Buccaneers: Jameis Winston Ranked Ninth Best Quarterback on a Roster

Dec 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) gestures after a third quarter touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) gestures after a third quarter touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston was recognized by FOX Sports as one of the top quarterbacks currently on an NFL roster.

Respect. It’s something we have talked about the Buccaneers not receiving for a while now. Despite the fact that the team just missed the playoffs with a 9-7 record, they have struggled to earn national attention. During the season, I wrote about the fact that Mike Evans deserved national attention that he just wasn’t getting.

Since then, the tide has started to turn. The Bucs have made some prominent free agent moves that national media has more than approved of. The world took notice of the DeSean Jackson signing, one of the best of the offseason. An NFL Network host believes that the Bucs will do like the Falcons did and make the jump to the Super Bowl.

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And now, we begin to see the tide turn for another one of our own, quarterback Jameis Winston. It has taken some time for him to earn respect, a lot of it not being fair. Despite being a great face for the franchise, he still gets overcriticized for small mistakes that he can learn from.

But that is changing, Bucs fans. Cameron DaSilva of FOX Sports has released a list of the top 50 quarterbacks currently on an NFL roster. Guess who made it to number 9? “Famous Jameis”, that’s who. Here is what he had to say:

"Winston made great progress in his second season, developing into a much better passer than he was as a rookie. His ceiling is remarkably high, and if he can cut down on turnovers in Year 3, he’ll rise further on this list."

Honestly? This assessment of Winston is dead on. The only thing that will stand in the way of Jameis Winston being great is Jameis Winston. He has all the tools. He can make all of the throws, some of them not to be believed, and he can improvise with his feet. The physical tools are there.

Between the ears will be the key to Winston’s success. He still forgets, at times, that it’s OK to let a play go and live for the next down, even if that down is fourth down. Winston tries to do too much and it gets him in trouble. If he can get past that for good, the sky is the limit.

Next: Bucs Options at Running Back

How about that, huh? Winston in the top ten. Don’t you love that? Comment below.