“I Think The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Are Moving On”

January 10th, 2020

Unnerved by Jameis.

A punter is miffed at quarterback salaries.

Now Joe has absolutely nothing against this Pat McAfee, who now works for BSPN and with some demographics is a popular sports podcaster/radio personality. Nothing against the guy at all; just not Joe’s cup of tea. Joe doesn’t understand his popularity.

Then again, Joe has no idea why folks do backflips for this Rob Gronkowski character either — he impresses Joe as just some standard goof from No-name State U who chugged a pint of Smirnoff a few too many times — nor does Joe fully understand how Dull Patrick not only has a radio show, but an audience of more than 37 listeners.

McAfee made his bones as — hold on to your desk chairs — a punter. Yes, a punter. Football’s version of the guy at horse tracks who follows in the steps of horses with a shovel in his hands. Why? Because the punter always has to clean up the shat the offense left on the field after a failed drive.

To paraphrase a famous quote from the great Norman Chad about soccer in America, Joe has two rules about punters:

1. They shouldn’t be heard.

2. They shouldn’t be seen.

Somewhere deep down inside, it seems McAfee is outraged that reportedly (first from Pat Kirwan of SiriusXM NFL Radio and later with specifics from J.C. Cornell of The Draft Network), the representatives of Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, are asking for $30 million-plus on his next contract.

McAfee made no secret what he thought of that.

“I think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are moving on. I honestly believe that,” McAfee said. “Let’s say you ball the next three years and you learn how to not throw the ball to the other team, then you would expect that paycheck. Nothing Jameis Winston has done says that he should be making the same money Patrick Mahomes — who is what, one Dee Ford play away from making the Super Bowl last year? — There is nothing he has done that says he warrants that cash.”

McAfee, who had Bucco Bruce Arians on his show multiple times (they were together with the Colts) also stated flatly he doesn’t think Jameis is a bad quarterback, just that he shouldn’t be making more than $20 million a year.

Spotrac’s list of quarterback salaries suggests otherwise.

McAfee also said Jameis “should be humble” and beg for $20 million a year.

Now hold up! Did McAfee, never known to be anything remotely humble, timidly walk, hat in his hands, into then-Colts GM Ryan Grigson’s office, stare at his shoelaces and whisper that he could and should have done better and please can he get a below-market contract salary? Hell no!

Look, agents are supposed to aim high. Anyone who thinks otherwise is living in fantasyland. If Jameis’ agent would ever say, “My client intends to sign a contract below market value,” the dude would probably have his license pulled by the NFLPA before the end of business day.

The way people have freaked about Cornell’s figure, it almost smells to Joe like it was someone employed at One Buc Palace who texted that to Cornell in an effort to get a headstart and begin the bidding war low on Jameis.

And Joe knows Cornell’s direct connection to higher-ups with the Bucs.

Such an act, boys and girls, is also known in journalism circles as a “plant.”

65 Responses to ““I Think The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Are Moving On””

  1. Defense Rules Says:

    Jameis made $20.9 mil this past year for throwing 33 TDs and 30 INTs. Bucs finished 7-9. One big reason: TURNOVERS. Personally I’d say $20 mil is about right for that PERFORMANCE.

  2. Bruce Blahak Says:

    He will never take this team anywhere which means he’s worth $0

  3. German Buc Says:

    Again a spot on post from Defense Rules! +1

  4. SteveK Says:

    Agree, D!

    I don’t see Jameis’ agent taking less than a one year franchise tag amount. I like the offer of what he made this year for one season guaranteed.

  5. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    #TIMETOMOVEONFROMJAMEIS

  6. George Rauh Says:

    I think the Bucs should gamble. I think the Bucs should let him test the market. Let Winston bring back another offer from a team and the Bucs can match it. I bet it is less than 27 million.

  7. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Franchise him. It is the safest play, and we can do it again next year if needed.

    He made $20 million this year, but he also VASTLY improved in all areas except turnovers. Haters will deny that, but facts are facts.

