Current Player Says Jameis Needs To Learn As A Backup

February 13th, 2020

“What the heck does this guy know? Jameis is the next Peyton Manning. We checked our sheet.”

It’s rare to hear a current NFL player, a three-time Pro Bowler, throw shade at another active player on national television, yet this is what was served up to America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.

Thomas Davis was a fixture as a Panthers linebacker before he left for the Chargers last season. He has not retired, and NFL stats show he was the 23rd-busiest tackler in the league last season while playing all 16 games.

And there was Davis on NFL Network this week talking about Jameis. Asked where he thinks Jameis will play next season, David replied that he believes Jameis will be signed by the Saints and it will be good for Jameis because “he’s going to be a great quarterback once he learns from Drew Brees and Sean Payton.”

“I mean Jameis is a great dude. I love Jameis. But I don’t see anybody paying him $100 million,” he added.

Davis didn’t save all his darts for Jameis. Asked about Saints backup QB/playmaker Taysom Hill, David said Hill is just a gimmick. “He’s a gadget guy. He’s not an NFL quarterback.”

Joe finds this all especially interesting considering how many games Davis has played against Jameis and, subsequently, how much film he’s studied of the Bucs’ 70-game starter. Also, the Bucs will host Davis’ Chargers in 2020.

51 Responses to “Current Player Says Jameis Needs To Learn As A Backup”

  1. Morgus the Magnificent Says:

    Ouch!!! But he’s being kind.

  2. Morgus the Magnificent Says:

    But with Winston FINALLY getting his LASIK, he’ll be better able to see the defensive backs’ pick six celebrations.

  3. Sport Says:

    It’s crazy all the opinions on JW out there and they are all over the map. It shouldn’t be like that at this point. I’d like to be celebrating having a franchise QB.

    Unfortunately, we haven’t yet seen enough evidence of having one.

    If he prices himself out of Tampa Bay, so be it. Go be a back up somewhere as Davis suggested.

    At this point I’d like to see him test the market, though it’s unlikely. There were some good points made on some threads yesterday about keep firing the ball in yr 1 it’s about getting better.

    Thankfully this decision is being made by the grown ups.

    In BA I Trust!

  4. Defense Rules Says:

    Interesting take by Davis. Can’t see Jameis as a Saint, but that’s a different issue.

  5. Sport Says:

    Silly Season Question – what’s the latest on Luck? Did he regain his passion for football? And does he want to reunite with Arians?

    If so, that would be fresh.

    In BA I Trust!

  6. Elita Vita Says:

    I wish that the Buccaneers make their decision already so we can finally move on. Just make a decision, any decision at this point. The decision is becoming more nauseating than interesting. Fans are getting more fed up now. #justsaying.

  7. Hodad Says:

    Mahomes only had to sit for one year behind the the great Alex Smith. After being in the league for five years Jameis now needs to sit behind a vet QB? Let me read between the lines for you. Dudes saying Jameis is a back up, not a starter. Or at least not worth top five money. My guess is we bring in Rivers, draft a QB, and Jameis will be a back up next year. The turnovers make Jameis the black Blake Bortles.

  8. Loyaltotheend Section 312 Says:

    Waiting for the Jameis slurpers to try to dis credit Thomas Davis…

  9. Chesapeake Bucco Says:

    In BA I Trust!

  10. Bruce Blahak Says:

    He’s borderline starter material…only the WinSTUNNED huggers are unaware of this or will not accept it…

  11. Pewter power Says:

    That statement holds zero water and its irrelevant and nothing but opinion. If it was coming from another quarterback that would be one thing but coming from a linebacker. Honestly who cares what he thinks unless he was talking about devin white or defense.

  12. Blogtalkfootball.com Says:

    I would think Davis would want Jameis to start, so he could get his share of the picks.

  13. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Yea…..the Saints will convince Brees to take a $5 mil cut to teach Jameis…..and Jameis will take a $10 mil cut to ride the bench and learn from Brees….

    How absurd…..this is the most ridiculous prediction yet.

  14. Robert Says:

    The guy is spot on. J dub crabby would be lucky to learn from Brees.

    BUT THE NUT HUGGER’S CAN’T HANDLE HE TRUTH!

