Rats. Reality.
For all of you who wanted to believe this NFL thing was going to be an easy thing for Bucs’ rookie Jameis Winston, for all of you who thought he would show up and be great, well, it’s going to be as difficult for him as it is for most rookies who do not enter with pre-made football teams.
Winston hit only nine of 19 passes for 131 yards and an interception in his preseason debut Saturday night against the Minnesota Vikings, misfiring on his first three balls and at one point throwing five straight incompletions. Winston seemed nervous at first, then later seemed to get into a rhythm with a drive inside the final two minutes of the first half.
Perhaps you thought it would be better. Perhaps, after hearing head coach Lovie Smith praise how quickly Winston had picked things up, you felt he would be more crisp and would throw a better ball. Well, good thing for you this was practice then.
The bottom line is this: The Bucs were a 2-14 team last season, and they showed it. Both rookie tackle Donovan Smith and rookie guard Ali Marpet had their moments. Center Garrett Gilkey still struggles with the snap. The defense still gives up big plays.
The Bucs now have until Aug. 24 before playing a home game against Cincinnati.
