Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Presenting the Mid-Season Grades

With the second half of the NFL season upon us, let's take a moment and present you with halfway grades for these 4-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

OFFENSE:

Offensive line: This is the most talented and highest-paid unit on the football team. Accordingly, it has performed really good at times, not so good at others. But overall, these guys have probably done the best job. They've stayed somewhat healthy. Only Jeremy Zuttah is still on the mend.

Overall grade:   B

Tight ends: Aside from Kellen Winslow, you never notice another tight end. Luke Stocker has spent too much time "in the tub" and hasn't contributed they way he was expected to.

Overall grade:   C

Wide receivers:  Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn haven't been the impact players they were expected to be. Sammie Stroughter's been hurt and Preston Parker is your go-to guy. Sheesh.

Overall grade:      D

Running backs: Earnest Graham was a huge loss, and shame on the Bucs for coming up with Kregg Lumpkin as a guy they thought could contribute. LeGarrette Blount has been either very very good or very bad. Nothing in-between with this unit.

Overall grade:   C-

Quarterback: Hate to say it again, but as Raheem Morris says, "it's all about 5", and "5" isn't looking the least bit like last year's "5." You have to wonder if Josh Freeman is more beat-up than we think.

Bum thumb, don't know what this glove thing is on the non-throwing hand. Don't know any elite quarterbacks who use that gimmick. Roethlisberger does it once in a while but he's in a cold climate. Freeman still has eight games to turn his year around, but at the midway mark, it's easy to say he's been disappointing.

Overall grade:  C-

OVERALL GRADE FOR OFFENSE:    C-

Defense:

Defensive line: There were high hopes for this unit. There were high hopes for Gerald McCoy. How's that working out? Brian Price is doing the best he can under the circumstances of his physical state. First-round pick Adrian Clayborn has been the standout of the group. But again, here's a very inconsistent bunch.

Overall grade: D+

Linebackers: Here's the most disappointing unit on the entire team. Quincy Black is the one who looks like a total bust considering the contract he was given and the faith they placed in him. He's simply awful. Same for Geno Hayes, who has been relegated to the bench. The only bright spot is Mason Foster, who has done well considering he's a rookie thrown into the fire with two veterans who can't play.

Overall grade:  F  (Mason Foster kept it from being an F-)

Corners: Aqib Talib has been a disappointment. For those who think he's an elite corner, well, think again. His deportment on the field is about what you'd expect. Poor. Ronde Barber is Ronde Barber. He's simply the best defensive player on the field, but Ronde's old. He can only do so much. Without him, the defense would really be in trouble. Note to Gerald McCoy, ask Ronde how many games he's missed.

Overall grade:  C  (B for Ronde, D for Talib)

Safeties:  Tanard Jackson has been amazing, but he's the only guy you notice back there.

Overall grade:  C (It would be a B+ if there were two T-Jacks)

Specialists:     Michael Koenen is the best performer on the team, week in and week out. This guy earns his money. He is exactly as he was advertised. Most consistent guy on the team.

Kickoff-Punter grade:   A

Connor Barth has been reliable as well. He is solid.

Placekicker grade:    A

Overall special teams:   They haven't won or lost any games, which is okay.

Overall special teams:    B

OVERALL TEAM GRADE FOR THE BUCCANEERS:     C-

As Ronde Barber said last Sunday: "This is an average team."

It is.