TAMPA — Jameis Winston will look across the field Sunday afternoon and see a quarterback who won a Heisman Trophy and national title in his first year as a starter in college, had his share of headlines for off-field issues but still went on to be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
Much like last year's Bucs, the Panthers went 2-14 in 2010 to earn the right to draft Cam Newton, who would go 6-10 as a rookie and eventually lead them to a division title and 12-4 record in his third season.
So any parallels you'd like to make between the two quarterbacks are fine by Bucs coach Lovie Smith.