Winston Makes the Right Call

Jameis Winston has officially announced his intention to enter the 2015 NFL Draft. Although his father had tried to suggest Jameis was seriously considering a return to Florida State, this was really the only option given the landscape of the upcoming draft.

The top two teams in the draft, the Buccaneers and Titans, both have glaring needs at quarterback. With Winston and fellow Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota viewed as the only surefire franchise quarterbacks in the draft, it is extremely likely WInston will hear his name called within the top two selections. At worst, it is impossible to see Winston sliding past the New York Jets at No. 6.

The Titans are the big winners here, as they are now assured the opportunity to select one of the draft’s elite quarterback prospects. Ken Whisenhunt, who rotated through three uninspiring quarterbacks in his first season as Tennessee’s head coach, must be particularly relieved.

In two seasons at Florida State, Winston threw for 7,984 passing yards, 65 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. He went 26-1 as a Seminole, all while working from the pocket in a pro-style offense.

“After weighing this decision with my family and friends, I have decided to declare for the 2015 NFL Draft and forgo my remaining eligibility at Florida State,” Winston said. “I reach this very difficult decision after careful consideration and long thought, realizing how difficult it would be to say goodbye to my family at Florida State. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to wear the garnet and gold and have greatly enjoyed my time as a Seminole, both as an athlete and a student in the classroom.”

It is that time spent away from the football field that had Winston considering a return for another season. His career has been littered with off-the-field issues, ranging from rape allegations (he was not charged) to stealing crab legs to shouting profanities on campus. If he had returned for another season and kept his nose clean, it could have cemented his status as a No. 1 overall pick.

But after surveying the draft landscape, Winston is comfortable with where he is projected to go. The NFL Draft Advisory Board confirmed his projection as a first-round pick, but that was never in doubt. The real question is whether he can shine at the NFL Combine and in pre-draft visits and work his way up to being the top overall pick.

Carolina Loses Its Biggest Star

The Panthers needed a lot of things to break their way to get to this point in the postseason. Their latest break may prevent them from advancing any further.

Star Lotulelei (6-foot-2, 320 lbs.), Carolina’s 2013 first-round pick, broke his foot after stepping on a teammate in practice on Tuesday. He will miss at least the next two games, assuming the Panthers find a way to keep winning without him.

“We’ll miss Star, but I think we have the guys who can fill in and do more than an adequate job,” said Panthers coach Ron Rivera.

Lotulelei started 13 games this season. He battled an ankle injury in November but was just rounding back into game shape and returning to his dominant form. When healthy, Lotulelei can clog up running games, occupy multiple blockers and collapse the pocket. His absence will mean more snaps for Colin Cole, who started 10 games this season, and Dwan Edwards.

Cole and Edwards are both solid run defenders, but they are not of Lotulelei’s ilk. That will be a problem against the Seahawks, who live and die with their ground game. Seattle loves to feed Marshawn Lynch, a power runner who will take most of his attempts right up the middle into the space Lotulelei used to occupy.

Fourth-year DT Kyle Love, who joined the Panthers on Dec. 15, will also a part of the rotation charged with stopping Lynch & Co.

“You don’t hope for anybody to get hurt,” Love said. “But the next guy has to be ready and that’s me.”

Ready or not, here come the Seahawks.

Chiefs Add Pryor to the Mix

The Chiefs have signed former Raiders and Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor to a one-year deal. Pryor recently worked out for Kansas City as a quarterback and that is reportedly the role he signed to fill.

What makes this addition interesting is Pryor (6-foot-4, 233 lbs.) is a superb athlete who’s expressed a willingness to switch to wide receiver. The Chiefs, of course, have a glaring need at receiver; as everyone knows by now, no Kansas City wide receiver caught a touchdown pass this season.

“I think the stats speak for themselves,” said Chiefs GM John Dorsey at his end-of-the-season news conference. “We’re going to have to do some work [at receiver].”

The Chiefs don’t have much need for quarterback help. Starter Alex Smith signed a four-year extension in August and backup Chase Daniel (aka the Charger killer) is under contract for another season. The Chiefs also have developmental quarterbacks Tyler Bray and Aaron Murray on the roster.

This does not mean it is impossible for Pryor to stick in Kansas City as a quarterback. He has exceptional mobility and a strong arm, traits that make him an excellent fit in Andy Reid’s offense. Also, Reid has never been afraid to take on a reclamation project, his work with Michael Vick serving as the most prominent example.

But if Pryor can find other ways to contribute to Kansas City’s offense, it will only help his odds of making the final 53-man roster next fall. Perhaps he could fill a role similar to Panthers QB Joe Webb, who provides depth at wide receiver while also serving as Carolina’s No. 3 quarterback.

Pryor has only caught one pass in his career, a 22-yarder on a gadget play with the Raiders back in 2012. He may need to catch more if he hopes to catch on in Kansas City.

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