Winning Formula Bucs Ownership Should Stress
February 16th, 2018
Sage wisdom today from Ira
BY IRA KAUFMAN
You can have the man. I want the men.
Does a great running back make the offensive line, or does a terrific front make the running back?
It’s an intriguing debate, and one that has major ramifications at One Buc Place as Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter prepare for the most important season of their professional lives.
I’ll grant you that Barry Sanders would have been a Pro Bowl back with Kenyatta Walker and Anthony Collins trying to open holes in front of him. But players like Sanders come along once in a generation.
Let’s not put Saquon Barkley in that stratosphere quite yet, shall we?
For me, NFL history is filled with examples of good running backs who approach greatness because of the talented worker bees in front of them.
Fifteen years ago, Priest Holmes looked like a Hall of Fame back as the Chiefs went 13-3 behind the league’s top scoring attack. Holmes ran for 1,420 yards and 27 touchdowns as Willie Roaf, Will Shields and Brian Waters gouged out huge holes.
Ezekiel Elliott is an elite talent, but the ground game of the Cowboys didn’t fall apart last year while Elliott served his six-game suspension. Although Dallas went 3-3, the Cowboys still averaged 121 yards and 4.2 yards per carry with Elliott sidelined.
You think Buc fans wouldn’t take 4.2 yards per carry this fall?
Constant Address
Running behind Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson, Seattle’s Shaun Alexander enjoyed a season for the ages in 2005 with 1,880 yards and 27 rushing touchdowns. By the next season, Hutchinson had moved on to Minnesota, Jones turned 32 and Alexander turned rather ordinary.
Today’s Cowboys and Steelers have potent offenses in large part because they committed resources up front.
From 2011-14, Dallas drafted Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin in the first round. Pittsburgh selected Maurkice Pouncey, Marcus Gilbert and David DeCastro within the first two rounds between 2010-2012.
All six of those players are still opening holes and fending off pass rushers at an elite level.
When the new brain trust of the Giants assembled last month, addressing the trenches emerged as an obvious priority.
“No matter how good your offensive line is and your defensive line, you have to address those issues constantly because if you can’t block them and you can’t pressure the quarterback, this game gets really, really, really hard,” said new head coach Pat Shurmur.
“Big men allow you to compete,” said new Giants GM Dave Gettleman, who overhauled the Panthers into NFC champions. “I’ve built teams from the inside out. Those are the things that Pat and I completely agree on.”
After a 5-11 season, the Bucs must deal with their own nagging issues along the line of scrimmage.
New Transmission
An elite offensive line allows you to do what you want, when you want. Couple that with Koetter’s skills as a strategist and you have a winning formula Bucs ownership should be stressing.
“When Pat said, ‘You have to be able to block them,’ that is something that hit home with me,” says Giants co-owner John Mara. “Obviously, we’ve had our issues there.”
Through the draft and free agency, the Bucs will have an opportunity to reshape an offensive front in serious need of an upgrade. As offensive coordinator of the Vikings last year, Shurmur witnessed a Minnesota makeover.
“We didn’t change the oil — we changed the transmission,” he says. “We got two free agent offensive linemen, we drafted a center that played like a veteran and we transformed the offensive line that helped us do the things to win 14 games.”
From Shurmur’s lips to Koetter’s ears …
Ira Kaufman is the most revered sports personality and writer in town. He has hung his hat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters since July 2016. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Ira busts out columns here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can also hear Ira on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio Wednesdays during football season, and see him now on Mondays and Fridays at 10:30 p.m. on Spectrum Sports 360. Ira also is part of the FOX-13 Tailgate Sunday and enjoys beet salads, Riesling, Chiefs victories and needling Joe.
February 16th, 2018 at 2:23 pm
Ira has finally seen the light!
Now if only the J0es would finally admit that our o-line simply hasn’t been good enough…
February 16th, 2018 at 2:23 pm
I completely agree Ira.
The Bucs lines are awful.
The problem for the Bucs is they have so many holes.
The Bucs have in my opinion the worst defensive line in the NFL along with the worst collection of running backs in the NFL.
The Bucs MUST address those two areas in both free agency and the draft. The Bucs also need to get a dominant interior offensive lineman to help give Jameis a better pocket and some better lanes for their backs.
February 16th, 2018 at 3:22 pm
Sign Ryan Jansen and draft Quenton Nelson at #7 and the Bucs may have the best offensive line in the entire NFL … seriously.
