Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 5 Stock Report

Another week, another ugly loss for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who fell to 1-3 on the season after a 37-23 defeat at the hands of the undefeated Carolina Panthers last week.

The final score made the game look closer than it really was for the Bucs, who were done in by five turnovers and three more missed kicks from Kyle Brindza, who was released on Monday.

But even in a losing effort, there were still a few bright spots for Tampa Bay, a team that has yet to win a home game under head coach Lovie Smith. From Doug Martin's continued resurgence to Vincent Jackson proving he can still play like a No. 1 receiver, there are some positives to point out if you're a glass-half-full Bucs fan.

Let's take a look at which players are seeing their arrow move in either direction for the Bucs this week.

Up: RB Doug Martin

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Doug Martin showed up to this year's training camp 20 pounds lighter, showing off improved quickness, explosion and change-of-direction ability. He flashed those same skills in limited preseason work, giving fans hope he'd regained his rookie-year form.

His resurgence has continued into the regular season, with his best performance coming last week against the Carolina Panthers. Despite an ugly loss for the team, Martin rushed for a season-high 106 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, adding 37 yards on five receptions. Carolina had previously been ranked fourth in the league in rushing defense, allowing slightly more than 75 yards per game.

Even behind an offensive line sporting two rookie starters and two late-addition veterans, Martin is finding success on the ground. He's creating plenty of yards after contact, putting Tampa Bay in as many manageable second- and third-down situations as he can. As Jameis Winston and the rest of the Bucs offense continues to develop, Martin's production will be a huge help.

Down: CB Mike Jenkins

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

After signing with the Bucs as a free agent last offseason, Mike Jenkins missed most of 2014 after suffering a pectoral injury in the first game of the regular season.

But while he's back in the lineup this year, Jenkins struggled mightily last week, giving up both of Carolina's touchdown passes. Jenkins slipped and fell on one of the scores, then got lost in traffic while trying to chase his receiver in man coverage on a crossing route in the red zone.

A former first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys, Jenkins played his home games in college at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium as an All-American at South Florida. He has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but the Bucs decided to bring him back on another one-year deal for 2015. So far, he's not taking full advantage of the opportunity to start with Johnthan Banks out.

Up: WR Vincent Jackson

Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

After rookie Mike Evans posted more than 1,000 yards and a franchise-record 12 touchdown catches last season, Vincent Jackson was expected to take a backseat to the second-year pro in 2015.

But as Evans shakes the rust off following a preseason hamstring injury that held him out of Week 1 and had him used as a mere decoy in Week 2, Jackson has proven he's still got plenty in the tank. The veteran led the team with a season-high 10 receptions and 147 yards last week, catching one of Jameis Winston's two touchdown passes on the day.

Both Evans and Jackson have struggled with drops so far this season, but they've also flashed their ability to make big plays down the field and move the chains. Jackson's production will be particularly helpful as the Bucs continue to be without starting tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who is still dealing with a shoulder injury.

Down: QB Jameis Winston

Rob Foldy/Getty Images

After a rocky first start against the Tennessee Titans, Jameis Winston had settled down over his next two games, taking better care of the football and avoiding costly mistakes.

But in his second home start, Winston unraveled, turning the ball over four times and making plenty of questionable decisions. Winston fumbled a snap on the first drive of last week's game, then threw a pick-six to Carolina's Josh Norman on the following possession, putting the Bucs down 10-0 before many Bucs fans could blink an eye.

Winston also had a pair of intentional grounding calls and struggled with ball placement for the second week in a row. It's still early for this year's top overall pick, and he's shown flashes of brilliance, but last week's performance was definitely a sign that he's far from a finished product.

Up: DE William Gholston

Leon Halip/Getty Images

Despite a desperate need to improve their pass rush this offseason, the Bucs didn't make too many moves at defensive end, aside from trading for George Johnson.

But the former Buccaneer and Detroit Lion has yet to make much of an impact, and he was benched last week in favor of William Gholston, who has put together an impressive start to his third NFL season. Gholston rewarded the coaching staff's confidence in him with another strong performance in Week 4, and he's grateful for the opportunity, per Rick Brown of the Lakeland Ledger:

"

Back healthy, Gholston started to get into the team’s defensive line rotation this season and was rewarded with his 12th start of his three-year career. He responded with a solid three tackle performance with one tackle for a loss and one pass breakup.

“I really appreciate the players and coaches felt like I could step up and have a starting role,” Gholston said. “I’m just trying to do everything they teach me in practice."

"

A fourth-round pick out of Michigan State in 2013, Gholston isn't exactly an explosive pass-rusher, but he's a powerful presence on the edge who excels as a run defender. If he continues to improve, expect him to stay ahead of Johnson in the starting lineup.