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Buccaneers: Four takeaways from the 2017 NFL draft

By Alan Schechter

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Weapons for Winston is Real

It’s not just a clever hashtag, ladies and gentlemen. It’s not just a movement among Bucs fans. “Weapons for Winston” is real, and the general manager has given the crowd exactly what they want.

Finding a franchise quarterback is the hard part, but grooming him should not be rocket science. As we know, the Bucs have been blessed by finding a franchise quarterback in Jameis Winston. He has gotten better as he has played, and is looking to take that next step in year three. That’s the hard part; finding a quarterback that is the real deal on the field as well as off of it.

The grooming part should be simple and logical. It isn’t always. Ask a New York Jets fan how many quarterbacks they have seen get ruined because they have no idea how to groom one. It’s not that hard. Get the quarterback in place, then find him weapons that he can throw to and grow with.

Thank goodness Jason Licht has taken that strategy head-on. He signed DeSean Jackson. But in the draft, he got him two guys, O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin. Howard is going to help Cameron Brate split the seam and take attention away from Jackson and Mike Evans on the outside. Godwin will add options on passing downs with potential for an expanded role.

They all give Winston additional weapons down the field to look for. “Weapons for Winston” crowd, your voices have been heard loud and clear. Thank goodness!

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