Sitton Duck?
February 26th, 2018
Quick fix hits the market
As Joe noted last year, may current Bucs coaches never have the audacity to talk about the importance of continuity along the Tampa Bay offensive line again.
They have no credibility in that arena after what happened at left guard in 2017.
Dirk Koetter chose to have a tag-team tandem at the position, young veteran Kevin Pamphile and long-tooth vet Evan Smith. These guys rotated series for more than half the season.
Joe begged in mid-November for Koetter to free Pamphile from the madness and let him start for the remainder of a lost season. Soon after, Smith had a concussion and Pamphile got the starting nod in Atlanta on Thanksgiving weekend. He later got more full-time guard games after Ali Marpet was lost for the season and the o-line was re-shuffled.
Tampa Bay lost in Atlanta, but Pamphile couldn’t hold back a small crack of a smile when Joe asked him whether it felt great to finally play a whole game at left guard and to end the rotation.
So now what with 27-year-old Pamphile? He was a late-season starter as the Bucs’ running game revived with Peyton Barber carrying the rock and America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, getting healthy?
Coincidence?
The free agency dinner bell rings for Pamphile in 16 days and the guard market is growing heartier. Talent is hitting the streets and the Bucs need to make a decision.
Rock solid Bears beat writer Brad Biggs reports today that four-time Pro Bowl left guard Josh Sitton won’t be part of the Bears’ massive overhaul under their new coaching staff.
Sitton turns 32 in June and has missed just 13 games in 10 NFL seasons. He’s also got 13 games of playoff experience and a Packers Super Bowl ring.
Joe smells a Logan Mankins-type fit here for the Bucs. And it should help potential recruiting that Sitton is a born and raised Florida guy who went to Central Florida. He earned about $7 million with Chicago last season.
Left guard is a hole on this Bucs team, or at least a question mark. Sitton is an attractive quick fix. Pamphile has upside and costs less.
Lots of philosophical and team-building decisions ahead for Jason Licht.
February 26th, 2018 at 4:51 pm
This guy is a great player and I really hope the Bucs realize it and pursue him to completion of a contract.
February 26th, 2018 at 4:55 pm
Two words. Quenton Nelson.
February 26th, 2018 at 4:58 pm
Joe – I like the thinking, but there are younger and better options that should be available. The problem with Sitton is that the odds of him maintaining his level of play are not great and then you have the same problem all over again in a season or two.
If I’m the Bucs, I go all in on one guy for sure…
ANDREW NORWELL of the Panthers. This guy has Pro Bowl talent and is just hitting his prime. He will cost big bucks, but the idea of stealing him from a division rival and adding a true Pro Bowl talent to the interior line is just too much for the Bucs to pass on. He is the #1 prize at offensive line in free agency in my opinion and the Bucs should have a great chance to get him if they act quickly and decisively.
ANDREW NORWELL
Remember the name Buc fans
He’d be the best start to…
FIX THE TRENCHES, FIX THE BUCS!!
February 26th, 2018 at 4:59 pm
This one seems like a no brainer.
I would like to see them retain Pamphile tho and have him actually learn 1 position on the OL because I do think he can be a decent starter. Maybe Dotson’s replacement down the line?
February 26th, 2018 at 5:04 pm
I’m reading the Panthers want to keep Norwell. I’m kind of letting go of that dream
February 26th, 2018 at 5:10 pm
Of course the Panthers want to keep Norwell. Teams dont let guys hitting their prime hit free agency. Im shocked the Bears are letting Fuller test the market.
February 26th, 2018 at 5:23 pm
Also for anyone following my sad message board mock draft with a bunch of other fans representing other teams I just made our 2nd round pick with:
Harold Landry – Edge rusher
I doubt he’ll be available in the real drafts. Sony Michel and Ronald Jones were also available but I have no pick till the 4th in this scenario (from an earlier trade); and I just feel our edge rush has to be a priority. Even if this guy only came in on 3rd and long but could bring consistent pressure in that situation he’d be immensely valuable. Situational 1 trick pony pass rushers can still go in the 1st (Bruce Irvin) because of how valuable that chess piece is. This is why losing Noah Spence was probably the worst loss we could experience beyond Winston for what our team needed.
In summary:
Swapped our 3rd round pick with the Rams 4th rounder; and sent them an additional 7th; to get Robert Quinn DE
R1 pick 7 – Quinton Nelson OG
R2 pick 7 – Harold Landry DE/OLB
Won’t be picking for a while now. Will be grabbing a RB and best D-lineman available though.
I’m assuming we shore up CB in FA in this fantasy realm; and that we also add either DE/DT, and a RB.
