O-Line Not Matching Investment
December 1st, 2013
The Bucs won’t keep paying fat O-linemen salaries without production
“Offensively, we had trouble handling their front,” Greg Schiano said after the Bucs beating at the hands of the Panthers today.
Boy, isn’t that an understatement.
The Bucs were mauled for the second week in a row by a defensive line. But that’s in no way acceptable given what the Bucs’ offensive line is paid.
Yes, Carl Nicks is recovering from MRSA foot surgery, but the Bucs have other hugely paid veterans on their O-line in Davin Joseph, Donald Penn and Jeremy Zuttah. Are these guys playing to their pay grade? Joe hopes not. The unit has been a disappointment for much of the season.
Simply because of their bloated salaries, Penn and Joseph are playing for their Bucs careers this December, Joe believes. They’re both 30 years old with lots of mileage on their bodies.
If Joe assumes one or both of these guys are under intense scrutiny as it relates to their 2014 return, Joe would assume Joseph has a tougher task to remain a Buccaneer. He’s been hurt throughout his career, whereas Penn is one of the NFL’s top ironmen.
Penn hasn’t missed a game since entering the starting lineup in 2007.
Penn also plays a premium position at left tackle, and it’s unlikely the New Schiano Order Buccaneers (if Greg Schiano returns) would want to gamble a change at that critical position next season.
Also factoring in is rockstar general manager Mark Dominik’s aversion to drafting O-linemen. He’s only selected one in five years, third-day pick Xavier Fulton, who was quickly cut.
Joe’s hoping the unite can re-gel over the final four games. But if not, Joe’s not sure how the Bucs can avoid a shakeup. And the question of Nicks looms large. He’s got a fat salary as well, but is younger and immensely talented.
December 1st, 2013 at 7:16 pm
Its seems as though Penn is on the downside of his career. He’s given up, what, 4 sacks in the past 2 games? Might be time to at least bring in some competition.
December 1st, 2013 at 7:30 pm
I watched Penn got blown up several times today or just miss blocks the last coiple of weeks. Maybe ts time to look for a change there if he can’t recapture his form this year. Zuttah and Dotson seem to be playing fairly well but not exceptional but Dotson is playing better as the season goes on. Maybe its time for Dominik to relent and draft some young monsters for our lne
December 1st, 2013 at 7:30 pm
The stinking Panthers looked good today. I think they will at least win one game against the Saints and compete well against the Seahawks.
December 1st, 2013 at 7:34 pm
Just saw some of Schiano’s post game comments where he said he didn’t know what hit them. This guy is worse than clueless.
December 1st, 2013 at 7:46 pm
The Buc’s O-Line does well against bad teams with bad front 7 ‘s but badly struggles against good teams with good front 7’s. I think that’s called being Mediocre
December 1st, 2013 at 7:51 pm
My above comment is wrong. The Seahawks beat the stinking Panthers in the season opener.
December 1st, 2013 at 7:54 pm
fat nicks sucks
December 1st, 2013 at 7:56 pm
I’ll say it again. The first two picks need to be aimed at helping the O-line and D-line. If a ‘good’ FA is available, then the first two picks could go to the same side of the ball. The game is won (and lost) in the trenches. The Bucs are only getting ‘trench-feet’.
December 1st, 2013 at 7:56 pm
Why is Nicks not on IR? No way he could, or should, come back this season.
December 1st, 2013 at 8:01 pm
How about Rockstar take a stand and after the season you wanna stay and play it’s time to take a paycut for poor performace. I love Nicks but he’s getting a ton of money to stand and watch for 2 seasons maybe its time for some renegotiating on the Oline
December 1st, 2013 at 8:03 pm
Zuttah and Joseph need to be gone, too much cash going to that terrible center to right side of the line. If this is the route then the Bucs need to draft Jake Matthews and slide Penn to RT, and move Jamon to RG…find a Center in free agency or see if Demar can do it.
If that’s not the route the team wants to go…I also believe in Johnny Football or finding a way to move up for Clowney. You’re right Joe, a lot of miles on Joseph, I love the guy but he’s got to go or take a pay cut, same can be said for Zuttah.
December 1st, 2013 at 8:06 pm
Nicks really hurts and let’s face it Carolina’s front 7 is brutal. Still with we would have signed 2 db in free Agency and used those picks on the lines
December 1st, 2013 at 8:07 pm
I think we should force Penn, Nicks and Joseph to all take pay cuts next year and even that may not save them.
December 1st, 2013 at 9:00 pm
Lets just try a head coach and a staff with nfl experience for a change..
December 1st, 2013 at 9:09 pm
Move penn to the right and draft a stud LT.
December 1st, 2013 at 9:15 pm
IMHO
Release Donald Penn
Release or Restructure Davin Joseph (Hate to say this-One of favorite Bucs All-Time)
*Carl Nicks??? What do we do-Remember we pro-rated the bulk of Carl Nicks’ $12.5 million salary over the final four years of his contract, just to create extra cap space for 2013.
