Offensive Line Whining
January 16th, 2017
“I’ve got your back, bro.”
When it got to about Thanksgiving, Joe had to tune it out.
The incessant whining and griping and kvetching and b!tching about the Bucs’ offensive line every gameday finally got to Joe. It got so bad on Twitter Joe filtered it out, couldn’t take it any longer.
To listen to Bucs fans freak out, you would have thought the offensive line was the French army in 1940: a total and complete jailbreak.
Joe didn’t think so then, and doesn’t think so now.
In fact, Joe is more convinced than ever all the whining and hollering and rock-throwing and beer-bottle pounding on the bar should have been directed at a guy who cashed a monster check last offseason and let his team down, perhaps even cost his team a playoff berth.
Yes, the Dallas Cowboys have what is perceived to be the best offensive line in the NFL.
Last week, a loyal reader sent Joe a link to NFL stats on offensive lines. Then Joe further realized that all this screaming by way too many Bucs fans was flat out wrong, and no, Joe isn’t required to play pretend coach and misguidedly watch the All-22 film to come to this conclusion.
The Bucs, per NFL.com stats, were No. 18 in the NFL in sacks allowed, giving up 35 this season. That’s a hair over two sacks a game. Not great, but not godawful, either. There is room for improvement.
Then Joe noticed the vaunted Cowboys line, you know, the greatest the NFL has ever seen (some claim), gave up 28 sacks. Wait a minute! You mean the horrid, Swiss-cheese line of the Bucs only allowed seven more sacks than the Berlin Wall in Dallas? That’s not even a sack every two games more than the Bucs! How on earth can this be?
Probably because there are way too many Madden Warriors out there pretending to be offensive line coaches watching All-22 the way Joe watches The Three Stooges on DVR.
Curly may look like he’s getting poked in the eyes by Moe when, in fact, he’s not.
January 16th, 2017 at 10:14 am
Also remember one of the Joes complaining about Joe Hawley. “Complaining” and stating that the guy gets tossed around too often and is the mostly likely to be upgraded are rather different animals. Nothing written here that the O-line is perfect.–Joe
As for sweezy ,it’s very strange how and when injury developed.y
January 16th, 2017 at 10:14 am
Joe our Oline may do OK at pass protection, the jury is still out, but we Flat Out SUCK at runblocking. Sorry but it is what it is.
January 16th, 2017 at 10:18 am
How many sacks did Jameis avoid to make up for a bad line that routinely got beat up the middle?No idea why Joe (probably Lee) keeps defending this unit?
January 16th, 2017 at 10:24 am
Tell it like it is Joe. Yeah the line needs an upgrade here and there. But as it is they get way to much hate. I saw plenty of runs that got “stuffed” where there were holes to be hit.
January 16th, 2017 at 10:24 am
The Offensive line was putrid at best. It has nothing to do with Madden and everything to do with reality. Something Joe clearly doesn’t live in. Please take a look at the Cowboys game tape and tell me you see a decent line. It was so bad that your man crush Jamies was scared for the rest of the season. The evidence was in his rushed passes that fluttered all too often! Jamies out there avoiding sacks and you come at us with Madden insults, open your eyes and act like you watch the same games we do!
January 16th, 2017 at 10:29 am
Because.
We have 2 eyes.
January 16th, 2017 at 10:30 am
@KobeF*cker
That was almost entirely the result of ONE washed up, tired, old man. Gosder Cherilus shoulders that blame single-handed.
January 16th, 2017 at 10:37 am
The great thing about a young team, including the offensive line, is the word the national types never like to factor in.. improvement. Why is it we suddenly got immensely better half-way through the year.. young guys improved. ESPNers want to point to an injury, trade.. something tangible as a reason for a team’s success or failure. Sometimes it’s just learning and experience.
January 16th, 2017 at 10:42 am
If your point Joe is that sacks surrendered reflects the quality of a team’s OLine then I’d have to respectfully disagree. It’s certainly one factor, but only one. Run blocking, pass blocking & even penalties should also factor in I’d think.
