If you’re the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ management, these are anxious, unsettling times. Trying to right the franchise ship, save jobs and put last year’s lost season behind them isn’t made easier by the season-opening, three-game suspension of starting quarterback–and, alas, face of the franchise–Jameis Winston.
Winston, we know, came to the Bucs with all that sexual assault notoriety–plus other conduct baggage from Florida State–as the league’s number one draft pick. He was damaged–but talented, Heisman-winning–goods. But he has been incident-free in the Tampa Bay community. In fact, the Bucs have been pleased at how he has officially represented them around town.
But other towns count no less. Now there’s the groping case involving a female Uber driver in Las Vegas that has put Winston and Bucs’ management into the national #MeToo crosshairs–not where any organization with a social conscience and PR cognizance wants to be. Now there’s the league suspension, which Winston didn’t appeal, after an eight-month investigation that refuted his denials. He ultimately offered up a lame, pro-forma apology.
And rest assured, “win one for the groper” has been making the rounds.
There’s also this. Three years in, Winston still doesn’t look as good as expected–or as needed. More Josh Freeman than Tom Brady. Much more.
The Bucs bottom-line dilemma: Can they really win with this guy? And if so, would they be winning with Dr. Jameis or Mr. Hyde?