The Turnaround: Buccaneers roster full of questions and answers
By Roshan Patel
The Secondary is “fixed”
During the 2-6 start to the season, the Buccaneers were giving up a putrid 31.5 points per game. Since then, a lot has transpired. Vernon Hargreaves was released, M.J. Stewart has been either hurt or in the dog house, and the rookies have taken their spots. Led by Bucs second round pick from last year, Carlton Davis, the pass defense has stepped up to the plate.
While Carlton ranks fourth in the NFL with 19 pass defensed, his Auburn running mate, Bucs’ third round pick from this year, Jamel Dean is not far behind with 17 pass defensed. Lets not leave Bucs second round pick from this year, Sean Murphy-Bunting out of the party. He leads all rookie cornerbacks with three interceptions, returning one of them for touchdown.
The trio of Murphy-Bunting, Davis and Dean have electrified this defense. I cannot recall the last time we saw cornerbacks getting their hands on so many balls. That has led to turnovers and getting stops.
The Bucs went from giving up 31.5 points per game through the first 8 games down to 24.3 points per game over the past six games. That’s a touchdown and extra point difference. Take into the account that the whole starting secondary is either a rookie or first year player. If we add a solid veteran free safety or possibly draft Grant Delpit, Bruce Arians confidently can say, “the secondary is totally fixed”.