Winston asked to name some of his favorite Tampa Bay hangouts

Glazer, Winston share excitement for young team at Buccaneers luncheonBy Ira Kaufman | Tribune Staff Published: September 8, 2015TAMPA — The calendar and the thermometer say it’s still summer in the Bay area. For Bryan Glazer, it feels like Christmas.The co-owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been eagerly awaiting the start of the 2015 season to see how rookie quarterback Jameis Winston and the rest of a young roster competes beginning Sunday afternoon, when the Tennessee Titans travel to Raymond James Stadium for a Week 1 matchup.“We’ve been waiting a long time for this,’’ Glazer said Tuesday at the team’s annual Chamber of Commerce luncheon. ”Eight months is a long time from the end of one season to the beginning of the next. We’re ready to play football again and we have all these shiny new toys.“Let’s see how they’ll perform on the field. It’s like getting your presents at Christmas and not being able to open them until the fall. I can’t wait for this Sunday at 4:25.’’Joining Glazer on the stage at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay were GM Jason Licht, head coach Lovie Smith and five players — Winston, linebacker Lavonte David, second-year tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and rookie offensive linemen Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet.Winston, the first rookie quarterback to start a Buccaneer season opener since Doug Williams in 1978, received a rousing ovation from civic and business leaders in the ballroom.“You have to cherish how much of a blessing it is to be a Buc,’’ said the former Florida State standout. ”Some of the guys are here one day and the next day, they’re gone. Every day at the facility, we have to think about how all of us have this opportunity of a lifetime.’’Winston generated some laughs when he was asked to name some of his favorite Tampa Bay hangouts.“It has to be One Buc Place,’’ he quipped.Coming off a 2-14 season in his first year on the Tampa Bay sidelines, Smith said the 2015 Bucs will be competitive from the start.“We realize what happened last year,’’ he said. “You guys stood by us. We’ve been working hard and we’re going to put a good product on the football field. Our guys are ready to go. Come out this Sunday and see for yourself what our team looks like.’’[email protected]Twitter: @IKaufmanTBO