Buccaneers: Five Reasons for Concern Heading Into 2017

Jameis Winston

Now don’t get angry. I am not advocating for the release of Jameis Winston or anything crazy like that. Remember I said that there were some aspects of play, held by incumbent players, that need to get better? Well, here is one of them.

First, the good.

Winston has all of the physical tools to be one of the best. Just watch him play. Some of the plays he can make both with his legs and with his arm are absolutely unbelievable. Remember the throw to Adam Humphries for the score during the Dallas game? That was one of the best throws ANYBODY made all season long. His touchdown totals did jump from 22 in his rookie season to 28 in 2016.

Two stats also jumped up that shouldn’t. His sack totals went from 27 to 35, and his interceptions went from 15 to 18. Some of the sacks were on the offensive line but some weren’t. At times, his pocket awareness is lacking, and it leads to sacks. Sometimes it leads to fumbles as well. He has to have a better feel for when to hang in there and when to get out. He has to make that decision and GO!

Too many times, Winston throws the ball into tight windows, makes bad decisions, and ends up getting picked off. Now, the spirit of trying to make a play is good, but he has to be selective. Sometimes it’s better to throw it away and live for the next down. Sometimes he follows that rule, but not always.

If he steps this part of his game up, he will take the next step and become elite. If he continues this way, he will be the decent quarterback that could have been so much more.