Derrick Brooks Tells Jameis Winston To “Stay Invisible”

March 27th, 2015
Derrick Brooks details his recent talks with Jameis Winston

Derrick Brooks details his recent talks with Jameis Winston

Yes, Bucs icon Derrick Brooks is in the ear of Jameis Winston, the guy likely to be Tampa Bay’s savior selection with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

That’s a good thing.

Brooks took to the WDAE-AM 620 airwaves this morning and talked about Winston. Brooks was asked what top piece of advice he has for his fellow Florida State legend.

“We’ve obviously been talking for quite a bit,” Brooks said. “I can’t just some all this up into one word and into one sentence. So I try to take it situation by situation [with Winston.]Lately, I’ve been talking to him about focusing on making himself the best draft prospect,” Brooks said.

“Don’t worry about trying to impress everybody with who you are as a man, because that’s going to take time. But the things you can control is your performance. Right now, the next opportunity you have to perform will be at Florida State’s [pro day], and then the individual workouts that a team may bring you in. Focus in on that.

“Secondly, stay invisible, which he’s done a good job of that. Not on social media, not out in the public, just stay invisible, just try to make yourself the best draft prospect you can.”

Brooks noted he did not attend the NFL Draft when he was invited in 1995, so he is in “100 percent” support of Winston’s decision to spend draft night with his family. Also, Brooks added Winston has “done a good job of getting everybody comfortable with him, from teams he’s visited all the way to the NFL offices.” Keep in mind Brooks works for the NFL, ruling on questionable hits.

You can hear all of Brooks below, via the 620wdae.com audio player.

69 Responses to “Derrick Brooks Tells Jameis Winston To “Stay Invisible””

  1. Dean Says:

    Joe- Could you please clarify something?

    Last week I heard several Head Coaches talking about injured players and how they couldn’t communicate with them until April 20th or so.

    Then comes a story on PFT today that has Coach John Fox talking about Jared Allen will improve this next year. Fox says he met with Allen and they kicked around strategies to make him more productive.
    Is it because Fox is a brand new Coach that he can meet and discuss football?

    Please enlighten.

    Teams with new coaches report early. That’ll happen in about 10 days. About April 20 is when the Bucs will report. Of course, coaches can talk to their players. They just can’t require them to be anywhere or do anything until the team officially reports back. Injured players typically continue rehabbing under team supervision during the offseason.–Joe

  2. Buc Neckid Says:

    Invisible = Hide

  3. Nick Says:

    “We’ve obviously been talking for quite a bit,”

    I can’t imagine 55 to suffer fools. If he thought that Winston wasn’t worth the time after the first conversation, can’t imagine he would allow there to be more. If you’re a Bucs fan and can’t allow Mr. Derrick Brooks to vouch for the guy, I don’t know what to tell you..

  4. JoeJoes Fungi Nails Says:

    Another red flag…….if you have to tell someone….then they don’t know for themselves…Jameis is a train wreck waiting to happen

  5. Buc Neckid Says:

    Why do you have to hide if you have nothing to hide?

  6. Supersam Says:

    So basically hideout and be a “ghost” until you get drafted, and then you can go back to your normal knuckle head self?? That’s what I’m gathering from all this, it’s almost as if Brooks is telling Winston “Hey let’s trick some poor team into drafting you, just behave until draft night” if you have to tell someone to disappear so that he doesn’t make a huge mistake before he gets drafted is a huge problem. Tampa is gonna make a gigantic mistake with this kid. Lovie will be working at publix next year, I hope he knows what he’s about to get himself into.

  7. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    Laughing at the people finding fault with this.

    You can choose to support him when he becomes Tampa’s QB, or find a new team. Make no difference. But, nitpicking every single little thing is a sad look.

  8. Pickgrin Says:

    A close relationship with DB55 will be very good for Winston.

  9. Buc1987 Says:

    Jameis Winston is coming to Tampa.

    Where’s my free jersey?

  10. Snook Says:

    Conspiracy theory:

    Brooks was told by the NFL not to attend the draft because they did not want to be seen with him becauase of his involvement with the free shoes scandal at FSU.

