Managing QB Winston is risky business

TAMPA — “I’m taker.’’

That’s what Jameis Winston told Browns rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer last month in a postgame conversation. It was a candid moment that sums up the Bucs’ dilemma.

Dirk Koetter laughed when he saw the exchange, captured by HBO’s “Hard Knocks.’’ “Yeah, duh!’’ Koetter said. Winston has never met a play he didn’t like, never attempted a throw he couldn’t make. Those attributes have served him well.

But as the Bucs finally open the season at 1 p.m. Sunday at home against Chicago, managing the risk that comes with Winston will likely not only define the season but his career. a risk

Koetter perfectly describes the emotional swings of coaching one of the league’s most dynamic and hazardous passers.

“The very first pass of his career, he’s a rookie. Adam [Humphries] is a rookie. We’re backed up in our own end. Adam doesn’t run a great route. Jameis is trying to make a play and now we’re down 6-0.

“Sometimes it’s OK to punt right there because we do have a terrific punter and an excellent punt-coverage team.

“Then you fast-forward to Chicago last year and he scrambles 30 yards back in our own end zone; I’m holding my breath the whole time. He throws a bomb to Mike Evans. Now on the next play, he hits Freddie [Martino] for a touchdown. So it’s risk-reward.’’

How do the Bucs manage that risk-reward equation? How much of Winston’s competitive fire can rage before he burns down the house?

“I told him many, many times, in the NFL, the talent is too close,’’ Koetter said. “You just can’t afford to get two touchdowns down and try to make great comebacks every week. Can you do it once in a while? Sure.’’

The Winston benefit analysis goes like this:

He’s the only player in NFL history to throw for more than 4,000 yards each of his first two seasons.

He improved his team from six wins as a rookie to nine last season.

For every pick six or egregious fumble, there are four or five other plays that may win the game. The cost: His 50 touchdown passes have come at a cost of 42 turnovers — 33 interceptions and eight lost fumbles.

The player Winston most resembles, at least early in his career, is Packers Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. Steve Mariucci would know. He coached Winston in the Under Armor High School all-star game and was Favre’s quarterbacks coach in his early years with the Packers.

“For every poor decision that loses you a game, he will make four or five unbelievable plays to win those games,’’ Mariucci said.

Winston is 32 games into his NFL career. Is this likely to change? “No,’’ Mariucci said. “He’ll learn when to go for it. But it’s not going to change unless you do an intervention.

“When he’s 57, he’ll have the same competitive spirit.’’