The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' starters dominated the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football, led by the strong arm of an improved Jameis Winston.
Winston showed more command of the offense in his second preseason game, orchestrating an eight-play, 80-yard touchdown drive on the opening series.
The No. 1 overall draft pick posted a passer rating of 82.2, completing 8 of 13 throws for 90 yards. His boxscore would have looked better, but a beautiful sideline pass to Vincent Jackson was nullified by penalty and an NFL-caliber throw up the seam on third down was dropped by Tim Wright.
After an overthrown homerun ball to Mike Evans, ESPN analyst Jon Gruden raved about Winston as a "very aggressive thinker, and, if it's there, you can't outrun his arm."
Perhaps most impressively, Winston's first eight passes were targeted for eight different players.
With a 14-0 nothing lead and telltale signs of progress, coach Lovie Smith pulled Winston from the game after the rookie quarterback rolled his ankle early in the second quarter.
Smith confirmed to ESPN's Lisa Salters at halftime that Winston's removal was the result of a "coach's decision" rather than the ankle injury.
Expect Winston to be back under center against the Browns for Saturday's regular-season audition.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast discusses Jordy Nelson's knee injury and gives its winners and losers from Week 2 of the preseason.
