Buccaneers: Biggest Surprise Players of 2016
Keith Tandy
My biggest player of the year was a player that was on the bench for the first half of the season. Keith Tandy was Chris Conte’s backup until he injured his chest. Tandy was the best player in the secondary for the second half of the season. He averaged nine tackles, posted four interceptions and seven pass deflections over the last five games. With his interception in week 14 he was named Clutch Player of the Week due to it sealing the victory against New Orleans giving the Bucs an 8-5 record.
In the last game of the season he had two picks against Cam Newton and helped the Bucs clinch a 9-7 season, their first winning season since 2010. The Bucs defense was a key factor in their turn around this season and Keith Tandy was vital to the success. Before the season started the Bucs were lacking at the safety position. Bradley McDougald is OK and Chris Conte is as good as gone, but Keith Tandy has given the Bucs a spark in the secondary they’ve needed for a while now. Keith Tandy has given Dirk Koetter and Mike Smith a reliable starter for next season and beyond.