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About the Author: Zach Shapiro

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Zach is entering his 3rd year covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a writer for PewterReport.com. Since 2014, he's handled a large part of the beat reporting responsibilities at PR, attending all media gatherings and publishing and promoting content daily. Zach is a native of Sarasota, FL, and a graduate of the University of Tampa. He has also covered high school football for the Tampa Tribune and the NFL for Pro Player Insiders. Contact him at: [email protected]

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Defensive end Will Gholston has been as consistent as any Bucs player this season, adding another seven tackles in San Francisco Sunday while recording his first sack of 2016.

Through all the injuries along the defensive line, Gholston has been a reliable presence for the Bucs and the team has called upon the fourth-year pro to take on a leadership role. In the last three weeks, where Tampa Bay has held opponents to an average of 100 yards rushing with a patchwork defensive line, Gholston had 23 stops and been a definite force against the run.

Bucs De Will Gholston And Mlb Kwon Alexander - Photo By: Cliff Welch/Pr

Bucs DE Will Gholston and MLB Kwon Alexander – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I think we said in one of these meetings that Will, all of a sudden when Gerald and [defensive end Robert] Ayers were out, he said, ‘Hey, I’m the elder statesman here,'” Koetter said on Monday. “He’s put together three really good games in a row. He’s playing so hard.”

Making Gholston even more valuable, particularly in the wake of injuries to other guys, is his versatility. A rare combo of size (6-foot-6), strength and speed, Gholston’s capable of lining up inside or outside and using whichever advantage – long arms, slender frame – needed to be successful.

“Those are his best assets,” Koetter said. “He’s relentless in his effort, he’s got really good stamina, he’s versatile and he can move around.”

Gerald McCoy, who added two more tackles and a sack Sunday, repeatedly praised Gholston during training camp. At one point the All-Pro three-technique alluded to a play Gholston made in preseason as an example of how the entire team should play every down – with relentless effort.

Since being taken in the fourth round out of Michigan State in 2013, Gholston has steadily improved and become an essential part of the Bucs defense. And going back to McCoy, Koetter didn’t fail to mention that the Bucs are simply better off with their defensive captain on the field.

“I think Gerald gets a bad rap sometimes, people don’t appreciate what he brings to the table,” Koetter said. “Having coached against him, you’ve got to double-team him, or your guards are going to struggle to block him. Your center definitely can’t block him single. He can beat a double team and when he does get singled, he’s going to get penetration.

“I said Gerald was going to be on a pitch count, he played 64 plays, I think he took himself out one time,” Koetter continued, noting McCoy’s sack-fumble on Sunday. “A lot of the players that come back after a three-week absence, they look a little rusty out there and we had a couple guys that were in that category. Gerald did not look rusty. He looked like he was right back in Pro Bowl form. Gerald is one of those unique players that makes the other guys around him better and we were very happy to have him back.”

After two straight road wins, Tampa Bay returns to Raymond James for the first of three consecutive home games beginning on Sunday against the Raiders. The Bucs are slight favorites over Oakland (5-2), according to TopBet.eu

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