Battling At Right Guard
April 5th, 2014
Jamon Meredith in a starting battle at right guard?
Joe is on record saying the offensive line is, well, thin. Joe personally loves Demar Dotson but Joe has no clue where this narrative has come from or began that Dotson is on the cusp of a Pro Bowl at right tackle.
Nowhere can Joe find a bad review of left tackle Anthony Collins. But Joe is not all that comfortable banking on a guy who has yet to start 12 games in a season much less a full season.
Well, here’s another thing for Joe to chew on while he’s enjoying a cold beer on a lazy weekend afternoon: The right guard position looks, well, like a potential hole. Pat Yasinskas of ESPN wrote down who is in a fight to start at right.
At the moment, this is a toss-up between Jamon Meredith and Oniel Cousins. One of them could step forward and claim the job. It also is possible the Bucs will address this position later in free agency or in the draft.
Joe simply is not sold on Jamon Meredith at all. People whine about the Bucs’ offensive line last year, right? Well, Meredith got benched from said line. So what does that tell you? In his two years with the Bucs, Meredith has never outright won a starting gig. He’s been used to plug holes from injuries and shuffling, and that is about it.
Joe has already written about the “harsh” reviews of Cousins. So pardon Joe if he isn’t exactly comfortable with the offensive line as currently constructed.
This is why Joe would not be shocked whatsoever if the line is reshuffled again after the Bucs draft Jake Matthews or Taylor Lewan at No. 7.
April 5th, 2014 at 4:44 pm
Davin Joseph is astîl not signed anywhere yet.. Maybe a lowball offer for him is a scenario
April 5th, 2014 at 5:00 pm
Bring Davin back on the cheap.
April 5th, 2014 at 5:05 pm
Incognito
April 5th, 2014 at 5:05 pm
I will play guard for the bucs.
April 5th, 2014 at 5:08 pm
Bring back Joseph now…he had a down year coming back from a serious injury. Better play calling and a receiver in the first round will help keep the opposing defense honest as well. Im sure if they made him an offer hed stay in Tampa. That would be nice to see happen soon.
April 5th, 2014 at 5:08 pm
Lovie and Licht know what they are doing. Help is on the way!They need to adhere to the words of Paul J. Meyer, author and motivational speaker, who said “Crystallize your goals. Make a plan for achieving them and set yourself a deadline. Then, with supreme confidence, determination and disregard for obstacles and other people’s criticisms, carry out your plan”. Go Bucs!
April 5th, 2014 at 5:18 pm
@ JOE
any news on Lavelle Hawkins? I swear we were expected to sign him yesterday ?
April 5th, 2014 at 5:19 pm
Couldn’t disagree more, Joe. Jamon Meredith is a high quality starter – if not potential full time starter on the newly revamped O-line.
“People whine about the Bucs’ offensive line last year, right? Well, Meredith got benched from said line. So what does that tell you? In his two years with the Bucs, Meredith has never outright won a starting gig. He’s been used to plug holes from injuries and shuffling, and that is about it.”
We all know Schiano & his fellow dictating regime were canned because above all reasons – they could not coach. So why the hell does it matter if he got benched “from said line?” All “it tells me” is that the firing of Schiano was justified and I am eager to see what the Lovie/Licht authority sees in Meredith.
Thoughts Joe?
April 5th, 2014 at 5:19 pm
Sorry guys, but anyone who has played any sport at a high level knows you can’t bring Joseph back. On top of that, sorry that Joe isn’t comfortable with it, but Joe would only be comfortable with an all Madden team meaning proven year after year players at every position. I trust these guys know a heck of a lot more than any of us do (including ‘Joe’). Do what you do Licht and Lovie, most of us are behind you!!
April 5th, 2014 at 5:21 pm
At this point trusting anything the Bucs coaches did last year is pure stupidity.
So what they benched him?
What from anything they did last year has earned them the benefit of the doubt?
April 5th, 2014 at 5:22 pm
I am starting to wonder now with the trade of MW, do the Bucs have more questions on offense than what they had when the season ended? Now our WR group is only slightly better than the Panthers who lost ALL of their starting WR in FA (we only have VJ). We have one starter remaining on the O-line, an OC who has NEVER coached in the NFL (who’s QB coach has also never coached the NFL), a bunch of questions at QB, etc. There is very little left in FA. That leaves a lot to be mostly addressed in just the draft.
April 5th, 2014 at 5:26 pm
Either way we need more guys on the O-line. Let’s say Meredith wins the starting job and is even playing at a decent level…
What happens if he is injured?
What happens if EDC, Dotson, or Collins get injured?
What is the health, and real probability of Carl Nicks staring a full season?
Where is the depth? We need more to solidify the O-line, badly. (And WR)
April 5th, 2014 at 5:26 pm
^^^ Don’t be melodramatic
April 5th, 2014 at 5:27 pm
Well our offense was the worst in the league last year and our coaches made our defense horribly under achieve. With Lovie and frazier on defense a new oc and the fact that we lost like 6 games last year by three points or less I feel pretty good. Mike williams will be easily replaced with the first round pick.
April 5th, 2014 at 5:28 pm
@SteveK (MGM) Says:
“…Incognito…”
I agree. I suggested a good month ago saying, although Incognito was an idiot, he could be monitored, he is one of the best guards in the league, and he could be had for vet’s minimum. When I asked Joe why this would not be a good idea, the ‘cranky Joe’ gave me a snide remark like: “…if I have to explain it, there is no point…”
I still think it is a great idea. But with the way MW got shipped out of here, no way this is happening.
April 5th, 2014 at 5:29 pm
Really, melodramatic?
