Sports
Jameis Winston Faces Tougher Test Transitioning to NFL Than Marcus Mariota
In this Feb. 21, 2015, file photo, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Cian Fahey, BLEACHER REPORT
(BleacherReport.com) — One statement was made more often than any other during the 2015 NFL draft.
Jameis Winston will have an easier transition to the NFL than Marcus Mariota.
While the words weren’t always precisely the same, the sentiment remained a constant. Winston played in what was regularly referred to as a “pro-style” offense at FSU, whereas Mariota was coming from Chip Kelly’s spread offense at Oregon.
Kelly’s offenses haven’t produced quality NFL passers. The belief is that it simplifies the game too much for the quarterback, so when the prospect is taken out of that scheme and transitioned into a pro-style offense, the shock to the system is too great for him to develop.
Using “pro-style” as a descriptor for offenses is misleading. “Pro-style” implies that it’s what professional teams do. Yet professional teams all run different types of offenses, and Kelly’s scheme specifically is now being used with success both by the Philadelphia Eagles and the Miami Dolphins.
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