‘Thankful’ Winston set for fresh start
While most of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used their bye week to get away from work and relax, Jameis Winston stayed closer to home and continued to prepare for his first start in nearly 10 months.
The No. 1 overall pick from the 2015 draft missed the first three games of the season while serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Winston came off the bench for the second half of a 48-10 loss to the Chicago Bears two weeks ago. On Sunday, he resumes his role as Tampa Bay’s starting quarterback against struggling NFC South rival Atlanta.
The fourth-year pro said yesterday he’s both grateful to be back and eager to help the Bucs improve on a 2-2 start.
“I’m thankful I had the support of my teammates and the (organization) throughout the suspension,” said Winston, who was disciplined by the league following an investigation of an accusation that he groped a female Uber driver in Arizona in 2016.
“I worked so hard for this opportunity (to have a NFL career),” the quarterback said. “To have it taken away briefly, it can make you reflect on things. Every day is a blessing to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer and play this great game. I’ve got to do my best to take advantage of it.”
Winston is taking the reins of the NFL’s top passing attack and No. 2-ranked offense overall, thanks to a record-breaking performance by veteran backup Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick, who’s played for seven teams during a 14-year career, became the first player in league history to top 400 yards passing in three consecutive games.
The Bucs opened with upsets of New Orleans and Super Bowl champion Philadelphia, then were outscored 68-13 in the first half of losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Bears, who led 38-3 when Fitzpatrick was benched.
Brown in legal fight
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown is planning to fight a pair of lawsuits filed against him stemming from an incident at a Florida apartment complex last spring.
Ophir Sternberg is seeking damages against Brown, claiming that objects thrown by Brown from the 14th floor of an apartment building came close to striking Sternberg’s father and Sternberg’s 22-month-old son in April. The lawsuit claims Sternberg’s son was “extremely traumatized” by the event.
A second lawsuit filed by the owner of the apartment building is seeking more than $15,000 in damages from Brown.
Brown told police that the incidents occurred after a gun and $80,000 were stolen from the apartment. Brown said in a statement yesterday the lawsuits contained “false claims” against him.
“The facts will soon come out that prove my innocence,” Brown said. “My focus will remain on football and I will not let the cases serve as a distraction.”
Olson may play
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is ecstatic to have Greg Olsen back on the football field.
The 33-year-old Olsen practiced yesterday and is expected to return to action Sunday against the Redskins after missing three games with a broken foot.
Olsen was one of the most durable players in the NFL during his first 10 seasons, never missing a game due to injury while playing in 158 consecutive games. But he’s missed 12 of the last 18 games since first fracturing his right foot in Week 2 of last season.
Hicks avoids ban
Defensive end Akiem Hicks takes pride in being a leader for the Chicago Bears defense.
So an ejection against Tampa Bay on Sept. 30 for making contact with an NFL official during an altercation caused Hicks to reflect, and avoiding suspension left him feeling fortunate.
Hicks was fined $33,425, and will be available to play Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
“This was the first time I’ve been ejected from a game in my entire life, so for me it was very humbling,” said Hicks, who played 13 games for the Pats in 2015. “The next time I’m in that situation it will give me a chance to react better.
“It’s also a lesson to the guys on the team that you don’t put your personal situation above the team’s situation.”