The Running Backs Showed Promise
From the very beginning of Sunday's matchup in Charlotte, the Bucs got production from their backs. Doug Martin's 63-yard burst through the middle on the game's first series ignited the offense and led to the early go-ahead touchdown. Late in the first half, Josh McCown found Charles Sims on three different occasions for 10 -yard catches which led to a field goal that re-took the lead at 10-9 going into the half. In the third quarter, trailing 16-10, Sims rejuvenated the offense with an 18-yard run followed by another 10-yarder that helped move Tampa Bay into scoring position. All in all, it was the best output from the backs in weeks and it is encouraging going into the final two games of the season.
The Return of the Lavonte David We're Used to Seeing
After missing two games with a bad hamstring and leaving last week's game in Detroit with concussion-like symptoms, it was great to see LB Lavonte David racing all over the field again to make plays. He finished the game with 12 tackles, six solo, two for losses, he recorded his first sack, forced a fumble and broke up a pass. This is the kind of play that we have come to expect, if not take for granted, from #54. It was great to see him back to the form that led him to All-Pro status last season.
The Heart of Josh McCown
For all the knocks on the veteran's play this season, you cannot question the guts and leadership McCown has shown and continued to show on Sunday against the Panthers. There was obviously adversity early in the third quarter with a sack-fumble and repeatedly bad field position, but the Bucs QB continued to battle, taking big hits in the process. Eventually, Josh made one of the top plays of Sunday by weaving through the Carolina defense, lowering the shoulder and crossing the goal line for a 16-yard touchdown with under four minutes left to play that cut the lead to 19-17. While the overall record doesn't show it, he gets an A from me on "want to" and for leading the offense by example this season, even through adverse times.
