So there was a thread on here, from some point last year after the season, where I got absolutely crucified for refusing to annoint Winston as the next coming. With the new format I'm having trouble finding that thread (and forgive me, I've been absent from the boards as I've been crushing myself to wrap up work over the last few months anticipating the arrival of my newborn son - due date today 9/20, however we are still waiting). But long story short, there were a few things I had said I needed to see from Jameis before I was fully onboard with him. Well, given the tone and last few days/weeks, figured this was the perfect time to jump back in.
And no, as an unabashed Mariota fan (I still love the kid), this will not be what you expect, especially after Sunday.
The main thing I needed to see from Winston, what I think a lot of football people wanted to see, was how he reacted to the offseason. Well folks, I've gotta say, it was an A++++. As a die hard Bucs fan, I couldn't be more stoked for him. He won me over with his work ethic AWAY from the cameras. Away from everyone. And just grinding in the middle of the offseason when it was only him and him. That's what the greats do. That's what separates talent from legend. And I will officially say, I'm fully onboard.
You saw it in everything he did from the moment training camp started through even this past Sunday. He is legit and we Bucs fans have a QB who will go the distance here in Tampa. Obviously most felt this way after last week, but I'm writing this post bc I find it especially important to remember right now, after what was a rough week.
Flashback to week 2 1999. Peyton Manning throws 2 picks in a loss at New England, including a devastating pick to seal the game on the last drive. Indy newspapers go nuts (I was 16 at the time, but remember bc my high school coach was an Indy fan) and ppl wonder aloud whether Peyton had the clutch gene. The Colts would end up losing only twice the rest of the season including a week 17 meaningless loss. Peyton established himself as the next great during that season.
Why does this matter? Because Jameis is in the process of establishing himself as the next great. This past weekend at Arizona was a buzz saw he couldn't have avoided. That was a super bowl caliber team, angry off a national tv loss at home. 4 picks, 5 turnovers, but honestly how many can you really pin on Jameis? The fact of the matter is that going into the game, of that magnitude, for the first time in years, you thought the Bucs might have a chance. And that was bc of Mr. Winston. He's still so so young, we forget that because how he carries himself. But with a 22yr old at the helm, we all, legitimately felt the Bucs had a shot at knocking off a super bowl contender coming off a loss at home. And rewatching the gm today, despite such a lopsided loss, the Bucs were not that far off. Fluke turnovers,mental
Mistakes, and quite frankly, a team that was on a mission for blood, did them in.
Rewatch the game (coaches angles preferred) and you'll see a QB in pewter, who only started to get out of control when he felt he needed to put things on his shoulders. The fact that at 22, he felt like he not only had to but also did it, is proof enough that he'll be a gem. Accuracy issues? He's got the work ethic to work on it. Talent around him? Hopefully Licht keeps adding ballers. End of the day, the thing that matters is that Jameis got that situation, will learn from it, and the Bucs will only be better as a result.
I expect him to light up the home opener this weekend, but even if he doesn't, I'm full on encouraged by what I have seen from him. Give him a minimum of three more years of grinding like this and we'll have a QB who will refuse to miss playoffs and will have the game to aid him in that. No, he's not a Hall of Famer, yet, but he's got every single quality he needs to be one. All he's gotta do is grow up and execute. At 22, it'll happen, I really have no doubt.
PS: I live in Oakland now. Anyone planning on being out in Cali for the SF or SD games, I want to organize/grab drinks and tailgate (newborn duties withstanding, although wifey has signed off). That includes y'all MC/SR if you come out. As an isolated Bucs fan on the West Coast, need to take full advantage of the Pewter crowd being out here whenever possible.
(And sorry for any spelling grammatical issues - did this on my phone and wifey literally just let me know she might be going into labor as I was reading through to edit(!!!))