Bruce Arians Gets Candid On Demar Dotson’s Positives And Negatives
March 27th, 2019
“Hey, Jensen, you hear what Bruce Arians just said about me?”
Head coach Bucco Bruce Arians delivered perhaps the most candid answer to one of Joe’s questions about a player in a long, long, long time.
It came yesterday at the grilling session knows as the NFL Coaches Breakfast, a featured event at the annual spring owners meetings.
Arians delivered an excellent performance overall, and this was one of his finest moments. In fact, Joe caught up to Arians at a resort bar later that afternoon to discuss how he deals with media questions. That aside, here’s Arians’ morning verbatim response to Joe’s query about right tackle Demar Dotson.
JoeBucsFan.com: What did you see from Demar Dotson on film, studying him and making the call to bring him back?
Bruce Arians: I mean he can still pass block. I mean, to me, that’s where you start. Can he get better in the running game? Yeah. But, you know, sometimes you’re asking a guy [and] he just physically can’t do something. I’ve had a couple of tackles that were really good pass blockers that couldn’t cut off to the left. Don’t ask him to. It’s no secret. We’ll run some plays just one way. Alright. It’s the only [play] in the game and we’re going to run it right. They know it. We know it. Stop it. You know, but don’t ask him to do a bunch of that. You still have to do some of it. But don’t ask him to do a bunch of it because he’s going to lose. But he can still block.
Joe loves how Arians keeps things so simple. It’s like he said Dotson’s great pass blocking makes up for his crappy run blocking and that’s good enough for me.
Dotson turns 34 in October and he’s 6-9 and playing on questionable knees. That’s not a guy who can bend and drive in the running game consistently, but he can do it successfully in spots. Arians knows it and will adjust accordingly.
It’ll be fun to hear what outspoken Dotson will say after he hears/reads Arians’ response. On the upside, Joe was told a month ago that Dotson is finally back to 100 percent and should healthy as ever to start training camp.
March 27th, 2019 at 2:29 pm
The last time Dotson was 100%, he was the best guy on the line.
March 27th, 2019 at 2:38 pm
OT Tytus Howard/Alabama State in the 3rd, maybe late 2nd if the Bucs trade down. Howard already accepted private visit to OBP. Study under Dotson for a year before taking the reins.
March 27th, 2019 at 2:41 pm
Awesome candidness.
Kind of matches what my eyes told me … we were at least average or better to average in pass pro, but terrible at run blocking and primarily to the right side.
Benecoch really dragged down Jensen/Dot with how much of a liability he was. Had to be the worst starting RG in 2018.
March 27th, 2019 at 2:48 pm
Dotson is a stop gap player for Bruce.
We need a plan at that position. Don’t know what the plan was it obvisously failed since we are still don’t know who Dotson s replacement is.
March 27th, 2019 at 2:49 pm
@Macabee
I am down with that pick. If he somehow were to beat out Dotson for the starting position I would still want the Bucs to keep Dotson as the Bucs swing tackle for 2019.
March 27th, 2019 at 2:51 pm
4 articles on McCoy today. It appears TMax has become part of the Joe administration.
March 27th, 2019 at 2:53 pm
dotson is just another feel good story that bucfan falls for that can not play football..
March 27th, 2019 at 3:12 pm
What the Bucs need to do is spend a 2nd rounder on a RB again, that will make the o-line a lot better at run blocking.
March 27th, 2019 at 3:20 pm
Hmmmm so BA thinks Dotson AND McIceCream are garbage! I say again WTFDIK 🤣🤣🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️
March 27th, 2019 at 3:27 pm
Know I’m really going to pay attention to which side the run to on 3rd and 1. If OJ is on Dotson’s hip is it a give away where we are going. I think BA said too much on this one and it is something to read into.
March 27th, 2019 at 3:30 pm
First of all, he’s not a great pass blocker. Second, no, it’s not good enough. It’s a massive issue for this team.
