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Bucs after Dark: Can Buccaneers join the ranks of the Rays and Bolts?

By Cory Kinnan

TAMPA, FL - JULY 11: The city of Tampa downtown skyline is seen on July 11, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. The 2012 Republican National Convention opens at the Tampa Bay Times Forum building August 27-30, where Republicans are expected to officially pick former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as their nominee to face President Barack Obama in in the November general election. The city will play host to 2,286 delegates and 2,125 alternate delegates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five territories as well as scores of journalists, guests and protesters. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JULY 11: The city of Tampa downtown skyline is seen on July 11, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. The 2012 Republican National Convention opens at the Tampa Bay Times Forum building August 27-30, where Republicans are expected to officially pick former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as their nominee to face President Barack Obama in in the November general election. The city will play host to 2,286 delegates and 2,125 alternate delegates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five territories as well as scores of journalists, guests and protesters. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) /
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As the Rays and Lightning are soaring in their respective sports, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hope to match their prominence in 2019.

It is a great time to be a Tampa Bay sports fan right now as the Lightning just tied the NHL record for wins in a season, and the Rays are off to a blazing start with the best starting pitching in all of baseball. It also remains a great time for Tampa Bay sports right now because the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not playing on Sundays.

What will it take for the Buccaneers to return to prominence and join the competitive company of their baseball and hockey companions? In a city that was known as a football town, the Lightning have captured the hearts of Tampa Bay while the Buccaneers have become the laughing stock of the city.

The first step is to get a coach that demands respect and can stir up untapped potential in his players. Over the last few years it became apparent that former head coach and now Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter lost the locker room and did not have the trust of the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers are trending in the right direction with the hire of old school head coach Bruce Arians who brought along a defensive coordinator known as a disciplinarian.

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In addition to bringing on former New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles on as his defensive coordinator, Arians also hired former NFL and Buccaneer quarterback Byron Leftwich on as his offensive coordinator and play caller. Speaking of unlocking potential that has not been exposed yet, if Leftwich cannot get the most out of quarterback Jameis Winston in the last year of his rookie contract, then there may not be anyone who can.

With plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball, the Buccaneers must remain disciplined along their offensive line and clear lanes for running backs Ronald Jones and Peyton Barber, as well as give Winston time to find his weapons down the field. After lighting up the scoreboard in 2018, the Buccaneers hope to rack up the points this year as well.

Another sign the Buccaneers are trending in the right direction is the fiscal discipline shown by general manager Jason Licht this offseason. In the past Licht has blown big money in free agency on players such as DeSean Jackson and Alterraun Verner that have not panned out. Even though he did not have a lot of cap flexibility to work with, Licht stuck to one-year deals with players who took a step forward last season or have a connection with the coaching staff.

Licht’s main weakness though: he has struggled to land talent in the draft. With two weeks until the 2019 NFL Draft, Licht may be on his last leg and must nail this one down. While the offensive side of the ball has a world of talent, the defensive side of the ball has many holes that need addressed at the end of the month.

Buccaneers: Worst-case scenario for first three rounds. dark. Next

If the Buccaneers get an infusion of youth on defense through the draft and can remain disciplined on the offensive side of the ball, including under center, then they may return to prominence. With the Lighting and the leading their respective leagues, the Buccaneers hope to make the city of Tampa Bay proud as well in 2019.

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