Category: Latest Team News

Are the Carolina Panthers a potential destination for Jameis Winston?

If the Buccaneers decide to move on from Jameis Winston, could the quarterback wind up landing with another NFC South team?

The biggest question entering the 2019 season was what would the future hold for quarterback Jameis Winston beyond this season? Playing on the final year of his rookie contract, Winston was in a “prove it” year, hoping to secure a new long-term deal to remain the team’s franchise quarterback.

But, after a 7-9 season in which Winston threw for over 5,000 yards but also became the first quarterback ever to throw for 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a season, the Bucs franchise seems even less certain about what to do with the former Heisman Trophy winner.

So, if the Bucs actually choose to move on from Winston, where could he possibly land? Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox today listed five potential landing spots for Winston, including Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, Miami and Los Angeles (Chargers). However, the one team that really stands out on the list is the Bucs’ NFC South rival, the Carolina Panthers.

If the Panthers decide to move on from the oft-injured Cam Newton, Winston could be a viable option. And, playing for Carolina could theoretically help Winston’s turnover problem.

Here’s part of Knox’s reasoning:

“Winston would have plenty of quality targets in the passing game, but [Christian] McCaffrey’s presence means he wouldn’t have to carry the offense as he did in Tampa Bay. The running back, who produced 1,387 rushing yards and 1,005 receiving yards in 2019, would take a ton of pressure off the quarterback. In theory, that would lead to fewer forced throws.”

It’s hard to imagine Winston suiting up for another NFC South team, but stranger things have happened. The ball is in Tampa Bay’s court right now. We’ll just have to wait and see what the team decides.

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What’s the biggest 2020 offseason need for the Buccaneers?

Find out what the biggest need for the Buccaneers is heading into this offseason.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have missed out on the postseason for the 12th-straight year after their 7-9 finish, but there’s a newfound sense of optimism surrounding this team, which has been absent in years past.

Now that Bruce Arians and his staff have a full season under their belt, it’s clear the Bucs are trending in the right direction. Their offense ranked third in scoring after finishing just 12th in 2018, and their defense climbed from 27th to 15th under Arians and Todd Bowles, including having the league’s best rush defense.

So, as the team heads into the offseason, what is their biggest need? According to Jenna Laine of ESPN, it all starts and ends with quarterback Jameis Winston, and determining if he is in fact the guy for the Bucs going forward.

Per Laine:

“Winston threw for 33 touchdowns but turned the ball over 34 times (30 interceptions, four lost fumbles) in 2019. He coughed it up in seven of the Bucs’ nine one-score games, in which Tampa Bay had a 2-5 record. So while his turnovers weren’t the sole reason for losses, they didn’t help — and they can’t continue.”

This was a make-or-break year for Winston, who was playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. Unfortunately, there seems to be no clarity yet on what the future holds for the former first overall pick. And, as Arians recently said, don’t expect an announcement on Winston’s future anytime soon.

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Happy 26th birthday to Jameis Winston

Take a look at some pictures of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston in honor of his 26th birthday.

Over the weekend, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh enjoyed a little rest and relaxation in Napa Valley with his fiancee to celebrate his birthday, which is today.

But, Suh isn’t the only Buccaneer celebrating a birthday today. Quarterback Jameis Winston turned 26 today, still quite young for a franchise QB. The question, of course, is whether or not Winston will remain the Bucs’ franchise quarterback next season. While he did throw for 30 touchdowns and over 5,000 yards this season, he also threw 30 interceptions, including a pick-six in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons in the Bucs’ Week 17 loss.

Head coach Bruce Arians said the team will evaluate Winston over the next few weeks, but that an announcement of their decision won’t be imminent. So, while we, like Winston, wait and see what the future holds, here are some pictures of the quarterback, courtesy of the Bucs’ Twitter account, to hold you over.

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Could Tom Brady be under center for the Buccaneers in 2020?

Could the future Hall of Famer end up finding his way to Tampa Bay this offseason?

As crazy as it sounds, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have a chance — albeit a slim one — of landing the future Hall of Fame quarterback this offseason.

Brady, whose New England Patriots were eliminated by the Tennessee Titans in a stunning upset over Wild-Card Weekend, is set to be a free agent. And, while it may be hard to fathom him leaving the Patriots, nothing is set in stone right now.

As Sports Illustrated points out, one betting site has the Bucs listed as the seventh-best bet to land Brady.

When you really think about it, though, Tampa Bay should be much higher on the list. Can you imagine giving Brady receivers like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin? Plus, Brady found the greatest success hooking up with tight end Rob Gronkowski in New England. He could easily help revive the career of O.J. Howard in Tampa Bay, especially when you consider the fact that the Patriots inquired about Howard at the trade deadline before the Bucs told them no.

