Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Full Bucs Awards at Halfway Point of 2014 Season

It's hard to find silver linings for a 1-7 football team, but if you look hard enough, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers do indeed have a few bright spots despite their disappointing start to the 2014 season.

A popular preseason pick to make a quick turnaround from basement-dwellers to playoff contenders—much like the 2013 Kansas City Chiefs—the Bucs have failed to live up to lofty expectations in their first year under head coach Lovie Smith.

That said, there have been a number of positive performances for Tampa Bay fans to hang their hat on in the first half of this season, from a potential star rookie at receiver to All-Pro play from their defensive leaders.

Here are my picks for the Bucs' midseason awards.

Bang for the Buc Award: DT Clinton McDonald

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The overhaul of the Bucs' roster began with a swift signing spree in free agency, headlined by big-money additions like Michael Johnson, Anthony Collins and Alterraun Verner. But it was the signing of defensive tackle Clinton McDonald that has been the most economical and productive through the first half of the 2014 season. 

After serving as a rotational player for the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, McDonald joined the Bucs on a four-year deal worth $12 million.  McDonald has posted 5.5 sacks in 2013, despite making just one start.

McDonald hasn't lit up the stat sheet quite like he did in Seattle, but he's also working with a unit that doesn't have nearly the same level of depth as the defending champs.  McDonald has given the Bucs a reliable presence in the middle opposite Gerald McCoy, tallying 28 tackles, one sack and an opportunistic interception that came just last week.

His signing may have been with less fanfare than some others, and the box score might not suggest it, but McDonald is arguably the best addition Tampa Bay made in free agency this past offseason.

Hometown Hero Award: WR Louis Murphy

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Few players are given the opportunity to return to their hometown and play for the favorite NFL team of their childhood.  Signing a one-year deal with the Bucs this offseason gave Louis Murphy that very chance, and he's proven to be a valuable addition.

Murphy injured his back in the preseason and was released by the Bucs, only to return weeks later when depth and underwhelming play had become an issue at the receiver position. 

The former Lakewood High (St. Petersburg) and Florida Gator standout has provided some key plays for a Bucs offense that has struggled for most of the season, including a 41-yard reception that set up a last-second touchdown to give the Bucs their only win of the season so far.

Murphy has 20 catches for 230 yards and two touchdowns in five games for Tampa Bay, giving the Bucs' passing game a solid third option to Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans.

Comeback Player of the Year: CB Johnthan Banks

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It's hard to find a "comeback" player on a team that's overturned over half of its roster from the previous season, so I'm going with a player who has made a considerable improvement since his rookie campaign.

Johnthan Banks experienced the normal ups and downs of any rookie season in 2013, flashing the talent that made him a top-50 draft pick but often getting picked on by opposing teams who preferred to stay away from Darrelle Revis.

Heading into the 2014 season, Banks was expected to again play second fiddle, this time to Pro Bowl free-agent acquisition Alterraun Verner, but it's been the sophomore who has given the Bucs more consistent play so far.  Despite missing a game due to injury, Banks has nearly matched his 2013 totals already in interceptions and pass deflections. 

Banks' absence was painfully evident in Tampa Bay's 48-17 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens, as Joe Flacco consistently went after Banks' replacements on his way to five first-half touchdown passes.

You may not call it a comeback, but Banks is proving he's elevated his game from his rookie year and has a bright future ahead.

Defensive Player of the Year: LB Lavonte David

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Just about every single Tampa Bay defender around him has disappointed, but All-Pro linebacker Lavonte David continues to prove he is arguably the best young linebacker in the NFL.

Through the first eight games of 2014, David ranks second in the NFL with 89 total tackles, putting his fantastic combination of instincts and athleticism on display every week.  While David has yet to register a sack or interception so far this season—down from impressive totals in those categories last season—he's still making plays as he continues to settle in to the Tampa 2 scheme.

While much of Tampa Bay's defensive unit has gone through injuries and lackluster play, David has been the most constant, reliable presence on that side of the ball.

Offensive Player of the Year: WR Mike Evans

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When an NFL team spends a top-10 pick on a receiver, there are high expectations for an immediate return on such an investment.  Halfway through his rookie season, Mike Evans has delivered the goods.

Despite missing one game due to injury, Evans leads the Bucs in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches, despite being viewed as the No. 2 receiver to veteran Vincent Jackson.  Through seven starts, Evans is on pace for 64 catches, 920 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Texas A&M product has proven to be every bit the playmaker he was in college, creating matchup problems for smaller defensive backs and proving he can stretch the field despite his lack of elite straight-line speed. 

Evans was drafted as the heir apparent to Jackson, but it looks like he may have already snatched the torch away.  He's easily been the most valuable player on an offense that has struggled for much of the season.

Most Valuable Player: DT Gerald McCoy

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Just like his recent bank-breaking contract extension would suggest, Gerald McCoy continues to be the most valuable player donning the Pewter and Red.

Coming off of a career-high 9.5 sacks last season, McCoy inked a seven-year extension last month that makes him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL.  The former third overall pick has responded by notching three sacks in the two games since signing the deal, which should keep him in the Buccaneer uniform for the rest of his career.

McCoy currently leads the team with five sacks, despite playing through a fractured hand suffered in the second week of the season, which only caused him to miss one game.

The defensive captain also continues to prove himself as a leader in the locker room, most recently calling out his teammates for not being "upset enough with losing" following last week's loss to the Cleveland Browns.

McCoy is playing—and now being paid—like one of the most dominant defensive players in the league, and he's clearly the unquestioned leader in the locker room.  He's the heartbeat of the team and the most valuable player on the roster.

All stats courtesy of NFL.com