Inconsistent Ground Game Has Hurt The Bucs

This season has been a fun one as the Bucs have won eight games and have a chance to win 9 which would give them a winning record since 2010. Unfortunately, the Bucs will likely not be in the playoffs this season but they have a good foundation to build on for the 2017 season. One of the main reasons this team won't be in the playoffs is the lack of a good running game. In 2015, that was the strength for the offense as they could gash teams with big runs as well as control the clock.

For whatever reason, the ground game could just never get going this year. Injuries to Doug Martin and Charles Sims didn't help, then Jacquizz Rodgers was doing well and then he got injured. So for the Bucs running game, it has been two steps forward and then one step back as it was close to breaking out but never met.

Inconsistent play along the offensive line hasn't helped either as they have struggled to create holes along with allowing too much penetration. This is going to be one of the keys this off-season as the Bucs need to solve their run game issues. This offense is at their best when they can use their play action passing game and control the clock with the run as well. Unfortunately in 2016, it was the downfall for the offense.

There is No Tomorrow!

Today is it for the Bucs as they have to win against the Saints if they want a shot at the playoffs. The team is coming off a tough loss against the Cowboys in which they didn't bring their best but still had a shot to win the game. That can't happen today as the Bucs need to bring their best and play their best game of the season. Jameis says today is do or die as the playoffs start now for them against the Saints.

“Absolutely and we start on the road. We know that we’re going to be on the road in a tough environment against the Saints, so yeah, it starts now. We’ve got to start preparing for the show.”

All three phrases as in offense, defense, and special teams need to help each other and play physical, smart Bucs football. Be aggressive and don't let off the pedal, run the football with authority and use play action as much as possible for Jameis Winston who is at his best in play action throws. The offensive line needs to man up and come to play today. Coach Koetter needs to creative but also simplistic in the redzone, use more fades and slants inside the 20.

As for the defense, the front four just needs to win their one on ones and get after Drew Brees. Attack them, dont defend them be aggressive and jump routes all day. The defense has been really good lately and needs an awesome performance today. Gerald McCoy, Noah Spence, Robert Ayers, Kwon Alexander, and Lavonte David all need to step up today and be star performers. Now for special teams just make good kicks and please have a big return as we could use one today. There is no tomorrow and let's hope the Bucs come out and play like it.

The Game Within The Game: Bucs v Cowboys

by Douglas O'Connor
follow on Twitter @Ren_Daxt

     The weekly piece that goes deeper than "Win the turnover battle" and "Establish the run" for "Keys to victory" against the ________. This week the Dallas Cowboys.

Spread Out The Defense: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went under the hood after the Thursday Night game against the Atlanta Falcons, did some fine tuning and turned their season around. Most if not all of the changes that were talked about have been on the defensive side of the ball. What has gone largely unnoticed was the Bucs commitment to keep Jameis Winston on his feet. Since the Chicago game Dirk Koetter has called a ton of max protection to keep Jameis upright. You can't complete a pass if the quarterback doesn't have enough time to throw it. Look for this recent philosophy to change Sunday night against the Cowboys.
     Dallas's pass rush doesn't scare opposing teams and has been a talking point for Cowboys fans and media members all season long because of their lack of production. The Bucs have the opportunity to get more receivers and backs out into the route. Which in turn will spread out the Cowboys coverage and open more windows for Winston to throw into. The lack of a threatening Dallas pass rush could open up the Buccaneers offense and lead to the offensive explosion Buc fans have been waiting for.

Ali Marpet vs Sean Lee: Dallas Cowboys WLB Sean Lee has 130 tackles on the season, good enough for 2nd in the NFL. Lee is coming off a franchise record 22 team credited tackles against the NY Giants last Sunday night. Doug Martin hasn't had a big run so far this year. On those plays where he is just a step or two from breaking one, most have come behind Kevin Pamphile and Donovan Smith. This may come has a surprise since Marpet is widely considered the Bucs best offensive lineman. The reason for this is that the Buccaneers use Ali's ability to get to the 2nd level and cut off the backside pursuit. Lee has more than twice as many tackles as any other linebacker on the Cowboys roster and lines up on the weak side of the formation. Look for the Bucs to run left and pin their hopes on Marpet's athleticism to hamper Lee enough to break off a big gain.

Jason Witten & Sealver Siliga: Dallas Cowboy TE Jason Witten in all likely hood will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday. In the past two games Witten only has 4 catches for 26 yards, not surprisingly, arguably the Cowboys worst two offensive performances. Teams are taking away Prescott's security blanket, look for the Bucs to do the same.
     Buccaneers DT Sealver Siliga is an immovable object. the Cowboys offensive line an unstoppable force. Whomever wins this match up on 1st down will determine how well Ezekiel Elliott plays Sunday night.

You can follow us on Twitter @realbucstalk
Thanks for reading and as always GO BUCS!

 
   

Use What You Have!

So often during each week the media asks Coach Dirk Koetter whats going on with the offense and their usual go to assumption is that there isn't good enough personnel or people around Jameis to get the job done and Koetter always responds the same way as you can read below.

Love Koetters response to reporters about personnel "we can cry all we want about personnel but no one cares and everyone has issues"

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) December 13, 2016

He went further about personnel-"the guys that r out there playing are good enough to b here and it's our job to find a way to make it go"

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) December 13, 2016

Koetter above all knows what he has on his offense. Its a lot more than just superstar Mike Evans. There are plenty other options like Cam Brate who is always open in the middle of the field, Charles Sims in the flats, Adam Humphries with the WR screen. This offense has weapons they just have to used corrected and at the right times. Football has always been about X's and O's, you don't have to win by just being bigger, stronger, faster, but by being smarter.

Obviously we don't have the pure speed option but that doesn't mean we don't have guys who can do things with the ball in space like Sims and Huff. Which brings me to that point. Koetter and Winston need to find a way to get the ball in all of our playmakers hands as that will open everything up for Evans as well. The game of football is like the game of chess, its strategy and breaking the other team down based on weaknesses and we need to see this offense take control of the Cowboys 28th ranked offense against the pass today.

Big Game Coming For Jameis on Sunday Night?

Lately the talk has been all about the Bucs defense and rightfully so as the unit has been the best in the league during this winning streak. However, the offense has struggled to put up points consistently and have had issues mainly finishing drives in the redzone with touchdowns. I think this week that changes as the offense knows it needs a big game sooner or later, and I think it starts this Sunday night in Dallas. Cowboys defense allows almost 70% completion rate to opposing quarterbacks but only allow 18.3 points per game. This is mainly due to the Cowboys offense having the ball most of the game because of their dominant run game.

