Today, eye-RAH! shares a chat with Jameis Winston’s quarterback coach and a teammate about what transformed the No. 1 overall pick and how he’s evolved in practice.

By IRA KAUFMAN

When successful quarterbacks end their NFL careers, many can pinpoint a defining moment that launched them into prominence.

After only one professional season, Jameis Winston already has his.

It came on Oct. 4, when the Panthers waltzed into Raymond James Stadium and taught the rookie a lesson he’ll never forget.

“I could tell Jameis felt like he let the whole team down,” Bucs quarterback coach Mike Bajakian says, 10 months after the debacle. “His awareness of the need to protect the football definitely spiked after that Carolina game.”

The Panthers capitalized on Winston’s four interceptions in breezing to a 37-23 triumph. One of those picks, on a throw Winston telegraphed to tight end Brandon Myers in the right flat, was returned 46 yards for a touchdown by Josh Norman. Carolina went up 10-0 before the beer had a chance to get warm.

And don’t forget the fumbled snap between Joe Hawley and Winston on the second snap of the game, setting up a field goal.

“Tangible Recognition”

The Bucs fell to 1-3, despite rolling up 25 first downs and outgaining the Panthers 411-244. We didn’t know at the time that Carolina would go 15-1 and represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, but that was surely the moment Winston realized he wasn’t in Tallahassee anymore.

“In the NFL, the margin of error is so small — much smaller than at the college level,” says Bajakian. “That Carolina game was tangible recognition for Jameis how turnovers can affect the team in a bad way.”

After winning the Heisman Trophy as a Florida State freshman, Winston’s focus slipped a bit in 2014. Five times the Seminoles had to rally from a halftime deficit, as they used their superior talent to finish 13-1.

After being schooled by an outstanding Carolina defense, Winston was a different quarterback. He threw six touchdown passes and seven interceptions in those first four games, then boasted a 16-8 ratio the rest of the way.

“He was already a focused, passionate individual before that Carolina game, then he turned it up a notch,” Veteran tight end Luke Stocker said. “He turned around his season and finished real strong. Knowing him, he put that game on his shoulders — when it wasn’t necessarily supposed to be on his shoulders.”

Winston won over many teammates over a year ago in training camp. If others needed convincing, he silenced any remaining skeptics by taking responsibility for his mistakes.

Every Buccaneer saw the look in his eyes after the Panthers stole his lunch money. They didn’t have to say a word … Winston’s look spoke volumes. It said: “I didn’t give you guys a fighting chance today, and I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”

In the final 12 games, Buc fans saw a more committed Jameis Winston.

He was more adept at surveying the field instead of locking in on the first option. He was more amenable to check-down flips to Charles Sims and Doug Martin. He stopped floating passes off his back foot.

Real-Time Criticism

In other words, he was the quarterback Dirk Koetter and Bajakian hoped for.

“It was definitely a turning point in the season for him,” Bajakian says. “He realized the importance of taking care of the football and letting the players around you make plays. Jameis is extremely perceptive. Even in practice, he tells me what he’s doing wrong before I even say anything.”

In the four games following Carolina affecting his mind, Winston did not throw a pick. Not one.

Now, heading into his second pro season, Winston won’t forget those harsh Carolina lessons.

Koetter and Bajakain had dutifully stressed ball security from the first day Winston walked onto the field at One Buc Place, but talk is cheap. Turnovers are expensive. As a quarterback and as a leader, agony must be experienced first-hand before you can truly grow.

Tampa Bay was minus-4 in the turnover battle against the Panthers in Week 4, and that’s a losing formula. To quote Lovie Smith, simple as that.

Don’t be fooled, though, into thinking Jameis Winston’s learning curve is complete.

He will throw his share of interceptions before his career is done. NFL defenses now have a bit of a book on him. His tendencies and how he reacts under pressure are on tape.

But you can bet this isn’t the same No. 3 who looked lost against the Panthers in his fourth NFL game. In turning the ball over that afternoon, he also turned over a new leaf.