These five X-factors will determine whether or not the Tampa Bay Buccaneers make the leap in 2017.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2017 campaign with a revamped roster. Whether it be rookie offensive talent like O.J. Howard or defensive veterans such as Keith Tandy and Brent Grimes, the Bucs are ready to make noise in the NFC South. They finished second in the NFC South with a 7-9 record and although second place is respectable, they would like to improve.
However, with matchups against teams like the Patriots, Falcons and Panthers on the schedule making the leap to the playoffs will not be easy. However, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. If Jameis Winston and Co. want to play January and December football, some particular things are going to have to go their way.
Without further ado, we break down five things that need to go right for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if they want to make the leap in 2017.
Jan 1, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws the ball during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
5. Jameis Winston performing to his full potential
This one may seem a bit odd given that Winston is a very good quarterback, but he needs to play a smarter brand of football if the Buccaneers want to make the leap in 2017. There are a couple deficiencies in his game in particular that have slowed his progression to this point.
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How can he do that? For starters, he needs to cut back on the number of interceptions he has been throwing over the past couple of years. He was second in the league in interceptions last year with 18 (second only to Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers with 21). That was three more than in 2015, his rookie year. That year, he ranked No. 5 in the league in interceptions.
In addition to cutting back on the interceptions, he also needs to focus on holding onto the football. Last season, he ranked third in the league in fumbles with 10, tying him with Sam Bradford of the Minnesota Vikings. Now, this this was not entirely his fault, but it is something he should be mindful of.
If he can avoid these same pitfalls in 2017, Tampa Bay should be able to make that leap to the next level.
Dec 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) points out a San Diego Chargers defender before the snap as offensive guard Ali Marpet (74) and center Joe Hawley (68) look on during the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
4. Improved offensive line play
Last year, the offensive line for Tampa Bay was, to say the least, not very good. The Buccaneers allowed 35 sacks in 2016, tying them with Green Bay and the New York Jets. Improved play should not be an issue as the only departure from the line is Gosder Cherilus, who retired.
Tampa Bay has a veteran cast at the offensive line position including the likes of J.R. Sweezy, tackle Kevin Pamphile, center Joe Hawley, right guard Ali Marpet and tackles Donovan Smith and Demar Dotson. More importantly, this cast of guys up front all appear to be healthy and ready to rock heading into 2017.
The best thing about this group is that they are young and deep. Although the youth at the position may have hurt them last year, it was necessary to suffer through growing pains so that the players could learn from them.
Now, a talented and youthful group needs to show that they are back and better than ever. Quite simply, the offensive line needs to perform well if the Buccaneers want to make the leap. For every facet of the offense, the success of this unit will be critical.
Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Noah Spence (57) and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) defend during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
3. Sustaining the defensive pressure
If Tampa Bay wants to get to the postseason in 2017, they need to do a better job of sacking the quarterback. They ranked No. 23 in the NFL last season in sacks with 38, tying them with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Leading the way for them in that department was defensive tackle Gerald McCoy who had seven.
If they want to make the leap next year, then this is an area they need to improve on, especially with the elite contingent of quarterbacks in the NFC South.
The Bucs should be able to do so. They have a loaded defensive line that includes McCoy, middle linebacker Kwon Alexander, and weak-side linebacker Lavonte David. There is no doubt that those three in addition to the rest of the defense can make an impact. If they can rank inside the top 15 in sacks by the end of the season, I would consider that successful.
In what is becoming a quarterback league, doing this is paramount if they want to make the postseason. The Buccaneers offense should have the right amount of firepower. However, their defense could be the determining factor regarding if they can get over the hump or not.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs with he ball against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
2. Doug Martin needs to be productive
This is as simple as the title sounds: Doug Martin needs to be productive in 2017. There are rumblings that Martin is not what he once was, and he has had a tumultuous past year to say the least.
From the perspective of Martin, this may be the biggest year of his career, and as is the nature of the position due in part to health, the title of starting running back is fluid and ever-changing.
Once he is done with his suspension, he needs to step in and contribute right away. Martin needs to average at least four yards per carry once he hits the field. This may seem like quite a tall order given his recent numbers.
He has only averaged four yards per carry in a season twice (2012-4.6 and 2015-4.9.) If the Buccaneers want to make the leap in 2017, they need him to be the 1,000-yard rusher he once was. If he has another down year, that could prove to be problematic for the Bucs. Yes, they have a deep running back group, but Martin has proven that he has the ability to be a game-changer.
Now he needs to do it again.
Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) runs a route against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
1. In-sync wide receivers
This is perhaps the most important thing the Buccaneers need to have going for them if they want to make the leap. Tampa Bay has tons of offensive weapons at their disposal. DeSean Jackson, Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans, Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard are just some of the option Winston has. There is no denying the talent at the position.
However, all the talent in the world is not going to do you any good if they are not in-sync. This could happen as Evans and Howard are new to the team, and a learning curve is expected. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter needs to make sure that his quarterback and wide receivers are on the same page with each other. Spend extra time at meetings going over plays if needed, make sure everyone has the playcalls and formations down, and so on.
Simply put, if they are on the same page, this offense has enough firepower to be one of the best in the league. If they are not however, that would be severely detrimental and could make the difference between not only a playoff season or not, but a winning season.