For example, Cowboys rushed for 2,396 yds on 499 attempts (4.8 avg) and 24 rushing TDs. Bucs rushed for 1,616 yds on 453 attempts (3.6 avg) and 8 TDs. That’s a pretty big difference in rushing performance, and I’d have to think that the Dallas OLine played a big role in that.
Cowboys passed for 3,631 yds on 483 attempts, with 25 TDs and 6 INTs. Bucs passed for more yds (3,926 yds) but on many more attempts (578) and got 29 TDs against 18 INTs. Looking at fewer sacks and INTs but similar passing game results, it appears that the Cowboys OLine probably did a bit better in terms of pass protection for their rookie QB.
Penalties were roughly the same on the season for both teams. All-in-all though, Cowboys had the #5 ranked offense, and our Bucs had the #18 ranked offense as you said, which is pretty much middle-of-the-pack. If we’re going to become elite and regularly make the playoffs, our OLine has to improve some. We’ve got a great foundation in terms of youth with D. Smith, Marpet and Pamphile, but we still need to upgrade 2 other positions.
January 16th, 2017 at 10:42 am
Just wondering how many more plays the offensive on Dallas played then the Bucs…
January 16th, 2017 at 10:46 am
We don’t have a WALL, so continue to build it, we have pieces but it’s a puzzle, BUILD A WALL, our second & third team running backs faired no better than Doug, BUILD A WALL!! I’ve said there was improvement, if you counting number of wins, but we still need more talent (wide-outs, running backs, o-lineman, d-lineman, safety, kick-returner) find the talent and BUILD A WALL!
January 16th, 2017 at 10:48 am
@BigHogHaynes Are you Donald Trump? You should totes change your name to TrumpHogHaynes.
January 16th, 2017 at 11:06 am
@Joe: you are, of course, correct in your assessment of the Bucs offensive line. You made a historical comparison to the French army in 1940, so I would like to address this idea of a “total and complete jailbreak”. According to historian Dominique Lormier, “Of the 3,000 tanks the Germans deployed, 1,800 were put out of action. Of 3,500 planes they lost 1,600. In a month of fighting they lost 50,000 dead and more than 160,000 wounded. It was a genuine combat.” The French beat the Germans at the Battle of Hannut in Belgium and allowed the British to retreat to Dunkirk. He also quotes a German general, Gen Heinz Guderian: “Despite the major tactical errors of the Allied command, the soldiers put up an obstinate resistance with a spirit of sacrifice worthy of the poilus (French troops) of 1916.” All of this does not change the fact that the Germans defeated the French in quick fashion, and French leaders have tried to distance themselves from those soldiers ever since. Those leaders were wrong because to suggest that the French soldiers laid down before the Germans (like the Bucs offensive line didn’t do either) does a disservice to those French soldiers who fought hard and sacrificed their lives in 1940.
January 16th, 2017 at 11:10 am
@Doctor Stroud
Great post man, Juicy historical info brother.
You should come around more often!
January 16th, 2017 at 11:10 am
The oline couldn’t run block or pass block. That means they kinda sucked. Whining and stating facts based on empirical evidence “are rather different animals”. More of the same endless attempts to run cover for the myopic failures of our overrated GM. Whining about the contradictory opinions that became so onerous that you “couldn’t take it any longer” and had filter it out from da Twitta is hilarious. Wah!
January 16th, 2017 at 11:20 am
Can’t remember a time where Jameis has “all day” like
Rogers often gets to complete a pass.Agree that Jameis prevented at least 5 sacks by escaping the collapsing pocket. Agree with defense’s core players.Believe Hawleys contract is up and that’s a good place to start upgrading.
January 16th, 2017 at 11:21 am
I know you hate PFF and I typically do to, however this is a pretty undeniable stat…
Donovan Smith allowed 57 pressures this year.
Thank god Jameis is good at escaping
January 16th, 2017 at 11:39 am
Is it possible that you, J0E, have set your sights on a running back in the first round and are trying to find ways to justify ignoring the line in that round?
I’m not making an accusation, just wondering. You do tend to latch onto a player each and every year, and usually, the idea of going with another player tends to bother you (at least in these pages).
My stance on the Offensive Line is this: it isn’t good enough. 18th is nowhere near good enough. I think the reasons it isn’t good enough are two-fold…injury-prone player(s) and players who are not good enough in certain spots. For example, I think Joe Hawley is good enough…when he isn’t injured. Even though he plays injured, it does affect his production. And Dotson? I think he’s a combination of injuries and he isn’t good enough. Always overrated.
However, I also do not think we should go Offensive Line with our first pick. I think one of Jason Licht’s strength’s is offensive line talent, and I believe he can find suitable guys undrafted or later in the draft (rounds 2-5).
But…unless things change…I also do not think we should take a running back either. Not in round one. I think there are two top priorities on this team…defensive line and wide receiver.
Now, I think our recent signing from the CFL MIGHT address Vincent Jackson’s absence, but he isn’t a speed guy so far as I know. And I cannot find any great catching speed guys in free agency (yet), so that means the draft or trade.
However, I also believe our number one priority this off season is finding a stud defensive end. Not a guy who is middle of the road…we have plenty of guys like that. We need a huge name with a proven track record who is healthy, or we need to draft one in the first round. JPP would be perfect, but I’m not convinced he’s willing to leave New York.
January 16th, 2017 at 11:40 am
As far as run blocking goes, they weren’t as bad as a lot of fans think they were. If you take Quizz’s production and project it over a 16 game stretch he wouldve had 256 carries for 1,101 yards. Both wouldve been top 10 in the league. IMO the other 4 RBs that had to run the ball this year made them look worse than they are. With that being said, they obviously can still improve.
January 16th, 2017 at 11:40 am
We need a wall…we should make Mexico build it.
January 16th, 2017 at 11:44 am
The simplistic narrative that must be advanced despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary:
Offensive Line GOOD
Doug Martin BAD
January 16th, 2017 at 11:48 am
^^^^^^
January 16th, 2017 at 11:52 am
A middle of the road line led to a middle of the road record. We either need better linemen or for these linemen to play better. Simple as that.
January 16th, 2017 at 11:57 am
Inside of Defense’s analysis: Cowboys offensive line halped Dallas to 20 more touchdowns with 50 or 60 less plays than us.Of corse Elliott is a major reason for that.Upgrade both Oline and and running back.
January 16th, 2017 at 12:00 pm
Far too often Jameis was being pressured, hit or sacked. That could be blamed on the o line, but there is more to it. Part of it could be receivers taking too long to run their routes. One solution is to call plays with quicker routes and a shorter dropback. Or you could go out and find the next Walter Jones, but good luck with that.
January 16th, 2017 at 12:02 pm
meant : helped
January 16th, 2017 at 12:07 pm
I think it was DR or somebody who pointed out correctly that sacks are the result of different things…not just the OL.
Yes #3 may have avoided a few sacks…he’s also responsible for some as well because he hangs on to the ball and just cannot give up on a play. He’s made great strides but not quite there.
How about a group of WR’s who simply NEVER got separation? Are coverage sacks the fault of the OL. How long are they supposed to hold their blocks?
As for how horrid our OL was in run blocking can someone explain how a guy off the street..Quizz…can rush for a YARD more per carry than our seven million dollar man behind the same line?
And so BucBonzai I appreciate your desire to beef up the Oline and do not disagree I must confess if we select an RB I won’t be that upset. Again when a backup can rush for a yard more than your stud behind the same line something is wrong at the RB position.
We have a lot of spots up in the air. The OL could come together next year and be excellent. If Benenoch could break in and we get to bench Dot…Pamphile…Smith and Marpet give us four young solid building blocks.
If Sweezy comes back we have a decent OL. Would we like it to be better sure. But we could become a top ten OL.
January 16th, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Joe you should think about how manyou tackles and scrambles (hurries) Jameis had. He did a really good job not getting sacked. I guarantee you other qbs would of been sacked way more times.
