A Tip That Jameis Is Staying?

November 24th, 2018

“Look Mr. Glazer, I have no desire to hang with a bunch of grimy coal miners and slovenly sportswriters on a cold Friday night if I’m not interested in their Gators-reject quarterback. I don’t care that he married a Bucs cheerleader.”

Last night West Virginia hosted Oklahoma in a huge Big XII game. The winner goes to the Big XII title game and an outside prayer of a playoff game.

As host schools often will do, they provide a list of NFL scouts (including general managers if they choose to attend) granted credentials to sit in a warm press box, eat free food and watch a potential future draft pick.

Dane Brugler, who writes about the NFL Draft for The Athletic, Twittered out the NFL general managers scheduled to attend the Oklahoma-West Virginia game.

Notice one guy not on the list is Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.

That’s not to say the Bucs had no scouts there, but could this be a tip that the Bucs are not interested in drafting a quarterback high next spring and plan to bring back America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston?

Let’s take a look at who the teams listed could be scouting.

Aside from West Virginia quarterback Will Grier, who may be the first overall pick in the draft, the Mountaineers also have good wide receivers. Oklahoma has a damn strong offensive line and good receivers. (Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray very well could win the Heisman Trophy. Yeah, Joe wrote that. But Murray is bound for baseball having signed a contract with the Oakland Athletics that included a $4.66 million signing bonus.)

Browns: Could be looking at offensive line.
Seahawks: Could be looking at wide receivers.
Steelers: Probably looking to replace Big Ben who is getting old.
Bills: They always seem to be looking for a quarterback (hello Bucs, minus-Jameis) but likely looking at receivers and offensive line.
Giants: Need a quarterback.
Panthers: Offensive line.
Dolphins: Need a quarterback.
Eagles: Likely looking at receivers and offensive line.

Now this doesn’t mean Licht wasn’t at the Oregon blowout of Oregon State to watch Justin Herbert, who may have blown out his right shoulder last night, or at Missouri to watch Drew Lock face Arkansas.

Trying to connect dots by who is or isn’t in a press box at a college game is dicey. Joe does know that the last time Licht was in the market for a quarterback, he sure showed up at quite a few Florida State games in person.

So is the fact Licht was not scouting arguably the best quarterback in the nation a sign Jameis is secure for 2019?

51 Responses to “A Tip That Jameis Is Staying?”

  1. Jonathan Lipnicki Says:

    I think it’s more of a clue that Licht’s Out…lame duck Licht…

  2. ToesOnTheLine!!! Says:

    From a different perspective it could be a sign Licht and the current scouting staff won’t be with the Bucs in 2019?

  3. DB55 Says:

    You sure he wasn’t just at home in his slippers knocking back some cold ones looking for the next Caleb Benenoch or Alex Cappa? It’s a tough job but somebody gotta do it

  4. WalkdaPlank Says:

    Murray is doing what Jameis should’ve done and playing baseball. Much more money and a longer career.

    Plus he can’t throw any interceptions

  5. tickrdr Says:

    Maybe I’m wrong, but didn’t some of the Bucs’ draft picks get drafted without even getting an official “visit” at One Buc Place? Kind of like a smokescreen.

    tickrdr

  6. Pick6 Says:

    5 of the 8 teams on that list are set at QB for years. Not sure it tells you much of anything. There are probably better signals to heed, like playing a guy whose 2019 $21m salary is guaranteed for injury.

  7. Jean Lafitte Says:

    I think it all hinges on how well Jameis plays these last 6 games. Now that the season is over it’s not just about can he win, he should not be the focal point for the reasons why we lost. Everything is on display. His mechanics, his decisions, his accuracy, his awareness to protect the ball. We will notice it if/when he does. I know I’m watching without bias.

  8. snookman Says:

    jameis has 6 games to show hes not what I think he is………….a turnover machine who makes bad decisions. Im hoping he finishes strong enough to convince people like me that, with the right system, we can build around him and use high draft picks on fixing all the issues with this team. I just do not see it though. I have seen enough to make me belive that he has s super strong arm that is like a Ferrari without breaks and a steering wheel. all in all I have seen enough to make me think he will never be smart enough or good enough.

  9. Krojen Says:

    I’m pretty sure Licht already knows he’s fired. Especially in the scenario that he missed so badly on Jameis (and most other picks/signings) that he’s already scouting QBs to take with another top 3 pick.

