1. The Bucs made two trades at the Deadline, how much will it impact their defense?
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that things will be better. However, that’s not a bold claim when you take into account that the Buccaneers’ defense is playing so terribly these days. Personally, I’m mixed on the Mark Barron trade because I thought he was still young at 25 years old and still had the potential for growth and development over time. But, I do understand why the deal had to get done. Barron wasn’t able to fulfill his duties as the strong safety playing in Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 scheme.
The trade opens the door for former Lovie disciple Major Wright, who I believe will be an upgrade for a Bucs defense which needed someone with coverage skills and not Barron, a guy who can only punish an opposing player who decides to catch a pass or run it up the middle. Once they master the nuances of the Tampa 2, the entire defense will improve and these trades will eventually pay off for the Bucs.
2. Who are the building blocks on both sides of the ball for fans to look forward to?
On defense, it has to be the highest-paid defensive tackle in the league, Gerald McCoy. He’s the heart of the defense. His stats may not always show how effective he is for the team, but McCoy is the one that motivates the rest of the defense and gets the best out of them.
On offense, there are a couple bright spots in Mike Evans and Charles Sims. In a season where Vincent Jackson has struggled, Evans has been consistently putting up receiving numbers. They aren’t up to par with that of a No. 1 receiver, but they are an encouraging sign for the team’s future. On The Pewter Plank, I have been ranting and raving about Sims. I’m not going to stop now. The Bucs love what he has to offer. He’s a big back who can run the ball and catch passes. The comparisons to Matt Forte are there. I would love to see if he can live up to it.
3. Is Lovie Smith losing support among the fans and/or players?
With his players, no. With his fans, yes. Obviously, we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors, but Bucs players have given the impression that they still believe in Lovie and what he brings to the team. After a terrible 4-12 season last year, Buccaneers fans didn’t want to experience déjà vu. It looks like that what’s happening and they are none too pleased.
4. The Bucs beat the Steelers, what do they need to replicate to win Sunday?
Slowly but surely, the defense is improving. Where the problem lies now is in quarterback Mike Glennon and the offensive line. Going into the season, the Buccaneers probably thought Glennon was their future. That stance has started to die down with one mediocre performance after another.
The Browns defense must be excited to play the horrendous Bucs offensive line. Glennon has a little bit of time in the pocket to make something happen and as a result, the entire offense struggles. It’s going to be another long day if the O-line can’t protect Glennon long enough to make his reads. However, if he does get some time, things could get interesting and an upset could be in the works.
5. What is your prediction for the game Sunday?
Ugh. More of the same for the Buccaneers. Little happening on the offense, the defense doing just enough with what they’re given. It’s going to be a long day.
Browns 28 – Buccaneers 13