Sweezy Still Shrouded In Mystery
February 10th, 2017
“Jason, what’s this guy’s deal? I already cut a check to All Children’s Hospital.”
Do the Bucs have a hole in their front line or do they have depth?
The answer to that question might be found in the answer to the J.R. Sweezy riddle.
The big-time free agent guard signee from last year, Sweezy has yet to snap on a chin strap in practice. He was a complete and total no-go after back surgery.
The Bucs have been so secretive about Sweezy since it was first learned he had a bum back, that Sweezy updates have become nearly as difficult to dig up as Rachel Watson’s cell phone number.
So what’s the deal with Sweezy? Multimedia maven Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com is looking under rocks for answers.
As Koetter noted, it’s impossible to know how confident [the Bucs] feel about Sweezy until he begins practicing again, but at least now it appears the team will get an opportunity to make that evaluation.
Well, there is a whole lotta hope in that paragraph and we all know what Joe thinks of that word “hope.”
If Sweezy returns, Joe can easily see Sweezy playing right guard and Ali Marpet being moved to center.
If Sweezy can’t play, the Bucs likely will be in the market for a center.
Joe suspects what Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht does in free agency will be telling in relation to Sweezy.
Of course, not one person has any idea about Sweezy until he steps on the field. The practice field, that is.
February 10th, 2017 at 5:33 am
I find it hard to imagine that Sweezy’s career is over. He’s still fairly young.
Yea – the whole thing feels like we got snakebit at this point because we’ve never even seen the guy with a Helmet on – and I think we’re all still gunshy about stuff like this because of how badly the Carl Nicks situation turned out.
The (short) word from Sweezy not long ago was that he feels like he’s on track and fully expects to (and is eager to) play in 2017.
Perhaps he’s being optimistic and his back is still an issue. But I would prefer to take him at his word and assume JR will be available and will be the player we thought we were buying – just a year later than expected.
Fingers crossed….
February 10th, 2017 at 5:39 am
Hope Sweezy plays this season but what caught my attention was one of your lines in the link above: “Just on Lovie’s ability to get production out of players, the Bucs can only get better. Hell, last year was so miserable, the Bucs could double their win total from 2013, and still not have a winning record.”
WOW!
February 10th, 2017 at 6:22 am
You dont wait to see how he does…..you replace him in fa and the draft. You take no chances.
February 10th, 2017 at 6:49 am
Does Sweezy actually even exist? I am telling you it is a conspiracy.
February 10th, 2017 at 7:07 am
@Kevin…I concur sir
February 10th, 2017 at 8:50 am
Do bad backs ever get better???
February 10th, 2017 at 9:01 am
Joes —
Whatever happened to the MRSA kicker? There was going to be a lawsuit the last the public heard.
For that matter, what was the result on J. Freeman’s appeal? Did he call The Big Dog as his character witness?
February 10th, 2017 at 9:05 am
Out of football.
February 10th, 2017 at 9:11 am
At this point you have to proceed as if he won’t be the same player he was before the injury. A new Center is an absolute must.
February 10th, 2017 at 9:17 am
Sweezy was not going to play center!
February 10th, 2017 at 9:20 am
As to Sweezy, I say the Bucs keep him and see what they can get out of him.
Right tackle is the Oline’s largest weak spot.
Center? That depends on Hawley. People here sometimes say he suck, but he really doesn’t. He is an excellent center…when he isn’t injured. His issue was that he has been playing injured, toughing it out. But his injuries affected his quality of play.
So, the Bucs need to determine if his injuries can be completely overcome, and if not…keep him as depth but bring in a new starter (competition)
February 10th, 2017 at 9:43 am
He was cleared to Practice like a month ago, no? Of course they’re going to keep him. I don’t understand the point of debating anything regarding Seeezey.
February 10th, 2017 at 9:58 am
Just speculation….but to not want him around the team at all makes me think he may have had the procedure and ended up with MRSA. Not sure if the Bucs have settled those past law suits for the MRSA outbreak that ended one kicker’s career but if they haven’t, it would make sense to keep another case out of the headlines. The entire ailment has been minimally described by both team officials, coaches and players…..There’s more to it then just a bad back. Injuries happen, its football, he’s a linemen….just look at Gronkowski. Guy got a big contract and cant stay healthy….Patriots are very upfront about it. To hide Sweezy the way they have, there’s something else going on and MSRA is certainly a scenario you would want to keep under wraps.
