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ESPN‚Äôs David M. Hale and Mark Schlabach report Florida State QB Jameis Winston is part of an ongoing investigation into a sexual assault complaint filed with the Tallahassee Police Department in December 2012. Winston’s attorney, Tim Jansen, said police contacted him in February 2013, but no charges were filed and Winston never has been interviewed by police.
FSU has announced that Winston intends to lead the undefeated, second-ranked Seminoles into Saturday’s game against Syracuse. But if SU could catch any type of break against this sound offense, it’s how Winston, assuming he plays, handles the now-public allegations.
He’s been a mastermind on the field all season long. Winston is a big reason why FSU puts up an eye-popping 52 points per game, which ranks second in the nation. Twenty-six touchdown passes to just seven interceptions, with a completion percentage just short of 70, equates to top-tier talent. The FSU offense obviously works to Winston’s strengths, but even if Winston is distracted, FSU is still capable of total domination.
Just ask SU defensive lineman Jay Bromley:
“We’re doing the best we can. [They have] explosive wide receivers, a good running back, [and] a good offensive line. We are just trying to come up with the best schemes possible.”
The Seminoles feature a top three rushing attack in addition to the second-best receiving game in the ACC. Winston has a lot to do with both rankings, of course. His ability to control and manage the offense speaks to the run game’s success, and his ability to connect with standout receivers Rashad Greene and Kenny Shaw is spot-on. National title contenders generate the complete package.
The allegation from 2012 and initial police contact in early 2013 have clearly not rattled Winston this season. Being the quarterback of the No. 2 team in the country, a Heisman hopeful and the leader of a potential BCS championship team aren’t accolades that keep you up at night. A sexual assault case is a different story, however, and the potential for distraction, in light of the press catching wind of this, exists here.
Still, as of now Winston is playing. And when that’s the case, SU is the huge underdog. Bromley told The Fizz Tuesday the defense has been here before:
“We always walk into the stadium against Goliath so to speak. We aren’t scared of that. We’ve faced good quarterbacks before like Teddy Bridgewater and Geno Smith.”
Senior Bromley may have forgotten, or simply didn’t want to mention, Clemson’s Tajh Boyd, as he did exactly what Bridgewater and Smith couldn’t, which was dismantle SU’s defense. Scott Shafer and Chuck Bullough have the defense prepared to pressure Winston as much as possible. Bromley understands what Winston is capable of:
“If we let him sit back in the pocket he’ll pick you apart. When we blitz we need to get to the quarterback. Don’t let him stay on his feet too much.”
The game plan is clearly in line and the Orange tests itself once more against one of the nation‚Äôs powerhouses. Let‚Äôs remember¬†Syracuse is just one win away from becoming bowl eligible¬†and the team‚Äôs mindset all season long has been game-by-game. Bromley put it best during the post-game press conference in Maryland. He witnessed¬†SU‚Äôs season collapse after the team started 5 ‚Äì 2 in the 2011. Perhaps with the defense‚Äôs added focus, and the distraction of Jameis Winston’s recent troubles, Syracuse could make things interesting at Doak Campbell Stadium¬†Saturday.
Posted by: Brendan Glasheen
23 responses to “Jameis Winston Investigated for Sexual Assault, What It Means for Syracuse”
We can only hope it will distract him. Winston is going to play, and I really don’t think SU has a chance with this game being played at Doak Walker Stadium. I hope I’m wrong, but I suspect SU will get crushed. They are used to athletes being in trouble at Free Shoes University, so I’m sure the coaches and athletic department staff will be prepared to handle it. What could get interesting is the post game press conference, particularly if I’m wrong and the game is at least close. Then you know the “Were you distracted because of the investigation?” questions will be coming at Winston and Jimbo Fisher. They won’t answer the questions, but Fisher might have a memorable meltdown. I hope I’m wrong, but FSU has looked as good as anyone, and the way they are playing right now, I think they could beat Bama on a neutral field.
Plain and simple. He should not play until this has been adjudicated.
Anyone thinking that Syracuse can beat Florida State should have a sobriety test immediately and a brain scan to determine if there is one that is functioning at any credible level. This will be ugly and only tolerated because basketball is also being played.When was the last time SU has derailed a national title contender?