I know a lot of people will be quick to dismiss the Bucs as a landing spot for Brady simply because the Bucs have been… well, the Bucs over the past decade. They haven’t been to the postseason since 2007 and winning seasons are few and far between. But, given the experienced coaching staff and the fact that Bruce Arians has worked with guys like Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger, Brady could certainly benefit from playing in an Arians system.

Plus, if Jameis Winston can throw for 5,000 yards in a season playing for Arians, can you imagine what Brady could do?

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Buccaneers release statement on the passing of former head coach Sam Wyche

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released a statement after the passing Thursday of former head coach Sam Wyche.

The NFL family lost one of its own yesterday with the passing of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals head coach Sam Wyche.

Per ESPN:

“Wyche coached the Bengals for eight seasons from 1984 to 1991 and also was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for four seasons from 1992 to 1995. He went 61-66 with Cincinnati and guided the Bengals to an appearance in Super Bowl XXIII, where they lost to the San Francisco 49ers on a touchdown pass by Joe Montana with 34 seconds left in the game.”

The Buccaneers released a statement of their own following the news of Wyche’s passing.

For those who don’t have super vision, here is the statement in its entirety, courtesy of Bucs senior writer Scott Smith.

Wyche was 74 years old. Our condolences to Wyche’s family and Bucs fans everywhere.

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Shaq Barrett got hosed by not making the AP All-Pro First Team

See why Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaq Barrett should feel disrespected for not being named to the All-Pro first team.

The 2019 AP NFL All-Pro team rosters were revealed today, and two Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Shaq Barrett and Chris Godwin — were named to the second team. In any other year, that would be a huge honor for a guy like Barrett, but given his monster season in which he led the NFL with 19.5 sacks, it’s shocking that he was not named to the first team.

The two guys named over him were Chandler Jones of the Arizona Cardinals and T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jones finished the year with 19.0 sacks and Watt with 14.5, both incredibly respectable numbers.

But, you have to go all the way back to 2010 to find a player who led the league in sacks who did not make the All-Pro first team. That player was DeMarcus Ware of the Dallas Cowboys, who led the league with 15.5 sacks in 2010, but was named only to the second team.

Barrett, who came to the Buccaneers in the offseason on a one-year deal, set the Bucs’ franchise record for sacks in a single season, capping off his monster year with a three-sack performance against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17. It’s hard to fathom that he didn’t get named to the first team.

Still, Barrett’s big year will likely result in a giant contract from the Buccaneers this offseason, which I’m sure will help him forget about the first team snub.

Maybe.

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Two Buccaneers named to 2019 AP NFL All-Pro Second Team

Find out which two Tampa Bay Buccaneers were selected to the AP All-Pro Second Team.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a bright future ahead of them after their 7-9 season. With a young defense that came on strong in the second half, coupled with the emergence of third-year receiver Chris Godwin as a bona fide superstar, the Bucs have a legit shot to end their postseason drought next season.

Today, two Buccaneers, Godwin and linebacker Shaq Barrett, were named to the 2019 AP All-Pro Second Team. Here is a complete list of the players selected.

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

Quarterback — Lamar Jackson, Baltimore

Running Back — Christian McCaffrey, Carolina

Flex — Christian McCaffrey, Carolina

Tight End — George Kittle, San Francisco

Wide Receivers — Michael Thomas, New Orleans; DeAndre Hopkins, Houston

Left Tackle — Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore

Right Tackle — Ryan Ramczyk, New Orleans

Left Guard — Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis

Right Guard — Zack Martin, Dallas

Center — Jason Kelce, Philadelphia

DEFENSE

Edge Rushers — Chandler Jones, Arizona; T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh

Interior Linemen — Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams; Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh

Linebackers — Bobby Wagner, Seattle; Demario Davis, New Orleans; Eric Kendricks, Minnesota.

Cornerbacks — Stephon Gilmore, New England; Tre’Davious White, Buffalo

Safeties — Jamal Adams, New York Jets; Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh

Defensive Back — Marcus Peters, Baltimore; Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City; and Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore

SPECIAL TEAMS

Placekicker — Justin Tucker, Baltimore

Punter — Brett Kern, Tennessee

Kick Returner — Cordarrelle Patterson, Chicago

Punt Returner — Deonte Harris, New Orleans

Special Teamer — Matthew Slater, New England

SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE

Quarterback — Russell Wilson, Seattle

Running Back — Derrick Henry, Tennessee

Flex — Derrick Henry, Tennessee

Tight End — Travis Kelce, Kansas City

Wide Receivers — Julio Jones, Atlanta; Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay

