Time For Licht To Start Shopping
August 22nd, 2018
“No Mr. Glazer, that wasn’t a Jehovah’s Witness in a floppy hat that kept coming to the front desk on Saturday mornings. That was an offensive lineman and he’s back in Seattle now. I will find another.”
Sadly, you cannot order up an offensive lineman on Amazon.
Therefore, Joe suspects Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has already started making phone calls and monitoring dudes walking the street to see what offensive linemen are available.
Yesterday, Bucs ironman left tackle Donovan Smith sprained his knee in practice. There is a report from trusted Ian Rapoport of NFL.com that Smith is out 2-4 weeks. Joe is dubious of that timeline, given recent history of Bucs guesses when players would return from injury.
Right tackle Demar Dotson is on a pitch count of sorts as Bucs coach Dirk Koetter slowly works him back to 100 percent.
Right guard Caleb Benenoch, who potentially could play left tackle in a pinch, has had more chances than Joe can count and he still cannot lock down that right guard gig. Besides, he’s dinged up too.
And now add Smith to the list of walking wounded. That’s three starters who are not healthy, one being the most important position on the offensive line. Oh, and backup tackle Leonard Wester is also in shorts on the sidelines.
Let’s say Licht stands firm and makes no moves (highly unlikely), then your starting left tackle for the near future is Michael Liedtke from that football powerhouse of the Midwest known as Illinois State.
Feeling secure, Bucs fans?
This is sort of reminiscent of 2015, when Dotson suffered a knee injury in the first preseason game at Minnesota. The Bucs went out and signed former first-round pick and NFL veteran Gosder Cherilus, who was not bad at all his first year with the Bucs but totally fell apart the following season and then retired.
The lone guy that comes close to Cherilus’ resume that is still on the streets is Branden Albert. Perhaps after being tasered for trying to tackle a cop and punching a hole in a jewelry store display case, Albert might need an extra $200,000 or so for legal bills?
Yeah, that’s how bad it looks now.
Sadly, most teams cannot trade from a position of strength right now. Any bubble player the Bucs might want to use as trade bait won’t be worth a dime in value as teams figure he may be available as a roster cut in a little over a week. So if the Bucs do pull off a trade for a lineman, it will cost them.
The Bucs are really deep at wide receiver and linebackers. Tight ends have a lot of depth as well. Do the Bucs part with a wide receiver or a linebacker to try to lure an offensive lineman in return? Or do the Bucs part with a future draft pick?
In 2014 training camp, when Carl Nicks couldn’t answer the bell, Licht pulled off a trade to acquire guard Logan Mankins for a fourth-round pick and tight end Tim Wright.
The following training camp Licht got Cherilus. So it is not like Licht hasn’t been able to find help in the past on the offensive line in August.
What will Licht do now? It is difficult to believe Licht won’t acquire an offensive lineman between now and the first week of September.
August 22nd, 2018 at 8:17 am
Ingocnito?
August 22nd, 2018 at 8:18 am
I agree with all of this. I said this yesterday and I’ll say it again: Any LT worth a darn is currently on a roster. Donovan Smith is a quality LT so all of you fools that have been bashing the guy since day one are going to see for yourself how valuable he is when he’s not in there.
August 22nd, 2018 at 8:23 am
I thought joe and the sheep said that the roster was set!!! that GM Licht had done his job??????? The emotional roller coaster that some ride around here is something else!!!!!!!!!
Keep fixing the “real” problem, the roster!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 22nd, 2018 at 8:27 am
I only see DJax (of course beside ME13 and Cam Brate – but they aren’t up for negotiation) offering the trade value needed to score a veteran LT from someone else.
August 22nd, 2018 at 8:30 am
If my math is correct Koetter will potentially be starting 6-7 udfas on offense come week 1.
August 22nd, 2018 at 8:41 am
DEASEAN JACKSON AND A 3RD OR 4TH ROUND PICK?
August 22nd, 2018 at 8:42 am
Donny didnt back pedal well and had difficulty with speed rushers at 100%…
With a sprain knee on 320 lbs, Donny is going to be a detriment and also prone to further injury…
“Move marpet to left tackle”
Kobe Faker
August 22nd, 2018 at 8:46 am
Let’s pool our money together and bail Richie Incognito out of jail. He is one BAD dude and could take the right guard spot over in a heartbeat. Plus he would be able to drive JW on the short yellow bus to his favorite tampa gentlemen’s clubs.
August 22nd, 2018 at 8:50 am
Didn’t Richie get arrested with multiple guns and silencers in his SUV. The person that called the cops said he thought Richie was going to kill him.
August 22nd, 2018 at 8:50 am
Signing Incognito will be a sure way for Jason Licht and the rest of the staff to be fired at the end of the year.
August 22nd, 2018 at 8:54 am
I didnt hear any complaints when he was in Buffallo
August 22nd, 2018 at 8:54 am
His name is Alex Cappa and he is on the roster.
Richie Incognito lost his mind out here in Scottsdale-whoa–dude went completely off the deep end and is verging on serious jail time.
