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I thought it would be useful to have a discussion on what we think (or would do) next as the Bucs with (or without) Winston. But the Red Board is a pit of trolls, troglodytes, and alt-trolls, I thought it would be useful to have a frank, interesting conversation without wading through the muck. As I’ve undoubtedly missed posters who aren’t utter morons, please feel free to tag others.
The question I want to pose is: what now should the Bucs do? What would you do?
My position is that the Bucs should trade Winston at the end of the year no matter what. The only exception I can see is a practical one: if Winston wins the MVP or the Bucs go to the Super Bowl. I just don’t know how a team would move on from a player in that situation (although personally I’d still trade Winston).
My argument is simple. Jameis is a a two-faced scumbag who can’t be trusted.
Quite honestly, when this allegation first surfaced I did not think anything definitive would be proven. I expected Winston to get a one game slap on the wrist. That Winston blatantly lied, got Darby to lie, then lied by leaking that the suspension was “a failure to report” blew me away. That he then admitted guilt (technically “he doesn’t remember)… Sexually assaulting a woman (which this was) is bad. But on top of EVERYTHING ELSE plus the deceit? I honestly think that Winston has mental issues (not that I’m qualified to diagnose anyone). It’s just beyond me how someone with the spotlight and support system he has refuses to learn.
Anyways, I’m rehashing what we all know.
My main argument is very practical. It’s that you cannot trust Winston not to do something else given his long, long history. In fact, its far too easy even for him to be falsely accused now. Who are you going to believe, the woman or Winston? (Hint: It’s not Winston). The chance of him running afoul of the Personal Conduct Policy is far too high for me to be comfortable relying on Winston as a franchise face. If he does ANYTHING else he’s out for a year minimum. And then he’s done in the NFL. I mean what if that’s already happened and its not public yet? Or what if the Uber driver reveals new information/evidence, like happened to Ray Rice?
What I would do is let him play out the year and then get whatever assets I can for him. Call it a “fresh start”. Let someone else handle that ticking time bomb. When strategysing in business (or war) you prepare for the worst case scenario. Well, Winston being suspended again isn’t even a worst case scenario at this point. The Bucs have to prepare for that reality. Because if Winston does get suspended you’re hooped for maybe 2 years.
I’d also sign Kaepernick for two reasons. First, it can change the narrative. It’s a whole new story to tell, which is much easier to spin than (like Scott Reynolds did): “It was two years ago”. Second, it gives you a realistic option to win if Winston mentally collapses or is further suspended. Fitzpatrick is not a good QB (although all of us are pretending otherwise) while Kaepernick was a top 20 QB when he played – objectively. The risk you’re taking is how long he’s been away from the game, but you can ease him in and the plan is to not play him at all in 2018 (barring a Winston melt down or injury). Then, you have an option for QB in 2019 and you don’t HAVE to draft or sign a QB.
