The Pewter Plank
FanSided

Buccaneers: Five players who must step up for a successful 2017 season

By Alan Schechter

Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) huddle up with teammates 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 quarterback Jameis Winston (3) huddle up with teammates against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) carries the ball for a touchdown as Philadelphia Eagles safety Rodney McLeod (23) defends in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Washington defeated Philadelphia 27-22. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) carries the ball for a touchdown as Philadelphia Eagles safety Rodney McLeod (23) defends in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Washington defeated Philadelphia 27-22. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /

DeSean Jackson

Read it before you say no. I promise, there was no DeSean hating in the making of this slide.

The reason Jackson is on this list has to do with the position he plays. The second wide receiver position has been abysmal over the last couple of years. Ever since Vincent Jackson started to fall to injury, nobody has stepped up to replace him. We all love Adam Humphries and the mark he has made on the team. When nobody else would make plays, he did. But, like it or not, he has limits. Humphries is best suited as a slot receiver.

The Bucs needed a player that can take the attention away from Mike Evans. We have referenced this number a million times and we will do it again. Evans was targeted 173 times last year (per Sporting Charts). Why would the defense pay attention to anyone else? Jameis Winston relied on nobody else. They needed someone on the opposite side to draw the attention away and give him some one-on-one coverage for a change.

Jackson will also take the top off of the defense, leaving room for Evans, Cameron Brate, and O.J. Howard to roam free. He will also prevent teams from overloading the box with eight or nine defenders, giving the running game room to be effective.

Many years ago, Yankees outfielder Reggie Jackson got himself in trouble with manager Billy Martin for saying he was the “straw that stirs the drink”. For the Bucs offense, DeSean Jackson, in many ways, will be that straw.

Next: Five players that made their mark away from Tampa

But he must have a big year. A mediocre “D-Jax” will go along way to stalling the Bucs dreams in their tracks.

Home/Bucs News