Which is the more risky pick between Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota?
I’ve always been a big picture guy. At times, that’s a strength. At times, a fault. Sometimes, I’m more concerned with where I’m going than where I am. I firmly believe, however, in many facets of life, be it relationships, sports, or otherwise, that sometimes it’s necessary to take a step backward in the present in order to take two forward in the future.
This was certainly my paradigm as it pertained to the 2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers as of the midpoint of their season. I often used my platform as afternoon drive host on sports radio in Tampa to wonder aloud what a win or wins in the present were really worth for an organization that had never had a franchise quarterback, and with two potential stars at the position likely available in the 2015 draft.
The best possible outcome came to fruition when the Buccaneers tanked a 20-7 halftime lead to New Orleans in the season’s final game, earning a glorious loss and with it, the No. 1 overall selection. And now with Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston having both deciding to forgo their remaining college eligibility to turn professional, the only question remaining is – whom is the correct choice to man the quarterback position for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the next 15 years?
To this writer, the choice is clear. For many reasons, it’s Jameis Winston. Let’s count them and delve a bit deeper, shall we?
No. 1 – Jameis Winston can do it all. There are no holes in his game. He is the true, prototype, pocket passer NFL teams covet His size is ideal, at 6’4 and 230 pounds. He completes a high percentage of his passes – 66 percent for his career at Florida State. Often times, when watching the ‘Noles, (an exercise in frustration as a Gator alum), I felt Winston’s arm strength against college defensive backs bordered on unfair. And although running isn’t the featured part of his game, once in awhile he’ll stun you by doing something like this:
No. 2 – I believe Winston’s indiscretions are more a matter of immaturity than poor character. That is to say, I believe there’s enough “good” within Jameis and his background to believe, with some level of uncertainty that the days of stealing crab legs and yelling public obscenities are over or at least will subside considerably. Many Buccaneers fans I spoke to on the radio were having nightmares of a Johnny Manziel type situation in Tampa with Winston – I just don’t see that. One thing that’s never been questioned with his Jameis Winston is his work ethic and dedication to the game. The same can’t be said for Johnny Football.
No. 3 – Jameis Winston has an insatiable appetite for winning. I realize making a Florida/Florida State comparison borders on blasphemy, but he reminds me of Tim Tebow in this regard. How many times was Florida State losing or tied heading into the 4th quarter only to pull some miracle out of their backside to land in the “W” column? At first, it could be explained by luck. Then, it was that FSU’s average opponents didn’t know how to finish. With any other team, tied or losing at that stage of the game, winning is a 50/50 proposition at best. With Florida State under Jameis Winston, you didn’t wonder if they were going to win. You knew they would. It was almost like watching a movie you’d seen many times before. In my case, a flick I didn’t particularly care for.
No. 4 – Winston is a galvanizing leader. He’s got the “IT” factor – always tough to define, but you know it when you see it. He’s in total control of his team on the field and in the locker room. He’s their pulse. You don’t think the Buccaneers could use someone like that after trotting out Napolean Dynamite (Mike Glennon) under center? Even when Winston was suspended for a game against Clemson, he was a leader for the team and the backup quarterback, Sean Macguire, during timeouts and on the sidelines, pointing out to his understudy what he was seeing, and offering impassioned encouragement, even when winning seemed almost impossible.
All of this is not to say that Mariota doesn’t have his strengths. He led the most prolific offense in college football. He’s got impeccable character. He’s incredibly mobile, and he’s a Heisman winner. Mariota has been described as a safe pick, Winston the risky one. I’d like to dispute this.
Let’s tally it, shall we?
More risky – a player with a complete NFL skill set or one with questions? Answer: Mariota
More risky – a vocal leader at the quarterback position or a quiet, lead by example type? Answer: Mariota
More risky – a player with character questions or one with none? Answer: Winston
More risky – a player who makes all the throws in pro style offense, or one featured in a high octane rushing attack with a preponderance of throws made horizontally? Answer: Mariota.
More risky – a player whose results and statistics hadn’t been seen at his school in decades, or a player whose system seems to produce similar results regardless of the name under center? Answer: Mariota.
As an aside here, note these facts – in his first two years starting at Oregon, Mariota’s predecessor, Darron Thomas, completed 63 percent of his passes, with 63 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. In Mariota’s first two seasons – 66 percent, 63, and 10. I rest my case.
On four of five counts, I tab Jameis Winston as the less risky selection if what you’re looking is the possibility of a true franchise quarterback.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are wise to do their due diligence, to bring both Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston in for workouts, to interview them, to vet them heavily, to play coy with other teams to increase their bargaining power. Yet in the end, is their really a choice? It’s so clear to me, the optometrist says I’m better than 20/20 on this one. Jameis Winston to the Buccaneers with the #1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, and an improvement to 8-8 in year one.
I’m Marc Ryan, and I approve this message.