No hesitation: Lovie Smith names Jameis Winston Buccaneers’ starting QB

Bad news, Seth Lobato fans: Jameis Winston will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ starting quarterback, per head coach Lovie Smith.

“Jameis Winston will be our starting quarterback,” Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith said Friday. “He’ll take first reps tomorrow. We’re excited about that.”

“It’s what we already knew, what we saw in camp, what he has done on and off the field here.”

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Winston was the first pick in the NFL draft, and the Buccaneers’ only other quarterbacks on the roster are Mike Glennon (whom the Bucs have dangled in trade talks in the past) and the aforementioned Lobato, he of the zero career pass attempts.

Smith said he wouldn’t have made this move — especially this soon — if he didn’t think Winston was ready. The early reports are that Winston has done everything he needs to, preparation-wise, and that he’s winning over his teammates to date, which would back up Smith’s quick decision.

“I would never put a guy in that position if he wasn’t ready for that,” Smith said. “A lot has been said about Jameis and mentors. Jameis doesn’t need a mentor. Jameis is ready to take the reins and go with it.”

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm