Solid Development Of O-Line
October 17th, 2015
The “Custodian of Canton” likes the play of Kevin Pamphile and the rest of the front five.
If you pressed Joe to identify the best element of a 2-3 team, that being your current 2015 Tampa Bay Bucs, Joe would say it is the development of the offensive line.
For Joe, that is a staggering admission.
Just a handful of weeks ago, Joe fretted thinking the offensive line would be the sieve of the team, and possibly get “America’s Quarterback,” Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, maimed in the process.
Instead, the line has gelled beyond what anyone believed, including the Bucs themselves (more on that later). Joining the chorus of those praising the offensive was none other than the “Custodian of Canton,” eye-RAH! Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune.
In a TBO.com podcast with Olivia Stacey, Kaufman marveled at what has become of the front line.
“Lets look at what we are talking about,” Kaufman said of Sunday’s performance against the Jags. “Two rookie starters, a second year Kevin Pamphile [and two backups who were not on the team at the beginning of training camp] — you talk about a makeshift front in front of Jameis Winston and those running backs. And they did a nice job.”
Though offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter claims a player should not lose his starting gig due to an injury, it will be interesting to see what Lovie Smith does. There is no question the offensive line has played better without Evan Smith starting at center.
Will Demar Dotson will start at right tackle when he returns from injury? There again, it will be interesting to see what happens.
Joe believes things should not be fixed if they’re not broken. And since Evan Smith went down with an injury at New Orleans, the front line has not been broken.
October 17th, 2015 at 6:29 am
It’s amazing what happens when the guys on the line rally around a true leader under center. They are doing what it takes to protect their guy.
October 17th, 2015 at 6:53 am
I am very surprised and happy with the developing Oline.
October 17th, 2015 at 6:55 am
Hmmm, still on the ‘Evan Smith Sucks’ kick Joe? Soon it’ll be ‘Demar Dotson Sucks Too’ I’m guessing. Then ‘Logan Mankins Sucks As Well’. After all, “Joe believes things should not be fixed if they’re not broken.”
I wonder if Dirk Koetter sees the world as Joe does. If we all of a sudden inherited an All-Pro OLineman from someplace, I wonder if Dirk would let him sit on the bench if we played a SB winner like New England or Seattle because our current player did just fine in the last game according to Joe.
Using Joe’s logic, Evans-Mankins-Dotson should all remain on the bench until someone on last Sunday’s starting OLine either goes down with an injury or has a bad game (in Joe’s eyes that is). Or maybe we should trust that our OC, Dirk Koetter, has a better feel for how Bucs’ Player A matches up against our opponents’ Player B. And trust that he’ll play those who give us the best chance of winning.
And if we should lose, it’d clearly be Lovie’s fault anyways.
October 17th, 2015 at 7:08 am
DefenseRules- incompetent Lovie Smith has not given any reason whatsoever to be trusted in making decisions on who should start and gives us best chance to win.
October 17th, 2015 at 7:23 am
Great job by the O-line and a shout out to coach Warhop. I was down on him but you have to give him credit for the O-line play
October 17th, 2015 at 7:47 am
I’m not convinced that the Oline played that well against Carolina…..remember the sacks to Delaire.
Unless we are planning to dump EDS next year, and we might…..I think he should be reinserted. I don’t think starters should lose their jobs from injury….but they should be on a short leash.
October 17th, 2015 at 7:58 am
I’m going to give a shout out to coach koetter who has taken a lot of heat this season. Playing to his strengths and hiding some weaknesses cause there are a few dogs still on that oline. Think about what we had last year and now what we have this year. Some changes but have been rookies with two backups right now. Marpet a diamond in the ruff but still. Way to go coach. Hopefully they can be a strength against some tuff defenses we will play in future weeks
October 17th, 2015 at 9:06 am
DallasBuc
Koetter runs the offense so give up with your Lovie hate this was a positive article but you have to troll give it a break. We are all over it.
October 17th, 2015 at 9:07 am
What I like about this is we potentially have our offensive line of the future, Marpet & Smith, a 26 year old center, Pamphile at right guard & Dotson coming back (although he is 29). But I can see the Bucs drafting a right guard in the next draft in the 2nd or 3rd round, after going DE and CB in rounds 1 & 2.
October 17th, 2015 at 9:21 am
next year, it will be interesting to observe the whole o line components compete…we finally have reasonable depth, and quality. We should draft d line in the first, best o line available in the second, and them go defense the rest of the way, unless a sleeper shows up…
We finally have a foundation to build upon, and the future sure looks bright Tampa!
October 17th, 2015 at 9:36 am
Scheme, scheme, scheme, scheme, scheme. It’s all scheme. Smith is a fat joke. Too dumb to appreciate the stud throwing the ball. Get Dotson back in there when healthy. He’s better than Big G, and with competent play calling a a solid blocking scheme, the line will be ever better with him in there. The offense has been a pleasant surprise overall. Lovie’s defense simply disgusts…I ask you?
