Ex-Bucs QB Predicts MVP-Level Season For Jameis Winston

July 30th, 2021

Joe wasn’t going to type this up, but hey, it’s Friday. And it’s certainly interesting.

As NFC South observers know well, the Saints have a legitimate starting quarterback competition going on now: Taysom Hill versus America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.

Hill was effective and protected the football well last season, beating out Jameis for the Drew Brees backup gig. As for talented Jameis, well, he is trying to overcome a nasty habit of giving the ball away at historic rates.

Enter Shaun King, one of four quarterbacks to lead the Bucs to the NFC Championship Game. The former USF assistant coach is one of Joe’s favorite media analysts: smart, informed and always with a fresh take that doesn’t wreak of some form of BSPN-like hype and nonsense. And King is a lifelong Bucs fan from St. Petersburg.

King visited CBS Sports Radio yesterday and was asked about Jameis’ prospects this season. What came out of his mouth was emphatic and had Joe hitting rewind a few times.

“MVP-caliber season,” King said of what he expects from Jameis. “Sean Payton is probably the most foremost guru genius at getting pieces to fit and do things that they’re good at. Don’t forget. Jameis threw for 5,000 already. He’s indoors now in an explosive offense with a guy who’s going to try to run it up every week — MVP conversation.”

For the record, King was not asked about the Bucs. But Joe has to wonder, if King thinks Jameis is poised to be in the ”MVP conversation,” then King must think the Saints are about to drop a 12- or 13-win season.

It would be wild if the Bucs and Saints run No. 1 and No. 2 all season the battle for the NFC’s top seed.

Joe is confident the Bucs are much better than the Saints. And for those wondering, Joe doesn’t think either Saints QB will have a very special season.

78 Responses to “Ex-Bucs QB Predicts MVP-Level Season For Jameis Winston”

  1. Bucsfan951 Says:

    Run it up every week? Isn’t that what got Thomas hurt last season in week 1?

  2. Buc92’ Says:

    Shaun my guy Bt he’s way off, the saints lost key pieces on both offense & defense, not to mention slant boy will miss months . Cam Jordan is a year older I just don’t see it with the saints

    GoBucs!

  3. mark2001 Says:

    As I remember Shaun was behind center a special year that we could have made the SB. But he couldn’t do anything at QB. Glad he has employment elsewhere, because had he been even an average QB, we would likely have a third ring and Lombardi.

  4. Craig Says:

    I’ve seen Jameis look like he would be an MVP before; he let me, and a bunch of others, down.

    Jameis is dedicated, sometimes hardworking ( I remember stories of his FSU days) and at the end of the day, can’t translate it to winning a football game.

  5. SB~LV Says:

    Jameis made the prediction? 😂

  6. 99.97.92.55.47.40.28.20.7 Says:

    @joe wreak reek

    Wouldn’t surprise me if James is good this year

  7. Marine Buc Says:

    My prediction.

    Ransom Hill wins the QB competition but gets injured by week 6. Winston steps in and throws 30 TDs and 30 INTs to lead the Saints to a 7-9 season…

  8. Robert Says:

    just trying to stay relevant by saying bs

  9. PennyFudgeStore Says:

    “The QuRterback That Ate the Galaxy” has to do/say his part regardless of truth. He’s willfully dishonest with himself and the audience. Take that to the bank.

  10. Mike Says:

    It would just be our luck if he won the job and played like we always wanted him to play for the Bucs…. even so, the Bucs are a Juggernaut right now.

  11. Steven007 Says:

    “most foremost guru genius”, that’s quite a mouthful Shaun. Well I guess his first step would to be the starting quarterback. From what I’ve read that’s not happening at the moment. The slant king is out for a while so that won’t help. Anyways, should be interesting regardless. As long as we kick their but I couldn’t care less what kind of season he has. Not my quarterback. Not anymore.

  12. Jim Says:

    Shaun laying any bets?

  13. Medicated Pete Says:

    Shaun who? Not w/o Michael Thomas (who checked out mentally after big contract). The defense is way worse so J.W. will feel the need to score more TD’s thus….throw picks

  14. BBB Says:

    Who cares? Winston doesn’t play for Tampa anymore.

  15. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    I have always said that Jameis would play better in a west coast offense.

  16. gotbbucs Says:

    I would think it hard for a guy holding a clip board to win MVP.

    Winston won’t be the starter.

  17. Youngbucs Says:

    Sean Peyton is a good coach no doubt. But he had Drew a all time great he’s going to have to prove it to me without him. And no 5-6 gms without him proves nothing. Can’t wait for the season lots of story lines the saints have won 12+gms since 2017 I don’t want to hear excuses now.