Earth to Chris. Louisville,last year!
The fake Chris is just a troll constantly trying to be the ” I told you so” when bad things happen
@JB;
Have you read the article where they’re saying that FSU considers Syracuse nothing but a “SPEED BUMP” that has to be crossed on their way to the National Championship Game. Syracuse is being made fun of down there in Tallahassee, “Speed Bump”!!!!! JB,how wonderful.
That you have the nerve to question guy’s like Terry and I,just shows me the level of your intelligence.
I thought Terry was an advocate for people without a voice against giant beaurocracies, yet all I hear is crickets . Remember the victims at PSU.
Hey JB there’s plenty of room for you and your like in PSU showers try one. But please keep down the noise please!! Thank you!
Thank you Chris!!
Look here I go again pissing off some sunny day CUSE fans. I believe after Saturdays games at FSU(hell of a place to play by the way) Winston will have over 3,000 yard and 30 tds for the yar so far!! JB and other newbie SU fans check the stats if you all can read!! Again I hope I’m wrong, but this team is better than GT-THINK SO???
Here goes another cricket sound(cricket statements usually comes from a youth offender sitting in his/her grandma’s basement):
Please do not forget the kids of PSABUSERU. The NCAA did and some on this site did as well. That’s sorry!!
Ron,I left a reply(post 50) a couple threads back about nixing the RR!Is it worth arguing with a arrogant child?
Now your actually going to praise Winston? Can you imagine how difficult it would be to accuse him in Tallahassee. As soon as the Officer in charge finds out what the issue is and who is involved he starts making phone calls to higher ups. Nobody wants this kind of shitstorm on thier hands.Then a plan is put together to try to “fix” it. You should be able to figure out the rest from there.
@Russell Dangerfield,
While you were gone ,@Malone posted that Adonis Jennings had de-committed from Rutgers. I just finished reading that Kiy Hester and other top recruits have followed suit and de-committed also. Is there any chance that Syracuse gets some of those recruits? Do you think that it changes the minds of some of the recruits that haven’t committed to a school yet and makes them to look at syracuse football? It looks like @Malones comment about Rutgers entering a downward spiral within their football program was accurate.
What do you think Russell,do we have a chance?
Ron Saw on ESPNU PSU an PITT have a good shot at these two 4 STARS WRs. SU was never mentioned so forget about them. They even mentioned that Rutgirls is still in the running too!! I can understand PSU, but Pitt kicking our butts over the years in talent is confusing!! They really haven’t been all that impressive either. That just shows how far SU has fallen in the public eye. Another shocking thing was also on ESPNU!! They were talking about FIRST year coaches good ones and bad ones. Guess what??? The BCHC got mentioned for a hell of a job. Yet no mention of HCSS! Wait a minute don’t they have the same records. Perception again is killing SU and its brand!! I don’t know how you can change that other than constant winning!!
JB turn the light on in your grandmoms basement. Those numbers are impressive. I doubt the cops blew it. I read that the guys they are looking for are around 5’10”. Winston is 6’4″!! But in life if he didn’t play it wouldn’t hurt my feelings!! GO CUSE!! GO EXPRESS!!
@Terry;
When I discuss possible recruits I mention that I hope 4* WR Juwann Winfree out of NJ commits to Syracuse and I find out that he committed to Maryland. Remember 3* RB Ish Witter out of Florida he committed to Missouri.
I just don’t get it.
Ron,I believe Malone and I were first in the same thread to comment on the “cracks in the RU wall” before I even left!!Yes it appears Flood and staff are experiencing 1st time HCing problems?I’m sure I told you last week about the RU base discontent and even call’s to fire him in his 2nd year!?!Its not just us with recruiting headaches but todays kids don’t seem to understand the word HONOR?Hopefully were getting into some of that NJ talent??Ron,Witter committed to Mizzou w/o ever even seeing the State let alone campus!I thought when RU pulled there offer we had him?Someones gotta do something as recruiting has become a job for snake oil salesmen and taken honor and integrity out of the equasion!
