We’ll go deeper into the draft at the QB position as we get closer to draft day, but as a Tampa resident and former quarterback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, let’s stay close to home and look at Tampa’s options with the top selection in the draft.  Marcus or Jameis, Jameis or Marcus?  I am asked my opinion every day by someone, “Who are the Bucs going to take?”  It is really not an easy answer for the Bucs or for me.

Jameis Winston seems to be widely esteemed as the more talented player and NFL ready.  A former Florida State alumnus and media colleague with connections inside the Seminoles told me that Winston is incredibly football savvy.  He is also physically built to play well at the next level and his teammates absolutely love him.  Winston’s backers say his problems are all off of the football field, not on it.  Unfortunately, those off-the-field issues have caused and are causing all kinds of players big-time problems, including a recent Buccaneer QB named Josh Freeman, who was quickly ushered out of the league. I can’t imagine Johnny Manziel’s new stint in rehab is instilling any confidence over at One Buc Place in taking a risk on personal immaturity.

For me, it was disturbing to see how Winston handled his one-game suspension, coming out fully dressed and participating in warm-ups, only to be sent to the locker room by FSU Head Coach Jimbo Fisher.  Fisher already had to deal with the headache of the situation itself, but to be forced to have a pre-game intervention with his suspended star and take focus away from the game is actually an on-the-field problem.  And finally, seeing Fisher castigate Winston with cursing in the national championship semifinal game, threatening to bench him if he didn’t settle down, raised real red flags for me.

Marcus Mariota is the polar opposite of Winston in demeanor and reputation.  Both obviously led their teams exceptionally well, since both sport a Heisman Trophy.  The knock on him is the offensive system that he played in at Oregon.  None of Oregon’s former quarterbacks have advanced to any success in the NFL, even though they also were very successful in Eugene.  It seems obvious to me that none of those past players had nearly the potential talent of Mariota.  I believe that his success lies ultimately with the offensive coordinator of the team that drafts him.

Will Dirk Koetter, the Bucs new OC adapt his offense that has been led by Matt Ryan of late, to the specific abilities of Mariota?  I think Chip Kelly has proven that parts of his offense can definitely be incorporated successfully into an NFL gameplan.  The concept of making the defense defend run or pass and multiple areas of the field on the same play isn’t unique and just as difficult to do in the NFL as it is on other levels.  Does the Eagles’ offense put the QB at more risk than others?  Usually yes, but can be controlled by play-calling and QB ability.  Koetter will adapt to be successful.

NFL coaches want and need coachable players.  They also like talented players.  In fact, it has long been understood that NFL coaches believe they are so good at teaching, that they will draft the physical talent and teach them to play football.  The Dallas Cowboys were famous for drafting basketball players and turning them into defensive backs.  Now, converted basketball players dominate the tight end position.

Today’s NFL is different than just a short time ago.  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spent much of his state of the game press conference last week talking about how tough his past year had been because of all the off-the-field incidents and trying to clean up that aspect of the game.

Winston may have more physical potential, but Mariota is a more dependable investment.  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers missed on their last first-round QB investment (Freeman), they certainly can’t afford to miss again.  Marcus Mariota should be their man.