The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Winston leads fast-paced attack during Bucs’ win,
Bucs quarterback takes it to a higher level in his final tuneup for opener.
TAMPA, FLA. — Quarterback Jameis Winston made sure the electricity wasn’t coming just from the new giant video boards that lit up Raymond James Stadium like Times Square on Friday night.
Needing to start fast in the final preseason game for the Bucs’ starters, Winston took control at the line of scrimmage with a no-huddle, all-befuddle offense against the Browns, and calm returned amid the chaos.
Orchestrating an up-tempo attack, changing plays and directing traffic at times on the run, Winston completed 16 of 25 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns to build a 27-3 first-half lead, and the Bucs cruised to a 30-13 preseason victory.
Make no mistake, Winston needed a game like this, and he knew it. The Bucs needed it, too.
Though only an appetizer, it was plenty tasty enough to last until coach Dirk Koetter’s team opens the regular season Sept. 11 in Atlanta.
Remember when Winston was sacked and lost a fumble on the first series in Philadelphia in the preseason opener two weeks ago? When he missed his first six passes — including throwing an interception that bounced off the hands of tight end Cameron Brate — to start the game at Jacksonville last week? Fuggetaboutit.
“We’re blessed to have these amazing scoreboards,” Winston said. “What was done to the stadium for this year is tremendous, and the players took notice. We came out in pregame and were like, ‘Wow, this is amazing.’ And we did not want to disappoint the people here.”
Friday night could not have gone much better for the Bucs unless the game had counted.
Speaking of taking a gorilla off your back, rookie kicker Roberto Aguayo, under siege for missing an extra point and two field goals in the first two preseason games, made all his kicks. It began with a 48-yard field goal to end the first drive, his second-longest attempt of the preseason. Fans stood and cheered as Aguayo ran onto the field. He added a 21-yarder, a 27-yarder and three extra points.
As big as Winston played, his receivers played bigger. Mike Evans, who caught a touchdown pass last week, was dominant in the first half with five receptions for 115 yards and a score. Most of his yardage came on one series in the second quarter.
First Evans got behind the Browns defense for a 47-yard gain before inexplicably stepping out of bounds. He followed that up with a 34-yard touchdown catch, dragging cornerback Jamar Taylor into the end zone.
Winston didn’t just spread the ball around, he drove almost every throw downfield. He hit Vincent Jackson for 31 yards. He connected with Adam Humphries for 23.
“We went a little up-tempo there, so it was good to kind of get the tempo going,” Humphries said. “It was good to see Jameis complete some balls down the field and get into that good rhythm.”