Don’t Fret (Yet) Over Hole At Guard
May 21st, 2014
Bucs G Jamon Meredith was working with the first team offense yesterday in OTA practice.
Yesterday at practice, working with the first team offense, was a pair of guys who give Bucs fans chills down their spines, and not in a good way.
Since starting left guard/MRSA victim/ugly toe on the line Carl Nicks was nowhere in sight, not even with Joe’s binoculars, the guards working with the first team offense were Oneil Cousins on the left, and Jamon Meredith at right.
Lovie cautioned those observing to not yet drive to the Sunshine Skyway. There is a long, long, long road to go before the regular season starts.
“It’s a competition and it’s not just coach talk, it is competition at all of the positions,” Lovie said. “Starting spot, [guard Jamon Meredith] he of course has been around here a while. He’s lining up with the ones right now, but as much as anything right now, I tell the guys to be concerned if you’re not getting any reps.
“Where you are right now or what group you’re working with, we haven’t done enough. You can’t really get a true depth chart until you see someone or you see us go full speed and I’m talking about in pads. Up until this point, a lot of where the depth chart is based on what guys know a little bit as much as anything.”
As soon as the draft was completed nearly, both Lovie and general manager Jason Licht noted there are all sorts of good offensive linemen starting in the NFL who were not picked early in the draft, or drafted at al. And there is still a very good chance that some team will cut a lineman with gas in the tank to save cap space or pair down a loaded roster.
Again, Joe cites Pat Kirwan of SiriusXM NFL Radio, who states if your team does not address a need in the draft, look to the teams who drafted for the same need during the first two days of the draft. It is likely those teams either have a player at said position on the trade block, or will release a player or two at the same position. That’s where a hidden gem could be had.
It is still May. The regular season doesn’t start for about 3 1/2 months.
May 21st, 2014 at 3:01 pm
How can we not bring davin back on the cheap seems like a no brainier
May 21st, 2014 at 3:05 pm
Perhaps price wasn’t the only reason they got rid of him?
May 21st, 2014 at 3:06 pm
“It’s a competition and it’s not just coach talk, it is competition at all of the positions,” Lovie said.
Except Quarterback.
May 21st, 2014 at 3:19 pm
If we were having questions like this on the D-line, I would not have a concern since Lovie excels on D. The problem is we are talking about the O-line and that was a big problem for him in CHI. Time will tell.
May 21st, 2014 at 3:26 pm
We don’t need a line. Just snap the ball and lob it anywhere in bounds and the Dunkaneers will grab it.
May 21st, 2014 at 3:29 pm
After watching the O-line play from last year, we can really say that there is no other way than up!
May 21st, 2014 at 3:35 pm
3 1/2 months until football….. Noooooooo
Dan: Siri…..?
Siri: Yes Dan?
Dan: Why is Roger Goodell content to push London football?
Siri: because he sucks, and now you know why Dan
May 21st, 2014 at 3:57 pm
I agree seems like we should be able to get Joseph back for less than market value. I also was hoping to adress O line in the draft instead of RB in the 3rd round but hey what do I know?
May 21st, 2014 at 4:21 pm
How do Johnson and Mc Donald look on the d-line?
May 21st, 2014 at 4:37 pm
“if your team does not address a need in the draft, look to the teams who drafted for the same need during the first two days of the draft.” not sure about Kirwan’s logic. generally if a team addresses a need early in a draft it’s because it is in fact a need…nobody is rubbing their hands together waiting to see what amazing QB the browns will cut after drafting manziel, and most teams who emphasized OL in the draft were probably as untalented as the bucs were in the trenches beforehand
May 21st, 2014 at 4:40 pm
Bonzai…since everyone has their own conspiracy theories and smokescreens. I’m throwing one out there at you as a possibility.
Perhaps “McCown is our starter”is just a smokescreen.
May 21st, 2014 at 5:01 pm
Two of our biggest off season FA signings and no comments on Johnson or McDonald? Yet we are knee deep in camp meat???
