What Jameis Winston had to say about the Falcons

A: "I know a lot about Dwight Freeney. He's a monster."

Q: What’s your perception of the Falcons in general?

A: "The Falcons have a great defense. Great scheme. They are going to make you take advantage of every opportunity that you get. They are not going to let you get the big play."

Q: What do you like about Dirk Koetter and how he runs his offense?

A: "I love Coach Koetter. He's a guy who takes a lot of chances. He definitely believes in his personnel and he lets it fly."

Q: Is there anything that Coach Koetter has helped you with in your career?

A: "Yeah, Coach Koetter has helped me with being able to eliminate that big-play mentality all the time. In this offense we stretch the field a lot vertically, but also you have to be able to check the ball down and create other opportunities by your check downs and not just with your vertical ball."

Q: What do you think of Falcons corners Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford?

A: "I know Desmond. I had a chance to talk to him some at the Pro Bowl. He's a true professional. He's a lock down guy. You definitely have to keep your eye on him at all times. Alford is truly blessed. He has a lot of great intangibles. He's a great cover corner. Great speed and he's long. I definitely have to have my antennas up for those guys."

Q: What strides have you made from Year One to Year Two?

A: "I think it's just being more comfortable in the offense. Actually, knowing the offense and not trying to learn the offense on a week-to-week basis. That's the main thing. When you're trying to process information (faster) and apply it to the field and execute it, that's always good."

Q: Physically, what does the weight change do for you? What does it help in your game?

A: "It really just helps me with mobility. Being able to move in the pocket. People don't realize how fast that pocket collapses in the NFL. Being able to move in the pocket and create plays, not just outside the pocket, but just to be able to stand in there and create some room for yourself and still have the rhythm and the balance to make a throw down the field is very critical."

Q: What do you think Devonta Freeman is going to be able to do?

A: "I love Devonta Freeman. He's one of the best players in the league as far as being versatile. He's a true running back who can run the ball downhill. He can stretch you outside and he can come out of the backfield or lineup outside and play wide receiver. I have tremendous respect for him. He's my brother and I love him. I know that he's going to do his thing."

Q: Could Devonta Freeman deliver a halftime speech like yours the other night during the Florida State and Mississippi game?

A: "Absolutely. That Florida State team that won the national championship was a very special team. Devonta was one of the guys that helped me be able to lead the offense the way that I did. Just by him being so supportive of me. He also had that same mentality. When guys have that same mentality. That's how you win."

Q: Do you see the upgrade in speed of the Falcons’ linebacker corps?

A: "Yes, I do. I actually used to watch Deion Jones in college. He reminds me of a young Kwon Alexander. He's a great player. The other guy (De'Vondre Campbell), I think he's number 59. He's a great player, but the thing about their defense is that they are going to be in the right places. We just have to execute."

Q: Are you still amazed by the third down-and-19 conversion you made against the Falcons last season?

A: "Not at all. That was just pure passion. That's all that was. They played us so tough. Those games last year were very tough games. Very passionate games. That's just how the NFL works sometimes."

Q: How does that virtually reality film review help you?

A: "The thing about quarterback in general is that you always want to be able to create more reps for yourself. That's one thing that the virtual reality does, instead of watching film the basic way, you actually get a chance to put yourself in that moment. The more moments, the more situations that you can put yourself in and make you feel as real as possibly it can be or simulate a in-game feeling the better off you are."

Q: Is that a tool that all teams will eventually use?

A: "I think that would be a huge thing. I know that Bucs aren't the only team in the league that has that technology. I know a lot of guys that use that. That's just how football is transforming. There is always something new, year-to-year, that helps with this game and I think that's a great one."

Q: How much film study did you do of Matt Ryan?

A: "For a good three months, all I was watching was Matt Ryan because those were the cut ups that we had from Coach Koetter being in Atlanta. I definitely know the caliber of quarterback that Matt Ryan is. He's a great guy. I definitely took some of his techniques that he used in the offense and applied them to my game."

Q: What did you see?

A: "Just concepts stuff. Not really stuff that I can explain to you."

Q: Did Joe Hawley give up any old Falcons secrets?

A: "Not at all. He just came here and worked hard every day. He came to play. (The Falcons) cut him."

Q: Do you know how to attack the Falcons’ rookie linebackers?

A: "Absolutely not because football is the ultimate team game. I know with guys like (Paul) Worrilow, I'm pretty sure those linebackers are not far off. That guy is a true leader. While I know he's probably not starting, he's still the ring leader of the defense just because of his intelligence and the way that he plays. I'm not a big fan of under estimating anybody or picking on people. I am a big fan of executing and just doing my job."

Q: What’s your assessment of the NFC South and all of the star quarterbacks?

A: "I just see a lot of opportunity in this league for the Tampa Bay Bucs to make a statement. We have a (division) with three of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, period. We also have a great weather as well. Two places where we play indoors and Carolina, so it's good weather everywhere. You just have to love the competition in this (division)."