The Buccaneers got their first look at first overall pick Jameis Winston in NFL game action on Saturday night against the Vikings and they saw the quarterback put up a mixed effort.
Winston started slowly, going 2-for 8 with an interception and a sack as the game opened up, but closed with five completions to move into position for an 8-yard touchdown run. Coach Lovie Smith said Winston “did some typical things that a rookie will do” in a performance that left him feeling pretty good about his quarterback.
“I thought he seemed into the game,” Smith said, via USA Today. “He wasn’t rattled or anything. Disappointed when he didn’t do some things that he knows he can do better. Felt pretty good about the good things he did. I thought it was a typical Jameis Winston day.”
One thing Smith would like to see Winston change is how he goes down when he runs with the ball. Winston dove head first at the end of his scrambles on Saturday, including his touchdown, and said it something he said he was told to do because “if you give up yourself in the NFL you’re declared down.”
Smith would prefer to see the former Florida State baseball player lead with his feet, however, and said they’d work on sliding technique with Winston in the near future.