Jameis Winston may have been the first overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, but the ex-Seminole QB knows he still has a lot to learn about NFL crime.
“That’s definitely been the biggest adjustment for me. It really came as a shock at first, but if you think about it, it makes sense,” Winston told reporters assembled at Buccaneers minicamp. “In college, good teams might have six or seven potential NFL criminals, but once you get to the league, even the 53rd guy on the roster can be a top-level criminal.”
“I mean, I could be going up against defenders like Ray McDonald, Aldon Smith, or a player like Greg Hardy in our own division. I know I’m not nearly as accomplished as those guys. But I think my record at Florida State speaks for itself,” Winston said.
When asked if he was referring to his 26-1 record as a collegiate quarterback, Winston disagreed. “No, my criminal record. Haven’t you guys seen that? Oh, I guess you wouldn’t have, the Tallahassee Police Department took care of that.”
Despite Winston’s admission, Tampa Bay head coach Lovie Smith still sees great things ahead for the rookie quarterback.
“There’s always going to be a learning curve when you go from committing crimes in the ACC to committing crimes in the NFL, but I have no doubt in Jameis. We all believe him to be the best NFL criminal prospect in years.”
After the press conference, Winston returned to the practice facility for extra shoplifting.
