Jameis Winston Becoming Expert At Burning Bridges
By Erik Lambert
Sep 6, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) on the field before their game against the Citadel Bulldogs at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
His talent is undeniable, but it takes more than that to win over NFL scouts and coaches, which is why Jameis Winston is wrecking his future.
Johnny Manziel character issues not close to Winston
It’s easy to compare Winston’s current situation to an immature streak. Like another sophomore quarterback fresh off winning the Heisman as a freshman, Johnny Manziel dealt with character questions his entire time at Texas A&M. However there are marked differences between his problems and Winston.
Manziel has a “party boy” problem. He takes fun to the extreme at times, hanging with multiple women, playing childish pranks or just not showing the work ethic desired in a future pro quarterback. Such concerns are valid enough, but they aren’t deep questions. With Winston, the red flags drop to a legitimate issue of matury but also criminal behavior.
He’s already been investigated for sexual assault, something that is only going to garner more attention after the Ray Rice scandal. He was cited for shoplifting at a grocery store in Tallahassee back in April. Now he earned a suspension for the first half of Florida State’s game against Clemson for shouting a vulgar and sexually charged phrase during a team rally. Scouts feels his problems aren’t just about maturity but also honesty. They aren’t sure whether they can trust a single thing Winston says, and that is one of the things that can torpedo draft stock faster than any poor 40 time or lost bowl game.
Jameis Winston may reach the NFL someday, but whether he can ever handle the excesses that come with it is a very real and searching question.