Demar Dotson Is Back
March 7th, 2019
Returning.
UPDATED 11:25 a.m. – It sure smells like the only new face on the Bucs’ offensive line for the 2019 season will be at right guard.
The Bucs announced this morning they have executed the option on right tackle Demar Dotson’s $4.8 million contract for this season.
Dotson, who will turn 34 in October, was the only starting offensive lineman last season for the Bucs who did not start every game.
He started 15.
Near the end of last season, former Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter said on the Buccaneers Radio Network that Dotson might be the best pass blocking right tackle in the NFL.
So for all the caterwauling that the Bucs’ offensive line is responsible for every horrible thing on the Planet Earth from global warming to the outbreak of the Ebola virus and the rebirth of measles, get your voices primed and your fingers stretched out. Another season of constant bellyaching awaits.
March 7th, 2019 at 11:18 am
It looks like we are going to find out if our issue was coaching or talent, because it doesn’t seem like we are going with a roster overhaul like you would normally get with a new staff.
March 7th, 2019 at 11:18 am
BA=Lovie Smith
BA=Lovie Smith
BA=Lovie Smith
BA=Lovie Smith
BA=Lovie Smith
ARRRGHHHH!!!!
2019 Bucs=NFC South Basement
March 7th, 2019 at 11:19 am
Some feel in NFL reporting circles that a 33 year old RT (when season starts) at roughly $4.5 million for 2019 can indeed be trade. Some have said. At a minimum this does keep that door open, and they’re likely keeping their opinion of Kappa to themselves, as it might tip the trade Dotson hand.
Go Bucs!
March 7th, 2019 at 11:19 am
Didn’t they learn anything by trying to get another year out of Grimes? It doesn’t work like that. There’s no more sand in that hour glass, he was done last year.
March 7th, 2019 at 11:22 am
Does that make him an automatic starter?
March 7th, 2019 at 11:24 am
As expected.
This means nothing about the future of the line though.
Arians has echoed about the line that is dragging down what would be a fantastic offense. Luckily for the Bucs there is a ton of top-end and mid-level O line talent in the draft, especially at the tackle positions. Wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see this team take 3 O line prospects in the draft to get these very overpaid, very underperforming starters off the books.
March 7th, 2019 at 11:24 am
Demar Dotson is not Brent Grimes.
As jammed up as the Bucs are with the salary cap, it would be insane to pay a soon-to-be 34-year old backup starter’s money.
March 7th, 2019 at 11:25 am
I don’t get it. Is this offensive line really a RG away from being a much needed improvement for the running game?
Are we really expected to believe if the Bucs bring back most of the players on this roster from last season that the team is a head coach and staff away from the playoffs?
March 7th, 2019 at 11:27 am
this is just more proof glazers are not even trying to field a respectable team.
March 7th, 2019 at 11:30 am
The guy has been a steal since he got his first extension. I’m happy he’s still on the team because when healthy he’s a top 10 RT.
March 7th, 2019 at 11:31 am
So who are we going to let go or trade or whatever, we are over the cap!!!!Not in panic, but not so sure if I like what´s happening…….Time will tell
March 7th, 2019 at 11:34 am
Joe, is any of that money guaranteed? Could still carry him to roster cut downs.
March 7th, 2019 at 11:34 am
This line was being poorly coached, and the run game was poorly coached/designed/executed. The hope is the new coaching staff will know what it’s doing. Other teams have run games with lesser talent on the line, so it can be done people!
March 7th, 2019 at 11:35 am
When Cappa somehow becomes the starting RG n training camp, heads will explode.
I LOVE the Arians hiring and now we have to hope it was scheme/coaching over talent that was holding back the Buc offense.
I have been very vocal about my disdain for our LT D. Smith for years. He is simply not good and certainly not good enough to make 14 million a year. Analysts keep saying the Bucs would not have found anyone as good on the market – I disagree.
D. Smith is so close to average and even below average that the odds of finding a decent guy in the vein of Nassib at DE was much higher than people might think. D. Smith lacks a constant motor and motivation. Hopefully, something clicks for him – but history has shown us that it rarely does after someone with a penchant for taking plays off gets paid.
D. Smith would have made a terrific RT or interior G. It’s a move the Bucs should have made while he was under his rookie contract. Now, they will have a mediocre line at best for the next 3-5 years.
Those who do not learn from history…
FIX THE TRENCHES, FIX THE BUCS!!
March 7th, 2019 at 11:37 am
Dotson was far from our biggest problem last season, he kinda stunk in the running game but wasn’t nearly as bad as Benenoch…
But I still don’t like the fact that were going to to be relying on a 34 year old guy who doesn’t exactly have a history of being an iron man.
