“It’s Just In His Blood”
September 7th, 2015
Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucs coaches have force fed Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, with massive quantities of Xs and Os since the day he arrived.
But when it comes to intangibles, Jameis’ teammates have been working to hold him back.
Gerald McCoy has referenced this previously, but he talked more about it on NFL Network today.
“We’ve been having to slow him down, you know, with his leadership ability, but he can’t help it, man. It’s just in his blood,” McCoy said of Jameis. “He relishes in those moments of getting an opportunity to be a leader.”
Joe gets the concept McCoy has expressed: Let Jameis relax and not feel the weight of the team on his shoulders. But Joe’s not buying it. Jameis will feel that way regardless.
The Bucs’ locker room should just embrace the inevitable now. It’s Jameis’ team and the returning offensive leadership surely led the Bucs to a dark place.
Typically, today is the day the Bucs would vote for team captains. It’s a players-only vote, and there’s usually two captains for each position unit. As Joe’s stated previously, it would be great to see Jameis earn the honor. He’ll have it in reality anyway.
September 7th, 2015 at 11:40 am
Last year’s offensive captains were VJax and Josh McCown. Appears to be a precedent there for players electing a QB who’s in his first year with the Bucs.
I’m kinda torn though on who would make the best offensive captains this year. VJax is a leader and a perennial 1000 yard performer. Mankins has ‘been there and done that’ so to speak and better be a rock on the OLine or we’re in deep trouble. Jameis might be ‘America’s QB’ but he’s still a 21-year old rookie and the team has yet to see how he performs under fire. It’ll be interesting to see how the players vote.
September 7th, 2015 at 11:41 am
I completely understand the need for a rookie to pay his dues. I think JW has done all that he can to try and show respect. But as GMC pointed out he is simply a natural leader and it’s in his blood.
With all due respect to GMC and LVD what leadership skills have they demonstrate. Again this team has shown an incredible lack of heart and fortitude since Gruden left. Rah..Schiano..and last year Lovie all fielded teams that should have won more games than they did but just folded like a tent in a hurricane when the going got tough.
QB is SUPPOSED to be he leadership positon. But on this team anybody here from 2014 or before should just S T F U when it comes to leadership, This team has been rudderless for an entire decade. Blame the HC’s if you wish..and indeed they are the final stop of responsiblity, but this team has lacked heart and the players who have been here should be just as accountable as the coaches.
Who has GMC inspired to play better. Who has elevated their game because of LVD’s leadership. VJAX is the closest thing we’ve had to a leader on this team but a WR can only do so much. Maybe Mankins will step up this year for our young OL but he should be embarrassed by last year!
September 7th, 2015 at 11:47 am
@SPBF – I think you make some solid points. Leadership isn’t for everyone and just because someone is a great worker that doesn’t make them a great leader. I love what LVD does for us, but that doesn’t mean that he has leadership skills. Same with GMC. If they had those skills then we wouldn’t be having the same discussions year after year. Leadership yields results. It brings out the best in the people around them. If Winston comes in and wants to be a leader and he has the personality and work ethic for it then I say that he should be given that opportunity. We saw what the veteran leadership got us last year. Let’s get some new perspective out there and see if we can get a culture change started.
September 7th, 2015 at 11:49 am
I don’t remember all of this “slow down” mess when the Panthers took Cam. Just let the kid come in and do his thing—the pressure’so going to be there either way. Part of the reason you took him was because he’s know for his leadership skills, something that was reportedly missing from Mariota.
September 7th, 2015 at 11:52 am
Jameis is a natural born leader. Fiery, vocal, positive, encouraging and supremely confident in his own abilities.
This is one of the qualities that really set him apart from Mariota.
Dude is going to lead the Buccaneers to a LOT of victories and we are very fortunate that he is playing Quarterback for the Bucs.
Good job L&L!!!!!!
September 7th, 2015 at 12:04 pm
Cam will never win a super bowl…..EVER!!!!
He wont even come close to going ever…..
EVER!!!!!
