“Toughness” Anchors
May 17th, 2016
Tough, says an ex-Buccaneer.
Let’s not forget retired Logan Mankins drove the mentality for the successful Buccaneers’ offensive line. Good luck finding a Tampa Bay player or coach to say otherwise.
Without Mankins, the Bucs will need to maintain their identity. Yes, the O-line was that solid, despite what the stats nerds claim.
Is losing Mankins’ physical, edgy presence a big reason why the Bucs pounced on Seahawks’ guard J.R. Sweezy in free agency? Because Sweezy plays through whistles, and brings an attitude of destruction with his Super Bowl ring? That’s got to be part of it.
Former tight end Anthony Becht, who works for the Buccaneers’ official website and radio network, sees Ali Marpet and Sweezy as the guys who will carry the “toughness” torch for the 2016 O-line. That’s what Becht told the giant audience of SiriusXM NFL Radio earlier this month.
Becht said he’s confident the Bucs balance true toughness at guard. complemented by “that athleticism on the edges” from Demar Dotsona and Donovan Smith to counter modern speed rushers.
Those who listen to Becht’s commentary over the years know he’s hardly a lollipops-and-daisies analyst. Sure, Becht trends a little pro-Bucs, but he always holds a high standard for the O-line, as most tight ends would.
Joe thinks Marpet is tough as nails, despite missing a few starts with an ankle sprain last year. But remember, he had a mystery surgery this offseason and won’t be seen on the field until training camp. That’s a red flag until the Bucs fully explain otherwise.
May 17th, 2016 at 12:28 pm
oline will be solid…that’s the least of my worries….GO BUCS!!!
May 17th, 2016 at 12:32 pm
Sweezy is still learning the guard position, he mostly played on the D-Line in HS and College. That what makes him a nasty, tough O-Lineman, we may rush for 2500 yards this season.
May 17th, 2016 at 12:35 pm
O-line is something that should be worried about every year, especially when you just replaced!!!! And every year there are injuries, so the only question is who???
May 17th, 2016 at 1:20 pm
@realist….no worries…..one word….pamphile….GO BUCS!!!
May 17th, 2016 at 2:18 pm
I am less worried about our Oline than I have been for years…..I actually think we have some depth….
Pamphile, Cherilus & Benenoch on the bench…..
May 17th, 2016 at 2:44 pm
Still I agree the Marpet injury may be worse than thought for such a young player. The silence on that injury is deafening.
May 17th, 2016 at 3:20 pm
they’ll need to be tough just to come all the way back from their respective lower body injuries. fingers crossed that their recovery from injuries\surgeries doesn’t linger into the season
May 17th, 2016 at 3:26 pm
Don’t we get Joe Hawley and Evan Smith back as well. That should give us some Oline depth
May 17th, 2016 at 3:37 pm
Logan was a great leader, but I believe the O-line will improve significantly this year. Based on the growth of Donovan and Ali as well as the addition of Sweezy. He(Sweezy) will bring the big hammer to work every day. Ali and Sweezy are two beast that will grade a lot of bumps out of the road. Doug may think he stepped on to a super highway this season.
May 17th, 2016 at 3:46 pm
Marpet is young and strong. Whatever his injury and subsequent surgery – I’m sure he will heal quickly and be at full capabilities come September. Hopefully our Oline can take another step forward this year and become a legit strength of this team. Seeing is believing – but I was very pleasantly surprised at how well that group came together and played last year – especially with the late additions of Cherilus and Hawley.
May 17th, 2016 at 3:55 pm
Agreed K2 – Mankins was the leader and a blue chip worker, but I believe Sweezy swings a bigger hammer and will move the pile past the whistle. I hope that he and Ali become very close and thrive on mauling everyone in their way.
May 17th, 2016 at 4:01 pm
what if we trained Benenoch to play center? Isn’t that guy like 6’4′ 325lbs? Talk about road graders! Skull dragging dirt naps for you
May 17th, 2016 at 4:42 pm
When Pamphile was pressed into duty last year we would have noticed if he weren’t capable. I didn’t specifically watch but our oppision had to be trying to take advantage. Morale is we have the guard position covered if Marpet can’t suit up. Pamphile can play outside too.
I’ve read Pamphile is working at the C position too. You would think if Marpet is in bad shape Pamphile would be mostly concerned with playing guard rather then learning center.
May 17th, 2016 at 5:47 pm
Rememebr this time last year we were all dreading how our O-line would look, then an actual offensive coordinator and two rookies and one washed up old vet came in and made them look much better????
Shows how fast things can change in this league with the right coaching and management…something I am SO glad the Bucs have both of now…
GO BUCS!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2016 at 3:29 am
I like that kid Fallin his college cut up look good.
May 18th, 2016 at 3:44 am
I thinks the Oline will be our X-factor this year. LT D.Smith RG Sweezy C Hawley RG Marpet RT Dotson…….LT Gos LG Garret C Evan RG Pamphile RT Caleb with Taylor added to that mix. I think we got 2 starting Olines.
May 18th, 2016 at 3:58 am
Joe One more thing I think our line is enter changeable. We could have a O.G Oline and Young Buc Oline. LT Dotson LG Garret C Hawley RG Evan LT Gos-O.G’s. LT Smith LG Sweezy C Pamphile RG Marpet RT Caleb and Taylor Fallin is our Do it all swing linemen. I just made myself happy. Licht’em up!