Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preseason 2011 : Top Performers for Buccaneers vs Patriots

In a game where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had more penalty yards in the first half (85) than Josh Freeman had passing yards (33), the Buccaneers were destined for trouble.

Tampa Bay's offensive line looked uninterested in protecting their quarterback, LeGarrette Blount failed to find any running lanes and the defense looked ill-prepared and flustered by the Patriots from start to finish.

All in all, it was a tough game for Tampa fans to watch. This Buccaneer team looked nothing like the team that dismantled the Kansas City Chiefs 25-0 a week ago.

It was slim pickins trying to find Buccaneers that stood out against the Patriots. In fact, it would have been a lot easier to name players that disappointed rather then those that performed well.

At the end of the day though, Buccaneer fans must stay positive. This was only game two of the preseason, adjustments will be made and the Bucs will get back on track.   

Preston Parker

Second-year wide receiver Preston Parker led all Tampa Bay receivers with 44 yards on two catches, including a 28-yard reception in the fourth quarter.

Both of Parker's catches did come later in the game when things were already out of hand, but it was still nice to see Parker bring in some nice catches.

Parker was targeted twice in the game and came down with two catches, showing good efficiency. 

Preston Parker also had a solid return of 30 yards in the first quarter that deserves mentioning.  

Mason Foster

Rookie Linebacker Mason Foster did not have a great game by any means, though he did manage to make his presence felt. 

In the first quarter Foster laid a brutal hit on New England's Chad Ochocino, jarring the ball loose. It was nice to see a rookie like Foster show aggressiveness and make his presence felt in the middle.

As a fan, you tend to hope a hit like that wakes your defense up and can be a momentum-changer. Although that didn't end up being the case, it was a great play nonetheless.

Elbert Mack

Cornerback Elbert Mack had the biggest impact play of the game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, unfortunately it didn't come until the third quarter when the Bucs' were already trailing 28-0. 

Mack jumped on a deep pass from rookie Ryan Mallett, bringing in a nice interception.

It appeared at first that Mack was going to fall down at the 31-yard line, but 69 yards and a few great moves later Mack scored Tampa Bay's first six points of the game.

The final: 28-7; thank you Elbert Mack.

Michael Koenen

The best individual performance by a Buccaneer belonged to punter Michael Koenen Thursday night. 

On four punts, Koenen averaged 51.8 yards—showing how valuable a special teams player he truly is.

Koenen has proved that he can, and will, have a major impact on each and every game he kicks in. If your going to pay a punter/placekicker $19 million over six years, Michael Koenen appears to be your guy.

It's hard to imagine a punter had the best individual performance of the night, but it was just one of those games for Tampa Bay.