  10. Armor1977 Says:

    It amazes me at how much people write about quarterback play and how bad Winston is. Winston is a good quarterback that has great upside once he can play in a balanced offense. This offense right now throws entirely too much and has since Winston has been there. Probability says the more you do something meaning a greater sample size the more chances for something to go wrong. Hence interceptions. The Monday night game was a perfect example but the Winston haters will not agree. Mohomes turned the ball over 5 times and lost but everyone says it was a good game and how well he played. He and Goff threw the ball way too much which is why they turned the ball over so much. There is no difference in Tampa. Plus when your defense is giving up touchdowns like a free giveaway you play from behind and try to win desperately. Just the negativity for Winston is getting old especially when its not all on him. If people actually watch the games instead of repeating what they hear on a biased newscast they would no better.

  11. El Buco Realisto Says:

    The “real” fans agree with most of the posts above!!!!!!!!!!!! Just because licht was not there does not mean that the Bucs New GM in little over 1 month was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    why does joe stump so hard to keep licht?????????? Because he would keep jw3 in another wasted year trying to fix him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!

  12. Pete I Says:

    Jameis Winston stays = more losing stays

  13. Loyaltotheend Says:

    Glazers probably put Licht’s expense account on hold as he’s likely fired

    Kind of a stretch here Joe, since the Bucs are likely cleaning house which means inept Licht is gone

  14. SchwiftyBuc Says:

    He won’t be here to make the decision anyway, i’d be laying back taking it easy were I in his shoes.

  15. Easy Says:

    Kyler Murray signing that contract doesnt mean he’s not gonna play in the NFL. I hope he’s the draft pick for our team.

  16. Not there yet Says:

    We won’t be wasting a pick on a quarterback in the next draft no matter how much you fake fans cry about it. There would have been many more wins for whatever quarterback was in the game with a better defense. This will and should be a defense heavy draft, it’s just plain ignorant to cry about drafting a quarterback as if that’s all this team needs to be competitive. Jump off a bridge if you can’t handle the obvious

  17. RustyRhinos Says:

    Why watch the WV QB? Licht will be at the MW game of Utah and Boise state. He will be watching Brett Rypien the next QB the Buccaneers will draft. He will licht it up this game.
    That is my feelings about the subject.
    Go! BUCS!!!

  18. Architek Says:

    He was too busy updating his LinkedIn profile!!!

    I don’t want Licht drafting anymore – we haven’t hit since Jon Robinson left.

  19. Fire Light Says:

    definitely a sign that the Fireeeeeee Licht! Troops are digging in for a celebration! Fireeeee Licht!

  20. SchwiftyBuc Says:

    Architek

    Outside of OJ Howard and Chris Godwin who were no brainer picks, you’re right, he’s been awful since Robinson left.

  21. AKickInTheBucNuts Says:

    What difference would it make if our scouts were there?

    They suck at evaluating players.

  22. Jlbucs Says:

    He will be at today’s FSU game scouting aguayo for that first round pick

  23. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    People wanting Jameis gone? Here are our options after the season:

    2019 NFL QB Unrestricted Free Agents

    • Ryan Fitzpatrick (likely to retire)
    • Tyrod Taylor
    • Josh McCown
    • Teddy Bridgewater
    • Matt Schaub
    • Ryan Griffin
    • Matt Cassel
    • Robert Griffin III
    • Derek Anderson
    • Geno Smith
    • Joe Webb
    • Mark Sanchez
    • Brock Osweiler
    • Brandon Weeden
    • David Fales
    • Sean Mannion
    • Tom Savage
    • Matt Barkley
    • Tyler Bray
    • Taylor Heinicke
    • Brett Hundley
    • Trevor Siemian

    Top College QBs

    • Ryan Finley
    • Justin Herbert
    • Drew Lock
    • Will Grier
    • Daniel Jones
    • Tyree Jackson
    • Shea Patterson

    Top QBs in CFL

    • Mike Reilly (33)
    • Jeremiah Masoli (30)
    • Bo Levi Mitchell (28)
    • Matt Nichols (31)

    Kindly notice that all of those options suck. THAT’s why Jameis is staying.

  24. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Architek Says
    “I don’t want Licht drafting anymore – we haven’t hit since Jon Robinson left.”

    That’s not actually true.

    This year alone he hit on multiple picks. I would at the minimum say that Davis and Whitehead were great picks. Stewart and Cappa each have shown potential to be good…they just need a little more developmental time.

    And Vea will get there. He’s never going to be a sack master…people should not have expected that. He was brought in as the eventual replacement to Beau Allen to play a Booger role. At that, he will be three times better than Booger.

