Lauds Jameis.

Asked about the rookie quarterbacks starting Sunday, Marcus Mariota and America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, Gerald McCoy sounded like Dick LeBeau.

McCoy said Mariota is not a rookie to him, instead, he is the starting quarterback of the team he needs to beat. When the subject of Jameis came up, GMC raved about Jameis like few other teammates have.

GMC repeatedly called Jameis “a playmaker” who must get the ball in his hands more by way of defensive takeaways.

“Since he’s been here he’s done everything right, whether that’s off the field, on the field,” GMC said. “He comes in and he’s here early every day. I get here pretty early and he’s here when I’m here. He’s walking in with the coaches. Working on getting in better shape, always has his playbook with him – he’s the real deal. He’s a winner, man. It’s just in his blood to be a winner and that’s all he wants to be. It’s going to be fun to watch.”

And much to the chagrin of former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik, GMC believes Jameis will be the face of the franchise very soon.

“When you’re the quarterback, you’re the guy. It’s as simple as that,” GMC said. “You can’t win in this league without a quarterback, it’s just been proven. He will get that role; it’s coming, but he’s not there yet. He’s just a rookie. If he goes too fast and tries to take over that role right now, he might not ever catch up. He might always look back like, ‘Man, I should have enjoyed being a rookie.’

“I never want him to do that, because that’s what I did. I couldn’t enjoy being a rookie because I got thrown in: now I’m the guy, I have to call this, call that, do this, do that. I never want anybody who comes in as a rookie to not enjoy their rookie season because you only get one. Now I’m looking back like, man, I wish I would have. I never want him to do that. All we expect him to be is the best starting quarterback he can be. Past that, just have fun. Enjoy the game. It’s a privilege to be out there. I love the game, that’s why I’m always smiling. It’s a privilege to be out there, but you only get one rookie season. When you tell stories about your rookie season, are you going to tell it like I tell my stories? My stories are all stressful stories. I don’t tell any fun stories. I never want anybody to do that. Just being honest. My rookie season, I never said, ‘Hey, this was great!’ I never said that. Besides the 10 wins, it wasn’t a fun season.

“But I never want Jameis to ever, ever, ever have to say that – or any rookie. Enjoy being a rookie, man. You’re a starting quarterback in the NFL and you’re a rookie. You’re getting to live out your dream as a rookie. Let us be the vets and take everything else.”

Just listening to GMC gets Joe worked up and wanting to start shotgunning Bud Lights. You want to hear more of GMC? Click the arrow below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.