10:02 am | September 26, 2018 | Go to Source | Author:
TAMPA, Fla. — On his first day back at practice following three-game suspension, Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston was asked how he’d handle possibly being the second-string quarterback behind Ryan Fitzpatrick.
“The most important thing is the success we are having,” said Winston. “I’m just happy to be back, man. I’m happy that I can be a part of that. I’m not watching from a distance. I can be here with my teammates.”
Head coach Dirk Koetter hasn’t officially named a starter for Week 4 against the Chicago Bears, but a shortened week, along with the Bucs’ 2-1 start with Fitzpatrick have led some to believe that they’ll continue to go with the 35-year-old signal-caller for at least another week.
Koetter said Tuesday that he isn’t divulging who his starter will be, even after meeting with both Winston and Fitzpatrick and informing them of the team’s plan.
Winston actually told general manager Jason Licht before his departure that he believed Fitzpatrick would excel. And he has, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 400 yards in three consecutive games.
“This is what I expected,” Winston said. “Obviously, it’s a tough situation to say but it’s a win-win situation baby. [We’re] here balling hard, [we’re] winning. The community is behind us. I’m happy, everyone is happy, you guys are happy. As long as we [are] happy, [we’re] good.”
Winston was not permitted to practice at the team facility while suspended but conducted his own 2½ hour workouts every day with about 25 players. He watched all three of the games, sending congratulatory text messages to teammates.
“I think it’s exciting. I’m at home — sometimes you don’t wanna hear the people in your house so [you’ve] got to get to a place by [yourself] because [you’re] all in it — but it’s exciting,” Winston said. “We’re having a lot of success and I want that to continue and I know it will.”
“Me being back — nothing’s changed. I’m just happy that I can be a part of that. When we have a win, I can come off [the field] and dab guys up and celebrate with them. That’s the part that you miss — that team bonding — because you do this together. It’s tough going out there and getting wins.”
“I’ve seen the beards. When a guy throws for 400 yards three games in a row, you’ve got to love that, and as a community, we’ve gotta get behind this team because when we’re winning, when things are going good, we’ve gotta capitalize on that,” Winston said.
He was in the building at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday — even earlier than his typical 5:45 a.m. start time. He got a workout in, and met with Koetter, who informed him and Fitzpatrick of the team’s plans. The rest of the team had the day off though, so Wednesday was the first time he’d seen his teammates.
Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy came up to him in the locker room. The two smiled and hugged for several seconds.
Just a few feet away, defensive end Vinny Curry said, ” The circle feels complete.”
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