 40-yard dash was clocked at 4.25 seconds by NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock. Other times recorded by NFL scouts on hand ranged between 4.19 and 4.27, according to NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt. Any of those would have been the best overall time at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine had he run for the same result in Indianapolis last month. Anything under 4.4 is a stunningly fast clocking for a player of Perriman’s size; he is 6-foot-2, 212 pounds

    Whew doggie that is smoking!!!! And he has size!!! Sadly we have to wonder how far he shoots up the draft. And if you go to the NFL draft site his weakness is horrible route running and questionable hands. Hey a VJAX with lightning speed! Gotta believe we’re at least looking at him.

  13. Buc1987 Says:

    Celly…it’s too funny isn’t.

    I just sit back and smile when I read his and Erik’s comments.

    Everyone and their mom is saying it’s going to be Winston….but not these two guys….nope. Not gonna happen.

    Hilarious stuff.

  14. LargoBuc Says:

    Just wait. All those in doubt, our passing attack next year will take us far. Just wait.

  15. Buc1987 Says:

    Largo…I have a suspicion you might be right. I’m not making any bold predictions for Winston though. Especially with that atrocious offensive line and the fact that he’s just a rookie QB.

    Yet I still have my doubts about whether I might be wrong in saying he’s just a rookie…probably because I saw what he did when he was just a freshman.
    The kid just proves me wrong every time.

    Each FSU game that would come up. I said okay this is the game they are going to lose this week. Whether it be Notre Dame, Miami, or UF. I was scared of those games during the week. Yet they still won.

  16. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    “Buc1987 Says:
    March 27th, 2015 at 1:17 pm

    Celly…it’s too funny isn’t.

    I just sit back and smile when I read his and Erik’s comments.

    Everyone and their mom is saying it’s going to be Winston….but not these two guys….nope. Not gonna happen.

    Hilarious stuff.”

    I gotta say, the “favor to Derrick Brooks” takes the cake. I mean, you can’t write that sheete. It’s so classic, I struggle to come up with words. for it. Lovie is trying to save his job and a billion dollar franchise, but, he’s going to take the time to help an ex-player with one of his alums through some elaborate scheme of compliments to the media. Someone has never heard of Occum’s Razor.

    So awesome.

  17. WS99 Says:

    Stpete

    ” his weakness is horrible route running and questionable hands. Hey a VJAX with lightning speed!”

    Ha that’s just wrong, lol. The man had a broken wrist, no shame. I heard about perriman, he wasn’t invited to the combine but ran 4.25 twice at his pro day. He sounds like a Devon Hester type to me. Exactly what we need but when or where do we take him? If L&L have any sense they go qb, de, ol, ol, ol, ol,ol.

    I understand we have waiver priority also so hopefully we can snag a few gems that way. Idk, let’s see what happens.

  18. Buc1987 Says:

    My sister says Lovie likes pineapple and that’s why she thinks Mariota will be the pick seeing how he’s from Hawaii.

  19. Celly Says:

    @Buc1987

    The only bold prediction I WILL make is that Winston has more wins in his first year as a Buc than Glennon has in his Buc career.

    Might not be that bold, but hey, I’ll take it, lol.

  20. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    “Buc1987 Says:
    March 27th, 2015 at 1:44 pm

    My sister says Lovie likes pineapple and that’s why she thinks Mariota will be the pick seeing how he’s from Hawaii.”

    All of Lovie’s pillows?

    You guessed it, duck down. Boom. Mariota.

  21. Buc1987 Says:

    Ha ha ha ha ha

  22. WS99 Says:

    One way we can immediately compete for the division is with Adrian Peterson. We need a runner that people fear, not Charles Simms rotf. With AP, Evans, Vjax and ASJ we might be able to put up some points.

  23. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Although I agree that Winston is the likely pick…..Winston fans won’t totally rest easy until the pick is made because of Lovie’s practice of saying one thing and doing another….
    Anyone who says they can totally rely on the current situation prevailing at draft time is not being intelectually honest.

  24. Skyline Crew Says:

    When Mariota is drafted we will be good to go.

  25. Buc1987 Says:

    HA!

  26. Celly Says:

    @TBBF…

    True. But i think the biggest difference is that while all the Winston supporters are expecting the pick to be Winston, if it turns out that it is Mariota, while we may be disappointed, will still support the team whole-heartedly.

    Based on the comments on JBF, i can’t say the same about Mariota backers.

