Tennessee's Assistant Head Coach Dick LeBeau, who handles the team's defensive strategy, has been a part of the NFL since 1959, both as a player and a coach. So it's safe to say, he's seen many, many quarterbacks play.
This week, LeBeau is preparing his unit for the Buccaneers and their rookie signal-caller, Jameis Winston. So far, he's impressed with what he's seen.
"I have been impressed throughout (Winston's) career at how many times he brought his football team back from behind," LeBeau said. "You do it once or twice and it is one thing, but to do it as many times as he's done it, you know you have a competitor and a guy who can perform when the pressure is on."
What makes Winston so dangerous? LeBeau said his athleticism, in particular.
"There's no question about what he can do athletically," LeBeau said. "He was the No. 1 pick of the draft and you don't do that if you are not a pretty good athletic specimen."
LeBeau served as the Steelers' Defensive Coordinator from 2004 to 2014 before signing on with the Titans in February. The Titans' defense performed well against the run in the preseason but was the 30th-ranked unit in the league in pass coverage, per Pro Football Focus. The team's pass-rush was ranked No. 17 and the unit, as a whole, finished No. 19.
Those rankings can be taken with a grain of salt, though, as they reflect the team's backups more than the starters.
"It's a blessing to get a chance to compete against a coach with his accolades, so I'm honored," Winston said. "But we're ready. It's going to be a very exciting game."