Releasing Joseph & Penn will save somewhere around $11million in cap space
(Sign Free Agent)
RG Jon Asamoah
(Draft)
LT-Taylor Lewan
LT/OG-Cedric Ogbuehi
C/OG-Bryan Stork
RT/OG-JaWuan James
LT Taylor Lewan (R)
LG Carl Nicks–Cedric Ogbuehi (R)
C Jeremy Zuttah–Bryan Stork (R)
RG Jon Asamoah (FA)–Gabe Carimi
RT Demar Dotson–JaWuan James (R)
December 1st, 2013 at 9:27 pm
The last 2 weeks, the Bucs have faced 2 of the best defensive lines in the NFL. So subpar performances could be expected. However, The O-line has played pretty bad all year (except for 2 games). They are one of the highest paid in the league and definitely not earning their money. Our pass protection is pretty good, but our run blocking is horrendous! We need to get some O-line men that can pull, get out on screens, and actually push a D-line back on their heels. However, I don’t think taking a O-linemen with our 1st pick is the answer.
Joe would like to note that the Panthers were without their top pass rusher, and the Lions have been average against the run this season and anemic in sacks. –Joe
December 1st, 2013 at 9:55 pm
Penn is the best offensive lineman we have had in a decade, HANDS DOWN!!!!
So lets stop with the bull…. about him.
NICKS is a HUGE MISTAKE!!!! Seriously, He was part of our big free agent SPLASH: NICKS, V-JAX, and pill popping corner from Detroit, which I can’t even remember his name?
Regardless, The only one that has done shit is Vincent Jackson.
Donald Penn is not the problem.
Now play calling maybe??????
December 1st, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Taylor Lewan vs Jadeveon Clowney (2013 Bowl)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cpIkjW-CY4
December 1st, 2013 at 10:10 pm
I’ve been saying this hate to it Joseph needs to go sad but true Penn has been getting blown of the ball restructure or cut them simple as that as far as nick restructure him… Dotson is the only consistent guy zuttah just depends on the week… 1st round pick should be a LT or DE
December 1st, 2013 at 10:22 pm
I know Mee chigan is not Iowa or Boston College. But that damn school has a history, of Olinemen that have made solid contributions to their prospective organizations.
Dan Dierdorf
John “Jumbo” Elliott
Jake Long
Mike Kenn
Stefan Humphries
William “Bubba” Paris
Mark Donahue
Steve Hutchinson
Jon Jansen
December 1st, 2013 at 10:32 pm
@ninety9buc
You can scheme, to help a guy out sure. Use a back to chip…maybe even roll out in the opposite direction–ok.
But what you can’t do is lose the one on ones. Penn has been getting schooled by rookies & vets alike.
December 2nd, 2013 at 3:35 am
We can’t cut Nicks next year. Too much dead money on his contract. I’d keep Penn (perhaps with a small pay cut) and I’d either just cut Joseph or ask him to take a massive pay cut. Ideally Zuttah would take a pay cut too.
December 2nd, 2013 at 3:43 am
I agree with Lewis. Nicks is going nowhere.
However, I could see Goldson going if he gets suspended again, just because the suspension would point to behavior issues which is breach of contract. Bucs could use that to cut salary.
Because Goldson hasn’t paid off either. His hits might look good, but the penalties are racking up.
I disagree about Joseph. He’s doing a good job and deserves every penny. Penn has gotten beaten several times, but you can’t just “cut” his pay. Same with Zuttah. They are contracts for a reason.
The smart thing to do is trade a RB like Rainey for a 2nd or 3rd rounder, and draft a Oline guy in round 2.
I do find it ironic that fans griped for the Bucs to spend money and now they got what they wanted, yet don’t want it. Free Agency is like this. That’s why the smart guys say build through the draft and supplement with Free Agency.
Mark Dominick had done a great job the last couple years. Nicks was a good investment. No one could have predicted what would happen to him. By next year this will be behind him and he’ll be ready to play.
Zuttah has more than earned his keep at center. People seem to forget why Faine was signed years ago. We had a string of really bad centers.
December 2nd, 2013 at 12:17 pm
The most physical position to play in the NFL is O-Line. Joseph is coming back from a serious knee injury but I would still take him over half the starting RGs in the league now. I think Penn might either need to add more weight that he lost next yr or they need to bring in competition b/c he’s getting beat this yr like I haven’t seen in previous yr. Zuttah is a keeper, once again he’s better than half the Cs in the NFL & he is also versatile in case he needs to play G for a game or a wk or 2. Nicks is going to be the difference once he gets over all these weird injuries. He’s a BEAST & he will make a difference once he returns. RT can use some competition as well too much Dotson is solid & you can’t have all-stars @ every level guys lol
I think the Panthers are a GREAT D & VERY WELL COACHED. There is no shame in their D doing what they did yesterday b/c guess what? They have done it to EVERYBODY so far this yr that they played. I’m interested to see what happens these final 4 games. Especially going to SF & NO, want to see how the team playsa