Bucs legend, soon-to-be inductee into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor, and maybe Pro Football Hall of Famer John Lynch was both a vocal supporter of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and an opponent of Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, prior to the 2015 NFL draft.

In fact, today Lynch admitted to a gaggle of local reporters he was on record saying the Bucs made a mistake, a big mistake, in drafting Jameis.

Some nine months later, Lynch, with a smile on his face, confessed, mea culpa.

Lynch is now a Jameis fan and believes Jameis can lead the Bucs to big things. Perhaps the element that changed Lynch’s mind was is Jameis reminds Lynch of himself as a young player with his passion and drive and will to win.

“Very impressed!” Lynch said of Jameis’ rookie year. “I was on record thinking, I thought [the Bucs] made the wrong decision and I thought Mariota was the better choice. But [Jameis] has made it close [laughs]. You see what he does on the field and the talent. But I think he has some qualities in terms of leadership and some of those things I was talking about as a young guy, not being afraid to take over a team. I saw some of that from him. “He has a lot of qualities I like. I think he has a real bright future. I think he has a head coach now, who was his coordintaor, who understands how to get the best out of a young quarterback. I am really excited to see his growth.”

It is good to see so many open-minded folks have seen the light. Just the way Lynch spoke, Joe guesses Lynch did not meet Jameis before the draft.

Talk to people that studied Jameis or investigated him; the people that knew him said his intangibles were through the roof.

Now, Bucs fans have seen those qualities and understand what a prize the Bucs got.

Thank goodness Lovie Smith didn’t listen to all the naysayers.