  18. DaBux Says:

    No Michael Thomas to start off.

    Another receiver in trouble.

    Bourbon Street about to re-open fully.

    Yeah, this is going to end well.

    He throws for 5300 yards, 1200 of them are INT return yards.

    40 TDS, 40 INTs, and 10 TDs are returns off INTs.

  19. 𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗰 Says:

    Jameis is still on their roster, meaning Payton really like what he sees in him..Imho

  20. Bucsfanman Says:

    This is a joke, right?!
    Belichek is the greatest coach in the league…then he lost his talented MVP QB. Payton is a better offensive coach than Belichek. I don’t think many can argue that. HOWEVER, he also had an HOF QB to run his offense. Saying Jameis will have an “MVP-caliber season” is to willfully detract from and ignore the great Drew Brees’ accomplishments.
    Lets slow the roll on the JW hyperbole. Had we had a legit QB competition, or QB other than JW, or not been afraid to bring one in, we would not have waited five years to “pull the plug”. JW has only proven ONE thing in his dubious career thus far…he is a turnover machine!
    IF, and that is a big fat IF, he can stop turning the ball over, he may have a chance to be a starter and decent QB. He still has to prove he belongs.

  21. Will Says:

    I wish Jameis the best just not against the BUCS. I’m not going to lie my biggest fear is that now that he finally got his eyes fixed that things may click and he becomes a thorn in our side for years to come. Hopefully I’m wrong and he continues to be the same QB in New Orleans as he was in Tampa (talented but can’t get out of his own way)

  22. Cobraboy Says:

    What made Peyton a “genius” is having a smart, accurate QB who could quickly read a defense, pulling the trigger.

    America’s Turnover Machine is none of those things.

    Why did Peyton choose Hill over Winston last season? Maybe he wanted to go for a SB shot.

  23. Cobraboy Says:

    Is Peyton a better coach than Arians? Has Peyton developed more QB’s than Arians?

    No.

    So why would Arians flat reject ATM, but Peyton embraces him?

  24. Buc50 Says:

    People here act like Jameis has no talent. Don’t let the Brady success cloud your thinking. The only thing stopping Jameis is turnovers. If he stops turning the ball over, he’s a threat.

  25. SOEbuc Says:

    These two guys are who you got battling for #1QB? This is Peyton’s plan for tanking to scoop up a early first round QB.

  26. SB~LV Says:

    Lol … love it! Joe writes a Jameis story and can go out on the town and enjoy a good meal and not need to post anymore content 🤑

  27. Youngbucs Says:

    Buc50 no one said he has no talent knock it off. We all say exactly what you just said fix the turnovers he’ll be fine.

  28. Cobraboy Says:

    Buc50 says

    The only thing stopping Jameis is turnovers.

    Using your logic, the only thing stopping me from babes calling me “handsome” is my looks.

    (BTW: my pronoun is “sir.”)

  29. Duane Says:

    I can appreciate the take, but neither QB is likely to have a great season. Lost some good pieces on defense and Michael Thomas got that fat paycheck and doesnt look like he wants to play football. 7-9 sounds about right with Jameis at QB, because he likely isnt going to get a lot of help from the rest of the suspect talent on that team that finds it so easy to lose historically in the post season. Game Manager Hill is likely also to lead them to 7-9 with no upside. Still fun to think about. We had a crappy practice- The Saints dont even know who is starting at QB with some injuries to key players on offense and defense. Its a Bucs life indeed.

  30. SOEbuc Says:

    Buc50

    Did you say don’t let the Brady success cloud your mind??? Are you out of your f#cking mind???

    King is out of his f#cking mind , also. Winston’s in a dome now??? He throws bullet interceptions soo…Last game as a Buc at Atlanta was a direct pick 6 in OT to keep us finishing under .500 once again.

  31. Wild Bill Says:

    Well Mr crab legs in his pants is very unpredictable. He is capable of hilight plays but also deer in the headlights judgment error brain farts that boggle description. If he settles down, makes his reads quickly and throws the ball safely away when nobody is open he can do well. His arm is great. The brain farts are the problem.

  32. SOEbuc Says:

    How many picks Jameis has thrown in the Superdome???

  33. JimmyJack Says:

    Wouldnt bother me to see Winston turn his career around. At the end of the day the Bucs did what was right and achieved our goal. No matter how good Winston may be its not possible to say he would have taken us to the promised land………So no sane Bucs fan should have buyers remorse after we purchased a winning lottery ticket.

