Changing Of The Guard(s And Tackle)
March 29th, 2014
The new anchor of the Bucs’ offensive line, Anthony Collins.
The Bucs’ offensive line is sure going to be different, and that doesn’t even factor in what may happen with left guard Carl Nicks.
Both Bucs general manager Jason Licht and coach Lovie Smith all but promised changes to the offensive line prior to the free agency dinner bell rang. And changes, they sure made.
Depending on Nicks, the Bucs could have four new starters up front as the Custodian of Canton, eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune points out.
@IKaufmanTBO: If Carl Nicks doesn’t return, the Bucs will have replaced 4 of their 5 OL starters. If you saw the group play last season, you’d understand
What interests Joe about the new offensive line is how they are strong pass blockers, as the stat nerds at ProFootballFocus.com point out.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: One area the Buccaneers improved is pass protection. Anthony Collins led all offensive tackles in Pass Blocking Efficiency at 97.2 while Evan Dietrich-Smith has a PBE of 98.1 which was tied for eighth best among centers. As a team the Buccaneers offensive line was eighth worst with a PBE of 75.4.
So Lovie says he wants to run the ball, but the guys he is bringing in on the offensive line are better pass blockers than run blockers. What gives? Is this a clue to the Jeff Tedford offense, that it will be more pass-happy?
Or could it be the Bucs think they can coach guys up to run block; that pass blocking is more formidable and if an offensive lineman already has that down, then he can be taught to run block?
March 29th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
Which explains much of why Glennon struggled.
March 29th, 2014 at 12:07 pm
Robinson for run blocking…and he’s the ONLY one I would trade up for!
I would be friggin STOKED if that were to occur!!!
March 29th, 2014 at 12:07 pm
Zone blocking with the return of a Chucky style offense. Get ready for check downs, swing passes and short to medium routes.
March 29th, 2014 at 12:18 pm
It would be pretty stupid of us to draft another tackle in round 1, IMO. We need a skill position round 1 and maybe the best guard in the draft in round 2.
March 29th, 2014 at 12:23 pm
@MadMax
I agree-But if Greg Robinson is not there at #7 -Trade down.
March 29th, 2014 at 12:31 pm
@Luv, oh he wont be….and I agree, trade down and bpa the next O-lineman or WR. Only DE would be inline if we go D at that point.
March 29th, 2014 at 12:42 pm
Sammy @ 7
March 29th, 2014 at 12:48 pm
@MadMax
Yeah, I know he’s to damn good-If you gotta trade up for a prospect of that caliber-Make it happen !! If not trade down, and draft either Taylor Lewan, Aaron Donald, ,Bradley Roby or C.J. Mosley
March 29th, 2014 at 12:48 pm
@ rayray1
I would have to agree. But imagine that type of offensive in an up tempo speed. That would be fun to watch.
March 29th, 2014 at 12:48 pm
Maybe it’s just the systems they came from. Cincinnati, Green Bay. I played guard, only in high school of course, but I agree pass blocking is a harder skill.
March 29th, 2014 at 12:50 pm
10-4 on a skill position in Round 1 and OG in Round 2. Tackle is set. OG needs quality insurance should Nicks relapse. WR and QB are both huge needs. Only depends on who’s available and who the want more. I suspect WR in Round 1 (Evans) and QB in Round 3 (Murray).
March 29th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Trade down and take Carr !
March 29th, 2014 at 1:04 pm
Off topic and apologize, but why do we still have Michael Koenan? Getting paid way too much money as a punter. I know he can kick off, but would like to see that money used elsewhere. At least make him take a pay cut.. he was an average punter at best last year
March 29th, 2014 at 1:41 pm
If the O-Line is going to be athletic pass blockers for the new up-tempo offense, then how does Carl Nicks fit in? He is a slow, prodding mauler like the ones they just got rid of
March 29th, 2014 at 1:43 pm
If things go to plan and they’re passing game is a success under Tedfords system…that will automatically open up the run. Especially if they run a lot of play action. I would like to see a couple pump fakes from whoever our QB ends up being as well Throughout the season. And they say it’s easier to teach run blocking than it is pass blocking so if the passing game is a success, which will require some better weapons or at least one reliable speedy deep threat, than our run should be fine.
March 29th, 2014 at 1:52 pm
If Jake Matthews is there at our #7 pick, I’d pick him in a heartbeat. Not only gives us a future, long-term answer at tackle, but he’s played a bunch of guard from what I’ve read (capable of playing all 5 OL positions, and can long snap). If Carl Nicks comes back, I’d use Matthews at OG for a couple of years. If Nicks can’t return, then Matthews could switch to OT and we find another OG (easier to find?). Doubt seriously he’ll still be available at #7 however.
March 29th, 2014 at 2:05 pm
I honestly would love one of the defensive studs to fall into or laps at 7; that being Clowney of Mack…If that doesn’t happen Imo we need depth at WR arguably more that any other position…we saw it first hand this year with Mike Williams going down…Thank God that was V. Jackson, we may not’ve won a game…
If the draft goes like I think it will; being Manziel, Bridgewater, Robinson, Clowney, Mack, and Matthews all off the board when pick #7 rolls around we should have Sammy Watkins available to us…With this in mind i’d go…
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2014 Mock Draft
Rd1. Sammy Watkins (WR) Clemson
Rd2. Brandon Thomas (OG/T) Clemson
Rd3. Jarvis Landry (WR) LSU
Rd5. Lamin Barrow (LB) LSU
Rd7. Logan Thomas (QB) Virginia Tech
March 29th, 2014 at 2:13 pm
Nicks fit in because…bless his heart…it’s is just as cheap to keep and play him…cap bound so if they can get next year out of him,they will
March 29th, 2014 at 2:22 pm
I’m confused. What’s up with all the Robinson and Mathews posts? Didn’t we just sign one of the best (per PFF) left tackles in Collins? Why in the world would we take a LT at #7? Too high for a Guard in this class IMO. Say Robinson or Mathews was there at #7… Where would Collins play after signing him for that kind of money?- guard? Assuming nicks doesn’t play? I think we can rule out us taking any offensive lineman at #7… I could see a David Yankey type in the 2nd round though.
March 29th, 2014 at 2:28 pm
wasn’t V. Jackson…
March 29th, 2014 at 2:31 pm
Hopefully the Bucs new O-line comes together and is successful improving the offensive production, unlike that much touted and mostly departed fine Bucs former O-line.
March 29th, 2014 at 2:31 pm
Or maybe they think Doug Martin can run behind ANY line, but the pass game won’t function without protection…
March 29th, 2014 at 2:47 pm
Tedford’s offenses picked up both lots of yards passing and running.
March 29th, 2014 at 4:07 pm
Nicks is gonna make a lot of money from us even if he never plays another down. And whoever said Nicks is a slow plodding run blocker must of never watched him play in New Orleans ever. The Saints offense is mostly pass and he played on Brees’s blind side, and played good enough to be the highest paid guard in the NFL.
March 29th, 2014 at 4:58 pm
I heard they are going to be using a zone blocking scheme, not a power running game. Coach them up & let Doug & co run wild.
March 29th, 2014 at 5:09 pm
The Packers were ranked 7th in rushing. I think D-smith had something to do with that.
March 29th, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Can’t wait to see the high octane offense. Go
Bucs!
March 29th, 2014 at 7:48 pm
A healthy Nicks is the best lineman we have. No one else is even close.
Doubtful he can return to elite form though.
March 29th, 2014 at 9:12 pm
Johnny Manziel
Clowney
Mack
Barr
Lewan
Robinson
Long
Sammy Watkins
These are the 8 best players available in my mind.
And we could use all 8 of them!
We will go BPA bc all 8 of these guys would help us so much. And yest an OT, to take over for Dotson would be a great pick. Collins in 29. So give him 3 years at LT. Then Lewan or Robinson or Long can shift over to LT. Its a win win.
And Barr, Clowney, and Mack are too freakish to pass up.
And Sammy Watkins and Johnny Manziel are both worth the risk.
No matter what, were getting ourselves a great player this draft!
Go Bucs! Lovie! Lovie! Lovie!
March 29th, 2014 at 11:29 pm
I’ve also heard Collins is a great Left Tackle.
Yet he could never win a starting job with the Bengals!
Always a backup
Odd for such a fabulous “Superstar”!!
March 30th, 2014 at 10:23 am
People that say we don’t need to draft an OT are crazy. What if Collins or Dotson gets hurt. What do we have to replace them? Nothing! At least so far.
March 30th, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Yeah but we shouldn’t draft one at #7 just in case they get hurt …
March 30th, 2014 at 2:12 pm
Pete,that is the same thought Ibught I had.
March 31st, 2014 at 4:52 am
Nothing like predicating the success of your o line on a bust like Carl nicks.