High Grades From Notorious O-Line Critic
December 10th, 2019
Joe had to hit the rewind button a few times.
Joe couldn’t believe what was happening. Was the world coming to an end?
Former Buccaneers guard Ian Beckles (1990-1996) was assessing the Tampa Bay offensive line on his In The Trenches podcast yesterday and the notorious critic appeared to say the Bucs can win consistently with what general manager Jason Licht has assembled.
“Other than Demar Dotson, our offensive line is pretty much set for next year. We can win with that,” Beckles said, as Joe dropped a newly cracked Dunder & Blixem.
Beckles even praised veteran backup Earl Watford for his work Sunday in place of injured Alex Cappa. And Beckles certainly knows what he’s watching at his old position.
Man, this is stunning. Beckles has been very harsh in the past on Donovan Smith. Apparently, Smith has slightly won over Beckles.
The Bucs have good size on their line, Beckles said, but it’s not super tough. Still, he seems to think it’s good enough. And this comes just a week after former Bucs tight end Anthony Becht, a fierce blocker himself, said fans shouldn’t blame the offensive line for Tampa Bay’s poor rushing attack.
Interesting stuff.
Maybe this will be the offseason that the Bucs finally find a solid starting NFL running back, which would make the O-line look a lot better.
December 10th, 2019 at 11:05 am
they suck…. simple as that… a play here a play there does not offset all the whiffs and drive killing penalties…. start from scratch. get rid of all 5 starters you can’t do any worse. marpet and cappa are backups at best and can easily be upgraded as both starters or backups… C’mon, man, this is completely moronic. Bucs are Top-3 in yards and Top-3 in scoring. You can pretend the O-line is steaming hot garbage, but it’s not. –Joe
December 10th, 2019 at 11:18 am
next, they need to get similar\better performance from a cheaper, younger group. can’t be spending $40+ million on 3 good-but-not-great linemen, and Dotson needs to be a backup making half his 2019 salary if he’s on the roster at all next season
December 10th, 2019 at 11:19 am
joe
the savior has a force filed of goodness that protects him allowing those wonderful stats to be obtained in spite of the incompetence that surrounds him. His purity of heart is what offsets the offensive lines consistently crappy play. i do admire your consistency and loyalty… I hope its genuine and not that they have pictures of Joe hanging with R Kraft.
December 10th, 2019 at 11:21 am
I think part of the issue with our run-game is that our RBs have poor vision. I can’t tell you how many times I yell at the TV because Barber or Jones run smack into the backside of an OL instead of bouncing it to the green grass.
RT needs to be upgraded, that’s a given. It wouldn’t hurt to explore other options as well.
December 10th, 2019 at 11:21 am
pick6
dotson should have been replaced 10 years ago. he has never been special. being the best of the worst still means you suck.
December 10th, 2019 at 11:22 am
Jameis is the 3rd highest sacked QB this year @41, behind Kyler Murry 46 and Klye Allen 44. Yes some of those are on Jameis but O-line could help that a little you would hope. IMO O-line has be slightly above average to average and too inconsistent from game to game. But in defense of the O-line they have played some of the better defensive fronts, they looked great against the Rams and then got owned by the saints twice to name a few.
December 10th, 2019 at 11:24 am
We need a replacement for Dotson. And quality depth at all positions, since we can’t guarantee they will all stay healthy all season.
December 10th, 2019 at 11:24 am
Sign a veteran RT
Draft a RT in the first 2 rounds
Draft a G in the later rounds
December 10th, 2019 at 11:36 am
Completely agreed with Beckles. The Bucs need an upgrade at RT but that’s about it.
Look, Jameis on average gets 2.4 seconds of pocket time before it collapses. The QB that gets the most pocket time on average is Kirk Cousins with an average of 2.7 seconds. Jameis is the 2nd most blitzed QB in the NFL. When it comes down to it the problems with protecting the QB has far more likely to do with RBs not picking up the blitzes than the offensive line not doing their job. The Bucs only have 24 offensive line penalties (lead by Demar Dotson). You wanna talk about a bad offensive line then look at Houston. Laramey Tunsil has 15 penalties all by himself and that line has a total of 40 penalties. DeShaun Watson may very well have the worst offensive line in the league and he still outperforms Jameis. The Bucs offensive line is an average unit and I agree that you *can* win with them.
December 10th, 2019 at 11:47 am
Our O-line is about average IMO. Not elite though. Imagine our offense with a top 5-10 O-line.
Regardless we need a RT + more depth IMO.
RT has to be a pick in rounds 1 or 2, and I’d grab another versatile O-lineman in round 4-5 for developmental depth in addition to Watford.
I heard someone say something about moving Cappa to RT. God no please. Stop moving the freaking O-line around when a young player does well in a spot.
My ideal offseason as of now assuming Winston is the answer:
-re sign JPP/Barret/Suh/Nassib/Winston
-draft OT / DT at BPA first 2 picks, getting a penetrating DT to compliment Vea and our next starting RT
-go BPA RB/S/DE in R3-R4
-get another DT & another OT in later rounds
Sign a vet CB & vet S in addition to our youngsters.