    Per ESPN
    Winston became the eighth quarterback in NFL history to surpass 5,000 passing yards, finishing with 5,109 — the most in the NFL. He also helped wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin each eclipse 1,100 receiving yards, which couldn’t happen if Winston didn’t have talent.

    His deep-ball accuracy, which was a source of criticism in previous years, was substantially better under Arians. Winston completed a league-high 41 passes of 20 or more air yards in 2019 — double his previous career-high of 20 in 2015. He also improved in tight-window throws, completing 37% (11th in the league) in 2019 (league average is 35%), up from 32% in 2018 (25th in the league), according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

    Winston was also terrific in the red zone, which was an area the Bucs had struggled in previously as a team. Winston threw a career-high 19 touchdowns and just one interception in this area (19.00 ratio) — second only to Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. His 99.0 red zone passer rating was eighth in the league.

    The detractors try to convince people that he did not improve, or that we cannot win with him. They point to the past five years.

    Well, they include this year in those five years. three of the previous four years had acceptable interception numbers.

    And if you look more closely, though his picks nearly doubled, so did the sacks, which tells us he had more pressures than any other year of his career. That is all on the offensive line.

    No one is saying Winston is blameless though. He threw some picks that were completely on him. No denying that. But those stand out to fans more than the larger percentage that were not on him.

    And finally, Bruce Arians.

    There is a very good reason his quarterbacks throw a lot of picks their first year. It’s not exactly intensional, but he tells his QBs to take a LOT of risks their first year under him. By doing this, he gets a lot on film to work with, and the QBs get a lot of practice in their weakest areas.

    That’s why Jameis got better throwing deep and in the red zone.

    At the very least, since QBs are making around $30 million per year, Jameis should get the franchise amount of $26 million, with a chance of a big contract next year.

    And by then, the new CBA might be in effect, which should include a top salary exemption from the cap.

  8. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    Albert Einstein: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    Why do people think Jameis will be or get better in 2020 is beyond me??????

  9. Ljsolutions Says:

    Bonsai, you can keep your baller I just want wins and playoffs nothing else matters in the game of football. i don’t care if he throws for 20,000 yard if we are out of games in January then that season was a failure.

  10. westernbuc Says:

    McAfee was certainly one of the better punters during his time. That story says far more about the awfulness of Grigson than it does him.

    Jameis isn’t worth $30+ million a year. When you give a guy that kind of money, that much salary cap, then he has to be able to carry a team. Jameis can’t carry a team. We know that about him.

    If we pay him that much and then can’t resign some key players, like Godwin, Shaq Barrett, or JPP, this team is doomed. We have to ask, at what expense?

    Jameis will get paid, but if he gets $30 a year then this team will be set back another decade.

  11. TDTB Says:

    I think 20m is about right. Let him test the waters. With the advantage of no sales tax he has to get an offer 5% to 10% higher somewhere else just to net the same amount. If another team offers him $30m, then it’s worth moving to him. Less than that and it’s not enough money in my opinion to move.

  12. Loyaltotheend Section 312 Says:

    4 Paragraphs to insult the guy then we finally get the guys opinion. Clueless Joe comes off as juvenile and jealous.

    Discrediting a former players opinion while trying to prop up people like Ira, Leeeeeeeeedeeee and other media members with no athletic skill is weak

  13. Loyaltotheend Section 312 Says:

    4 Paragraphs to insult the guy then we finally get the guys opinion. Clueless Joe comes off as juvenile and jealous.

  14. SmittyToiletBowles Says:

    Bozo Bonzai is awake i see. On the offensive line??? You realize a pressure can come at any point a qb still has the ball in the pocket right? The fact he is one heck of a slow decision maker leads to pressures. Vision and anticipation clearly lacking after 5 seasons. Leads smart men to believe the INT’s will never cease. Can cut down on them based on playcalling but Bruce likes to chuck it. Lots of yards TD’s INTs and losses. No thanks

  15. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    $23.360,000……That is the average of the top 10 Quarterbacks for 2019……I believe that is the amount that would be given to Winston under the “transition tag” which would allow him to test the market and would permit us to match any offer above that.
    This year under the CBA….teams can use both the transition and franchise tag….this would permit us to transition Jameis and franchise Shaq.

