Tag: Jameis Winston

Latest USA TODAY NFL Power Rankings defends Jameis Winston’s poor play

See what Nate Davis of USA TODAY had to say about Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston in the latest NFL Power Rankings.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are just 3-7 and once again on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture.

After losing 34-17 to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11, the Bucs must head back out on the road for a divisional showdown with the suddenly red-hot Atlanta Falcons.

Atlanta is also just 3-7, but they’ve pulled off major road upsets the past two weeks, first against the Saints and then the Carolina Panthers.

Heading into Sunday’s Week 12, matchup, all eyes will be on Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, who had four interceptions in the loss to the Saints, bringing his season total to an NFL-high 18.

But, in the latest USA TODAY NFL Power Rankings, which saw the Bucs drop from 22 to 24 this week, Winston finds a defender in writer Nate Davis, who had this to say about the Bucs QB:

“Easy to rip Jameis Winston and his NFL-high 18 INTs. But no QB has been sacked more or must overcome defense that allows more points.”

The Bucs defensive secondary has been atrocious this year, but Winston needs to do a better job of protecting the ball and making the right decisions.

Let’s see how he does against the Falcons.

[lawrence-related id=25135,25129,25124,25116]

Marcus Williams remaining humble despite recent success

New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Williams is tied for third place in interceptions, but he’s focused on helping his team get to the playoffs

[jwplayer BYb77afH]

New Orleans Saints free safety Marcus Williams has had a career filled with more ups and downs than most. He had a great rookie year in 2017 that climaxed with one of the worst moments in recent sports history; that was followed up by an intense training camp but quiet sophomore year, in which Williams spent too much time second-guessing himself.

But now he’s back to his old self, if not playing at a higher level. Williams is tied for third in the NFL in interceptions (4), matching the mark set by cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Marcus Peters. It’s a tight race for the league title, with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Devin McCourty narrowly sharing the lead (5 each).

It’s even more impressive for Williams because it’s taken him just 10 games to match the number he put up in 16 games as a rookie. The sky might be the limit for him now that he’s fully acclimated to the game and moved on from some early mistakes. When asked whether he feels like he’s in something of a groove with interceptions in back-to-back games, including a win-clenching pick-six against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Williams downplayed his achievements.

“I just feel like I am in the same groove I’ve always been in. [I’m] just doing my job for the team,” Williams said during a conference call with New Orleans media. “Whatever I can do to help our team out. That’s just what I pride myself on, just doing what I can to help my team.”

However, Williams did take time to credit his success to diligent film study. He noticed Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston putting too much air underneath passes to the area of the field he was defending, and knew it would create an opportunity to go make a big play: “They’ve been doing that on film so I saw what was going to happen. [We] talked about it in the back end and just dissected the play. I just went and did my assignment and if you do your assignment, the play will come your way. That’s what happened yesterday.”

And he’s exactly what the Saints need right now. Williams, who celebrated his 23rd birthday back in September, has the talent to go out and make game-changing plays but the self-awareness to remain focused and continue putting in work behind the scenes. He’s a great role model to his teammates and someone who should be a core player for New Orleans for a long time.

[vertical-gallery id=22622]

PTI’s Tony Kornheiser had this to say about Jameis Winston’s future with the Bucs

See what ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser said on “PTI” about Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston and his future in Tampa Bay.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost 34-17 to the New Orleans Saints yesterday, and whether he deserves it or not, quarterback Jameis Winston is receiving the brunt of the criticism.

Winston had four interceptions yesterday, putting his season total at 18, which matches his career-high. The numbers on the quarterback don’t lie, and given that he’s playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, the Bucs aren’t obligated to keep him beyond this season.

And, it seems one ESPN personality thinks the Buccaneers would benefit by looking to the 2020 NFL Draft for a new quarterback.

On ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption” today, Tony Kornheiser was asked during the show’s “Big Finish” about Winston’s performance against the Saints and what it means for his future.

Here was the exchange:

WILBON: “Jameis Winston threw four picks in a loss to the Saints. Is it time for a change?”

KORNHEISER:”I don’t know about right now. But, it’s time to look to the draft at the end of the year.”

Kornheiser is repeating what a lot of people are saying. It’s just not working out in Tampa Bay. Winston is still young and talented enough to find an opportunity elsewhere.

It might be best for him and the Buccaneers to just start fresh after five seasons.

[lawrence-related id=25129,25124,25116,25107]

9 things we learned from Sunday’s games of Week 11

Dak Prescott, Lamar Jackson and Kirk Cousins are the headliners on the list of things we learned in Week 11 of the 2019 NFL season.

Here are nine things we learned from Sunday’s games of Week 11 and what they mean for the future:

9. Changing of the QB in Chicago?

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

After the Rams took a 17-10 lead with less than four minutes left, the Bears surprisingly yanked quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and inserted backup Chase Daniel. It didn’t help, but it spoke volumes. Trubisky had no apparent injury. But, like he has been most of the season, Trubisky was ineffective. He completed 24 of 43 passes for 190 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Daniel is not a long-term answer. But, neither is Trubisky, the second overall pick in 2017. His time in Chicago likely is coming to an end. The Bears almost certainly will sign a free agent (Teddy Bridgewater?) or draft a quarterback.

8. The Raiders are for real

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

The Raiders have some of the most dedicated fans in the league. They never were a negative factor during the battle to get a new stadium in Oakland. That fiasco was between local government and the team. With the team moving to Las Vegas next year, wouldn’t it be nice to see Oakland fans enjoy a home playoff game before the team leaves? Winning the AFC West might be a stretch. But it’s no stretch to picture the Raiders in the playoffs. Sunday’s victory over winless Cincinnati might not seem like a huge deal. But it was important. The Raiders are 6-4 and very much in contention for the playoffs. Suddenly, their Dec. 1 game with Kansas City is looming large in the AFC West.

7. Kirk Cousins will get another huge contract

David Berding-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota quarterback has been on fire since Week 5, after being publicly criticized by receiver Adam Thielen. Cousins had another big game Sunday, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Vikings to a 27-23 win over Denver after rallying from a 20-0 deficit. A lot of people laughed when the Vikings signed Cousins to a fully guaranteed three-year, $84 million contract last year. But no one is laughing now. Cousins still has next year left on the contract. But, if he keeps playing like he has been in recent weeks, Cousins will get an even bigger contract for 2021.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7

Like it or not, Jameis Winston will shoulder the blame for a disappointing season

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston has struggled this season during the team’s 3-7 start.

You may not like hearing the repeated calls for Jameis Winston’s job after every poor performance, but at 3-7 and on track for another disappointing season, the Buccaneers quarterback will ultimately be the one who shoulders the blame for the team’s failure.

Like it or not.

Winston entered the league with great promise after the Bucs took him first overall in the 2015 draft. A former Heisman Trophy winner and national champion, Winston had all the hallmarks of a franchise quarterback.

The question was never about his talent on the field, more about his behavior off of it. A rash of incidences made some teams wary of the Florida State quarterback, but the Bucs felt confident enough in him to hand over the keys to the franchise. Fast forward nearly five years later, and the team seems no better off now than then.

Tampa Bay has yet to make the playoffs with Winston during that time, and let’s not forget the ugly off-the-field incident involving Winston and an Uber driver in 2016 and the subsequent three-game suspension that resulted from it.

Winston has shown flashes of brilliance at times in Tampa Bay, but for whatever reason, he hasn’t been able to put it together consistently. You can blame the offensive line and coaches all you want, but when a team struggles in the NFL, the quarterback is always the one put under the microscope.

Whatever your opinion of Winston may be, there’s no denying the facts. And, unfortunately, when it comes to Winston this season, the stats are pretty troublesome.

Take a look.

Remember, too, that back in Week 1 Winston threw three interceptions against the San Francisco 49ers, who had just two interceptions all of 2018.

While two of the interceptions today from Winston came on wild plays, it doesn’t change the fact he can’t protect the ball. It’s been an issue throughout his entire NFL career. A team should be able to overcome a mistake by their quarterback, but when it’s happening every single game and at the rate it has been for Winston and the Bucs, it needs to be addressed.

Tampa Bay will take to the road again next week to face the suddenly red-hot Atlanta Falcons, who beat the Carolina Panthers on the road today one week after upsetting the Saints in New Orleans.

Atlanta’s win today coupled with the Bucs’ loss means Tampa Bay is now in last place in the NFC South. A Bucs win next week on the road would go a long way in building up this team’s confidence heading down the stretch.

Winston’s included

[lawrence-related id=25081,25073,25063,25051]

Jameis Winston proves he’s not the answer at quarterback in loss to Saints

The Bucs would be wise to go for a quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft if they land a high draft spot.

For those Buccaneers fans who’ve been clinging to hope this season that Jameis Winston would turn it around and prove to be the long-term answer at quarterback, today’s 34-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints proved once and for all that the quarterback is a lost cause.

Winston had two interceptions in the first half, both of which came under strange circumstances. But, in the second half, Winston had two costly picks that ultimately prevented the Bucs from mounting any sort of comeback.

His third interception of the day was returned 55 yards for a touchdown by Saints safety Marcus Williams, and Winston’s fourth pick came on a third-and-goal from the New Orleans 1-yard line.

