“You Gotta Get Those Nasty Linemen”
April 24th, 2015
So how down on the Bucs offensive line is former Tampa Bay tight end Anthony Becht? He’s talking about a fifth-round pick stepping in and possibly starting at center or guard.
In a video draft segment for Buccaneers.com, Becht sang the praises of Missouri center/guard/tackle Mitch Morse, calling him “a technician of the game” and a “tough nasty player.”
Lovie Smith’s pedigree says he wants to pound the football, Becht said, “and when you look at our offensive line, those are the kind of players we need. You gotta get those nasty linemen.”
Becht called a Morse a “Dan-Coppin-type” of player, and likened him to former Giants Pro Bowl center Shaun O’Hara, who was undrafted but went on to multiple Pro Bowls.
Morse could step in from the fifth round and play center/guard and “potentially be a Day 1 starter” for his next team.
Joe wouldn’t frown on the Bucs drafting Morse. Bring on the O-line bodies! If the Bucs add four, maybe two will pan out. Joe also likes Morse’s versatility. The guy actually played games at center in college, unlike a guy who started at center for Tampa Bay last year.
Joe enjoyed this Q & A with Morse from the Columbia Daily Tribune. Here’s an excerpt:
On those sessions where teams put him on the board…
“Some teams will have like a two-hour install session, where they give you a notepad and go through five-man protections, six-man protections, the rules for those protections, what all the calls are, why they make those calls. Then they say, ‘Alright, here’s the defense. Here’s the play. Go.’ It can get pretty intense, but it’s fun. You can gut-check yourself to see how much you actually do know and how much you can retain in stressful situations. It’s just part of the process.”
On where teams are projecting him on the line…
“Some teams will work me out exclusively at guard. A lot of hybrid. A lot of guard, center and not so many at tackle. I had no idea I had short arms until I got to the combine. I’m like being pounded. Everyone’s calling me a T-Rex. It helped me out in the bench, that was about it.”
April 24th, 2015 at 12:07 pm
We need some nasty on this line! No more pushovers!
April 24th, 2015 at 12:10 pm
But not as nasty as richie incognito
April 24th, 2015 at 12:24 pm
We have no one at left tackle. Demar Dotson should stay at right unless injuries force other wise.
So no left tackle and while we have Omahmeh at right guard, an upgrade would be nice. That leaves Dietrich Smith and Mankins. Getting a center and another guard that would be an instant upgrade probably isnt realistic. Looks like we have to hope the rapport they developed last year carries over. So lets say on opening day our o line looks like this
LT DJ Humpheries
LG Logan Mankins
C Evan D Smith
RG Tre Jackson
RT Demar Dotson
I think that line can be pretty good. Collins is gone and Omahmeh on the bench our two biggest weak spots have been filled. You could even draft an o lineman in the 4th too and have three rookie linemen, but that seems risky. Josue Matias could replace Mankins. BJ Finnely could replace D Smith and Rob Harvestein could replace Dotson. Again three rookies on one line probably wouldnt be wise. The scenario listed above would probably be the most functional while we grab a DE in the 4th, WR 5th FS 6th P 7th MLB 7th.
April 24th, 2015 at 12:26 pm
2&3 round…no other option !
and if Anthony Becth is correct and he can start day one….don’t get too cute waiting
April 24th, 2015 at 12:40 pm
As much as we will draft o-linemen, I expect one of last years picks to rise up and take/earn a spot, whether it’s Edwards or Pamphile, either way we need depth and eventual replacement for Mankins. Go Bucs, can the draft just hurry up and get here, Go Bolts.
April 24th, 2015 at 12:41 pm
I remember when John Maddon was the head coach of the Raiders, him saying that he wanted his roster to be “Playmakers and Dominators” I think that’s still a good formula for today
April 24th, 2015 at 12:56 pm
No!! We need nice respectable young men. Preferably former Boy Scouts that like to help old ladies across the street and feed a family that is down on their luck during thanksgiving. It’s all about character bc only those with the best character win championships in the NFL.
April 24th, 2015 at 1:04 pm
@LargoBuc that lineup would be a dream. Tre Jackson is probably the best RG of the draft and if the nice were going to get back into the 2nd to get anyone, my money would be him. Not as high on Humphries as a lot of people as the guy has a pretty nasty injury history. Would take Jake Fisher.
April 24th, 2015 at 1:26 pm
@Largo Buc
I like the way you think. Not sure we can get both Humphries and Tre Jackson…probably one or the other. But if we could start that line yeah we’d at least return to mediocre. And with the right play calling and the right skill positions a simply decent line can be effective. I remain optimistic.
April 24th, 2015 at 1:31 pm
sorry, I respect optimism but ANY Offensive line that has an Over the hill washed up mankins, Dietrick Smith and an unroven rookie starting would hardly be classified as a “Dream”… Just saying. Be realistic and honest with yourselves for a minute, the bucs need 4 starters on oline. Mankins is done and eds sucks. there is no if and or butts about it. Couple that with no lt on roster and a horrible rg which means 4 starters are needed. yes the line will be better simply because of Koetter. This line is still 2 to 3 years away from being anywhere near a dream. Given the fact lovie has never fielded a good oline I am not as confident as the rest of you.
April 24th, 2015 at 2:46 pm
Richie incognito is now a buffalo bill.
jonathan martin that Richie bullied is now a Carolina panther.
wisnewski is now a jax jaguar.
April 24th, 2015 at 4:44 pm
Talking about incompetent Lovie Smith’s pedigree?…
Collins
EDS
Cousins
Omameh
Meredith
Gilkey
Fire Penn
Fire Zuttah
What a pedigree of greatness!
April 24th, 2015 at 6:41 pm
I agree, JoeFungi, rounds 2 and 3 a must for O Line. Tell Lovie to call the Cowboys to get O line-drafting tips.
April 24th, 2015 at 6:44 pm
At a minimum we need at least 4. Mankins and Eds were worse than Omameh last year.