    The 23 mil is more than Jameis made this year and would probably not be exceeded by another team…..if Bucs believe it would, they could do the opposite….transition Shaq & franchise Jameis.

    The 23 would also constitute a raise for Jameis…..this seems fair to both parties.

  16. Señor Harry in Costa Rica Says:

    I say transition tag. No team is going to give up two #1 picks

  17. Doctor Stroud Says:

    That’s another Indianapolis Colts idiot kicker who must have gotten liquored up and started running his mouth.

  18. Kobe Faker Says:

    “Look at that pink table

    What is this phony really hiding?

    This clown is not who he claims he is

    This Peter Schrager wannabe is more a Kay Adams”

    Kobe CSI Faker

  19. Pok Says:

    I would love to see a video collating all of Winstons 30 picks. Anyone know of one? I do recall thinking they were generally horrible decisions not great plays by the db or a tipped pass/hit as he threw. It’s true we remember the most egregious but I’m willing to bet most are horrible decisions. Not to mention the 15ish near interceptions the LB or db couldn’t hold onto. Truth in the video, willing to see. I’m happy moving on with the right replacement otherwise franchise

  20. Bob in Valrico Says:

    Rob Jameis ,pay Pay Pierre Paul,Suh,Barrett and Godwin (future). 27 -30 million
    for a quarterback that openly admits that he has to play better after 5 years is risky business.
    You have to look at the pros and cons, and at this point there are a still enough cons dragging the team down at inopportune times.

  21. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Señor Harry in Costa Rica Says:
    January 10th, 2020 at 7:14 am
    I say transition tag. No team is going to give up two #1 picks

    That’s not the transition tag…..that would be the non-exclusive franchise tag that would award 2 #1 picks….

    The transition tag only permits a team to match the salary offered.

  22. Sierra048 Says:

    I’d love to see the stats on how many near picks the Turnover Machine almost threw.

  23. Pok Says:

    Ok found it : https://youtu.be/DhfpQcL1ETc

    It’s rough (and takes a Depressingly long time to watch!). 70% are bad throws/bad decisions. I included some of the forced balls in tight coverage that were tipped picks bc the receiver contorted to try to get to a poorly placed ball

  24. Ocala Says:

    I’m very confident the Bucs are bringing Jamies back.
    The one thing we don’t know is will it be a franchise tag, transition tag or a new contract.

  25. Hamsadwitchtime Says:

    Winston had 30 INT this year but previous years averaged 16. So you want to let a 26 year old with all the talent walk out the door. Work on Oline RB . So sick of all the idiotic comment on this site!

  26. Robert Says:

    jameis, ricky bobby, winston will not be a Buc or a starting QB next year.

    we will get a veteran and draft someone to groom.

  27. ben Says:

    after 5 yrs .. stop with the excuses for Winston … bucs need a new day in Tampa Bay !

  28. TOM Says:

    I’ve been saying all along, the best thing is the transition tag. Either that or go out and get a short term FA QB like Dalton who I believe makes about 17mil. Then draft QB in maybe 3rd round after two OL in rds 1 & 2.

  29. Ocala Says:

    Amen Hamsadwitchtime!

  30. bucsnole Says:

    @Pok Here’s one compilation. https://youtu.be/1euF6BFGnKI

  31. ancientasbuc Says:

    Silly takes from an uninformed ex-player.

  32. gracelivin Says:

    Like I posted yesterday, give him 3yrs, 25mil a yr first 2 guaranteed plus incentives for not having turnovers. 20-16 2 mil, 15-11 3 mil, less than 10 5 mil all works out.

