the defense, which he says has not been nearly as bad as stat

TAMPA, Fla. -- Jameis Winston has to play better for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to realize their potential. So does the supporting cast around the young quarterback.The second-year pros inconsistency has been a focal point during a slow start thats concerning not so much because of a 2/3 record as the way the team performed during a three-game losing streak that followed a season-opening win over the Falcons.Injuries have been a factor. So have an offense thats turned the ball over too much; a defense that hasnt generated enough pressure on opposing passers; and rookie kicker Roberto Aguayo (4 of 8 on field goals, one missed extra point), whos done little to stop lingering questions about whether it was a mistake to draft him in the second round.All that said, coach Dirk Koetter feels good about where the team sits in the NFC South race after beating the first-place Falcons (4-1) and three-time defending division champion Carolina Panthers (1-4) on the road in the first five weeks of the season.Now, this weekends bye offers an opportunity for several injured starters, including running back Doug Martin and defensive linemen Gerald McCoy and Robert Ayers Jr., to get healthy.It probably couldnt be at a better time for us, Koetter said of the break, which comes of the heels of a skid-ending 17-14 win over the Panthers.The momentum factor is one thing, the first-year coach added, but we have a chance to get several key members of our team back.Tampa Bay has missed the playoffs eight consecutive seasons, finishing last in the NFC South the past five.Martins return from a hamstring injury could be essential to Winston, who threw seven interceptions and lost two fumbles during the three-game skid, ending that trend.With the two-time Pro Bowl running back sidelined for three games and most of a fourth, the Bucs have been unable to run the ball consistently. Martin rushed for 1,402 yards a year ago, finishing second in the NFL behind Adrian Peterson. Through five games, Tampa Bay is averaging 3.3 yards per carry rushing.Thats placed a heavier burden on Winston, whos completed 58.5 percent of his passes for 1,327 yards, nine touchdowns and eight interceptions.In Tampa Bays two victories, the Bucs attempted 62 passes. In losses to Arizona, Los Angeles and Denver, Winston threw 145 times.The importance of a productive rushing attack was evident last Monday against Carolina, the first time this season the Bucs ran the ball more (37 carries, with Jacquizz Rodgers gaining 101 yards on 30 attempts) than Winston threw it (30 times without an interception).I feel like Ive improved a lot from my first year to my second year, said Winston, who threw for more than 4,000 yards as a rookie. I just have to protect the football -- thats the main thing. Just put us in better situations to win football games.A healthy Martin can make a difference.Despite getting a big night against Carolina from Rodgers, who wasnt on the roster when the season began, Martins versatility was a huge part of Tampa Bay ranking fifth in total offense last season.Im excited for him to come back, Winston said. But I just think overall, as an offense, protecting the football is the main thing.Koetter also entered the bye week encouraged about the progress of the defense, which he says has not been nearly as bad as statistics might suggest.Tampa Bay is tied for 28th in points allowed (142), although Koetter notes opponents have benefited greatly from the Bucs turning over the ball and leaving the defense in bad situations.In addition, two of Winstons nine turnovers have been returned for touchdowns.Youre going to be judged as a defense ultimately by how many points youve given up, defensive coordinator Mike Smith said. Weve given up way too many points. And it doesnt matter where the drive starts, how it happened -- weve got to go out and stop them, and we havent shown the resiliency that we need to.The hope is the return of Ayers from an ankle injury thats sidelined him since Week 2, as well as a healthy McCoy -- who missed last Monday nights game after injuring his calf the previous week -- will bolster a defensive line that had to rely in part on an undrafted rookie and other backups in expanded roles.I think were a lot closer than we are away ... I can assure you that, Smith said. And, really theres one guy to me thats got to do a better job, and thats Mike Smith. Hes the guy thats got to make sure that these guys understand what were trying to get accomplished, what were trying to get done.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Authentic Custom Giants Jersey . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. Custom Giants T-shirts . The visitors took a deserved lead in the 16th minute with midfielder Yohan Cabaye curling the ball beyond Adrian from inside the penalty area. http://www.customsfgiantsjersey.com/custom-mel-ott-jersey-large-79f.html . The CFLs leading rusher kept adding to his gaudy numbers this season and scored the winning touchdown with just over two minutes to play. The New Westminster, B.C., native plowed three yards into the end zone for the last score of a heated, see-saw battle between the two teams with the best records in the CFL. Giants Jerseys China .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. Cheap Giants Jerseys . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse. STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State linebacker Nyeem Wartman-White will miss the rest of the 2016 season after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee, a source told ESPNs Brett McMurphy on Tuesday.Wartman-White grabbed his knee after falling to the turf in the first quarter against Temple on Saturday. He later returned on crutches and with a cast around his right leg.Feel terrible for Nyeem Wartman-White, said coach James Franklin, who didnt disclose the nature of the injury. Feel for Nyeem because hes had two years in a row where hes missed the season.The fifth-year senior starter has struggled with injuries throughout his career. He blocked a punt in his first career game as a true freshman but suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2. In last seasons opener, Wartman-White went down with a torn ACL and missed the rest of the year.The PPennsylvania native has started 24 career games and boasts 124 tackles and 9.dddddddddddd.5 tackles for loss.At Big Ten media days in Chicago in July, Wartman-White didnt rule out applying for a medical waiver to pursue a sixth year of eligibility. Its unknown whether that remains an option; Franklin declined to comment on that potential move Tuesday.Penn States entire starting linebacker corps is now injured, although Wartman-Whites is the most serious. Franklin doesnt announce injuries unless they are season-ending, but both outside linebacker Brandon Bell and middle linebacker Jason Cabinda missed Saturdays game against Temple.Bell was on the sideline on crutches, and Cabindas left hand was wrapped in a cast. ' ' '