When NFL analyst Mike Mayock appeared on ESPN’s “Mike and Mike Show”, he was asked who he would choose if he was in charge of making the decision for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mayock had this to say as to whether he would select Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston or Oregon signal caller Marcus Mariota.
I don’t know yet. I take (Winston) No. 1 from a talent perspective. I’m all over it from a talent perspective, but I would have to do more homework off the field because, right now, he scares me. He was the face of Florida State football, and he continued to make bad decisions off the field.
I think Jameis throws way too many interceptions. Obviously, he has the ability to close games. … He was at his best when the best was needed and I give him credit for that. But he threw (a combined) seven interceptions vs. Louisville and Florida, and it could have been 14 if the other team could catch the ball. He throws the ball up for grabs, in my opinion, way too often. That’s my big issue with him on the field.
Mayock’s comments probably stem from the fact that Winston threw 18 interceptions during the 2014 campaign. That tied him for second-most in the entire nation.
Regarding Jameis’ off-field issues, Mayock had this to say:
I talked to some psychologists in Indy that worked for teams. How much pressure does it put on a psychologist when the football guys are all going, ‘Hey, we’re good with him. Just bless him and let’s go.’ So, to me, that’s the bigger issue: Do you believe this kid won’t be Johnny Manziel, he won’t be JaMarcus Russell? You got to believe in the kid first before you believe in the football.
Did Mayock really just go there and compare Winston to Johnny Manziel? It would appear so. We all know Manziel was the most popular quarterback name in last year’s draft before he crashed and burned in Cleveland. He also has a laundry list of questionable behavior, which has culminated in stint in alcohol rehab.
Should Tampa Bay choose Winston, there would obviously be some concern over his off-field issues. On the field, he’s now seen as the top quarterback prospect in the draft.
Regarding Mariota, Mayock expressed concerns that he has not run a scheme close to an NFL offense. The reigning Heisman winner did not take snaps under center at Oregon, instead the team utilized the shotgun formation. In addition to that, he wasn’t asked to progress through his reads all too often in that offense.
Overall, Mayock believes both quarterbacks will be selected within the first six picks of the draft.
Photo: USA Today