The major adjustment that will save the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
By Rob Leeds
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 2-1, but it is an extremely weak 2-1. A significant adjustment is needed if the Bucs have any hopes of remaining competitive.
Most teams would be thrilled to start the year 2-1 after failing to reach .500 in the previous season. The Buccaneers have clearly improved over last season, but they are far from where they need to be.
Tampa Bay has beaten two awful teams, the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos, but neither win was convincing. Despite playing exceptionally well in the first half of both games, the Bucs only scored 15 points combined in the second halves of both games. Averaging 7.5 points in the second halves of wins is a far cry from the offense that the Bucs fielded last season.
The Buccaneers have the personnel to dominate, as evidenced by their stellar first-half performances, but another issue could prevent this team from living up to its potential.
A coaching staff of Bruce Arians, a purported offensive genius, Todd Bowles, and Byron Leftwich looks excellent on paper. Still, the coaching staff (outside of Bowles) has been the main reason for the Buccaneers’ slow start to the season.
Tampa Bay has the talent to sit comfortably amongst the best offenses in the NFL, yet they are only posting 27.3 points per game, and the blame falls squarely on the coaching staff. No one needs to be fired, but some sweeping changes need to occur if the Bucs want to live up to their potential.