TAMPA — No player helped the Bucs on defense as much as rookie MLB Kwon Alexander, who spearheaded a late surge to a 6-6 record with 93 tackles, six tackles for loss, nine passes defensed, three sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
No player hurt the Bucs more than Alexander, who was suspended the final four games of the season for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing drugs.
Since his departure, the Bucs lost critical games to the Saints and Rams, sub-.500 teams who jumped to big leads after the defense gave up explosive plays in the passing game and failed to produce a single takeaway.