However, there happens to be another major issue the team must address and that is the defensive line, so Licht needs to hit a home run in BOTH free agency and the draft and that can be difficult to do.
February 16th, 2018 at 3:28 pm
Joe posted an article not too long ago (maybe last 2 weeks) that the Bucs O-line graded out as 15th (?) in the league? FEEL FREE TO CORRECT JOE.
This was based I believe on stats etc.
But watching the games I mostly saw the running back run into the backs of our O-linemen. I saw Winston under siege on at least half our passing plays or more.
I read an article on the 2018 NFL salary cap. Last year the Eagles spent over the salary cap. The Browns spent the least and thus have the most salary cap.
Now look at the end results – Eagles in first place Browns in last place. If we are going to be successful money must be spent. Glazer loot must leave one buc place and bring this team some serious help.
February 16th, 2018 at 3:30 pm
NFLNut Says: Sign Ryan Jansen and draft Quenton Nelson at #7 and the Bucs may have the best offensive line in the entire NFL … seriously
Yes Sir, totally agree! Love to see that happen.
February 16th, 2018 at 3:32 pm
The final four all had good to great offensive lines which was average. NOLA has a good oline, so too do the eagles (even losing Peters for the season). Tennesee has a really good oline as well…Patriots have had a really good oline for years which allows them to plug in most any rb. Steelers have given Bell his success with an awesome oline, too, Joe.
February 16th, 2018 at 3:33 pm
Running backs are so hit and miss, and their careers are generally so short, I’d rather the Bucs spend high picks on the O line (and D line) than RBs. They are definitely complementary, but the Bucs have so many needs. I’d not spend higher than 3rd or 4th round on a RB, and in the draft, I’d go DE, LG, DT, RB, CB, and look at FA with CB, DE, and RB. Also, while I’m not GMC hater (in fact, he’s favorite player and person of mine), I think his run in Tampa Bay is best curtailed and he’s traded. Of course, a new D line coach who knows he’s coming to work with GMC may be incentive to get a better coach too, so maybe wait on that trade.
February 16th, 2018 at 3:41 pm
JOE,
No one that I know of, and no one with a brain would compare Saquon to Barry Sanders … in fact no one with a brain would ever compare any RB to Barry Sanders.
Barry Sanders was basically an alien, the dude was further above ALL other RBs that came after him than Michael Jordan was above all other SGs that came after him … Barry was just other-worldly.
February 16th, 2018 at 4:16 pm
I think you get a new center, move Marpet back to G and right away you’ve dramatically improved the line. If they want to go nuts with spending they could go after the G from Carolina and then cut Sweeny, now you’re really changing the shape of the line. The last thing to deal with them would be Dotson, who has been injury plagued, he’s a good RT but he’s hurt all the time, having a young guy there as a backup who can play if need be should be another thing to look into. The Bucs have the cash to get all this done if they want to – and with the lack of defensive lineman in FA why not try to again focus on offense and just outscore people. They used to say you can’t win championships that way, but that wasn’t the case at this last SB, plus a simple playoff appearance would be a huge boost to the team and to this area.
February 16th, 2018 at 4:24 pm
NFLNut – Way back in 1990 when Emmitt Smith was coming out (and most people including myself thought the Bucs were drafting him) I was a Spurrier fan and I told my friend who was a Lions fan that Emmitt Smith was better. I was mainly saying it to annoy him, but I told him Smith was better and would have a better career. Apparently that discussion stuck because I had forgot about until I talk to him via Facebook a few years ago after not seeing him for over 20 years and I think the 2nd thing he said was “you were right about Emmitt Smith”. That made me laugh since even with as much I like and respect Emmitt Smith, and even with Smith being a legit 1st ballot HOFer and one of the best of all time, he was no Barry Sanders.
February 16th, 2018 at 4:25 pm
Free agency and the draft. Dline, Dline, Oline, RB. Repeat. Been saying it since about week 8. Then hopefully after getting 4 dlinemen, 3 Olinemen and 2 RBs they will start practicing real tackle football. Hopefully.
February 16th, 2018 at 4:31 pm
Rod Munch,
I liked Emmitt too and rooted for the Boys in their 3 SBs with Emmitt, but you’re right, he was no Barry Sanders!
February 16th, 2018 at 4:34 pm
Well this is quite interesting – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._Sweezy
Sweezy played defensive tackle and defensive end in college. When drafted to the Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable converted him to guard.
