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Buccaneers Round Table: Should the Glazers care about injuries?

By David Harrison

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 15: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speaks with Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter before the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 15, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Buccaneers 26-16. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 15: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speaks with Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter before the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 15, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Buccaneers 26-16. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 26: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs behind a blocker during the first half against the TAtlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 26: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs behind a blocker during the first half against the TAtlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Sean Eck

This season has been one giant disappointment for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a whole. Coming into the season, there was a palpable buzz around Tampa for the first time in the past decade about a Buccaneers team that could do great things. There are numerous reasons for the demise of the team, and injuries are a big part of it.

To start the season, they had to deal with the loss of Doug Martin for the first three games as he served a suspension.  He’s the best running back on the roster and not having him hurt to start the season.

Injuries also decimated the linebacking corps early in the season losing both Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David for multiple weeks.

When the defense got healthy, the offense got dealt the most devastating blow it could have as Jameis Winston went down with a throwing shoulder injury, and was forced to miss multiple weeks.

Must Read: Ziggy Ansah: Current foe, future teammate?

Now, Winston is healthy and he has lost, not only his best two offensive linemen, but two of the very best in the NFL. Both in the Top-10 at their position.

Should these injuries weigh in on the Glazers decision this season on whether or not to retain the current staff? I feel it should not.

In the NFL, there is a next man up mentality at every position. Each week, these professionals go out there with the mindset they might be forced – or fortunate enough – depending on the circumstances to have their opportunity to shine.

If Drew Bledsoe doesn’t get hurt, we have no idea who this skinny Tom Brady kid from the University of Michigan is.  When Trent Green goes down in the preseason, we get to witness the greatest show on turf as Kurt Warner become a household name.

NFL history is littered with these stories, and while we might not have one of the best quarterbacks of all time on our bench, the guys on the roster are considered the top 1.9% (this includes the CFL) of all college football players in the world.

In summary, I am a firm believer the coaches in the NFL have to adjust their game plan to the players they have available, and should be held accountable for how their team performs, no matter who is starting.

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