Buccaneers co-chairman Joel Glazer told the Tampa Bay Times that ownership has signed off on the team drafting either quarterback, Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota, with the No. 1 overall pick. Tampa Bay is fully expected to take Winston, the Florida State product, despite off-field incidents that have dogged him.
"With anybody we're looking to draft, we do an extensive amount of work on their background, history and all that," Glazer told the paper. "We spent time with Jameis and Marcus and went into everything into their background. After everything we've done and where we're at right now, we're comfortable where Jameis is at, we're comfortable with Marcus or whoever else it could be."
Glazer said he has not lost faith in coach Lovie Smith or general manager Jason Licht following the team's 2-14 performance last year. Glazer called the draft pick "one of the most important decisions we may make in a long time."
"Fundamentally, we believe in letting Lovie and Jason do all their ground work, and their staffs, come to their conclusions, discuss it with us, talk about their reasoning and as long as it makes sense, we're supportive," Glazer said. "But at the end of the day, whatever decision we make, I see us all being on the same page, agreeing and moving forward."