January 16th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
How many times was JW hit or played Houdini to keep from getting sacked, so I am not sure the number of sacks tell the story, I am all about letting this line grow, minus Hawley, but the number of times our backs faced a defensive lineman in their path just as they got the ball, we have to improve.
January 16th, 2017 at 12:34 pm
@Stpetebucsfan
I think the issue with Sweezy for fans is that most of us do not know what to expect, or if he will even still be in Tampa. He was said to be good, but needed development at the position.
I don’t discount the possibility that he can be the answer at the position, but that still leaves an unhealthy center (though I love Hawley and think if healthy he can be great), and a starting right tackle that we cannot depend on to be on the field all year and even if he is, he is only ‘okay’ at his job.
But again, my priority is defensive line, namely defensive end.
January 16th, 2017 at 12:37 pm
Rrsrq Says
“I am all about letting this line grow, minus Hawley…”
Hawley is actually very good in his role. The issue with him was injuries. He’s a beast and played through them, but the injuries made him less effective. He lost strength for one thing…probably because of the pain.
I don’t know the precise nature of his injuries, but if he can get healthy and stay healthy, he can be very good.
January 16th, 2017 at 12:40 pm
Honestly I don’t think our pass blocking was that bad. I’d say about average. I never really said the line was terrible either – but they were a major culprit in the run game imo which Joe never really seemed to agree with even though we all were watching countless negative run plays where the interior and right side of the line in particular were blown up.
The thing about “pressure” stat is – when did they get pressure? Winston’s average snap to pass time is probably much higher than other QBs or other offenses that use a lot more slants / screens (which we could use more of – but we need better players who can get YAC).
So when Winston gets 3-4 seconds to throw; and then a DE finally pressures him to roll out; which happened a ton of times; does that count as a “pressure” given up by Donavon Smith? If so then that stat means absolutely nothing to me.
To me the one stat that can’t be twisted was the stuff % where we were basically last in the NFL in terms of the % of run plays where our back got hit behind the LOS. That’s all on the line and lack of execution
PFF thinks we’re the 23rd best O-line or something. For how young it is i can live with that. 1-2 upgrades in the next year or so + growth in the youth we have and we’ll be fine on the line for a while imo
January 16th, 2017 at 1:18 pm
Lol at anyone who thinks this line played well because jameis was sacked only 25 times. Stevie wonder can see that jameis was running for his life and he is good at avoiding the pressure. That stat does not show how many times he was hit because hawley or smith was beat as soon as the ball was snapped. That sack stat does not show how many drive killing penalties that smith and dotson commited. To the uneducated, that too is included in how well the oline performed. Too funny
January 16th, 2017 at 1:21 pm
We’ve gone through this a million times joe. You bring 1 stat to say the o line is awesome and we being out 15 to say they arent.
How many sacks did winston avoid where other QBs would have gone down like a sack of potatoes? At least 2 per game?
How many hits did winston endure over the course of the season?
Where do the bucs rank at Yards per carry (excluding Martins stats)?
Answer those questions and see where the o line stacks up.
January 16th, 2017 at 1:22 pm
All one has to do is look at how much time arron rodgers has to throw the ball. Did anyone see the packers giants playoff game? The giants have a very good pass rush. There were myltiple times rodgers had 8 – 10 seconds to throw. That is a good pass protecting oline and not the bucs. Good grief
January 16th, 2017 at 1:28 pm
anyone that even thinks the run blocking was even halfway decent this year is blind as a bat
January 16th, 2017 at 2:02 pm
The pass blocking was OK, but the run blocking sucked!
January 16th, 2017 at 2:13 pm
Oh please Webster. I LOVE #3! He is NOT Aaron Rodgers! He will never be Aaron Rodgers or have the same ability to move and escape in the pocket. Rodgers is the best at that I can remember in a long time. Russell Wilson..perhaps next best?
Aaron Rodgers gets 8 seconds not because of his OL but because he’s a freaking wizard…he escapes the first rushers…then he moves…if the backers come up to stop him he throws it over their heads…if they all lay back he runs it for a 5-10 yard gain.
