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Lovie Smith says Bucs favor Jameis Winston for No. 1

 
When asked at the owners meeting Wednesday if it would be an "erroneous assumption" to believe the Bucs will choose Jameis Winston, pictured, over Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota or another player, Lovie Smith shook his head. [Getty Images]
When asked at the owners meeting Wednesday if it would be an "erroneous assumption" to believe the Bucs will choose Jameis Winston, pictured, over Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota or another player, Lovie Smith shook his head. [Getty Images]
Published March 26, 2015

PHOENIX — Bucs coach Lovie Smith fessed up to what is the worst-kept secret in the NFL: Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is the team's favorite to become the No. 1 overall pick.

When asked at the owners meeting Wednesday if it would be an "erroneous assumption," to believe the Bucs will choose Winston over Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota or another player, Smith shook his head.

"No, I wouldn't say it's an erroneous assumption," Smith said. "I would say when people make that assumption, we haven't had the pro workout (for Winston) yet. But we've done a lot of research, have watched a lot of video and had both of them in and talked with them individually and had them on the board. But the process, the game isn't over yet. I think you can have a leader, but you have to let the game play out, and we're doing that.

"We're excited about this final stage almost to decide exactly which direction to go."

Smith said the Bucs are likely to select a quarterback and have spent extensive time with Winston and Mariota. The coach will attend Winston's workout at Florida State's pro day Tuesday.

Although Smith has maintained the Bucs will keep their options open, he admitted it would be hard to pass on a potential franchise quarterback.

"Odds are, we're going to go a certain direction. But we don't have to make this decision, and you wait until you have to," Smith said. "We would feel very comfortable, though, picking one of the (quarterbacks)."

Smith reiterated his praise for both Winston and Mariota, who have been to One Buc Place for in-person visits and meetings with top team officials, including the Glazer family.

"We realize how important that position is and very seldom do you get a chance to have your pick of the litter like that," Smith said of the Bucs holding the No. 1 pick in the draft for the first time since 1987.

Smith said his research of Winston has reinforced the things he likes about him as an NFL prospect and a potential team leader.

"Everything checks out on him, too. … The guy can complete every throw," Smith said. "A lot has been said about his football intelligence. He's just a leader." Then he added, "nobody is going to outwork this guy."

The Bucs have done exhaustive work on Winston's off-field behavior, much of which Smith credits to a lack of maturity. Winston was accused of rape in 2012 by a student at Florida State but was never charged. Since then, he took crab legs from a Publix without paying and stood on a chair in the student union and shouted a profanity.

"No, I'm not surprised that young people continue to make mistakes," Smith said. "I think you have to look at the things that he did. You mention the crab leg incident. Jameis would be the first to tell you he can't make some of those mistakes again.

"I feel comfortable with some guys who have had issues in the environment that we have, in our locker room and some of the things that we have in place that we can handle guys like that."

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Smith also believes Mariota will win early for an NFL team. Although Mariota often has been criticized for a quiet disposition, Smith said he was vocal and confident in his meetings with the team.

"People say he's quiet. He hasn't been quiet around us. Bright, confident," Smith said. "Of course we know about his athletic ability. We've done a lot of research on him, and he's going to be a good player in the league."

On the field, Winston is ahead of Mariota, having played in a pro-style offense. Even at 21, Winston is ready to lead an NFL team, Smith said.

"What do you want your quarterback to do? Well, starting off, you want him to be able to win and get people to believe you can help be the reason why we win every game," Smith said. "I think he's done that. He's got a track record. He's got a Heisman, he's got a national championship. You start talking to his teammates and they all say the same thing. You talk to coaches who have had him in the room and you put him on the board talking about his football intelligence. You let him sell himself, he can sell you."

In fact, Smith said if he had any criticism of Winston, it would be from a conditioning standpoint, optimistic that being under the supervision of an NFL training staff would help him.

"That's one part, you say, 'What can improve?' Us getting him on proper nutrition. Lifting. Getting him in the weight room," Smith said. "When I say he's an immature athlete, he hasn't had a chance to really develop his body. You say, 'Jameis, what are you least proud of?' He'll say, 'The 40-yard dash. I was embarrassed.' "