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Buccaneers Game Grades: 2017 Week 6 loss to Arizona Cardinals

By Philip Schwegler

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football after a reception past cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football after a reception past cornerback Vernon Hargreaves #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Outside linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with teammates after scoring on a 21 yard fumble recovery against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Outside linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with teammates after scoring on a 21 yard fumble recovery against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 38-33. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

This week we saw the return of linebacker Lavonte David and man was it a great feeling to have him back this week. David can make splash plays when he’s blitzing the offense. On one play in particular, David lined up in the middle of the field and blast Peterson before he could make it to the line for a loss of one.

Kendell Beckwith has had an impressive year, thus far, filling in for sidelined cornerstone player Kwon Alexander. Beckwith’s bread and butter is against the run. He fills holes at just the right time to make the tackle before the running back breaks a big run.

The one thing that Beckwith must clean up is his zone coverage. For example, on the Cardinals second touchdown of the game, Beckwith is responsible for the middle of the field. Arizona’s tight end Niklas ran a slant route with Beckwith in coverage. Beckwith played too far on him in turn made it impossible for him to turn around off of Niklas’s route.

Going back to David, the one fumble he caused was all due to tackling mechanics. The way he punched that ball out while also assuring he was going to make the tackle shows you that he knows how to play linebacker.

Also another point to make is that he didn’t give up on the ball after he forced the fumble. He kept looking for it until he grabbed up for the score.

At the end of the day both Beckwith and David finished the day with 8 combined solo tackles and two force fumbles, David returning one for a touchdown.

Grade: C+

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