Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5 Players Who Are Under the Microscope

There are a lot of highly-paid players on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster who simply need to start producing if this team is going to see success in 2011.

Yes, this is the NFL youngest team, coached by the NFL's youngest head coach.

This team has some very high draft picks who are being counted on to produce, to become impact players. The preseason is half over, camp is over and the team has settled into its normal one practice per day routine.

Cuts have to be made in two weeks but more important, there are players who will be under the microscope this season, guys who perhaps haven't proven much yet and need to.

Here's a quick look at some of them.

Defensive Tackle Gerald McCoy

Gerald McCoy is perhaps the single player on this roster with the most to prove.

First he has to prove that he can make it through an entire season. He was lost in Week 14 of his rookie year then tweaked his shoulder in training camp.

On Thursday night, he made his return against the New England Patriots and was pretty ineffective.

What's worse was he thought it was funny, especially if you listen to his comedy show in the locker room after the 31-14 thumping by the Patriots.

He sounds too much like a guy who isn't taking this very seriously.

It's still too early to consider the b-word.

McCoy came into camp lighter and that may not be to his benefit at under-tackle. There aren't too many impact guys in the middle who weigh less than 300 pounds.

McCoy has A LOT to prove this season.

Defensive Tackle Brian Price

Brian Price is the biggest question mark on the Buccaneer roster.

The guy came out of UCLA with questionable work ethic. He suffered an unusual injury last year that has caused him a major setback.

He didn't watch himself as he recovered and as a result, gained at least 40 pounds. They're now trying to get the weight off him while he's coming around very slowly.

Good chance this fat cat won't be ready for the opener. There's even a chance that he may not be effective this year even if he can play later.

Like McCoy, he's going to have to get real serious about his career, his body and his future as a football player.

Wide Receiver Arrelious Benn

Arrelious Benn has a lot of potential.

Therein lies the problem with Benn and a lot of the players on this Buccaneer roster.

Potential.

There's an old saying that goes "to say someone has 'potential' means that right now they suck."

Benn is coming off a serious injury but he's been saying he's good to go since before training camp started.

He'll get his first look at action this coming week against the Dolphins.

He showed some flashes last year but now that he has a grasp of the offense, it's time for him to step up and help take some of the coverage pressure away from Mike Williams, who has proven himself.

Linebacker Quincy Black

You saw that picture of Mason Foster at the beginning of this slide show and thought he'd be one of the guys, didn't you?

Wrong. Fooled you just like Tom Brady fooled the Buccaneer defense all night.

Quincy Black is the man who has a lot to prove. Black was given the big contract and it is up to him to be the leader of the linebacking corps.

Foster will prove himself. He is doing what is needed of him by providing a physical presence in the middle. He's a rookie, there will be a learning curve.

Black on the other hand needs to be the man. He needs to make big plays.

He's being paid like a star. He needs to become one.

The Entire Offensive Line

Jeff Faine—huge contract.

Donald Penn—huge contract.

Davin Joseph—huge contract.

Jeremy Trueblood—new contract.

This offensive line is supposed to be the anchor of this team. It has veteran players who have been together. They will be counted on heavily this season to protect Josh Freeman and open holes for the running game.

One more time—PROTECT JOSH FREEMAN.

Freeman had Patriots all over him Thursday night, like a British Redcoat.

That's not going to cut it when the season begins.

If something happens to Freeman, well, this may be a six-win team.

This entire unit is under the microscope. Faine and Davin better prove they can play an entire season without getting hurt.