Jameis Winston Punishment

             

     

Winston is obviously a player whose always showing he's blind to the world around him. Winston has already had a number red flags pop up, some big and some small. But when your QB is trying to follow an internet fad and yells '[Expletive] her right in the [expletive]!', referencing the popular youtube star, in a populated area this is a chance, in my mind atleast, to set Winston right. In my mind Fisher and his staff are taking only the easy way out here. Not only to make are they picking a quick and easy choice, but they picked a punishment to satisfy the public's hunger.

In my opinion this was a chance for Fisher to really sit Winston down and explain to him that he's a role model now. Not just tell him to apologize or apologize for him, as they have done in the past, but actually sit him down and explain some things to him. People watching T.V. as young football fans will see his electric plays and look up to him because of that. I remember watching the NFL as I grew up and idolizing Chris Weinke in 1997 to 2000, he never really grew to be anything in the NFL but watching him lead the Seminoles back in the late 90s made me look up to him and his play, I wanted to be like him I wanted to lead like him. I don't doubt that kids these days won't do the same with Winston, who lead the team to a National Title as a freshmen QB. That's what I believe Fisher needs to explain now.  Fisher needs to sit down and let Winston know what he is now, what he means to kids and how he needs to carry himself. 

Winston has acted like a untouchable spoiled kid thus far. When spoiled kids are being punished like this they don't suddenly have an epiphany, they just get butt hurt about being punished, they think that they did was nothing and what they did carried no weight, so why are they being punished? They won't think about what they're being told now, they'll think about how he has been wronged by the punishers and how they doesn't deserve to be treated like this. They will seek the quickest way out of the dog pound and afterwards nothing will change.

Really what needed to happen was Fisher or someone close needed to explain the significance of his action. They need to explain how he's not just carrying himself and a team but also the weight and admiration of his younger fans. 

Honestly this really isn't a situation that's very extreme. I could go into my union right now and yell the same thing, run out like a school girl and face no repercussion. The act obviously wasn't classy, but the performance isn't crazy over the line. This was a really good chance to really sit Winston down over something fairly minor and have him look over how he's been conducting himself. Let Winston self-reflect after something fairly minor and help him grow up and possibility hold himself to a higher standard. This can't just be a one hour talk about Winston. They need to spend a fair amount of time with him talking about this, they can't let him have a quick route out of the dog pound. In a small situation like this, I think a small punishment to satisfy the hungry fans is more harmful than helpful. 

I get it. Winston is a repeat offender guilty of being a short sighted idiot. I get that a lot of people are looking at Winston's past and want blood. But honestly I would rather help a man grow up, when he obviously needs to, and really help him. He obviously needs it and he obviously doesn't understand how much weight he is actually carrying.

Lastly, the whole suspension thing? I doubt it's going to work now. A diffrent approach needs to be taken and the coaching staff needs to do more than just make him go through the motions. I feel bad asking the staff to go out of their way to help a player but from my experience, your team is your family, and family helps family. Seriously this is just a chance for Winston come come in at half time lead his team back to victory and add another story his wikipedia page.

So far Winston has made an apology, but I seriously doubt the sincerity of it.
BUT what he says is right, he's being selfish. He's only thinking of himself. So if somehow they managed to get this idea through his head I will be happily incorrect. But really I just believe this was a good chance to try to help Winston rather than everyone taking the quickest easiest path. It's lazy. 

Buccaneers Need to Adjust

           

           The Bucs have brought in a lot of new talent this season as well as a shiny new coach. But that coach is starting to rub me the wrong way, and by starting to I really mean continuing too. I understand wanting to use tools you're used to but this is starting to get silly.  Starting Mccown is asinine starting Mccown is not the answer, he never has been and honestly, he's just this season Matt Flynn. The only difference being the Bucs and the Seahawks is the Bucs are scared to bench Mccown after spending their money, unlike the Seahawks did with Wilson.

            Now let me start off by saying Glennon is not, I repeat is NOT Russell Wilson, but Glennon IS better than Mccown, most of the starting quarterbacks in the league are. Glennon showed us last season that he's legitimate, and more importantly Glennon showed us improvement last season. That means he's learning, he's growing and Glennon has always been a prospect that has a lot of talent and a high ceiling that he was growing into that ceiling. BUCS! PLEASE DON'T WASTE HIS TALENT! 

           Just because a QB with two pro bowl wide receivers and a good offensive line performs well during a few games, does not mean he can perform on a consistent basis. Teams in the NFL learn, teams adapt, and teams will adjust to handle a lesser, back-up level quarterback overtime. That's what's currently happening. The Bucs staff needs to understand this, cut their losses by benching Mccown and start their starting caliber quarterback. 

          The Buccaneers have a really talented team, both on offense and especially defense. But the team is not currently being utilized to it's fullest potential, and as some one who evaluates teams and talent this irks me. By having Glennon lead the team, the buccaneers would have a shot a the playoffs in my opinion or at the very least find out that both their QB's are garbage, so they can adopt an appropriate drafting strategy.

           With this all being said the Bucs offensive line needs to step it up because they're playing like Trash. They have potential, most of them do at least, so they need to calm down and use it. That being said they've performed worst in run blocking. I believe having Glennon at the helm would improve their pass blocking and as a result their run blocking, as the majority of them have performed well with Glennon in the past.

         Lastly when Doug Martin gets healthy and returns to the field, he needs to perform. Between his recent showings and his injury's he's starting to look a little like a bust even after a solid first season. I can't honestly expect the world of the buccaneers when their run game has just been as poor as can being. Which is an issue that stems from injurys, a lack of drive, blocking, and shoddy Quarterback play, the majority of which I believe Gleenon would be able to assist in. 

         So Bucs, want to win this year? Start Glennon. Unless you enjoy mediocrity. If so, carry on you brave scrubs.

Teddy Bridgewater Breakdown

Teddy Bridgewater

Louisville Cardinals, Junior

6'3" 195-205lb

Teddy Bridgewater, quarterback for the Louisville Cardinals, is one of the most talented football players in the nation and will jump up to the pro level after this season. With the jump to the pros coming soon, let's look at what makes Bridgewater a blue chip franchise player and break him down.

Strengths

The real strength of Bridgewater is his ability to do everything very well; while others player may be better than Bridgewater in one area, as a total package he is unrivaled. Accuracy is the backbone of the quarterback position and if you don't have the ability to be accurate you can't play at the next level. As for accuracy Bridgewater is currently averaging a 71% completion rate not adjusted for drops and throwaways. His short to intermediate range is particularly impressive, but his deep ball placement and accuracy leave something to be desired.

Bridgewater also has great pocket presences and even better pocket agility. Bridgewater's ability to step up fin the pocket and away from pressure he's feeling and to generate more time for himself to make a play are at another level compared to other players.

Here we see Bridgewater escaping pressure and extending a play on a 3rd down. He breaks pocket to the left and pulls the zone coverage defender away from #10 Dominique Brown to make a first down on the play and get the 1st down. All while never taking his eyes off down field, even when under duress, like so many young players do.

Credit to @CJZERO

Another true strength to Bridgewater's game is his scheme versatility. You know that Bridgewater will be able to play no matter what system he is put into. He doesn't lack arm strength ( Above average but not ungodly ) so that doesn't limit him to west coast style systems; he's got speed, so modern fad schemes like the "read-option" working out a pistol formation are a possibility for him but would probably be a waste. Not to mention Bridgewaters mechanics are fantastic, the toe is always pointed at the receiver and he always drives off his front foot, generating good velocity with ease. Even when Bridgewater is feeling pressure, he avoids falling back onto his back leg and creating a possible turnover. He sticks in the pocket, takes a hit, and delivers a strike.

Weaknesses

Bridgewater has few faults, and most of his issue are not necessarily bad; just not good. His size, for example, is not prototypical and is a tad on the smaller side; but no where near the Manziel/Wilson area.

As I said before another weakness in Bridgewaters game is his deep ball. His touch is lacking and often sails the ball a bit to far off or just off target.  Possibly the biggest concern for NFL teams might be his durability. Because Bridgewater stays in the pocket and takes hits to deliver a pass, he gets hit at full force a lot.

Just look at this crushing hit laid down by Bostic, now linebacker for the Chicago Bears, taken in last year's 2013 NFL Draft. It's not only this hit though, he takes a lot of these shots and that may be a concern going forward. Though so far he has avoided any long term injuries.