    In 2017, he drafted Howard, Godwin and Beckwith.

    He’s had two bad drafts, but they are years apart and it happens to all GMs from time to time.

    And his Free Agency signings have improved over time. His cap management is great. Contracts are great.

    Jason Licht isn’t going anywhere.

  25. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    I’ll concede that Dirk Koetter is probably gone. I like him, but he’s starting to make some hefty mistakes now that he’s really on the hot seat.

    But I firmly believe Jason Licht and Jameis Winston will remain.

  26. stpetebucsfan Says:

    We are not going to get Will Grier although it would certainly be an exciting prospect. Everytime I watch one of his games I come away very impressed…much more so than with Tua and other big names.

    Again I think we’ve viewed Jameis too much in the extreme…some here think he’s headed for the HOF and will eventually become the best QB in the division…others think Jameis is awful and can’t play a lick. I do not believe either…not the greatest…nor the worst.

    I come down in the middle. He can do some amazing things…unfortunately both good and bad.

    Does anybody really believe this team is going to turn it around and reach the SB next year. Do we think we’re in a complete rebuild mode. If we could somehow change the culture things could improve quickly.

    As for QB…we are set for 2019…not the best QB’s…not even in our division…but if we could put together a defense and continue to improve our running game Jameis could perhaps be “managed” into a “competent” NFL QB. There will be plenty of time to ship Jameis if he sucks in 2019.

    I do not like investing the franchise in ONE position. Yes QB is the most important but not the ONLY position. Do we forget how badly the Saints sucked just a few short years ago? With Drew Brees at QB?

    We do not need Jameis to be the next coming…we need him to settle down and become coachable…just play within the team concepts and work like a fiend to control his stupid turnovers.

  27. Sumo Says:

    Many people on this sight just don’t get it. Winston is a turnover machine and this does not work in the NFL. We would be much better with less yardage and more accuracy. He never improved. He only got worse in turnovers. No improvement.

  28. Tampa Bay Demon Says:

    ^^ He has showed much improvement in many areas. We agree that he needs to get the INT rate back to where it was last year (2.5%) and eliminate the fumbles. Glad he is starting these last 6 games.

  29. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Sumo Says
    “He never improved. He only got worse in turnovers. No improvement.”

    While he is still throwing picks, he is actually currently tied for the least interceptions of his career…but the season isn’t nearly over.

    He also has the least fumbles of his career.

    In previous years, he improved in all areas from year to year except two: Interceptions and Fumbles. Not coincidentally, the sacks increased each year as well, meaning the offensive line gradually got worse at protecting him, resulting in more pressure.

    This reminds me of Giants fans, who say Eli Manning has lost it. He hasn’t. Not really. He’s only been sacked more times in a season once, and this season is not nearly over, so he’ll probably get hit a lot more. Giants fans cannot expect him to produce if he’s on his back constantly.

    The same could be said for Jameis.

  30. billm Says:

    Grimy coal miners ? I guess your so much better. insulting

  31. JIMMY T Says:

    Snook man
    Jameis first 3 years he improved each year! I’m not gonna put much stock into these past games this year. As a rookie at age 20 he had 22 TDS, 6 Rushing TDS & 15 INTS. 9 of those picks came in 3 games. They had a running game w Martin & Sims. He threw 28 /18 yr 2, went 9-7 & D played great last 8 games. He was hurt last year but last 5 games HEALTHY led the league in QBR. I don’t but in to the Ruck Stroud “Total TURNOVER” stat! BLIND side strip sack fumbles! Jameis has improved on that though he doesn’t have eyes in the back of his head & he has made the effort to use two hands other than last Sunday! Jameis plays in a bad team & football is A TEAM SPORT so he’s young & with an ACCOMPLISHED NEW COACH & staff he will be great

  32. SB Says:

    JOE……Get a Clue
    Grier was NEVER a Gators reject QB. SOOOOO FAR from the opposite. I know you like to write catchy captions under your pictures but at least get it right.

    He was our “Franchise QB” if you will. Went 6 and 0 before he got suspended for taking an Over The Counter supplement. The only reason he transferred was because his Father didn’t like the way Florida handled the situation and didn’t stand behind the kid. REJECT????

    SMDH

  33. DBS Says:

    He has also played in less games. Thus less inteseptions and fumbles he most assuredly would have had.