Did you watch the game last night? Dallas tried rushing 3 and dropping 8 back and Rodgers ate them a new one. The did is just the best at the moment.
I have hopes one day #3 will be the best. He’ll do it with a different skill set than Rodger though.
January 16th, 2017 at 2:23 pm
Think about this…defenses were only worried about Mike Evans as a receiving threat. They could double up on ME13 man up everywhere else and bring extra heat to the line of scrimmage. If we get at least one more receiving threat they have to back off and respect the passing.
As far as the draft is concerned its going to depend on who falls to 19 which is largely going to depend on how free agency shakes out.
January 16th, 2017 at 2:37 pm
BucBonzai
We’re probably pretty close on draft desires except maybe RB.
I hope we get some speed on the outside with either Pryor or Jackson.
I’d like to get some more speed in the backfield with Dalvin…
After those two desires I’m pretty much with you…BPA on either line…given the lack of great OL prospects this year that probably means DL. And I’m with you on the DE…given our history since Simeon I feel you can never get too many DE’s in camp.
January 16th, 2017 at 2:43 pm
Joe,
To your point that the offensive line is not bad because of the number of sacks allowed:
First credit goes to Jameis Winston. Much has been made about his production outside the pocket. He either escape and makes a play or gets rid of the ball before getting sacked. I do not claim to watch all the film either, but the film that is available online such as Winston’s touchdown passes clearly shows Winston making throws by escaping defensive linemen that the offensive linemen were beaten by. Many people declare that Winston is inaccurate. If you look at the Patriots v Texans playoff game this past weekend, a valid comparison can be made. Tom Brady completed less than half his pass due to the pressure he was under. Brady also had two interceptions. Imagine Brady playing every game under that type of pressure like Winston does. Winston throws so many accurate passes in tight windows under pressure not to be an accurate passer. Winston will not be able to settle into a rhythm until the offensive line improves. On run plays, the some on that offensive line needs to want. I have seen plays that were perfectly designed and would have made gained a lot of yardage but the offensive linemen did not want it. As far as the offensive line, I am only sold on Ali Marphet.
January 16th, 2017 at 3:06 pm
Would like to draft or aquire a RT. Cost us a real opportunity to beat dem boys.
January 16th, 2017 at 3:13 pm
I agree with TampaTony near the top, Jameis avoided a LOT of sacks. The line was really bad again this year. Wouldn’t even be mad if we were to make a move for another T.
January 16th, 2017 at 3:23 pm
Would love the LG from CIN or the LG from DAL
January 16th, 2017 at 3:44 pm
@ st. pete
The stats say jameis is one of the best when it comes to to throwing outside the pocket. Jenna laine had an article this year that talked about the amount of tds he had thrown outside the pocket and how that many had not been done since farve. I would say that makes winston a wizard in his own right. Obviously you misunderstood my post. I was not talking about rodgers being a wizard. I was talking about him standing stationary without being rushed at all and he had 8 – 9 seconds to wait for a receiver to get open. Winston was not afforded that luxury.
January 16th, 2017 at 3:50 pm
Oline was not good enough as a unit in 2016 – plain and simple.
The tackle play on both sides was subpar and we need a bigger, healthier, more talented center.
January 16th, 2017 at 3:56 pm
@ st pete
On some of the plays in the highlight below, look how long he is standing before he even attempts to manipulate the pocket. Understand these are just highlights. There were countless plays that he had 7 + seconds to throw. Aikman even made mention to the protection rodgers gets and how they have maybe the 2nd best line and he was not talking about rodger’s wizadry.
https://youtu.be/Y95EJXVYLwE
January 16th, 2017 at 4:20 pm
Jameis is also one of the best at getting out of pressure. I believe D. Smith can improve and I’d like to see what Sweezy will be able to do, but a top RT would certainly help. Or if they feel like moving Smith to RT and bringing in a top LT I’d be even more excited. I’m not sure what Pamphile’s situation will be next year either.
