The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are either a good or a bad team depending on the day.
This shift is often dramatic and jarring to fans as they see a good team one week and then a terrible one the next week, but the good news in all of this is that Tampa has already proven that it can be a good team, it just needs to make some changes to get there consistently.
Here is where the Bucs should start if they want to go from being good at times to good consistently over the course of the rest of the season.
Move #1-Take Ke'Shawn Vaughn out of the lineup
Ke'Shawn Vaughn doesn't need any more reps for the Buccaneers. We have seen enough.
Whether it is simply his skillset relative to the scheme or a lack of overall talent to cut it in the NFL is irrelevant, all that matters is that the run doesn't work when Vaughn is on the field.
Since the Bucs have made it clear that they want a way to move the ball on the ground, they'll need to find someone else to give those reps if they want some way to control the clock effectively.
Move #2-Find a replacement for Vaughn
The free agent market isn't great and giving up assets for a running back may not seem like the best idea for a team that isn't exactly trying to go all-in, but the run isn't going to work as it is currently constructed.
Dave Canales and Todd Bowles are clearly trying hard to establish some sort of consistent rushing attack to stubborn levels, but all this is doing is leading to wasted downs and series.
If the Bucs want a way to make their rushing attack that much better this season, they'll need to find an outside force to make a difference.
Move #3-Find new ways to get Trey Palmer involved
The pass is the only part of this offense that works, and like the team as a whole, even that is extremely streaky.
Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have been the main targets for this team, as expected, but there are other weapons on this team that can add a new dimension to the unit. Rookie Trey Palmer is one such weapon.
Palmer is a deep threat that seems like he gets open on every rep, yet Mayfield can't get the ball to land within five yards of his speedy receiver. This is a massive waste, and the Bucs need a plan for when Palmer is cooking but not getting his touches.
In an offense that already wants consistency, it makes sense to try to get the ball to Palmer on routes to take advantage of runs after the catch to build rapport between him and Mayfield, and perhaps this change could lead to more completed deep passes between the QB and the speedy receiver down the road.
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