Lovie Gives Dotson A Passing Grade
December 16th, 2014
Dotson is re-wiring and re-programming
Outside of preseason action at left tackle during his first four seasons, and briefly filling in once for Donald Penn when he was banged up, Demar Dotson has been a right tackle for the Bucs.
For a variety of reasons, most guys are suited to a particular side. Dotson, it seemed, is a right-side kind of guy.
So when he was informed last week he was getting a test drive at left tackle because starter Anthony Collins has almost played his way out of a job, Dotson had to do serious rewiring of his brain to play the position.
No problem, said Lovie Smith yesterday.
“I thought he did a pretty good job for his first time out,” Lovie said. “By saying that, we’re not All-Pro ready or anything like that, but that’s a lot when you’ve been playing one position. The steps are all different, he took the challenge last week when we approached him and told him this is what we’re going to do, he was all on-board with it and for the first time out it was an encouraging start.
“If you look at just the position in which you’re looking for long arms, big body, athletic, good feet, there’s nothing that would tell you he wouldn’t be able to do it. I’m anxious to see him there again this week.”
Dotson admitted playing the left side is a strange beast and he will have to re-program his noggin.
“The footwork is a whole lot different and it takes a lot getting used to,” Dotson said. “I’m so used to doing stuff on the right side and now I have to flip all that stuff over in my mind and a lot of the things I knew was coming, but I was slow reacting with my feet. It’s just about continuing to work and I’ll get out here next week and just work hard every day in practice, take every rep and go hard every rep. I can’t take any plays off and I need to keep constantly getting better every day.”
Joe’s pretty confident Dotson will get it done, but it does beg a few questions: Will Dotson be the left tackle next year? If so, who plays right tackle; if not, who plays left tackle?
Joe is pretty sure there is going to be a housecleaning on the offensive line, and don’t be shocked it Patrick Omameh and Dotson are the only two starters returning.
December 16th, 2014 at 12:44 pm
Collins might prove to be suitable at guard.
December 16th, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Is it a coincidence that when we take out Collins and move Dotson to LT the running game shows up?
December 16th, 2014 at 12:56 pm
@largo
Good point, but that’s our 3rd starting LT this year, Cousins also played ok.
December 16th, 2014 at 12:57 pm
I give Lovie a FAILING grade
December 16th, 2014 at 1:37 pm
I wonder if some of our old released guys would have made a difference this season?
December 16th, 2014 at 1:40 pm
@joe
Is Demar on contract for next year???
December 16th, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Joe dont we have guaranteed money that we will throw away if we do not bring back Mankins and Evan Dietrich-Smith? I venture to say Makins will be back but probably not both. I can’t see if we are guaranteeing money to both we won’t bring at least one of them back next year even if its to backup another starter.
December 16th, 2014 at 5:06 pm
Smith could move to guard and we would pick up a new center and RT. Then we wouldn’t be wasting guaranteed money. Even if demoted to back up status it is the smart play.
December 16th, 2014 at 5:28 pm
Demar is under contract for next season.
If Dotson proves himself as a capable NFL LT, it will be a whole lot easier finding a capable NFL RT than it would be for the other side. Good RTs can be found in rounds 3-5… they just cant be found on the field for the Bucs at this point.
December 16th, 2014 at 5:41 pm
I was happy to see the switch. One of the few decisions where Ive agreed with Lovie. He did pretty good too! If we do go Winston 1st, then O line 2nd, I can imagine the rookie starts right while Dotson plays left. But what in the world are we going to do about EDS and Center? That HAS to be fixed! Might get 1 more year from Mankins.
December 16th, 2014 at 8:32 pm
Give Collins and Warhop the boot!