With The First Pick
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They Were Wrong About Jameis Winston

By Carl Cockerham

Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) passes a ball during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) passes a ball during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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There was a big debate in 2015 over Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota going No. 1 overall in the Draft. For some reason, there were people that actually thought Mariota should go first. Even Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter  initially preferred Mariota to Winston.

And now, new offensive coordinator Todd Monken is admitting he had it all wrong too. It was probably the 4,000-yard rookie season that changed Koetter’s mind. But for the former head coach at Southern, it’s been the little time he’s spent with Winston since he’s been in Tampa Bay.

He sat down with the Tampa Bay Times to explain just how he had it all wrong. He said, “It’s who he is, how he’s wired. I think that’s one thing that’s a misnomer. I think from the outside you would’ve looked at it with all the things that were publicized in the past about him and who he is.

“I was dead wrong. He wants to win as much as we do. He’s a competitive joker, man, he’s smart, he’s intelligent … you can win a lot of games with guys like that. I think that’s just general in life, especially with social media today, but even before then.

“Without knowing a person, we make judgments without ever being around them. I think that’s just common, that’s not just Jameis, that’s people. You make thoughts, impressions when you meet someone on Facebook or Twitter or (Snapchat), you think you know them.

“You think you’re a part of their life, you have no idea what they’re like until you get around them and you’re around them day to day and see what they’re about. That’s in terms of life, not just him.”

A large portion of the NFL world has changed their minds too.

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