Maybe Smitty should convert him back to DE / DT ………wouldn’t hurt.
February 16th, 2018 at 4:35 pm
Yah. Grab the center from ravens – Jensen as free agent. Move marpet back to right guard and draft a guard in 3rd or 4th would be a nice start.
February 16th, 2018 at 4:41 pm
I think Dirk has 1 year to save his job, with our defense he will have to outscore opponents to win. Draft Nelson at #7 and grab Sony Michel or Jones out of USC in RD 2.
February 16th, 2018 at 4:45 pm
Preach it, Ira!!
I’m going to comment with the same thing for the 1000th time this offseason. I’ve seen the snide comments in response to my repetitive mantra – but truth is truth is truth. and it must be stated repeatedly until recognized.
The Bucs must go ALL In this offseason on both the offensive and defensive lines and bring in AT LEAST 8 new faces – some premium signings and picks, some gems and late picks mixed in – to compete and battle for starting spots against the incumbents, as well as bolster the depth across the board. If they do this and fix both lines, we will see a great trickle down effect to the other position groups as well. They cannot fix everything in a single offseason. They try and fail every year at doing so. Stop the madness. Go all in on the lines and success will follow.
FIX THE TRENCHES, FIX THE BUCS!!!
One more time for emphasis…
FIX THE TRENCHES, FIX THE BUCS!!!!
February 16th, 2018 at 5:17 pm
So what are the Bucs trying to do/ Win within 2 yrsor Win within 5? If they are trying to save Koetters job then they had better address the Defense for now. The D ends and the pressure. If they are trying to win in 4 or 5 yrs then I say concentrate on the O line. Concentrating on our O line this year WILL NOT..produce victories needed to keep Koetter here after next year. Had the Bucs had a plan from Jump, they would not be where they are now. But they had to have this offensive Jaugernaut. Look where its gotten them.
February 16th, 2018 at 5:21 pm
Emmitt Smith was not Barry Sanders , but Emmitt is underestimated in his talent – no one had a better feel for finding the whole and no one had more toughness as a rb – he did have a great offensive line.
I can remember the Packers holding Sanders to negative yardage in a playoff game…
February 16th, 2018 at 5:25 pm
Offensive/Defensive linemen tend to have the longest avg careers…..RBs by far have the shortest. When you invest high draft picks in the line, they may not be the sexiest pick but you tend to get your money’s worth from a longevity standpoint and impact on the game. Good OL can make avg skill players a tad better with more time and space to operate. Good DL can make LBs/CBs look better with pressure on the opposing players creating rushed decisions and poor execution.
While Barkley might be the game changer he’s hyped to be, he’s also the highest risk player for injury and likely has the shortest career from simple wear and tear on the body. Of course there was another Penn State stud yrs back named Kijana Carter who tore up teams on Saturdays but then stayed injured on Sundays. Or Cadillac Williams who made the Hall of Fame his rookie yr but destroyed his knees the years afterward….Similar results with Doug Martin. Good teams get multi year starters in the 1st and 2nd rds….find value at the skill positions in rds 3-7. I think we either draft Nelson, chubb or Veta…..
February 16th, 2018 at 5:41 pm
God I love you Ira. Licht gets credit for nailing draft picks. But in four years he only got two starters on O line and NONE on D line. Licht doesn’t understand a winning roster starts in the trenches. He has FAILED at building a winning roster.
February 16th, 2018 at 6:46 pm
Its time for the trenches to be addressed! An obvious statement I know – but I mean for REALS – like a dedicated commitment to building these lines through the draft. Minimum 3-4 picks per draft over the next 2 years must go to DL and OL!!
And at least 3-4 of those 6-8 players chosen should be high picks (rds 1>3).
Cut Sweezy. (addition by subtraction) Let Pamphile walk if he wants more than $4M per. Re-sign Evan Smith – 2 years at $3.5M per as a solid, versatile back-up/insurance policy.
Sign C- Ryan Jensen or C- John Sullivan in Free Agency. Marpet back to RG. Draft Quenton Nelson in the 1st (assuming Chubb s off the board).
D. Smith – Nelson – Jensen – Marpet – Dotson
BOOM! OLine fixed.
Cut Martin. Sign Carlos Hyde in Free Agency. Draft a RB in 3rd or 4th rd. (Rashaad Penny would be a good choice if available). Bring Back Barber, re-sign Sims and also bring Quizz to camp.
Boom! Running attack bolstered and capable of legit success behind revamped Oline.