February 10th, 2017 at 10:27 am
Hawley is too small. I like his guts, but he gets overpowered too often at the point of attack. It’s a major liability in the OL
February 10th, 2017 at 10:37 am
What a huge eff up this guy is. Since our GM is exempt from taking any responsibility for poor decision making maybe we can pin this on incompetent Lovie Smith too?
February 10th, 2017 at 11:12 am
What will the Bucs get out of Easy Money Sweezy? Nothing. Nothing at all But a..Big fat smile and a few..end around moves to the bank to cash his..easy Money! The guy has chronic back problems people. At the NFl level, you do not recover enough to play consistently or give a whole seasons effort. My man Sweez is a Bust. He’s collecting millions while rehabbing and smokin a few bowls for pain (of course). My man..EASY..MONEY..SWEEZY! drop him ..like a bad habit.
February 10th, 2017 at 11:46 am
J.R Sweezy hasn’t played football, or had any type of football contact for over a year. This is a serious injury, there is nothing minor about back surgery. We still don’t know, exactly what type of back surgery he had. Why is it such a big secret?. There’s more to this that meet the eye. I’m not confident of his return, there’s too many negatives and no positives.
February 10th, 2017 at 11:58 am
Yes backs get better. Coach k just had back surgery and is 70 and feels great. Backs can get better with surgery. It happens that some don’t recover but a lot of success stories out there. Means nothing for sweezy
February 10th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
Man lovie is STILL getting b.js on here????
February 10th, 2017 at 12:19 pm
Sure back problems can get better with time. Since Sweezy’s condition is so secretive who knows really anything about his current or long-term recovery. Even if he went under the knife does not guarantee future free problems. I still want to know if Licht knew about his back problem before signing him. From my experience with herniated discs one can live with it without surgery, then you have to know how far you can push the exertion. Football and back problems, the end of effectiveness usually.
February 10th, 2017 at 12:35 pm
CONTINUE TO BUILD A WALL! Sweet is just another BRICK in the WALL! We’ve waited……if he can’t be a starter here ..it’s time to move on ….we can’t wait any longer …..the time has come to BUILD A WALL!………but not in Mexico!…dumb ass!!!
February 10th, 2017 at 1:14 pm
@Broy34
Coach K isnt going up against 300 lb DTs tho lol
February 10th, 2017 at 2:14 pm
He’s been medically cleared to participate in football activities as of a few weeks ago. It’s wait and see if he has all his power back by the time training camp arrives. Wish the man luck.
February 10th, 2017 at 2:24 pm
The idea that there’s some nefarious cover-up is a little crazy. No team reveals injury information except that which is required by the league, so that explains the lack of info. I’m as curious as anyone, but I’m not blaming Licht or Sweezy. Sh!t happens.
February 10th, 2017 at 4:37 pm
Tiger Woods was cleared to return to golf, close to 3 years ago, after his 1st back surgery. And here we are after 2 more back surgeries and years of rest and he still can’t complete 18 holes of golf without horrific pain.
February 10th, 2017 at 4:47 pm
YEP..You hit it spot on there LakelandBuc. And Sweezy is no Tiger Woods!! Chronic back issues and the NFL pounding do not match well. You can stick a fork in ole Sweez. He’ll got last yrs salary and the upcoming one..for free. Just watch him return only to be sidelined and rehabbed again. But hey, he got over..He got his Money for nothing and his chicks for free!!
February 10th, 2017 at 7:47 pm
I agree with you BigHog, build up the O Line and do not build a wall in Mexico. You have to build it on the American side! 😃 LOL!
February 10th, 2017 at 9:32 pm
Dont think they are gonna move Marpet. Way too happy with him at guard.
If Sweezy comes back( I hope), then he goes to Left guard.
In that case- Pamphile goes to Right Tackle, and we draft a center.
And we have a young, talented line- that has several years playing TOGETHER, which is very important.
If Sweezy doesnt play here- then Marpet and Pamphile stay at Guard.
Then we look for a Right tackle and a center
February 11th, 2017 at 2:17 am
@Destinjohnny
“Do bad backs ever get better???”
Ask Tiger
February 12th, 2017 at 6:19 am
It sure feels like he will never take the field as a Buc…maybe a Patriot down the road since the Sweezey Swindle has netted him financial independence ( you’d have to think with that criminal mind he’s kept careful watch of his loot ). To their credit, Licht’s Out & Co. have kept a pretty tight lid on this embarrassing debacle.