Dotson Knows Time Is Short
August 10th, 2016
Closer to end than beginning.
Listening to Bucs coach Dirk Koetter in the early weeks of training camp, he has singled out right tackle Demar Dotson for being a beast and tossing around defensive linemen.
Dotson is the graybeard of the Bucs. He was signed as an undrafted free agent just a few short months after Raheem Morris was named head coach. He will be 31 in October and is in the final year of his contract.
Who knows where Dotson will be this time next year? And 31 for an NFL lineman is senior citizen territory and Dotson knows it.
Yesterday, Dotson all but admitted he’s reaching back for whatever is left is his gas tank as he knows his days in the NFL, and perhaps with the Bucs as well, are quickly vanishing.
“Oh yeah, because I’m not getting any younger, man,” Dotson said about a renewed energy. “I’m just trying to make the most of the last opportunities that I have and realize that time is short, based on what happened last year [getting injured]. I didn’t expect to get hurt. I thought I was going to be out there and things happened.
“It brings life into a perspective for you to realize you’ve got to appreciate every snap and every play, because you never know which one is going to be your last. So I just come out here and fight and battle every day and just compete.”
If Dotson can finish this season the way he has begun training camp, Joe finds it easy to believe Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht would want Dotson back, at least for a short-term contract.
Usually, a player Dotson’s age goes wherever the money is, as Dotson’s next contract very likely is his last NFL pact.
August 10th, 2016 at 9:42 am
DeMar Dotson wrecked practice.
August 10th, 2016 at 9:45 am
🍻Here’s to hoping Dot balls out and earns that short term deal.
August 10th, 2016 at 10:30 am
if he proves he’s worth something like 10 to 14 million over 2 seasons, i think that’s very doable with today’s cap, will be more money than he’s maybe earned in his career to date, and clears him off the books by the time Donovan Smith’s contract is due. He doesn’t have the typical wear on his body of a 31 year old tackle because he had no HS or college footbal career, so it’s not impossible
August 10th, 2016 at 10:41 am
That’s what I like about Football. The best guy plays. The coaches job is on the line every year, so he doesn’t play favorites. If he does (Hi Lovie), he’s (history) yesterday’s news.
August 10th, 2016 at 10:44 am
I would like to see us sign him for 2-3 more years. He is a beast & can be a veteran leader.
August 10th, 2016 at 11:56 am
If the intention is to keep Dotson around beyond this year, the smart move would be to extend his contract by 2 years and include a raise for this year. This will help keep the price down for the length of the contract and in exchange, Dot will be getting substantially more $ this year than the $1.75M he is due to earn.
$12M spread over 3 years sound about right.
August 10th, 2016 at 1:20 pm
He is 31 yes, but remember he didn’t really play much football in college. He’s got considerably less tread on the tires than your average 31 year old tackle. I think he could easily play to 34-35 if he keeps his body in shape and has the desire.
August 10th, 2016 at 7:06 pm
Michael Phelps is his age and just kicked butt. Go Dot!
August 11th, 2016 at 3:38 am
Lol the 180 on Dotson this offseason after basically saying he was awful prior is nice to read.
He is capable of being our most consistent lineman like he always was prior to the injury. Glad he’s got his form back.