Everyone knows Jameis Winston as a guy who is prone to turning the ball over. Turnovers lose games and Sean Payton knows it along with Winston.
Over the past four games the Saints play calling without a doubt has been very conservative. Little to no risks, lots of run’s, screens and designed short plays. But why? Sean knows the arm talent and strength of Jameis Winston’s arm. We saw it week one and Sunday vs the Giants. So, why is Sean being so conservative.
Could it be a lack of trust and faith in Winston? He’s shown he has the arm and he has been working on the turnovers, but how can he show Sean he’s improving when he won’t give him a chance?
The play after a touchdown pass to Kenny Stills was called back, Sean put Taysom in at quarterback for another deep shot but to Deonte Harris this time. It was open, but the throwing motion and mechanics of Hill led 5’6 Deonte Harris to a jump ball against a 6’1 corner which resulted in an interception. If the throw leads Harris it’s a touchdown without a doubt, and Winston makes that throw. So once again why is Sean taking Winston out on potential money plays downfield?
After that Taysom Hill interception which took place with 6:17 left in the third quarter, Winston only threw one pass until three possessions later when there was 6:11 in the fourth. Sean just took the game out of Winston’s hands who was the one who originally got them the lead and in position to win.
With 0:23 seconds left in the game and no timeouts from their own 22 it would seem Sean would try to at least get in field goal range. The first play was a pass that was incomplete, then just ran the clock out. Sean has got to give Winston a chance to win the game as opposed to him not losing the game.
There just appears to be no trust or faith in Winston from Sean which is absurd, he’s proven that the talent and skill is there. The turnovers haven’t been much of a problem. Possibly Sean doesn’t believe that Winston has progressed in the turnovers as much as the rest of us? But still at one point Sean has to let Winston play football and spread the ball around.
Maybe he’s playing safe until Michael Thomas returns, like a “Win 2-3 games without Mike, then change things up”. I don’t know, these could all be possibilities, they could all be not even close to the truth, but Sean has got to put his faith into Winston cause right now that’s the best he’s got.
Written By Kadin Janisch
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