Jameis Winston focused on setting the tone for the rest of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the offseason.

  • Bucs veterans report for camp on Wednesday
  • Practices begin Thursday morning
  • First pre-season game is Aug. 11 at Philadelphia

Coming off a Pro Bowl rookie campaign as the Bucs starting quarterback, Winston worked harder than ever since the regular season ended.

He slimmed down significantly and truly became a leader through his approach to team workouts.

“When we go out there and he runs a fifty yard route, I will sprint 40 yards down the field wherever he had caught the ball at," Winston said.  "When I work with the guys, I don’t let them be the only ones running. 

"Because that’s the only excuse that a receiver or tight end can have.  Like- you’re not out here doing this running.  So I’m like, okay, I’ll show you.  I’m going to do the same running you’re doing.”

Like Jameis, first year head coach Dirk Koetter isn't wasting any time taking charge.

The Bucs' former offensive coordinator brings familiarity to an offense that was among the best in the league at running the football in 2015.

But Koetter's also imparting some changes in philosophy.

Exhibit A: his decision to hold training camp practices much earlier this year.

“It’s on average eleven degrees cooler at 8:45 than it is at 2:45," Koetter said.  "So I did quick Idaho State math and I subtracted that out and I said, 'Geez, eleven degrees cooler- why don’t we practice in the morning?'”

Bucs training camp kicks off on Thursday.

And there's optimism that the team's string of five straight losing seasons could finally come to an end.

The Buccaneers have added new pieces to join Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David on the defensive dance floor.

They have a revamped secondary featuring four-time Pro Bowler Brent Grimes and first round pick Vernon Hargreaves.

They've upgraded their pass rush with the additions of former New York Giant Robert Ayers (career 9.5 sacks last season) and rookie second round draft pick Noah Spence.

Plus, they have a new scheme to operate from under new defensive coordinator Mike Smith.

“I feel like in a league like the NFL, it’s the best of the best," Grimes said.  "Things that win the game are details.  And he’s very detail oriented.”

“We're hungry to win, man," Ayers said.  "Things haven’t gone the way this organization would’ve wanted them to go in the past couple of years.  But these guys really want to win, man.  They’re eager for knowledge, and we have a staff that’s willing to give it to us.”

Tampa Bay's special teams could be special, too, thanks to the bold move on draft day to move up in the second round to nab three-time First Team All-American kicker Roberto Aguayo.

"I think it means a lot," Aguayo said.  "I'm just glad that I got the opportunity that Tampa and the Buccaneers and the coaches here gave me.  And I'm  just trying to make the most of it."

Unlike last year, one group the Bucs aren't too worried about is their offensive line.

A big key to any success this season may be keeping those big boys healthy up front.