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Buccaneers hope to fix Jameis Winston with Bruce Arians

By Cory Kinnan

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 30: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) looks over the defense during the first half of an NFL game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Bucs on December 30, 2018, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 30: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) looks over the defense during the first half of an NFL game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Bucs on December 30, 2018, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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After four years of inconsistent play, Jameis Winston has one more chance to prove the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the right choice by taking him.

Best-case scenario

Jameis Winston finally puts it all together as Bruce Arians and Byron Leftwich help him to reach the potential the Buccaneers saw when selecting him first-overall in 2015.

In this world, the Buccaneers offense will be explosive in 2019. Still, the running game must improve for this to come to fruition.

The defensive talent added to the roster along with young players showing signs of maturity could lead to a much-improved unit after finishing near the bottom of the league. The best-case scenario for the Buccaneers would end in a 10-11 win season and their first playoff berth in over a decade.

Worst-case scenario

If the Buccaneers start their season poorly, it could lead to a total rebuild in Arians’ first year as head coach. Winston will be looking for a new home, the roster will endure a massive overhaul, and the Buccaneers will be selecting another quarterback in the top 10 of the 2020 NFL Draft. All in all, it could be more than Arians signed up for when he agreed to come on with the Buccaneers this offseason.

Confidence level (Low, medium or high)

Medium.

Arians has brought hype to the Buccaneers’ fanbase, and even Pro Football Focus has turned its attention to the team in a positive way. However, it is impossible to know which Winston will show up on a weekly basis.

After a year of virtually no running game, the team decided to make minimal changes to the offensive line and no changes in the backfield. The Buccaneers are also fielding a similar secondary to last year, despite finishing near the bottom of the league against the pass. They are banking a ton of money on a change of coaching and scheme as a sufficient means of improvement.

X-Factor

Winston.

At his best, Winston has the ability to throw the ball all over the field. At his worst, he gets into off-field trouble and throws interceptions galore when on it. Entering his contract year, it is time for the Heisman Trophy winner  to prove his worth. Either he leads the Buccaneers offense down the field and lights up the scoreboard at Raymond James Stadium, or he could potentially be looking for a new place to play football after this season.

Turning point

Week 6. Tampa Bay travels to London to take on the division-rival Carolina Panthers. There are multiple layers to this game that make it the turning point of the Buccaneers’ season. First, Tampa is forfeiting a divisional game at home to play overseas. The community is not thrilled about this as they feel robbed as an opportunity to see their team. Secondly, This is the third of five straight games away from Raymond James. If the Bucs can have at least a .500 record by this point, it will merit some optimism.

Best moment in team history

January 26, 2003. The Oakland Raiders had scored three straight possessions after Rich Gannon had connected with Jerry Rice on a 48-yard pass. The Buccaneers could see a large lead dwindling in the biggest game in franchise history. After the Raiders get the ball back again and look to cut the lead to one score, Gannon droppe back to pass and was picked off by future Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks. As he scampers down the sideline on the interception return, yard by yard, the Buccaneers can feel the Lombardi Trophy within their grasp. Touchdown Brooks. Buccaneers are Super Bowl XXXVII champions.