Can Jeremy Zuttah Get The Job Done?
June 9th, 2012
It didn’t shock Joe at all that the Bucs let go of center Jeff Faine this offseason. Though he was able to show up for games in 2011, the two previous seasons he struggled to stay in the lineup due to injuries.
Faine, who pulled a pretty hefty salary, wasn’t getting any younger (who the hell is?). Add up his age and his contract and his health, it was a logical move and even former Bucs defensive end Steve White smelled the transaction coming a year ago.
Despite the moves to wave goodbye to Faine and to sign bruising guard Carl Nicks, there are some doubters as to how Jeremy Zuttah, who was moved from left guard to center, can play the position.
New Bucs coach Greg Schiano, who Zuttah played for at Rutgers, has offered nothing but accolades about Zuttah, yet the Zuttah doubters still creep up from time to time, like in a recent ESPN NFC South chat.
Maen (Orlando): Hey Pat, two questions: I am hearing a lot of talk about how Jeremy Zutah may be a flexible OL but not a even a decent Center. Any truth to that?Are the Bucs looking to make any free agency pick ups, especially at DE?
Pat Yasinskas: I’ve seen some websites (including ours) where the scout types are skeptical of Zuttah. I don’t claim to be a scout. But Bucs obviously are high on him and think he can be starting center. They paid him like one and cleared the opening for him. Schiano had him in college and knows him pretty well.
Well, Joe’s not a scout either and Joe’s comfortable with Zuttah at center.
Bucs fans all like to remember the near-playoff 2010 season. One reason why is that last season was akin to (Joe imagines) watching a Rosie O’Donnell sex tape it was so revolting.
People may forget that Faine went down with a season-ending injury and Zuttah took over at center, and the Bucs’ offensive line significantly improved in the latter half of the season, partially because Zuttah was snapping the ball.
Until proven otherwise, Joe is not losing any sleep with Zuttah as the starting center.
June 9th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Another flush worthy floater from Pat Yastinkass. The guy awful, just awful.
June 9th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Joe, you are absolutely correct that the line played better with him in at center, just think of Nix there also and a blocking TE and no Benn arounds, should gain a yard or two.
June 9th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
If Pat Yousuckass was 1% as intelligent as Zuttah, he might have a real relevant job. Zuttah has proven his ability and quick study since he became a Buc, and filling in for Davin Joseph as a rookie. Does this Pat guy even watch the Bucs? or is he just another he/she Pat?
June 9th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
I’m more worried about Zuttah’s backup then I am about him. Hope he stays healthy…
June 9th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Only thing I worry about with Zuttah is his shotgun snaps. When he was put in as the center, he had some absolutely horrible shotgun snaps. If he can correct that, he’ll be a fine center for us.
June 9th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
I was skeptical having Zuttah at center, but it’s clear thats the plan now so I’m behind it. Still, I do have flashbacks of the days before Faine came.
Fans who don’t think Faine was any good should look back in time to remember what its like to really have a bad center.
As to whether the oline played better with Zuttah at center…I disagree. We still won no games and a big part of that was pressure on our quarterback. Adding Nicks SHOULD be the main catalyst for improvement though. With any luck he will help Zuttah be better.
June 9th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
I don’t personally think Pat Yasinskas was all that negative this time…not like he usually is.
June 9th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
faine was a matador/turnstile.. only time there was no inside pressure was when Aaron Sears was at guard to help
June 9th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
Who are these clueless water cooler tools that have no clue and who ask dumb questions regarding the Bucs? Like Ive always said…. If youre asking ESPN for insight about your team, then youre completely lost….
June 9th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
“snook Says:
June 9th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
If you’re asking ESPN for insight about your team, then youre completely lost….”
I hear that! Especially if you team is the Bucs!
If BSPN did an in-season feature story on the Bucs I would be thrilled, because that would mean that the Bucs would have FORCED themselves onto the national scene, because BSPN, to a very large degree, covers only the big markets with any type of depth or variety. It is, after all, a money-making endeavor that knows where the big money is, and how to grease that wheel. It’s all a part of the evil empire.
June 9th, 2012 at 9:10 pm
If the Glazer’s weren’t so CHEAP <— they would've kept Faine just in case. 16 Million under the Cap. The Glazer Family still hasn't proved they'll "do whatever it takes to win" (a proven MLB would've helped too) smh
June 9th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
Dini’s Biceps
I’m sorry…but that’s just dumb.
June 9th, 2012 at 10:56 pm
I just hope the oline can stay healthy for a complete season. Depth is a problem with Zuttah as the starting center. In the past, he was our depth at guard and center.
I wish Kalil was available at #5, I wonder if they would have chosen him?
Probably not.
June 10th, 2012 at 9:33 am
@ Pete Dutcher <—- your response was even dumber…….you can apologize when teams run all over us and there's an injury on the O-Line
June 10th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Why are you even a football fan? If you are going to be negative, doesn’t it take joy from the game?
And what the heck do your previous comments have to do with teams “running on us?”
I was addressing your “cheap” comment…which was clearly DUMB…since the Glazers spent out the nose this year. You are behind the times and spouting nonsense.
June 10th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
@ Pete Dutcher…..Once again, $16,000,000.00 under the Cap. Lack of Depth killed us last year. Faine would be great fill-in guy or starter if Zuttah is struggling. Glazers are NOT doing “Whatever it takes to win” buy sitting on $$$ when we also needed an MLB and what if Q. Black lays another egg this year. Too many if’s to be sitting on $16 Million. I’m happy overall about this team but the Glazer could’ve taken 2 more steps to make us a LEGIT playoff team this year……but they chose not to.
June 11th, 2012 at 5:43 am
Dini – have some patience dude. You are complaining about having 16 million and lack of depth but we are only just beginning the month of June.
If we are in the same situation heading into August and training camp, then maybe you have a point. There will be many cuts from other teams and a few extra guys can/will be signed then.
You are obviously either new to the NFL or just a trolling hater. Either way – lighten up and support the Bucs.
June 11th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
@Bangkok Buc <—- The Glazer Family loves guys like you (that's how they became Billionaires). I'm tired of mediocre and leaving holes in areas when they HAVE THE MONEY. A stud MLB will not be available (i can guarantee you that)