Dominik Gives A “Maybe” To Dotson
January 15th, 2013
Yes, Joe obsesses about all things Bucs. And when words flow from Bucs brass, Joe is especially hypersensitive to their meaning.
So with that in mind, Joe can say that rockstar Bucs general manager Mark Dominik offered a very lukewarm endorsement of starting right tackle Demar Dotson, while chatting with “Booger and Rich” on 98.7 FM yesterday.
Dominik talked about how excited he is to have Pro Bowl guards Carl Nicks and Davin Joseph return, along with Donald Penn and Jeremy Zuttah moving back to center. But Dotson didn’t get the same love.
“And you know, maybe Dotson continues to develop and grow at the right tackle position,” Dominik said.
After studying Dotson, perhaps Dominik is on board with former Bucs guard Ian Beckles’ assessment of his right tackle. “Not sure if he’s the answer,” Beckles said of Dotson after the season finale. Beckled had heaped praise on the 2012 O-line but thought Dotson was lacking.
Joe’s going to take Dominik’s “maybe” and consider it a clear message that major competition for Dotson is on the way, and likely via free agency. The Bucs have only drafted one offensive lineman in the past four years.
January 15th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
I hope our front office cuts ties with Joseph. 3rd highest paid OG who barely plays like it when healthy, but is rarely healthy.
January 15th, 2013 at 1:36 pm
After hearing that interview, he is definitely looking to upgrade right tackle (D.J. Fluker in 2nd Round or Free Agent)
January 15th, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Dotson is excellent depth, but shouldn’t be our starting RT unless we’re in a pinch.
January 15th, 2013 at 1:47 pm
Jonny that’s ridiculous. Joseph is a pro bowl caliber talent at RG and a wonderful luxury. Yes, he was injured this year, but before that he was playing at a very, very high level.
Cutting ties with Joseph is insane.
January 15th, 2013 at 1:50 pm
The Bucs dodged a bit of a bullet when the didn’t land Doug Free from Dallas…
January 15th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
Dot is Not….the answer to replace TrueBlood. Brennan Willliams or Ricky Wagner in the 3rd round! King Dunlap, a terrible LT at the Eagles (UFA), would be a better RT than Dot and would come cheap!
January 15th, 2013 at 2:04 pm
So Dot got 1 year to prove himself, Dominick and Freeman Make all kinds of mistakes and you still say give them next year after 4 years of failure?
January 15th, 2013 at 2:06 pm
Gil Brandt JUST released his 1st Mock Draft #13 Bucs take DJ Fluker RT
January 15th, 2013 at 2:09 pm
Gil brandt does his draft by BPA, We all know that Dominik is a need drafter. But since Schiano has taken over the draft, it is a possibility.
January 15th, 2013 at 2:16 pm
Taking a RT at pick 13 is incredibly dumb. Plus Dom has said he doesn’t take offensive linemen early.
January 15th, 2013 at 2:21 pm
There is no possibility that the Bucs take Fluker at #13. Brandt’s mock drafts are usually better for ridicule than for actual insight.
Dotson wsa pretty good for us last sesaon. With his given skillset he seems like he would be a better fit on the left side while with Penn’s skillset he should be at right. Doston is more of a finess athletic-type player that would seem to do better on the other side of the line.
Regardless of how anybody feels about him, he’s far better than what we’ve had over there since…a long, long time. Jerry Wunsch maybe? He’s defiitely better than Trueblood and Kenywatta Walker. Jason Odom was okay…
I wonder if Dominik is making a public statement about being unsure of Doston in an effort to get him on the cheap. He’s improved every year and developing nicely.
January 15th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
Meh Says:
January 15th, 2013 at 2:16 pm
Taking a RT at pick 13 is incredibly dumb. Plus Dom has said he doesn’t take offensive linemen early.
++++++++++++++++\
What he said!
January 15th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
The only time you draft a RT that early is if he’s your eventual LT and you’re just plugging him in at RT for a year or two. This just doesn’t seem like the year to do that short of Joeckel falling. Even then I might not take him depending on who is left on the board.
January 15th, 2013 at 2:38 pm
Dom also stated that he does not draft running backs in day 1 due to his value chart, luckily he is no longer in charge of the draft and takes orders well.
January 15th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
V Jax in Pro Bowl
January 15th, 2013 at 2:58 pm
@Meh: When did Joseph play at a very, very, very high level? He has been consistently rated in the very bottom among interior linemen in profootballfocus and footballoutsiders since 09.