I expect the Bucs offense to have a similar gameplan in how they attacked the Falcons in week 1 in which they took advantage of the checkdowns to open up the deep passing game. With this being a big primetime game, I believe Jameis is going to take that next step and have one of those elite games that he has shown at times this season. Jameis is at his best when he is spreading the ball around and is just hitting the open man and I expect that to take place against the Cowboys.

Him and Evans have been quite the duo this year and I think Evans will get his looks but Jameis needs to trust his other weapons as well. I just really like this matchup for the Bucs offense as the Cowboys defense don't have a great pass rush and don't really blitz as they will keep 7 in coverage most of the time. This is why I believe a big game could be in store for Jameis and the offense as they have the guys to take advantage of this cover 2 defense. Having Humprhies, Sims, and new guy Josh Huff in the lineup should help open up the offense as I think Koetter is going to cut it loose a little bit. The defense has been dominant, now it's time for the offense to have a complete game and I think Jameis is going to lead the way.

DT Sealver Siliga Was Brought In To Stop Ezekiel Elliot

by Douglas O'Connor
follow me on Twitter @Ren_Daxt 

    Sealver Siliga joined the Buccaneers in November of this year after spending the first part of his career employed by the elite teams of the NFL. Stops with the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, and finally Seattle Seahawks before the Bucs plucked him from the waiver wire. His acquisition came as a bit of surprise, since the Buccaneers had just gotten healthy on the defensive line and it wasn't looking like a position they needed more depth in.

      In Real Bucs Talk tradition we took a deeper look and found not only is a player like Siliga sorely needed but his role should dramatically increase the last few games of the season and hopefully into the playoffs.

     Sealver Siliga, who wears number 70 for the Bucs, is a mountain of a man tipping the scales at a whopping 345 lbs. Described as like having 3 guys in there by All Pro DT Gerald McCoy and someone who needs 4 hands to keep under control by Bucs offensive coordinator Todd Monken. If both of these statements are true expect Siliga to face a lot of double teams this Sunday, which is good news for the Buccaneers. Freeing up other defensive linemen especially McCoy to get extra one on one match ups to get pressure on Dak Prescott and bottle up rookie running back sensation Ezekiel Elliott.

     Look for big number 70 to be in on mostly 1st downs to take up blockers and clog up inside running lanes. The Dallas Cowboys run the ball on 1st down more than any other team in the NFL. Siliga's should be found on the field on all 3rd and short situations and goal line as well.

     With the importance of being able to stop the run as the weather turns late into the season as well as the playoffs. A player of Siliga's size and skill set will be needed. Credit GM Jason Licht, again, for having an eye on the future and bringing in Sealver 5 weeks ago so he would be up to speed schematically when his number was called. If Siliga has an impactful game you can add him to a long list of fringe players that have played a big role in the Buccaneers win streak.

You can also follow us on Twitter @realbucstalk
Thank you for reading and as always GO BUCS!

Preparation Has Been The Difference

Usually preparation is key if you want to have success in anything that you do especially for NFL teams. For the Bucs, their success has been because of better preparation in practice and in the film room. Both players and coaches have said it during this streak that everyone has brought in and are putting in the work necessary to get better every day. This is what the great teams do as it all about preparation and what the team does during Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday's practice to ensure they are ready to put it on the field Sunday.

Better preparation can lead to better opportunities and these last 5 weeks the Bucs have taken advantage by forcing turnovers and on offense taking better care of the ball. Players are in position to make plays and it's awesome to see. This comes from working hard in the film room and knowing opposing teams tendencies and anticipating what they will do next. For instance, here is Lavonte David talking about the Keith Tandy interception against the Saints via Buccaneers.com.

“It was a great play by Tandy, man. Great communication on the back end and those guys, they practice it all week. We do a great job throughout the week of talking, so those guys in the back end, they did their talking and they knew what play was coming. Tandy was able to jump in front of the ball and make a great play.”

I can't remember a recent Bucs team knowing what play or plays to look for which tells you this team is trusting their coaches and also putting in the work every day. This is what separates the great teams from the good teams as the great teams usually out prepare the other team allowing them to make one more play than their opponent. Here is more from Keith Tandy talking about the interception via Buccaneers.com.

“It’s a formation we’ve seen on film, and Bradley (McDougald) was just talking to me, ‘I’m coming to you so sit on it.’ We’ve been trying to get our scout team to run the route all week and they couldn’t run it right. You always know in crunch time situations that teams go to one of their favorite plays, and that was one of their favorite plays.”

 That is what is allowing this team to be successful as great preparation can create opportunities to have success. With 5 wins in a row, they are taking advantage of it, and lets hope they can do the same in Dallas on Sunday night football.

Bucs Offense Must Get Back to The Basics

The Bucs are winning again which is awesome as their defense has been terrific during this 5 game winning streak. However while that is great, the offense has been struggling to get any kind of consistency going especially in the redzone. They are 21st in scoring efficiency with a rate of 34% which is not very good and is something they must improve down the stretch if they want to play in January. This offense starts with the running game as it opens up the play action passing game which is what Jameis is best at. It's been a struggle all year for the run game as there have been injuries, inconsistent O-line play, along with opposing defenses forcing Jameis to beat them.

Personally I think it's time to get back to the basics as this offense needs to make everything simple and dont try to get too fancy. I think the Bucs need to get away from running out of the shotgun formation and purely run out of the I-form or singleback allowing Doug Martin and company to run downhill. Everytime the Bucs run out of the I-form or singleback up the middle usually good things happen. So if the Bucs start with that, it could help the offense more down the stretch also think the Bucs run better with the three wide formation as well.

As for the passing game, it's real simple in which Jameis needs to trust other guys besides Brate and Evans. Take what the defense is giving you and stay ahead of the chains. This past game Jameis had other guys open but instead got too locked on Evans or Brate and it ends up being a wasted play. With that being said they need to find a way to isolate Evans and Brate more in the redzone as the Bucs are leaving too many points on the field. Need to get back to more slants and drag routes over the middle to help open up space against the opposing defense. Jameis expects it to get better via buccaneers.com.

“No, we didn’t (perform well). We’re going to look back on this film and say, ‘A win is a win.’ Coach Koetter’s going to get after us. The coaches should get after us, because like Robert [Ayers[ said, ‘We’re terrible.’ We’ve got to continue every week to get better and better. The offense, we have to play better for us to win football games.’

