McDougald continues to shine with pick The Tampa Tribune, published 29 December 2014 Bradley McDougald figured he owed his head coach some payback for taking a leap of faith on him. When the Bucs traded former first-round pick Mark Barron to St. Louis for a pair of draft picks at midseason, McDougald’s potential at safety was a key factor in the deal. After several solid performances, the second-year pro gave teammates and coach Lovie Smith yet another reason Sunday to believe that trust is justified. McDougald led Tampa Bay with three passes defended and picked off a Drew Brees pass with an acrobatic interception, tipping the ball to himself in the end zone to stifle a New Orleans drive on the opening possession of the second half. “Kenny Stills gave me a double move, but we’ve been working on that in practice all week and I was ready,’’ said McDougald, claimed off waivers from Kansas City in November 2013. “I looked back, found the ball and tried to make a play.’’ CB Alterraun Verner wasn’t surprised by McDougald’s dexterity. “He’s been playing light’s out,’’ Verner said. “You talk about confidence, the man’s got it. It’s been very special to see his growth. Bradley’s been making plays from the get-go and I’ve seen what the guy can do in practice. He makes plays like that every week on the practice field.’’ McDougald made his first NFL start a month ago against Cincinnati. Two weeks later, he was credited with 15 tackles at Carolina, the most stops by a Tampa Bay safety in at least two decades. Last week, he made nine tackles against the Packers, but Sunday’s effort was special. “You trade a first-round pick and look on the depth chart and you have Major Wright and an undrafted free agent who you know nothing about,’’ McDougald said. “I know (Smith) was catching heat for that and it felt good to go out there and do something good for my coach, let him know he made the right decision.’’