Thoughts From the Morning After: FSU 30 Miami 26

Nov 15, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston arrives before a game against Miami Hurricanes at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Jameis’ Supporting Cast

Last night wasn’t Jameis Winston’s best game by any stretch. At times Winston appeared off — he missed on throws and threw a bad interception to end the first half — but once again when FSU needed it, Winston was able to provide.

He is now 23-0 as a starter. Even the harshest of critics have been forced to admit he’s one of the most dynamic players in the country come crunch time. It’s just how he’s started in games this season that’s raised eyebrows.

Part of the on-field critique of Winston is just not fair though. There’s no lack of talent in Winston’s supporting cast, but it’s also not anywhere close to the weaponry he had last year. Last year, Winston had arguably the top receiving group in the nation. Rashad Greene is back and doing big things this year, but Kenny Shaw was an extremely underrated player and Kelvin Benjamin is already proving to be a top-line NFL receiver in just his first 10 games.

Winston isn’t a different QB this year, but some of the throws he made last year — NFL-level throws — have no prayer of getting caught this year with such a young group playing receiver.

A lot of times with Winston you have to remind yourself of that.

At a couple of points last night Winston made throws that were truly elite-level throws but without an NFL-level receiver on the other end — not that several underclassmen in this group won’t eventually develop into that — the pass fell incomplete.

A lot of critics like to use KB against Winston and point out that Winston can’t get away with some of the throws he made last season. That’s true. But only because it takes two to tango. At the next level — with a receiver like Benjamin — those same throws get praised.

A lot of critics like to use KB against Winston and point out that Winston can’t get away with some of the throws he made last season. That’s true. But only because it takes two to tango. At the next level — with a receiver like Benjamin — those same throws get praised. They’re Dilfer’s Dimes. They’re ‘playing beyond the X’s and O’s.’ You see them talked up all week on SportsCenter. Because some of the plays KB and Winston made last year were truly not defensible.

And Winston is still making those throws this year– he just doesn’t have anyone catching them.

FSU’s receiving corps is loaded– don’t get me wrong. But until that talent develops to that next level, Winston is only going to be as good as his supporting cast allows him to be.

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