    A lot of people forget about that. Brooks had a lapse in judgement at FSU – made a poor choice to accept merchandise illegally.

    He should still be crucified right?

    If #55 approves of Winston, ANY Bucs fan should.

  11. Buc 1987 is slow Says:

    So, Love and Warrick Dunn if “Jameis”is not drafted are going to find another team?

  12. robert 9 Says:

    I used to think highly of brooks. meh, guess they stick together

  13. Buc1987 Says:

    Love and Warrick Dunn…34 days 10 hours and 4 minutes until Winston is ours!

  14. robert 9 Says:

    hide yo chidren, hide yo wives…..

  15. gotbbucs Says:

    https://m.youtube.com/results?q=jameis%20winston&sm=1

    Hope this is alright, Joe. It’s from the four letter but I thought it was some good stuff.

    I just wanted to post something from another former Buc. I can’t recall if you ever posted this particular video but Joey Galloway brings up a couple of good points on some things that Winston is frowned on for.

  16. JoeJoes Fungi Nails Says:

    Brooks is a high character guy…but still with human flaws….putting FSU and Winston above the good of the franchise is one strike
    #55 gravytrainning on his legacy playing his last year for the Bucs when he should have been retired was another strike.
    I can still see him hobbling with an Int….sad

  17. Buc1987 Says:

    GatorBuc…I have my stance on finding another team. There’s stipulations involved.

    Again. If the Bucs draft neither QB and 1 or both of them become successful on another team while our team still sucks. That would be the final dagger for me.

    I will be done…atleast for a long while anyways.

  18. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    Is anyone else sick and tired of tuning into draft programs, only to hear “Well, we know Tampa is taking Winston with the number one pick, so we don’t even need to discuss them.”

    I mean, not that the national media ever give us any attention, but I was thinking that having the first pick would garner at least some coverage. Instead they skip right over us every time.

    Boring as hell.

  19. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    “Buc 1987 is slow Says:
    March 27th, 2015 at 9:55 am

    So, Love and Warrick Dunn if “Jameis”is not drafted are going to find another team?”

    Do you see me slandering and ripping Mariota at every single opportunity? I prefer one guy, but, I certainly don’t go out of my way to nitpick the other guy.

    I have said many times, I will root for Mariota 100% if he were chosen. But, it looks less and less likely every single week that, that will happen.

    That’s what I have said, the extreme anti-Winston crowd are painting themselves in a corner ripping him over petty shite, and saying he will end in “Orient st prison” etc.

    Those people will just change their user name and act like they liked him all along if he tears up the league.

    HBU?

  20. Jolly Bucs fan Says:

    As long as winston shows up in shape for the FSU pro day, I am 100% fine with him on all other accounts, but if he’s out of shape that will seriously scare me

  21. Nick Says:

    @robert 9
    “I used to think highly of brooks. meh, guess they stick together”

    It saddens me to no end that you’re allowed to vote in elections and drive on the same roads as the rest of us.

  22. Dr Feelgood Says:

    Brooks isn’t trying to “trick” some team. That’s an insult to the MAN that Brooks is, and a ridiculous Hail Mary by SuperSam. Even if he were to think that way, the LAST team he would try to trick is his beloved Bucs!! C’mon man!! He is being told to hide so the idiots in the media and the haters can’t spin a bunch of crap on him. Look at the crablegs video. he isn’t hiding them in a trench coat. he is walking right out the door, just like alot of college players who gets free perks from establishments in their towns. He got pinched for it because of the liar that cried rape. The incident in the Student Union, in my view, is the only true bonehead move he has made. The Free Shoes University “scandal” is the perfect example of my point about perks. It happens everywhere. EVERY mock draft has us picking Winston. If you can find ONE that shows MM, please post it here. Get a clue guys, he IS coming here, he is NOT a train wreck, and if you don’t wanna support him, then have fun at the Rams games, where most people are projecting your Boy Wonder to fall. Go Bucs and Go Fameis or go home!! Thank God we have the #1 pick this year, just like the Colts did when Luck came out.

  23. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    Here’s the problem I have with this. The whole draft process for teams is about learning what they’re really like.

    So why is Winston being advised to hide his true self?

    It’s deceptive. Misleading.