Rest of 2018 draft goes towards Defense with emphasis towards DL in 2nd and 3rd/4th rounds if the value is there.
February 16th, 2018 at 7:32 pm
Exactly………Saquon will NOT be a game changer behind our OL
Derrell Revis and Deon Sanders would not change games when the DL gives the QB 5 seconds to throw.
FIX THE TRENCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 16th, 2018 at 7:41 pm
Also………..What Bobby M. said in triplicate.
February 16th, 2018 at 7:43 pm
The running game needs to be fixed because it should give us a complete offense. This also seems like a decent year to fix it with some options at guard and RB being available in the draft and even in FA.
I believe we are one guard away with Marpet at C. I like the scenario of keeping Phampile and Sweezy to compete at the other guard spot. That with keeping E.Smith and Hawley gives us really nice depth.
It seems like most fans want the Oline players moved to new positions and a bunch of new additions. Continuity does matter and rebuilding everything is a step backwards. Remember when our awful Dline was hitting Tom Brady on every play early in the season? That’s because their line was still gelling, Obvisously not because of how great our line was. There is a cost for mixing and shuffling everything up every year……Our Oline took a step backwards last year and that is a likely example of this cost as Marpet and Phampile(I think) were playing new positions and Sweezy was a new addition.
February 16th, 2018 at 7:50 pm
I also like the idea of signing Bell or Hyde in free agency. That way you can draft a guard high and use your other top two pick for the defense.
The only other option would be if Dirk would be willing to use a RB committee but I don’t think he would consider that unless forced to.
February 16th, 2018 at 8:02 pm
Jimmy……we can’t afford Bell with Jameis, ME13, Marpet, DS76, Kwon, etc contracts coming up. Bell is who he is because he plays opposite the Best WR in the NFL with a Not so Bad QB on a Complete team. Pass on Bell IMO
February 16th, 2018 at 8:07 pm
NFLNut
I’m with you bro but I fear Nelson being on the board at seven. When I first read about Nelson perhaps being the BPA of the entire draft I started checking a little more closely.
He started back at nine or ten when I first starting keeping tabs on the Walter Football Draft. They too conceded he might be the BPA but that he was a guard and not a sexy uber desirable position. So they had him several spots behind us.
Then for a brief period they had the Bucs taking him but now he’s continued to move up and sits at five for Denver.
We may need some luck to get him to seven. I honestly havent kept up with the needs of the teams ahead of us. So who knows…3 QBS and the right bounce.
Right now Walter has us taking Minkah at 7…a great athlete for sure but a consolation prize in my view. A S/CB is not able to contribute anyway if he’s playing behind the worst pass rush in the league.
February 16th, 2018 at 8:08 pm
Jimmy – Pamphile was starting LG in 2016 and played fairly well. His play declined noticeably in 2017 – to the point that Evan Smith was splitting time with Pamphile most of the year – and outplaying him. That was a bad look in a contract year for Kevin.
Sweezy was forced into the lineup due to his relatively high price tag and with hope that he could regain what tape showed prior to his back injury. He didn’t and while some say he improved later in the year – I really didn’t see it. Sweezy graded out as one of the worst run blocking guards in the league and his pass protection was a bit south of adequate as well. Not good enough for $6M per year – we can do better. We MUST do better. Our running game improved quite a bit once Sweezy was out at the end of the year with Evan Smith doing a much better job opening holes.
The only way it makes sense to keep either Sweezy or Pamphile is as a planned back-up – but you can’t pay your back-up Guards $5-6M either so thus – at least one if not both must be jettisoned to make room for a better starter and more affordable options as planned back-ups (ie: mid round draft picks)
February 16th, 2018 at 8:09 pm
Alanbucsfan Says:
February 16th, 2018 at 5:21 pm
Emmitt Smith was not Barry Sanders , but Emmitt is underestimated in his talent – no one had a better feel for finding the whole and no one had more toughness as a rb –
_________________________________________________________________
Not to mention he was one hell of a dancer! However, if Sanders hadn’t retired (good for him and his brain), he would have held the rushing record for eons.
February 16th, 2018 at 8:10 pm
I don’t know SB. We seem to have tons of money right now. No, I don’t really understand the finances but I have heard of team fronloading contracts. There are plenty of ways to work around these things especially considering how much cap space we currently have and that not all these players are due for contracts.
Bell is the best RB in football. Hard to argue against that really.
