Jameis Winston has rightfully earned high praise for his NFL Scouting Combine from evaluators, but so did Marcus Mariota, and now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in an agonizing position.

Speaking with SI.com's Peter King for his "Monday Morning Quarterback" column, Buccaneers' general manager Jason Licht said Winston's track record off the field is unavoidable when considering taking him. Licht's comments depict the seemingly impossible task of drafting a QB first overall to be the face of a franchise, deliver championships and represent the city.

"I'd be lying if I said I don't spend a lot of time thinking about the off-field stuff. It's always in the back of your mind. We're people too. We have wives and daughters and bosses to answer to," Licht told King. "And at the end of the day we will do the kind of due diligence the likes of which I don't believe the Bucs will have ever done. This decision is going to affect so many people and their families. We've got to get it right."

Which is why Winston's impressive Combine is not making the decision easier. In throwing drills, he was on the money. In his media session, he welcomed questions about the several incidents he got in trouble for in college. He blew Steve Marriuci away in a one-on-one "X's-and-O's" talk meant to simulate a formal interview with a potential employer.

His physical drills are now an afterthought because it looks more and more like a fact that Winston would ready to play QB in the NFL tomorrow.

Mariota looks like an NFL QB as well, he has all the athleticism a GM could want in a QB, but he may not reach his full potential as a passer right away. Licht could also love Mariota's public persona, as most people do, but in the back of his mind is how a QB's development is never guaranteed.

"I've been lucky in this league in my 20 years. I've seen some great ones. I was in Miami starting out when Dan Marino was there. I worked for New England and watched Tom Brady grow," Licht said. "And I've been around Donovan McNabb and Kurt Warner. I've seen the common threads. And now in these two quarterbacks, I see an amazing amount in common. They both had great success in college. Both won a Heisman. Both winners. Both tape junkies. Both coaches' dreams. Both mentally can handle the pressure of what they're about to face."

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