The buzz is building through the Tampa Bay area, and rightfully so, after the Bucs held off the Eagles for a 27-21 win and a 2-0 start to the season.
Below is our weekly list of Most Impressive players against Philadelphia. Take a look and see if you agree and add yours to the comment section.
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
Fitzmagic was alive and well inside Raymond James on Sunday as the Bucs moved to 2-0 after hanging on to beat the Eagles. Fitzpatrick was precise in his throws, confident in his decisions, and once again cool, calm and collected throughout the game. He finished with 402 yards on 27-of-33 passing with four touchdowns and an interception that wasn’t his fault.
For his efforts, Fitzpatrick earns a free men’s haircut at Roosters Men’s Grooming Center located in Hyde Park in South Tampa. Don’t worry. They won’t shave his beard.
Roosters Men’s Grooming Center sponsors the Pewter Player each week, and is located at 533 South Howard Avenue in South Tampa. Roosters is an upscale, full-service barber shop with haircuts, razor shaves and the best men’s hair care products available. Call (813) 253-3200 or visit RoostersMGC.com to schedule your appointment today. Roosters Men’s Grooming Center is the perfect destination for groomsman parties or corporate events.
WR DeSean Jackson
There is something about players going up against their former teams. Jackson became a star in the NFL playing for the Eagles, but left to go to the Redskins before joining the Bucs. So their was motivation to have a good game, and good game he had. Jackson took the opening pass 75 yards from Ryan Fitzpatrick to the end zone to put the Bucs up 7-0. Jackson also caught a pass for a first first down as the Bucs almost ran out the clock to end the game and ended up with four receptions for 129 yards and the one score. And this coming from a player who we weren’t even sure would be active following a concussion last week against the Saints.
LB Kwon Alexander
Energy. Lots of energy. And sometimes that energy gets the best of Alexander who can over run a play or try for a knockout blow instead of a wrap up tackle. Still, as coaches will tell you, you would rather had to say “Woah” than “Giddy up.” You never have to tell Alexander “Woah.” On Sunday, Alexander was full of “giddy up,” sacking Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, while also forcing him to fumble. Alexander added seven tackles, with three behind the line of scrimmage.
Bucs secondary
At one point late in the game the Bucs secondary consisted of Ryan Smith, Carlton Davis, M.J. Stewart, Jordan Whitehead and Isaiah Johnson in the secondary. And while they gave up a couple late touchdowns, all in all, the young Bucs bounced back nicely from the debacle in New Orleans. It was night and day really, particularly for Davis who really struggled against the Saints. Smith, who had two tremendous tackles on punt coverage, also looked like a completely different player than we saw last season which really bodes well for the Bucs defense moving forward.
DE Jason Pierre-Paul
Like Jackson, there was some question if Pierre-Paul would even play this week after a knee injury limited him in practice this week. While he didn’t take over the game, he provided a key sack, to go along with five tackles on a hot, muggy September afternoon.
Honorable Mention: TE O.J. Howard (three catches, 96 yards, including a 75-yard TD), LB Lavonte David (nine tackles, fumble recovery), DT Gerald McCoy (three tackles, one sack).