Not focused on starting.

Last season was a story of two different Keith Tandys.

The former Schiano Man started last season terribly under new defensive coordinator Mike Smith. Used in a backup role, Tandy gave up a turrible touchdown in the ugly Rams loss when he was badly clowned by Tavon Austin.

It was the type of play that would get many a backup run.

Fast-forward a couple of months, after the bye, and fan favorite Chris Conte got hurt after turning in two strong games, including the game-winning play when he picked off an Alex Smith pass at Kansas City that was originally tipped by Gerald McCoy.

(This must have given the haters seizures. Conte and GMC both making critical plays on the very same play from scrimmage in the final moments to seal a win.)

After taking over for the injured Conte, Tandy played like a man possessed, it was Pro Bowl-level stuff. Joe even had a Bucs bigshot tell him this offseason that the team believed the real Tandy was the one who played like a Pro Bowler late in the season.

Joe relayed this information to Tandy after underwear football practice today and Tandy brushed it off as if it was a bead of sweat hanging on his forehead.

“I don’t look at it that way,” Tandy said of his second half play in 2017. “I look at it as the team played so much better.”

Tandy is very much a team-first guy, which is typical of a Schiano Man. With second round pick Justin Evans on floppy hat patrol, now the two safety positions seem to be a three-way race between free agent J.J. Wilcox (himself on floppy hat patrol) Conte and Tandy.

Tandy said his goal and drive is to improve and let the chips fall where they may. If he improves enough, then the starting job will be his, he said.

“I pay attention to details,” Tandy said. “I try to improve each day and build upon that.”

No matter who starts at safety, it appears the Bucs have quality depth at the position.