October 17th, 2015 at 9:36 am
What Joe is saying is that all three injured OL should sit, because the line is not broken? If a player is performing at a level better than the level of the player who went out with an injury, before they were injured, then yes, that player deserves to continue to start because that would constitute placing the best player in the starting line-up. Has the OL payed better since E Smith left or because Joe Hawley is playing so much better or because the rookies have improved each game and Martin/Sims are playing better? The latter. I challenge any of you to give me your reasons why Gosder Cherilus should start over Demar Dotson, Kevin Pamphile over Logan Mankins or Joe Hawley over Evan Smith? There is absolutely no sound argument that Cherilus should start over Dotson. Period. The same with Pamphile over Mankins. However, everyone can see the writing on the wall that this is going to be Mankins last year as a Buc. To be honest, there is no way Hawley gets the start over E Smith. Smith is simply the better blocker and does not get rag-dolled at times as Hawley has. Either way, who better or more qualified to make the correct decision than Lovie Smith?
October 17th, 2015 at 9:54 am
Barf!
DSmith, mankins (short leash), Hawkley, Ali Bomaye, Dotson.
Simple as that cuz Stone db55 said so…..you candy a$$e$.
October 17th, 2015 at 9:57 am
God bless Dirk Koetter and his magic ways, now if he only knew defense
October 17th, 2015 at 11:20 am
Exactly Cory.
Koetter knows protection.
Koetter and 2 good draft picks make the difference.
Actually 1 good draft pick and 1 great draft pick.
AND of course Winston seems to be “as advertised” too, which helps a lot. I used to be a 3rd degree mason in the MGM (I had to sign off on Joes admission) and I’ve completely embraced Americas QB. I say that with zero sarcasm. Winston brings an urgency that’s palpable, and you see it in the Oline play. He’s also good. He’s better than Glennon.
October 17th, 2015 at 12:36 pm
Amazing there isnt more talk here about Donovan Smith.
He is playing very well, and with the highly sought after Mean streak!!
And Left Tackle is the second hardest position to adjust to, coming out of college. Second only to QB.
The Guy is going to be a great Left tackle
October 17th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
Howasd Cosell
I support the MGM and he should get a chance to play. At least somewhere. He’s a great guy, class act, real pro… Humble.
Winston should be great soon… Not there yet… need more time.
Was really disappointed in Winston recently… Not upset anymore… That’s what we need is smart qb play.
October 17th, 2015 at 1:07 pm
Buclife- Koetter designs and calls the offensive plays. He does not pull rank in roster decisions. So get off my jock tough guy. I wasn’t talking to you and could give a sht if my comments about that incompetent fool running this team isn’t positive enough for you. If you are so tired of hearing how much that lovable loser is ruining this team you are free to stare at something elsewhere.
October 17th, 2015 at 2:20 pm
I always shrug my shoulders when media hypes players over a one game performance. Pamphile is getting all kinds of hype. He doesn’t deserve it until he proves consistency.
And you can bet Kaufman will change his tune the moment Pamphile has one bad game.
My policy is to give props when it is earned. Pamphile had a good (not great) game. He deserves props for that. Anything more, he earns over time.
October 17th, 2015 at 6:53 pm
@DB55 Says –
Barf? “cuz Stone db55 said so…..you candy a$$e$.”
How old are you?
October 17th, 2015 at 8:04 pm
Kick? When has he played well?
October 17th, 2015 at 8:10 pm
The o-line coach needs to ease Smith, Dotson, and Mankins back into the rotation and go with who is playing better in game during second half adjustments.
October 19th, 2015 at 12:24 am
I’m gonna break it down for everyone . Last season Evan smith did nothing good for this team ! This year he did nothing well for this team. He’s a bum. He’s trash . He not worth a damn . He’s in the last year of his contract and seasoned . He never not in any game in TB played better than Hawley has . Last year I counted like 13 sacks allowed just from Evan Dietrich smith. He’s not valuable . So can’t trade him . I mean maybe for like a 6th round pick or something but that’s it . I would try it , but then we gotta find a backup center that’s worthy too start if need be . What’s gonna be really interesting too see is what happens once Demar Dotson comes back ? Cherilous can’t be benched after everything he’s done for Winston and this team , besides he’s not the weakest OT on the team. I would expect too see Demar playing LT and Donovan smith playing LG and just see what happens . That would be a massive line with a lot of talent . Smith was projected as a G anyways fans knew this. His expierence in college was at OT but he was projected too be too slow . Nobody ever really beloved in him enough too be a pro bowler at LT he’s not bad , but not that great . At LG he could be a pro bowler . Big strong and powerful. I’m going with this lineup .
Demar Dotson
Donovan smith
Joe Hawley
Ali Marpet
Gosder cherilous
That would make for a great line . Specially if next year we grabbed a guard in the 3rd and let Marpet play center . Kevin pamphile and Reid fragel as backups . I like the turn around of the line already . From 70 sacks last year too like 30 sacks this year . That’s a pretty sweet improvement if you ask me. Amazing what happens when Evan smith and cousins isn’t in the lineup lol.