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- NFL quarterback prospect Jameis Winston impressed coaches and scouts during Florida State Pro Day on March 31.
NFL quarterback prospect Jameis Winston impressed coaches and scouts during Florida State Pro Day on March 31.
Jameis Winston turned in a great performance during FSU Pro Day on March 31.
According to The Tallahassee Democrat’s Jim Henry, Winston threw 102 passes while impressing scouts and coaches present during the 55-minute session. Winston tried to establish a rhythm early on, eventually settling into a groove especially on red-zone throws.
NFL.com’s Chase Goodbread stresses quarterbacks normally throw 60 to 70 passes on their pro days. Winston, who threw a wide selection of pass routes, went above the norm.
Winston told Henry he threw more passes than usual because of his competitiveness. He also wanted to give his Florida State teammates a chance to show the coaches and scouts on hand what they’re capable of.
The Tampa Bay Times’ Matt Baker also notes Winston threw nine incompletions, with four of them dropped passes.
One thing is for sure, Jameis Winston isn’t shy about why he should be the No. 1 overall pick. http://t.co/aaTuuKwvjc pic.twitter.com/MhK9yC6wzt— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 31, 2015
All in all, Winston told the NFL Network (via The Tallahassee Democrat) he was satisfied with his performance on Tuesday:
“I felt it went great because the guys were great.
“It was great to be out there with those guys, that’s my team. The (NFL) Combine is different; that’s my team (at Pro Day). Those are my brothers.”
Winston, who has lost 20 pounds since he played for the Seminoles last season, also told the NFL Network (via The Tallahassee Democrat) he feels he needs to improve on his pocket management:
“It’s about moving in the pocket and being able to extend plays and I just wanted to show that and I believe I did.
“I have to improve on my pocket management. I have to know when to move just one step or move six yards. I believe that throwing on the run is different than just managing the pocket and taking a step back and being able to (throw it) with accuracy.
“Throwing on the run is different. I am going to work on that–hard.”
Among those in attendance were the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ staff, per ESPN’s Pat Yasinskas: head coach Lovie Smith, general manager Jason Licht, offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter and quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian. The Bucs have the first overall pick of the upcoming NFL draft on April 30.
Others who witnessed Winston’s FSU Pro Day were Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, per ESPN.
Licht told Yasinskas he was impressed with Winston. The Tampa Bay general manager also stressed Winston managed to maintain his scouting combine weight of 231 pounds:
“He had a great day. He threw a full nine innings.
“I think that puts a little bit of water on that, maybe puts that fire out. He showed his arm strength from Throw 1 to Throw 100 or whatever it was.”
Smith was just as impressed, per The Tampa Bay Times:
“I think everything was impressive. Threw the ball well, made all the throws, long workout. There was nothing to disappoint you.”
Winston’s head coach at Florida State, Jimbo Fisher, echoed Licht and Smith’s sentiments, per Baker. “I thought he was excellent,” Fisher quipped. “I thought he had a really good day Typical Jameis day.”
Yasinskas says the Buccaneers will also schedule private workouts with 2014 Heisman Trophy winner and former Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota. For his part, Licht says the Buccaneers will weigh their options very carefully.
“It’s just part of the process,” he told ESPN. “We’re going to use every minute of time that we have here in the next few weeks to make a decision.”
According to Baker, Mariota was 60-of-65 passing with one dropped pass in his Oregon Pro Day in early March.
When asked why the Bucs should draft him first overall, Winston didn’t hesitate, per The Tampa Bay Times’ Greg Auman.
“Because I’m the best player in the draft,” Winston told Auman.
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