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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Why the team needs to start over

By Rob Leeds

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans wearing paper bags mourn a loss Dec. 26, 2004 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The Carolina Panthers defeated the Bucs 37 to 20. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans wearing paper bags mourn a loss Dec. 26, 2004 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The Carolina Panthers defeated the Bucs 37 to 20. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 16: Ndamukong Suh #93 talks with teammate Beau Allen #91 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before their preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 16: Ndamukong Suh #93 talks with teammate Beau Allen #91 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before their preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Not to pile on, but…

The Bucs let Gerald McCoy walk this past off-season to a division rival and replaced him with Ndamukong Suh, who hasn’t played poorly, but isn’t playing as well as McCoy is this year. This roster change had a minimal impact on the team as a whole, and is by no means a long-term solution.

The Bucs continue to reward loyalty in unlikely places while neglecting other players; his could be seen in the handling of the running backs, and with the offensive line. The Buccaneers have three of the five offensive linemen being graded at a “replaceable” level by Pro Football Focus (subscription required) in Donovan Smith, Demar Dotson, and Alex Cappa.

Ronald Jones has far in a way been the best running back on the Bucs roster. This is backed up by stats, the eye test, and everything in between, yet for some reason Peyton Barber is still starting and commands a lion’s share of the touches.

Barber has been the best running back for the Buccaneers for the last 2 years, but it seems as though that title has now been passed on to Jones. While every fan and spectator can see this, the team is still giving the majority of the touches to Peyton Barber and the starting responsibilities to him. Jones has been consistent when given touches and there is little to no reason as to why he should not be starting every week.

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