How can you be so accepting of mediocrity? GMC and Dotson both need to be moved on from. I would be very surprised if either one is still on this team at the start of the season
March 27th, 2019 at 3:35 pm
Dewey Selmon – The team can’t possibly be more predictable in the run than they have been the last 3 seasons under Dirk, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
March 27th, 2019 at 3:38 pm
You’ll never have 5 pro bowlers across the line….From a value standpoint, Dotson is solid….certainly not overpriced like Smith and Jensen but not completely worthless like our RG was. When you draft as crappy as we do, you have to settle for avg somewhere on the roster.
March 27th, 2019 at 3:47 pm
macabee
i agree….tytus howard or chuma edoga
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
March 27th, 2019 at 3:49 pm
dewey selmon
like BA said, they can know whats coming, but can they stop it?…..
and if they key in too much, play action will hurt them…..
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
March 27th, 2019 at 3:50 pm
What a crickets-craze this is going to be till April 25th. Sheesh.
I can see @Joe writing about every freakin’ player visit of the 30, always re-organizing where the Bucs are going at #5, again, and again, and again. And again. Like last year, and the several draft years before those.
Awful till the 25th….juss sayin.
March 27th, 2019 at 4:09 pm
“like BA said, they can know whats coming, but can they stop it?…..”
Mark Schlerif said that’s basically what the Broncos did when they were a dominant run team and has said this about the run game in general and how you have to commit to be successful.
They didn’t use many different run plays or exotic looks. They basically figured out which plays they could run with the most success given their personnel and just mastered them. Other teams knew what was coming but they knew when they ran certain plays that the majority of time their (Broncos) guys would kick the other guys a4ss.
I.e. maybe Dot can’t kick left as well. But if he can knock the sh1t out of someone consistently blocking right, even if they know it is coming, then you run your predictable play that you execute well rather than trying to mix it up just for the sake of it.
March 27th, 2019 at 4:17 pm
I love it I think it’s good that so so players are kinda being brought back to reality and someone is letting them know they can be better or we can find someone better out most tenured guys are elderly in the nfl world
March 27th, 2019 at 4:20 pm
joe
bucs reps/scouts were at UF pro day seen talking to the the oline coach and j.taylor….
maybe we go RT…..
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
March 27th, 2019 at 4:32 pm
This team needs two top-to-bottom solid drafts more than any team in recent memory.
March 27th, 2019 at 4:42 pm
Rod Munch don’t be surprised if they do,my senses tell me BA really wants Miles Sanders. His game coincides with BA’s offense. And for those who say we can’t run block which I feel is 85% effort. Hell most linemen will tell you they much rather run block than pass block. I’ll say again these are the same people that blocked for DM a few years ago when he finished second in the league in rushing. I think as team we were first in the league. What happened??? They realized they’re HC was a joke that’s what happened.
March 27th, 2019 at 4:45 pm
quit blaming everything on the running backs
March 27th, 2019 at 4:45 pm
Well, if Cappa can’t step in at RG or become the eventual replacement for Dotson that was a wasted pick.
If Benenoch is a tackle……when will he play?
We need to draft a RG no later than round 2 this year.
March 27th, 2019 at 4:47 pm
At age 34 Dotson will never be 100%. He sucks, should’ve been replaced two years ago already.
March 27th, 2019 at 5:06 pm
TBbucfan, I think more than 1 top level guard will be available in the early 3rd. I think we need to see if a top level pass rusher drops to us in the 2nd. There are some players that would be 1st rounders in other drafts that may fall because of the depth.
***WHAT IF THE DRAFT GOES LIKE THIS?
1. MURRAY
2. BOSA
3. TRADE WITH JETS (Someone takes Haskins)
4. John Gruden gets nervous thinking he won’t get a QB and drafts Locke. John Gruden does stupid stuff in the draft
5. Bucs have their pick
Haven’t seen this mocked anywhere but Gruden is said to want a QB
March 27th, 2019 at 5:46 pm
I like the idea of trading back and grabbing either of the tackles, Williams or Taylor. Plenty of DL to grab back half of the first round and second, as well as quality LBs
March 27th, 2019 at 5:47 pm
If it’s two second rounders, grab Kids from and then nothing but defense from then on.
