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Eat the L: Bucs OC wants Winston's leadership to be more natural

Jake Roth / USA TODAY Sports

Jameis Winston has never been short on charisma - in fact, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Todd Monken believes the quarterback sometimes flashes too much of it.

"The thing is what I've seen, irrespective of the physical stuff on the field, let's not try so hard," Monken told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. "He's got natural leadership qualities. A toughness about him. Guys want to follow him. It's okay to fail. He's human. It's okay to be hurt. It's okay to have that side of you. Let's just go. You don't have to try so hard. Guys will follow you. Just be yourself."

Winston's outgoing personality helped endear him to Tampa when it made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2015, but it's also produced some awkward moments with his more elder teammates.

Before a game versus the New Orleans Saints last season, Winston urged his fellow Bucs to get ready to "Eat the W." His teammates didn't appear to share his enthusiasm for the pep talk.

"I think the main thing is, 'OK, Jameis, be yourself. You don't have to try so hard. The guys know naturally you're our leader,'" Monken said.

Winston has been one of the game's more prolific passers through his first three seasons, but the 24-year-old is still looking for his first trip to the playoffs.

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