For most of the season Womens Jason Pierre-Paul Jersey , outside of a handful of games, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were one of the worst defenses in the league. In fact, it was so bad early on that they were forced to fire Mike Smith, who announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday. Yes, they had some good stretches later on in the season under interim defensive coordinator Mark Dufner, but those were mostly against the bottom feeders of the NFL and the defense still wasn’t good enough. Now, the Buccaneers have to adjust to their new defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles, who is considered one of the better defensive coordinators in the league. Obviously, a lot of adjustments and learning will take place over the next eight months, but it was evident Tampa Bay needed a whole new philosophy on defense. Anyway, below are four players from the Buccaneers defense who had high expectations coming into last season and how their 2018 numbers compared to their career averages. Gerald McCoyCareer stats avg (2010-2017): 33.6 total tackles, 29 solo tackles, 6.9 sacks per year, 2.8 pass defenses2018 season stats: 28 total tackles Adarius Glanton Jersey White , 17 solo tackles, 6 sacks and 1 pass defense. Opinion: 2018 very well could have been Gerald McCoy’s final season with the Buccaneers. Unless a restructure happens, I can’t see the Buccaneers paying him $13 million dollars. The production just doesn’t line up anymore. It was his worst season statistically since 2011 and the new regime has now ties to him which doesn’t help his case. Hew gave it his all in Tampa Bay, there is no question about that, but it’s time for both sides to move on. Jason Pierre-PaulCareer stats avg (2010- 2017): 61.8 tackles, 44 solo tackles, 8.2 sacks per year, 1.8 Forced fumbles 2018 season stats: 58 total tackles, 48 solo tackles, 12.5 sacks and 1 forced fumbleOpinion: It was a hell of a season by JPP. Not only did he break the 12 year drought of no Buccaneer reaching 10 sacks, but he battled through numerous injuries all season long and was a force almost every Sunday. Props to general manager Jason Licht for acquiring JPP for only a third round pick back in March. Except JPP to be an important piece of Todd Bowles defense moving forward and become one of the true leaders on the defensive side of the ball. Lavonte DavidCareer stats avg (2012-2017): 127.5 total tackles, 91.3 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 2.8 forced fumbles and 1.8 fumble recoveries.2018 stats: 119 total tackles, 94 solo tackles and 3.5 sacks Lee Roy Selmon Jersey , 1 forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries.Opinion: It was another solid year for one of the best outside 4-3 linebackers in the league. Lavonte David is never really mentioned in the national media, but he deserves to be. He’s another Buccaneer who shows up week in and week out and Todd Bowles will love to have him in his defense. The only negative from David is that he hasn’t had an interception in two seasons and the forced fumbles were a bit lower than normal. Either way, he will be an important piece moving forward. Brent GrimesCareer stats avg (2007-2017): 13.4 pass-breakups, 2.6 INT’s2018 season: 6 pass-breakups, 0 INT’sOpinion: Grimes wasn’t paid enough to do much of anything on the field. Yes, that’s according to him. *Inserts eye roll emoji*. Yeah, good riddance Brent鈥?and Miko. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (16-3)New faces: DE Michael Bennett, DT Haloti Ngata, TE Dallas Goedert, WR Mike Wallace, LB Corey Nelson, P Cameron Johnston, rookies CB Avonte Maddox, TE Dallas Goedert, DE Josh Sweat.Key losses: RB LeGarrette Blount http://www.buccaneerslockerroom.com/authentic-chris-godwin-jersey , TE Trey Burton, TE Brent Celek, DT Beau Allen, DE Vinny Curry, CB Patrick Robinson, WR Torrey Smith, offensive coordinator Frank Reich, quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo.Strengths: Plenty of depth at QB with Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles backing up Carson Wentz. Before he tore ACL, Wentz had MVP-caliber season. Offensive line could be best in NFL with nine-time Pro Bowl LT Jason Peters returning from ACL injury to join pair of All-Pros 鈥?C Jason Kelce and RT Lane Johnson 鈥?and Pro Bowl RG Brandon Brooks. Defense was mostly excellent except when it faced Tom Brady.Weaknesses: Defense lacks depth at linebacker and is counting heavily on Jordan Hicks returning from his second Achilles tendon injury. Offensive line is inexperienced beyond starting five and backup T Halapoulivaati Vaitai. Johnston enters his first season.Fantasy Player To Watch: TE Zach Ertz. First-time Pro Bowl pick who caught go-ahead TD pass in Super Bowl, Ertz had 74 catches for 824 yards and eight TDs. He's Wentz's go-to guy and numbers could get better with addition of Goedert helping cause matchup problems for defenses inside red zone.Vegas Says: Super Bowl 9-1. Over/under wins 10.5.Expectations: Eagles enter season trying to become only ninth team to repeat as Super Bowl champs and first since New England following 2004 season. It won't be easy. Division opponents got better, and conference is tougher. But team is young, talented and motivated, especially Wentz because he watched Super Bowl victory from sideline. If key players stay healthy, they could make another deep run.