Bucs believe in quarterback Jameis Winston

The danger in drafting a quarterback in the first round is well-documented.

For every Peyton Manning, it seems there's at least one Ryan Leaf. For every JaMarcus Russell, a Matt Ryan. For every Johnny Manziel, an Andrew Luck. And for every Cade McNown, a Donovan McNabb.

But the 3-5 Buccaneers, who host the 2-6 Chicago Bears on Sunday in Tampa, Florida, are confident they got it right when they used the first overall draft pick last year on Jameis Winston.

"Jameis is a really good leader; he was from the first day he got here," Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said. "Jameis just has a natural charisma about him. I think if you talk to anybody associated with our team, they would recognize that."

The 22-year-old Winston has started every game since he was drafted. It hasn't all been smooth sailing, but every indication is that the Bucs have their franchise quarterback for the next 10 years or so.

Despite lacking much of a complementary run game, which has been weakened by an epidemic of injuries, Winston has a respectable 85.4 passer rating with 17 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.

"He's improved a lot," said Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. "He was a good quarterback last year in his rookie season. You could see the maturation process going on. He's very confident; he's got good quarterback instincts. He's very elusive in the pocket.

"He reminds me a bit of (Ben) Roethlisberger. He can move around and avoid the rush, he's courageous in there, buys time looking to throw, and yet when he pulls it down he's run for some good first downs for them.

"He's got a big arm. He's accurate. I like the guy, I think they've got their quarterback for the future."

For the present, the Bears must contain Winston if they hope to build off the momentum they generated in their Halloween Night victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

Fortunately for Fangio's defense it's as healthy as it has been all year, especially from a pass-rush standpoint.

Pernell McPhee (knee) is playing more effectively than at any time in the last 12 months, and rookie Leonard Floyd demonstrated with 3 sacks in his last two games why the Bears drafted him ninth overall.

Along with sack leader Willie Young, those three outside linebackers can force Winston to get rid of the ball sooner than he'd like to.

"It was good to be able to mix them in there (against the Vikings), particularly Pernell," Fangio said of the Bears' 5-sack performance. "Pernell has done a nice job in his two games back.

"He definitely made some progress from game one to game two. Hopefully he'll continue to make progress and be able to play more and play better."

The pass rush will be especially important on third down, where the Bucs are tied for 12th in the league in efficiency.

Tampa Bay also has done well in the red zone, converting 63 percent of its opportunities into touchdowns, which also is 12th in the league.

The Bears' defense is tied for sixth in the corresponding category, allowing their opponents into the end zone on just 50 percent of red-zone opportunities.

The Bears could be even better if they have nose tackle Eddie Goldman back for the first time since Week 2, when he suffered a high-ankle sprain.

Goldman and Winston were teammates at Florida State, and they share the same birthday. The Bucs' QB says he will be looking for the Bears' big guy in the middle.

"He's been a great player for (the Bears)," Winston said. "I know injuries have kind of held him back, but, man, I'm excited. Every time he steps on the field I know I've got to make sure I know where that guy's at."

Goldman isn't near 100 percent yet, but he's practicing on a limited basis. Fangio will be watching him closely this week.

"If he can't do it at a good practice tempo, then he probably can't do it at game speed," Fangio said. "If he's doing well in practice, and he feels good about it, then we can take a shot with him.

"If he's so-so in practice and still hobbling a little bit, then maybe not."

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