Lastly, his level of competition has not been fantastic. To be honest though, the level of competition is utterly worthless when it comes to quarterback evaluation. When looking at a quarterback you look at skill sets, not level of competition. You don't need such a high level of competition to see that abilities such as ball placement are there. Also, while his release is quick and compact, the ball does come out a little low ( just below the ear ) which can lead to some possible batted balls.

NFL Projection

In the end, Brigewater will be a top-5 pick and there is no reason to think he will leave that position. Honestly, it's hard to see him falling past the number one spot at this point. Any team that ends up with him will most likely have a franchise quarterback for years to come.

Buffalo Bills Projected Depth Chart And Season Projection.

QB E.J Manuel, K.Kolb, T. Jackson
FB F.Summers
RB C.Spiller, F.Jackson, T.Choice
WR S.Johnson, B.Smith, M.Easly, K.Elliot
TE S.Chandler, C.Gragg, L.Smith
LT C.Glenn, Z. Sanders T.Welch
LG C.Brown, S.Young
C E.Woods, D.Snow
RG K.Urbik, K.Williams
RT C.Hairston, E.Pears

WR D.Rodgers, R.Woods, T. Graham
Slot R.Woods, T. Graham, M.Goodwin, 

DE A.Branch, C.Bryant
NT M.Dareus, T.Troup
DE M .Williams, M.Anderson, J.Hughes
Sam M.Lawson, A.Moats, K. Brown
Mike K. Alonso, B. Scott, M.Dowtin
Will N.Bradham, B.Scott, 
Rush J.Hughes, M. Anderson M.Williams
RCB S Gilmore, R Brooks, J. Rodgers, D.Ellis
LCB L.McKelvin, C. Butler. T.Heath
FS  J. Byrd, M.Silva
SS D.Williams, A. Williams, J. Meeks
K R.Lindell, D.Hopkins
P S.Powell
LS G.Sanborm

The Depth Chart
Offense
Starting with the QB, I have EJ starting over Kolb, or Jackson. I have two good reasons for this, the first being, if you take a player in the first round of the NFL draft you are taking that player to start him. Second, EJ is already the best QB on the team, Kolb has too many problems including injury concerns, as well as a weak arm. Starting Kolb forces you to take a lot of deep plays out of the playbooks. And even if Kolb starts he'll probably get hurt and be out for at least half the season. Next, the biggest surprise on here is the second Receiver being an undrafted free agent. But seriously this kid is a 1st round talent with a 1st string receiver upside. Not only that but he's pretty pro ready, the only reason he fell, and I mean the ONLY reason is character concerns. If Rodgers can keeping his shit together he will be this years Vontaze Burfict. Also I have Woods in the slot because that is where he will fit best and where the team can maximize his talent. This will give EJ a strong receiving core, as well a new set of receivers to grow with and make strong bonds with.
CJ Spiller need the majority of the carries, that is all.
Aside for Chandler the TE will be based on package.
The Line is obvious I see little change for much change there, Z.Sanders could take a massive step forward like the team was hoping, and make for an interesting situation but that about it.
Defence
Keep Mario's hands in the dirt! It is where he plays his best. And with the J.Hughes trade that just happened They have a new rush linebacker that can keep Mario in the dirt more. I'm expecting a lot out of Hughes, he still has a lot of upside and for the first time in his career might be utilized, he could make the defense a lot more explosive.
Corners are pretty obvious, Gilmore will be put in situation where he can press and add to run support a lot. And Leonidas will be in off/man a lot on the other side.
D.Williams will start, his by far the second best safety on the roster now and will really help make plays across from Byrd.
Special Teams.
Maybe cut Lindell for Hopkins to save money without losing much talent?
Returners will be B.Smith, maybe a little R.Woods.

Season prediction
This is a pretty tough schedule this year for the bills, and with the team being really young now expect alot of bumps but also look for and improved defense to surprise and get after QB, really disrupting teams like the Dolphins who have no tackles right now.
I give the Bills a 9-7 as a best possible an a 5-11 as the worst while expecting a 7-9 overall. I'm expecting a lot of rookie surprises here and new, more explosive team.