Tampa Bay Buccaneers: What the starting offense should look like
Sep 3, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tampa ucsay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith looks on during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Earlier in the offseason, I projected what the Buccaneers’ starting offense should like once the regular season rolled around. Well, now that the season starts this Sunday, we have a pretty good idea about what the starting offense under new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter will look like. So, here is the starting offense for your 2015 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Quarterback: Jameis Winston
Ever since he was drafted first overall in this year’s NFL Draft, it was essentially confirmed that Jameis Winston would be the Bucs’ starting signal caller come Week 1. And although he had his share of miscues and mistakes during his first professional training camp and preseason, Winston has also shown glimpses of why the combination of general manager Jason Licht, head coach Lovie Smith and Koetter have put so much faith into the potential franchise quarterback.
He has played with a lot of the attributes that define a franchise QB, including his high football IQ, ability to throw the ball with accuracy, power and touch, an evolving sense of pocket awareness. the ability to scramble and move around in the pocket when needed, and a sense of leadership and renewed purpose that was desperately needed for an offensive attack that went stagnant the past couple of seasons.
Bucs fans, get ready. The future is here. And so far, it looks like it will be a bright one.
Aug 24, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA;Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Running back: Doug Martin, Jorvorskie Lane (Fullback)
We now know why Koetter was heaping praises on Martin since he stepped in the door here in Tampa. After what we have seen this preseason, it looks like we might have the old Muscle Hamster back.
Since losing 20 pounds during the offseason, Martin has run with an explosiveness that we have not seen since his Pro Bowl rookie season of 2012.
Behind an offensive line that will be a rocky one this year, Martin has shown patience, vision and a great sense of timing when it comes to hitting the holes created for him. If he can continue to work his way back to the form that made him one of the NFL’s best ball carriers just a couple of seasons ago, then the pressure on Winston will decrease dramatically.
At fullback, Lane returns for his second season in red and pewter. He’s a seasoned veteran who knows his job and is one of the better lead blockers in the league. Look for Koetter to utilize those skills in at least a few two back sets.