  34. DBS Says:

    And no. This is just joe at his Winston hunt once again. Or it could just mean there is Nobody at these schools the team is interested in.

  35. Cobraboy Says:

    Nothingburger.

  36. Calbucsfan Says:

    @Buc Bon
    Over the years of coming to this site, I will usually scan for commments from those with user names I’m familiar and skip the tire kickers who visit. Of those I do stop and read, I will usually look for yours first. Though I don’t necessarily agree with all of your comments, your perspective is always well thought out, reasonable, offers a valid perspective and is seldom influenced by frustration or impatience with the Bucs team that you are just as loyal to as myself. I look for more of the same.

    Best of the holiday season to you and yours, and go Bucs!

  37. BucTown Says:

    Of course he’s staying. $20.9M is a small price to pay for the comedy gold he provides with an endless string of bonehead f*ck*ps.

  38. Buc4evr Says:

    This team is so bad in almost every position that replacing Jameis with any free agent Qb or draft choice isn’t going to make things any better. Besides for what they are going to pay him next year, he is essentially getting a little more than back-up money. Keep Jameis next year, try to work on his tendency to make bone headed plays and focus on fixing the O-line and the entire defense. Lets see what a real NFL coach and GM can do with Jameis.

  39. Tvan1011 Says:

    Apparently Joe is as rude to coal miners as he is to anyone who doesnt like Americas crab leg stealing interception throwing quarterback.

  40. Tvan1011 Says:

    You should really apologize for that grimy coal miners statement. My wife’s family comes from west Virginia and is a long time bucs fan. That was a really rude statement.

  41. Tvan1011 Says:

    You should really apologize for that grimy coal miners statement. My wife’s family comes from west Virginia and is a long time bucs fan. That was a really rude statement

  42. Tvan1011 Says:

    You should really apologize for that grimy coal miners statement. My wife’s family comes from west Virginia and is a long time bucs fan.

  43. Tvan1011 Says:

    Sorry about the double posting.

  44. WillieG Says:

    Wait a sec!! If a QB blew out his shoulder, Licht will most likely draft him. He loves the scratch and dent sales. The Bucs’ medical staff loves to give overly optimistic assessments too. It’s a match made in heaven!

  45. SchwiftyBuc Says:

    If you honestly think that Davis and Whitehead were great picks Bonzai, then it means your standards are laughably low.

  46. SchwiftyBuc Says:

    Jason Licht Butchered the 2016 and 2018 drafts. O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin were great picks in 2017, but they were no brainers. He took Justin Evans over Kareem Hunt, and even after doing that he still could have had James Connor in the 4th but he probably was too good to be on Lichts radar.

    And then considering that Mike Evans is the only remaining player from 2014, 2015 stands as his only good draft. And sure while he’s found a few diamonds in the rough like Brate, Humphries, and Nassib, he’s consistently had horrible free agent signings.

    Retain Jameis and all the players on the Offense minus Djax, Benenoch, and Dotson, and then fire Koetter and the entire coaching staff, as well as Jason Licht and the entire front office.

    Replace Licht with one of the Harbough Brothers, preferably Jim, and then go after Scott Pioli, Or Chris Polian to be the new GM.

  47. BrianBucs Says:

    Maybe because Licht or the Glazers know that Licht will be gone, or they already have their eye on somebody else

  48. FuNkYxMuNkEy Says:

    I am hoping for a top 3 pick in this draft. That will guarantee one of Oliver, Bosa, or Grier. We cant go wrong with any of those picks imo

  49. Trench War Says:

    SchwiftyBuc Says:
    If you honestly think that Davis and Whitehead were great picks Bonzai, then it means your standards are laughably low.
    _________________________________________________
    considering where they were picked in the draft I think they were excellent picks and will get better in time. C’mon Revis’s nephew Whitehead. You don’t think he gets coached up? and Davis has some wheels, with time we will be proud we drafted them

  50. Iamabuc Says:

    @BuccaneerBonzai….the only QB in that list, imo, worth taking a look at ; is Tom Savage..(always thought he was pretty good. Again my humble opinion (If, and only if ; they’ll be looking for a QB, wich I doubt)

  51. Oneilbucs Says:

    Iamabucs. Ton Savage is trash . I live in Houston and trust me the fans here have always thought he was trash. But again see when I say that white quarterbacks always gets more chances than black quarterbacks then people say race card but that goes your proof. I’m sure it is a lot of people on this site will rather Savage then Jamies. That’s why I said that his race plays apart of the hate he gets on this site and also they want him gone.