  27. Celly Says:

    @Skyline…

    agreed, cause by the time Mariota is drafted, the Bucs will have already selected Winston

    Go Bucs
    Raymond Jameis Stadium

  28. Skyline Crew Says:

    Bucs fans want Mariota per the polls and FSU wants Winston. What will the front office do though?

  29. P'cola Buc Says:

    Skyline Crew Says

    “When Mariota is drafted we will be good to go”.

    Why? Do you plan on seeing a lot of Jets games this year?

  30. Erik the WiseMMan Says:

    87, this is the new me… (the future Mariota jersey recipient)

  31. Skyline Crew Says:

    No I don’t plan on watching Geno. Will you be watching Chiefs games?

  32. Jacko101 Says:

    As a club season ticket holder I wouldn’t be mad if we traded down. Id rather trade down then draft Winston, even if it meant missing on Mariota. I just do not want him here: that being said IF (High chance) he is drafted by us I’ll have 0 choice to cheer for the guy to make US better.

  33. Erik the WiseMMan Says:

    I love the Bucs, but I honestly think I’m getting to the point where whoever it is who drafts Mariota is my favorite team….. Hopefully, it’s the Bucs.

  34. ColoradoBuc Says:

    Wow. It’s bad enough that so many posters criticize the highest rated potential draft picks – now they have nothing better to do than to criticize each other. Someone’s got to get a life if that’s all they can do all day long.

  35. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    “Erik the WiseMMan Says:
    March 27th, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    I love the Bucs, but I honestly think I’m getting to the point where whoever it is who drafts Mariota is my favorite team….. Hopefully, it’s the Bucs.”

    Just don’t forget ’87’s jersey before you start your J-E-T-S chant.

  36. Skyline Crew Says:

    Erik,

    My bro n law is a Peyton fan and followed him from college to the Colts to the Broncos. So go ahead if there is nothing else keeping you here.

  37. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    @ Celly

    I agree……Winston seems to be a very polarizing figure and many are anti-Winston rather than pro-Mariota….

    I am a Mariota supporter that has made it clear I will support Winston….I am merely a skeptic on Winston’s off-field behavior going forward added to the fact that I like Mariota’s atleticism and believe he has a very high ceiling. (some actually count the athleticism against him)

    I think only the fringe will not ultimately support the choice….and after the choice is made we should all ignore the malcontents.

  38. unbelievable Says:

    @St. Pete, I would love if we picked up Perriman in a later round!

    I’m surprised they say he has questionable hands. I’ve watched almost every UCF game from the last 5 years, and this dude straight up balls. Him, along with Storm Johnson and JJ Worton were huge keys to Blake Bortles success there.

  39. Celly Says:

    I think only the fringe will not ultimately support the choice….and after the choice is made we should all ignore the malcontents.

    I think that’s the best thing i’ve heard yet since draft season started, lol…

    Already added to my ignore list is “Greg Schiano” and “Ray Rice”…. for other obvious reasons…

  40. Andrew 1 Says:

    I just think its unbelievable that people willingly dive right in to Winston’s personal life and feel the need to condemn him for the wrong choices that he’s made. Just imagine if a group of people had a microscope over your life. Are you so perfect that you would have absolutely nothing to hide or be ashamed of? No! My guess is you would also want those people holding the microscope to be more concerned about there own faults, since they also are not perfect. Here’s a thought, since we are football fans, lets just be concerned about Winston the football player and let Winston the person be judged by the legal system if needed. Honestly, its gotten to a point where if someone said if you pass on the best QB in the draft, people will stop taking delight in trying to take this kid down, I would say yes!

  41. cspann Says:

    This debate is stupid. When people say they want MM over JW, they must be looking at stats and not the games. I am a big college football fan and a even bigger NFL fan. I watched MM play for 3 years and watched JW play for 2. Even before MM got to OU, every other qb before MM in that system would put up similar numbers. Thats why I think that MM is a product of that system. He did well when he was there but I dont think it will translate to the next level.JW on the other hand is for real. He took the same team EJ Manuel had and took them to the next level with his play. Then came back with lesser talent and nearly went undefeated again. He plays QB like it should be played. I think Luck and him are on the same level when he was coming out of college. I just think people are not really looking at the games when these guys played. It is blatantly obvious that JW is the better QB.

  42. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    WS99 Says:
    March 27th, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    “One way we can immediately compete for the division is with Adrian Peterson.”

    That would take a trade. If we’re willing to accept a “child beater”, we may as well accept a “woman beater” without losing picks and sign (the real) Ray Rice.

