The Bucs are on what I think is a reasonable record based on their talent level. some would argue that finding three more wins seems daunting but this team is capable of three or more wins.
What matters for the second half of the season is that this team turns things around to finish strong.
1. Win home.
Biggest obstacle so far. Koetter needs to try something different.
2. .500 record in the month of December is imperative.
Koetter has to stop the December slide that has doomed Gruden, Morris, Schiano and Lovie.
3. Stabilize a faltering defense
He can't shift blame for a defense just because he is a HC (eg Gruden and Lovie). He is in charge, so start making changes.
4. As a rookie HC I expeced Koetter take his lumps. Now, I want to see if he learned anything in the second half of the season.
5. The team has dealt with injuries well on both sides of the ball. So, well that I am seeing a lot of these supposed starters as dead weight now. When two rookie DE's and John Hughes show up on the defensive line that is when you know the Bucs defense is on trouble. Meaning the rest of the D-line is in the tub or sleepwalking out there. McCoy is hot/cold but at least he is trying.
6. Martin, Barber, Ward, etc are pressed into action and they are learning quickly. Spence and Hargreaves were supposed to be picks for the future not picks for right now. But they are learning quickly even when taking their lumps.
7. I am not down on Lavonte, Kwon or Barimah like some are. They are playing confused football and it shows. Furthermore, this defensive scheme isn't hiding much to confuse offenses anyways.
8. Bench Conte. McDougald like McCoy has been hot/cold but he looks semi competent out there. Conte just needs to sit as he has no future even as a backup.
9. Shorts is going to surprise people when he absorbs more of the playbook.
10. Winston is going to surprise people during the final stretch. That is my out there prediction for the second half of the season.
Overall, the team needs to shift away from "rebuilding" mode to turning that corner. That starts with the second half of the season and December.
Injuries and lack of talent are excuses for a team not making the playoffs yes. But they are not excuses good enough since this team is capable of looking NFL average at the very least.
Defense can be below average or average if they play hard. Right now they are arguably the worst in the league. That is not acceptable. I raise the bar for this defense to finish average or else I say clean house.
Offense needs to shift the identity of this team if they do not have a running attack.