    It would not be fun to see Winston succeed in ou r.c own division but when we play head to head we get Brady vs Winston. I think I like those odds.

  34. Bucsfanman Says:

    Cobra- Your post wins the day!

    “Using your logic, the only thing stopping me from babes calling me “handsome” is my looks.”

    My wife would say, “Awwwwww, you’re so cute!”
    Code for, “He has a great personalty!” LOL!

  35. Hodad Says:

    Jameis who?

  36. Aceofaerospace Says:

    Genius coach is going to do what the “quarterback whisperer” couldn’t do? Yeah right. The only thing the genius coach is going to do is pull Mr Pick-6 a lot quicker and insert Hill.

  37. JimmyJack Says:

    Id also like to add my new fresh little take on Jameis………..Now yall gotta hear me out but I think he does deserve a little gratitude for us landing Brady.

    You might be scratching your head but think back to all the big plays and downfield throws he made here. Think of all the stats he put up………Now pretend for a second we had some junk QB with a lame arm. What if we took Mariota? What if we had that Trubisky guy? What if we had one of the many junk QBs that cant get the ball down the field?

    Maybe if we never had a big arm QB who can make all the big plays Winston made maybe nobody know how good all our weapons were here. I contend Winston highlighted all the weapons we had here and if those weapons dont look so great Tom Brady probably doesnt even consider Tampa Bay.

    So yeah, Winston made us us pull out our hair but, in the least, he did showcase how potent this offense was making it a very attractable destination.

  38. Joe in Michigan Says:

    Cobraboy Says:
    July 30th, 2021 at 6:19 pm
    Buc50 says

    The only thing stopping Jameis is turnovers.

    Using your logic, the only thing stopping me from babes calling me “handsome” is my looks.

    (BTW: my pronoun is “sir.”)

    Hahahaha, classic Cobraboy!!

  39. WillieG Says:

    JW will be benched at some point this year. He will do what he always does; get people excited, raise expectations, and then choke when the bullets start flying. I know because I was a huge fan and a big time defender of his. Fool me once. Shame on you. Fool me twice…..and a third time, and a fourth time, and a fifth time, shame the F on me.

  40. Bird Says:

    Cobra

    I am dying man. Funny stuff

  41. Cobraboy Says:

    JimmyJack makes a good point.

    If it weren’t for ATM’s failures with excellent weapons, the Bucs would not have The GOAT and a Lombardi.

  42. Drunkinybor Says:

    It will be a second and goal from the 2 yard line with the Saints needing a touchdown to win. Winston gets the snap panics runs left runs right spins in a circle and he does to throw but isn’t sure so the ball falls out of his hand game over. Yeah good luck Aints your going to need it.

  43. Drunkinybor Says:

    Also he’s just way to immature to lead a group of men. I think he could be very good when he gets into the twilight of his career. Men don’t follow that eating W jokey dance B.S. unless you have already done it. Respect is earned and unfortunately when you pick a q.b. number 1 he’s the face of the franchise. C’mon say your a 5 year vet to his guy comes in saying wierd $h!t trying to hoye up grown men who have children and wives with his college teenage hype stuff. He is or was just to inexperienced in life to lead.

  44. Dewey Selmon Says:

    Even if they ruled Bert’s non catch a catch Doughboy wouldn’t of let the Bucs to victory.

  45. Jerry R Jones Says:

    King is sippin on some sizzer.

  46. DoooshLaRue Says:

    Ya know, when JayMiss was throwing all those picks I always thought………

    It must be because he’s playing outdoors!

    Jesus effing Christ.

  47. Youngbucs Says:

    JimmyJack I disagree because Evans was doing it before winston got here. If you can ball you can ball unless Tebow your QB 😂.

  48. Defense Rules Says:

    So many fans (and media) let their emotions run amok when they talk about Jameis. He’s now starting his 7th year & he’s been a starter for all but 1 of those years. In his 5 years starting here, he threw for barely shy of 20,000 yards total. Not all that shabby, although he did have some exceptional receivers to throw to for much of that. Threw a LOT of INTs in his 5 years here (88 to be exact), but 30 of those came in his final year playing for BA. That means that in his first 4 years, Jameis averaged less than 15 INTs per year (essentially 1 INT per game). Higher than what I’d like to see, but not that out-of-line for a young starter.