  33. Kord Says:

    Have an incredibly opportunity here to pay the man zero dollars, let’s not coug it, have fun in Cincinnati winston

  34. Kord Says:

    Flex seal can’t fix him

  35. Ghost of Darrell Henderson Says:

    “Let him test the waters. With the advantage of no sales tax he has to get an offer 5% to 10% higher somewhere else just to net the same amount.”

    Florida does have a state sales tax. Florida does not have a state income tax. This would be a great advantage if the Bucs did not play road games.

    I believe that professional athletes playing in some cities like Los Angeles for example, have to pay California State Income tax and Los Angeles city tax on 1/16 of their salary. It’s a larger fraction for baseball players who play more games there.

    Florida athletes then have to pay a state sales tax on items they purchase even though that money has already been taxed.

    It would be better to live in a state with no state income tax like Washington state and cross the border into Oregon where there is no sales tax to spend your money.

    That’s why these guys need agents with accounting staffs to figure this sh!t out.

  36. Señor Harry in Costa Rica Says:

    thank you TBBF for pointing that out. What I do not know is if they used the non-exclusive franchise tag is where would that place Jameis’ salary? Better than the $27+/-M for the Exclusive tag I am sure. That would give the Bucs some good leverage

  37. BrianBucs Says:

    Winston is who he is.

    Move on Bucs

  38. ou812 Says:

    Jameis Winston isn’t worth a pound of stolen crab legs on his best day!
    Time to move on from this sh!t show! Then we can add him to the list of JOE’S favorite QBs #1 Manziel #2 Winston #3 Ryan Leaf # 4 Jeff George . JOE’s the QB apologist!!!

  39. SC Bucs Fan Says:

    McAfee made 19 million as a punter Joe. I’m sure your thoughts on punters are making him rethink his career choice.

  40. Buccernutter Says:

    Hams

    Ya some of these people don’t get it. Unfortunately, I don’t see more dumb comments anywhere than when I read comments from bucs fans.

    Haven’t heard or seen such a misinformed take since the last time 813 posted.

    Look at what Jenna did. Even this punter thinks bruce said we can win with anyone if we can win with jameis. More drama. Thanks Jenna! Excellent reporting! SMH

    Nobody seems to get it yet. No run game, worst pass defense in the league most of the year, inconsistent kicking, pass first offense, year one in bruce arian’s system, and near the top of the league in sacks allowed all equate to turnovers. If you didn’t see this coming, well then you’re just a casual bucs fan.

    Listen to Carson Palmer. The guy knows what he’s talking about. He called Jameis would have tons of turnovers in year one. He also called he would have tons of yards and tds. He’s now calling for Jameis’s best year in his career and barring injury, that’s exactly what we’re gonna get.

    No doubt he’s back on a multi year deal with an escape clause. I’m just wondering when he returns and starts winning if the people who don’t like him will change their tune. Something tells me they won’t which will really show what their intentions were all along.

  41. SteveK Says:

    Keep dreaming, buccernutter!

    I hope we spend the cap on D: Shaq, JPP, Suh, Nassib, and an extension for Chris Godwin. That is money well spent. And with the limits of the salary cap, the ultimate loss of
    Death would be bring back America’s Turnover Machine for a multi year pact.

  42. SteveK Says:

    Five years. Not enough wins. But a lot of yards, points, and the MOST turnovers of every other QB.

  43. Buccernutter Says:

    Oh I’m not dreaming. Seriously, come find me when he is gone. That will be in 6 years or more. You actually believe he won’t be back?!?!

    Also YOU GUYS KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE CAP! We have 90 mil right now. An additional 15 roughly with the increase. That is 105 MILLION!

    Let’s say we give shaq and jameis the bank. 50 total. That leaves 55 left! We can sign everyone if we wanted! I don’t get this math. I saw a reputable bucs reporter say we don’t have a lot of money to work with.

    Again listen to Carson Palmer and read the comments on this page like SteveK’s and tell me who’s you respect more. No offense dude but Jameis will be back lol.