February 16th, 2018 at 8:16 pm
Pickgrin……did Phampile change positions(sides) in 2017? I’m yet to get an answer on that. I though I remember him playing RG in 2016 which makes a difference and could be a reason for his declined play.
And why can’t you keep both at 5-6 mil a year? Are they hurting our spending ability? I mean if the Glazers tell Licht that it’s one thing but otherwise it’s not a problem to keep both and let them compete which ideally gets each to up their games.
February 16th, 2018 at 8:17 pm
Sorry pick. You answered my question. Didn’t read it right.
February 16th, 2018 at 8:23 pm
Another point about signing Bell. If you are going to say we can’t afford him then you need to apply the same rule for that DE from DAL if say he becomes available.
And I guarantee you if the DE becomes available every fan in Tampa will whine if we don’t sign him. Yet many fans are saying we can’t afford Bell. You guys contradict yourself more often then a copy of the King James.
February 16th, 2018 at 8:42 pm
STPETE,
If the Broncos sign Cousins I think they take Nelson at 5 and we either end up with Minkah or trade down.
However, if Minkah really is Jalen Ramsay 2.0, he’s no consolation prize; he may be THE PRIZE of the whole draft.
I’m with you though about our pass rush … and on top of that, Hargreaves struggles concern me and make me think Tampa may be a BAD situation for Minkah.
Currently, I’m hoping the team trades down with the Bills and can get BOTH Arden Key and Marcus Davenport at #21 and #22 as I think we can sign a SS, DT and CB in free agency but am not sure if we’ll be able to get a single DE of any value in free agency
February 16th, 2018 at 9:13 pm
Jimmy – its about proper allocation of available resources.
Paying $15+M to an “A” talent DE is the norm.
“A” talent starting NFL running backs make $5-6M per year.
Bell is an “A+” talent – but you can’t dedicate (guarantee no less) more than twice what top RBs make when you already know for sure that within 1-2 years you will be paying $30M for Winston, $15M for Evans, $10+M for Smith, $8-10M for Marpet, $6-7M for Brate. That’s more than $70M per year to only 5 offensive players who all made comparative peanuts last year.
And then there’s the fact that Bell has a suspension history and is just one wrongly timed blunt puff from being suspended for an entire year. He’s also known as a bit of a “locker room problem” or at least there are rumors to that effect.
Plus we would have to trade something quite valuable in order to get him.
Hard Pass on trying to acquire Bell – as exciting as the idea of what he could mean for this team on the field is…
Kamara made $700k last year. Hunt made $650k last year. Both were 3rd round picks and look what they did as rookies.
Just Sayin…
February 16th, 2018 at 9:14 pm
drafted a center that played like a veteran
———-
Bam! And Denver redskins and Dallas are proof that you need an oline to win. DSmith and Ali are cool but we need 3 pieces most importantly a great center.
February 16th, 2018 at 9:49 pm
Pickgrin, I could see your point. But the argument doesn’t make any sense to just say we can’t afford him when it’s just untrue. Again, nobody says we can’t afford a top DE yet when it comes to Bell that becomes a reason to not sign him all of a sudden.
One thing I think fans overlook often is how much spending freedom our GM gets. I highly doubt the Glazers have no input on how much we spend on free agents.
I believe they like to see some promise before they start letting their GM go crazy in free agency. It could be a big reason we didn’t spend for Campbell last year.
February 16th, 2018 at 10:05 pm
Quetin Nelson. Pick 7
February 16th, 2018 at 10:09 pm
Quentin Nelson. Pick 7
February 16th, 2018 at 10:56 pm
#TRADEDOWN!!!
February 16th, 2018 at 11:29 pm
NFLNut
All excellent points! I’d love if we could pull off your trade down and get both Key and Davenport. Two DL in the first round would be a great start.
February 17th, 2018 at 4:12 am
Nfl and StPete,
I agree it would be nice. The probability of it…….>.1%
If those are guys that the team should or ideally draft then why not package next year’s or later RD picks this yr and move up to draft both. Trade this yrs 5-6-7 next year’s 4-7 what ever works to get the 2 players now. I don’t believe Davenport andr key will be available late RD 1.
Draft 4 guys this yr is the trade off if late pks are the currency, next year’s maybe.
