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Buccaneers: Five Reasons to be Excited About the Future

By Alan Schechter

Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter reacts against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter reacts against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) runs out onto the field as he is introduced before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) runs out onto the field as he is introduced before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Kwon Alexander

We complete the list with a familiar face in the middle.

Chosen in the fourth round of the 2015 draft, Alexander has been quite the find, hasn’t he? After a rookie season where he missed four games due to a suspension, Alexander came into his own. In 2016, he was tied for fourth among NFL linebackers with 145 combined tackles. He added eight passes defended, three sacks, a forced fumble and an interception for a pick-six.

To put it simply, he was a consistent force week in and week out. His best came in prime time, when he posted 21 tackles on Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys. No, the Bucs didn’t win the game, but Alexander showed he was a prime time player when given the chance on the national stage.

Next: Top Ten Moments of 2016

See? We have a lot to be excited about for next year. I gave you five, and didn’t even need to list the quarterback as one of them. 2017 has a lot of potential for us.

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