Tandy: From Suspect To Solid
July 29th, 2016
Strong play from a solid player.
Joe remembers when former Bucs commander Greg Schiano, in his first draft with the Bucs, coerced — some would say — former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik to select defensive back Keith Tandy.
“The Big East!” Bucs fans howled in disbelief, thinking Schiano Dominik drafted Tandy because he had a good game against Schiano’s Big East Rutgers squad.
Initially, it seemed Tandy was a bubble player. Now in his fifth season with the Bucs, Tandy is anything but a bubble player. He’s a valuable special teams ace who doesn’t get embarrassed when he’s playing safety.
This morning, Tandy made maybe the defensive play of the day. Wide receiver Adam Humphries badly juked Johnthan Banks on the right side, not just creating separation, but Humphries looked like a center fielder — all alone in open space with nothing but green grass around him.
Mike Glennon let loose with a pass that seemed to have six points written all over it. But no! Out of nowhere, Tandy came flying in to break up the pass. After practice, Dirk Koetter said it might have been the play of the day.
Joe had a chance to briefly speak with Tandy as he was hustling into the locker room after practice as the lightning alarms had sounded. Tandy admitted he has progressed a lot since arriving from West Virginia and it was due to a simply philosophy.
“I try to come out here and get a little bit better every day,” said Tandy, who could have left if he wanted but chose instead to re-up with the Bucs this past offseason. “I think now I am seeing what happens when you just try to work hard at practice and get a little bit better each day.”
Safety is not a strong position for the Bucs, but at least it isn’t thin with Tandy. If he continues to make plays like he did today on Humphries, then he will be more than just a strong special teams player.
July 29th, 2016 at 1:34 pm
Nice break up, Tandy is dandy and proves the Bucs have some reliable depth at that position.
July 29th, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Tandy should start over Conte. Conte should get cut as soon as possible.
July 29th, 2016 at 1:54 pm
I will bet you he is by far the Bucs most productive player per snap at the safety position, I remember he had like 4 pick offs with about 3 games started a couple years back, instinctive player
July 29th, 2016 at 2:34 pm
Tandy’s play in the last couple of games was very good.He was one of few players who showed up and put out maximum effort.
Glad you pointed it out ,Joe
July 29th, 2016 at 3:11 pm
Man would be nice if plays like that can be the norm. Our returning safties from last year suck.
July 29th, 2016 at 3:33 pm
DB55
I couldn’t agree more conte is not the answer. he was always hurt in chicago and gets burnt as much if more than the bum brothers Jennings & jenkins
July 29th, 2016 at 3:35 pm
Bucs gave up the fewest big plays (20+ yards) in the league last year. The dink and dunk passing killed us, but within that system the safeties mostly did their jobs.
July 29th, 2016 at 3:36 pm
I’ve always thought Tandy looks pretty solid whenever he gets his chances on the field. One of the few later round picks by Dom that turned into a decent NFL player.
July 29th, 2016 at 3:51 pm
Amazing to see how people loved to bash this guy a few years ago for no apparent reason. Now everybody loves him.
July 29th, 2016 at 3:54 pm
Good….solid, steady player…..we need guys like this to provide quality depth and ST play…..not every player can be a pro bowl multi-million dollar contract player….
July 29th, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Conte is not exceptional but doesn’t deserve all the hate he gets. He actually has tremendous range and plays agressive, one thing he lacks is ball skills but he’ll be a fine fit in the new defense, there’s a reason Jason Licht brought him back. What has Mcdougal done that conte hasn’t?
July 29th, 2016 at 8:24 pm
Mark they were not that good against the deep ball from talent. They just gave up the short pass for free all day. Conte will be replaced and.I cannot see how that 4th round pick looks back there mid season.
July 30th, 2016 at 6:39 am
Kevin Think he will be a nice improvement over present situation. Agree with your eval.