    Another truth. if he’s so delusional that he wants 30 mill and a long term deal, it is just another indicator that he is a couple short of a 6 pack.

    THAT MY FRIENDS IS THE PROBLEM! People can change, but this team is primed and does not have time for him to change. We need a vet with a brain to spread the ball around and make a run for the playoffs and a solid backup, younger guy with a brain and the skills to groom….even if he is a gimmick for now. I’d take the Saints backup over j dub all day.

  15. Matthew Fifer Says:

    Hodad Says:
    February 13th, 2020 at 6:57 am
    My guess is we bring in Rivers, draft a QB, and Jameis will be a back up next year. The turnovers make Jameis the black Blake Bortles.

    In the above scenario, do you mean Jameis is our backup behind Rivers? If that’s the case, I just don’t see a chance in hell that the team could afford both players without dumping several of the FA’s we really need to keep.

    If we are going to keep Jameis, he either has to start OR compete against a Rookie. I don’t think we can afford a big name veteran AND Jameis without hurting the rest of the positions on the team.

  16. Lol Says:

    Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Brett Favre, Phillip Rivers have all had seasons with over 20 ints and multiple seasons with more than 15 ints……

  17. 813bucboi Says:

    davis is right, regarding JW…..

    simple as that….

    regarding t.hill, i think he’s better than a gimmick QB…..

    GO BUCS!!!!!

  18. Dare's Mama Says:

    Neither Davis or Jameis could be playing in that game…

  19. Bucsfan951 Says:

    Yeah but he threw for 5k yards and had 40, oops I mean 33 touchdowns.

  20. Sharthappens Says:

    XFL for JW

  21. JayMissEyes Says:

    I love how people believe Jameis is eye surgery 5 season deep is going to make up for his horrendous throws, INT’s, bad decisions, staring down receivers, and fumbles. “Oh wait but that means he will be able to see his receivers now.”(Sarcasm) the only thing Jameis will see is the sidelines once Tampa brings in a true proven starting QB or bets the future of the organization on Burrow. JayMiss has had 5 years of hot and cold performance and any other organization would have benched him years ago. I hate when people say well JayMiss threw for 5000 yards. Hahaha no his top tier receivers did everything they could to make him look good by catching the uncatchable. This team played its heart out to try to overcome JayMiss’s screw ups.

  22. gracelivin Says:

    I believe it all comes down to what price JW is willing to play for? If he will play for 27-28 million with incentives for lower INTS/Turnovers, I think we resign him, but if he wants 30+ we need to let him walk or transition tag him. He is a decent QB, if he could relax a little at the beginning of games ,the half and red zone…this is where it seems most of his INTS come . Either way I still route for the Buc’s…..

  23. JayMissEyes Says:

    Lol Says:
    February 13th, 2020 at 8:07 am
    Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Brett Favre, Phillip Rivers have all had seasons with over 20 ints and multiple seasons with more than 15 ints……

    Hahaha yea but those were mostly their rookie years. Lol Anyone else want to compare JayMiss to the greats just need to stop talking. JayMiss could not even fit in their jock straps let alone be compared to their greatness

  24. Joe Says:

    I love how people believe Jameis is eye surgery 5 season deep is going to make up for his horrendous throws, INT’s,

    It may (guessing can’t hurt) but here’s what Joe has an issue with:

    People are using his hurt knee and his eyesight as crutches for the bad plays. Well, he had significantly more good plays than bad. How did he make all of these good plays if he was so hampered by knee/eye issues?

  25. Bucsfan951 Says:

    Or the “the play calling was horrible!” I mean, he did get 5k yards and that’s great. The play calling couldn’t have been that bad. Or “he threw it so many times, of course he has 30 ints.” Well, 4 other qbs threw the ball over 600 times, just like jameis. All 4 of their ints added up comes up to 45. So Jameis throws the ball 600 times, he has 30 ints. The others throw the ball 2400 times and it adds up to 45 ints. “But 5k yards!!!”

  26. BucsFanSince1976 Says:

    What a moron-he is wrong on both counts.

  27. SteveK Says:

    Pewter power Says:
    February 13th, 2020 at 7:33 am
    That statement holds zero water and its irrelevant and nothing but opinion. If it was coming from another quarterback that would be one thing but coming from a linebacker. Honestly who cares what he thinks unless he was talking about devin white or defense.

    —————

    Narrow minded much? I guess Ozzie Newsome should’ve stuck to playing TE and not pursued being a GM. Players know the game.

    Look at John Lynch.

    Nice try!

  28. BrianBucs Says:

    David is partly right – Winston is destined to be a backup. PERIOD.
    Just let him do it somewhere else. The MAJORITY of Bucs fans have seen enough

  29. Pewter power Says:

    SteveK says

    Narrow minded much? I guess Ozzie Newsome should’ve stuck to playing TE and not pursued being a GM. Players know the game.

    Look at John Lynch.
    ——

    Let me get this right, are you saying just because he played football he could easily run a franchise and knows how to fix winston? I mean I have to ask you you used hall of famer ozzie Newsome and john lynch as examples of why he knows what he’s talking about. Matter of fact now that I’ve type it out it seems like the logic is even worse than I initially thought it was

  30. TOM Says:

    I still would trade Winston for Carr. Or Dalton. Fans don’t fall for that Lasik surgery crap. Bucs just trying to get the fans on board with loser Winston.

  31. CrackerBall Says:

    I would value the opinion of a veteran LB over some other, retired QB. I mean, the LB studied his play, his tendencies, etc. and execute how to defeat him. Thomas Davis is a smart guy and has faced Jameis many many times – I mean, who better to ask?

  32. SteveK Says:

    Pewter power,

    You inferred that Thomas Davis a professional player with 15 years of NFL experience, playing SEC football at Geoeogs isn’t qualified to give his football opinion on a QB.

    I look at Davis giving his two cents much like Ronde Barber. Is Barber not qualified to share his opinion bc he played DB?

    I don’t mean to attack you, but I pointed out Newsome and Lynch because they were a TE and a Safety, but serve as NFL GMs. Both have either won or been to a super bowl and are better than Licht.

  33. Bucsfan951 Says:

    Pewter: he said and I quote “players know the game” as in THE ENTIRE GAME OF FOOTBALL. How many ex players became coaches, gms, AN OWNER, broadcasters, analysts, dudes that call the games, sideline reports? I guess in your eyes, only qbs should comment on qbs and backers should only comment on backers. Why are you commenting again?

    “Matter of fact now that I’ve type it out it seems like the logic is even worse than I initially thought it was”

  34. Pewter power Says:

    I cant remember in the history of the nfl a number 1 overall pick having to sit behind a veteran to learn the game after 5 years in the NFL. Davis has 15 years of NFL experience this has never happened and that’s his solution and lol that makes sense to people? He’s just wrong number one the saints coach despises turnovers and led league with the fewest. Winston wont make 100 million but who has salary cap to pay a back up starter money because that’s what he would get

    Fitz magic ain’t a hall of famer but you telling me he got benched last year and didnt learn anything from a veteran? What do I know I’ll just leave it alone and we can agree to disagree

    Three names ronde and lynch plus ozzie Newsome. Just because he played 15 years doesnt mean hes in their class. It’s a stupid take that’s not even realistic. Winston would have to go there choosing to sit the bench lol ok

  35. BrianBucs Says:

    Backup. Yep, that sounds about right.
    5 years in the league now and Winston still makes rookie mistakes.
    Still can’t read defenses and gets confused by coverages, goes through progressions very slowly especially when his #1 option is covered, stares down his recievers, holds the ball too long, makes bad decisions etc. etc.
    May as well draft a strong armed rookie since your starter mostly plays like one.
    There are many QB’s in the league that younger than Winston and who have been in the league a shorter time than Winston that are playing at a much higher level than him and are taking their teams to the playoffs, not continually giving away games.
    Yep, backup. Sounds about right.

  36. Old School Athlete Says:

    JW has spent the last five years “learning “ and he still needs to “learn”? That’s quite an indictment. I agree that Jameis is a good dude, but I can’t see Sean Payton putting up with his turnovers. Also don’t see how more “learning” is going to accomplish anything at this point.