Bucs D Leads The Way Again!

The Bucs did it again yesterday as their win streak has reached 5 games and are now 8-5 on the season. The defense was outstanding as they held the high powered Saints offense to 9 points defeating the Saints 16-11 eliminating them from playoff contention. The Bucs offense did just enough as they were smart with the ball having zero turnovers and rookie kicker Roberto Aguayo made all of his kicks. Jameis Winston was a little off with his accuracy in this game but did enough to help the team win. Running back Doug Martin didn't have stellar numbers but ran hard and helped the Bucs controlled the clock limiting the possessions for the Saints offense. Head coach Dirk Koetter blamed himself for the offensive struggles, he says it must get better.

“That’s one of the things that’s crazy on the stats. I felt like we had 215 penalties and I look at it and they had twice as many as we did. I’m not satisfied at all with how we’re playing on offense. We definitely left points out there. We’re going to get a chance to play these guys again in two weeks. I’m sure both New Orleans’ offensive coaches and our offensive coaches are going to be feeling the same way. We’ve got to play better. And both (sets of) defensive coaches are feeling pretty good about the way they played.’’

“The main reason we’re leaving points on the field is the play-caller is not going a good enough job.’’ 

It's all good coach as long as the team wins and the Bucs have won five straight which keeps them tied with Atlanta for the division crown. Let's get back to the main reason for the Bucs streak and that has been the outstanding play of the defense. The unit has been flying around the field making plays all over the field. During this five game streak, they are allowing 12.8 points per game, 298 yards per game, and 2.8 turnovers per game making this unit the number one defense during this stretch. Another great stat is that the defense has only allowed one Td during their last three home games which was the fluke hail mary play by Jay Cutler and the Bears. Winston knows how good this defense can be when they are healthy and they finally are.

“Absolutely. Our defense has been playing amazing. It starts with our leaders on that defense. [Defensive tackles] Clinton McDonald, Gerald McCoy and [linebacker] Lavonte [David] have taken it to a whole new level. [Linebacker] Kwon [Alexander] is stepping up, it’s amazing. When our defense is healthy, you see what they’re all about.’’

Buc ball is back and the defense is getting better every week and it's really fun to watch the unit play. Huge game this Sunday against the 11-2 Cowboys as they have a great O-line and really play great team ball. Bucs will need to bring their "A" game and I believe they will. Let's keep this streak going!

Don't Drop The Ball!

Today the Buccaneers start the final stretch of the season against their division rival the New Orleans Saints. Every game is critical as the Bucs are 7-5 and are currently in the playoffs but still tons of work is ahead. Now is not the time to let up as this team needs to keep winning as they have a chance to win the NFC South. It's imperative that this team doesn't drop the ball today like they did last season as they went on to lose the final 4 games of the season.

However, that was last year and this current team looks to have the right mindset as they are now expecting to win every game. The leadership from the coaches and players have been outstanding and this team not only has the confidence but they also truly believe in one another. Today against the Saints who were the team that killed their season last year, I expect this team to come out with fire and passion and show the fans that this is a new team. So let's start fast and defeat the Saints like this team is capable of.

The Bucs Defense Is On The Hunt; So Why Not Give Them Spirit Animals

by Douglas O'Connor
follow me on Twitter @Ren_Daxt 

     The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense has turned their season around. After surrendering over 1,000 yards of combined offense against the Oakland Raiders and Atlanta Falcons in back to back weeks. The players and coaches took a look in the mirror and came back from the mini bye week with a better understanding of what it takes to help win games defensively in the NFL. By simplifying the scheme and improving communication the defense has been the catalyst for the Bucs during this 4 game winning streak. By recording sacks and causing timely turnovers the Buccaneers defense has gone from the hunted to the hunters.

     During the Seattle Seahawks game rookie corner back Vernon Hargreaves was "Mic'd Up" and his "performance" went viral throughout the Tampa Bay area. If you haven't had a chance to watch it you should, I can guarantee you will be laughing and shaking your head at number 28. Soon after the suggestions for nicknames were all over social media. Vernon has just recently decided on a nickname but more on that later.

     The social media explosion about Hargreaves and recent resurgence of defense in Tampa Bay are the inspiration for me to assign each member of the starting defense a spirit animal. An animal that embodies each players style of play or persona. Now it's time to see who will be on the hunt this Sunday.

Gerald McCoy: The Lion The king of the jungle and the best player on defense. The All Pro isn't the most vocal leader but he is the most respected.

Robert Ayers: The Tiger I tweeted out a couple of pictures and video clips hash tagging Ayers with this spirit animal and he liked them both. So I'm taking that as an endorsement. The biggest of all the big cats, once the tiger gets a taste he can eat nothing else. I'm speaking of quarterbacks of course.

Will Gholston: The Snow Leopard Master of camouflage, you never see him until it's to late. I rarely notice Gholston on the field before the play then BAM! The runner goes down like he was shot by a sniper and then you see 92 getting from the pile.

Noah Spence: The Cobra Possibly the lightest DE in the league, but also possibly the quickest. His amazing "get off" and fast striking hands makes the archenemy of G.I. Joe the perfect fit. I sent in a question during his All Access radio show about this nickname and he didn't poo poo it. So endorsement number 2.

Daryl Smith: The Silver Back The senior citizen of the defense with 13 years in the NFL and counting. He's past his prime but to take him lightly would be to your peril.

Kwon Alexander: The Cheetah Speed, speed, and more speed. Sometimes he's going in the wrong direction but I guarantee he'll get there 1st.

Lavonte David: The Panther The most underappreciated of the big cats, but the panther brings steadiness and balance to the game. Look no further than Bagheera from The Jungle Book.

Vernon Hargreaves: The Joker After his cackling outburst during the Seahawks game, the names Hyena and Jackal (by yours truly) were flooding social media. On Fridays Bucs Live VH3 shot both of those names down, by the end of the 3rd segment Vernon had put his stamp of approval on The Joker. It doesn't fit with my theme here, but he was the inspiration, so he gets what he wants. If there is any doubt about the Hargreaves nickname phenomenon, I found this on Twitter this morning.

  
Brent Grimes: The Fox You have to be sly to still be playing at such a high level at the corner back position after 10 years in the league. Grimes baited Carolina quarterback Derek Anderson into throwing an interception on 1st down from the goal line. 1st down people! Brent you sly fox you.

