Nov 30, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; works Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) and wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) talk prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Despite a 2-14 record and a season of disappointment, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still had some standout performers.
Here are the five best Buccaneers of 2014:
Evans was flat out dominant during his rookie season, hauling in 68 catches for 1,051 yards and a franchise record 12 touchdowns. During a three-week stretch in November, Evans had 458 receiving yards and four touchdowns, including 209 yards in the Bucs’ 27-7 win in Washington.
The other half of Jason Licht’s proclaimed twin towers had his third straight 1000-yard season in a Buccaneers jersey as Jackson caught 70 passes for 1,002 yards but only two touchdowns. However, one of his touchdowns was the game-winner in Pittsburgh with seven seconds left in regulation. Jackson is owed over $11 million in 2015, and while that’s a hefty price tag for a 31-year-old wideout, Jackson is worth every penny.
The Bucs’ rookie kicker beat out veteran Connor Barth at the end of the preseason and he proved over the course of the year that the Bucs made the right decision. Murray went 16-of-20 of field goals and connected on 5-of-6 from over 50 yards, including hitting a 55-yarder in Week 5.
Sep 28, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Patrick Murray (7) looks on from the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Buccaneers won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
David had a slight down year for the Bucs but he was still without doubt the best player on Tampa Bay’s defence. He had 146 tackles, the third highest in the league. David missed the first two games of his NFL career and failed to record an interception after having five last season. However, he is arguably the Bucs’ most important player and signing him to a contact extension this offseason, where he has one-year left on his deal, is a priority.
The 28-year-old entered the season as a complete unknown but finished the season as one of Tampa Bay’s most important players. Lansanah had 81 tackles, 1.5 sacks, broke up eight passes and had three interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He made Jonathan Casillas expendable and has likely pushed Mason Foster out the door. Lansanah was easily the biggest surprise on Tampa Bay’s roster, if not in the NFL, and has secured himself a role as a key member of the Bucs for the foreseeable future.
Honourable mentions: Johnthan Banks, Bradley McDougald, Clinton McDonald.