Buccaneers: Can Keith Tandy Be the Permanent Starter?

Buccaneers’ safety Keith Tandy has proven over the past two weeks that he deserves consideration to start. Is it finally time to give the career backup his shot?

Keith Tandy has been a life long role player since he was selected by the Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2012 draft. The former West Virginia Mountaineer was drafted back in the Greg Schiano era by Mark Dominik to fill the need for a backup safety. Tandy was able to make the 53-man roster his first year, but unfortunately did not see the field much until later on in his career.

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Once again this season Tandy started off as a backup behind the now injured Chris Conte. Both of the Bucs starting safeties began the season on a terribly rough note and the NFL community was beginning to call the duo of Conte and Bradley McDougald the worst in league. Then after a hard fought Oakland game, things changed.

Both McDougald and Conte turned their seasons around and helped lead this defense to what it is actually capable of. Unfortunately for the Bucs during a week 12 match-up, Conte went down with a chest injury.

Now in his fifth season in the pewter and red, Tandy got his name called and finally received his chance. Tandy, now two games in as the starter, has had enough playing time to prove if he is able to start in this league and well… he definitely has shown he is capable.

Tandy has made plays on the ball constantly and consistently against the past two opponents. His tackling has been great(he lead the team this week in tackles) and his coverage has been phenomenal. Three pass-breakups, one that lead to an interception, and two game-sealing interceptions are just some of the accomplishments he has had. Tandy has been the safety the Bucs have needed all season on the back-end of this defense.

Now with Chris Conte likely returning this week to face the Dallas Cowboys, should Tandy keep his job? Yes. The defense for the Tampa Bay Bucs has been able to limit two Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks in consecutive weeks, why change?

Conte was exploited and targeted by teams and although during this five game winning streak his play got better, Tandy has given the Bucs an x-factor. This in no means is a shot against Conte, he may have revamped his career… but the momentum the Bucs’ currently have should not be tampered with.

Both the Bucs’ coaches and players have raved for Tandy and he deserves it. “I love Keith Tandy. Whatever he’s eating, whatever he’s doing… he needs to keep doing that,”  Vernon Hargreaves III said in a recent interview with Bucs’ insider Casey Phillips.

This defense has seemed to mesh more with Tandy in the starting lineup. Whether it be that the scheme has been changed to fit his talents or that Tandy is more of a play-maker, something seems to fit.

Whether or not Coach Mike Smith makes the decision to keep Tandy as his starting safety is yet to be known, but Buc fans should rejoice that there is even a decision to make on which safety should start.

Next: Yarcho’s Pick Six: Buccaneers Win Fifth Straight

The Bucs are finding ways to win. The momentum is on their side. Now… we’re onto Dallas. Speak softly, and carry a big (expletive) stick! #streaking

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