Father time is undefeated and I’m surprised Jason hasn’t learned not to gamble on older guys after situations with Vincent Jackson and Gosder Cherilus and TJ Ward and Brent Grimes.
March 7th, 2019 at 11:45 am
still has to make the final 53….
March 7th, 2019 at 11:46 am
well–getting a a really good right guard will likely make a ton of difference we need one in the 2nd round
March 7th, 2019 at 11:56 am
I’m starting to feel like this is another 5-11 season in the making. For a team that only won 10 games total the past two seasons, not enough poor performance talent subtraction IMO. Plus, given the salary cap situation ( thank you Jason Licht), Bucs can’t afford Humphries much less a quality safety or CB help.
March 7th, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Hawaiian Buc Says
“It looks like we are going to find out if our issue was coaching or talent, because it doesn’t seem like we are going with a roster overhaul like you would normally get with a new staff.”
Yeah…strange isn’t it? They are not even making an effort to clear cap space. Dotson would have been a cut in my book. His age and injury history alone would have done him in.
March 7th, 2019 at 12:01 pm
@StoutGospel
You are kidding yourself if you think Dotson is tradeable.
March 7th, 2019 at 12:02 pm
BA is no Lovie. Lovie moved Penn and Buttah when he shouldn’t have. We get a solid RG like Chris Lindstrom we’re good to go until we draft or develop Dotson’s replacement.
March 7th, 2019 at 12:02 pm
Dot has been solid for years. Again BA watched the same film Licht did. If BA didn’t want him he wouldn’t be here. We all asked for it and we got it Koetter is gone lets see what BA can do. Many have said this team only lacked coaching we are about to see how true that statement really is.
March 7th, 2019 at 12:04 pm
Bucs_in_Spain Says
“Joe, is any of that money guaranteed? Could still carry him to roster cut downs.”
Exercising the option makes it a guarantee. He’s our starting Right Tackle for 2019. It’s a lock now.
March 7th, 2019 at 12:05 pm
Coaching was the demise last year.
You will see
March 7th, 2019 at 12:05 pm
It’s not that Dot is not solid, it’s that he is getting up there in years and we need new blood. Finding the right guy to replace him could take time, so maybe that;s why they are keeping him. As a bridge payer?
March 7th, 2019 at 12:06 pm
Look, Demar will not play in 16 games. Whoever backs him up is potentially his eventual replacement, ie. Liedtke, Cappa, or somebody.
It would’ve been extremely difficult to fill both RG and RT positions with free agents. In addition, we need depth.
Does this make me feel warm and fuzzy? No. But, in the end, it probably makes sense from a team standpoint.
March 7th, 2019 at 12:09 pm
NPRSageBoy Says
“I’m starting to feel like this is another 5-11 season in the making…”
two things made this a 5-11 team the past two seasons:
Kicking and Defense.
The offense was fine, even minus a running game.
The problem is that we are taking away from the offense and have not made improvements to the defense yet. Obviously, Jackson is gone.
The questions remains…will Humphries and Barber still be here?
March 7th, 2019 at 12:21 pm
NFL teams everywhere are pining to get their hands on all 34 YO RT. I am not sure how the fans can expect different results (5 wins and basement) when all the players are the same that got them 5 wins.
With all that said, I see the Bucs trading back with one of the QB hungry teams that want to leapfrog the NYG who have the next pick. I think we still get the OL we are targeting while moving back and picking up another valuable 2nd rounder. These are the things GMs/teams do after blowing picks like Aguayo and HG3. They corner themselves into trading back.
If we get to 8 wins this year, it will be a miracle.
March 7th, 2019 at 12:22 pm
By far the scariest gm on the planet. What a coward and he’s gonna find some way to keep all his lovable losers in town, it’s just shameful the guy feels he has no better options to replace a 34 yr old tackle who is showing his age. I see a Gosder Cherilus type season at right tackle. Love Demar but it’s a young mans game, wonder why love the retirees so much
What the over/under on the number of games Demar and Geraldine will play
March 7th, 2019 at 12:28 pm
I think this is a sign most of the new signings and draft is going to the D side.
Look also to more 3 step, quick throws from JW.
Really, how many passes we threw a game and almost all were 5-7 step drops – that’s a long time to block.
Hell, if they get off quicker 3-step passes, maybe Donovan Smith won’t look like the loafer he did for the last 2-4 steps.
March 7th, 2019 at 12:45 pm
hawaiian
been saying for years it was coaching and scheme not talent and players…..
been saying for years this team has talent to win now but it hasnt been developed…..
no major roster turnover coming to tampa…..we’ll add a few low priced FA’s but the roster will be pretty much the same from last year….the difference will be better coaching, scheme & adjustments…..
i think licht will get the last laugh…lol….all the folks that say he cant draft or sign FA’s will be looking foolish once BA gets us to the playoffs…..
