Winston’s camp far from normal
TAMPA, Fla. — The airhorn had sounded some 15 minutes earlier, relieving the players of their post-practice obligations to the hundreds of autographseeking fans. Aside from a few stragglers that visited with family members and friends, nearly all 90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers players had deserted the new indoor practice facility. But still, Jameis Winston signed. Under normal circumstances, the sight of Winston — Tampa’s leading man since his first overall selection in the 2015 draft — mobbed by these fans (men, women, children) wouldn’t command a second glance.
They have loved him since his arrival, and Winston in turn has embraced and appreciated the responsibilities that come with his role. He routinely lends himself to moments like this and many charitable works around the community.
But things aren’t normal for Winston and the Bucs this training camp. Still looming: Winston’s three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. It’s the punishment handed down by the league in late June following an NFL investigation of a female Uber driver’s accusations made public last fall that Winston groped her in Scottsdale, Arizona in March 2016.
Rules permit Winston to take part in all training camp practices and preseason games. But for the first three weeks of the season, he can’t have any contact with the team. The Buccaneers and Winston as a result find themselves in an awkward and conflicting position.
Despite the revelation of the incident in Scottsdale, and the punishment that ensued, team officials and teammates have supported Winston, still heralding him as the face of the franchise. Last Thursday’s setting (which mirrored that of any open practice session this summer) showed Winston remains as popular as ever with the fans, and he welcomes the opportunity to display his appreciation for them.
Yet, the team and his handlers also want the quarterback to maintain a low profile, restricting his media access. Aside from a training camp-opening press conference — during which Winston expressed disappointment in himself for his actions two years ago and tried to focus on the growth he has exhibited since that point, and reiterated his commitment to serving team and community — Winston has not spoken to reporters. The team has denied requests to speak to the quarterback, including those for this story. They hope this will allow the scrutiny of Winston to fade so he and his teammates can focus solely on football. But in reality, Winston — the person and the player — will remain under the microscope well beyond his return from suspension.
Conflicting circumstances extend onto the field as well.
Winston remains a central figure, directing, encouraging and leading teammates through drills and practice plays. Yet, most reps occur with second- and third-string players rather than the starters. There’s the occasional firstteam rep, or position drill pairing with starting wide receivers Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson. Coach Dirk Koetter and his assistants must adequately prepare interim starter Ryan Fitzpatrick and backup Ryan Griffin for the season. Yet, they also must give Winston as much work as possible so he returns from suspension with a strong enough foundation to step back in as the starter.
The Bucs can’t afford a bad start to the season during Winston’s absence, nor can they afford for Winston to struggle in his return. They share the NFC South with three playoff-caliber teams — the Saints, Falcons and Panthers — and missteps at either juncture would ruin Tampa Bay’s aspirations of rebounding from last year’s 5-11 campaign and contend for their own postseason bid. They still see their goal as attainable thanks to the experience of Fitzpatrick, a journeyman of 13 seasons with 119 starts in 133 appearances, the talent around him on offense, and an overhauled defensive front. And Winston’s work ethic and ability to focus despite all that swirls around him also gives coaches and players hope regarding his return. But no one really knows what kind of results this toggling preparation act will produce.
“I really don’t know the answer to that,” Koetter admits. “I’ve never been this position before. It’s a fine line.”
As the Buccaneers reported for training camp, Koetter challenged Winston to “lead from the rear.” He wanted Winston to remain vocal and proactive, but to lead more by example while deferring to and supporting Fitzpatrick.