Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Five Reasons the Buccaneers Will Rebound From Last Week

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Don’t worry Buccaneers’ fans, despite the rough weekend in Arizona, the team is going to be just fine.

Sep 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) hug at end of game at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 40-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a new week, Buccaneers‘ fans. That is not to minimize the events out in the desert. It was bad. The Bucs got beaten up every which way possible. Most NFL teams are good for one real stinker per season, and this was it. Rex Ryan used to bury the football while he coached the Jets, I don’t think Dirk will do that, but it’s time to eliminate that game from memory and move on.

More from The Pewter Plank

They say that no team is as bad as they look, and no team is as good as they look. Basically, when your team plays above its head, it will come back to the pack, and the reverse when it plays badly.

It’s important to remember that sentiment as we ride the highs and lows of an NFL season.

Hold onto that sentiment, Bucs’ fans. It’s especially true for your boys in the Pewter jerseys. This team is not even close to as bad as they looked on Sunday against the Cardinals. I understand we had a litany of injuries on Sunday, but we will be fine.

The Bucs are going to rebound and be just fine. Here are five reasons why.

Sep 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) and quarterback Jameis Winston (3) celebrate a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 40-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Evans-Winston Connection

Mike Evans is in his third year with the Bucs and his second with Jameis Winston. It shows, as the chemistry between the two is evident, and there is good reason why Evans is Winston’s favorite receiver. So far in 2016, Evans has been targeted 24 times, posting 11 receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns. That is a full season pace for 88 catches, 1,352 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Now that would be one heck of a year, wouldn’t it?

16 touchdowns seems like a lot, but through two games, Evans has only been targeted twice in the red zone, good for one touchdown. He has actually been targeted most in the middle of the field, catching seven of his eleven passes between the Bucs’ 21 and midfield.  Look for those red zone targets to go up as the offense gets moving again, and this connection will lead the Bucs now and for the forseeable future.

And by the way, it may have been too late, but the touchdown to Evans against the Cardinals was a thing of beauty.

Jacquizz Rodgers

Everyone held their breath when they learned that Doug Martin was injured, and really started hitting the beers when they found out he was done for the game. The fact that it is a hamstring issue makes it even more worrisome, as obviously, halfbacks make their money with their legs. Could we be seeing a repeat of Doug Martin, the middle two years?

If so, now what? It’s not like Charles Sims set the world on fire in Arizona, with a mere 24 yards on nine carries. Where to the Bucs go now?

In walks Jacquizz Rodgers, a late signing during training camp. He has had a very underwhelming career, serving in a backup role with the Falcons and posting a 3.9 yards per carry average at his best (2012). Sunday, he came in and showed the world he could play. He flashed some speed on a play to the right (pictured above) as he went for 24 yards.

Does he replace the 2015 second-leading rusher? Of course not. But does he provide a very able replacement to Sims? Absolutely. He can keep the running game going if he needs to play in a more extended role.

Sep 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) is gang tacked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeat the Buccaneers 40-7. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Defense

Yes, the defense. I said it. You might think I am crazy to say that after a 40-7 loss. They certainly deserved to be on the losers list. But, they will still take this team going forward.

First, you had the first sack by Noah Spence. Even a late-game play when the game is out of reach is still a play. He absolutely tossed his guy out of the way to get to Carson Palmer. If Robert Ayers is out for any length of time, as well as Jacquies Smith, the Bucs are going to need big things from Spence quickly.

The unit actually helped up well before it got tired from being on the field too long. The Cardinals didn’t cross midfield until late in the first quarter. After the second Winston interception leaving Arizona deep in Bucs’ territory, the defense stiffened nicely to hold the Cards to a field goal. The game was at a reasonable score (10-0) until the Winston fumble late in the first half. Only then,  after being on the field for most of the half, did the game go haywire.

This defense is good, and will only get better.

Vernon Hargreaves

I know, again, it is difficult to throw praise to a defensive back when his secondary was lit up for over 300 yards through the air. I’m going to do it anyway.

We know about Hargreaves ball skills. We saw those in the preseason, but we haven’t seen those so far in the regular season. What impressed me is the tackling ability and football instincts. Above is a screen shot from the third quarter where Vernon comes in to make the stop on Chris Johnson for a one yard loss. The way he sneaks to the line and snuffs out the play behind the line shows instincts beyond his years.

The tackle reminded me of plays Darrelle Revis makes when defending the run up in New York. No of course Vernon is not Darrelle, at least not yet, but he has ability that all of us should be excited about.

Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) runs against Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) during the second half of a NFL game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Rams

This is only a short-term reason, but it is a good one. The Rams are the next opponent up for the Bucs. I know they are 1-1, but they haven’t scored a touchdown yet. In their return to Los Angeles, the Rams have averaged a whopping 4.5 points per game and 234 yards of offense per game, both good for dead last. “Dead” is a good word to describe the Rams’ offense so far.

Todd Gurley has only racked up 98 yards rushing so far, averaging 2.7 yards per carry. The Bucs are in a great position to beat these guys.

It was bad, gang, but fear not. It is going to get better. The Bucs will be just fine.

Note: All screen shots courtesy of NFL Game Pass (subscription required).

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