Scrambling On OL In 2012 May Help 2013
June 16th, 2013
Offensive tackle Demar Dotson got a lot of valuable snaps last year and is currently atop the depth chart on the right side.
Joe has written this several times before; the job Bucs offensive line coach Bob Bostad did last year when his offensive line was pilloried by injuries and shuffled like a deck of cards trying to place backups in a proper position was stunning.
First, Davin Joseph went down. Then Jeremy Trueblood was benched. Then Carl Nicks had a toe injury. Most offenses would have folded down three starters.
That didn’t happen because Bostad is that good and was able to plug leaks as best he could, though towards the end of the season, it became apparent those injuries/demotions/guys playing out of position caught up with the team.
Aside from Bryan Cox, no Bucs assistant did a better job.
Last week when Bucs assistants had a media day of sorts, Joe asked Bostad, who came from the University of Wisconsin, what the biggest adjustment was coming from college to the NFL.
“Depth,” Bostad quickly quipped.
It makes sense. At Wisconsin, Bostad could load up with recruits up front. If someone went down, it’s likely a four- or five-star underclassman was ready to take over.
Not too many top shelf players are sitting on the bench in the NFL.
While last year was trying for Bostad and his players, he believes the trials of last year will pay off this season, with better depth, so he told the pride of Northwestern, intrepid Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com.
“Hopefully with those reps we dumped into them, they’re going to be able to either be there for us right off the bat or step into that same situation that happened,” said Bostad. “It was a really good investment. Last year was a good investment that way.”
It all makes sense. A lot of players who were not expected to play many snaps logged quite a few games. Players don’t often get better just watching tape.
With the addition of one of Bostad’s prized pupils, Gabe Carimi, the Bucs offensive line this season, barring injuries, should be strong as ever.
June 16th, 2013 at 8:14 am
It’s fortunate we got Bostad to come here before some other team got him.
June 16th, 2013 at 8:19 am
I have a great feeling about this offense this season. The running and play action should be deadly.
June 16th, 2013 at 8:54 am
Really think Bostad is a treasure here with the Bucs. Hopefully he does not pull a Rod Marinelli an leave us anytime soon. And the greatest depth with have at any position right now is on the O line.
But what is it with your mancrushes for Shaun King and Brian Cox Joe? Shaun King is the epitome of an NFL quarterback that didn’t want to improve his craft through film study and working out. And Brian Cox is the NFL’s version of Charles Barkley!
June 16th, 2013 at 8:58 am
Bostad for president…
Gotta love a good’ole fashion salty O-line coach…IMO Bostad was the MVPC (Most Valuable Position Coach) on our staff…Great Hire Schiano….
June 16th, 2013 at 9:28 am
Can’t see why anyone wouldn’t like Brian Cox. But we need to see results from his unit this year.
And it goes without saying, the Bucs may need to up Bostad’s contract and insure he’s on our sideline. He is one assistant that has demonstrated results last year.
Still pissed over how Olsen hosed over Pete Mangurian. It was sinful to lose him IMO.
June 16th, 2013 at 9:37 am
This is true, our o-line was oft-injured last year. This year, it’s healthy. Davin Joseph comes back. Carl Nicks comes back. Some would call that the best guard tandem in the league. Our o-line is like the Heat. Big 3 (Penn, Joseph, Nicks) and great depth (Meredith, Carimi, etc).
June 16th, 2013 at 9:44 am
After what Bob Bostad did last year, the offensive line is least of my worries. Honestly, the only thing that really concerns me is, can the additions of Revis Goldson and Casillas turn this defense around, Josh Freeman, and our murderers row schedule.
June 16th, 2013 at 9:49 am
This time last year the O line was healthy too. It’s good to have some depth however. Looking forward to Carimi’s new start with the coach that made him the best in college linemen. If he gets his game going the Bucs will survive an injury without much drop off.
June 16th, 2013 at 5:11 pm
300:
Let’s see: Shaun King makes strong if not compelling points about the Bucs and Cox, a good guy, a friendly guy, turned around what was the worst rush defense in the NFL into the best. What’s not to like?
June 17th, 2013 at 6:29 am
The team absorbed the loss of Joseph but things started getting bad for Josh Freeman when Nicks followed Joseph to the infirmary and Meredith got hurt but continued to play.