January 16th, 2017 at 4:29 pm
I was just listening to dumeg on the radio and this guy seriously just said to not take a wr in the 1st round and take a CENTER. LOL what a joke. He also said that we should draft dalvin cook IN THE 2ND ROUND !!?? I don’t know where people come up with this stuff, but it’s embarrassing
January 16th, 2017 at 5:01 pm
Dang Webster thanks for proving MY point.
I watched your highlights. First one…at 3.5 seconds the pocket collapses…Rodgers makes an adjustment and his footwork buys another 4 seconds…NOT his OL. Second highlight ball is out in 1 second.
Third highlight 3.5 seconds the pocket collapses and again Rodgers moves around deftly and almost effortlessly to buy those extra seconds you’re talking about…not his OL.
Yes the announcers talk about the time he has to throw and certainly his OL deserve some credit but NO OL in the league is regularly providing 8 freaking seconds. In the NFL you are supposed to have the ball out in 3.5 or so…with ANY OL.
Coincidence is not the same as causation. #3 may like throwing on the run…that’s great..doesn’t mean he was forced to run. We’d have to look at tape and see how much time he had before rolling…was he forced…did he hold the ball because WR’s were not getting open…does he just PREFER to throw on the run? NOBODY…I mean NOBODY compares #3’s mobility to Aaron Rodgers. It’s not an insult to #3. Tom Brady is a freaking statue back there as was Peyton Manning and #3 is way better than either.
Sorry but there is nobody as gifted as Rodgers at moving around and buying time.
January 16th, 2017 at 5:13 pm
Pocket did not colapse. He just side step, but there was one in his face or at his feet. His blockers was still in front of the man. Winston would have been running because two rushers would have been making a b line to him. Totally different.
January 16th, 2017 at 5:14 pm
No one in his face or at his feet for at least 7 seconds
January 16th, 2017 at 5:15 pm
And those are highlights. Other dropbacks are not on the “highlight” real when he is not forced to move at all
January 16th, 2017 at 5:22 pm
Pass blocking wasn’t good enough IMO
January 16th, 2017 at 5:29 pm
St pete
The first highlight only one guy remotel put pressure on due to a bullrush in 3.5 seconds, but the tackle stayed in front of him. The other 3 dlineman were held at bay for 7 seconds. The center had his man 15 yards away from rodgers. Thats not a collapse pocket. Thats called pressure from one man. On the highlight at the 2 minute mark rodgers did not release the ball until the 2.06 mark with no pressure. He dropped straight back and side stepped light pressure from his blind side again with his blocker still in front of his man. That happens more times than not for him due to the play of his oline
January 16th, 2017 at 5:52 pm
Ok Webster I hear ya,
We can settle this with two questions. Maybe I’m simply misreading you,
A couple of questions.
1.) Do you believe that #3’s mobility compares to Aaron Rodgers?
2.) Do you believe any OL in the league can give QB’s 8 seconds with ANY consistency?
January 16th, 2017 at 6:22 pm
Jameis is more than mobile enough. He just looks akward when he runs. The play against the bears proves he is mobile enough. I do not see nothing wrong with the bucs wanting a line like the patriots where brady hardly ever has to scramble and when he does he is toast because he is no where near as moble as jameis. I will take the oakland oline. How often was carr sacked? Do you remember manning’s olines? I believe you can have an above average pass protecting oline especially when you have a franchise qb. Its mandatory.
January 16th, 2017 at 6:57 pm
Joe,
Wasn’t Jameis among the most hit and pressured QB’s in the league.
If you will argue that sacks are a bit misleading in stats for defense, than you can’t write off the hits and pressures on a qb when evaluating the offensive line.
A hit is a damn near sack…which is why our D-line is viewed as much improved.
Give me the hits and pressures on Dak vs Winston Joe…then we will see who is better evaluating the o-line.
Oh…and let’s not compare the run game of a rookie RB to a stable of vet rib’s….or shall we?
January 16th, 2017 at 6:57 pm
The line needs to improve….period.
January 16th, 2017 at 6:58 pm
OK Webster…we’re not that far apart I suspect.
I totally agree that #3′ running ability and is movement in the pocket is underrated. I also believe as he matures and make better decisions that is only going to get better. He’s simply no Aaron Rodgers who is as efficient as any QB I’ve ever seen in the pocket. Again no slam on #3.