Chris Conte: The Black Widow There is no in between when it comes to spiders. You either love them or hate them,just like Conte. He can be instant death to his own or opposing team. i.e. Cardinals, Rams game bad, Chiefs, Bears game good.

Bradley McDougald: The Barn Owl Definitely not the most feared predator nor is McDougald. Just when you have forgotten all about him he swoops in and makes a big pick. Like a mouse from an open field.

follow us on Twitter @realbucstalk 
thanks for reading and as always GO BUCS!




    

The Game Within The Game: Bucs vs Saints

by Douglas O'Connor
follow me on Twitter @Ren_Daxt

     How to beat the Saints: Stop Drew Brees, don't turn the ball over, run the ball effectively, and eat up the clock.

     Well yeah.

     Here are three not so obvious keys to the game to look for on Sunday that could insure another Buccaneers victory.

Pressure Up The Middle: Let us face facts, stopping New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is tougher than herding cats and almost as impossible. For example, Brees had 34 passing yards with just over 2 minutes left in the 1st half of last weeks game against the Lions and then came roaring back and finished with a total of 319 yards. One of countless passing feats Brees as pulled of in his career.
     One of his many strengths is moving up in the pocket and delivering a strike downfield. This is why the Bucs interior defensive lineman need to keep in their rushing lanes and push the pocket into Brees lap. Effectively taking away his ability to extend the play and find receivers deeper down the field. Ideally, hindering his ability to step into throws and giving him the general feeling standing in front of a pile of tumbling luggage all afternoon long,

Open Field Tackling: Drew Brees is very decisive with the football. He progresses through his reads is as fast as any quarterback in the league. Often he settles on the check down route just before the pocket collapses around him. A back or tight end that has leaked out from the pass protection scheme and settles into space. Waiting in the wings to make a reception and pickup some positive yardage.
     Closing the yardage gap and making immediate stops can turn a possible 7-12 yard gain into a 0-5 yard gain. These extra yards nearly always make the difference between a fresh set of downs or getting the Bucs offense back on to the field. This responsibility is going to fall squarely on the shoulders of linebackers Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander. The duo, as of late, seem to of shaken of the overall slow start and have begun to replicate their play from last season. The Buccaneers ability to limit the Saints short passing game could hinge on these two players tackling ability on Sunday.

Injuries: Normally I would not use this as a factor, with the release of  Fridays injury report you know who is in and who is out. Football is the ultimate next man up sport so there is no crying about how the game would of been different if so and so would of played. I'm looking at you Seattle fan. But the the injury report out of New Orleans is so interesting, and could play a big role in the Bucs game plan on both sides of the ball.
     Early in the week it was big news that on Thursday, leading rusher Mark Ingram and leading pass catcher Michael Thomas were both held out of practice. The pair were limited on Friday but their health arrow is trending up and I expect them to start Sunday.
     However starting center and 2 time Pro Bowler Max Unger didn't practice all week and is listed as questionable, same for leading tackler, linebacker Craig Robertson. The Saints don't have an official backup center listed on their depth cart but whomever it may be if, Unger can't go, will have almost zero experience and will be lined up in front of All Pro Gerald McCoy for most of the day. Robertson who has exactly 100 tackles on the season would be replaced by newly acquired Sam Barrington who only has 56 tackles in his 3 year career, 53 of which were recorded 2 years ago while playing for the Green Bay Packers. If either of these two players can't go on Sunday it will be a huge downgrade in talent and a beacon of weakness that the Buccaneers can exploit on both sides of the ball.

you can follow us on Twitter @realbucstalk
as always thanks for reading and GO BUCS!
   
   

Josh Huff Should Help The Return Game

Due to multiple injuries at the receiver position, the Bucs have called up third year pro and former Eagle Josh Huff. Huff has good playmaking ability as he has good speed along with solid hands and can make defenders miss in the open field. In his time with the Eagles he put up decent numbers as a Wr, but was outstanding on special teams as a return guy. With just 42 kick returns, Huff has put up over 1000 yds averaging 27.7 yds per return and 2 tds. Huff has six returns of 40 yards or more in his short career which is really good. So not only can Huff help this team on special teams, the Bucs are expecting him to be a threat on offense as well. Quarterback Jameis Winston spoke about him today and had nothing but good things to say about Mr. Huff per buccaneers.com.

“Josh Huff man, he’s blazing [fast]. [He] has a lot of abilities that would definitely add to our repertoire. We really are excited to have him up on the 53-man active roster] and to see what he’s going to do on game day.”

Hopefully Huff can provide a spark in the return game and be a playmaker for Jameis on offense. Huff knows that this is his second chance and he needs to make the most of it. The good news is that Huff still has confidence in himself and his game and is ready to do whatever the Bucs ask him to do at a high level via buccaneers.com.

“Any time you go out, you want to have confidence, whether you’re playing the Saints or any other team in the league. This league is all about confidence and if you have confidence, you’re able to do a lot of things that you know you’re capable of doing. My big thing is confidence and knowing that I can do the things that they’re asking me to do and going out and executing at a high level.” 

Huff should see some snaps on offense this week vs the Saints mixing in with Russell Shepard and Freddie Martino. Hopefully he can provide some juice to this offense and make some big plays to help the Bucs win their 5th straight game.

                               

So I Have A Concussion, How Do I get Back Out On The Field?

by Douglas O'Connor
follow on Twitter @Ren_Daxt by clicking HERE

     Concussion protocol is nothing new to the Buccaneers this year. Wide receiver Mike Evans was in in out of protocol in less than a week. While right guard Kevin Pamphile took longer and missed a game. Now the Bucs have Adam Humphries jumping through the hoops. So what exactly does a player have to do to get back out on the field and get to playing again?

     All NFL players go through a neurological test sometime during the preseason to get a baseline. This baseline status is used to evaluate a players recovery during the week through a series of physical test that gradually increase in difficulty. Once a player returns to his baseline he can begin his recovery. Complete an exercise, baseline normal? Move up to the next, and so on and so forth until the player is cleared for full participation.
     
Rest and recovery: Until a player returns to the "baseline level of signs and symptoms and neurological examination," only limited stretching and balance activities are recommended. Electronics, social media and team meetings are all to be avoided.

Light aerobic exercise: The NFL recommends 10-20 minutes on a stationary bike or treadmill without resistance training or weight training. The cardiovascular activity is monitored by an athletic trainer to "determine if there are any recurrent concussion signs or symptoms."

