The Sports Xchange

TAMPA, Fla. — Quarterback Jameis Winston is getting a lot of free advice these days, but there is some he really values.

It’s the advice he has received from defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who knows how a highly drafted rookie can be swallowed by expectations.

McCoy was the third overall pick out of Oklahoma by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010, but he suffered a torn biceps in each arm in his first two seasons and played in just 19 games and recorded three sacks.

Since then, McCoy has been selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls and has registered 23 sacks.

“The thing I told him was just to be a rookie,” McCoy said of his advice to Winston. “Don’t try to come in and turn the franchise around the first year. You’re still a rookie, still young. You haven’t played a snap in the NFL.

“Being the first overall pick, a lot comes with that, but you can’t do it overnight. I mentioned Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning still has the rookie record for interceptions, but now he’s Peyton Manning. So you’ve just got to be patient and just be a rookie.

“Let the rah-rah guys be the rah-rah guys. That’s me, Clinton McDonald. Lavonte (David) doesn’t do much talking, but he talks with his play. Vincent Jackson. Let those guys do that. You just play your role. And he’s done that very well.”

But McCoy knows the pressure of being drafted so highly comes with criticism.

“It’s definitely huge,” McCoy said. “I can speak from the worst of the worst, from getting hurt the first two years to being labeled a bust to people calling for your head to people saying, ‘He’s always been good.’ Yeah, right. Whatever. I can speak from both sides. That’s why I told him just be a rookie, man. Enjoy the process and you’ve got to be patient. You’ve got to be thick-skinned, though.

“It’s the NFL. It’s a man’s game — not because it’s all grown men playing it but because you’ve got to react to things as a man. You can’t be into your feelings in the NFL. You’re going to be attacked. It’s going to happen. As the first overall pick, you have to be perfect; otherwise, it’s not good enough. That’s just how it works. You’ve got to be patient, stay focused and do things the right way.”

–Bucs players didn’t know how to pronounce Josh Keyes’ last name, which rhymes with “wise.” After Keyes made a leaping interception in minicamp practice Tuesday, coach Lovie Smith made a point to make sure he was recognized — with the correct pronunciation — as the team reviewed tape from drills.

“He made an incredible catch; Coach was like, ‘Does anybody know who Josh Keyes is?'” McCoy said. “He said, ‘If you know who Josh Keyes is, stand up.’ Some guys stood up, and he’s like ‘Josh, stand up.’ He’s in the room and nobody even noticed him. Coach’s point was you need to make plays to be known. Yesterday he made such a spectacular interception that now, when I see him today, I’m like, ‘What’s up, Josh?'”

–Rookie wide receiver Kenny Bell (hamstring) again was held out of practice, with wide receiver Louis Murphy joining him with an undisclosed injury. Defensive tackle Akeem Spence returned after being held out Tuesday.

–The Buccaneers should have good competition at left tackle and right guard. Different players — rookie Donovan Smith at left tackle, Garrett Gilkey at right guard — worked with the first team Wednesday. The same could be said at safety, where Major Wright and D.J. Swearinger worked with the first-team defense after working with the second unit Tuesday. Two undrafted rookies, running back Dominique Brown and wide receiver Adam Humphries, got looks on kickoff returns Wednesday, along with running back Bobby Rainey. … Smith said the Bucs will have some morning workouts in training camp.