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:00 am
It doesn’t matter. This team has maybe five wins in it this year. Take the high draft pick for the new GM and coaching staff to work with in 2019.
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:01 am
Licht has everything under control he usually is 2-3 years out when he evaluates the roster and identifies where there are deficiencies in the roster, so probably around 2020 the OL will be a focus, have patience bucs fans, licht has built the best 5-11 team he can, LBs and TEs, were his primary focus when he started so that position is good, its a 20 year building process
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:04 am
I 2nd Alex Cappa.
Dirk has always said he likes guys that can play more positions.
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:05 am
I have no problem trading next years 4th rounder for a starting caliber O Lineman like Mankins. Even when Smith comes back it will add depth. As we’ve seen you can always trade back in the draft and pick up more picks. Hopefully JL is working the phones today.
#Get After It!
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:05 am
Malik Watson?
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:08 am
Oakland’s David Sharpe would be a solid acquisition.
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:10 am
Oakland’s
LT David Sharpe
Weight: 343 lbs | Height: 6-6 | Age: 22
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:14 am
Hate to say it but we have depth at d-line as well….LB, DL, WR…Trade bait. DL probably would get someone’s attention, maybe Jackson or Humphries. Of the LBs….David is the most expensive and oldest, but has solid value for a team looking for a true upgrade.
Let’s not forget about our stud nickel corner either…..
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:23 am
Last year our weakness was Defensive line and DBs. Licht saw this weakness and made a major play in both free agency and in the Draft. I think we will see the same scenario work out next year. We may not have much to spend in free agency but I think the draft will be heavily placed in Offensive linemen.
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:27 am
*Test
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:29 am
If we could swing a late-round pick for Penn I would be pumped. Yes, he’s old but he would be a great addition for a temporary LT and then move to swing tackle or assist at RT should DOT not be able to stay healthy.
There will be a couple other big names floating around as cuts start to come through.
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:36 am
this is when a team with too many good wide receivers needs to make a trade
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:36 am
I didn’t pay much attention to Liedtke during our games but I will say that the 2nd and 3rd team offensive lineman were very poor as a unit IMO.
I think Licht knows we need to acquire a capable NFL Tackle. Won’t be one of the deals that goes under the radar.
Nothing worse then having a team that’s gets destroyed from the Tackle position. We have seen enough of that over the years. It is very very tough to watch and root for.
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:41 am
Alabama I agree with you on that. The D Line is very solid right now but they are very old and Vita is untested still. Dline should still be a focus IMO and next year is supposed to have a lot of them.
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:49 am
Now you’ve done it Joe…. these guys can say anything bad about my posts that they want. My AC can break down… a tree can take out my power for a couple days…that is life.
But to make fun of my Alma mater… the great…”THE real ISU”…home of Reggie Redbird…now you have gone too far. Joe…thems is fighting words.
I was going to buy you a beer if I ran into you, and toast that institution of lesser learning, EIU…. but you just lost that. Other than “THE real ISU”, A Pox upon other Illinois Universities.
BTW…going to take my nearly graduating double major in Genetics and Life Science Writing son at U of W, to the UW/ U of I game at Camp Randall in October. I’m ready for a real spanking of the orange and blue.
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:52 am
BTW… you want me to yell “Hey Lovie….JoeBucsFan misses you” to Lovie if he walks by?
August 22nd, 2018 at 10:02 am
AlabamaBucFan Says:
August 22nd, 2018 at 9:23 am
Last year our weakness was Defensive line and DBs. Licht saw this weakness and made a major play in both free agency and in the Draft. I think we will see the same scenario work out next year. We may not have much to spend in free agency but I think the draft will be heavily placed in Offensive linemen.
EVERY YEAR IS NEXT YEAR WHEN YOU ARE A BUCFAN! ONFIELD RESULTS AND HISTORY PROVE IT. OUTSIDE OF GURDEN’S GLORY YEAR IT’S ALWAYS MAYBE NEXT YEAR
August 22nd, 2018 at 10:08 am
That’s easy you part with a draft pick because you may be looking for work next year but what team had a rookie beating out a veteran o lineman?
Dirk main issue seems to be as simple as getting his teams ready for game 1. Had a soft training camp last year before they started dropping like flies, tougher this year and everyone is getting hurt. The trenches were supposed to be there strength of the team. If it’s not we’re looking at 0-3 without 3 starting lineman. Who can you pull off the street that would be serviceable anyway
August 22nd, 2018 at 10:11 am
The only position we genuinely have depth to trade from is wide receiver. And it would have to be D-Jax, as the other guys are on the bubble and teams would just wait to see who gets cut. LB is not deep due to injuries and with the way Kwon has looked, I’m not so sure he should be starting anymore.
August 22nd, 2018 at 10:19 am
D-Rome
Amen brother
Luv
Interesting target for acquisition from Oakland. Do you suppose however given his love of vets Chucky would trade Penn straight up for DJAX? Two guys who can still play but are getting close to the end of their careers.
