The holiday season is upon us as Thanksgiving dinners are already being prepared. This year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have plenty to be thankful for. They are in the thick of another playoff race and are in a good position to once again win the NFC South.
This is in large part due to the abundance of talent on this Bucs roster. There are so many high end, impactful players on this team that it’s hard to keep track of all of them and how great they truly are. This is alright because I have a timely way to reflect on the stars of this team.
As you sit down to your Thanksgiving dinner this year, think of this Buccaneers team. Every food on the table can be represented by a different Bucs player. Here’s how I would lay it out with a Buccaneers player for every Thanksgiving food.
The Turkey – Tristan Wirfs
The big centerpiece of the table, the turkey is the main attraction. It’s the big bird that can feed entire families and it just keeps getting better and better in the days to come. Much of the same can be said about Wirfs. Big, meaty and excellent. And much like the turkey, Wirfs is the centerpiece of this Bucs team and their best player. Year in and year out, you can count on this being the highlight of Thanksgiving.
Mashed Potatoes – Vita Vea
This round spud is incredibly simple, yet incredibly versatile at the same time. It can be very smooth as mashed potatoes, but also very zesty and flavorful as loaded potatoes. There are a ton of ways to use these and all of them are great. The same is true of Vea. A simple game of being bigger and stronger than everyone else. However, you can do so much with him. He can stuff the run, rush the passer from the edge and even drop into coverage from time to time. There are so many fun ways to deploy this dish.
Stuffing – Baker Mayfield
This is definitely a love it or hate it kind of food. Most of my life, I’ve hated stuffing; until I had my wife’s cracker dressing and now I love it. Bottom line, when stuffing is at its best then it’s really really good. Mayfield is very much the same. Cracker, grease and a bunch of spices. Not everyone is going to love this and with reason, but when Mayfield is playing his best then he’s one of the better quarterbacks you’re going to watch in this league. I may not have cared for it in the past, but I am all about his flavor now.
Casserole – Antoine Winfield Jr.
There are just so many variations of how to make a good casserole, it’s really the dealer’s choice here. You want your casserole to blitz, he can do that. You want your casserole to cover, he can do that. You want your casserole to tackle, he can do that too. Really there isn’t anything Winfield can’t do, it’s just a matter of what you’re asking for. Customizable and delicious for any situation.
Corn – The Rest Of The Offensive Line
There are reasons for each of the other four offensive lineman to be corn. Luke Goedeke played his college ball at Central Michigan, which is basically one big corn field with a college campus and casino in the middle. Cody Mauch played at North Dakota State which is basically the same, without the Casino. Plus I just like the idea of him eating corn on the cob with him missing front teeth. Graham Barton and the rest of these big hoss’ are good old fashion corn fed country boys who love to put their hands in the dirt and shuck their opponents.
Gravy – Bucky Irving
Have you ever tried tackling gravy? Yeah, good luck with that. It just slips through the arms and gets away every time. And I know, gravy isn’t totally necessary to the meal if you have prepared the other dishes well. At the same time, it only enhances this offense and makes it that much more dynamic. Regardless of how you want to use it goes with every aspect of the meal, both as a runner and a pass catcher. He may not be necessary with everything else on the table, but he makes everything else on the table that much better.
Roles/Cornbread – Cade Otton
You really take this one for granted because there are so many other (and frankly better) options on the table. However, you’re really grateful for them when the kids table complains about vegetables in the casserole and don’t like the turkey. When all else fails, roles have proven to be a dependable staple on the table. And really, even those there are better options, there is really nothing to dislike about Otton and what he brings to the field.
Pumpkin Pie/Sweet Potato Pie – Mike Evans
Consistent and delicious. Every year you know exactly what you’re going to get in pumpkin pie and every year I say “yes please”. This pie is one of the most appealing parts of the entire holiday, just as Evans is one of the best parts about Buccaneers football. Year in and year out it’s 1000 yards and being a top tier touchdown scorer. It might not be the flashiest food on the table, but anyone who says that it isn;t great is just plain wrong.
Pecan Pie – Lavonte David
Absolutely the most overlooked food of the Thanksgiving season, which is so sad because it might be the best. Personally, this is my favorite food of the entire meal and sitting down with a slice of pecan pie with a cup of coffee and watching the Detroit Lions lose is my favorite tradition of the season. With David’s incredible hall of fame caliber career going largely unnoticed by too many, he was the perfect match for this perfect pie.
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