Continued aerobic exercise and introduction of strength training: Increased duration and intensity of aerobic exercise with strength training added. An athletic trainer will supervise to watch for recurrent concussions signs or symptoms.

Football specific activities: The cognitive load of playing football will be added and players will participate in non-contact activities for the typical duration of a full practice.

Full football activity/clearance: A player returns to full participation in practice, including contact without restriction.

     If you want to read the official NFL document, I've added a link to a PDF file HERE.

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Thanks for reading and as always Go Bucs!!

Bucs Make it 4 in a Row

It's another victory Monday as our Tampa Bay Buccaneers went into San Diego and got another big win defeating the Chargers 28-21. The Bucs have now won 4 in a row and are looking like a dangerous team as they have beaten three great teams in the Chiefs, Seahawks, and Chargers. The culture is changing as this team is expecting to win now instead of hoping to win which is a big difference. Qb Jameis Winston is putting this team on his back and willing them to victories and was outstanding again yesterday.

Jameis ends up 20-30 66% 1TD 1int and 280 yards. Qb rating of 93.8 and yes yep his TD streak alive.

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) December 5, 2016

Given the fact he is doing this guys like Russell Shepard and Freddie Martino since both Adam Humphries and Cecil Shorts went out with injuries is very impressive. Go to guy Mike Evans was shut down as he only had 38 yards but Jameis just keeps making plays. He found Cameron Brate for the game winning TD as Brate continues to find ways to get open.

Winston hit 9 different receivers et again and guess who the leading receiver was..?? Cam Brate 6 for 86 yards and game winning TD.

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) December 5, 2016

This team is playing with confidence and when you put talent and confidence together it can produce something special. The Bucs have that right now as this team is finding ways to win instead of finding ways to lose like they were earlier in the season. The defense is making big plays during critical moments of the game and are playing physical. Robert Ayers, Gerald McCoy, and Lavonte David are making big time plays and our being leaders for this unit. Those guys said enough is enough and challenged that locker room and so far it has worked. Next up is the Saints at Ray Jay, it's going to be a playoff atmosphere. Bucs are 7-5 and tied for first place in the NFC South and right now have the last wild card spot. I will end it with this awesome video below, enjoy.

Post-game locker room 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥!

Get hype, #Bucs fans!#SiegetheDay Bring on the Saints! pic.twitter.com/nc0isUnAJK

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) December 5, 2016

2 Out Of 3 Last Week, What To Look For Against The Chargers

by Douglas O'Connor
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     Chances are that writing about Mike Evans, Jameis Winston and the turnover battle will just be a regurgitation of obvious keys to victory that you have read this week and all season long. Here are some lesser known things to watch versus the Chargers that can deliver a Buccaneers victory.

Open Field Tackling: San Diego Head Coach Mike McCoy's offense relies heavily on draws, screens, and rubs (legal picks). Getting his athletes the ball in space and letting them make a play. Outside corner backs Brent Grimes and Vernon Hargreaves are going to have to get off blocks and make solo tackles against bigger Charger receivers. When you hear "another great open field tackle by a Buccaneer", coming from announcer Sam Rosen, you know they've been doing their job.

Rush Lanes: I spotlighted this one last week as well but for a totally different reason. Rush lanes were important against the Seahawks for keeping Russell Wilson in the pocket. This weeks importance has to do with stopping the draw. Buccaneers DT need to stay in their lanes, pushing the pocket back and clogging the middle giving Gordon nowhere to go. MIL LB Kwon Alexander will also have to challenge the releasing center instead of using his speed to slip the block awarding Gordon an easy cut to get into the secondary. Here against the Rams is a 3rd and 19 that went for a 1st down. Bad lanes and slippage from Kwon left the runner uncontested until he reached the 3rd level.

Disciplined rush lanes will be a factor in keeping Gordon from doing this against the Bucs on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/1akfZvOANx

— Douglas Sean OConnor (@Ren_Daxt) December 3, 2016

Max Protection: Buccaneers Head Coach Dirk Koetter believes in protecting the passer more than spreading out the defense. Last week the Bucs threw the ball out of a 6 OL set and have used backs and receivers to chip opposing DE to ensure his quarterback remains upright. The Chargers have 20 sacks on the year with half coming from two players, Melvin Ingram and rookie Joey Bosa. Look for the Bucs to continue this trend and allow Jameis Winston to progress through his reads and pick apart a poor and beat up San Diego secondary.

     Seven out of eight experts have picked the Chargers in this game, for the record these same experts all picked the Chiefs and the Seahawks too. The more I look at this game I see a double digit win for the Bucs. San Diego is 6th against the run but their leading tackler is out this week leaving 3rd stringer Korey Toomer at ILB. I think the soaring confidence and new found nastiness of the Bucs OL puts up a nice performance in the run game. The ability to run the ball and the extra protection for Winston equates to the Bucs easily moving the ball up and down the field. The Chargers offensive scoring numbers are inflated by all the short fields their defense have been giving them. Couple this with San Diego's leading receiver will be wearing a brace on his shoulder for a torn labrum and the new look Buccaneers defense stinginess. I envision lots of smiles on the team flight back to Tampa.

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Odds And Ends About The Chargers Game

by Douglas O'Connor
follow me on Twitter @Ren_Daxt

     Not all interesting components of the Buccaneers, Chargers game can be generated into a full story. So I have put together some "oh really" tidbits and posted them all together for easy consumption.

Gerald McCoy pulled Chargers RB Melvin Gordon to the side after interviewing him on press row during Super Bowl week. Giving him a pep talk about his disappointing rookie season and telling him just to keep working. Things will get better. Gordon is 4th in the league in rushing and rushing touchdowns, after coming in 29th last year with zero TD's.

The Chargers run the ball over 55% of the time on 1st down.

Head Coach Mike McCoy has elected to receive the past two games, even though the Chargers have won the coin toss.

Phillip Rivers starts fast but steadily declines as the game goes on. 1st quarter QBR 108.4 then continuously drops till it bottoms out at 76.9 during the 4th.

Rivers hasn't thrown a touchdown pass on any San Diego drive that starts on or inside their own 20 yard line.

When trailing late in games, under 4 minutes. Rivers is throwing for less than a 50% rate with 4 interceptions and 0 touchdowns.

Buccaneers Head Coach Dirk Koetter said while talking to the San Diego media that you teach offense through the eyes of the quarterback. Koetter has been fielding questions about Jameis Winston for almost 2 years and this is the first time I've heard this.