Rodgers is getting very close to HOF statuus. #3 is still a pup. As someone pointed out both Brady and Rodgers were still learning on the bench at #3’s age and #3 already has two years experience. It’s all good! He doesn’t need to be another Aaron Rodgers…if he’s the best #3 he can be we’re golden.
January 16th, 2017 at 7:01 pm
Go ahead and pull up total time of possession on offense for both teams as well through the season…don’t worry I’ll wait!
January 16th, 2017 at 7:16 pm
@ st pete
Do not forget, the less amount of times a qb is pressured leads to his comfortability in the pocket. We saw brady last year in the afc championship look lost because ware, miller and company were applying constant pressure. Take a look at the 2 super bowls brady lost to the giants when constant pressure was applied. He did not look like an HOFamer. The young pup as you call him is feeling pressure constantly. Rodgers is great no doubt, but his greatness is magnified by him not being under constant pressure which means the game is moving slow. Give your franchise qb time without him speeding up that internal clock and you will see how great he is or truly can be.
January 16th, 2017 at 8:00 pm
I think most of the complaining about the o-line is how they played this year in comparison to last year. Last year they were a huge huge shock, they were picked by many to be the worst line in football, yet somewhere were one of the best. In 2016 however they returned to the middle of the pack, which is probably about where they belong. In 2015 they played that cupcake AFC South line-up, this year they did not (for the record since the beginning of 2015 the Titans have played the easiest schedule in the league, but 21st in 2015 and 32nd in 2016). Playing better teams makes a big difference but so does play calling. Dirk wasn’t a good play caller this year – he got stuck in ruts of calling the same players in the same situations over and over and over again. This is I believe his first season in the NFL when not in the skybox in quite a while and I think it hurt his ability to call plays, hopefully they’ll address that.
In my opinion the Bucs are set at LT and RG, and basically every other position is up for grabs. Hawley just isn’t very consistent and gets injured like 3 times a game – I think that also has a lot to do with the stability of the o-line. LG play was OK, better than you expect when you have a huge FA bust, but honestly it wouldn’t shock me to see the Bucs pick up multiple offensive linemen this offseason. They’re not awful, but in particular when in the running game they were not good – certainly not on first down when Dirk loved to call that same run up the middle play 84% of the time.
January 16th, 2017 at 8:12 pm
I agree with the idea that if Jameis were getting substantially better protection on pass plays – that he would be playing and succeeding at a whole nother level.
Yes he’s deceivingly capable at scrambling, buying time to make plays downfield and running when necessary.
But Winston is at his best when he’s got a clean pocket with enough time to get to his 2nd or 3rd read and step into the throw. Give him anything resembling that (which he hasn’t had regularly since 2013 btw) and this QB will make dynamic and accurate throws that create game changing plays week in and week out.
Give Jameis Winston an Oline resembling the Cowboys line and a few good weapons to work with and watch how special this Quarterback can be…
January 16th, 2017 at 10:16 pm
Joel
You are being pretty ignorant here. No one has claimed the cowboys line to be all World in pass protection. They are very good. They are awesome at run blocking and that’s where the bucs took a big step back.
Look at the film. D linemen constantly in the backfield during handoffs. No push on 1 yard yogo situations.
January 16th, 2017 at 11:47 pm
First rd I want either an Offensive lineman, Safety, DT, LB or slot WR/KR…
I want a big guard, center or left tackle!
January 16th, 2017 at 11:48 pm
But I gotta disagree with you Joe, we need offensive line help!
January 17th, 2017 at 12:39 am
I have to disagree also. Jameis has attempted 1102 passes through 2 seasons. He’s been hit 218 times, and sacked 62 times. Nearly 25% clip, that every time he drops back, he’s getting hit, or sacked.
Since Dallas was mentioned, they gave up 28 sacks, and 69 QB hits…40 less.
There are some pieces already here, just shore it up.
January 17th, 2017 at 12:48 am
Where did my post go?