    And I hate the fact that he even needs someone to give him behavior advice. How can that not be a red flag?

    At this point, I think we’ll be stuck with him, unless Lovie and Licht have a bigger pair than people give them credit for. It’s got disaster all over it, and if Winston turns out to be a disaster, every one of you Winstonites will blame Lovie and Licht.

    But the truth is this…you guys are as accountable for this pick as they are. You may claim that you are not, but the amount of pressure being applied to take Winston is enormous. And it is all coming from you people.

  24. Jacko101 Says:

    I can’t wait to say I told you so, it’s going to be interesting watching all the Draft Winston guys say. Cut Winston in the future. That will turn to Gire L @ L. Our fans are so predictable.

  25. Nick Says:

    @JJFN

    Your problems with Brooks is that he mentors a young, soon to be professional and that he chose to play the game he loves a little longer than you would have liked?

    Do you actually think about these comments before you type them or do you just start mashing the keyboard?

  26. Luther Says:

    robert 9 Says:
    March 27th, 2015 at 9:55 am
    I used to think highly of brooks. meh, guess they stick together

    ————————————————-

    Can I play the race card yet or do I need approval

  27. WS99 Says:

    FSU

  28. BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    @Luther

    Where did Brooks play football?

    Because it could be robert 9 meant FSU players stick together.

    Mind you, I really don’t want to be the one to point this out because robert is not someone I care for…at all. Knowing him, he could have meant racially. But he may not have.

    Oddly, I grew up an FSU fan until the Bulls started (went to their first game, the blowout), but now the whole FSU fanbase disgusts me. Very disappointing.

    I would wager to say that had the fans kept their mouths shut, the whole rape thing would have blown over much quicker. The fans in support of Winston have fed the hate, because they speak with so much of it, and it makes people imagine that same attitude in Winston.

  29. bucs4lyfe Says:

    derrick brooks vouched for JW which means that he has some explaining to do if something happens because his reputation comes into question. you don’t do that for people just because you went to the same college. bottom line is he is projected to be a top pick in the draft for a reason, you don’t recommend some knucklehead average guy to the franchise your spent your entire career with if you though he would further tarnish the image. you take a leap of fait with every pick, every girl or boy friend, every job you work. whether you like Winston or not your taking a chance. on the one hand people who are hating on him will look silly for their exaggeration of off field issues and the others look silly for taking off field issues lightly if something goes wrong. we haven’t had a qb that can lead a team since j free did it lol

  30. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    @Bonzai

    Perhaps. But this is the same guy who said this when Keyshawn supported Jameis.

    “Robert 9 Says:
    February 6th, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    I see a common theme among those who are for winston and those who are against him.

    i’ll let you guys guess that one”

    We all know what’s up with this guy.

  31. gotbbucs Says:

    @Bonzai

    In the age of social media and over analyzing everything that anyone says what do you expect? Every players agent is telling their client the same thing, it’s just that not every player is a top of the draft prospect.
    Who says Winston even asked for this advice or didn’t already know enough to lay low, just like everybody else who has ever had any kind of bad press whether deserved or otherwise? Get real man.
    I’m sure the real Jameis that you want to see just runs around town raping innocent women, stealing sea food, and cursing up a storm. He bases his everyday life off the the movie “A Clockwork Orange”.

  32. Fort Myers Dave Says:

    Derrick Brooks could be a great surrogate for Winston to lean on and use a a sounding board if/when the Bucs select him Numero Uno. Everything about Derrick Brooks on and off the field speaks integrity, wisdom and class. Winston really should listen to this guy if he is offering advice.

  33. robert 9 Says:

    sheeees……. say something about the fellow FSU guys and get blasted by all of those thenthative people out there. either it’s that or the R word, either way STFU.

  34. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    I’ve had my reservations about Winston…but I don’t hold it against a 21year old to take advice….I think that’s a good sign….I just hope he keeps taking it after the contract is signed…..if he does, we’ll have a winner….

  35. JoeJoes Fungi Nails Says:

    I refuse to be part of the….. Jameis Enablers Mob !

  36. daldevs Says:

    Maybe my ears are broken, but Brooks said he told Winston to be invisible. He did not tell him to “hide”. Those two words have very different connotations.