September 7th, 2015 at 12:10 pm
@St.Pete
I’d be hard-pressed to name someone other than LVD & GMC to be the defensive leaders.
As far as Offense…..VJax is a lock
I am torn between Mankins & Winston for the other slot.
Fans show disdain toward Mankins because of last year’s disaster….but our Oline desperately needs leadership and he’s the guy for now.
Ultimately it’s the player’s choice….as it should be.
September 7th, 2015 at 12:25 pm
@Patrick
see if we can get a culture change started.
Exactly! That’s why the Glazers brought in Lovie. We need to change the culture.
JW was drafted with that in mind.
I think it was LargoBuc..but somebody made a great point. Schiano didn’t get fired because of his record. He got fired because he lost his locker room. He got fired because as a moderately successful coach at a mid level college program he lost the respect of the league with that kneel down play. He lost the fans. That’s why Schiano got fired,
@TBBF
As always excellent points. I think the two locks are GMC and VJAX. I get that veterans get priority and so that probably does mean LVD and Mankins…but if we simply went on merit…players who ARE actually leaders I gotta give the two rookies a shot…JW for sure…and perhaps Kwon…he certainly shows more fire than LVD. I’m not ranking on LVD…he’s a great player..but very quiet and not a guy who elevates those around him. Kwon elevated me and I wasn’t even on the field. And JW and Kwon play the positions where you’d love to have a captain.
September 7th, 2015 at 12:32 pm
Question for all. Remember when JFro was NOT elected captain? What did you all make of that?
I immediatly felt we were in deep dooty when that happened. Whether the players just realized the “true” JFro or whether the conspiratorialists were correct and Schiano rigged the vote…that was a yyyuggee red light to start a season.
If in three years #3 is still our starting QB and he’s not elected captain…something will be wrong!!!
September 7th, 2015 at 12:35 pm
Jimmy53 … Interesting point that you make about Cam Newton. Cam was also a Heisman Trophy winner and the 1st pick in the 2011 draft … similar situation to Jameis it sounds like.
Just as a point of interest, Newton wasn’t elected as a captain of the Panthers until 2013 … two full years after he was drafted. Might also note that in his first two seasons (2011 and 2012) the Panthers had losing records. Their record in 2013 was 12-4 coincidentally … Cam’s first year as a captain.
Since we’re on the subject of the Panthers, their coach starting in 2011 was Ron Rivera. It wasn’t until 2013 that he had a winning record. Basically took him 2 full years to perfect his defense. Seems like his is a variation of the Tampa-2. Apparently takes awhile for teams to get the right personnel and perfect the Tampa-2 defense. Who’d a thunk it?
September 7th, 2015 at 12:44 pm
this is not a team it’s just a collection of players.
September 7th, 2015 at 12:48 pm
These are the most entertaining comments yet!!!
You’d think this team went 9-7 last year.
September 7th, 2015 at 12:58 pm
I really kind of though that I’d come back on here after a few months away and the folks who were on here downing the team would have moved on and there would be a new crop of negative folks who can’t seem to get themselves excited about the prospects that a new season holds. Not the case though. That’s not really to say that they’re wrong because we’re a bad team. I just don’t see how people can keep coming back when they don’t have any hope and they seem to live to disparage the hope that others have. I mean, why not just go fishing or something? Read a book. Seems like a poor choice of how you spend your time.
September 7th, 2015 at 1:00 pm
DB55
this is not a team it’s just a collection of players.
Wow is that an indictment. And you might be correct! We’re all about to find out. IMHO I think your statement has “some” validity…40% turnover…all the rookies..it may take awhile to actually become a “team”. Again I hope it happens after the first 1/4 of the season.
Tom
You’d think this team went 9-7 last year.</i.
Actually I believe they "should" have gone 6-10 if they hadn't choked. I haven't seen any heart from this team yet. That's why we drafted JW. I'll accept all his rookie ints and stumbles and stupid seven second sacks if he can at least bring some heart. I think GMC and LVD are great players but they were part of a group that just had zero fortitude. Those two didn't make a difference. JW and Kwon give us at least hope.
