Buccaneers Roundtable, Week 2 : How do the Bucs stop Tarik Cohen?

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 10: Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears carries the football ahead of Duke Riley #42 of the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Soldier Field on September 10, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 10: Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears carries the football ahead of Duke Riley #42 of the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Soldier Field on September 10, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 18: Head coach Dirk Koetter talks with Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the sideline during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 18: Head coach Dirk Koetter talks with Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the sideline during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Brian DeFeo

I feel the best way for the Buccaneers to stop rookie sensation Tarik Cohen is to let Kwon Alexander be Kwon Alexander.

Tarik Cohen is a speedy dual threat back that can threaten to take it to the house on any play. Luckily for the Buccaneers they have newly captained, Kwon Alexander to lock up the middle of the field.

This match up with Kwon Alexander versus Tarik Cohen will be crucial to proving the development of the Buccaneers middle linebacker. Kwon has been a tackling machine since being selected in the fourth round three years ago. However, while he has speed and instincts he has missed a lot of tackles. While he improved last season from his rookie year he still has room for improvement.

The Buccaneers have the advantage of having a week of game tape to watch the Bears offensive game plan. They also have the advantage of having plenty of tape on Mike Glennon. He’s a dump off quarterback meaning Kwon will need to be on his toes. He does have help next to him with Lavonte David and rookie, and former college teammate, Kendall Beckwith.

The Buccaneers need to utilize the speed of the linebackers to contain the new two headed monsters from Chicago.

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While Cohen is going to be a problem they can’t forget about Jordan Howard. The Bears may not be the most threatening team on the Buccaneers schedule but this could be an early trap game if they don’t contain the running backs.

Schedule