NFL.com: Jameis Winston will be a “man on a mission”

Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston his sharing reps with backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in training camp. Not that he necessarily initiated that, but head coach Dirk Koetter really thinks it’s important to give Fitzpatrick as much work as possible to be ready for the first three games of the season.

Winston is coming off a season where he showed improvement. While some feel he hasn’t others seem to think he has and may be on the verge of a breakout season.

In his latest piece on NFL.com, Adam Rank discussed his “unpopular opinions” for each NFC team. And when it came to Tampa Bay, he had some high praise for Winston.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Jameis Winston will have a breakout season.

Winston’s NFL career has been marred by off-the-field issues and turnovers. A hot topic around Tampa these days: If the Bucs were to do the 2015 NFL Draft all over again ... Look, I’m not here to defend the guy’s past off-field antics. But I am here to put a more honest spotlight on his on-field production. Jameis quietly set career bests last season in completion percentage (63.8), yards per game (269.5), yards per attempt (7.9), INT percentage (2.5) and passer rating (92.2). He’s a new father, says he has ditched the booze and seems committed to making those questioning him eat their words. I see him coming off the three-game ban as a man on a mission.

Rank did point out several factors many choose to discredit. But he did leave out Winston’s fumbling issue — which seems to be a consistent pressing issue among the naysayers.

However, with an improved offensive line, a subtle change, and perhaps a running game as well, those fumbling problems should settle down some and also increase his numbers as Rank referenced above.