February 17th, 2018 at 6:48 am
No good DEs in FA unless Ziggy is available. Centers and OL are there though. Use FA to try to fix the OL (either C talked about and the Carolina G Norwell) and RB (Crowell or Hyde) first. This allows the front office to focus on DL (1st rd), DL (3rd rd), and DL (6/7 rd) in the draft. Mix in a CB (5th rd), OG (2nd rd), and RB (4th rd) as well for a very solid draft. Analysis has shown that most pro bowl DL and OL are picked in the first 2 rounds, but you have a much higher chance of getting high quality players in the 3rd – 5th rounds except for QB.
Licht has been pretty good with the draft, but struggled in FA. He needs to stick with proven players — even if he has to overpay a little. Cut Martin and Baker now. Cut Ayers after you get his replacement. Otherwise you may have to keep him 1 more year. Keep Sweezy for competition if he will take a pay cut.
Don’t resign Simms; do resign Fitz, McLain, J. Rogers, McDonald, and Grimes.
Finally, look for a FA kicker for competition at least, but you may need to keep Murray.
February 17th, 2018 at 8:51 am
Where is your faith, Bucs fans, Chubb will be there at 7. I agree sign Jensen and move Ali back. Bucs in some amazing way, will land 7 good quality starters in the draft and free agent and that may include resigning Grimes. Dreamin’
February 17th, 2018 at 8:55 am
One thing Ira missed…
They built that line from 2011-14, as Ira said. But it took 2-3 years of them playing together to become good.
Just like our line needs time together.
February 17th, 2018 at 9:03 am
From a defensive line perspective… mark it here, RJ McIntosh, Kendrick Norton & Chad Thomas from the University of Miami, will have outstanding combines and will play above what they did in college (Miami rotated defensive linemen constantly), if the Bucs dare scout, these are players that I would bet on, yeah I’m biased being a Canes fan, but that also means I watched them play and watched other UM athletes excel when they got to the league
February 17th, 2018 at 10:06 am
Bucs Guy Says:
February 17th, 2018 at 6:48 am
Analysis has shown that most pro bowl DL and OL are picked in the first 2 rounds, but you have a much higher chance of getting high quality players in the 3rd – 5th rounds except for QB.
Tom Brady and Kurt Warner would definitely take exception to this blanket statement about QBs.
February 17th, 2018 at 12:14 pm
Sierra,
1 out of what 50. Finding the next Tom Brady is difficult with a 1st RD pick.
5-6 rd probably easier to find Atlantis.
February 17th, 2018 at 1:06 pm
******************
RRSRQ,
IMHO Chubb will be gone by the 3rd pick … but it’s not “impossible” he falls to #7.
Browns: Darnold
Giants: Rosen
Colts: Saquon
Browns: Minkah
Broncos: Quenton Nelson or a QB if they don’t get Cousins in FA
Jets: Josh Allen
Buccaneers: Bradley Chubb
Honestly, if the Colts don’t draft Chubb at #3 I think there’s a 90% chance we get him at #7, but for the Colts not to take him at #3 I think Saquon Barkley (who I absolutely think goes #1 overall) has to be on the board, which some think will be the case … we’ll see.
***************
February 18th, 2018 at 7:09 am
Interesting concept……
Draft good players up front and you have success….
Who would have thought of that?
February 19th, 2018 at 11:57 pm
The reason we had an awful season was the failure of Licht to obtain top players for the trenches. That was the reason Jameis had to run for his life half the time and had so many turn overs and contributed to his injury. We have to get a legitimate LT like Orlando Brown which we could get moving down in the first round. Smith is a poor pass blocker which also results in bad penalties as he has to hold, but he is a road grading blocker who would be as good as Nelson at LG. Get Jensen at Center and you would have All Pro RG Ali Marppet back. Dotson still is a top RT and Pamphile’s best skill is pass blocking having been a basketball player in college like Dotson. He can backup the Tackle positions, Benenoch can backup both Guard positions, and keep Joe Hawley as backup C/G. Having moved down you’d have two second picks. Get RB Penny with one who has also run back kicks for TDS, and we could get a top DE with the other second pick. Also get the Brown’s RB in Free Agency and ditch Martin, Quiz, Sweezy, and Evan Smith for more cap space and you would have a Championship Level Offense.
February 20th, 2018 at 12:17 am
Orlando Brown is 6’8” and 346 lbs. and played for Oklahoma and his Father by the same name was an outstanding Pro NFL LT too. He is the leading pass blocking LT in the draft, but should someone else get him there are a total of five top LTs in this draft so we would be assured of one of them if we moved down to take Orlando Brown.