January 15th, 2013 at 3:02 pm
Yes V-Jack is replacing Calvin Johnson
January 15th, 2013 at 3:26 pm
Dotson did some good things this year, but also did some BAD things. Too many penalties.. but this guy is a freak of an athlete, another offseason working with Bobstad, who knows what this kid can do. Get rid of Trueblood and lets bring in some competetion for Dotson.
January 15th, 2013 at 4:00 pm
Meh: If Joeckel fell and no chance, 0% chance of that. The pick would be made within 1.2 seconds. He’s the best player in the draft and a franchise LT, all that being said best case scenario is Dee Milliner but most likely J.Banks. Could be a lot of good to not great CBs in round 2 as well so I would be happy with TEO in 1st as well. TE and OL will be addressed and if we lose Bennett DOM we elect to improve the secondary but taking the best pass rusher available. What does bucsnation want to see on draft day?? Thoughts???
January 15th, 2013 at 4:21 pm
Look at NFL.com and they have XAVIER RHODES going to the bucs at 13.
January 15th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Doubt very seriously that Fluker makes it to the Bucs in the 2nd rnd. Maybe they trade back into the bottom of the 1st if he’s available.
January 15th, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Depending on if we sign any free agent corners I would like to see the Bucs draft Tyler Eifert in the first and than a corner in the second.
January 15th, 2013 at 5:01 pm
@Pewter_Power
I feel the same way. The Bucs could probably trade all the way down to the 18th pick and still get the best TE in the draft. With the picks they acquire they can trade back into the first round.
January 15th, 2013 at 5:03 pm
@Sask
Its all over the place this year…so many positions to chose from. No doubt we need corners, and I really dont think we’ll have to spend our 1st on one if we bring in some FA talent. And if that happens, Id rather see us go after Hankins 1st, if he isnt there, then Im ok with a stud DE or LB. I’d even be alright with Milliner 1st if we dont get anyone in free agency.
2nd TE or CB (if CB isnt chosen in the 1st)
3rd TE or FS (if TE wasnt already addressed, and for FS I want DJ
Swearinger of the Gamecocks….beast of a hitter, has played CB too excellent value at 3rd or 4th)
4th If no DT has been taken, I think Chris Jones of Bowling Green is still there and great value for a 4th.
4th (the extra one) I would say OT or QB or RB. I wish we knew whats up with Michael Smith and Blount. If they’re gonna play then no on the RB.
I’ll pass on the other picks for now since they’re usually hard to call.
Im really thinking we’re going to get TE help, either in the draft or FA.
And as far as a 1st being used on an OT, Im ok with it if they’re sure this guy is a cant miss (like Joekel, but he’ll be gone within the first 3 picks). And we can always get one next year.
January 15th, 2013 at 5:15 pm
Personally I would love to see us land Tyler Eifert. I think a stud TE would do wonders for our offense. Williams, Jackson, Eifert, and Martin….hmmmm….who do you cover?? If he makes it to #13 it’s a possibility we could take him. He would be a huge weapon.
January 15th, 2013 at 5:34 pm
Pick best available regardless of position. Go for quality, they can use it everywhere, but a good CB would be nice. I like Mark Elam from Florida but I think he will be about a 3’rd round pick. I have no clue.
January 15th, 2013 at 5:35 pm
Matt Elam, oops, here come the blog police.
January 15th, 2013 at 6:38 pm
I’m 75% sure we trade down in the 1st Rd
January 15th, 2013 at 7:42 pm
Agree BigMac, like the idea of an Elam/Barron dsafety tandem for the next few years.
January 15th, 2013 at 9:11 pm
The draft is going to be hard to predict until we get some idea of what we may do in Free Agency. The restructuring that went on with Jackson and Nicks sounds like they are planning a foray into FA.
If they get a top CB, DT, and/or TE in FA, the draft (1st and 2nd round) can look very different than what one might think. I do believe there will be a heavy emphasis on the defense, and for sure the secondary. But I’m not ready to say that it will be the 1st round pick(s).
January 15th, 2013 at 11:54 pm
Only Meh took Clone 3.3’s bait, and then only once.
Well done everyone.
January 16th, 2013 at 4:03 am
1 OLineman in 4 drafts
Our first wont be on a lineman.
Too many gamechangers at other positions of need that I’m sure would also fall into the BPA left at 13 to take a RT especially when Dotson did fairly well and although he could use work has improved gradually from season to season.
I would have to guess Doms words mean we may be bringing in someone through FA for the position.