March 27th, 2019 at 5:48 pm
Should’ve said Lidstrom. Autocorrect strikes again.
March 27th, 2019 at 6:01 pm
Too much cap space already spent on offense. This Draft should be D top to bottom.
March 27th, 2019 at 6:13 pm
Man I’ve been saying Dotson is overrated for 4 years now. The right side of the OL is the biggest hole on the team. Coach sees it. I see it. Ira sees it. But… joe refuses to see it.
Draft Jawaan Taylor please
March 27th, 2019 at 6:14 pm
In 2015 Bucs running game was very sucessful .They ran a lot and passed out of the backfield effectively. whats different is the players Logan Mankins
and Luke stocker were here. Cherilous chipped in one good year as a mentor and adequate blocker. we haven’t had good enough run blocking since then even on the left side. Hopefully a different line coach can make a difference. But you need that motion and screen game to also open up the running game. We have not been good at the screen game. they basically used Hump to replace the screen game that should also come from the backfield.
March 27th, 2019 at 6:56 pm
Sseems like Arians studies his players and utilizes the hell out of their strengths.
March 27th, 2019 at 7:08 pm
Once again, my man Bruce commenting on how the previous coaching staff was absolutely bush league and consistently put players in position to FAIL. The detractors cannot read between the lines and have zero critical thinking skills.
March 27th, 2019 at 7:22 pm
Both of the Bucs tackles are crap.
March 27th, 2019 at 8:04 pm
Thats great and all from BA, but unfortunately the other teams DC gets paid to identify weaknesses like a RG or RT, liked dotson but licht is years late on this too
March 27th, 2019 at 8:14 pm
Ain’t nobody gone talk about how in yesterday’s interview BA mentioned how he planned to have LVD doing more blitzing next utilizing his speed. Kinda coincides with me saying the LBrs are the most important grouping in a 3/4 scheme and why I believe this scheme will maximize Devin Whites abilities on the football. Ain’t nobody catch that part???
March 27th, 2019 at 8:23 pm
Wow! What a breath of fresh air, with all the doors and windows wide open on a warm, spring day! (I copied and pasted this from my previous comment on an article about Dirk Koetter last year and the year before that).
March 27th, 2019 at 8:55 pm
doc stroud…. nice one
March 27th, 2019 at 9:04 pm
Yes I saw that part! That’s why I keep saying it will be Devin White … the lb does alot of blitzing in the 3/4 scheme but it’s like taking to a tree lol
March 27th, 2019 at 9:08 pm
Or even trade back a few and Devin Bush if white is gone …
March 27th, 2019 at 9:24 pm
Jamaal,
The year DM ran wild compared to last year, 3 of 5 new linemen, of the 2 still here 1 switched position. That and DM played a full 16 games vs the next year 8 or so.
So sorry, it’s no where near what you said about the same group. No where.
Other than that, you’re dead on.
March 27th, 2019 at 10:23 pm
This is what makes this draft so interesting for us this year. There’s so many perfect fit options. The first round options 1)how do you pass on top 5 DLine talent. 2)you can get a rare athlete MLB. 3)can get a stud RT who has serious pro bowl potential(Taylor) 4)an elite corner in greedy.. I don’t see how this can be screwed up unless we draft a guy who’s production doesn’t match the hype. Basically rashaan Gary at 5 is the only screw up I see possible in round 1
March 27th, 2019 at 11:41 pm
@Joe – didn’t I read somewhere on here that PB’s average yards per carry was higher when he ran to the right side as opposed to the left side?
Not saying BBA is wrong in his assessment, but how do you explain that with a worthless RG and a RT that can barely walk?