TAMPA — The Bucs admit they are trying to thread the needle a bit on offense this season with a risky plan. They're putting rookie QB Jameis Winston behind a mostly inexperienced or ineffective offensive line that includes rookie LT Donovan Smith and RG Ali Marpet.
Winston was sacked seven times in three preseason games, the most of any quarterback in the NFL in that stretch.
On some plays, Winston held the football too long or made the wrong protection adjustment. Overall, the pass blocking wasn't great.
But coach Lovie Smith wants to remind you it was the preseason.