Jeremy Trueblood’s Days With Bucs Numbered
October 3rd, 2012
When Jeremy Trueblood got hurt, and then was benched in favor of Demar Dotson, Joe pretty much sensed Trueblood’s countdown clock to end his Bucs days was ticking.
Now, the ticks are louder.
Last week against the Redskins, Trueblood was inactive. Bucs coach Greg Schiano said, in so many words, that Trueblood not being flexible in playing multiple positions on the front line was why he didn’t dress for the game.
Trueblood, Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times reports, can see the handwriting on the wall.
But after being replaced at right tackle two weeks ago by upstart Demar Dotson, Trueblood is starting to come to terms with the fact his predicament might be permanent. Asked whether he felt he could regain the starting role through strong practices, Trueblood wasn’t so sure there’s a chance.
“I feel like their decision’s made,” Trueblood said of the coaching staff. “So I’m just going to continue to do what I have to do. It’s the NFL and people get hurt all the time. I don’t wish anything upon anyone, but you just have to be ready. Someone could get sick. Anything can happen. Preparation is important.”
The seventh-year player and former second-round draft pick has been in Tampa Bay for the duration of his career but could spend the rest of his current contract year on the bench. That would strongly suggest he could be looking elsewhere for work next season, another fact Trueblood said he is beginning to digest.
Trueblood’s fate was pretty much sealed when Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik all but gave Trueblood an ultimatum in preseason: restructure your contract or you will be walking the streets looking for work.
And while Trueblood is under a guaranteed contract through the end of this season, if he is inactive, that means Schiano believes he is on the bottom rung of the roster, therefore, it would not surprise Joe the way Dominik and Schiano play musical chairs with the roster each week, that Trueblood may be jettisoned to make room for some other free agent to be signed later.
Joe’s not saying it will happen, just that it wouldn’t surprise Joe.
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:19 am
Completely agree, but he’s quality depth. We won’t find anyone better this time of year.
Unless he agrees to league minimum’s to be here as a backup, he won’t be here.
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:37 am
I smell trade attempts going on. Maybe Dom can get a late round pick for him. Personally I think he’s a 5th rounder or better.
To the right team he could be an upgrade…believe it or not. But I would be happy to get anything for him…EVEN a fullback.
I wish we had taken John Connors a couple years back.
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:41 am
Forgot he was a second rounder. What a bust!
Gunna be drafting o line in the 2nd round. Maybe 1st
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:42 am
With the __ selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select, _________, Right Tackle from _____________.
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:44 am
1st round OL, 2nd round DB – the exception would be a stud TE, but I can’t think of one at the moment.
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:45 am
@joe and everyone else
What are your thoughts how Carl nicks is shaping up. Are you happy with the level of his play?
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:52 am
I think Nicks is the best player on the line personally. Injuries are making his job harder though.
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:56 am
I can see a scenario where before season’s end Dotson moves to the left side and Penn, who seem a step slower than before is moved to RT, this would strengthen both sides, a younger faster LT who will get plenty of help from Nicks and a veteran on the right who can help Larson.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:01 am
Let me say this…even though there has obviously een some hard-to-watch moments, I have not regretted watching each game to the conclusion. When other fans were chamging channels, some of us stuck it out and saw this team fight back well enough to have a winning chance.
It could be argued that the replacement refs cost us two of our three losses.
So the way I see it…although we are clearly going through growing pains, this team is very close. I fact…I wish I lived closer to Tampa and could aford a 4 pack of season tickets because something tells me that next year is going to sell like hot cakes.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:01 am
Dominating line on paper at the beginning of the season to serviceable at best.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:07 am
@matt horse . How can you label him a bust? He may not be a pro bowl tackle but he has been dependable starter for a good number of years.
We need to stop labeling everyone that doesn’t turn into a pro bowl player as a bust. A bust needs to stay with those players who are drafted too high and then never produce anything good. Jamarcus Russell was a bust. Dexter Jackson was a bust.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:15 am
@The Dutcher Journal
Exactly, what we are seeing is one of the major earmarks of new systems being installed, inconsistant play. It will click, it can one game or even one play and boom.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:17 am
With 2 out of 5 getting injured, BucnJim.
Our 1-3 this year looks much better than our 4-2 last year. Maybe its because I can’t ignore it was followed by a 10 game losing streak. Anyways, anyone who can’t tell how much better we’re playing is absolutely blind. Freeman needs to get it together and Lorig needs to be replaced. I’m confident both those things will happen sooner or later.
As to the actual post, I’d like True to stay. He’s a very good run blocker and is perpetually pissed off. I think Dotson could be the answer to our tight end problem. I have no idea how well he can catch, but he runs well enough and has to be damn near impossible to defend. We already know he can block. If he converted today, he’d easily be our best tight end with our roster what it is. I just don’t know, despite what is being said, if Trueblood’s injury is healed yet. Seems like the type of thing that will linger in a big guy like that.