  44. SteveK Says:

    BuccerNutter,

    Love this debate! Thanks for engaging on Friday morning. The beginning part of your comment takes away any credence or consideration, as an opinion is an opinion. I am sure others feel the same about yours as you do there’s. Can you debate without insulting? It comes across as weakening your argument and bringing unnecessary emotion.

    Here is where your post went wrong:


    Buccernutter Says:
    January 10th, 2020 at 9:34 am
    Hams

    Ya some of these people don’t get it. Unfortunately, I don’t see more dumb comments anywhere than when I read comments from bucs fans.”

  45. BigHog Says:

    First year in the system ….let’s see what the second brings…..maybe 16 turnovers with 36 TD’s and a SUPER BOWL WIN!!! Go BUCS!! GO FAMOUS!!!

  46. Topdoggie Says:

    In the past our QB didn’t throw all those picks to the other team. They just did three incompletions and let the punter give it to the other team.

  47. Buccernutter Says:

    SteveK

    I apologize if I insult when I post, however more times than not I have gotten insulted for my opinion. It has since conditioned me to be that way and also an awareness that this fan base is not bright. It truly is not. I don’t think I have ever seen stronger opinions on something that people know nothing about.

    Let’s say my opinion that he will be back has a lot more merit to it than many others.

    You don’t have to void the whole post cuz of that sentence though because the rest is legit. It’s a lot more in touch with what is happening than the majority of other people’s opinions.

  48. SteveK Says:

    Buccernutter,

    It’s all good! It’s a Buc’s Life. The losses and lack of playoffs have the fans upset.

    I’d say it’s 50/50 whether Winston is back next year. 😉

  49. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Señor Harry in Costa Rica Says:
    January 10th, 2020 at 9:04 am
    thank you TBBF for pointing that out. What I do not know is if they used the non-exclusive franchise tag is where would that place Jameis’ salary? Better than the $27+/-M for the Exclusive tag I am sure. That would give the Bucs some good leverage

    The price is the same for the exclusive & non-exclusive franchise tag….it’s just that with the non-exclusive a QB can test the market…..with the exclusive….they cannot.

  50. Defense Rules Says:

    TBBF … Transition tag on Winston is viable, but it really saves relatively little compared to the franchise tag Which I think would give us more leverage.

  51. Buccernutter Says:

    I’m gonna say its 90/10 he’ll be back but agree to disagree.

    Especially after what Palmer said and that’s what Bruce is thinking as well.

  52. stravenite Says:

    Every year we go through this, it started off with “weapons
    for winston” – weakened the d with all our chips on offense
    RESULT – ABJECT FAILURE

    I am willing to take bets that winston will not win any superbowls when he leaves because no other sane team will sign him – HE LOSES COACHES THEIR JOBS

    There are better QB’s coming on the market with playoff experience – WE HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE WITH WINSTON

    Definition of insanity – DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS – LET HIM WALK

    All the stupid “he will be back comments” when you have no
    idea what BA will decide, if Licht had the decision he will be
    back because he cannot let go and accept he was wrong

    The last poll on JBF had a majority not wanting him back as
    their QB – go against the majority and RJ will be more empty
    than it is now – ghost stadium

    Right now the whole league wants us to resign JW because we
    are the laughing stock of the NFL – The inmates are in charge of
    the asylum, do the right thing BA and get him out, forget what
    he wants paid !

  53. Buccfan37 Says:

    30 million! The dollar is truly near worthless. Worth two cents on the dollar of buying power presently since the Fed was re-established in 1913. Circling the drain.

  54. Craig Says:

    I really do wish that Jameis’ agent prices him out of the Tampa market. I want the Bucs to move on, but…

    I am resigned to the fact that the Bucs will probably franchise him. In some ways that is good because it means Shaq will get a real contract.

    Either way they will have to draft a QB this year. I hope that doesn’t mean that Ryan Griffin is let go. By preseason standards he is twice the QB of Blaine Gabbert, but Gabbert is the apple of Brucie’s eye.

