TAMPA, Fla. -- Jameis Winston was the first pick in the NFL draft. But he was the backup quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday.
Third-year pro Mike Glennon took the first-team snaps during the organized team activity, and Winston worked with the second team. Coach Lovie Smith said Winston has gotten some first-team work at other OTAs, but the coach believes in letting his players earn their spots.
"Jameis and everybody else, you've got to earn your position. Jameis is getting his first-team reps,'' Smith said. "You guys are here on Thursday. There's Wednesday, and he was with the first group then, so don't look too much into that. We just want the guys that we think can play to get reps, and we want them to work with a lot of different combinations. Jameis is right on schedule. We're not disappointed or anything like that.''
Winston said he doesn't expect anything to be handed to him.
"I never was given anything in my life,'' Winston said. "The way I was brought up, I always had to earn everything. The main thing is to earn the respect of all these players out here.''
Winston said working behind Glennon is helping him develop.
"Just watching Mike and seeing the things he does, I'm trying to peek at everything that he has because he's been doing great,'' Winston said. "I look up to him, and the things he does are magnificent. It's always good to have a great guy in front of you, and it just helps you push yourself.''
Although Winston was known for his gregarious personality at Florida State, veteran wide receiver Vincent Jackson said the rookie has been keeping a low profile in the locker room.
"When you're a rookie, you're supposed to be in the background until it's time to step up,'' Smith said. "It's not Jameis' time yet. It will come, though, soon.''