One of, if not the biggest downfalls of this team over the years has been the complete lack of depth.
Melodramatic? I call it realistic.
April 5th, 2014 at 5:40 pm
You don’t know where the pro-bowl narrative came from? Go back and look at Duemig’s weekly game grades posted on WDAE! The only Buc who graded higher for the year was Revis! Even McCoy graded bad a few times.
Joe places little stock in Pro Football Focus. Duemig knows Joe feels that way. –Joe
April 5th, 2014 at 5:42 pm
Oh, and being the 4th best RT in the NFL last year may also have something to do with it.
April 5th, 2014 at 5:44 pm
Either we’re gonna sit on our thumbs or start looking to swap our
(2015) 1st round draft pick
for a Mid
(2014) 2nd round pick.
Too many good prospects at positions of need. Sure you gotta find a dancing partner. But we gotta at least try.
April 5th, 2014 at 5:55 pm
“^^^ Don’t be melodramatic”
———————————-
comeon now prbf, you know this site is all about the drama. lol
April 5th, 2014 at 5:58 pm
@luvmb
how are they gonna get a qb next year if they trade their #1 away? people here say next year’s class is a better option. or is it that glue-trap glennon is the savior?
April 5th, 2014 at 6:01 pm
Working on contract last Joe heard.
April 5th, 2014 at 6:03 pm
You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who works full-time in football who thinks Bob Bostad is a rotten coach.
April 5th, 2014 at 6:09 pm
Jim:
This happened far too often last year for Joe to like.
April 5th, 2014 at 6:19 pm
You know it’s been along time since we have won when you get desperate fans asking for Richie Incognito! WTF!
April 5th, 2014 at 6:24 pm
Hey Joe, my issue with your thinking of a LT at 7 is that at least Collins has had snaps in the NFL. And everyone agrees he’s solid. Mathews and Robinson have yet to see an NFL playbook.
I’m not quite sure how you’re reconciling that one.
April 5th, 2014 at 6:24 pm
damn joe, that’s a sad and funny vid
April 5th, 2014 at 6:55 pm
Correct (on both accounts)!
April 5th, 2014 at 6:57 pm
Nothing says Lewan or Matthews cannot play right tackle; or that Collins cannot play right tackle.
If a guy like Matthews or Lewan are sitting there, and you know they will anchor your line for the next decade, hard for Joe to pass that up.
As far as “have yet to see an NFL playbook,” well, then why draft anyone?
April 5th, 2014 at 7:12 pm
Who’s to say a 6’7 offensive lineman can’t play right guard?
April 5th, 2014 at 7:13 pm
^Before he takes over full duty at Left tackle in one or two years
April 5th, 2014 at 7:39 pm
@ JOE
How would you feel about Greg Robinson playing guard for us if we end up drafting him at seven. I’m thinking there’s a chance he could be there at 7. I think the Rams will take Matthews or Robinson, Fisher coached Matthews dad and he would probably love to coach Jake. Robinson was a guard in high school is a manbeast in the run game.
April 5th, 2014 at 7:56 pm
No way we sign incognito….I mean this guy is a head case, and frankly the fact that he might used a racial slur makes me scratch him off the list entirely. You really want that kind of cancer in ur locker room? If it wasn’t for the way the Eagles administration handled Riley Cooper’s umm…situation he wouldn’t be in the league right now. Plus from what I hear he’s been a great teammate since. Unfortunately incognito had a rep before and beat his car’s ass since…lol
April 5th, 2014 at 8:18 pm
The Bucs (Lovie) just got rid of Mike Williams for having the gall to have a mattress in his front yard. What sober person actually thinks Lovie would bring in Incognito?
April 5th, 2014 at 8:51 pm
Why would the Bucs take more than 15 minutes on a contract for Lavelle Hawkins? What kinds of demands can a 4th or 5th at best WR make? Don’t get it!
April 5th, 2014 at 9:24 pm
That’s 10 minutes too long!
April 5th, 2014 at 10:47 pm
The only buccaneers in the NFL’s top 70 guards according to the bleacher report is Jamon Meredith and this was before the release of Davin Joseph. If Carl Nicks is so good why was he not listed as well. I will admit however they did say back in April of 2013 the bucs had two of the NFL’s four best guards. I find interesting how fast things can change in todays NFL.
April 6th, 2014 at 12:29 am
Pass blockers to protect the blind side…road grading run defenders to open the lanes to the right…..Robinson, Robinson, ROBINSON!
April 6th, 2014 at 5:28 am
“But Joe is not all that comfortable banking on a guy who has yet to start 12 games in a season much less a full season”. Can you give a different approach on this one. And since you don’t trust Collins who do you trust or who is the better option on a line this was according to Lovie 4-12
April 6th, 2014 at 5:28 pm
Why are the Bucs not after Wharton.? He had a great year and the Bucs have both a need and the money. Why is this not getting done?
April 6th, 2014 at 8:13 pm
Some self answers that don’t really hold water are that he is too old. So get him on a one year contract and draft a player to develop. Another weak answer is to draft the next generation right guard. This doesn’t seem to be Lovie’s style. He likes his team to be loaded with veterans. The exception to that rule will be some receiver to replace Williams. No matter how you look at it, the Bucs should go after Wharton. He would solidify the right side of our line. Then is Nicks comes back, we may have something. Deitrick-Smith, Collins, and Wharton would all grade out higher than the players they are replacing. Besides that, they are cheaper.
April 7th, 2014 at 3:51 am
I know right Lurk? Lol
And unbelievable, I wasn’t talking to you but if the shoe fits go ahead and strap the sucker on.