In his first half-season, Winston has shown leadership skills./ANDREW J. KRAMER
Wednesday, 6 a.m.
You can judge a quarterback by his touchdown passes. Or by his completion percentage. Or by his quarterback rating.
You can judge him by how pretty a spiral he throws. Or how few interceptions he has. Or by the way his teeth glisten in his television commercials.
But, really, there is only one way to judge a quarterback: When the game is on the line.
Nothing new here. Crunch time is the ultimate judge of the position. How do you play when the pressure is at its greatest? When the score is tied? When the team needs you to stand up?
Do you scramble for a first down? Are you precise on third down? Do you come through when the score is tied, when winning is in the air, when you are tired and sore and worn out from the ebbs and flows of a football game?
How is he then? In the moments that matter, is he a quarterback that matters?
Or, in case of Jameis Winston, you could put it like this: One down, 53 to go to catch Peyton Manning.
Content beyond this point is for members only.
Already a member? To view the rest of this column, sign in using the handy "Sign In" button located in the upper right corner of the GarySheltonSports.com blog (it's at the far right of the navigation bar under Gary's photo)!
Not a member? It's easy to subscribe so you can view the rest of this column and all other premium content on GarySheltonSports.com.
{ 0 comments… read it below or Subscriptions }