TAMPA — New Buccaneers RT Gosder Cherilus is not unaccustomed to the pressures of protecting a franchise quarterback. During his eight-year NFL career, that’s just about all he’s done.
A first-round draft pick of the Lions in 2008, Cherilus was only in the league a year before he was asked to protect Matthew Stafford. Five years later, after signing with the Colts, he was tasked with protecting Andrew Luck.
“Yeah, I only block for No. 1 picks,’’ Cherilus said with a laugh on Tuesday.
The circumstances under which Cherilus was brought in to help protect QB Jameis Winston, the first overall pick in the 2015 draft, are no laughing matter.