Don’t know how Jordy, Martavis and Amari have been playing. Don’t suppose Chucky is desperate for another WR but DJAX has that which you cannot coach…God’s gift…SPEED.
I’m largely in the no trade group here…but sometimes ya gotta do what you gotta do. I like DJAX but he’s become expendable when you consider our amazing number of really good WR’s. Same at TE but I do not want to trade any of them either.
August 22nd, 2018 at 10:26 am
LUV
I agree…..
david sharp would be good….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
August 22nd, 2018 at 10:28 am
Joe, you have gone off the deep end.
The Bucs cross train linemen for a reason. It’s preseason. There is absolutely no need to give up a pick or a player just because Smith might miss a couple games.
We have all we need on the roster already. Just stick it out and it will work itself out.
People panic far too easily around here.
August 22nd, 2018 at 10:33 am
If you insist on bringing in another guy, which I’m against, then there were a bunch of undrafted left tackles this year and last (some went to cfl).
August 22nd, 2018 at 10:39 am
Follow the Licht I have no worries about this
August 22nd, 2018 at 10:44 am
Bonzai, I really want to know what alternate universe of football watching you are doing on the present day bucs? 5-11, 5-11, and they now have possibly the 35th best qb in the nfl starting the first 3 games and an OL that is abysmal, if koetter somehow gets this team to 3-0, he deserves to make the bucs ring of honor
August 22nd, 2018 at 10:55 am
No panic here.
If Licht can work a trade, great. If not, let Cappa start.
I’ll say this again, go back and read last seasons Morning Afters and count all the negative articles about Donovan Smith. Hell, I think one of them blames him for the Messiah’s shoulder injury.
He is an ok tackle that gets beat a lot and makes silly mental mistakes.
But he’s dependable and a nice guy.
To those who want Incognito, I think he is a Guard.
Also, all that baggage he has.
Of course he could always just say it didn’t happen, Joe labels it a hassle…..and viola….. we’re in business.
Don’t panic Bucs’ fans.
August 22nd, 2018 at 11:10 am
lol doosh
August 22nd, 2018 at 11:18 am
I agree Joe. Needs to happen
August 22nd, 2018 at 12:14 pm
We can’t rob Peter to pay Paul…
Let’s work with what we have…This could be a blessing in disguise; some the newbies could definitely use the reps..I’m totally opposed to trading any of our receivers, other than Hump, Wilson, and Martino…Besides, neither of those guys have any trade value worth entertaining…As for DLine, maybe Will Gholston; that’s most likely is out of the question because of his contract/play of late…
Time to start dumpster diving; Brandon Albert is looking like a chicken sandwich right about now…
August 22nd, 2018 at 1:27 pm
@ Mark,
You still live in the Bloomington area? I don’t see a lot of Bucs fans around these parts.
Although I’m an alum of Joe’s EIU, not your ISU.
August 22nd, 2018 at 2:22 pm
The Bucs are deep at LB? Huh? They have David and Kwon and a promising, but still very much unproven Beckwith, then after that they have almost nothing. I like Joe Dirt but there’s a reason he was a practice squad guy and I’m not seeing anything in these last two preseason games that would make me think he could step in if something happened to Kwon, in fact I think it would be a disaster. Taylor and Lynch are just whatever guys, and the only guy who I think could perhaps have value is Bond, but again, I doubt he’d have enough value to get a bag of footballs – teams don’t trade for guys like him.
Hump is probably the only person the Bucs could trade that could get them anything, even then I think they’d have to combine him with a draft pick. I think Bobo could step into Hump’s place pretty easily as I’m not a Hump truther, and I think Bobo has some upside. In either case you’re talking about a 4th string WR, so it would be a move worth making if they could get something. Not saying to dump Hump, I’m saying he’s the one guy they *might* get something for.
August 22nd, 2018 at 2:23 pm
Feel bad for Incognito. Literally lost his mind in a Funeral home in Arizona. His dad had passed away so he goes there to demand that they cut of his dad’s head for science. When they said no, he smashed up a coffin and some ash vases. The employees locked themselves in a room and called the cops. Maybe one too many hits to the noggin.
August 22nd, 2018 at 2:49 pm
uckinator – I just went and read that story on Incognito which I had not kept up on, and wow. Yeah I get that in that situation, your father dying, you can go a bit nuts, but he went full bore nuts – if what is being said is true in that he was saying he was going to go grab his guns and kill everyone there, in addition to everything you said. If true, and it’s a huge if since 90% of reporting is fake news and exaggerations, then he’s got some serious issues that go beyond some simple grief counseling.
August 22nd, 2018 at 6:07 pm
@JimmyJack – see Michael Bennett.
I don’t think the Bucs DL are very old. They are in their prime and Vinny, JP and McCoy still have a few years left. I will say, it has been proven that getting top notch DL you must draft early unlike the OL where you can find gems in the later rounds. I would not be disappointed if Licht drafted a pass rusher or two in the first 3 rounds and saved the OL for the later rounds.