Left Tackle — David Bakhtiari, Green Bay

Right Tackle — Mitchell Schwartz, Kansas City

Left Guard — Joel Bitonio, Cleveland; Joe Thuney, New England

Right Guard — Marshal Yanda, Baltimore

Center — Rodney Hudson, Oakland

DEFENSE

Edge Rushers — Shaq Barrett, Tampa Bay; Cameron Jordan, New Orleans

Interior Linemen — Grady Jarrett, Atlanta; DeForest Buckner, San Francisco

Linebackers — Luke Kuechly, Carolina; Darius Leonard, Indianapolis; T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh

Cornerbacks — Richard Sherman, San Francisco; Marcus Peters, Baltimore

Safeties — Justin Simmons, Denver; Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City

SPECIAL TEAMS

Placekicker — Josh Lambo, Jacksonville

Punter — Tress Way, Washington

Kick Returner — Mecole Hardman, Kansas City

Punt Returner — Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh

Special Teamer — Cordarrelle Patterson, Chicago, and J.T. Gray, New Orleans

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Don’t expect an announcement on Jameis Winston’s future anytime soon

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said we shouldn’t expect to hear news about Jameis Winston’s future for a while.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have ended their season last Sunday with their Week 17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but the work is just beginning for this team as they head into the offseason.

The biggest question that needs answering is what to do with quarterback Jameis Winston, who had a year for the ages in 2019 (both good and bad). Winston threw for over 5,000 yards, becoming just the eighth quarterback ever to reach that mark and the first in franchise history. But, he also became the first player ever to throw for 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a season.

The Bucs were hoping that at this point they’d have some clarity on what to do with the former No. 1 overall pick, who was playing on the final year of his rookie contract. But, after such an up-and-down 2019 campaign, the team still seems uncertain about what to do, despite reports that Winston is slated to return.

And, according to head coach Bruce Arians, it doesn’t seem like we’ll get an answer about Winston’s future anytime soon.

It’s very telling that Arians keeps sidestepping questions about Winston, given that he’s spoken about other players and their futures without hesitation.

It’ll be interesting to see what the future holds for the Bucs and their franchise quarterback. One thing is for sure, though — if Winston returns in 2020, he won’t be given as much leeway as he was this year.

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Daniel Jeremiah’s 2019 rookie rankings shows little respect for Devin White

Daniel Jeremiah’s final rookie rankings for 2019 has Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White falling out of the top 10.

The 2019 regular season is in the books, and for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they head into the offseason with a newfound sense of optimism. After a 3-7 start to the year, the Bucs finished 7-9 and now hold the 14th pick in April’s NFL draft.

One of the biggest bright sports of the Bucs’ season was the strong second half performance of rookie linebacker Devin White, who was sidelined for several games earlier in the year with a knee sprain. White had dominant performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and even returned a fumble 91 yards for a touchdown in Week 17, the longest fumble return in franchise history.

White also earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors for both November and December, proving he is one of the league’s young emerging stars.

Which is why it is so surprising to see White ranked only at No. 11 on Daniel Jeremiah’s list of the top 25 rookies of 2019 over at NFL.com. DJ had White ranked at No. 8 on his list at the beginning of December, but dropped him three spots on his final list. Jeremiah moved New York Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones up 11 spots from 18 to 7 on the latest list. It’s hard to wrap your head around the fact that White, who has been as dominant as any rookie defender the past two months, would fall down the list and out of the top 10.

I’m sure any team in the league would jump at the chance to get a young star like him. Maybe White can use Jeremiah’s list as added motivation heading into the offseason.

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Bucs LB Devin White named Defensive Rookie of the Month

For the second-straight month, Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White has been named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month.

For a brief time, it seemed as though the 2019 NFL season would be a nightmare rookie campaign for Bucs linebacker Devin White. The fifth pick in last April’s NFL draft had the perhaps the roughest start to his career you could imagine (minus a season-ending injury, of course). In the week leading up to Week 1’s opener against the San Francisco 49ers, White dealt with tonsillitis, losing up to 10 pounds. Then, in Week 2, he suffered a knee sprain that sidelined him for several games and saw his odds of winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award drop.

But, since returning to the field, White has been one of the most dominant defenders in the league, and not just among rookies. He capped off his stellar finish to the 2019 season by returning a fumble 91 yards for a touchdown in Week 17’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons. It was the longest fumble return touchdown in franchise history.

Now, White can add another big achievement to his ever-growing resume as he’s just been named Defensive Rookie of the Month for December.

White was named Defensive Rookie of the Month for November, as well, so it’s an impressive way for the former LSU star to finish the season.

The Buccaneers defense finished 15th in the league this year, a far cry from 2018 when they were ranked 27th. The team holds the No. 14 pick in April’s draft, and, if CBS Sports is right, White could soon be joined by his former LSU teammate.

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