National Football League

Buccaneers: Five Players that Must Step Up in the Second Half

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

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Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter hugs Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) after a football game at Raymond James Stadium. The Falcons won 43-28. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Who has to step up for the Buccaneers to make a run in the second half of the season?

More from The Pewter Plank

Dirk Koetter’s first eight games as head coach of the Buccaneers have been a roller coaster, haven’t they? We have seen the best of times, with solid wins over Atlanta in week one and San Francisco after the bye. The Bucs have even beaten the defending NFC Champion Panthers.

We have also seen the other side. The clock management has been “interesting” on more than one occasion, and we have seen them fall flat on their face against the Super Bowl champs.

Most recently we saw Tampa Bay fall pretty solidly at the hands of the Falcons, marking their first loss against Atlanta in two years. Heck, they can’t even figure out a way to win at home.

What a ride.

At 3-5, it’s going to take work for the Bucs to fight into playoff contention. Here are five players that must step up in order to make it happen.

Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Brent Grimes (24) gets called for pass interferenceance on Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Oakland Raiders defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Brent Grimes

When the Bucs brought Grimes into town, I had concerns, which I talked about here at the Pewter Plank. Yes, he had 26 career interceptions coming into the year, which does constitute a solid career. But, his small stature (5′ 10″) has hurt him over the years. It began to manifest last year a bit in Miami, but Jason Licht was counting on his cover skills to compensate.

However, Brent has looked overmatched for most of the 2016 season so far. Taller receivers like Julio Jones have made him look bad. Pro Football Focus ranks Grimes 27th in the league in pass coverage with a grade of 79.3. He is getting outplayed by a rookie, and that is simply not acceptable.

For the Bucs to have a chance, Grimes is going to have to play closer to his career numbers.

Sep 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Robert Ayers (91) in action during the game in action during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeat the Buccaneers 40-7. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Ayers

Last season, the Bucs were tied for 14th in the NFL in sacks with 38. Gerald McCoy was solid as always but he needed help. So, they drafted Noah Spence and signed Robert Ayers. Ayers posted nine sacks for the Giants in 2015 so there were high hopes.

Well currently the Bucs are tied for 15th in the NFL with 17 sacks.

McCoy has four to this point, and Spence has three. Unfortunately, Ayers has only been available for four of the first eight games, missing time due to injury. He posted a sack in the opening game, but hasn’t been much of a factor when he has played since. To date, Ayers has registered a mere seven tackles. It shouldn’t come as much surprise that the Bucs are giving up over four yards per carry on the ground, and can’t stop a nosebleed through the air.

Ayers needs to stay healthy and step things up fast.

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Roberto Aguayo (19) practices a field goal from the hold of Bryan Anger (9) prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Roberto Aguayo

Is anyone really surprised that this guy is on the list?

We all know the story. He was brought in as a second round pick, following a trade to get back into the round. He never missed a kick under 40 yards or an extra point in college. The expectations on Aguayo were beyond high. He was expected to come in and right the wrongs of the Bucs kicking game.

Well at 58.3% on field goals, Roberto is not living up to those expectations yet. He missed two against the Carolina Panthers. He did hit the game winner that night, but since that game he has missed one field goal and an extra point. To date he is 7-12 on his field goals and 15-17 on extra points.

A transition period for a rookie is typical. The college game simply isn’t the same as the pro game. But if the Bucs are going to make a run, there will be a moment where these kicks become huge. Aguayo must right the ship, and do it fast.

Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker (43) carries the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Chris Conte (23) defends in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Conte

This spot could go to any Bucs safety, but Conte was my choice.

Oh don’t get me wrong, Conte can tackle. He’s not the third-leading tackler on the team by accident. But where he and the rest of the safeties disappoint is in the passing game.

The Bucs play their fair share of “Cover 1” and “Cover 2” defenses. The safeties are responsible for help deep and over the middle. Too many times to count, Conte is a few days late showing up on the back-end to help. They have given up too many big plays, and Conte has been a factor in many of them.

There is a reason Conte is PFF’s 85th ranked safety. His overall grade of 37.3 is, believe it or not, the best grade among Bucs’ safeties.

They have no chance if Conte and company don’t step things up.

Sep 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs with the ball against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 40-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Doug Martin

Dougie? How could I possibly have Dougie on this list? He hasn’t played enough for me to talk about, right?

The truth is that Martin didn’t look that great when he was healthy. In week one against the Falcons, he ran the ball 18 times for 62 yards. The following week he ran it seven times for 23 yards before injury put his 2016 campaign on pause. His average per carry so far has been 3.4 yards, a far cry from is 2015 average of 4.9 yards per carry.

These are not the numbers of a running back that is looking to have his name remain in the same sentence with players like Adrian Peterson.

Looking at his career so far, if we are going to be fair, we have to describe it as up and down. Two out of his first four seasons were elite, the other two were marred by injury and a dip in the numbers. 2016 went right back to the numbers dip before he went down with the hamstring problem.

James Yarcho talked about how the Bucs are at a tipping point. Martin is arguably at the same type of tipping point. He needs to step things up for the benefit of a 2016 run and to show he can still be an elite running back.

What do you think? Agree? Do you have others that need to step up? Feel free to sound off in the comments below.

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