    Heck, anyone here that thinks we shouldn’t should be slapped, because everyone wanted Hardy, who did much worse. Rice is available and he’s got a chip on his shoulder.

  43. LargoBuc Says:

    Vjax has a much needed veteran presence. Him and Evans compliment each other and without one the other would be double teamed. And who supposed to free them up? Louis Murphy? Robert Herron?
    I wanted Torey Smith so have a threat from the slot/some depth in case one goes down. Better hope VJax and Evans dont go down otherwise we’ll be in trouble.

  44. Erik the WiseMMan Says:

    I’ll always love the Bucs, but I might be really bitter if they draft Winston….. I feel like we deserve to be a bad team if we pass on Mariota.

  45. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    @Andrew 1

    There are extremists on both sides. It isn’t a matter of being perfect, it’s about being accountable and owning up to mistakes…something that Winston doesn’t do, even on the field.

    People should look at every aspect of a player, not just on field stuff. The real hypocrisy comes when Winstonites ignore his character concerns, as you are, and then point to potential off field mentors to help “keep him in line.”

    Red flags are reed flags. Personally, for me it isn’t only the off the field things, though I don’t ignore them.

    My biggest complaint on him is his playing speed. H is simply too slpw fpr the nfl at all levels of his game.

    My second biggest is ball placement, and it disgusts me to see “analysts” show his plays, show bad ball placement, and then say how he threw it to the perfect spot. It’s a line of bull.

    Never. Never throw inside and behind. Not in the nfl.

    And that is where 90 percent of his forward sideline passes go. THAT’s one reason his picks were high. The other?

    Staring down his target from the start of the play to the finish. He does it A LOT…and the defenses know it.

    If he were better at those things? I might feel better about him. I don’t expect perfection (though many Winstonites believe he is), but I do expect a somewhat higher level of skill in those areas from a first pick.

  46. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    typing in the dark, so excuse the errors.

  47. Bucsfanman Says:

    “Last year proved that no matter how good your receivers are, if you have garbage at quarterback, it doesn’t matter.”- This is a strange comment to me considering both Jackson AND Evans had over 1,000 yards receiving.
    While our offense was anemic, our defense also cost us a few games. Selecting a QB does nothing to boost the offense unless more is invested in the o-line. Let’s face it, we have WAY more problems than just QB!

  48. Kaptain Morgan Says:

    Maybe it’s telling because they want to reunite VJax with P. Rivers? If I were the GM (Licht) I’d call about the availability of Rivers who said he won’t resign with the Chargers due to the possibility they move to LA. He’s got 7 kids and he wants stability on where to raise his kids in an area not like LA. Make a trade for Rivers contingent on him signing a new contract.

  49. Broy34WontArgueWithStupidity Says:

    JOHN MCKILLOP-FINALLYYYYYY SOMEONE WHO LOOKS PAST THE NAME. When you have just four guys rushing the passer on average and 5 offensive lineman blocking do you think Michael Johnson is gonna succeed? Nooooo. He had blitzing linebackers at Cincy that helped him get his 3.5 sacks in his last Bengals season. Lmao. But seriously all these d end targets are undersized. Sadly Leanord Williams is the absolute perfect fit for a 4-3,Cover 2 system. Greg Hardys sack numbers would’ve been okay because he’s just big enough and strong enough but Simeon rice is the d end Tampa needs. Not Gaines Adams. Which is why it remains the worst draft pick of the century

  50. Broy34WontArgueWithStupidity Says:

    Bucsfanman-you’re right buddy lets get a line good enough to win 7 games every year and never get a Winston or hell even Mariota-esque prospect. And for the love of Christmas don’t mention Russel Wilson or I will snap

  51. Pickgrin Says:

    Bonzai – typing errors are certainly excusable – But the inexcusable errors are the BS critiques you post about Winston’s game which are mostly laughable.

  52. Buctebow Says:

    Is taking Winston a big risk…yes, is taking Mariota a big risk…yes, although for different reasons perhaps. All I know is that I would rather have either one, than having to watch the Bucs lose with MG8 again. Even if we lose it will be better, as there will still be hope of improvement in the future.

  53. wisconsinbucsfan Says:

    Wouldn’t any quarterback need someone to throw to, even Mike Glennon? I am not sold on either Qb in draft. Leonard Williams is the only choice!!!!!