    If you have a girlfriend or wife, don’t you hate it when she takes something you say that is meant to be innocuous or meant to be a positive and instead twists it and turns its meaning into something that is anything but?

    Yeah… that’s what a bunch of you guys sound like right now. Kinda sad what your hate for a great kid (because you are misinformed and easily led astray by media reports meant to cater to trigger points) can turn you into. Sad.

  37. Buc1987 Says:

    Bonzai…robert has already made numerous racist comments in the past about Winston.

    Such as referring the stealing of crab legs. He went onto say Winston should have stolen fried chicken and collard greens. Not saying that’s racist. I’m saying that he is for suggesting such a notion.

    There’s been a few more instances than just that….it’s all too obvious, especially coming from someone like me, who would be the last person on earth to pull the race card.

  38. Buc1987 Says:

    daldevs Says:

    “If you have a girlfriend or wife, don’t you hate it when she takes something you say that is meant to be innocuous or meant to be a positive and instead twists it and turns its meaning into something that is anything but? ”

    I have a wife like that…it drives me crazy!

  39. JoeJoes Fungi Nails Says:

    So sad…87 and several others of the Jameis Enablers Mob……must stoop to name calling “haters,racist on and on” to either make their point or defend Jameis’s actions……when in fact there is NO hate or racism….merely a strong opinion against drafting Winston.
    This name calling is a reflection on you not the person being name called.
    Must be part of why FSU is the 2nd ranked Florida college, a fall back school for those that can’t get into UF……lower standards attract name callers

  40. ADown88 Says:

    @Bonai

    “So why is Winston being advised to hide his true self?”

    When did anyone say to hide his true self?? Lol

  41. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    “JoeJoes Fungi Nails Says:
    March 27th, 2015 at 11:15 am

    Must be part of why FSU is the 2nd ranked Florida college, a fall back school for those that can’t get into UF……lower standards attract name callers”

    So, you’re a gator fan. Not shocked at all. However I do appreciate all the unbias UF fans who DO support Jameis on here.

    What kind of standards call for your own offensive linemen to block each other repeatedly?

  42. robert 9 Says:

    and then there are those people with so little moral character that they support a player no matter their transgressions. all because they have no life and/or football comes above everything else even teaching your kids the right thing to do.

    and WHO THE HELL from the south does not like fried chicken or some collard greens with sausage?

    sad, so sad…….

  43. Buctebow Says:

    JW likely got similar advice from everyone that has an interest in his success. Keeping out of the spotlight and not giving anything to the media to feed on just makes sense. He likely did not really need that advice, as he is smart enough to know that already. Once the spotlight is not so intense, he will be able to do more of the (sensible) things that he would like to do whithout causing a flap, but not until he is established in the league and has performed well. This is a non-issue. He will either make it as a pro, or he will mess up, that is nothing on Brooks. Brooks is just offering a helping hand if wanted, but if the kid messes up, it is not Brooks fault and won’t sully his reputation in my eyes one iota.

  44. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    “robert 9 Says:
    March 27th, 2015 at 11:35 am

    and then there are those people with so little moral character that they support a player no matter their transgressions. all because they have no life and/or football comes above everything else even teaching your kids the right thing to do.”

    You mean non self-righteous people? I agree. Self righteous people are THE WORST.

  45. JoeJoes Fungi Nails Says:

    Love Dunn……
    not a Gator fan
    I am a UM fan …but support all Florida colleges when push comes to shove post season
    address the low info folks that can’t make a descent argument and must shout out anyone they disagree with as a “racist or hater”
    I am quiet sure if there was racism posted here one of the JOES would come down hard…..

  46. Nole on Sat.-Bucc on Sun. Says:

    Blah blah blah funginail,wish I could be there to see your face when he’s in Tampa kicking much arse next season.

  47. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    @fungi

    I don’t think every single person who doesn’t care for Jameis is racist. But, if you can’t delineate the clearly racist statements made here in the last few months, then I don’t know what to tell you.

    Heck, use the law of averages, you don’t think in all posters here that some aren’t racist? Of course there are some, and a few have made comments that reflect it.