Also, quit talking about the draft. We’re a few dumb plays and a premature whistle away from being 4-0. Why can’t you pretend to give a crap about this season.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:21 am
I’d try Trublood at TE in 2TE sets. A 6 yr. starter in the 2nd round is not a bust.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:22 am
Considering Dotson has only given up 4 hurries and 1 sack in 101 passing snaps, and Trueblood allowed 2 hurries and a hit on 28 snaps, I don’t see how he works his way back into the starting spot ever again.
Dotson is giving up a QB pressure every 20.3 snaps while Trueblood is giving up a pressure every 9.3 snaps.
It is time to move on. Greener pastures and what not.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:23 am
espo…sniff…you brought tears to my (manly) eyes…lol.
/signed.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:34 am
The play calling is very suspect @Matt Horse it’s hard to say if he’s not being utilized correctly or what. I have see a lot of great plays from him so far…. IMO
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:48 am
Gentlemen,
There will be no RT drafted in the 1st round. Any LT worthy of a 1st round pick will typically not be drafted to start at RT and moved to LT later because you are still left with the RT problem.
The Dallas player drafted out of USC was the exception whose name I can’t recall at the moment. He was moved and now they have a RT problem.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:51 am
Another top draft pick not worthy of the starting line up.
Seems we are seeing a pattern.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:56 am
No one can complain about Josephs talent.
However, a second round RT that has had years of penalty issues, that is now beaten out by a undrafted FA that hadn’t played football until later in life, IS a bust.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:59 am
I’d put Trueblood back at RT and make 6-9 Dotson a TE. Try to cover him up with a Ronde type DB. Then I would make Blount the FB and leave him and Martin on the field and the same time. Let Free run the gun with no huddle.
October 3rd, 2012 at 10:06 am
“I love Trueblood!” In Coach Schiano talk means, he’s done, finished.
“I admire Blount’s will,” means, that dude will never see the ball in a goal line situation again. If he want’s a whiff of the end zone it will be from 70 yards out.
“Back off of Josh Freeman,” means that only the Little General will be able to claim future fame and glory, once Schiano has destroyed the previous team leaders professionally and mentally.
I think I mentioned once or twice before that those suffering from a Napoleonic Complex often were compulsive type liars. They are so selfish and stubborn that they are unable to share even a simple truth.
Those from the Amen Chorus will say that he is being sly and crafty, disguising his true beliefs like a master poker player. The truth is plain to see, when in game changing moments, he is totally out of his league and the opposing coaches consistently steal his lunch money.
I saw a new TV show which reminded me of the coach, it’s called the “Butch Factor.”
October 3rd, 2012 at 10:13 am
^^LMAO^^
October 3rd, 2012 at 11:06 am
hahaha @ Miguel. Can’t argue the point. It does seem early to give up on anyone this season. At some point you have to play with what you have and “coach” them. You know, Coach – teaching or training process in which an individual gets support while learning to achieve a specific personal or professional result or goal.
October 3rd, 2012 at 11:14 am
A bust? A 6 yr player? Let’s keep the “bust” talk directed at Hooters shall we.
And, agree, what’s with all draft talk? We’ve only played a quarter of the season! This just in: We have new HC and coaching staff, entirely different offensive and defensive schemes, and some new players! Give them some time! I’m amazed with the fact we could very easliy be 3-1 against those quality teams. I mean we almost beat the SB champs!
BTW This year I’m excited to see them each and every week! Couldn’t say that last year at all. I love our new style and commitment to fight to the end, never give up, give it your all. You know all the stuff that was missing from last year’s Bucs team!
October 3rd, 2012 at 11:20 am
The problem with the world is that the intillegent people are full of doubts and the stupid ones are full of confidence.
October 3rd, 2012 at 1:55 pm
@ board
Would any of you be opposed to having Trueblood play RG, Thoughts????
October 3rd, 2012 at 2:27 pm
I don’t think he’s quick enough to do some of the pulling required of him. I mean, if the injuries keep piling up, gotta get creative.
October 3rd, 2012 at 2:53 pm
when you’re a bad team, you can start rebuilding your roster earlier than teams that are competing for the playoffs and superbowl. both years where we’ve been bad in the dominik era, we started jettisoning guys who weren’t in the long term plan to make room for auditioning players on other teams’ practice squads. i don’t think a move with trueblood would happen in the first half of the season but if we are adrift of the wildcard in late november i can see us dumping jeremy (as well as guys like myron lewis) and getting a jump on filling our depth chart for 2013