Transcript of Jameis Winston's PC
What he has seen on Clemson:
"They're a good team again. When you're playing those ACC competitors, especially in a rivalry game in this conference. We're going to go out there and do what we need to do."
How big of a difference will you not playing make?
"You know you have to overcome adversity, and that's one thing at Florida State that we do. We work on overcoming adversity. When I do get my opportunity to play, I'm going to do everything I can because I have to accept it. That's going to eat me up because I want to be out there on the field, know what I'm saying? I want to be out on the field with my team, but I did something so I have to accept the consequences. I'm going to apologize to my team. We're not going to think about that, because we don't think about negative things. We're going to think about moving forward and winning the game."
What differences do you see between this Clemson team and last year's?
"The difference is that they have some different players. But ... our opponent has no face. Obviously they have a great team, but if we play Florida State football, we have a good chance of winning this game."
Do you feel like you've taken a step back in maturity?
Sports Information cut off question.
What's your confidence level in Sean Maguire?
"Sean's going to do great. I just texted Sean a little while ago, because me and Sean are going to get some quality film work after practice because I know I made a mistake, I messed up. I have to accept the fact that I did that. Like I said, it eats me alive that I did something like that. I can't carry myself that way. Me and Sean, we're going to watch film, we're going to do what we do, and I'm going to try my best to put our team in a good chance to win this game. I know they've got my back."
Have the tables turned with Clemson from last year?
"We always come into a game with a chip on our shoulder because we know everybody is out to beat us. We're Florida State, we're the defending champions but at the end of the day, we have to play Florida State football to be successful. This is a team, and just like anybody else on our schedule, they're going to come out and play their best game and we have to bring it."
Can you talk about the development of your wide receivers?
"I believe our young guys, that's a trait that our young guys have: they're game guys. Obviously we have to build our practice habits and we have to do things to develop them into being all around players, but I believe they're going to do a great job of stepping up to the plate and having a great game."
How have you seen Sean develop?
"Since me and Sean have been together, we came in in the same class and he's been working his tail off. I respect Sean, the team around him respects Sean, and Sean's going to do a great job. I'm going to make sure that he does a great job because me and him are going to go to work."
What has the defensive scout team done to help the offense's preparation?
"I had a meeting with the defensive scout team and I said, 'Guys, y'all are playing for a job opportunity.' We have some guys over there that are pretty good players. So we asked them to give us a look that they would want to be given if they were on the offensive side of the ball. I respect them a lot. Those guys don't have to do that. They come out there and work their butt off all day, do the exact same thing that we do, but at the end of the day, they know they're probably not going to play in the game. So that's why when we go out there and play, we try to win big so they can get an opportunity to show how hard they've worked throughout the whole season in practice."
Will the team need to establish the running game to take the pressure off of Sean?
"No, we're going to play Florida State football. Because Sean is a great quarterback and that's why Coach Fisher recruited him."
The Clemson game last year was your biggest game ... did you tell anything to Sean about dealing with that?
"Well, he was there last year. Obviously he didn't get the opportunity to go out there and play, but I guarantee you Sean is hungry. He wants this opportunity and god has blessed him, he put him out there and he's going to take advantage of the opportunity. But it's not about Sean, it's about us as a team. We're Florida State. One person can't change no game or no outcome. I can't go out there and win a football game. Florida State is going to win a football game. ... I have to tone it down. I have to. And that's all in the media, everything. But Florida State is going to play Florida State football, no one person is going to win a football game, we're a great football team, Sean's going to go out there and do what he has to do, our running backs are going to do what they have to do, our offensive linemen are going to go out and we're going to win the football game."
Some Clemson players complained Tuesday about comments you made in the spring about Clemson's stadium being "Our House." Are you concerned that you motivated them?
"That was just me having fun with my baseball teammates. I actually was playing baseball at Clemson, so that was a joke inside us. The next day I went out to eat with Chad Kelly, the Clemson quarterback at the time. I have some friends on the Clemson football team. That was a joke in between us players, but some things get blown out of proportion and make it seem like a bigger deal than what it was. It's actually a competitive atmosphere. That's what you want, man. We need more football players that want to compete. If Clemson isn't going to come here and compete, we're not going to play them. If we don't go out and compete, there's no reason for Clemson to want to play us. It's all a competitive atmosphere. What I did yesterday, that was a selfish act. But that was about competitiveness, because I'm a football player and I compete."
I really do believe he is not all there mentally. As an aside, Clemson will get drilled.