Casey Hayward a free agent pick up from the Green Bay Packers. Where he played almost exclusively inside nickel corner, is tied for the lead league for interceptions. Hayward has moved to outside starting corner back this season and has shadowed some teams elite receiver. Mike Evans is expected to draw Hayward all day this Sunday.

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CB Brent Grimes Is Phillip Rivers Kryponite

by Douglas O'Connor
follow on Twitter @Ren_Daxt

     San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers has been taking apart NFL defense's for 13 years. Known for his big arm, big temper and the mentality that he can fit a football through a keyhole from 40 yards away.

     Given Rivers supreme confidence in his right arm, you would think his interception numbers would be higher. He has the least amount of turnovers through the air than any of his high profile counterparts that entered the league with him (2004). Eli Manning leads the way (209) followed by Carson Palmer (274) Ben Roethlisberger (154) and then Rivers (147). Seeing these numbers makes corner back Brent Grimes play against the San Diego gunslinger even more impressive.

     Grimes has faced Rivers once the past three years while patrolling the secondary for the Miami Dolphins. During those match ups Brent has 4 interceptions, getting at least one drive stopping turnover in each game. While Grimes was with the Atlanta Falcons they faced Rivers and the Chargers twice. Once in 2008, Grimes 2nd year in the league, where he didn't appear in the box score.  Brent only played in 12 games that year so it is unclear if Grimes even saw the field that game. The Falcons once again faced the Chargers in 2012 in week three, but Grimes had suffered a season ending Achilles injury during the opener against the Chiefs and missed the game.

    Vernon Hargreaves, whom I've given the nickname The Jackal do to his mic'd up performance, should be Brent Grimes shadow during this weeks preparation. Grimes track record against Rivers could be the edge that The Jackal needs to record his first NFL interception.

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Spence Continues to Get Better Every Week

Lately, the Bucs pass rush has been coming on strong as they have 10 sacks over the last three games with 6 coming in their last game against Seattle. With Robert Ayers and Clinton Mcdonald back, the Bucs finally have a complete unit across the defensive line which has been causing havoc lately. However, one player has raise their game dramatically and that is rookie DE Noah Spence. He has 5.5 sacks on the year, and ever since the Panthers game he has improved every week. His run defense has been significantly better as he is holding his contain and making plays in the backfield. This last game against the Seahawks was probably his best game as he had 5 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an forced fumble.

Spence is getting more confidence with each week, and now knows he can get to the Qb which has been showing on the field with his recent surge in play. Spence is showing that he was a top ten talent going into the draft as not many rushers have his speed and athletic ability off the edge. For the Bucs to get him in the second round might be Jason Licht's next greatest steal alongside Kwon Alexander. The scary part is Spence is playing through pain with a bad shoulder and is doing this while not being 100 percent. Fellow teammate Kwon Alexander said Spence is on a mission to get double digit sacks this season and with the way he is playing right now it is doable. With Spence doing this well as a rookie is great news for the future of the Bucs defense and should be one of the top sack guys in the league throughout his career if healthy. Watch these quick hands by Noah Spence below, speed kills!

Noah got some violent hands, he just drives right under the tackle here. If he dips a little more he probab... https://t.co/BoVBr49gvZ

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) November 30, 2016

More Aggressive Scheme Equals Better Defense

The Bucs defense has been mixed with good and bad play this season and there are multiple reasons for that. Earlier in the season, there were tons of moving parts with injuries and guys still learning where to be on the field. Plus the defense was being put in bad positions due the offense struggling to protect the football. So the result was 1-3 and the Bucs needed to make changes which was protect the football better and be more aggressive on defense. The Bucs won two in row to get back at 500 and then for some reason, the Bucs D was trying to do too many things against the Raiders and Falcons and the result was 1000 yards given up and 73 points allowed. So at 3-5, the Bucs defensive coaching staff got together and decided they were going to be more simple scheme wise and be aggressive on the ball and get after the Qb.

After the Falcons loss, the defense has been outstanding allowing only 10.7 points plus 9 takeaways and 10 sacks over the last three games. The Bucs are playing more press man coverage and our allowing their secondary to attack the ball which is needed in this pass happy league. DC Mike Smith has made the proper adjustments and is doing a better job of mixing his blitzes but also putting in his pass rush unit on the field more during 1st and 2nd down has really helped. Most good offenses are all about timing and to be a good defense in this league you have to disrupt that timing somehow. Easiest way is with pressure in the backfield whether it's a run or pass and with an healthy D-line finally, they have been able to do just that. The Bucs defense will need to continue to be aggressive by being suffocating in coverage and allowing the front four to generate pressure. Let's hope the defensive success continues as they are their best when they are aggressive and allowed to play fast.

Game sealing interception by McDougald. Easily his best game as a pro. https://t.co/IrSGUAYRD3

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) November 29, 2016

Martin is The Key to The Offense

The Bucs have been much improved over the last three games and are currently on a three game winning streak. A big reason for this recent streak has been the return of Doug Martin to the lineup and how he opens up the offense. The Bucs offense is at it's best when it can establish the run and then use the play action passing game. That is what this offense is built for and it's what Jameis does best as he is already an master of the play action passing game. With Doug Martin back, the Bucs can finally play to their strengths on offense. Now Doug hasn't had a big game yet but his presence and the threat of the run have given this offense more flexibility and open the playbook up even more.

The good news is Martin is progressing with each passing game as his yards continue to rise as he has gone from 33, 63 and this past game up to 87 yards which means he is getting closer to his 2015 form. Down the stretch over these last 5 games, Martin needs to average 20 plus carries because when he does the Bucs can control the clock but can maintain balance on offense as well. I have been saying all off-season that Martin is the key to the offense and during this final month he is going to have to be at his best. Bucs will be facing some good offenses in this last month of the season, so it is critical that the Bucs continue their winning formula which is running the ball non-stop. Expect Martin's numbers to continue to rise over these last five games.

Bucs Punch Seahawks in the Mouth

I can't remember the last time the Bucs got a key win at Raymond James Stadium until yesterday as the team manhandled the Seattle Seahawks. Something has changed with this team as few weeks back, fans including myself were starting to talk about the draft. Now fans are talking playoffs yes playoffs, and for good reason as the Bucs have won three straight including wins over contenders in the Chiefs and Seahawks. This team is hitting their stride as they are playing complimentary football as each unit is helping each other and they have now put together three complete games together.