Ron, I agree with Terry that at least one of them seems a Pitt lean (Jennings). I am not sure why, but Pitt has been selling themselves as WR University. They have time on their side as Pitt just retired Fitzgerald’s number and the kids coming up don’t know players before that era. We are fighting through the thin years biting our recruiting still. The kids that are now seeing Chandler Jones will come to SU, but they are the HS frosh, not the seniors who watched USC and PSU and Ohio St. and Florida run the show. It takes a little time. I do think the stink from Rutgers, especially if it grows, will help us with recruiting the area, just not so much with those kids. If there are any that we are both in on, it could tip the scales (Hallmon, Hudson). As for BC HC, they were worse than we were last year and lets not forget that we’ve been blown out a few games, and two of our wins are on “lesser” teams.
Ron,I think we’ll get a surprise plum or two on LOI day that we might enjoy as I feel the winds of change at SU FB and hopefully a couple of 4* types!I noticed tOSU even had a decommit or two but Pitt seems to be rallying in the recruiting wars?We have to do at least as well as Pitt,RU and BC soon to get the momemtum going here now that our RG and D seems to have elevated but our passing game needs serious help soon too!Winfree?Md?I did’nt know that!
Syracuse with Terrel the Good will Slay Felonious Jamies and FSU 27-24
Ron,I did’nt know we were in on TE/WR Jordan Fuchs of CTK HS in NYC?Would have been a nice get as he’s an Antonio Gates type 6’6″ 235 3* athlete with many D1 hoops offer’s too!I see he was a guest of HCSS at the WF game?Do you know anything about him?I know he’s eligible in January to start school cause PP sent him to Milford to develop to get under the #s of signing LOI situation at UConn before he decommitted.His dad was a regular on UConn’s boneyard board and seemed a decent sort who follows his son closely.
@Russell Dangerfield;
It looks like N/R 6’6″ 235 lb TE/WR Jordan Fuchs committed to Rutgers Russell. Are you saying he de-committed and is thinking about coming to Syracuse? I haven’t heard a thing about him.
Also at Milford Academy that might come to Syracuse are;
N/R 6’3″ 280 lb OT Alexander Thompson
3* 6’4″ 320 lb OT Tim Gardner
3* 6’7″ 300 lb OT Chasz Wright
I looks like Miami is one of the schools that is interested in these three also. We both know how delicate the recruiting is these days. I feel that it’s turned into nothing but a crap shoot with kids making decisions to play for a school and two days later de-committing. Can’t figure it out anymore,reduces guy’s like me to hoping good players would want to come to Syracuse to play and get a good free education while doing so.
Ron, your last statement is a very big part of what it all is it seems (and really what it should be). With Fuchs, I had not heard about the RU commit, but I am not too shocked. He was and in his mind, is a hoops player. That was a big reason for the UConn commit to begin with. What may not be said but seems possible is that he doesn’t seem to want to stray too far from home. I would assume that he saw himself actually seeing the court, and against UConn to boot at RU where that would be garbage time at best at SU. How many footballers is Jim B really gonna take (Custis)? That said, in my day there were at least two (McNabb and Melvin Tuten) but I am not sure they were on the active roster at the same time. I know McNabb was with the team in 95, but didn’t get PT till 96.
Kids don’t look much at history. It might get a swing vote here or there, but recent history will always trump overall history.
@Malone;
After watching Jamal Custis play the game of basketball I think that it would be a wise idea to put him on the basketball team after the football season has ended. Getting three months on the team would help him stay in shape and would benifit him later on the field when spring practice started.
@Terry;
Terry if your going to take your grandchildren to the Class AA playoff game on Saturday your going to get a chance to see J R Zazzara play. You know the kid that de-committed from the Cuse and committed to the University of Buffalo for Lacrosse and a possibility of playing football. Let us know what you think.
Ron,I think the NR applies to all east coast preps as the services don’t rate them but he’s a high 3* 87 on 247sports!I think last year he was a 3* out of HS but PP needed space as he over recruited so sent him to Milford!I agree with Malone that he wants to stay close to home!Sorry I didnt post yesterday cause I was so disgusted “but not surprised”!!