Pewter Report’s editor-in-chief Mark Cook takes a look at the Buccaneers' most impressive and disappointing players following a crushing, 41-34 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday.

MOST IMPRESSIVE
Wide Receiver Vincent Jackson
Jackson proved why he was the most sought-after free agent receiver in this season’s free agency period. Jackson, who struggled last week against Carolina, started the game with a bang, snatching a 41-yard first quarter pass from Josh Freeman, and then followed it up with 29-yard TD reception in the second quarter. For the game, Jackson had five receptions for 128 yards and one touchdown.

Linebacker Mason Foster
Foster was a physical force all day, leveling Giants, including knocking two New York players from the game. Foster also added an interception that turned into a second quarter touchdown for the Bucs offense. When drafted last season many wondered if Foster could make the transition to the middle linebacker position after primarily playing the weakside in college at Washington. Foster showed on Sunday at New York he not only could make the switch, but dominate at times. Foster likely reminded some Bucs fans of some of the franchise’s top middle linebackers – Cecil Johnson, Ervin Randle and Hardy Nickerson among others – with his hard-hitting and sure-tackling ways.

Cornerback Eric Wright
Of the big three free agent signings – Jackson, Carl Nicks and Wright – the one that excited fans the least was Wright. But on Sunday against New York, Wright made most fans forget their criticism of general manager Mark Dominik for shelling out $37.5 million for the former Browns and Lions cornerback. Wright had one of the most incredible interception returns in recent Bucs’ fans memories in the second quarter, returning an Eli Manning interception 60 yards for a touchdown. Most NFL cornerbacks go down in that situation with less than a minute left, but Wright juked three Giants and followed his blockers down the right sideline for the score. For the game, Wright finished with three tackles and the interception before leaving in the third quarter with a back injury.

Kicker Connor Barth
Barth doesn’t just make field goals, he splits the uprights dead center nearly every kick. Like Tiger Woods in his prime, Barth can almost call his shot. He is in a groove never seen before in Tampa Bay, adding field goals of 45 and 52 yards, nailing 20 in a row now to extend his franchise record Sunday at New York. Barth was also perfect on extra point attempts going 4-of-4.

Honorable Mentions
LT Donald Penn, RT Demar Dotson, RG Ted Larsen, WR Mike Williams

MOST DISAPPOINTING
Cornerback Aqib Talib
Talib’s day started off bad (giving up a 7-yard slant on the Giants first passing play) and went downhill from there. Manning ended the day with a career-high 510 yards passing and at least 200 of those yards coming against Talib’s receiver. Defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan and head coach Greg Schiano didn’t help Talib and the defensive backs with numerous blitzes that left the Bucs corners in one-on-ones throughout the game, particularly on third down. As anemic as the pass rush was, Talib still played poor technique at times, guessing instead of reacting, while also committing two penalties.

Quarterback Josh Freeman
Bucs QB Josh Freeman did several things right Sunday in the loss to the Giants. He also made several mistakes and bad decisions that hurt Tampa Bay’s chance of winning. On a good note, Freeman and Jackson hooked up five times for 128 yards and a score, and in the fourth quarter the Bucs’ fourth-year pro showed leadership and poise in attempting to bring Tampa Bay back. Onto the bad, Freeman was indecisive at times, and chose to force the ball in the third quarter instead of throwing it away, resulting in an interception. It also appeared there were running opportunities that Freeman chose not to take advantage of. Freeman completed 15-of-28 passes for 243 yards with two touchdowns and two second half interceptions. Freeman did enough to put the Bucs in position to win but not quite enough to actually pull it out.

Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy
As well as McCoy played last week against Carolina, McCoy was just as bad Sunday in New York. The Giants at times appeared to take advantage of McCoy’s speed by allowing him to run himself out of the play. Other times McCoy was stoned at the line of scrimmage and at first look, it didn’t appear he was exclusively being double-teamed. For the game, McCoy was credited with just two tackles.

Defensive end Adrian Clayborn
Clayborn was shutout again, and now through two games the Buccaneers' leader in sacks from a year ago is still in search of his first QB takedown. Clayborn tried inside rushes, outside rushes and straight-on bull rushes with zero success. In fact, Clayborn, despite playing the majority – if not all the defensive snaps – failed to even register a single tackle. Clayborn’s motor runs at a high level, but so far has produced very little for the Buccaneers through two games.

Defensive end Michael Bennett
Bennett, like Clayborn and the rest of the defensive line, was ineffective in attempting to get pressure on Manning all day Sunday at MetLife Stadium. The Giants offensive line, even after having to replace offensive tackle Dave Diehl, kept Manning upright all day despite 51 pass attempts. Bennett finished Sunday with one assist.

Safety Ronde Barber
Barber wasn’t terrible on Sunday, but one glaring play stood out, when the 16-year pro gave up an 80-yard touchdown pass to the Giants' Victor Cruz in the fourth quarter. In Barber’s defense it was third-and-2 and the Buccaneers were blitzing, and in most cases, the receivers settle at the sticks. Barber took the odds, but unfortunately for Tampa Bay, the Giants had other ideas, and the ineffective Buccaneers blitz allowed Cruz to easily blow by Barber for the game-tying score.

Dishonorable Mention
CB Brandon McDonald, OC Mike Sullivan, DC Bill Sheridan