However let's get back to yesterday's win against a very good Seahawks team whom the Bucs literally punched in the mouth the whole game. The defense stoled the show as they were outstanding from start to finish and played with an fire in their eyes the whole game. I said the D-Line needed to take over the game for the Bucs to beat Seattle and not only did they took over they dominated as they looked like the Bucs defenses from the glory days. 

The Seahawks had no answers for our front four especially rookie DE Noah Spence who was in the backfield most of the night collecting 5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. Spence has been picking up steam since the Panthers game and continues to get better with each game. Gerald McCoy was outstanding as well getting a big sack late in the 4th quarter and was setting up sacks for Ryan Russell who did a great job working with McCoy on the stunt pass rush game. The Bucs defense had 6 sacks, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery, they pretty much out physical the Seahawks offense and were suffocating throughout the game. The defense held the Seahawks to 1 of 11 on third down and held them to three points which had many fans saying what is happening right now. Defense has returned to Tampa and it felt awesome to witness it as the Bucs got a huge win at Ray Jay.

Let's not forget about the offense as they started the fire, scoring on the opening drive as Jameis was precise and the Bucs were up 7-0. Then the Bucs get the ball right back and score again with a beautiful deep ball to Mike Evans and all of sudden the Bucs are up 14-0. That was the game as the offense didn't score after that but they did enough for the win. Jameis was outstanding again going 21-28 for 220yds and 2 tds along with a qb rating over 100. Martin is getting closer to his 2015 form as he had 23 carries for 87 yards, and as always Mike Evans was stellar again with two tds.

With the Bucs at 6-5, they are one game back of Atlanta for the division crown and are currently in the 7th spot just outside of the last wildcard spot. Is this team a playoff team? Going off these last three games sure looks like one to me. This team has momentum right now and are playing for each other and just seem to be having fun out there. Let's keep it going against the Chargers this Sunday and get to 7-5!

First pass attempt of the game and watch McCoy and Spence's get offs. Both fly to the Qb and meet in the mi... https://t.co/eCBGb20wz9

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) November 28, 2016

Things To Watch For Today Bucs Vs Hawks

by Douglas O'Connor
follow on Twitter @Ren_Daxt 

 Turnovers, penalties, and the ability to run the ball are tried and true factors to winning any NFL game. Dig a little deeper and you will find it's the little things that are just as important to gaining a victory . Here are some things to watch in the Buccaneers game against the Seahawks that can translate into a big win for Tampa.

Rushing Lanes The Bucs defensive ends, especially Noah Spence, use their superior speed to out race the offensive tackle to a preconceived spot in the backfield hoping to find the quarterback just finishing his drop back. This outside speed rush opens up huge lanes in between the rushing DE and the DT trying to collapse the pocket from the inside. Seattle QB Russell Wilson is exceptional at seeing these open lanes and using the space to extend plays and finding open receivers after the coverage breaks down. Look for the Bucs DE's to use more inside spin moves and to directly attack the OT inside shoulder to keep the lanes closed forcing Wilson to stay in the pocket and make quicker decisions.

Backside Coverage Head coach Dirk Koetter and Defensive coordinator Mike Smith both made a point to mention Russell Wilson's ability to throw to open men on the opposite side of the field while scrambling. Normally this is frowned upon by offensive coordinators because of the high interception rate, Wilson is making it a weapon. Look for the off corner, safety, and linebacker to stick to their man like glue until Wilson crosses the line of scrimmage.

Open Set The Bucs never run a 4 wide receiver set, but they will line up in a 3 WR set with the tight end split out from the line. Pro Bowl S Earl Thomas is inactive and with Richard Sherman shadowing Mike Evans look for the Bucs to spread out the field to get some 1 on 1 match ups with the 2nd string safety.

     The Bucs are looking for two straight victories against elite NFL opponents. With a win today the national media will sit up and take notice. These three factors could be the difference against the Seahawks.

     Thanks for reading and as always GO BUCS!

Time For The D-Line to Take Over

Tomorrow is an huge game for the Bucs as the team needs to keep winning if they want meaningful games in December. The Bucs are coming into this matchup with an two game winning streak and have played their best ball these last two weeks. The Seahawks are legit super bowl contenders and are probably one of the more complete teams we are going to face all year. Looking at the Seahawks offense, most would say their offensive line is their weakness as they don't have much of an running game and Wilson faces constant pressure. However, they don't give up a lot of sacks as Wilson has great escape ability with his legs and the ability to make something out of nothing.

This is why the Bucs need their front four to have their best game of the season by being in the face of Russell Wilson constantly. The DE's need to keep contain along with the interior lineman getting push up the middle to force Wilson to back up which will allow the ends to get the sacks from the outside. It's time for this unit to take over, the talent is there and now they got to put it all together tomorrow. Gerald McCoy, Robert Ayers, Noah Spence, William Gholston all need to be at their best and make Wilson to force some throws which will hopefully lead to interceptions. Usually when the Bucs D-line is getting consistent pressure the team usually does well so lets hope that happens tomorrow at 4pm.

Don't Allow the Big Play

Its easy to say for a defense to prevent the big play, its a whole other thing to make it happen. Looking at this Seahawks team they are well rounded but what gives them an edge is the ability to strike deep with Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett. Both are smaller in stature but have more than enough quickness and speed to burn you deep.

Lockett to me is the one player the bucs can't let loose. He takes Kicks and Punts which in his rookie year he took one each back to the house for 7. He hasn't done that yet this year but I'm hoping the bucs take notice of that. We all have heard about how the Seattle O-line has been pieced together but Wilson has been sacked less than Winston and he is even more deadly on the run. Bucs need to contain Wilson and keep everything in front of them which they have been doing well the past couple weeks. Lets all hope it continues.

Aguayo is Starting to Show His Ability

The Bucs got a big win against the Chiefs last Sunday and one player had a huge impact in the win. That would be rookie kicker Roberto Aguayo who went 4-4 on his field goal attempts and every one of them was needed as the Bucs won 19-17. Aguayo has been hot as of late making 9 out of his last 10 attempts and has been showing why he was a second round pick. Not only is he looking smooth on his field goals but on his kickoffs he has been getting great hang time which is helping the kick coverage pin the opposing team farther back. Aguayo was so good last week that he was awarded with the NFC special teams player of the week via Rick Stroud.