February 26th, 2018 at 5:24 pm
PFF ranked Josh Sitton the 10th best offensive linemen of the 2017 NFL season and he had the fifth-highest grade of any guard. There is no better pass blocking guard in the game. Sitton has surrendered 10 total pressures in 12 games and had some dominant run blocking performances last year. The best option would be OG Andrew Norwell, Panthers, who is said to get around $12,000,000, were Sitton would be around $8,000,000. Quenton Nelson is the best guard to enter the draft in some time and will probably be there when the Bucs pick. Another good one is Will Hernendez.
February 26th, 2018 at 5:39 pm
Joe Hawley option not picked up. Alright, Bucs movin’ on. (There will likely be an article posted here soon re-reporting that ….information. Lol.) Thank goodness for BREAKING news folks like Florio and his crew, Schefter and his Schefter. Norwell at Guard, maybe Marpet back to Center.
@Lord Corn…
Norwell hasn’t been in the Carolina media as the Panthers wanting, or reasonably being able to keep him. Hurney has said as much today.
Go Bucs! All hail intellectual property and those that specifically generate it.
February 26th, 2018 at 5:43 pm
Hawley was gritty. one of my favorites. He is replaceable though.
February 26th, 2018 at 5:56 pm
Joe OLine fix right here in this comment!!!
For days I’ve been thinking of this and it has become clear to me that our Bucs should sign Sitton and sign C Ryan Jensen from Baltimore. Both great run blockers and pass as well, so the OLine starters should be from left to right DSmith, JSitton, RJensen, AMarpet, DDotson. Along with a drafted Running back our offense should be able to run more effective and have better longer drives with this outcome, Joe would really appreciate your thoughts here
February 26th, 2018 at 6:02 pm
I agree on both fronts Dewey. Norwell in just cash accomplishes 2 things for the Bucs. Greatly hurts a divisional rival in the Panthers, and keeps anyone about thinking of drafting a Guard, albeit probably a great one in Nelson, at #7 overall. #7 is for a complete stud Left Tackle, if that. Certainly not this year. #7 is for Licht to matter for one distinguishing moment. Go down swinging by trading up to obtain a 10-year RB that could affect the entire Bucs offense just as Gurley has to the Rams, as Lev Bell has to the Steelers, as Fournette (kinda) has to the Jaguars.
Barkley is a Buccaneer who could certainly soothe a lot of ills around here, kep jobs, touches the ball 25-30 times a game, good moral character, hard work ethic. That’s a #7 pick.
Go Bucs!!
February 26th, 2018 at 6:06 pm
I would prefer Sitton to spending # 7 on Nelson. I’d prefer the 5th pick vs. the 7th pick that the Bucs had sewn up until JW audibled out of a short route setting up another missed FG to end the game/season. 🙂
February 26th, 2018 at 6:16 pm
@JonBuc…
Hilarious, I’m with ya! That one catch by Godwin, while thrilling in the moment, certainly wasn’t worth 2 spots in the draft order, especially considering Barkley now and how difficult it will be to get him (or others). What do you think it might have done to Licht/Koetter at 4-12 then if that play wouldn’t have occurred??
February 26th, 2018 at 6:29 pm
SammyRebel, I agree with ya on the OLine, although I’d prefer Norwell over JSitton just because of age. Would love to see us grab Jensen to play Center, but not sure Licht is thinking that way (I’m betting that it’s him who wanted Marpet for Center). Our #7 pick has to be spent on Defense (draft gets a lot more iffy after the 1st round).
February 26th, 2018 at 6:29 pm
Of course the Panthers want to keep Norwell, but they aren’t in a great financial position to do that with big money already tied up with other offensive linemen (T. Turner). The only guarantee they have is to tag him and they have chosen not to because it would cost them $14-$15 million for 2018 on an offensive guard -something they aren’t in a great position to afford as that is more than half of their available cap room.
This is looking more and more like one of the rare instances where a guy like Norwell – WHO DID NOT ALLOW A SACK OR A QB HIT ALL SEASON IN 2017 – will actually hit free agency.
If the Bucs aren’t all over that with a 5 year $60 million contract or more – then we know proof positive that Licht is not the right man for the job at all. There is zero reason that the Bucs weren’t all in on Marcus Peters – we saw how a similar guy like Talib turned it around with a change of scenery – a 4th and a future 2nd is pnnies on the dollar for an All Pro talent. Here is another one – ready for the taking…
Everything I need to know about Licht will be be determined by whether or not he lands THIS big fish should he become available.
FIX HE TRENCHES, FIX THE BUCS!!