    That’s like saying there’s no gay pro athletes. Of course there are.

  48. JoeJoes Fungi Nails Says:

    hey …..if Jameis is the Bucs QB I’ll support him 100% has I have every player,until unwarranted, since game 1. I’ve have seen 90% Buccaneer home games in person since they came to town and supported them with my wallet .
    I’d love to see you name caller in person too…..I seriously doubt you’d be calling me or anyone a racist face to face……

  49. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    I seriously doubt people would make racist statements face to face. It’s way easier to be an idiot online.

  50. Fritz50 Says:

    “But the truth is this…you guys are as accountable for this pick as they are. You may claim that you are not, but the amount of pressure being applied to take Winston is enormous. And it is all coming from you people.”

    I support the pick of Winston. That IN NO WAY make me accountable for that pick. I have absoluty no illusions that the Bucs pay the slightest attention to my opinion on the matter, any more than they do yours. This comment is really far out there in LaLa land.

  51. Bucsfanman Says:

    This Winston thing is quite comical. The rhetoric on either side has me rolling.
    Here’s a “what if” scenario: Jameis is never accused of rape. Regardless of the crab legs and vulgar display, he is a slam dunk #1 overall pick. Can anyone argue that? You can argue on the merits of whether he will be a good NFL QB, and for QBs that’s 50/50.
    If you want a slam dunk, no-brainer, can’t go wrong player you go with the DE from USC.
    That being said, if the Bucs don’t get O-line help it won’t matter because Jameis will be on his back or in the training room.

  52. Buccfan37 Says:

    I don’t have any problem with those that oppose Winston as the top overall pick. That would be boring if everybody was beating the drums to pick him. Opposing sides is more readable.

  53. Eric Says:

    Jameis has been doing that anyway, but does not hurt to reinforce it.

  54. JoeJoes Fungi Nails Says:

    Dunn Love…so you are saying Joe allows racist statements to be posted here…..he most certainly does not…..rather Jameis Enablers shout racist/hater as a means for discrediting and shouting down any criticism of Jameis

  55. Buc 1987 is slow Says:

    Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    You can choose to support him when he becomes Tampa’s QB, or find a new team. Make no difference. But, nitpicking every single little thing is a sad look.

    You can’t answer the question, typical Florida State Fan!

  56. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    So now you speak for Joe? Cool. I’m pretty sure all of the “Joes” are too busy to try to weed through every single racist comment, veiled or otherwise, that gets made here.

    It’s ok, we don’t need to agree. It makes no difference.

  57. Stpetebucsfan Says:

    BucBonzai posted I would wager to say that had the fans kept their mouths shut, the whole rape thing would have blown over much quicker.

    BINGO!!! I think this is DB 55’s point as well. Even IF the girl was a jock chasing opportunist the Fameis crowd should have just shut up.

    None of us were there. Fameis gets the presumption of innocence…he was NOT cleared…he was NOT charged, there was NO trial and insufficient evidence.

    Again assuming the best…Fameis let the little head think for the big head, something we an all relate to…that evening was not a bright shining moment for he or his buds…erased video and all.

    The best thing for everybody was to simply ignore it and move on and let it die a natural death.

    The Fameis supporters have also not endeared themselves with the constant trashing of MM, a QUALITY kid with plenty of talent. It’s fine to think Fameis is the better QB but you do Fameis no favors with all the negative hyperbole about MM.

    DB55 is absolutely correct. Fameis was suspended twice in two years from two different teams. Those are facts! Just let it go and let his success on the field next year speak for you. Stop blaming everybody from the media to Gator fans and calling those with legitimate questions haters. Admit Fameis made some BIG mistakes and move on!

  58. JoeJoes Fungi Nails Says:

    87….discussing the very real concerns of Jameis’s past behavior and poor decisions is NOT “nitpicking every single LITTLE thing”
    The Buc may use the 1st overall pick in the 2015 draft…….there can be NO reservations…..NONE….that is the context in which the Winston crtiticism is framed

  59. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    “Buc 1987 is slow Says:
    March 27th, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    You can choose to support him when he becomes Tampa’s QB, or find a new team. Make no difference. But, nitpicking every single little thing is a sad look.

