View photos of rookie quarterback Jameis Winston in the week leading up to, and during, his first regular season NFL game.
Jameis Winston approaching the podium for his weekly media session on Wednesday.
Jameis Winston approaching the podium for his weekly media session on Wednesday.
Jameis Winston at the podium for his weekly media session on Wednesday.
Jameis Winston at the podium for his weekly media session on Wednesday.
Donovan Smith, Jameis Winston, Jason Licht, Bryan Glazer, Lovie Smith and Lavonte David at the team's annual "Back to Football" event.
Donovan Smith and Jameis Winston at the team's annual "Back to Football" event.
Donovan Smith and Jameis Winston at the team's annual "Back to Football" event.
Donovan Smith and Jameis Winston at the team's annual "Back to Football" event.
Jameis Winston preparing for walkthrough on Wednesday.
Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter, Jameis Winston and Quarterbacks Coach Mike Bajakian at practice on Wednesday.
Jameis Winston and Quarterbacks Coach Mike Bajakian at practice on Wednesday.
Jameis Winston in the huddle with TE Cameron Brate (84), RB Mike James (25) and T Gosder Cherlius (78)
Jameis Winston talking with Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter (also pictured: Running Backs Coach Tim Spencer)
Jameis Winston in the huddle at practice Wednesday.
Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers quarterbacks (from left: Mike Glennon, Ryan Griffin)
James Winston headed into One Buccaneer Place following Thursday's walkthrough.
Jameis Winston on a conference call with Tennessee Titans media.
Jameis Winston on a conference call with Tennessee Titans media.
Jameis Winston with Buccaneers Radio Network Sideline Reporter & Host T.J. Rives.
Jameis Winston watching film on Friday.
Jameis Winston in a production meeting with the CBS broadcast crew on Friday.
Jameis Winston at his locker pregame.
Jameis Winston's jersey.
Jameis Winston arriving at his locker before the game.
Jameis Winston at his locker before the game.
Jameis Winston talking with Gerald McCoy in the locker room.
Jameis Winston speaking with teammates in a pregame huddle.
Jameis Winston heading to the field pregame.
Jameis Winston waiting to go onto the field (Vincent Jackson in front of him).
Jameis Winston after being introduced.
Jameis Winston and Lovie Smith listening to the National Anthem.
Jameis Winston and Lovie Smith hugging before the game. (Logan Mankins also pictured)
Jameis Winston meets with referee before Titans game.
Jameis Winston throws a pass in Titans game.
Jameis Winston takes a snap under center.
Jameis Winston fleeing a Titans defender.
Jameis Winston greets Titans QB Marcus Mariota (8) after the game.
Following the Bucs' loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 1 of the regular season, Jameis Winston stayed up late into the night watching the day's game film. Just a few hours later, at 6:30, he was in the Buccaneers' facility preparing for the team's Week 2 game against the Saints.
"I stayed up [until] probably about 2 o'clock," Winston said, "just trying to see what went wrong. I was trying to get every excuse just to put that one behind me – it hurt. But at the end of the day, the sun did rise again the next day and I was back out there playing football."
Winston described the Bucs' regular season as a boxing match, saying that even if you lose the first round, or first game, you've got to jump back in the ring and keep fighting.
"I don't like failure," Winston said. "So, definitely, that was probably my main [motivation] was watching film that night. I need to watch this to see what happened. Like I always say, you put it behind you. You only can get better from there."
In addition to rebounding from a loss, Winston has some added motivation for this weekend's game. His grandmother, who he's very close with, will be in attendance for the Bucs' game against the Saints. She had been unable to attend any of his games at Florida State and hasn't seen her grandson play since high school.
The stage is set for a breakout performance. In Week 1, New Orleans struggled against the pass, surrendering 307 yards to Carson Palmer and the Cardinals. Pro Football Focus graded the Saints' pass coverage near the bottom of the league at No. 25. Part of the team's struggles have been caused by injury; Bucs Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter expects four or five of the Saints' defensive backs to be sidelined on Sunday.
But New Orleans' injury issues aren't on Winston's mind. Rather, he's locked into making sure he and the Bucs are an improved team in Week 2.
"My main goal is to make it to the next day," Winston said. "As long as we live to fight another day, to keep competing, I'll never give up. I have great teammates here, I had great teammates at Florida State, so what we're going to do is keep competing and keep getting better. It's going to change."
