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FSU Alum Jameis Winston wants comparisons with Marcus Mariota to stop

By Jason Parker

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws during pregame warmup against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 13, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 13: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws during pregame warmup against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 13, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images) /
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Jameis Winston has emerged as one of the top young quarterbacks in the NFL – but doesn’t want to still be judge against another youngster in the league.

In just a few weeks, former FSU football star quarterback Jameis Winston will begin his third season in the NFL as the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While Winston hasn’t led the team to the playoffs yet, he has put up significant – in some cases record setting – numbers while improving from one year to the next.

In 2017, big things are expected of both the Bucs and Winston, who is ready to break into that next level and be considered one of the elite quarterbacks in the entire NFL. While Jamies wants to be mentioned with named like Brady, Ryan and others, he can’t seem to shake one name that has followed him since college.

During an interview with ESPN’s First Take on Friday, Jameis Winston made it clear that the continued comparisons with Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota need to stop (h/t Tampa Bay Times):

"“He’s an amazing guy, a very talented player, a great quarterback. I think he’d agree with me in saying this: We’re not trying to compete against each other. We’re trying to compete against the top-tier quarterbacks in this league.“If we’re just trying to focus on each other and how good one another is, we’re limiting ourselves.”"

Jameis Winston couldn’t be more right on this one. Over a eight month period in 2015, the two players were tied together after Mariota’s Oregon team dominated Winston and the Seminoles in the Rose Bowl. In that April’s draft, Winston went first overall and Mariota second while the players met again in the season opener, with the Titans destroying the Bucs.

Related Story: Jameis Winston brings the heat with first pitch at Tampa Bay Rays game

Since that September 2015 day inside Raymond James Stadium, Jameis Winston has proven that he is the player who has a brighter future in the league. If he can continue the uphill trip stats wise and lead the Buccaneers into the playoffs, Winston deserves to leave the youngster group and have a seat at the big boy table.

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