Rookie QB Winston becoming more vocal
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith and quarterback Jameis Winston (3) listen to the playing of the National Anthem before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) By Roy Cummings | Tribune Staff Published: November 20, 2015 at 08:15 PMTAMPA — Until just recently, rookie Jamies Winston was content to sit back and be a relatively quiet quarterback, one who left the pre- and post-game speeches to someone else.That situation has changed dramatically in the second half of the season.“That’s all just coming straight from the heart,’’ Winston said. “Whatever I’m feeling at that given time, that’s what I’m doing, because we work so hard preparing all week and we have so many distractions, so many people jabbing at us, wanting to see us fail. And we have people that support us and want us to succeed, too. But when you’re with your teammates ... you’re part of a family, and I just feel good being able to speak up for our team.’’Did you know?Bucs WR Mike Evans has been one of the NFL’s most potent receivers the past four weeks. His 27 receptions rank fourth in the league and his 488 receiving yards second during that span. He is also tied for second with five receptions of 25 yards or more, and for first with three 100-yard receiving games during that stretch.Stat of the dayThe Bucs have played 31 games without winning two in a row, the longest active streak in the NFL. Tennessee (26) moved up to second when it lost Thursday night to Jacksonville, which had previously gone 29 games without winning two straight.Quote of the day“It totally takes away our pick-and-roll game. It takes away our alley-oops. We’re going to have to start going four corners with all those little guys out there.’’— Bucs offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, on the absences of 6-foot-5 WR Vincent Jackson and 6-5 TE Austin Seferian-JenkinsUpcoming scheduleSunday: at Philadelphia, 1 p.m. (Fox, Ch. 13)Nov. 29: at Indianapolis, 1 p.m. (Fox, Ch. 13)Dec. 6: Atlanta, 1 p.m. (Fox, Ch. 13)Dec. 13: New Orleans, 1 p.m. (Fox, Ch. 13)***[email protected]Twitter: @RCummingsTBO