Buccaneers: Full Position Breakdown and Depth Chart Analysis at Quarterback By Jason Kanno May 26, 2015 
Chris O'Meara/Associated Press The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a storied but sketchy history with first-round quarterbacks. Taking Jameis Winston with this year's first overall pick could finally give them their first true franchise quarterback.Winston joins the impressive ranks of quarterbacks drafted by the Bucs, including Hall of Famer Steve Young, Ring of Honor inductee Doug Williams and all-time passing leader Vinny Testaverde. That list also includes the likes of Trent Dilfer, Shaun King, Chris Simms and Josh Freeman, all of whom had dubious degrees of success.What they all have in common is that none of them won a Super Bowl with the Bucs. Williams came the closest, helping to lead the team to their first NFC Championship Game in 1979, but he was all but run out of town by former owner Hugh Culverhouse.Shaun King is the last quarterback drafted by the Bucs to take the team to the NFC title game, following a Week 12 injury to Trent Dilfer back in 1999-2000, but he was taken there by a defense led by Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks. (Editor's note: Brad Johnson, drafted by the Vikings in 1992, led Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl victory to cap the 2002 season.)The Bucs have never had a true franchise quarterback. Jameis Winston may be the player to finally fill that role.
Tony Dejak/Associated Press Despite never taking a snap in the NFL, Winston is certain to start, barring a major setback or injury. The only other passers on the roster are Mike Glennon and Seth Lobato, neither of whom has Winston's level of talent.Lobato joined the Bucs late last season. He has yet to play a down in the NFL and could be waiting longer if the Bucs choose to carry only two quarterbacks. He's a fringe player at best.Glennon is the only player who could challenge Winston for the starting spot. Entering his third year, Glennon is the most experienced quarterback on the roster.Over the past two years, Glennon has been the most consistent and reliable quarterback in Tampa Bay. The biggest difference between Glennon and the other Bucs quarterbacks is how he is careful with the ball.
In five more games, Glennon threw two fewer interceptions and 16 more touchdowns. At the very least, Glennon was much better at getting the ball down the right end of the field.Glennon plays it safe, which is why he isn't the Bucs starter. He doesn't have the arm strength to reliably fit the ball in tight windows, nor does he demonstrate great anticipation in his throws. It may be that Glennon is well-aware of these shortcomings, which is why he would rather throw balls away than make a risky throw.Glennon's aversion to risk leaves him vulnerable to defenses that take greater risks of their own. Pro Football Focus found that teams took a liking to the blitz with Glennon under center:
While Pro Football Focus graded Glennon more favorably in 2015 than 2014, he still struggled more against extra pass-rushers than against a traditional rush.The Bucs could certainly do worse than Glennon for a backup quarterback, but that's all he will be in Tampa Bay.What separates Glennon and Winston is how they manage risk: Glennon avoids it as much as he can, while Winston flies headlong into it.Fortunately for the Bucs, Winston's history shows he can make risky throws work. His accuracy and anticipation allow him to fit passes into tight windows where a receiver might appear completely covered, much like this touchdown pass to Jesus Wilson against NC State last year:
Courtesy of Draft Breakdown If this pass falls an inch or so behind Wilson, it's a batted pass—or worse, an interception. Winston places the ball ahead of his receiver so he can run into the pass.This is the sort of throw Winston often makes without hesitation. While this mentality and ability to execute led to a national title and a Heisman trophy, there is a dark flip side to Winston's gunslinger approach.Winston threw 18 interceptions in 2014, a number which should probably be higher. Facing more pass rushes last season, Winston made some inexplicable decisions with the football and played with more carelessness in general, as demonstrated by this reckless throw against Georgia Tech:
Courtesy of Draft Breakdown The only thing keeping that from being a pick was the defender's hands. Facing even better competition in the NFL, throws like that will become a nightmare for Winston.According to MMQB's Peter King, Winston told Bucs offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, "I'm not afraid of making any throw." Koetter told Winston, "You need to be." Koetter must instill Winston with a better sense of judgment and teach him that forcing completions or first downs only leads to turnovers.Winston is sure to have ups and downs on the field; he is a rookie after all. Nevertheless, the Bucs have to throw him into the fire to see if he can be forged into their first franchise quarterback.link
