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Buccaneers: 3 players that need to step up in Week 7

By Ryan Doyle

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 15: Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on during 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: Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on during 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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TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 17: Middle linebacker Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers evades tight end Dion Sims #88 of the Chicago Bears after intercepting a pass by quarterback Mike Glennon during the first quarter of an NFL football game on September 17, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 17: Middle linebacker Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers evades tight end Dion Sims #88 of the Chicago Bears after intercepting a pass by quarterback Mike Glennon during the first quarter of an NFL football game on September 17, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

LB Kwon Alexander

In a contract season, Kwon Alexander has gotten off to a slow start. Before the season, it was almost a guarantee that Alexander would be in line for a huge payday.

If he doesn’t begin to turn things around, Tampa Bay may not have to pay him as much as anticipated.

Five games into the season, Alexander’s flaws have been on full display. The amount of missed tackles Alexander has accumulated so far this season is mind-boggling. For a player who has a solid reputation as a tackler, for him to struggle this much is eye-opening.

The next area of improvement for Alexander comes in pass coverage. He looks lost when he plays zone in the middle of the field. He is consistently a step late, and it leads to tight ends sitting open at the sticks on third down.

Similar issues have arisen with Lavonte David, but he hasn’t taken a step back in run defense as Alexander has.

Sunday’s game against the Browns is a huge test. The Buccaneers defense needs a leader. Alexander possesses the talent to be that kind of player. Hopefully, he is up to the task.

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