Sweezy At Center Of Critical Bonding
May 6th, 2018
“Mr. Glazer, soft drinks go great with my brisket.”
Once upon a time, Buccaneers guard Logan Mankins shared that the 2014 problems along the Buccaneers’ offensive line had a lot to do with a lack of backyard barbecue bonding.
Seriously. (That’s the link above.)
Mankins maintained that with all the new arrivals on that Bucs’ line and him arriving in an August trade, the Bucs were at a disadvantage because he couldn’t host important barbecue sessions that lead to cohesion on the field.
Joe understood the sentiment, but certainly thought it was one of the goofier takes in recent history for a variety of reasons.
Anyway, Mankins helped lead the Bucs to a great year on the o-line in 2015, with Doug Martin and Charles Sims running wild, and then Mankins retired.
Joe brings this up today because on Thursday, Donovan Smith talked about injured Bucs guard J.R. Sweezy still being an involved piece of the Bucs’ puzzle and said Sweezy just hosted a “cookout” at his house for the linemen.
It was a good time, Smith said, and a big hit there was a tray of his mother’s homemade lasagna. (Joe certainly hopes she cooked at least a few trays for that crew.)
Joe was pleased to hear that Sweezy remains dialed into the team and the Mankins barbecue bonding is continuing. It certainly can’t hurt.
Smith added that more food bonding is on the way as rookie guard/tackle Alex Cappa should expect to be called on to buy on “Taco Tuesday.”
May 6th, 2018 at 11:26 am
I wish that Sweezy never injured his back…water under the bridge….new crew in town and will have to build their own bonds…IMO….Sweezy’s days are numbered….woulda…coulda….shoulda…universal growing pains….
May 6th, 2018 at 11:30 am
I think what you haven’t reported is that Sweeney’s injury was a broken leg.
May 6th, 2018 at 11:31 am
A going away party?
May 6th, 2018 at 11:36 am
Joe didn’t predict as you stated, so that was deleted. –Joe I could certainly see Sweezy returning to Seattle via his Brinks’ Truck…no team would trade for that contract.
May 6th, 2018 at 11:48 am
Everyone seems to want to see Sweezy gone. Not so fast my friends. I don’t see a better alternative on the team right now. We can easily carry his salary this year, so until someone can prove they can play R.G. better then him, watch what you wish for. If someone does beat him out, he’d still be a valuable back up. Don’t worry about his salary, it’s not coming out of your pocket, and the Bucs are in fine cap shape for this season.
May 6th, 2018 at 11:52 am
The problems not Sweezy and his injuries are just what they are…
The PROBLEM IS THAT CONTRACT – change the terms and he should stay!
May 6th, 2018 at 11:53 am
Hodad…GM knows best Sweezy has been damaged goods since the ink dried…never became the other Mankins…a cheaper vet OG can be found at a much cheaper price…this team is not really desperate for the Sweezy type of player now…the FO has been adding young talent since the day he was signed….
May 6th, 2018 at 11:55 am
I hope Sweezy returns, in fine health (when will we hear more details about his latest injury?) – and can play well. Can’t hurt.
May 6th, 2018 at 11:56 am
JR is backside skeezy “ing” the bucs
May 6th, 2018 at 12:10 pm
An event hopefully soon to be remembered by attendees as that nice little “farewell cookout”…
May 6th, 2018 at 12:21 pm
Hodad…..I agree with you. Hopefully Sweezy proves to be healed up and plays better for us. But, if he is beat out I have no issues with that either. May the best Buc win.
May 6th, 2018 at 12:50 pm
Kind of a savvy way to prove he’s still sorta relevant while justifying he’s still worthy of drawing a huge paycheck. I guess it’s the going rate for floppy-hat mentors these days. I like Sweezy but it’s time we cut the cord and open that spot to another player. The front office, if they desire, can hire him as team pit master as long as it doesn’t count against the 53 man roster.
May 6th, 2018 at 1:20 pm
Back problems are like heavy weight boxing champions coming back after suffering their first loss by a knockout….
May 6th, 2018 at 1:28 pm
Let me get this straight… Sweezy sits out his first year because of back “problems” plays a limited role in year two then “hurts” his back again and now in year 3 his back “hurts” again. And they are hesitating to waive him because???? Way to spend Glazer money Licht.
May 6th, 2018 at 1:56 pm
You guys are ridiculous.
A positive article that somehow this crap fan base twisted into cap numbers and pessism about sweezy’s return and contribution. This is about cohesion which is a fundamental aspect of building chemistry on a TEAM.
Smh
May 6th, 2018 at 2:12 pm
@joe
Logan Mankins is a Hall of Fame lineman.
