Despite difficult environment Winston walks away a winner
The Tampa Tribune, published 2 November 2015

Jameis Winston has played in two of the loudest, most hostile domes in the NFL and walked out a winner. His teammates have noticed.

The Bucs’ rookie quarterback did not throw an interception for the third consecutive game while leading Tampa Bay to a 23-20 overtime victory against the Falcons at the Georgia Dome, displaying the poise and confidence that helped him become the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

“Very few people are as positive as Jameis,’’ Bucs rookie guard Ali Marpet said. “Very few people want to win as much as him. Mentally, he’s an incredibly tough dude — and he just showed that to everybody who ever doubted him.’’

Winston, who also guided Tampa Bay to a 26-19 victory in New Orleans in Week 2, completed 16 of 29 passes for 177 yards. The Bucs converted six of 13 on third down as Winston audibled like a seasoned pro, throwing for one touchdown and running for another. “We see the growth in Jameis every week,’’ Lavonte David said. “These rookies today, they basically carry the team on their back.’’

During Tampa Bay’s 15-play drive to start overtime, Winston sustained a 68-yard march three times with third-down completions, finding running back Charles Sims for 4 yards, Mike Evans for 14 yards and Adam Humphries for 6 yards. When the Falcons ramped up their pass rush, Winston burned them with his legs, running three times for 24 yards.

“Jameis did great today,’’ veteran left guard Logan Mankins said. “Some of those scrambles were perfect. Everyone’s rushing up the field, he may as well take the easy yards. He’s doing a fantastic job. He’s a smart guy who doesn’t do a lot of dumb things.’’

The Bucs won the turnover battle 4-0 as Winston proved more careful with the football than his veteran counterpart, Matt Ryan. “It was an honor just to play against him, Mr. Ryan,’’ Winston said.

That first-year Bucs offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter coached Ryan the past three seasons provided incentive for Winston. “I had a chip on my shoulder because this was coach Koetter’s quarterback,” he said.