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Buccaneers 2018 Off-Season Position Preview: Quarterback

By David Harrison

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs for 17 yards during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on December 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs for 17 yards during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on December 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way through the tunnel to warm up before the start of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on December 18, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way through the tunnel to warm up before the start of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on December 18, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Currently on 2018 Roster

Jameis Winston (63.8% Completions – 3,504 yards – 19 touchdowns – 11 interceptions – 92.2 QBR)

Ryan Griffin – No Regular Season Stats

We all the narrative on Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston. Either you love him, or you hate him. There isn’t a lot of middle ground for the soon to be fourth year quarterback.

The former Heisman Trophy winner just turned 24-years old, has several records under his belt, and has thrown for 3,500 yards or more in each of his pro seasons.

All of this despite a significant injury to his throwing shoulder.

Winston is a pure gunslinger. He never believes a play is dead, and is always looking to make something happen. This causes two things.

One, is the fantastic highlight reel plays he is commonly associated with. The other, are anger inducing plays which more often than desired end up in the hands of the enemy.

Earlier this off-season I dove into some next-gen stats courtesy of NFL.com, and it turns out Winston through risky passes at a lower rate in 2017 than he did in 2016.

Must Read: T.J. Ward Done in Tampa?

However, he also had five more fumbles (15) and lost one more (7) than he did the previous year.

The result was the same, ball security was a big question each and every week and needs to get better for he and the offense to take the next step.

For Griffin, there isn’t a lot to know. He’s only shown up in pre-season games, and while they aren’t without value it’s hard to gauge a player’s potential based on those appearances alone.

The Buccaneers like him. This much we know. Why else would the team sign him to an extension which payed him more than a million dollars in 2017 and 2018 each.

Barring injury or suspension, Winston is going to start opening day for the Bucs. There’s minimal chance this isn’t the case.

However, to say the position is set would be quite the stretch as very little confidence can be placed in a backup situation which was required to lead the team for a quarter of last season.

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