Winston could set a new career-high in interceptions next week in Atlanta against the Falcons, should he remain the team’s starting quarterback. There really isn’t much of an option behind Winston on the roster, though, so the team might just have to ride this out until the end of the year.

The Bucs would be wise to go for a quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft if they land a high draft spot. Bruce Arians has shown he can work with young guys, evident by his work with Andrew Luck in 2012 with the Indianapolis Colts.

Winston has been given plenty of opportunities to prove himself in Tampa Bay. Unfortunately, things just haven’t worked out. It might be best for both parties to go their separate ways.

[lawrence-related id=25063,25057,25051,25044]

Marcus Williams scores on an interception return, Saints win 34-17

New Orleans Saints S Marcus Williams intercepted Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston and returned the ball for a defensive touchdown.

It was a bad day in the office for Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, who hurled four interceptions into the hands of the New Orleans Saints defense. His third turnover ended up getting returned from midfield for a Saints touchdown by free safety Marcus Williams, who correctly read the play design and took advantage of a badly-placed ball from Winston. With the ball in his hands, Williams turned on the jets to streak across the field and into the Tampa Bay end zone.

This was Williams’ fourth interception on the year, which leads the Saints defense and ties the 16-game total he collected as a rookie back in 2017. That year, Williams intercepted four passes and was credited with seven other pass breakups. In 2019, he’s already bagged four interceptions while deflecting a dozen passes — through just 10 games.

The big play extended New Orleans’ lead and earned congratulations from Williams’ teammates, including injured cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Lattimore was watching the game from home while nursing a strained hamstring, and he took time to shout out his friend from his official Twitter account:

You love to see it. See the play for yourself where it’s embedded below:

[vertical-gallery id=22474]

Watch: Vonn Bell sends the Saints into halftime with his first career interception

New Orleans Saints safety Vonn Bell sent his team into halftime with his first career interception, snagging a deflected Jameis Winston pass

It’s taken some time, but after 61 games in the NFL, New Orleans Saints safety Vonn Bell can say he’s earned his first interception. Bell was able to send his team into halftime with a turnover, having been in the right spot to recover a ball tipped into the air by Saints linebacker Kiko Alonso. It was the second interception of the day credited against Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, who had another pass (which was also deflected) picked off by Demario Davis earlier in the game.

This was obviously a huge moment for Bell, who entered the NFL with a reputation as a ball hawk for the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Saints obviously valued his abilities and proved that by trading up in the 2016 NFL Draft to pick him, even if it’s taken some time for his ball skills to manifest in the NFL. Bell is having his best season as a pro with this interception, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries in his first ten games. Check out the highlight reel-worthy play for yourself:

[vertical-gallery id=22474]

Jameis Winston throws another crazy interception before halftime

Bad luck just seems to find Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, evident by this interception right before halftime vs Saints.

The next season of the Netflix series “Stranger Things” should really just be a documentary about Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, because this guy seems to have some of the strangest luck around.

Winston entered Sunday with 14 interceptions on the year, and threw two against the New Orleans Saints today before halftime. The first one came through no fault of his own, after tight end O.J. Howard made a bumbling attempt to catch the ball.

The second came courtesy of another strange play.

Take a look as Saints linebacker Kiko Alonso tips the Winston pass right into the arms of his teammate.

Bad luck just seems to find Winston, and fans on Twitter had plenty to say about the play of the Bucs’ quarterback.

[lawrence-related id=25057,25051,25044,25002]

NFL Week 11: How to watch, stream, and wager Saints vs. Buccaneers

The New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are preparing for their Week 11 kickoff. Here’s how to watch, listen, and stream the game.

[jwplayer sXmBDaQ3]

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints have flown out to sunny Raymond James Stadium for a game with the NFC South-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s their tenth meeting with Tampa Bay since the Buccaneers drafted quarterback Jameis Winston back in 2015, a series in which the Saints lead with a 5-4 record. But they’re 2-2 when visiting the Buccaneers on their home turf, making this game far from a guaranteed win. Here’s everything you need to know so that you can watch, listen, or stream Sunday’s kickoff.

Game Information

New Orleans Saints (7-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6)

1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, Nov. 17

Raymond-James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.

Streaming

fuboTV (try it for free)

NFL Game Pass

Television

FOX

Radio

WWL 870 AM and local affiliate stations

Betting

BetMGM (Saints by +5.5, over/under at 50.5)

Extras

Connect with us on our Facebook page and Twitter account  (@TheSaintsWire)

Follow our friends over at Bucs Wire on Twitter (@TheBucsWire), Facebook, and BucsWire.com

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-related id=22503,22489,22338,22446,22308]

[vertical-gallery id=22474]