Tampa Bay Buccaneers and NFL Midseason Awards: Naming the Best Performers for the Buccaneers So Far This Season
By Leo Howell
Nov 3, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Mike James (25) during the 2nd half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Tampa Bay 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Buccaneers Biggest Surprise
This had to be a player, rather than a coach or game. Who has surprised us the most this season?
Winner: Tim Wright
Second Place: Mike James
Third Place: Dekoda Watson
I remember personally being shocked when I saw that Tim Wright made the opening day roster, and assumed he was only hanging around for a few days until they found a new defensive tackle they wanted to sign, and would release him then.
But with Nate Byham and Luke Stocker going on IR with injuries, and with Tom Crabtree battling a nagging ankle sprain, Wright has been thrust into action and has “learned on the job” while becoming a very viable option in the passing game.
Mike James has also been a huge surprise, as he didn’t figure to contribute to the running game with Doug Martin, Brian Leonard, and Peyton Hillis around. But Hillis was let go, Martin was injured, and James has trumped Leonard to become the primary rusher, and has shown himself to be fully capable of leading the charge as a running back.
Watson was thought to be battling with Jonathan Casillas for a starting spot in the preseason, but he won that job easily and has been solid all season long. He’s a bit of an unsung hero considering the position he plays, but he’s performing better than Quincy Black did at the same position last year.
Mike Glennon, Akeem Spence, and Lavonte David also received votes in this category.