Early Look Into Jameis Winston and Bucs vs. NFC South by Jesse Uruchima 1h ago 
May 8, 2015; Tampa, FLTampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) works out for rookie mini camp at One Buc Place. Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsEveryone from Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans to their front office are probably just imagining the excitement that the 2015 season could bring. So much so that when they look at the upcoming schedule, they will first highlight their divisional foes in order to seek revenge.In 2014, the Buccaneers were 0-6 against the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. While the record gives you an idea of the state of the Bucs franchise, each game tells a different story. Some games exhibited offensive progress, others showed a defensive regression. Week after week, head coach Lovie Smith attempted to explain a close loss or a blow out by the third quarter. In an effort to not repeat the same mistakes, Smith, along with general manager Jason Licht, took matters into their own hands this offseason, making productive moves on defense and pulling the trigger on some potential franchise-altering decisions on the offensive side of the ball.By acquiring the likes of linebacker Bruce Carter and defensive tackle Henry Melton, the Bucs add skilled veterans with knowledge of the Tampa 2 scheme, as well as giving the team some much needed depth on game day. As for the offense, selecting Jameis Winston was a huge step towards moving the organization towards a potentially brighter future.At 21, the 6-foot-4, 227-pound quarterback will be entrusted with a talented squad which includes second-year wide receiver Mike Evans who comes off an impressive rookie campaign where he had 68 catches, 1,051 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Under new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, Evans and 10-year veteran wide receiver Vincent Jackson should make for a solid aerial vertical attack reminiscent of the Falcons.Looking back at their 2014 results and comparing this year’s team, the NFC South appears to be up for grabs and the Buccaneers will remain in the hunt with the always hard-working Winston leading the offense. So without further ado, let’s take a look at how the Bucs will stack up against the Saints, Panthers and Falcons in 2015.
Oct 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) pressures New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) as he throws during the second quarter of a game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsNew Orleans Saints2014: (Week 5) Lost, 37-31 OT; (Week 17) Lost, 23-20 2015 Prediction: 2-0In Week 5, the Bucs offense were able to put the Saints’ defense on its heels, but Brees and the Saints were up for the challenge, orchestrating a huge fourth quarter comeback. Quarterback Mike Glennon threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to topple Brees, who posted his second-most passing yards (371) of the 2014 campaign, completing 35 of 57 pass attempts and two touchdowns.Week 17 was a different story, especially with the Buccaneers running game. In the final game of the season, Doug Martin ran for a season-high 108 yards on 19 carries. Charles Sims was just as impressive, rushing for his own career-best 69 yards. If Martin and Sims could use that late-season success as motivation heading into this year, the rushing attack could help open things up for Winston and his formidable passing options all over the field.This offseason, the Saints traded their best offensive player on the field in Jimmy Graham. Was center Max Unger and first-round pick Clemson linebacker Stephone Anthony enough compensation for someone of Graham’s stature? The Bucs will surely find out in Week 2 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.The 6-foot-5, 276-pound lineman, er, tight end struggled to stay on the field but still managed to put up decent numbers for his position. So, when the news was released of his departure from the NFC South, defensive coaches popped champagne. It is not to say the Saints are vulnerable without Graham, but it simplifies the game plan for teams.Tampa Bay can focus on stopping the run more often, as the Saints will look to lessen Brees’ workload due to age (36) and their offseason signing of C.J. Spiller to go along with Mark Ingram who finally had his long-awaited breakout year in 2014. Last season, the Bucs were a middle-of-the-road run defense, allowing 113.7 yards per game. But, the addition of Henry Melton in the middle and George Johnson at the end will give the defensive line more flexibility and keep them fresh throughout the course of a game.If the Bucs can build off of their success on defense which we saw in their season finale last year, they could probably take not one, but two from the Saints in 2015.
Nov 9, 2014; Tampa, FLTampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bobby Rainey (43) stiff-arms Atlanta Falcons free safety Dezmen Southward (41) in the first half at Raymond James Stadium. David Manning-USA TODAY Sports Atlanta Falcons2014: (Week 3) Lost, 56-14; (Week 10) Lost, 27-17 2015 Prediction: 1-1The Atlanta Falcons’ defense ranked dead last in total yards allowed per game with 398 yards. So when Vic Beasley was drafted out of Clemson, the Falcons’ intention was to get someone who could not only put pressure on the likes of Jameis Winston, Drew Brees and Cam Newton, but he could flank out to protect against the pass. Although Beasley’s presence could impact the game, when Atlanta and Tampa Bay square off, it’ll most likely come down to which quarterback (Winston or Matt Ryan) will play smarter football.Last season, the Bucs’ two meetings against the Falcons resulted in a losses. The Falcons enjoyed big days from Julio Jones, whom amassed 280 receiving yards on 17 catches and two touchdowns. But one of the more important takeaways from their match-ups was that, in the second meeting, the Buccaneers’ defense kept it close for three quarters and limited Atlanta to 16 points. A far cry from their previous game where the Falcons scored 21 in the first quarter.The Buccaneers will need to build off the bright spots of Week 10, limiting Jones’ ability to get open and give the revamped defensive line a chance to get to Ryan. The Falcons’ game plan will be similar, as they will seek to contain Mike Evans and rattle rookie Winston and expose his turnover-prone behavior.This is where Winston needs to shine. Jameis will need to make the right decisions against a team looking to play Seahawks defense 2.0, with new coach Dan Quinn. In Week 8, Winston will play with butterflies and understandably flop in the Georgia Dome. However, in Week 13 you can expect Winston to not only use home field to his advantage. His intelligence for the game would better developed and the Falcons will have their hands full.
Sep 7, 2014; Tampa, FL Carolina Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson (3) is pressured by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports Carolina Panthers2014: (Week 1) Lost, 20-14; (Week 15) Lost, 19-17 2015 Prediction: 1-1In both games last season, the Panthers played without Cam Newton and yet the Bucs made an interesting game out of it. Both rookie wide receivers, Kelvin Benjamin and Mike Evans, made their presence felt, thus inaugurating many more seasons of divisional rival entertainment amongst the two.In two games in 2014, Benjamin recorded 14 receptions, 196 yards, and one touchdown. Once again, this was without Newton! Nevertheless, the Buccaneers got a long, hard look at one of the biggest staples on the Panthers’ offense, so they must adapt. So much so, they will have to play keep-away against the Panthers, even if that means allowing Devin Funchess to prove himself in his rookie season.But if there’s one silver lining about their upcoming 2015 match-ups, it’s the fact that the Bucs defense will face a similarly sized passing attack every practice with Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. While they may not be fully prepared for the physicality that Funchess and Benjamin present, Tampa Bay’s secondary can use endless reps against V-Jax and Evans to be more tactful in their approach towards stopping Carolina’s new and possibly improved passing attack.Assuming Newton plays this season without any unexpected off-the field accidents and physical setbacks, these games may come down to the quarterbacks using every inch of will they can bare out on the field. As close as this game can turn out, it will be Newton coming out victorious at least once. He has something to prove, like last year’s playoff run was no fluke and of course, that new five-year, $103.8 million contract extension. The Bucs will probably play spoiler, as Winston will also seek to prove his own critics and doubters wrong.link
