Tough Task To Replace Davin Joseph
August 26th, 2012
The Bucs’ desire to ram the ball down people’s throats took a nasty blow Friday night when All-Pro right guard Davin Joseph went down with a season-ending patella injury.
If the Bucs are to go with the old Raheem Morris mantra “Next man up,” that would be reserve Ted Larsen. But after being questioned at his day-after press conference Saturday, Bucs coach Greg Schiano didn’t seem to hand the job over to Larsen so quickly, reports Brad Biggs of the NationalFootballPost.com.
“We’re going to try to work a couple of things,” Schiano said. “Right now, I’m not sure. Obviously Larsen has worked there. But some of that has to be competed for I think. I don’t think it’s a knockdown slam dunk who it is there.”
Nor should it be. As Joe has written and spoke about before, there is no such thing as a good time to lose Joseph. But if he had to be hurt and lost for the year, now is the time.
In the coming days, over 1,000 players will hit the open market, cut by other teams. Plus, perhaps rock star general manager Mark Dominik could swing a trade for a potential salary cap casualty in the final year of his contract for a late-round draft pick.
No, Larsen shouldn’t just be handed the job. It should be earned. And Joe’s of the mind the Bucs will bring in a few candidates to push or replace Larsen.
August 26th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
So watching the game and rewinding a gazillion times I will say Ted Larson is quick and zuttah is not a true center. Both of Larsons penalties were a result of zuttah not getting the ball off in time. I believe we are good for rt.
August 26th, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Andre Gurode would be a solid fill in for Joseph.
August 26th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
We will probably have some competition now that DeCastro went down in Pitt. Deuce Lutui was cut today however…
August 26th, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Who was the guy who replaced Larsen after he was playing like crap?
August 26th, 2012 at 9:33 pm
What about picking up Deuce Lutui, he was in fans’ discussion when we took Davin in the draft. Not going to replace what we lost, but probably better than what we have available.
August 26th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
What’s Mr. T doing right now? Are we going to pity fools or just talk about it?
August 26th, 2012 at 10:45 pm
Duece Letui
August 26th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Anyone have any other names in mind?
August 26th, 2012 at 11:01 pm
I have been saying for a long time that I’m not sold yet on Zuttah as center. I’m hoping he changes my mind this season.
I have all the games recorded so far as well. Have not went back to watch them yet…will probably do a marathon just before the first regular season game, then delete the preseason ones.
August 26th, 2012 at 11:05 pm
Not to worry, we will find a replacement for Joseph and a few more, that is, if we’re looking. Cuts have already begun and there will be some cap casualties – suitable back-ups and even a few starters. We are high enough in the waiver process (5th) to get first a fair shot at anything that looks good.
By my reckoning, approx. 480 players (32 x 15) will have been cut by Monday, 4:00pm. Another 704 players (32 x 22) minus 280 players (32 x 8) extracted for practice squads will have been cut by Friday 9:00pm putting a total of some 904 heartbeats (480 + 424) on the street.
This second group of cuts and PS players is where the winnowing and threshing process will take place for any diamonds-in-the-rough. This is Mark Dominik’s specialty! And this time he’s got Davis and Schiano to help with the search! When Dominik dons his mask, picks up his bag and flashlight and heads out into the dead of night, there is no PS in the NFL that is safe. Trust me, he will drag something over the transom!
(all numbers are approximates as some teams may not have had 90 players)
August 26th, 2012 at 11:34 pm
@macabee
I understand that your post is the reality of the NFL but it was a pretty depressing read especially ending it with 904 heartbeats on the street.
August 26th, 2012 at 11:48 pm
Let’s see. Dude was cut from a team (Cardinals) with one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, then he couldn’t make the cut of 75 with the Seahawks.
:::rolleyes:::
August 27th, 2012 at 12:31 am
Macabee is right when he said this — “This is Mark Dominik’s specialty! And this time he’s got Davis and Schiano to help with the search! ”
There will be plenty of cuts, and I am sure we can find a serviceable, maybe not a pro bowl guard, to either replace Joseph, or a new Center, and move Zuttah to guard ?
Like Joe says, there is no good time to ever lose a player like Joseph, but the best time is now.
One can’t help but wonder what will happen to Trueblood, now that Joseph is gone, and unable to make a case for him.
August 27th, 2012 at 1:36 am
Apple:
Trueblood has a guaranteed contract for this year. He’s not going anywhere until his contract is up after the season. However, Trueblood doesn’t exactly have the starting right tackle position locked up. Notice Schiano was rotating Dotson and Trueblood?
August 27th, 2012 at 2:19 am
ANDRE GURODE anyone??
Been to five pro bowls, has 12 years experience
GOOD temporary fill in for Joseph!
August 27th, 2012 at 8:03 am
Joe, I believe Lutui left Arizona as a free agent originally.Signed by Cincy, they rejected him due to weight, back to Arizona, but they weren’t happy with his avoirdupois either and allowed him to depart for Seattle, where he didn’t fit in. Reportedly his weight is down. He is a guy with 72 regular season starts and four more in the play-offs.
All-Pro players in their prime rarely hit the waiver wire for some reason.
August 27th, 2012 at 8:14 am
We’re looking for a temporary replacement for Joseph. Lutui may fit that bill provided it’s cost effective. You’re not going to find a long term replacement this time of year…highly unlikely.
August 27th, 2012 at 9:04 am
Am I the only person who realizes that the Bucs were a bottom-quarter running team WITH Joseph? I think we, as Bucs fans, have inflated his legend a little too much. I don’t think his loss is all that devastating.
August 27th, 2012 at 9:56 am
Adam, I tend to agree. More importantly, so does Football Focus.
August 27th, 2012 at 10:11 am
Lutui could be a guy worth looking at. I know he had weight issues in the past, getting up to over 380 lbs, but I read where this offseason he has been working with a nutrionist and has adopted a vegan diet (more or less) and he reported to camp at 338 lbs. Seems like he could be a real road greader in the run offense…not sure how he grades out in pass protection…but he is still young and doesn’t seem to be battling any major injuries at this time. There’s not a lot out there at the moment to chose from and you could always cut him if he doesn’t pan out…could be worth a try!
August 27th, 2012 at 10:43 am
Maybe move zuttah over to guard and pick up a centre? I’m not really sold on him as our centre anyways.
August 27th, 2012 at 10:47 am
Jordon:
Why, as an example of someone not to sign?
The dude was cut from a team with arguably the worst offensive line in the NFL. Then, his next team, he couldn’t make the cut of 75. This guy’s career is shot.
August 27th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Joe…I know Lutui is no Davin Joseph, but right now we have a need for depth at the Guard spot. If a better player becomes available after the upcoming cuts, you could always release him later on down the line. If I were Mark Dominik I’d give the Seahawks a call to get a little info on Lutui before completely dismissing him.
August 27th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Jordon:
I think the Bucs — and all of us — have all the info we need on this guy.
The Cardinals, with one of the worst o-lines in the NFL, let him go in the offseason. Then, he couldn’t make the cut of 75 with Seattle.
What more do you need to know? Doesn’t the above speak for itself?
August 27th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
Just don’t call Sean Mahan.