“Not Sure If He’s The Answer”
December 31st, 2012
Joe’s hardly one to agree consistently with former Bucs guard Ian Beckles, but Joe will side with Beckles’ take on Demar Dotson.
This morning on WDAE-AM 620, Beckles had high praise collectively for the Bucs’ offensive line this season minus Dotson.
“I’m not sure if he’s the answer, ” Beckles said of Dotson.
Dotson struggled against St. Louis and didn’t have his best game yesterday. His pass blocking must improve. Greg Schiano talked about craving competition at all positions today, and Joe believes serious competition at right tackle is a critical offensive priority this offseason.
Jeremy Trueblood will not return, barring some strange act of God. And while Joe does not expect the Bucs to invest more serious money on the offensive line after last offseason’s commitments to Carl Nicks and Jeremy Zuttah, there should be enough money laying around to score a starting-caliber right tackle.
Rockstar general manager Mark Dominik has talked openly about shunning drafting offensive linemen — he’s only picked one in four drafts — preferring the free agent or practice squad route in order to first see how the lineman adapts to the pro game because college spread offenses have made it harder to scout a guy’s potential at the pro level.
Dotson is signed through 2013 at about $1 million per year. He’s a good guy and Joe exects him to return. Joe just thinks the Bucs should try to upgrade.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Gil Brandt JUST joined twitter…The Godfather of the NFL
December 31st, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Dot is not! Solid back-up. Brennan Williams or Ricky Wagner in the 3rd.
December 31st, 2012 at 4:36 pm
I heard Ian early in his radio career sitting in for Chris Thomas…and was really anxious to hear more ….I much perfer his pure insights then..than his commerical radio scthick…every man has his price……sad
December 31st, 2012 at 4:39 pm
@Joe:
I know a few years back, Davin Joseph wasn’t going to re-sign if we didn’t also bring back Trueblood. Will dropping Trueblood affect whether Joseph stays long term or not?
December 31st, 2012 at 4:52 pm
@ Brandon Powers
You really think Joseph is going to walk away from the remaining $32.5 million remaining on his contract over Jeremy Trueblood? Probably not. We already gave Trueblood far longer of a look than we should have.
December 31st, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Dotson has potential, he is a very athletic guy. Just has to improve his pass blocking and his overall technique, I agree with you Joe that we must get another starting caliber RT.
December 31st, 2012 at 5:10 pm
I know it wouldn’t happen, but sign Jake Long move Penn to RT.
December 31st, 2012 at 5:38 pm
jake long sucks ….no thanks
and yes we need a RT
December 31st, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Definitely need some depth on the line. Feel they did pretty good considering the key injuries. Side note did Joe see the bleacher report’s 50 worst coaches of all time? The only Bucs coach to make this dubious list……. Raheem the dream. While I believe Rah was not ready for a HC job. Funny there was no mention of Williamson, Bennett or Perkins. Would have thought that any if not all three of those idiots would have been on this list before Rah.
December 31st, 2012 at 6:35 pm
I thought Dotson played well yesterday. He didn’t allow a single pressure and no penalties. He hasn’t been great, but he has been an upgrade from Trueblood. If he can get his penalties under control, which is correctable, I can see him playing much better.
Larsen is the guy I’m most concerned with. For all the snaps he has played, he hasn’t gotten any better.
I could do without Meridith too.
December 31st, 2012 at 6:44 pm
Raphael
Longs pretty good in my opinion, But I think he’s an upgrade to Penn and Penn to Dotson. Would be a pretty sick O-line.
December 31st, 2012 at 7:42 pm
Sirus..not sure how much is left in the tank there…injuries have really slowed him..
December 31st, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Yeah maybe, but for the right price i may take a chance. Most likely they might pick up a OT in the 3rd or 4th round.
December 31st, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Penn has consistently been there for us; we don’t need to upgrade at that position.
December 31st, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Sully could be gone……
Joe’s already got a story up. –Joe
December 31st, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Adam Schefter reported on twitter the bears received permission to interview Sullivan….
Joe’s already got a story up. –Joe
December 31st, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Joe’s the man!
January 1st, 2013 at 9:34 am
Interesting tidbit about Dominik not liking drafting O Line.