Notes: Jameis Winston calls starting stint 'fun ride,' says just has to get rid of 'one negative' in his game

BEREA — Jameis Winston's time as the Browns' starting quarterback ended in a deluge of interceptions — eight in the last three games. He believes the totality of his seven-game stint, which included a franchise-record 497 passing yards against Denver, proved he can be a starter somewhere in the NFL.Dorian Thompson-Robinson out to take 'full advantage' of opportunity to start, views it as audition"I definitely feel like I showed enough that I am capable of being a starter in this league," he said Wednesday after being benched for Dorian Thompson-Robinson. "However, there are some things that it's important for me to get fixed and to get addressed so that I can be the player that I desire to be in this football league."It was a fun ride, but what's most important right now is that the ride continues. Even if my show stops, the team show still goes on and I'm still going to be an instrumental part in help leading this team to some success."Demoted #Browns QB Jameis Winston says he believes he showed he can still be starter. pic.twitter.com/jTJt32lJPc— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) December 18, 2024https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsWinston, who will turn 31 in January, went 2-5 as the starter. He completed 61.1 percent for 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and an 80.6 passer rating.Analysis: Bringing back Nick Chubb makes sense and is right thing to doHe knows he must stop throwing so many interceptions to be the player he believes he can be, and one teams want on the field."I know that's one thing that I'm going to get better at and I have to if I want to continue to do what I love," he said.Winston said he remains open to the possibility of returning to the Browns next year but there haven't been any discussions with the front office. He signed a one-year, $4 million contract as a free agent in March.He jump-started the offense when he took over as starter after Deshaun Watson's Achilles tendon ruptured. The Browns scored 20 points for the first time this season in a 29-24 win over the Ravens on Oct. 27 in Winston's first start. He unlocked receiver Jerry Jeudy, who has set career highs, including reaching 1,000 yards for the first time in his five seasons.Zone Coverage Podcast"I know I'm capable of bringing that fun and that joy and I know I'm capable of transitioning the paradigm shift of an organization," Winston said. "What I am going to continue to focus on and build upon is my ability to consistently do that, consistently have that fun without lows. Eliminate all the lows, eliminate all the negatives that are in my game, and literally it's only one negative that's in my game."Winston said he'll continue to serve the team, just in the No. 2 quarterback role."He's a pro's pro," coach Kevin Stefanski said. "He wants to do whatever he can do to help this football team. He'll continue to provide great leadership to his football team."Winston wants to set a good example."I do want to continue to show these guys what resilience looks like, continue to show these guys what perseverance looks like and continue to show these guys that I am who I am," he said. "Do I like it? Of course, not. I know I'm a starting quarterback in this league."However what you may say, you have to go out there and produce and you got to get wins for your team, you got to have elite ball security and you have to do what's required to be that starting quarterback."BREAK'S OVERDustin Hopkins will handle the kicking duties against the Bengals on Sunday in Cincinnati after being a healthy scratch vs. the Chiefs. The Browns decided he would benefit from a week off after missing six of his last nine field goals."Just like we talked about, want him to work through this," Stefanski said. "I thought he had a really, really good week last week in practice, so I'm excited for him to get back out there."Stefanski said the decision had been made to go back to Hopkins, but the Falcons left no doubt by signing Riley Patterson to their active roster from Cleveland's practice squad. Patterson kicked against the Chiefs, making his only extra point.The Falcons needed a kicker after Younghoe Koo went on injured reserve.INJURY REPORTTight end David Njoku (hamstring) remained out of practice. He was injured Dec. 8 against the Steelers but finished the game. He didn't practice last week or play vs. the Chiefs."We're still not sure about his availability," Stefanski said of the Bengals game. "He's pushing himself. He's trying to get there."** Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (concussion) and defensive tackle Shelby Harris (elbow) didn't practice and also weren't ruled out for Sunday. They didn't finish the Chiefs game."He's going to push to try to make it this Sunday," Stefanski said of Harris.** Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (knee) and receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion) were limited. Tillman remained in the concussion protocol after missing three games.** Winston (right shoulder) was a full participant.** For the Bengals, left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (fibula), defensive end Sam Hubbard (knee) and defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins (illness) and Kris Jenkins Jr. (illness) didn't practice. Hubbard has been ruled out for Sunday.ROSTER MOVESRunning back Nick Chubb was placed on injured reserve, as expected. His left foot broke against the Chiefs and he'll miss the final three games.He played in eight games, rushing for 332 yards and three touchdowns and adding a receiving touchdown.** The Browns signed tight end Brenden Bates to the active roster from the Jets' practice squad.The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder is an undrafted rookie from the University of Kentucky. He was originally signed by the Bears and appeared in five games with the Jets. He went to Cincinnati Moeller.** Rookie running back Jacob Kibodi (6-1, 225) was signed to the practice squad. He was undrafted out of Louisiana- Lafayette and spent time on the Saints' practice squad.NO WORRIESCornerback and Ohio State alum Denzel Ward is confident the Buckeyes will handle Tennessee on Saturday night in Columbus in the first round of the College Football Playoff."Ohio State, they're gonna win it, man. I'm telling you," Ward said. "They're going to win it all. They're going to take it a game at a time first and beat Tennessee."Ward planned to talk to Tillman, a Tennessee alum, about a wager. Ward predicted a score of 28-14.COMING TO TOWNHuntington Bank Field will host a premier MLS matchup April 19 at 4:30 p.m. as the Columbus Crew will face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF in a regular-season match.The Haslams own the Browns and the Crew.Tickets will go on sale to the public Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. People can register at columbuscrew.com/coming-to-cleveland for presale access, which begins Jan. 13 at 3 p.m.The post Notes: Jameis Winston calls starting stint 'fun ride,' says just has to get rid of 'one negative' in his game first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.