In addition I base my optimism on a division that went 20-27 and a half dozen other opponents with horrid records…the best of which St. Louis went 6-10. We only have three games in the middle of the year that are the so called "unwinnable' variety,
September 7th, 2015 at 1:01 pm
Oops apologies for forgetting to close the italics.
September 7th, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Considering the lack of effective leadership on this team, the veterans should just shut-up, get out of the way and let the kid lead! 2-14 people!
September 7th, 2015 at 1:19 pm
I don’t care if Jameis is elected captain and I dont think Jameis probably does either. It’s pretty obvious he doesn’t play into the whole veteran politics game. GMC trying to hold him back is asinine, at this point he should just be ready to hold on for the ride. What has GMCs approach to leading this team gotten us thus far? He isn’t the leader of this team and he isnt the leader of the defense, David and in a short time Kwon.
GMC, either get on the train or lay down on the tracks, you had your chance to make an impact leadership wise and it didnt work out. The torch has been ripped out of your hands and placed into others. Just play some good football and try to complement what others around you are trying to do.
September 7th, 2015 at 1:25 pm
You want fiery guys who can lead a charge man. Evans and Mankins as captains. Love VJax and he remains our best receiver but I think Evans is also ready for some leadership responsibility and the mix of young and old leadership as captains will be a plus.
September 7th, 2015 at 1:28 pm
Sapp was never the leader of this team either, he was a clown much like GMC, only Sapp was a blood thirsty murder like Pennywise and GMC is a kid friendly clown like Bozo.
September 7th, 2015 at 1:55 pm
JW may not be a captain simply for PC reasons there are still people out there who believe he committed a heinous crime so for that reason alone he may not be a captain.
Cheat during games = not guilty.
Be exonerated by evidence, police and every other authority = guilty
#simple.as.that
September 7th, 2015 at 1:56 pm
In the eyes of the public it’s his team , but in that locker room McCoy , David and Jackson are the un questioned leaders and will continue to be
September 7th, 2015 at 2:55 pm
GMC will never be half the leader Sapp was. Sapp had swagger. Brooks too, had swagger. Lynch as well. Simeon too.
Jameis Winston has more swagger than any of those guys.
I didn’t say combined, in case some moron wants to jump on me for saying it. I’ll clear that up right now.
Some of the remaining doubters have no idea just how good we have it with Jameis Winston. I’m sure Jameis has a cure for that. By midseason he will start to find a cure for the doubters. If the line holds up and I think it might be adequate enough by midseason. That’s when JW will find your cure, BUT he has to survive until then.
So watch out Jameis they’re going to be coming AFTER you, early and often. You have to pick up the blitz, or it’s not only going to be a long season, but a very long season. WATCH OUT!
Winston will be the leader of this team by midseason, if they put together some kind of o-line and protect him, it will happen earlier. The sooner the o-line comes together the sooner Jameis will become the QB I and MANY, MANY people out there know he’s going to be.
September 7th, 2015 at 2:58 pm
See you at the game this Sunday!
September 7th, 2015 at 5:00 pm
EDS should be the offensive captain because he needs to improve the most and stop being jealous of Jameis.
Making him the captain would demand that he put forth his best effort every time he puts on his cleats. It would also ensure that he studies the opposition and be ready to call protections.
EDS needs some love. Otherwise, he’s just a paycheck player looking forward to a sports announcers gig after a few more years.
Make him captain and he’ll dedicate himself to being the best he can be.
September 7th, 2015 at 5:38 pm
Good idea Mo.
September 7th, 2015 at 7:11 pm
@ joe……
Any poster that writes sapp was not the leader of the defense and the entire team in general needs to have his posting capabilities revoked. Either that person knows nothing about the bucs or he is an idiot. Either way their comments will bring nothing legitimate to the table.
September 7th, 2015 at 9:22 pm
Oh no thoughts of Pennywise just gave me goosebumps, thanks Gotbucs for the reference.
September 8th, 2015 at 1:42 am
I love the guy. I’ve read quotes like this for six months now. It’s really time to see it between the white lines though. He has to show something… preseason was awful.