The Bucs will have a lot to think about during the bye week with a 5-5 record. Momentum is on their side after winning two games in a row as they hold a one-game lead in the NFC South. What changes could take place? Solidifying a couple of starters might take place.

Bucs WR Julio Jones and LG Nick Leverett – Photo by: USA Today

There are three positions specifically that have been magnified in recent weeks. That would be left guard, tight end and running back. At left guard, Nick Leverett has come in for the injured Luke Goedeke and has done a really good job. The rookie Goedeke struggled up until his foot injury in Week 7, and Leverett really righted the ship on the offensive line when he got the nod. Tampa Bay didn’t allow a sack against the Seahawks, and it led to a number of chunk plays down the field, including a 30-yard touchdown by Julio Jones.

Many, including Pewter Report, have called for Leverett to be the full time starter even before Goedeke was injured. But will Todd Bowles oblige? Here was his response:

“Luke [Goedeke] is still hurt right now. There are more games to play, obviously,” Bowles said. “We like what he’s doing right now. Nick has always been tough and physical for us – he played a big part in the run game yesterday. We’ll evaluate when Luke comes back, but [Nick’s] playing great right now. He’s earned an opportunity to play.”

Bucs TE Otton Getting Better Each Week

Bucs TE Cade Otton – Photo by: USA Today

At the tight end position, it’s a similar situation in which the starter got hurt and the backup is performing better. Rookie Cade Otton has emerged in recent weeks as another much needed viable weapon in a struggling Bucs’ passing game. That was highlighted by his five-catch, 68 yard, one touchdown performance in Week 9 against the Rams, which included a game winning score with nine seconds to go.

Veteran Cam Brate was the starter heading into the season, but unfortunately a concussion injury and a separate neck injury forced him to miss four games. Otton has made the most of his chances in that time, and the two both got playing time in Germany.

“It will be rotational,” Bowles said of who will be starting. “Obviously, we have guys we like to rotate in with Cam [Brate] and Cade and Ko [Kieft] as well, so it will be a rotational basis depending on what we have up.”

With that said, Otton had 12 more snaps than Brate did on Sunday. So while Bowles might say it’s a rotation, Tampa Bay will most likely stick with Otton in their most crucial moments.

Who Is The Bucs’ Starting RB?

The starter at running back might be the most contentious of them all considering both players have participated in every game. Veteran running back Leonard Fournette has been the starter all season long, but the results have been poor on the ground as the Bucs have a historically inefficient run-game. Reports have surfaced that Fournette was even sulking on the sidleine in Week 9 over the frustration of not having as many opportunities.

Rookie Rachaad White has been electric as of late. He’s provided a boost to the offense and added a quicker element when he’s in the game. When the Bucs started with the ball on Sunday, it was White who was in the backfield to begin the game. He was given the bulk of the rushing attempts – partially because Fournette left the game with a hip injury – and it provided huge dividends.

Bucs QB Tom Brady and RB Rachaad White – Photo by: USA Today

White for 105 rushing yards as the Bucs had just their second game of the season where they rushed for the century mark. White’s 29-yard rush, which ended with one of the greatest stiff arms you’ll ever see, was the first time all season the Bucs had a rush of over 20 yards.

Does this mean White is now RB1? Fournette will have a week to get healthy during the bye, and Bowles wasn’t as committed to it either. He explained why White was in the backfield on the first play.

“We have different packages for guys, and we just started out with that package,” Bowles said. “It was a change-of-pace package that we started out with and the plays we had scheduled for Rachaad happened to be one of the plays we had scheduled, so that’s how we came out with the game.