May 21st, 2014 at 5:15 pm
Oneil Cousins is not a starter in the NFL. He is barely a backup quality. Ask Cleveland.
May 21st, 2014 at 5:18 pm
So we are supposed to just wait around for other teams casts offs to find our offensive line? With no time to throw and no holes to run through I see an offense that could be worse than last year.
May 21st, 2014 at 5:30 pm
There is a lot of weeping and gnashing of teeth over the Guard position, but in my opinion, we already have a competent RG. If Carl Nicks comes back at 90%, I think we may have a LG too!
In 2012, Doug Martin rushed for 11 TDs and 1464 yards and 472 yards receiving. Josh Freeman (God bless his soul) set club records. Anybody want to guess who the RG was? Jamon Meredith – a terrible tackle, but a pretty good OG. In 2013, our illustrious coaching staff saw fit to return him to back-up LG and OT and insert Davin Joseph at ROG and they both performed terribly.
L&L quickly moved to re-sign Meredith (one of only 2 UFAs resigned), not to a 1 year prove-it contract, but to a 2 year contract with a bonus and appropriate incentives. Give Schiano credit where credit is due – he and Dominik plucked young Patrick Omameh from the 49ers PS last year and he is going to compete for the starting job too.
I don’t think this will be necessary, but a second FA just got underway and some overpaid veterans are sure to be released in favor of lower-priced draftees. The Eagles are willing to trade pro bowl OG Evan Mathis (32 years old, LG, we need RG, there is a difference), so maybe if they aren’t seeing what they want in camp, there are options.
My advice is to be patient, patience is virtue. If today was opening day, I would join all of you in a national grieving day, but not yet. Way too early! Our answer may be right at home!
May 21st, 2014 at 5:46 pm
Good points re: Meredith at RG two years ago and the Patrick Omameh pick up. He could challenge for the starting job if Nicks can’t go.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2011/profiles/patrick-omameh?id=2539259
May 21st, 2014 at 6:46 pm
Anyone concerned about our guards right now needs to pick up a hobby.
May 21st, 2014 at 7:01 pm
@ Macabee
I agree…patience is called for…it seems quite obvious to me that Nicks is good to go and L&L are OK with this group with the possibility of adding a player or two…..we have lots of time and some of the so called “cast-offs” may be pretty good player that are cut for cap reasons…..PATIENCE!!!
May 21st, 2014 at 7:02 pm
patience with one T….got a little excited there!!!
May 21st, 2014 at 7:19 pm
It’s “pare” down, not pair down.
May 21st, 2014 at 7:49 pm
Maccabees is right on point as to the offensive line! Don’t sweat it. Should a lineman go down, we also have Chase Daniel, a former small college LT, who can also play Center and Guard, after playing on our Practice Squad. He is a lot better than Larson was last year, and showed flashes of brilliance last year, and is better now. You will like how he plays during Preseason. The Boston College LT that was a try out player with the Bucs was a local high school five star talent from Tampa and is an athletic pass blocker who Urban Meyer pursued for Florida. Hopefully, Lovie will give him a shot too.
May 21st, 2014 at 10:10 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai—you really think McCown could stink it up in practice & Glennon could be dominant, & the coaches would risk that respect-laden first impression with the team & go with the inferior player?
May 22nd, 2014 at 2:35 am
Ok, “be concerned if you’re not getting reps” – but I’m concerned by the guys getting these reps. You’re cycling Mr. Merodith in there with former back ups and rookies. These guys were the backups for an atrocious line last year. I just dont get how releasing starters, re-allocating those funds to other positions, and bumping up your bench to first team makes the O line better? There’s time, sure, but the 2 biggest pools for talent (in free agency and the draft) have now come and gone and I feel a world’s less confident in the O line than I did last year this time, let alone a month ago…
Joe, I’m worried buddy and a huge priority (arguably the biggest going into this offseason) keeps getting pushed to the back burner
May 22nd, 2014 at 12:56 pm
Am I wrong or did Meredith have a pretty good year in 2012 in a mostly zone-block run scheme?