    By the second game of next season I will probably start back on the whiskey for breakfast diet on Sundays that Jameis caused the last five years while his only consistent quality was trying to give games away.

  55. Jeebs the Honey Bear Says:

    Just finished looking at QB salaries. Matt Stafford makes $27m/yr, and is light years ahead of Winston in terms of QB play and consistency (4th in DVOA compared to Winston’s 25th, and despite what Joe says about advanced metrics being bullspit, they tell an important story). Winston and Andy Dalton have a similar DVOA, and Dalton makes $16m/yr. I would much rather sign Dalton to a $20m/yr contract than Winston for a penny more than that. Dalton would put up career numbers with our weapons and scheme.

  56. Lavonte 1of1 Says:

    right on Jeebs!

  57. stpetebucsfan Says:

    Bucnutter

    Given the rest of your exchange with SteveK I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt. I frequently make hasty posts that do not clearly express myself.

    “Ya some of these people don’t get it. Unfortunately, I don’t see more dumb comments anywhere than when I read comments from bucs fans.”

    Now think that statement all the way through…and you’ll understand.

    It means you are either not a Bucs fan…or that you are calling YOURSELF dumb or that you’re a troll.

    I believe none of these and wouldn’t even bring it up other than to say you are NOT the Lone Ranger. JW lovers tend to defend their guy with the same enthusiasm as Trump supporters.

    We who are ready to move on are called “haters” Is it not logical then to refer to the JW supporters as “lovers”?

    There’s a reason why people don’t stay where they are.
    Baby, sometimes love just ain’t enough.

  58. Tony1775 Says:

    I think Pat is more entertaining than Jameis.

  59. Blame Jameis Says:

    My car overheated on the skyway bridge, must be Jameis’ fault.

  60. Buccernutter Says:

    Stpete

    I gotta say I tend to respect your opinion more than most on this site however, insinuating someone cannot criticize a group they are a part of makes me hesitate on that.

    I am a bucs fan, I am not a troll, and no I’m not calling myself dumb. Not sure why you think those are the only possibilities as that is quite silly. It’s like criticising your family. You are still a Smith, but the other members may not be the brightest.

    Winston supporters are much more logical than his haters as an overall unit. Probably because there are other factors than just his play that they don’t like. And no, people who are ready to move are not haters. Never said or implied that. If you haven’t seen a difference then nothing I say will clarify because it’s evident on these threads.

    Not sure why you responded or why I had to clarify but you should know better.

  61. Buccernutter Says:

    Being a bucs fan and IQ are mutually exclusive, however the majority of THIS fan base is dumb. Not an opinion but a well informed observation that many people agree with. If one cannot identify an idiot, then chances are they are one.

  62. Bucsace Says:

    Winston will get 6000 passing yards next season if he is allowed to throw 40 picks……so now I understand Arians strategy!

  63. Jimbobasbuc Says:

    Addition can put up Jameis numbers if they can throw thirty interceptions

  64. whats the bucs plan 2020 Says:

    Can we get any objectivity here? Which improved most….our D or our QB?
    After you finish laughing…compare them to the leagues historic first 30-30 man…7 pick sixes…his most ever…JW’s int % SHOT UP from an unacceptable 3.5% to a whopping 4.8%! That’s hardly improvement.

    If money becomes the issue…JW should be first cap casualty…meaning if he’d take a prove it deal at perhaps 15 mil or less fine for a one year trial.

    Otherwise can someone tell me where people get raises after a totally abysmal year that was actually worse than the prior four.

  65. Matt B Says:

    McAfee is spot on if you bother to listen to the video. Let’s not forget that Winston will be an unrestricted free agent unless we tag him. If he or anyone else thinks he’s worth $30 mil, the market will tell us. Who in their right mind thinks another team will offer him that kind of money this year? What team? There is zero competition for his services except maybe at a backup’s salary. One of the tags is the most likely outcome for another 1-year “prove it” season.