    Jameis didn’t lack for talent; his leadership skills stunk. And that’s the kiss of death IMO for any QB, young or old. Your QB is supposed to be your team leader, and Jameis wasn’t while he was a Buc. Will 1 year of learning from Drew Brees make a difference in that area? I don’t think that any of us know. Will playing for Sean Payton & the Saints make a difference? It very likely could, but only time will tell. And BTW, initial reports out of Saints training camp indicate that Jameis is throwing the ball VERY WELL. Time will tell though.

  49. SOEbuc Says:

    So what you’re saying is, you’re no Tom Brady.

  50. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Payton “embraces” JW because he’s bargain basement cheap. If JW turns it around, Payton is a genius.

    If he doesn’t, Payton took a flyer for dirt cheap.. no great loss.

  51. Youngbucs Says:

    Defense Rules I disagree with you the year winston got hurt he was on pace for over 20 ints. His td-int ratio is not good he’s an ok QB. Also he had a major fumbling problem in his early years less we forget.

  52. gotbbucs Says:

    More than anything I just want him to get his little chance with the Saints so he can bungle it up and we can quit talking about him.

    I think Sean Payton might just have a big enough ego to give Winston a chance even though he knows he shouldn’t. Deep down I think Payton wants the challenge of switching over to a RPO type offense with Taysom Hill.
    One decision will end with nothing but regret, the other will end with perennial 9-8 seasons.

  53. DoooshLaRue Says:

    DR,

    That’s true but factor in the head scratching fumbles for the full maddening evaluation.
    He is the ATM.

  54. ClodHopper Says:

    I could see him having a surprisingly good season, but MVP chatter? No effin way.

  55. Pewter Power Says:

    A quarterback is in a camp battle versus taysom hill and still hasn’t grabbed the starting job it means he hasn’t stood out from the pack and it will require preseason games know if he can even start.

    How many guys in a camp battle with a 30 year old quarterback no one is sure can play the position full time has gone on in the nfl to have an mvp caliber season?

    That comment from king makes him sound amateurish and it should raise an eyebrow, it should make you shake your head in disappointment. Going from the #1 overall pick to not being a lock to beat out taysom hill lol uh I’d take that bet

  56. Mike C Says:

    Yeah Me13 even put that train wreck Jonny football on the map

  57. Miller5252 Says:

    joewinstonfan…. 😂😂 sorry can’t help myself because going through my head is Lee on the podcast when he says “when I bring this up, people just GO WILD! They just GO WILD!”

    Who knows, maybe you should check yo sheet he’s ballin while eating them Dubs. Ole Davis and Bunting will probably get 4 picks each from Winston if he plays in both games this year! I know I’m grateful Winston came here…. If it wasn’t for him we probably wouldn’t have got Brady.

  58. Swampbuc Says:

    What does Smoothie Burger King weigh in at these days? Has he hit 370 yet? You go Shaun, you go Shaun! Get fatter!

    Anyone as lazy as he was about the gift and opportunity he’d been given shouldn’t be taken seriously by anyone.

  59. Crickett Baker Says:

    Just remember. He had NO ONE really, to teach him QBing. He didn’t back up anyone good. He had a ROCKET arm. With glasses, Brees, and Payton, who knows how good he’ll get? He may even become more mature by now. IDK but he scares me and I think the Saints have been purposely hiding him. Our defense better be ready.

  60. stpetebucsfan Says:

    I think viewing Taysom Hill beating out Jameis for the 2nd spot behind Brees is a bit misleading.

    I think Hill was just the result of Payton’s creative mind. His skill set was the polar opposite of Brees and a nice change of pace. JW was not a change of pace but an inferior copy of Brees…unless he’s learned to make better judgements and get rid of the ball.

    @Cobra

    Your line about your looks reminded me of a great true story…at least the former golf coach at East Tennessee State Fred Warren claims its true.

    Coach Warren played his college golf at UCLA. One afternoon he was following two UCLA coeds and gave one of them the wolf whistle.

    The wrong turned to him however and he said no I meant the other one. To which she replied…”Don’t try to be cute it clashes with your looks!”

  61. Cobraboy Says:

    @Crickett Baker: NO one? Are you serious? Koetter is NO one? Christiansen is NO one? Arians is NO one?

    The ATM defenders have to engage in disbelief of reality to lie to themselves.

    That, or they don’t know squat about football…

  62. Im not tired anymore we Super Bowl Champs!! Says:

    One thing I learned about football is I’m just damn good at drinking beer. It took me 21 years to figure it out. Go Bucs!