February 26th, 2018 at 6:32 pm
The Pamphile debacle is another example of what a crappy job Koetter did last season and why they should have opened up the checkbook for Chucky. This team is such a mess with a vacuum in the leadership. Please trade GMC while he has strong value and please figure it out. Two steps forward and three steps back. Koetter has all but ruined Jameis theming to change him.
February 26th, 2018 at 6:32 pm
Got to get it in your head Joe, it’s a young mans game. Years ago we gave up a draft pick who turned out to be a good player for the Patriots, for over the hill Mankins. The old band aid is gone, and we’re still trying to find a LG years later, now you want an old band aid yet again? There’s a reason the Bears will be moving on, just like with T.J. Ward being let go, and Talib, on the outs, along with M.Bennett. Smart G.M.’s know when it’s time to let go. Joe, and Jason Licht not so much.
February 26th, 2018 at 6:42 pm
BBBIt said:
Hilarious, I’m with ya! That one catch by Godwin, while thrilling in the moment, certainly wasn’t worth 2 spots in the draft order, especially considering Barkley now and how difficult it will be to get him (or others). What do you think it might have done to Licht/Koetter at 4-12 then if that play wouldn’t have occurred??
I think it might have meant Licht’s Out and Koetter Kut perhaps. Watch what Denver does with the 5th pick with a real GM. It’ll either be a pick Tampa wanted or a trade back for a multitude of picks.
February 26th, 2018 at 7:02 pm
@ bigmack
Chucky? I loved gruden but there was no gaurantee he would have made wise player rotations etc. This is the same man that would not let alstott run the ball. This is the same man that could not draw up a play to get galloway and bryant on the field at the same time. Lest we forget?
February 26th, 2018 at 7:05 pm
@JonBuc,
True. But do you think that Licht in his 5th year and a shoestring away from controlling the Glazer pursestrings will allow Licht to “trade down”? That’s a roster-building, new GM strategy, like that stud Jon Robinson (once in Bucs’ front office) is doing now in Tennessee. Maybe even Dorsey in Cleveland too will be doing now. If Licht knows, which I’m sure he does if his wife doesn’t remind him daily, that his tenure maybe over very soon here, then he’ll need to find one or maybe two at most significant difference-makers to get the Bucs to the playoff promised-land this year. The rest will be complementary, albeit useful.
Thus, trading up. Go Bucs!
February 26th, 2018 at 7:07 pm
@JonBuc,
(part 2)
I get what you’re saying about Denver and what they’ll do, I just primarily meant what Licht needs to do.
February 26th, 2018 at 7:23 pm
Josh Sitton may decide to go back to Green Bay. The fanbase was angry with Ted Thompson for letting him walk. Ted Thompson is no longer GM in Green Bay.
February 26th, 2018 at 7:32 pm
I’d take Sitton for a year, or two. He can play both sides of the center.
February 26th, 2018 at 8:39 pm
BBBIt:
You bring up several excellent points as well as some quality humor…nicely done. Boy letting Jon Robinson go while retraining Licht’s Out was indeed a poor move. And you’re probably right about Licht reluctant to trade down. Maybe up if a once in lifetime kicking prospect
February 26th, 2018 at 8:41 pm
becomes available 🙂
February 26th, 2018 at 9:07 pm
I think the win at the end of the season was important for Jameis and his confidence.
Draft is a crap shoot. the guy at 7 is just as likely to be good as at 5.
February 26th, 2018 at 9:12 pm
I see what you did there Joe. Nice play on words
February 27th, 2018 at 8:03 am
Sign Andrew Norwell for a massive contract, offer Ryan Jensen good Center money. Cut Sweezy
February 27th, 2018 at 8:26 am
@JonBuc,
Much obliged on the kind words, and right back at cha!
Go Bucs!
February 27th, 2018 at 8:29 am
This is the issue with Free Agency. Teams often pay (sometimes handsomely) for past success which isn’t an indicator of future upside or lack there of….
If we want longterm cohesion along the line, going out and getting a 32 year old on the downturn of his career isnt the answer. I know the Buccs need wins, but you also need stability and upside.
February 27th, 2018 at 8:31 am
BBBIt:
You bring up several excellent points as well as some quality humor…nicely done. Boy letting Jon Robinson go while retraining Licht’s Out was indeed a poor move. And you’re probably right about Licht reluctant to trade down. Maybe up if a once in lifetime kicking prospect
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The Buccs couldnt keep Robinson as it was a promotion not a lateral move. Besides, even if they could keep them, it would look bad on the Buccs PR-wise and in many inner circles around the league.
February 27th, 2018 at 11:38 am
I wasn’t suggesting the Bucs keep Robinson as an assistant….as a replacement for Licht’s Out. Too late now…let’s keep the .333 winning ( or losing ) percentage under Licht going!