The Kevin Pamphile Era Begins
March 7th, 2016
Your new starting left guard.
So long-time NFL stud left guard Logan Mankins is hanging it up and retiring to his ranch. Joe wishes him the best. Really good dude.
Mankins came to the Bucs under very trying circumstances and was a pro’s pro the entire time.
Mankins literally went from the NFL penthouse to the doghouse, traded from the eventual Super Bowl champs, the New England Belicheats, to the soon-to-be picking No. 1 overall Bucs. Mankins was shell-shocked when he arrived — Joe will never forget his press conference just before a preseason game in 2014 when Mankins looked like someone ran over his dog — but Mankins never griped or whined one bit.
So who replaces him? That would be Kevin Pamphile.
Once labeled by Joe as one of the two Milk Cartons, Pamphile rebounded from an invisible rookie season to have a solid second year in the NFL, backing up Mankins, logging a pair of starts and playing in every game, largely in jumbo formations as a sixth linemen.
One reason Joe is happy Pamphile is now the starter is because Joe won’t hear 20 times a game, “No. 64 is an eligible receiver. No. 64 is an eligible receiver.”
As much as he was declared an eligible receiver each game, Pamphile just once wanted to catch a pass, Joe remembers Pamphile telling him late in the season. Alas, Pamphile may never be thrown a pass now as the starting left guard. Frankly, Pamphile couldn’t be any worse than misplaced Calgary Stampeder Donteaa Dye.
Donovan Smith stated he learned so much from Mankins and that he trusted Mankins fully when offensive line calls were made. Smith said he learned to just shut up and listen to whatever Mankins spoke.
One could argue without Mankins that Smith, horribly misjudged by stat geeks and those who for whatever twisted reason believe he should play right tackle (why???), will have a setback. Maybe. Joe has been told by those who know at One Buc Palace that right tackle Gosder Cherilus was as much a factor in Smith’s development as anyone.
Joe learned Cherilus took Smith under his wing and became his big brother and that the two are very tight as a result.
While Joe hates to see Mankins go, there is no sleep to be lost. Pamphile will be just fine.
March 7th, 2016 at 1:13 pm
The guy deserves a shot. But I would still add a solid guard via F
March 7th, 2016 at 1:13 pm
Hold your horses there Josesph, I wouldnt be surprised if Evan Smith is our starting left guard week one.
March 7th, 2016 at 1:14 pm
via free agency…
March 7th, 2016 at 1:14 pm
You got this Kevin! Make us proud!
March 7th, 2016 at 1:21 pm
Still not sure how many o linemen on the roster are championship quality. Maybe none, but probably no more than one or two.
March 7th, 2016 at 1:28 pm
It will be interesting to see if Pamphile or Evan Smith ends up starting as LG, or possibly a new FA or draftee. One thing for sure, we need to add at least 2 more lineman for depth.
March 7th, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Agreed ‘unbelievable’. Even before Mankin’s retirement, we still need to add depth. This move cements that now.
March 7th, 2016 at 2:10 pm
Kevin looks the part, strong, lean and mean! Put in the work K-DOG, I believe in the makings of a Pro-Bowler!!
March 7th, 2016 at 3:16 pm
He deserves a shot at it but certainly hasn’t earned a starting position based on a couple okay games and some snaps as a TE.
Competition is paramount.
March 7th, 2016 at 3:39 pm
K. Osmele should get a call from the Bucs he is young started every game since being drafted the Ravens cant afford to keep him he can tackle or guard.
March 7th, 2016 at 3:51 pm
You must be talking to the wrong people. 🙂
March 9th, 2016 at 7:59 am
There’s no way we let Evan Smith become our starting left guard. That would.kean the bucs found no one to add to the line and.Evan out performed Pamphile wich I doubt he will. Kevin. Remind me of Big Dot. He was a low draft pick(5th rd.) from a small school ( although Dotson went undrafted I believe). And we’re former basketball players so they had athletic and promising ability but were raw, And the Bucs took the time to devolop them into starters. After successfully molding Dotson into one of the better offensive linemen in the league it looks like they are doing the same with Kevin.