Offensive Line Slowly Improving
October 1st, 2014
Bucs G Logan Mankins discussed the improving Bucs offensive line.
Bucs fans have been grumbling about the offensive line since training camp. During preseason, the offensive line looked like a complete and total jailbreak. There was legitimate reason for angst.
At the time ,Bucs center Evan Dietrich-Smith issued a cautionary tale for Bucs fans. A new offensive line with new parts needs time to sort itself out. What fans witnessed in preseason would be much better as the regular season progressed.
That’s true. The offensive line has slowly gotten better. Part of that is the acquisition of All-Pro guard Logan Mankins from the Bill Belicheats. Mankins, himself being part of the offensive line for less than two months, also is seeing an O-line that is growing together.
“We all knew it would take time,” Mankins said. “We knew, in one week, we weren’t all going to be on the same page. Each week you see more examples of this. Getting more and more comfortably playing with each other.”
Mankins also described what a huge boost it was for the Bucs to come out of the Steel City with a win. Mankins remembered the many battles the Patriots had with the Steelers in that stadium.
“It is very difficult” to win in Pittsburgh,” Mankins said. “They have a good fan base and they are a good team at home. Every time I have been there, it’s been a tough game whether we won or lost. Last week it came down to one of those tough games again right at the end and we won.”
October 1st, 2014 at 2:04 pm
Mankins was the right guy to get.
Belichk prob intentionally delayed the trade just to jack with licht but regardless the line is much more solid with him in
October 1st, 2014 at 2:07 pm
I don’t know if The Hoodie thought he was pawning off
damaged goods for a young TE but as of right now it
appears that Licht got the better of the deal.
Mankins is in good form and the Pats are struggling
in an unprecedented manner.
Trading Mankins seems to have jinxed them.
# et tu Belichek?
October 1st, 2014 at 2:18 pm
It’s safe to say the people who said this was a bad trade were premature.
ASJ will make everyone forget Wright, who is struggling in Foxboro.
October 1st, 2014 at 2:40 pm
@mpmalloy – that can’t be right. didn’t you read all of the commenters on here who were so sure that Belichek got the best of us because he always wins in every transaction? There’s no way that we could have actually gotten the better end of the deal
October 1st, 2014 at 2:40 pm
EDS struggled last week and Collins was sht. That guy gets beat badly way too often. Called several times for bad holds and got away with one on the Martin TD. Oline run blocking sucks too.
October 1st, 2014 at 3:06 pm
EDS has been bad from the start. Yeah, better because he didn’t snap one over the quarterbacks head this week. Mankins average. Seriously, we are not running well as a team. That’s the sign of a line coming together. Collins still is not playing near what he got paid.
October 1st, 2014 at 4:09 pm
And still no Incognito?
October 1st, 2014 at 4:32 pm
“Bucs fans have been grumbling about the offensive line”?????? Seems to me Joe, the sky is falling self professed expert on all things, was the head basher of the short comings of the O-line. Of course Joe is the head basher of all things Bucs. When Joe sees bad, he sees blackness with no light, no hope, no shades of gray There is no, give it some time. There is no, let them gel. Just this is bad and woe with us. You do good things Joe but your polarization is not one of them. A little more balance would help. The line is not the only case of this. Glennon is now your man. What a crock. Earlier in the year he was dog do on your shoe. Now McCown is just a worthless waste of time. He has no value – never did. Enough with the skitzo Joe. Relax, breath deep. It takes a team. Find the high road or at least the middle lane. Have a little more Big Dog in you. Think out your position. Poke holes in it yourself to ID its flaws. Tweak it. When you think you have something worthwhile, put it out there. Take a stand but stick to it. Joe you pump out a lot of stuff on a lot of subjects. That is good. You do not have to take a STAND on every issue, sometimes just reporting on it is good enough.
October 1st, 2014 at 4:47 pm
The OL hasn’t run blocked well all season, but their pass blocking, rather honestly has been excellent. Between the Rams and Panthers, there are no two better pass rushing DLs in football. As for the Steelers, there is no scheme that gives teams more fits… and for the most part, the pass blocking came through with flying colors.
October 1st, 2014 at 5:25 pm
i cant remember the last time we blocked a 3-4 front as well as last game.
October 1st, 2014 at 5:36 pm
Welcome to blogosphere, platitudes. Still, if you want to cite the Big Dog as a voice and though of reason, Lee Harvey Oswald would be a better poster boy for that thought.
The line,overall, has improved. Not by leaps and bounds but by small steps.
Every facet of the team stunk in Atlanta so let’s just never speak again of that game.
“Rumor” has it that Brady was upset about the loss of Mankins and expressed his anger and frustration about the trade. After watching the Patriots offensive line play the last few weeks, you can see why.
As what has widely been reported now, the reason for the trade was that Mankins refused to take a pay cut or renegotiate his contract.
That’s correct Bucs fans, the Glazers just outspent Bob Kraft. Egads.
October 1st, 2014 at 5:43 pm
And what was Joe’s big announcement Sunday at 9:30 AM? I never saw that one.
October 1st, 2014 at 6:22 pm
I said it more than once over the past few weeks or so to myself. The line looks to be improving. Everyone and their grandma’s favorite cheerleader knows it takes time for an o-line to gel.
October 1st, 2014 at 6:23 pm
phattitudes…bullseye !
October 1st, 2014 at 6:24 pm
Sapp, STFU Says:
October 1st, 2014 at 5:43 pm
“And what was Joe’s big announcement Sunday at 9:30 AM? I never saw that one.”
Joe’s major announcement is that he is now a general in the MGM now. If you can believe it or accept it that is a different story.
To clarify, that was two Sundays ago, (here’s the link: https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=121578) and the meat of Joe’s announcement was that Joe is now “all-out” with Josh McCown since the Bucs were 0-3 and struggling mightily. The smart QB play is to ride out Glennon at No. 1 QB the rest of the season. McCown makes no sense at this point.–Joe
October 1st, 2014 at 6:28 pm
maxdrumsalot, I had the same thought while watching the game; Bucs’ offenses have always struggled against a 34 front.But the line does seem to be getting better.
October 1st, 2014 at 6:29 pm
phattitudes…hilarious.
I always tell Joe to not ever become like that dude on the radio that I can not type his name because it’s my personal rule.
and you want him to be more like that guy? Priceless!
October 1st, 2014 at 6:34 pm
Buc1987 Says:
October 1st, 2014 at 6:24 pm
“Joe’s major announcement is that he is now a general in the MGM now. If you can believe it or accept it that is a different story.”
Was afraid he’d admit he was the 2nd shooter on the grassy knoll.
October 1st, 2014 at 6:57 pm
lol Joe..sorry man I was going to look up the link and link it for him.
lol Sapp