Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel sees the whole package when looking at Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston.
The former 2015 first-round pick from Florida State has a penchant for a giveaway every game, as he leads the NFL with 24 interceptions. However, he did throw for 458 and 456 yards in his previous two outings.
“900 yards in two games is not bad,” Crennel told reporters Thursday. “Sometimes people can live with a pick or two if you can throw for 900 yards.”
Even if Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich can live with it, the fact is Winston’s play presents opportunities for defenses. With the Texans needing a win over Tampa Bay to clinch the AFC South, they will need to entice the Pro Bowler into throwing a few ill-advised passes.
“We look at it and see what we think the reason for the mishap is,” Crennel explained. “Sometimes, he and the receiver are not on the same page. He sees one thing, the receiver sees something else and then boom, the ball gets thrown and it gets intercepted. But generally, when he’s on the same page with the receiver, it’s a completion and so I don’t think that you can count on them not being on the same page.”
Winston could have to find a whole new book as top receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans were placed on injured reserve Wednesday. If Winston, who has thrown 10 interceptions over his last five games, is going to have the same issues with ball security, then the Texans defense will have to be on their game, especially given that they are tied for the fifth-fewest picks in the league with eight.
“You have to do your job, put yourself in position and then if it happens that you have the opportunity to make a play, you make a play,” said Crennel.
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