The Pewter Plank
FanSided

What is the Nightmare Off-Season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Brian DeFeo

Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) looks on prior to 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 quarterback Jameis Winston (3) looks on prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) drops a pass in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) drops a pass in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

The Offense Doesn’t Get The Help it Needs

Winston is only one man. He can only do so much to run the offense and it needs help. Doug Martin is in rehab, Mike Evans has little depth behind him, and the offensive line depth is pitiful at best. With all the cap room they have to work with there are a plethora of options to go after. They need a bell cow running back with Martin potentially done with the team. Jacquizz is good but he’s smaller and isn’t the fastest back in the league and Charles Sims is a pass catcher with poor vision behind the line of scrimmage.Many people like the top-tier backs coming out of the draft. Dalvin Cook is the biggest name being tossed around Buccaneers fans but they would likely need to move up the draft board to grab him. If the Buccaneers believe they are one running back away from serious contention then moving up the draft board could change the franchise.

The odds of them believing they are one player away is unlikely. If the Bucs stand pat on the draft there are players that can help the team. Trusting the right player to fall to them is a bold strategy and is usually not the best way to get the best weapons. Free agency is not as deep as it once was with the best wide receiver and running backs being Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Lacy. Those are some big names but they are past their prime or injury prone. There are two top running backs, three quality receivers, and two high-end offensive linemen in this draft. The odds of even one of them falling to them at nineteen is slim. If the Buccaneers don’t address the offense they will struggle to score points, like they did at the end of this season.

Home/Bucs News