The Pewter Plank
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Jameis Winston is the best quarterback in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history

By Dylan Grimm

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) /
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TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 13: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after throwing his second interception of the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Raymond James Stadium on September 13, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 13: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after throwing his second interception of the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Raymond James Stadium on September 13, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Winston’s career, in a nutshell

Winston took another step forward in 2016, again throwing for over 4,000 yards and increasing his touchdown totals to 28. Since then, it has been a roller coaster of a career for Winston as he regressed in 2018, and only played nine games in 2019 due to a suspension and a benching to Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Winston’s numbers, however, were not terrible in the time he saw the field last year as he threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns in that nine game span. Adjusting these stats over a 16 game season would have seen Winston throw for around 5,300 yards and 38 touchdowns last season.

There is no question that Winston can rip the football, but his passing yards have never been the issue; it is the amount of interceptions he throws. Hitting 5,300 yards and 38 touchdowns can cover a multitude of wrongdoings, but throwing an adjusted 25 interceptions last year is not one of those sins. Winston has thrown 58 interceptions over the first four years of his career, a number that must be cleaned up if he wants a second contract in Tampa Bay.

With the guidance of Arians and the Super Bowl champion Leftwich, Winston should take the step we all want to see. Winston is a Heisman winner and a national champion and is a proven stud quarterback. He clearly has the arm talent to throw for 5,000 yards in a season, but has to figure it out between the ears.

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It is time to put it all together and take the NFC South and the rest of the NFL by storm. Expect big things in 2019 with new mentors and new leadership in Tampa Bay from the most talented quarterback in Bucs’ franchise history. One thing is for sure, no other quarterback in Buccaneers’ history could sling it the way that Winston does.

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