Stud LT “Looks A Lot Like” Dotson
December 18th, 2014
Lovie weighed in today
The fact Lovie Smith is giving right tackle Demar Dotson a test drive at left tackle is a sure sign that Dotson, to some degree, is returning as a starter next year.
The Bucs’ play at offensive line has been lousy this season. And while Dotson won’t quite get people to forget Dan Dierdorf, he’s been the best player on the line.
To hear Lovie speak, the best play from Dotson is yet to come, hence why he has moved to left tackle for the under-performing Anthony Collins.
In fact, Lovie said Dotson looks like a prototypical left tackle anchor.
“There are some positions you are looking for (such as a quarterback or a middle linebacker or a top-flight receiver) but you need to establish and have a left tackle that can take of the great pass rushers,” Lovie said. “By himself. Without getting any help. And Demar Dotson, as you draw up that perfect guy, he would look a lot like that. His size [and] long arms. He’s been there one week. I am anxious to see him take another step this week and I think he will.”
Dotson discussed his move to the left side today. He admitted the idea is not new. There was talk, Dotson said, of flipping him to the left side before this season “even when [Donald] Penn was in the building,” Dotson said.
With the move, Dotson admitted he is a bit raw to his new position. Everything he knows and has been coached on is based on him playing the right side of the ball. Now flipping to the left side, Dotson confessed he has to be deprogrammed and reprogrammed with his footwork and other fundamentals.
“It is going to take the whole offseason,” Dotson said. “That is why the offseason is going to be critical for me. Just to come in and work and work and get in reps so I can get better and better and better. So this offseason is going to be key for me.
“I am excited to take a little rest and get back started working on it Just keep working and keep working and after OTAs and minicamp, I will be that much of a whole lot better player going into the preseason I will be that much more of a better football player.”
What was unspoken is wither Collins. The way Lovie gushed this afternoon about Dotson playing left tackle and how Dotson believes his offseason will be singularly focused on learning to play left tackle, it is pretty darned clear Collins is out.
Will the Bucs try to move Collins to guard or just eat his salary and wave goodbye? That much is unclear.
What is clear is barring Dotson getting totally blown up these next two weeks, Dotson is your leader in the clubhouse for starting left tackle in 2015.
December 18th, 2014 at 5:40 pm
Well, as bad as the Bucs are, at least things aren’t as bad as they are in Chicago. We have relative harmony here, as inept as we are. The Bears have 5 wins but are a steaming dumpster fire right now.
December 18th, 2014 at 5:40 pm
Dotson?
LMAO…….nah, seriously. nuthin but love for this guy. a warrior in the trenches and rarely is he the guy getting the off sides calls.
wish him well, and if he performs, pay him like a LT. maybe fire the bum you hired, do the right thing and throw him some cash.
December 18th, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Love seems to judge his players on how they look, psssst Lovie start judging the players on how they play you might get a better result I’m just saying!
December 18th, 2014 at 5:47 pm
It’s a low risk gamble to try Dotson out over there. He won’t tank, we know that. It saves them a high dollar FA or a go at draft pick roulette there.
Easier to find a RT in the draft. Not that they will, but it’s easier.
December 18th, 2014 at 5:49 pm
Why are there two games on Saturday? Anyone know?
December 18th, 2014 at 5:50 pm
Dotson is a basketball player who is just now maturing as a football player after getting a very late start. He’s a project that is finally paying dividends.
What’s not to like about this guy. Great physical specimen with an awesome attitude, and a lot of upside still remaining.
And so i feel comfortable at least at one tackle…Dotson whether he ends up Left or right, our TE’s, and if we surround EDS with decent players I can live with him. OK that’s two and the TE’s. Where does the rest of the OL come from?
December 18th, 2014 at 5:52 pm
For decades, the NFL had games on Saturdays in December. they got away from that in recent years but thankfully Roger Goodell and the TV execs woke up and they started scheduling games on December Saturdays.
Never thought folks would complain about too much NFL (until they remember who is playing tonight. Guh.)
December 18th, 2014 at 5:53 pm
Robert 9
I’m with you. Dotson was like a nobody last year, filled in and played well. Now he the fking capt of the oline. Lovie is a disgrace. All that money he threw at cousins and Collins and now he stepping away? Gimme a fking break. Lovie fking destroyed what little foundation we had last yr bc we are a 4-12 team now he needs the schiano men to help him do anything positive. This fking guy I swear. How the fk did he make it out of chicago without some metal shavings in his face.
