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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Deemed Most Unpredictable NFC Team

By Erik Lambert

JACKSONVILLE, FL - AUGUST 17: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers attempts a pass during a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on August 17, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - AUGUST 17: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers attempts a pass during a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on August 17, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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Experts are still trying to figure the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out. By rights they should be a contender but for some reason doubts remain.

They have Jameis Winston at quarterback. They have a stud wide receiver in Mike Evans and possibly a stud tight end in O.J. Howard. Desean Jackson brings more speed to their receiving corps as well. If that weren’t enough they seem to have some solid pieces on defense as well. Gerald McCoy remains a stud. They have quality linebackers and an emerging young corner in Vernon Hargreaves. Yet the Buccaneers haven’t proven they are ready to take the next step.

At times they look like world beaters, stomping on teams. Then not long after they’re absolutely run out of a building. The consistency just isn’t there. Perhaps this would explain why their ceiling and floor prediction by NFL.com writer Elliott Harrison had such a wide gulf. In essence they’re going to either be one of the best team in the NFC or hold a top 10 pick by years’ end.

"“Ceiling: 13-3. Jameis Winston takes home league MVP, throwing for 4,600 yards and 35 touchdowns and cutting down on the dumb throws. Meanwhile, Gerald McCoy, Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander all make the Pro Bowl. Vernon Hargreaves takes a big step forward.Floor: 6-10. I cringe even putting this record down for Tampa Bay. But in this worst-case scenario, the offensive line falters, causing a RB-by-committee to tiptoe to the hole. DeSean Jackson slows down while O.J. Howard does not start his career as hoped. Dirk Koetter’s offense fails to take the whole game off Winston’s back.”"

Everything hinges on Jameis Winston, like it or not

Harrison wasn’t lying when he talked about dumb throws. There’s no denying that Winston is a leader and talented quarterback. The problem is that confidence he has is his own worst enemy at times. He believes so much in his ability that he tries to make too much happen when it just isn’t there. He got away with it in college, but not in the NFL. Despite throwing 28 touchdowns last season, he also delivered 18 interceptions.

That ugly pick he threw against Jacksonville was a perfect encapsulation of how reckless he can be. There is no margin for error in that division. Tampa is a good team but not good enough to survive too many mistakes. Winning teams understand how to play under control. They’re still learning. Time will tell if they can.

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