    You can’t answer the question, typical Florida State Fan!”

    Hey Sherlock, I did answer you with actual specifics. Try slowing down and reading it over again, with your lips moving. Whatever gets it done.

  60. Buc 1987 is slow Says:

    Hey CS’er,those are some tuff guy words there!! Love the Warrick Dunn maybe one day we can meet up and talk about it.You can show me how those lips move!!

  61. Edgewalker Says:

    “BuccaneerBonzai Says:

    March 27th, 2015 at 10:10 am

    Here’s the problem I have with this. The whole draft process for teams is about learning what they’re really like.

    So why is Winston being advised to hide his true self?

    It’s deceptive. Misleading.

    And I hate the fact that he even needs someone to give him behavior advice. How can that not be a red flag?

    At this point, I think we’ll be stuck with him, unless Lovie and Licht have a bigger pair than people give them credit for. It’s got disaster all over it, and if Winston turns out to be a disaster, every one of you Winstonites will blame Lovie and Licht.

    But the truth is this…you guys are as accountable for this pick as they are. You may claim that you are not, but the amount of pressure being applied to take Winston is enormous. And it is all coming from you people.”

    You are insane. Do you tell the whole truth about yourself at a job interview? How you like to take extended lunch breaks or surf the internet?

    No. No one does. And what Winston is doing is no different. So seriously, get a grip on reality.

  62. Love and Warrick Dunn Says:

    “Buc 1987 is slow Says:
    March 27th, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    Hey CS’er,those are some tuff guy words there!! Love the Warrick Dunn maybe one day we can meet up and talk about it.You can show me how those lips move!!”

    I’m flattered that you are hitting on me, but, no thanks.

    It’s highly telling that:

    1. I answered your question with specifics.
    2. You completely missed it, and instead insulted me.
    3. Then you make a pass it me.

    You might want to work on your internal issues. But, I did answer your question about Mariota, I guess it my fault that you don’t read well.

  63. danati74 Says:

    He has to hide, because thats the difference in Millions of $$$$

  64. wifebeater5 Says:

    Oh I don’t know… I kinda interpreted robert 9 comments as bait. Worked too, like taking candy from a baby (FSU fan). Thanks for putting a smile on my face Robert 9. It’s not your fault those people can’t take a joke. And what is it with that stupid hand gesture. What does that mean anyway, another Gator first down?

  65. Celly Says:

    BuccaneerBonzai Says:
    March 27th, 2015 at 10:10 am

    At this point, I think we’ll be stuck with him, unless Lovie and Licht have a bigger pair than people give them credit for. It’s got disaster all over it, and if Winston turns out to be a disaster, every one of you Winstonites will blame Lovie and Licht.

    Why can’t it be that the evaluated both players and believe that Winston is truly the best prospect of the 2?

    Why do you feel the have to have a “bigger pair” because they don’t want to draft the guy that may take longer to develop?

    Whats hilarious is that you (the general you, not just you specifically this time Bonzai) will criticize Winston for EVERYTHING. If he wasn’t taking advice from Brooks, you’d come on here and say, “Why wouldn’t he take advice from one of the greats. Just goes to show how immature he is”.

    Again, when we start winning games again, I’ll be the first to welcome you back with open arms.

    I guarantee that Winston wins more games in his first year than Glennon has won his entire Buc career.

    Go Bucs
    Raymond Jameis Stadium

  66. robert 9 Says:

    lol WB5

    yer welcome

  67. rayjay1122 Says:

    I have personally met DB 55 and I totally respect his character. Yes he was once young and made mistakes just as we ALL have. If he endorses Winston, then I trust that along with all of the background checks the Bucs are doing. As long as Winston is the best choice for his QB skill set, then I say welcome to Tampa Jameis. I also however happen to like Mariota albeit I am not energized by his personality. Just say no to trading down and grab Winston or Mariota. I am leaning toward Winston though.

  68. Mike10 Says:

    I wonder if DB will have better luck than Bo Jackson

  69. Tom Says:

    People hating on Winston is one thing, hating on Derrick Brooks is Buccaneers blasphemy. You should have your fan card revoked