  37. Anonymous Says:

    How can anyone blame Famous Jameis fa throwing all those interceptions when all defenses knows he has to throw da ball because we have no run game nor offensive line. He was da most sacked qb yet still threw fa over5,000 and 30 touchdowns missed a few games had injuries and still did wat he could. Not too mention a secondary dat u can score on at will. Give him a solid offensive line and a top 10 defense and i guarantee u see da difference. U benighted mined bozos allow da media to control y’all thought process and refuse to iron out da wrinkles u see da losses but not da fact behind dem💯🎯

  38. ToesOnTheLine!!! Says:

    I don’t mind the drama of not knowing what the Bucs are planning. Right now there are likely too many moving variables happening. We don’t know all the options that will be available at QB in FA yet, and we don’t know how the draft will play out. It probably benefits both sides to wait a little while longer to see what options are out there.

  39. martinii Says:

    Feel like I’m strolling down Schitzophrenia Avenue. Only the Buc’s could get themselves in this kind of a dilemma. Saints are in Cap-Hell this year if they bring back Breez, noway they can afford to have Jameis on the bench as his understudy. Jameis will throw his fair share of INT’s wherever he goes. (or for the bi-polar fans) If he stays.

  40. Jeffbuc Says:

    Man he was spot on with taysom hill. I keep hearing ignorant fans on here and other websites saying there team should sign him to be there qb. He has thrown 10 passes in his career and completed 5. And they were gadget plays where the guy is wide open. Any fan even thinking about him being a qb go look at his stats in college also. A 50% completion percentage and threw for about 150 yards a game. In air it out college. He is a great athlete and a way below average qb.

  41. Defense Rules Says:

    @Anonymous … “How can anyone blame Famous Jameis fa throwing all those interceptions when all defenses knows he has to throw da ball because we have no run game nor offensive line.”

    Weak excise Anonymous. Bucs running game ranked #24 with 1521 rushing yards.

    The team just ahead of us (#23 ranking) rushed for 1569 yards. That would be the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Their QB, some guy names Mahomes, somehow managed to pass for 30 TDs, and only threw 5 INTs in the process. Wonder if opposing defenses knew he was gonna pass because he had no run game.

  42. Bucsfan951 Says:

    @Defense Dude you’re the man!!! I love reading your comments!!!!

  43. Stanglassman Says:

    He’s actually one of my favorite players in the game. I hate to hear him say this and I couldn’t disagree with him more about Jameis. I guess in a way what Qb wouldn’t be better after playing with Sean and Drew? Supply and demand at Qb in the NFL almost guarantees Jameis getting 100 million dollar contract sooner than later. This is one of the things we will find out. It will be true or untrue in a year or two.

  44. Erik Hesson - Fine Artist - City of St Pete Says:

    I’m all-in on the Bridgewater-to-Tampa Bandwagon, but I’ll admit that it’s definitely possible that Winston will be way better after LASIK…

  45. SteveK Says:

    Defense Rules,

    Hell yeah!

  46. SteveK Says:

    Stanglassman,

    I believe it’s Davis’ nice way of saying Jameis shouldn’t he gifted a starting job, anywhere bc of his turnovers.

  47. MTM Says:

    Davis was being overly generous on Winston. Nobody is paying clown shoes back up money. Hill is 30 yrs old and he thrown like 12 passes in the NFL. Hard pass!

  48. Buczilla Says:

    That’s a pretty darn telling take concerning Jameis and Hill coming from an active player. I can’t help but be skeptical though since he is near the end of the line and may be trying to be controversial in hopes of landing a tv gig.

  49. Brandon Davidson Says:

    Honestly I used to be a firm Jameis supporter being a fault fan but him claiming I’m “balling” made me have to reevaluate my convictions on the matter but I would rather Jameis then love or eason all day would not want tua either to many injury???s burrow I would be ok with if Jameis could be part of deal but my ideal QB would be fromm they don’t give him enough credit highly intelligent super accurate and may not have a rocket cannon arm but he isn’t packing a pea shooter for sure and is going to be a great QB in the NFL and we could get Thomas to block for him possibly or reunite delpit and white draft fromm then o line and d line help after

  50. Brandon Davidson Says:

    Fsu* not fault fan lol auto correct

  51. Pit of Misery Says:

    @DR: ……mic drop! Excellent post