Schiano is still under contract folks. Let’s make amends, Tis the Season. I would seriously beg and plead for him to come back. And I’ll take 2 lossing seasons while he weeds out the nice guys and drafts some more rutger guys, they seem to play quite well in fact.
[That’s just a bit over the top, don’t you think? — Joe]
December 18th, 2014 at 5:58 pm
If Dotson succeeds then theoretically Collins and Warhop (the line coach) are both out of jobs. He swung and missed hard with two high level recommendations of Michael Johnson and Anthony Collins, as he came from Cincy.
On a side note, look for Marc Trestman to be the OC here next year. I’d bet it all on that.
December 18th, 2014 at 5:59 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo thinks Dotson should be “tackle eligible” and become a member of the Dunkaneers”….
December 18th, 2014 at 6:03 pm
again with the physical dimensions and arm length. old school scouting with an emphasis on the “old”. lovie should be great at the combine. plenty of chances to observe physique there and no pesky true football skills to evaluate. since we are so concerned with how people look and not how they will play against elite competition, we should check back in on sabby piscitelli and quincy black. those guys looked like football players too.
December 18th, 2014 at 6:05 pm
Nope not really but what do I know.
December 18th, 2014 at 6:06 pm
It would be funny and entertaining to come up with something like below for our OL. They have earned it. LOL
Every memorable line has a nickname e.g. the fearsome foursome. The Bucs OL should be known as something like the:
Turnstile Troop
Foul Five
Dastardly dumb asses
Ghastly Ghosts
Any more suggestions?
December 18th, 2014 at 6:19 pm
I think its a good move
December 18th, 2014 at 6:51 pm
Oh YEAH….18 Dec…..and L&L are trying to cram this BS down fans throats……BWHahahaahahaha…
December 18th, 2014 at 7:25 pm
rayjay1122…How about trench turds?
December 18th, 2014 at 8:12 pm
Speaking for Maria Pablo’s mistress…
“Dunkaneers? Maria loves it when Pablo talks dirty.”
December 18th, 2014 at 8:28 pm
I dont mind trying this at this point of the season, but to bank on Dotson as our franchise left tackle for the future seems like another massive reach. This means we will go into next season with ? marks across the o-line yet again.
They should have flipped Dotson and Collins a month ago if this was already a thought in the offseason.
December 18th, 2014 at 8:39 pm
Donald Penn – that is all. Ty and gn
December 18th, 2014 at 8:52 pm
Usually LT is the pass blocker and RT is the run mauler. Dotson isn’t the best run blocker but I bet he can withstand most of the game’s sack masters.
The next two games aren’t just telling about his future. They’re weighing options about picking LT with that high draft pick. This audition could mean drafting Mariota or maybe Jameis.
Oh and whoever said Lovie evaluates based on appearance is a moron. Little known stat: Josh McCown leads the league in dumb looks on his face. That’s proof right there.
December 18th, 2014 at 9:13 pm
Should have moved Penn to right and put Dotson at left at the start of the season. Opportunity missed.
December 18th, 2014 at 9:22 pm
@bucsfan37
TRENCH TURDS…LOL.
December 18th, 2014 at 10:05 pm
Lovie is a coach not a gm
December 18th, 2014 at 10:14 pm
Turnstile Troop – That’s a good one. Very accurate.
Dotson may be our “best” Oline player – but that ain’t saying much. He has not had a good year. Way too many penalties and pressure/sacks given up to this point. I hope Dotson can make a solid transition to LT and continue to improve. He needs some help in a bad way. When Dotson is the weak link on the Bucs OLine line instead of its “best” player – then we will be in business.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:05 am
Will the Bucs try to move Collins to guard or just eat his salary and wave goodbye?
wave goodbye to Collins. trade the top pick. restock the entire o- line with those picks. keep glennon/mccown.
December 19th, 2014 at 3:03 am
Thinking who/what is out there as far as free agency/draft for offensive linemen will determine what the Bucs do with Collins. May not know until after the draft.
December 19th, 2014 at 10:20 am
rayjay1112-
How about the Pewter People Greeters?
December 19th, 2014 at 11:10 am
Dave pear wins the thread. People greeters #CLASSIC #LMAO