  63. Ne+ bucs fan Says:

    Hey,who is this jameis guy everyone keeps talking about

  64. Colonel Angus Says:

    Winston rarely came through in the clutch for us. He would get us close and then you just knew he’d have a Jameis moment. You could bank on it. Kid has skills and heart, just doesn’t have ice running in his veins. If it doesn’t work in New Orleans, having been coached by Arians and Payton, he may be the next Fitzpatrick. Can still make a lot of cash that way!

  65. RobbieRob Says:

    Short term win, long term fail. The bucs way! Manning was one here and he… well you know.

  66. Hissylizzard Says:

    They said that when Arians was hired…Winston threw for 5000 yards because they were always playing from behind because of his picks and fumbles….the guy is awful

  67. Eddie Marz Says:

    Don’t know about MVP, but I expect Jamies to play at a very high level. He just wasn’t ready to lead The Bucs. GO BUCS!

  68. D-Rome Says:

    Enter Shaun King

    That’s all I needed to see. I stopped right there. Shaun King, Michael Clayton, Unreasonable Joe, and a few random knuckleheads that do not write for this esteemed website, and FSU nation have been saying the same nonsense since his 3rd season. Things like, “This is his breakout year” or “This is when we expect Jameis Winston to take the next step like so many other great quarterbacks do.”

    Jay-Miss will never be better than who he is. Every roadblock to his success in Tampa was removed and he was still a losing QB that was turnover prone. Tom Brady wins the Super Bowl with essentially the same offensive line and receivers Jay-Miss had. It turns out Jay-Miss was one of the biggest roadblocks to the Bucs becoming a winner.

    He will never be some other team’s franchise QB. He will always be a backup or bridge-the-gap QB much like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Teddy Bridgewater.

  69. Tc Says:

    I think Winston will be a thorn in the bucs side for many years to come. He is unquestionably talented and definitely has a talented team. Their offense is as good as any and their defense is top 10 in the league. They will be at the finish line and a top competitor for years to come. They will be a down the field dangerous team. Payton will have Winston on a do not make mistakes mentality or hill comes in. Winston knows the bucs defensive weakness’s and that plays to their strength’s. But hey no one said that it would be easy and bring it on

  70. BillyBucoff Says:

    I think Peyton WANTS Jameis to be good, so he can shove it in the Bucs face.
    Also think he signed him to gain info on Bucs for cheap more than his TALENT.

    I’ll believe MVP season when I see it.
    He still holds the ball too long and the Bucs can defend short West Coast spit now.

    If the Super Bowl Champs haven’t done Sh!t this year, then Shame Us Whines Ton sure hasn’t.

  71. OrlandoBucFan Says:

    King’s comment was provocative, but no outlandish. Winston did win a Heisman Trophy and National Championship in college and has flashed MVP like ability in the NFL. With the right coaching and supporting cast around him, Winston could be in the conversation for MVP if things fall into place for him. Right now, this is all hypothetical, but it not unreasonable speculation. If Winston is in the conversation for MVP, our path to the Super Bowl will be much for difficult and Sean Payton will be Coach of the Year. Let’s hope this is all fantasy.

  72. Cobraboy Says:

    I see most casual Buc fans don’t realize the huge talent drain, even on O, the Saints went through this offseason.

    This is NOT the same offensive team that Brees had, not even close. And that is before Thomas’ injury.

  73. D-Rome Says:

    With the right coaching and supporting cast around him, Winston could be in the conversation for MVP if things fall into place for him.

    Such nonsense. Why is it that Jay-Miss, now entering his 7th NFL season, can’t seem to find the right coaching? It seems fans get star struck with certain players and can’t seem to see what all 32 teams in the NFL see in him, which is that he is not a good starting QB in the NFL. He’s currently in a camp battle against a gadget player pretending to be a QB. The only NFL MVP I can think of that started the season in a camp battle with another player is Kurt Warner and Jameis isn’t a 10th of the player Kurt was.

  74. ItzOK Says:

    Jameis will be just fine, he will regress to his mean and throw 12-15 picks and the saints will be just fine. He is not throwing 30 picks ever again

  75. Cobraboy Says:

    The entire league saw 5 years of ATM work, so he accepted a Bottom Basement deal with the Saints.

    Keep in mind his guys floated a $30 million annual price tag dealio at the end of 2019.

    “Check yo’ sheets, I be ballin’…”

  76. Howard Cosell Says:

    Howard expects a full-scale bank robbery if the Grave-diggers line up across from the ATM in 2021

  77. Howard Cosell Says:

    Howard expects a full-scale bank robbery if the Grave-diggers line up across from the ATM in 2021

  78. Jimmy Burns Says:

    Never happen, can’t finesse pass