No quarterback in the NFL has thrown it more often than Jameis Winston this year. In fact, few have ever.
According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Winston’s 142 pass attempts are the second-most of any first or second-year quarterback in his first three games. Drew Bledsoe had 143 attempts in the first three games of 1993.
“My job is just to do whatever coach [Dirk] Koetter asks me to do,’' the Buccaneers quarterback said. “Obviously, the way the games of been playing out, we have had to be in more passing situations. I just do what I’m coached to do. Go out there and try to get wins.’'
There is the small matter of getting behind early against the Cardinals (52 attempts), and getting into a shootout with the Rams (a ridiculous 58) to inflate the passing numbers.
But offensive coordinator Todd Monken said the goal would be the first week, when they ran the ball 28 times and threw it 32 times against the Falcons.
“I think the first week is probably indicative of who we want to be,’' Monken said. “Last year, being balanced. Obviously, being down at Arizona tends itself to skew it with out no huddle stuff. And really, this past week, if you look statistically in the first half, we had 33 snaps. We were pretty balanced. And then obviously, the second half, we had the drive and they got the strip-fumble. So now when you get behind two scores, and the time is running down, . . .
“But I don’t think anybody would say you want to be a team that’s throwing it as much as we’ve had to throw it. But I have been proud of our guys and I’ve been proud of Jameis and how he’s responded and kept competing.’'
Of course, the Bucs were also without running back Doug Martin last week, which cuts into their ability to not pass on every down. But they need to get Winston some help in terms of health or play-calling, because he’s keeping a ridiculous pace.