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
March 7th, 2019 at 12:50 pm
I can understand why many are disappointed we didn’t make a change at RT this year…..it seems like we could have replaced Dotson with a 4.5 mil FA.
For me the key to the Oline is Alex Cappa being able to play LG……or us selecting a G in rounds 2 or 3…….a later round pick would be too much of a risk (we’ve gone that route before)
Dotson is simply OK….the only positive is the continuity…..
Now…..as far as the man is concerned…..got to luv Demar……
March 7th, 2019 at 12:58 pm
BA did say, watching film he can see how some players will work better in their schemes. Tom Brady makes his offensive line looks great, but when they go to another team with the exception of Logan Mankins, they look ehhh. With Brady the Passing game opens up the running game. Hopefully BA and company will play to our players strengths, with the lack of cap space, who you gonna bring in on the offensive line, plus, I am sure a guard is on the docket in the 2nd round unles we trade back in the first, they want an experienced RT playing next to that RG (Lindstrom or Jenkins)
March 7th, 2019 at 1:03 pm
you guys drinking the cool aid need to hit walmart for some cups and jock straps the NUTPUNCH is coming
6-10
March 7th, 2019 at 1:05 pm
Such a trash move wtf no expectations for this team
March 7th, 2019 at 1:08 pm
Oh boy, why not just sign Chris Conte and go for the trifecta
These guys are going in the wrong direction, they need to cut and/or trade everyone over 30 sans JPP and LVD. Everybody else gotta go! This some serious BS right here. ARRRGH!!!
March 7th, 2019 at 1:19 pm
They can absolutely still draft a RT in the 1st. Dotson is a good insurance policy.
March 7th, 2019 at 1:30 pm
Jason Gump was and is the problem…
Until you get this wannabe out of Tampa we wont be getting better
The Teflon Gump probably cant believe it himself
“I screwup and draft a kicker in the 2nd round and the idiot Sheep here in Tampa blame the Glazers for it! LOL!”
Jason Gump
March 7th, 2019 at 1:35 pm
Need more depth in case of injury.
I think it was a good move. But he’s getting up there in age. Bad knees… definitely need a guy who can work in there with him.
March 7th, 2019 at 1:40 pm
We need backups that can play both the tackle and guard positions.
At least of comparable skill to Dotson… at least…
Anyone of these guys can go down with injury.
I can see this coaching staff working wonders.
March 7th, 2019 at 1:48 pm
“Kobe sees 6 wins max, but if we get Devin White we reach 8-8…
Kobe is being a optimist,
2019 season is going to be a mess…
Devin White is the only player in the draft that will save the defense”
Kobe Faker
March 7th, 2019 at 1:49 pm
There’s always a position or 2 every year that features a starter who is a guy that nobody was talking about. Last year it was Whitehead and Nassib making solid cotritubions.
We need some of this on our OL. We got a few young guys to work with. We can draft one or two more and add more OL as undrafted………..
If we can’t get solid RT play from all that then the coaching just sucks. Bruce knows how old Dotson is and what he brings. I doubt he will be expecting Dotson to give him 16. But he will expect Dostson to be ready to start one Game One if needed.
March 7th, 2019 at 1:59 pm
Signed a lazy ass LT & now sign an old man who should have retired last year. I guarantee Dotson will not make through the year without going on injure reserve. Hell he probably won’t make it through traing camp. Well BA you said there is nothing wrong with the Bucs that are on the roster now. If you think these holders overs you got are going to get you to the playoffs, think again. I think Licht has himself a partner in crime. Looks like last place in the south again. C’mon make me eat my words.
March 7th, 2019 at 2:03 pm
That is criminal to compare Grimes to Dotson.
March 7th, 2019 at 2:19 pm
Hopefully Dotson was signed only to fills in until a young guy can take his spot later in the year. Age is catching up quickly on Dotson as he has been too often injured.
March 7th, 2019 at 2:21 pm
Of course Dotson was coming back, who didn’t think he was?
March 7th, 2019 at 2:49 pm
alabama
BINGO!!!!!
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
March 7th, 2019 at 2:58 pm
This is concerning unless in a few days we see the cuts and trades start to happen
Lots of cash thrown at a very mediocre OLine…
March 7th, 2019 at 3:04 pm
Agreed tmax. As the team is constructed right now there is no way this coaching staff can turn this team from 5-11 to a playoff team. The problem with last year’s team wasn’t all about coaching. They can’t bring back 90% of the players and expect a different outcome.
March 7th, 2019 at 3:12 pm
good for demar…but now this is suspect…for sure…
March 7th, 2019 at 3:24 pm
Coaching could be the issue. Remember how our defense played marginally better after Mike Smith was fired? Moved up 5 spots in the team defensive rankings. 4 more coaching changes and we could be golden with this group of players.
March 7th, 2019 at 3:40 pm
Bucs bringing back all the fan favorites I see…
March 7th, 2019 at 4:04 pm
BA obviously wan’t blowing smoke when he said recently that all the Offensive coaches basically told him – “just get us our guys back and we’re good”.
Of course the RG position must be addressed – even if that means bringing in an Iupati or Ramon Foster for $4M or whatever for 1 year – they can’t just stand pat at RG. If they don’t bring in a free agent like that – then they are pretty well forced to use that high 2nd rd pick for a plug and play type rookie to fill the hole at RG. I would actually applaud that move regardless of FA developments… Liedke is a better Tackle than Guard. Wester is exclusively a Tackle. Pretty sure Cappa will be focusing on Tackle development this year as well (or should be). You don’t want Evan Smith starting… LOL
That RG spot has been a deep hole ever since Marpet was told to abandon the spot for alleged greener pastures at Center, and then LG….
The right side of the Oline has to come cheapish – because the left side is now feakin millionaires row… So drafting a guy to capably fill that hole shortly after arriving makes all the sense in the world – as does drafting a good OT prospect sometime in the first 3 rounds.
Licht needs to trade down in the first round so we can draft OG, OT, DE and DT prospects all in the first 3 rounds.
We’re gonna need to draft a LBer pretty high as well if they can’t get Kwon signed though…
The LSU LBer looks super ligit to me as a top 10 pick. Starting to think that taking him at 5 might just be our best move actually if Kwon leaves in free agency. It kind of screws up the above plan – but I think if you nail down a serious blue chip, stud prospect like that at MLB – you take that guy at the top of your board and you say – “whatever else happens – we’re happy”.
March 7th, 2019 at 4:10 pm
my last sentence certainly also applies if any of Bosa, Williams or Allen fall to #5.
March 7th, 2019 at 4:51 pm
tmaxcon Says:
March 7th, 2019 at 1:03 pm
you guys drinking the cool aid need to hit walmart for some cups and jock straps the NUTPUNCH is coming
6-10
THIS….was funny! LMAO!
I’ll roll with 8-8 as a record, and no playoffs, if no Lev Bell added and no Quinnen, but not 6-10.
But THAT was EFFING hilarious @tmax..
Go Bucs!
March 7th, 2019 at 4:54 pm
Remember BA and his ENTIRE STAFF watched video from the last three years of not just games, they also watched video from last year’s practices. Perhaps they saw something Warhop or Koetter did not.
But who am I to get excited? It’s not like I trust BA and his entire coaching staff’s NFL judgement more than we who post here. (snark font off now)
March 7th, 2019 at 4:54 pm
The skirts are back at it…again.
🙂
Go Bucs!
March 7th, 2019 at 5:05 pm
I predicted Alex Cappa would be our Right Guard. And Wester would be our RT by the end of this year.
For those claiming Wester isn’t good enough because he didn’t start, THAT is a case of seniority and Wester being developed.
And that’s the crux of the matter. Most of you are ‘feed me now’ fans who have absolutely no grasp of player development. To you, if a player isn’t starting by year two or three, then he never will and is a bust or career backup.
However, that isn’t the reality of the situation. When you have a solid starter for years, the guys behind him have the luxury of being developed. That;s how good teams do it.
Personally, I think Wester is ready, however, if the Bucs want to be double sure before letting Dotson go, hey, that’s their prerogative.
It would not even bother any of you if not for the cap situation.
March 7th, 2019 at 5:07 pm
Did Gruden coach him? I feel like he’s been here forever.
March 7th, 2019 at 5:14 pm
And really, what does the cap matter?
Multiple teams go over the cap every year, and they never get the fines they are supposed to get for doing it.
Not to mention, when it is all said and done, the Bucs do not have to fit under the cap until final roster cuts. Until then, they can sign anyone they want and worry about fitting under the cap later.
March 7th, 2019 at 6:32 pm
Well the way things are going it wouldn’t surprise me if Bennoch is the starting RG. No matter what Licht says.
March 7th, 2019 at 6:41 pm
I guess this fits under the “only as good as your weakest link” line. Seems they’re saying the one spot brought em all down. We shal see. I definitely have trust in a real coaching staff.
March 7th, 2019 at 8:18 pm
My opinion is we have lost most games due to lack of defense and kicking game. With a more creative and better coached run game combined with a average defense I suspect we will see a different team.
In Bruce I trust.
March 7th, 2019 at 9:13 pm
This guy deserves a Super Bowl ring such a warrior
March 7th, 2019 at 11:29 pm
Dotson has had a respectable career. I’m okay with this because signing a free agent RT who is better than Dotson would probably cost $7 to 9 million a year. Draft his heir apparent in this year’s draft, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th round.