Every football fan knows about the top two receivers on Tampa Bay. Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson are both big, physical wide outs who will without a doubt be key pieces for the Buccaneers this season. There is concern with receiving core overall as once you get past The Dunkaneers there's not much to get excited about. Louis Murphy, the 29 year old former Florida Gator, would be the likely choice for the slot receiver position but the new head honcho in Tampa isn't impressed with him so far in training camp. There are quite a few guys below Murphy on the depth chart who have a chance to move up. Adam Humphries, Russell Shepard, Donteea Dye Jr and Kenny Bell being the main guys who have a fighting chance to sneak up the depth chart. Kenny Bell has the quickness they're looking for in a slot guy, he'll just have to prove in the preseason that he has the hands they're also looking for. I also wouldn't be surprised if the Buccaneers looked outside the organization for help at the position.
Will The Safeties Step Up?
In the offseason Tampa improved their corners when they selected Vernon Hargreaves III 11th overall in the draft to go alongside Brent Grimes, Josh Robinson and Alterraun Verner. However, as it stands right now, their safeties aren't exactly among the best in the NFL. Bradley McDougald is slotted as the starting free safety with his main competition being Major Wright while Chris Conte is listed as the starting strong safety with Keith Tandy being behind him. Bradley "Scottish Thunder" McDougald is only 25 and last year was his first season as a starter in the NFL so he still has room to improve. Conte is in his second season as a Buccaneer after coming over from Chicago where he spent 4 seasons. He's 27 which isn't exactly long in the tooth in football years but he may be at his ceiling which could mean he's nothing more than a stop gap at the strong safety position.
Offensive Line Play
Jameis Winston could be in for a long season if the big guys in front of him can't protect him. Tampa has a projected offensive line of Donovan Smith at left tackle, J.R. Sweezy at left guard, Evan Smith at center, Ali Marpet at right guard and Demar Dotson at right tackle. None of these guys really stand out as top offensive lineman. Demar Dotson and Evan Smith are the veterans of the group and will be expected to lead the young guys like Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet who are both entering their second seasons in the league. J.R. Sweezy was signed in the offseason after Seattle decided to part ways with the guard who was a part of their less than stellar offensive line. Bottom line is, if these guys can protect Winston and open up some holes for Doug Martin and Charles Sims III then this offense could be very successful. If not then it could be an ugly season ahead of us.
Keep up to date with The Plank all season long and be sure to follow "BuccsPX1" on Twitter for updates as well.
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