The Pewter Plank
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Buccaneer Jameis Winston: The true effects of his mistakes

By JD Stenger

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 15: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks off the field after a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 15: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks off the field after a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 15, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 29: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass under pressure against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 29: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass under pressure against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Your quarterback has just gifted your opponent a pick six, now you are down by ten. Because of this fact, your whole mindset has changed. You aren’t playing downhill anymore.

The chance to play loose, and maybe take a chance at an interception that is a 50/50 proposition but would leave the receiver alone, evaporates. Going down by 16 or 17 is not an option. You must stick to the receiver like glue and not take the chance.

Thereby removing the big play potential of your defense to some degree at that point. That’s not to say that the big boys up front couldn’t force a fumble etc.. It does though cut into the ability of defenders to play loose and take chances.

Sometimes taking those chances are what makes a defense great. Putting your athleticism against your opponents and coming out on top is vital to the ability of a defense to rise above others.

The interceptions take away the very thing that has helped all the great defenses become great. It actually lessens the superior athleticism of your players versus theirs.

Playing defense is all about taking chances. Blitzing is a good example of this. You blitz from the right spot and play, and you have a sack, forced fumble. Call it wrong and the other side could take it to the house.

The interceptions can cut into all these things a great defense uses to be who they are. While it is a great thing to have a defense that often can stop the other side after an interception. You are that much further ahead of the game if you do not have to do so.

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