#Bucs PK Roberto Aguayo was named the NFL Special Teams Player of the Week after making all four FGs vs. KC Chiefs

— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) November 23, 2016

The rookie kicker is gaining confidence with every game, and looks like he has found his confidence again. He is striking the ball with power and accuracy and his kicking motion looks much smoother as there is no hesitation in his follow through. Hopefully he can continue this hot streak against the Seahawks because the Bucs are going to need every point on Sunday.

Bucs Getting Healthy at the Right Time

Usually at this time of the year most teams are beat up and are missing key pieces throughout their roster due to injuries. However for the Bucs, it seems they are getting healthy at the right time as they are starting to get close to being at full strength. They finally have their key guys back along the defensive line with Ayers, McCoy, and Mcdonald plus Noah Spence has been getting better each week. The offensive line and the running back position is going to be close to full strength for these final 6 game stretch as we are going to find out what this team is made of. With the Seahawks coming into town, the Bucs might be getting Kevin Pamphile and possibly Jacquizz Rodgers back this week which would be huge for the offense.

Bucs coach Dirk Koetter definitely left door open for RB Jacquizz Rodgers to return to practice Wednesday from foot injury ...

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) November 21, 2016

Not only would Rodgers returning be huge but getting back Pamphile too to help the O-line which probably had their best game against the Chiefs would be a big boost. With Martin and Rodgers along with Barber that would give the Bucs great depth at the RB position plus allow the Bucs to be more creative with their run and screen game. This team is starting to get back to full strength and Jason Licht and his staff have done a great job of adding depth throughout the season. If this team can continue to get better they have a chance to make these final 6 games very interesting. Hopefully they can continue to stay healthy down the final stretch.

Signature Win?

The Bucs have won two in row by playing complete football games back to back against the Bears and Chiefs respectively. This team is starting to believe and is getting better each week as they are back at 500 now sitting at 5-5. For them to go on the road and pretty much man handle a good 7-2 team and close them out for the win was pretty impressive for such a young team. Could this be the signature win that this team has been searching for the last decade? Former coach Tony Dungy believes it was as he feels this could be the start of a push towards winning ways.

Huge win for Tampa Bay on the road at KC. This might be the signature win they've been looking for to jump start them toward the playoffs.

— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) November 20, 2016

I will say it was an huge win because it shows that this team is more than capable of beating anybody when guys do their jobs and they play as one. Jameis Winston has been outstanding the last two weeks and has raised the play of others around him which is great to see. The defense is flying to the ball and getting off the field on third down which is what good defenses do. Again they are not an perfect unit but they are making progress and coming up with clutch plays at big moments. Chris Conte has gotten a lot of crap for his play but these last two weeks he has made game winning plays with his two interceptions.

Not going to say this Chiefs win is going to spark them towards the playoffs but it should give them confidence going into this Sunday's game against Seattle who is also 7-2. If Jameis keeps playing like he has, this team is going to have a chance against any team including the Seahawks this week at Ray-Jay. Hopefully the Bucs can keep this momentum going and get that big victory at home they have needed for a while.

Take Advantage of The Checkdown

The Chiefs defense is the ultimate bend but don't break unit as they find a way to either force a turnover or hold their opponents to three points. Their defense will give up the checkdowns as the 5 to 6 yard pass play is going to be there for opposing offenses. Jameis and the Bucs offense needs to take advantage of this in today's game. Jameis needs to look for Cam Brate, Doug Martin, and Cecil Shorts in the flats and in the middle of field as there will be opportunities there. Now again the Bucs are going to come out run heavy as they should as the Chiefs run d is less than stellar, but the short passing game is an extension of the run game.

Jameis did a great job of this against the Falcons in week one as he hit the checkdowns early and often in the first half. By doing this it opened up the deep passing game in which helped the Bucs win in week 1. The offense should be able to do the same today as it will be there and then later in the game the deep passing game should open up. The Bucs need Jameis to bring his A game against the Chiefs as they have plenty of playmakers on defense and it's important that Jameis is accurate and smart today. Look for the checkdowns today which should help the Bucs to keep the chains moving.

Expect Max Protection

One thing that the Bucs offense doesn't do much is max protection with their passing game. Tomorrow it should be utilized against the pass rush that they will be facing at 1pm. The Chiefs have some talented pass rushers like Dee Ford, Tamba Hali and perhaps making his return in Justin Houston. Ford has 10 sacks on the season and is becoming one of the more feared pass rushers in the game today. With Houston in the mix they become that more dangerous as Houston is one of the elite rushers in the game already. This is why it's important that the Bucs coaching staff give their o-line some help tomorrow by going with max protection and allowing Jameis enough time to operate.

Now running the ball the effectively will help keep the pass rush at bay, but I would expect the Bucs to throw out of typical run formations to keep the Chiefs defense off balance. Given that our tackles both had crap games last week and playing with a rookie left guard, have to expect that head coach Dirk Koetter is going to do what he can to help them out. Look for the Bucs to run a lot of two tight end sets along with keeping a running back in to help chip on the edges. Now again a great ground game will help a lot but Jameis is going to have to be able to make plays in the passing game in which pass protection has to be there. I would be very surprised if we don't see some sort of max protection against the Chiefs defense tomorrow.

Cam Brate Continues to Grow as a Player

Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate has come a long way since last year after he was initally let go by the team and was brought back the week after. Since returning he has quietly become one of the better players on this team and a reliable target for Jameis Winston. Brate at 6'5 236lbs, he has the size and speed to be a mismatch at all times against opposing defenses and usually has a knack for getting key first downs. Brate was undrafted out of Harvard, and really has grown his overall game as he is a much better all around player than he was at this time last season. Brate has 35 receptions for 375 yards and a league leading 5 touchdowns and is coming off a great game against the Bears. Qb Jameis Winston talked today about Brate and how he is working hard to be one of the best tight ends in the game via buccaneers.com.

“That core thing, hard work pays off – I keep going back to that because Cam Brate is the epitome of that. He comes in every single day working hard. After practice, he’s always staying out there to get some balls. When you work that hard, only something good can happen.”

Brate is well respected in the locker room and is quickly becoming one of the leaders of this football team. Hopefully the Bucs can find him more on offense as he is a matchup nightmare and will only continue to get better. Against the Chiefs this week, Brate is going to have to be at his best as he should be able to get some favorable matchups which should make Winston look his way more this Sunday. Hopefully we see Brate in the endzone again this weekend as he continues to get better with every game.

Winston won time again and delivers again. Cam Brate really is a huge target and needs to see more attention https://t.co/XKeFPoc4b2

— realbucstalk (@realbucstalk) November 15, 2016