Logan Manins is a Super Bowl Champion.
Logan Mankins is an All-Pro.
I think he knows about offensive line play more than we do.
I think is 100% right about the importance of unity, loyalty, and LOVE, on the offensive line.
Logan Mankins is very much missed!!
May 6th, 2018 at 2:30 pm
@Buccernutter … “This is about cohesion which is a fundamental aspect of building chemistry on a TEAM.” Buccernutter, you’re exactly right. Bravo to Sweezy for steppin’ up because I’m not seeing anyone else on the offense grabbing the leadership reins like Mankins did. Still hoping that Jensen is ‘the guy’ to do that for the OLine this year. Bucs have lacked a field general(s) on defense since Brooks left IMO. Hopefully one or more of the new guys will step forward to fill that hole (JPP? Allen? Curry?). The young Bucs like Jameis & Kwon talk a good game & will hopefully become fantastic leaders one day, but when it comes to being a field general, actions speak louder than words.
May 6th, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Perhaps they barbqued Carl Nicks’ big toe…a serving for two
May 6th, 2018 at 3:33 pm
What Mankins said isn’t goofy at all. Only current and former offensive linemen would understand. Of all the position groups on the field, offensive linemen are always the closest.
C’mon, it’s goofy because these guys have all the money in the world to bond wherever they want, in any way they want. If Mankins didn’t have a house suitable for a barbecue, he and the fellas could have found several other locations. Joe gets the bonding. But let’s not go overboard. –Joe
May 6th, 2018 at 4:12 pm
When did inviting someone to your home to get to know them on a more personal level become goofy?
Invitations are wonderful and appropriate. Using limited barbecue options as a reason for bad football is quite different. –Joe
May 6th, 2018 at 4:16 pm
My main man… Easy Money Sweez!! Hosting a party at his crib for the lineman sayin, Thanks for carrying me while I have made several runs..to the bank!!
Everytime Joe post an article here about Bro Sweez, it just..Nuts me the F..Up!! Because this guy is the greatest Spinmaster of them all!!He just kicks back by the pool and sings that ole Dire Straits song, Money for nothin and my chicks for free!! Keep up the good work Sweez.
May 6th, 2018 at 4:16 pm
Is Sweezy ready to play? How effective is he on the field? Can he help get Cappa ready to be a starter at least? I don’t necessarily wanna throw his knowledge of the game if you can help some of our younger players get ready and possibly start. But I don’t see him running another contract with the Bucs team next year.
May 6th, 2018 at 5:17 pm
Swezzy =’s Nilo Silvan
May 6th, 2018 at 5:38 pm
I hope he heals up and becomes a mainstay of this team.
See? That’s how real fans speak.
May 6th, 2018 at 5:42 pm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This
May 6th, 2018 at 6:07 pm
Well according to Bonzai I’m not a real fan because I believe the Bucs should move on from Sweezy and open his spot up for a player they can count on. That’s some lame crap.
May 6th, 2018 at 6:26 pm
Sweezy At Center Of Cervical Bonding….
May 6th, 2018 at 7:52 pm
I want the 5 best players on the line, Sweezy or not. If healthy and playing well I’ll be happy he’s here.
May 6th, 2018 at 8:21 pm
When did inviting someone to your home to get to know them on a more personal level become goofy?
Invitations are wonderful and appropriate. Using limited barbecue options as a reason for bad football is quite different. –Joe
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What a strange take on life
May 6th, 2018 at 8:24 pm
LOL……Training Camp really needs to start! 🙂
May 6th, 2018 at 11:31 pm
The guys running this site are digging in their underwear for fresh content until the minicamp starts.
Actually, the guys running this site write daily about what they find interesting about the Buccaneers. Same simple formula for 10 years. Joe could write all day long. Joe’s got a long list of things to write about daily, won’t even get to all of them. –Joe
May 7th, 2018 at 4:58 am
TBBF…thats just wrong but shamefully lmao. This team has such a horrible history. I expect the 2018 Bucs to be a tough, balanced team. I expect our players to execute and change the history of this team this year. I expect our coaches to learn from the mistake of last year and adjust and succeed. BMF stick from week 1.
May 7th, 2018 at 7:43 am
Well, after all, it is National BBQ Month!
May 7th, 2018 at 10:25 am
I really don’t get why fans complain about contracts. We don’t pay them. If we got cap space and the Glazers are willing to write the check, so be it. Best 53 week 1.
May 7th, 2018 at 11:08 am
I hope Sweezy heals up because we need all the help we can get. I have a feeling Benenoch is going to start the season, but a lot can change in the course of the season, so having Sweezy around can’t hurt as insurance, if nothing else.