  54. Kaptain Morgan Says:

    Does anyone know (yo Joe) if Lovie & Licht invited Leonard Williams to One Buc for a 1×1 (or a 1×2) meeting similar to Mariota and Winston?

  55. gotbbucs Says:

    @ Bonzai

    Have you honestly watched an Oregon game? Serious question.

    You’re good at pooping on Winston’s game, but I never see anybody type up what’s so great about Mariota’s game.

    I am not one that will be fine with either QB being drafted. I’ve said it for a long time, if it isn’t Winston then it better be a pass rusher. Mariota shouldn’t be drafted in the first ten picks and I honestly don’t think he will be. He is a spread/option QB. Period. It does not translate to the NFL. Period.

    None of these QB’s that can run pan out. It is forever a crutch for them and they won’t stay in the pocket. Randall Cunningham didn’t figure it out until he was old as hell and most of them never do figure it out.

    THE BEST TEAMS IN THE NFL, PAST AND PRESENT, HAVE POCKET PASSING QB’S. How freaking hard is that to figure out? Sheesh. I swear, some Bucs fans are terrified to have a winner.

  56. Stpetebucsfan Says:

    @UNbelievable

    I would love if we picked up Perriman in a later round!

    I’m surprised they say he has questionable hands. I’ve watched almost every UCF game from the last 5 years, and this dude straight up balls.

    Thanks for the scouting report. IN all honesty I did not see UCF at all this year.
    Glad to know he has the hands. They can always work with him on route running so that doesn’t disturb me at all.

    With that size and speed combo this guy could be the steal of the draft.
    I saw the video of him running the 40 and he just hauls asssssss!

  57. Buc1987 Says:

    gotbbucs ..from my experience, Bonzai would take anybody BUT Winston….that means anybody. Ronald McDonald or Barney the Dinosaur.

  58. SOEbuc Says:

    Why do people have problems with mike evans character?? His on field character is a little out there but he can do any kinda jig he wants scoring 12 TDs. He was very humble in every off field interview i saw last year. And yes i am extremely happy having Vjax around for Jameis’ rookie year.

  59. SOEbuc Says:

    Past couple years the QBs and WRs have been going down the street to Plant HS and their 750,000 dollar field (thank you steinbrenners) for off season scrimmaging when they’re not allowed to use OBP. I might have to start camping out there on the weekends

  60. nucifyouBUC Says:

    Would be grat to get Perriman, but he will go in the 1st after his proday 40 time. he can bust YAC, and get downfiled fast.

    Glad UCF got some great WR recruits, especially the WR we stole from USC who stole him from UF……………….

    IF the Noles have a rebuild year UCF will likely

  61. nucifyouBUC Says:

    Would be grat to get Perriman, but he will go in the 1st after his proday 40 time. he can bust YAC, and get downfiled fast.

    Glad UCF got some great WR recruits, especially the 4 star WR we stole from USC who stole him from UF……………….

    If the Noles have a rebuild year UCF will likely be the best team in the state.

    And their baseball has been at #6 or #7 for the past month, they beat UF and played an almost totally ranked non con, started conference tonight by beating #15 Houston.

    Ohh, one last thing, if you Bulls punk don’t know who Tacko Fall is better ask somebody…. UCF >>>>>>usf

  62. nucifyouBUC Says:

    Great too

  63. nucifyouBUC Says:

    Dear WS99,

    Perriman was invited to the combine, he just didn’t do on field drills because of a pulled hammy. Owned

  64. nucifyouBUC Says:

    Dear WS99,

    Perriman was invited to the combine, he just didn’t do on field drills because of a pulled hammy. Owned

    (4 Knights total were at the combine, Terrance Plumber could be a great mid round pick.

  65. Stpetebucsfan Says:

    @SOEBuc

    Why do people have problems with mike evans character??

    In a nutshell SOEBuc

    Tampa Bay Buc rookie wide receiver Mike Evans was DETAINED by Miami Beach PD after a nightclub fight in March … after he was KICKED OUT of the club … cops tell TMZ Sports.

    Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2014/08/25/mike-evans-was-detained-after-nightclub-fight/#ixzz3VgTaU9aw

  66. SOEbuc Says:

    @StPete

    see i did not know this. Spending all that time with Johnny Moron must of really rubbed off on him in a bad way. Thank you for the info SPBF

  67. SOEbuc Says:

    @StPete

    Haha that video is hilarious. The freaking cops just stand by and let it happen and don’t even take anyone to jail. And I like Mike showin off his hops getting over that Porsche. Only in south beach