Bucs coach ‘dead wrong’ on Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston

Tampa Bay’s new offensive coordinator Todd Monken was hired to find answers.

There are many, but the one he thought would monopolize his time was answered quickly.

“Dead wrong,” is how Monken describes his feelings about quarterback Jameis Winston.

“It’s who he is, how he’s wired. I think that’s one thing that’s a misnomer,” Monken said. “With all the things that were publicized about him and who he is, I was dead wrong. He wants to win as much as we do. He’s a competitive joker. He’s smart, he’s competitive. You can win a lot of games with guys like that.”

Monken admits that people have a tendency to make conclusions before being around those individuals they are judging especially in the social media age, thinking you know a person because you chat with them on Facebook or other social media.

“You have no idea what they are like. You have no idea until you get around them and you’re around them day-to-day (learning) what they are about. That’s really in terms of life, it’s not just him,” Monken says.

That’s one thing that will make Monken’s life a lot easier when summer rolls around and fall approaches. He is already burdened with trying to cure receiver Mike Evans of the drops and bouts of immaturity along with trying to find a slot receiver and some backups.

Evans is a full-time job. It might require Monken to put on his best Sigmund Freud imitation. A product of a troubled youth, the former Texas A&M receiver can be volatile at times, suggesting there is an anger issue that needs constant monitoring.

“It’s repetition. He (Evans) understands where he’s got to get to, what he’s capable of,” Monken said. “He’s got to make a decision. … first of all. I thought he came back in great shape. The more he practices, the more he works with Jameis, the better he’s going to get.”

Monken is not sure if his presence will allow Koetter to focus on others. He is just knows he is at the right place.

“I can’t speak for Dirk. He asked if I’d like to come and I said yes, (so) I think he wants me here,” Monken said. “We’ve got the greatest job in the world. They pay us an awful lot of money to try to create the best version we can of our players, and that starts with energy. If we don’t bring energy, what should we expect from our players.”

Mike Bajakian, who returns as quarterbacks coach, said the Bucs can expect bigger things from Winston this year with one season under his belt and a trimmed-down physique, which should make him more elusive and more durable.

“He’s at a point now where he can handle more on his plate on the mental side of the games,” Bajakian said. “Last year we were fortunate that he could take every snap, but by being in better physical shape, there is a better chance of lasting the season and avoiding injury.”

If the offense improves as expected, it could take some of the pressure off Bucs general manager Jason Licht for selecting FSU kicker Roberto Aguayo in the second round, which cost them a third- and fourth-round pick — a move lambasted by numerous credible rating services.

Some interesting points from Sharp Football Analysis:

Aguayo was the only kicker drafted. Ross Martin from Duke went 4-4 on kicks of 50-plus yards this year, and the last two years, hit 81 percent (13/16) of his kicks of 40-plus yards.

Aguayo hit 1-3 kicks of 50-plus yards this year, and the last two years, hit 64 percent (14/22) on kicks of 40-plus yards.

Both hit all extra-point attempts. Yet Martin went undrafted and signed as a free agent with the New York Jets.

It has been proven kickers kick better in warm climates, so Aguayo’s stats might be skewed. In his three years at FSU, Aguayo played in four outdoor games north of the North Carolina State line. He has attempted three FGs longer than 30 yards when outside the friendly confines of warm climates in his entire college career, and missed two.

The bottom line is kickers are all better in warm climates, so whatever perceived edge Aguayo has is based on incomplete information. Also, one can argue Connor Barth, whom the Bucs recently cut, is more effective. In the last five years, Barth is 20 for 20 on FGs of 50 yards or less in the fourth quarter or overtime and he has never missed a field goal of 55 yards or less in the second half when the game was within 3 points either way.

This story was originally published May 21, 2016 at 8:15 PM with the headline "Bucs coach ‘dead wrong’ on Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston."