Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota.
The #1 and #2 overall picks of the 2015 NFL draft.
Once they were picked, we knew they would be forever linked and both of their success would be stacked against each others for comparison.
But instead of a matchup between two 5th year QBs, we’ll only see one, Jameis Winston.
As for the Titans, Ryan Tannehill will be making his 2nd straight start for the Titans, after impressing last week against the Los Angeles Chargers.
But instead of me dissecting this matchup, I had a good friend of mine take more of a deep dive into this game and into the nucleus that is know as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Evan Winter of SBNation, and Bucs Nation, was kind enough to explain some interesting storylines that are connected to the Bucs.
You can find more of his work on RockyTopTalk as well, covering the Tennessee Vols.
1. So Evan, I have to start out asking you about Jameis Winston. He’s going through a pivotal 5th season, but he hasn’t seemed to punch his ticket to a long term extension. What gets Jameis into so much trouble and how do you see his future playing out?
Evan Winter:
Ahhh Jameis Winston, the constant topic of conversation in Tampa Bay.
Unfortunately, at this point, the jury is still out on whether or not the Bucs will extend him, franchise him, or kick him to the curb at the end of the year. There’s certainly something to be said about the fact that his future is still unknown halfway through his fifth year, though. The answer may be laying in wait, we just need a few more games for it to show itself.
It’s the multi-turnover games that kill him (not literally, of course). He already has two games with at least three interceptions this season, even if a few of them weren’t his fault. If you take out the San Francisco and the second Carolina game, then he has just two interceptions through four games.
Spotrac.com currently has his market value at around $24 million per year, which honestly, feels about right for what he has done so far in his career. He’ll be 26 at the start of next season and is Tampa Bay’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns. There is still a lot of time left in his career and I’m willing to bet there’s at least one team out there that will take a chance on him if the Bucs decide not to do so.
TreJean: You see, during his stretch of good play earlier in the season, I was really impressed. His turnovers weren’t a major problem and he was airing it out with loads of success. Not that the yards and touchdowns haven’t been a problem, but just the head scratching turnovers that you just don’t see a QB making too often. I believe we do know this though, Winston and Mariota don’t seem to be heading towards those big money extensions.
Now there’s plenty of season left, but it just doesn’t seem all too likely for both in my humble opinion.
2. Mike Evans is one of the more underrated WRs in football. His consistent production with the wild man at QB, in Jameis Winston, will never cease to amaze me. Only thing left to ask is, what makes him so special?
Evan Winter:
Mike Evans is a special player, there’s little debate about that. What makes him so special, outside of his natural size and talent, is the fact that he works his ass off every day. I mean, the dude played a NFL game in the Florida heat after suffering from the flu two days before kickoff.
His dedication and passion for the game is nearly second-to-none. When you have someone as talented as he is, but they’re also willing to work as hard as he does, then it should be no surprise that said person continues to play at a very high level.
What makes him so good is the fact that he is so damn big and physical, but he also has the speed to take the top off the defense. He’s basically assumed the role as Tampa Bay’s deep threat this year, which should tell you all you need to know.
TreJean: Oh no doubt. Hearing about him becoming the primary deep threat is something however. That could only mean more opportunities to just freaking launch it. In all seriousness, it’s pretty amazing to watch him go to work every single week. The Titans will be without one of their best corners in Adoree Jackson, so Malcom Butler and LeShaun Sims will have their hands full come Sunday.
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