The Evolution Of J.R. Sweezy
September 10th, 2017
Thought-provoking data.
Joe understands it is a small sample size and the source of the information is dubious at best. But Joe’s just throwing this out there for debate.
Regular readers of Joe know the following: Joe has no use for the offensive line grades from the trained orangutans of the PFF tribe, and Joe thinks preseason football is a total and complete waste of time and more importantly money.
Even given that information, it seems the PFF tribe might be coming around to J.R. Sweezy.
Something about Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and his taste in offensive linemen drives the PFF tribe bananas. It is as if Licht sent them a ransom virus that locked up their spreadsheet networks. It seems no matter what Licht does with his offensive line, the keyboard-peckers go apesh!t in rage.
Let’s just say Joe trusts a former Bill Belicheat disciple who played offensive line for Tom Osborne at Nebraska rather than a bunch of dorm room dudes who have zero idea what the line calls were when they watch broadcast tape of games.
The PFF tribe is unnerved by Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith — has been since the moment Licht drafted him. And the PFF tribe went berserk when Licht signed Sweezy as a free agent last year.
Sweezy is the right guard known for his road-grading run blocking, maybe not so much for his pass blocking. But is that changing? Per Cameron Mellor, this preseason Sweezy was a virtual Berlin wall on passing downs.
@PFF_Cam: Guard J.R. Sweezy allowed just 4 hurries on 71 pass block snaps this whole preseason.
Again, Joe wonders the worth of this information. It’s preseason and Sweezy may have been facing UPS drivers and Taco Bell managers. And Joe is very suspicious of anything offensive-line-related that the PFF tribe drums up.
But if this information has any merit, it’s a good sign.
Remember, Licht has answered his critics claiming he did nothing to improve the offensive line in the offseason, pointing out the line got bigger and stronger at two positions by adding Sweezy to the mix and moving Ali Marpet to center.
September 10th, 2017 at 12:40 am
NFL teams are always going to miss on players. It is worse when they don’t try. During the late Chucky era, they din’t try.
September 10th, 2017 at 1:02 am
Agreed Joe-
I see a bigger more physical starting OL from the Bucs with the changes that were made.
September 10th, 2017 at 2:16 am
Fun fact: Winston was sacked 4 times in the ps. Matt Ryan, Drew Breese and cam Newton were sacked 0 times. The End.
September 10th, 2017 at 2:40 am
“It is as if Licht sent them a ransom virus that locked up their spreadsheet networks. It seems no matter what Licht does with his offensive line, the keyboard-peckers go apesh!t in rage.”
Whoa big fella! Your analogy machine is stuck in hyperboldrive.
September 10th, 2017 at 2:45 am
“But if this information has any merit, it’s a good sign.”
Translation: if the stats happen to fit my agenda then maybe I suspend my disgust for the guys that gather the stats.
September 10th, 2017 at 3:08 am
Ali Marpet allowed zero pressures on 58 pass blocking snaps this PS. Positive data for Marpet and Sweezy. QB pressures which include sacks, hits and hurries are data PFF tracks that are very straight forward and not that difficult to maintain accurate data for offensive linemen.
September 10th, 2017 at 3:17 am
Geno Atkins was the only D line guy that stood out to me against him (on a few plays)….other than that hes holding that part of the line down so far.
September 10th, 2017 at 4:45 am
The very fact that Sweezy has made it through camp and preseason without a single set back involving the back is quite encouraging. Obviously the right call to take the entire year off to recoup.
The middle of our line seems to be in good shape with Sweezy, Marpet and Pamphile. Hopefully the tackles play better this year because they looked um – not so great in 2016.
I believe this line can be pretty good in 2017 though – if starters stay healthy. Hope so anyway. How well our offense plays this year depends an awful lot on these OLine players.
Football Sunday!! Hope I can at least get through the 4 pm games before the power goes out. Seems pretty unlikely probably.
To all in Tampa Bay – PLEASE stay safe and make good decisions while we suffer through this bitch of a storm. If you haven’t left the area – then make sure you are in a safe place with at least 20-25 feet elevation in a good solid structure with a good roof overhead. We are highly likely to get blasted tonight so hang tough folks.
If you know someone who is being “stubborn” (like in zone A near the water and says they are staying put) – try to talk them into either going to a safe local shelter or offer space at your safer more elevated place if appropriate and possible. If you succeed you may literally be saving a life.
This will be one of the more stressful experiences any of us have ever been through. Make sure to focus on staying calm. Every one of us will make it through this storm – I hope…
Peace and Love and Best Wishes to all JBF readers who are in potential harm’s way from Irma.
Now is the time to be the best neighbor you possibly can be. We need each other to get through this. A very challenging 24 hours ahead of us and probably days of no power afterwards – which obviously creates its own challenges considering the heat this time of year. But we shall overcome!
September 10th, 2017 at 8:35 am
For the first time ever I completely forgot the NFL kickoff Sunday. Focusing on the weather channel and safety of friends and relatives in Tampa. Prayers are about as useful as farts in a hurricane, but my thoughts are with all of you in danger today and tomorrow. Stay safe.
September 10th, 2017 at 8:54 am
I’m having enormous survivors guilt guys. I hope you all get through this with a minimal of damage and NO loss of life.
It’s really surreal. I’m sitting here looking at a calm Lake Superior..sun shining and highs forecast for the mid 60’s. It’s going to be a perfect day up here while it’s the most hellish two days in the history of Tampa Bay.
Luckily our home is high and dry in Allendale and we have a half dozen relatives hunkered down riding out the storm.
Stay safe all!!! Hard for me to think much about football right now. I did watch OSU-OU ND- GA last night and I’ll try some NFL today to distract myself but my wife and I are just beyond distracted and stressed.
September 10th, 2017 at 10:25 am
I saw some of the cleanest passing pockets behind the C/G’s this preseason I have ever seen on a Bucs team.
September 10th, 2017 at 12:52 pm
Licht hit that one out of the park. He bottled up a monster and rested him for a year. Now it is havoc time!