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 General manager Jason Licht announced Friday that Winston signed his
rookie contract. The former Florida State quarterback will get
$25.35 million over four years, including a $16.7 million signing
bonus, according to reports from NFL Media and ESPN.com.
"It's something we wanted to do," Licht said. "And it was something
where they had no reluctancy either. It was fairly smooth. We wanted
Jameis to start off on the right foot. There's no reason to punish
Jameis. He's going to be treated contractually in terms of money
just like any other first overall pick."
Winston said, "I'm glad we got the contract stuff out of the way.
I'm just looking forward to getting with the team."
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The Buccaneers and Winston downplayed a photo of the quarterback
posing in front of a serving of Alaskan king crab legs as he
celebrated being drafted number one.
General manager Jason Licht denied a report that the team told
Winston to remove the picture. Winston was celebrating with his
family and apparently trying to poke some fun at his past, which
includes a civil citation for taking crab legs from a Tallahassee,
Fla., grocery store.
"That photo, I had to thank Capt. Keith (Colburn) from 'The
Deadliest Catch' and that was just a thank-you to him," Winston
said. "It was a big moment for my family that we got to share with
each other. I would just like to thank him for donating those crab
legs to our party."
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LSU offensive lineman La'el Collins, whose draft destiny is unclear
amid a murder investigation, will re-enter the draft in 2016 if he
is not selected in the second or third round.
Collins, one of the top remaining prospects in the NFL draft, is
scheduled to talk to police on Monday regarding a murder case in
Baton Rouge, La., and his attorney has communicated his situation to
security directors of all 32 NFL teams with the hope that they will
not remove him from their draft boards, according to reports by NFL
Media on Friday.
Police have said Collins is not a suspect in the shooting death of a
pregnant woman believed to be his former girlfriend.
- - -
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers says he is "willing to
listen to anything" regarding a contract extension but he didn't
seem committed to remaining the team's quarterback after 2015.
On Friday, Rivers told U-T San Diego that there are "a lot of moving
parts and lots to think about: location, family, team. ... All I can
say at this point regarding an extension is I'm willing to listen to
anything. I'm also willing to play it out. I'm just fired up to be
the Chargers' QB in 2015."
Rivers, 33, is entering the final season of a six-year, $91.8
million contract that will pay him $15.75 million in 2015.
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Chip Kelly wanted Marcus Mariota and doesn't deny the Philadelphia
Eagles took a swing at the Oregon quarterback recruited to Eugene by
Kelly.
But Kelly said the Eagles did not offer veteran players to the Tampa
Bay Buccaneers or Tennessee Titans to move up from number 20 to get
the first or second pick.
- - -
The Tennessee Titans have been searching for a franchise quarterback
for 10 years -- ever since they traded Steve McNair to Baltimore in
2005. Marcus Mariota, drafted second overall in the 2015 NFL Draft
on Thursday, comes to town as the new face of the franchise.
Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt quickly said Mariota moves to the top of
the depth chart ahead of Zach Mettenberger, who did not ask to be
traded, despite a report.
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St. Louis Rams running back Zac Stacy wants to be traded after the
team's selection of Todd Gurley with the number 10 pick in the NFL
Draft.
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The Indianapolis Colts released return specialist and wide receiver
Josh Cribbs on Friday after one season with the team.
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Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle will not face charges
following a February domestic disturbance in Kansas, the Wichita
city attorney's office said Friday.
- - -
Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff was given one year
of probation after pleading guilty to a DWI charge. (Editing by Gene
Cherry)
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