Defense would be set at front 7 with a younger DT or 2 being groomed to replace Suh in 2021, and at secondary with our youngster trio at CB + a vet + Whitehead/Edwards + a vet S
Offense would be set with mostly the same pieces but an upgraded O-line & RB
2021 you start drafting to replace your biggest contracts & oldest players – i.e. edge to replace JPP / a LB to replace Lavonte / etc
Win like 5 super bowls – how can it not work out?
December 10th, 2019 at 11:56 am
Right Tackle, Running Back.
December 10th, 2019 at 11:56 am
You it’s a bad line when we have to get Earl Campbell or Barry Sanders to play here. If they were any good you can have a average back. This is not the case. We need all pros that can “make their own holes” and break tackles like a Madden truck stick
December 10th, 2019 at 11:59 am
OT, DT, RB/WR
December 10th, 2019 at 12:12 pm
Winston still bottom 3 in sacks and bottom 3 or 5 in QB hits. I would still like to see a OT or G drafted come 2020. Or maybe even free agency. Go Bucs !
December 10th, 2019 at 12:13 pm
Winston is still bottom 5 in QB Hits and sacks, this O Line can def be improved! Whether it’s via the draft or free agency come 2020. Go Bucs!
December 10th, 2019 at 12:18 pm
tmaxcon Says:
December 10th, 2019 at 11:05 am
they suck…. simple as that… a play here a play there does not offset all the whiffs and drive killing penalties…. start from scratch. get rid of all 5 starters you can’t do any worse. marpet and cappa are backups at best and can easily be upgraded as both starters or backups… C’mon, man, this is completely moronic. Bucs are Top-3 in yards and Top-3 in scoring. You can pretend the O-line is steaming hot garbage, but it’s not. –Joe
JOE, why bother even responding to ANYTHING tmax writes, out of the years I’ve been reading this site he has never once made a positive comment or a correct breakdown of any position that the Bucs has fielded. Many of us just skips overror any posts he makes
December 10th, 2019 at 12:18 pm
Bucsfanman Says:
December 10th, 2019 at 11:21 am
I think part of the issue with our run-game is that our RBs have poor vision.
BINGO!!!!!!
on 1 play in the 2nd quarter, barber completely missed the hole and ran right into the defender that jensen was blocking…..lol….jensen had it perfectly blocked…..jensen throw up his hands like, “WTF dude…the hole is to the right not left”…lol….
we still need good quality depth along the oline….grab 1 of them big boys from GA and 1 from Wisconsin….lol…
GO BUCS!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
December 10th, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Tampax just proved his stupidity again. Did your mommy not hug you as a child? Replace all five starters? With what? You’re saying we’re better off getting rid of and then replacing four average or better offensive linemen and one liability in Dotson with whatever it is you can find in the draft, in free agency, and the waiver wire? I’m sorry, do you not know that this isn’t how real life football works? I’d ask if you’re freaking stupid but everybody and that lady that never gave you hugs already know the answer.
December 10th, 2019 at 12:40 pm
I keep forgetting that tmaxcon is one of the greatest football minds ever.
December 10th, 2019 at 12:43 pm
Becht and Beckles praising our OL! I can see why you are stunned, Joe.
Donovan Smith should get some kind of award for NOT getting a large number of holding calls. I have seen many times where he had to keep after his guy for an inordinate amount of time while Winston scrambles around looking for a target (rather than getting rid of the ball).
December 10th, 2019 at 12:46 pm
Well there goes the theory on why Winston throws sooooooo many interceptions. Maybe it’s the QB that makes the line look bad and not the other way around.
December 10th, 2019 at 12:48 pm
Lord Corn – I dig your plan, while I understand your reasoning for a Vet Cornrback, I’d rather these guys build their own identity. They are plenty athletic, aggressive are getting coached up and going through rookie and yr 2 learning curve.
The Vet we could afford would most likely slow us down on the field and their development by taking reps.
“Dance with so brung you.“
In BA I Trust!
December 10th, 2019 at 12:49 pm
Dammit. Dance with who brung you.
In BA I Trust!
December 10th, 2019 at 12:50 pm
“KOBE FAKER HAS COME TO THE REALIZATION
BA/BL Twins going to stick with the vertical long developing routes and no short passing schemes
*1 shallow cross route to Godwin max per game and no more
Want to cut JW3 Ints in half?
We need 2 new Olineman next year to give JW3 more time and less throwing while being hit
JW3 needs a cleaner pocket
#DECISION MAKING STILL SUKS”
Kobe Realization Faker
December 10th, 2019 at 12:54 pm
If our Offensive Line grades a C for just average in the NFL that is high praise indeed.
All NFL players represent the elite football athletes on the planet.
_________
This is not to say that we don’t need to upgrade our OL to a higher grade if we truly want to reach the promised land any time soon. Or RBs need an upgrade as well.
December 10th, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Only Cappa has a chance to be an Alpha Dog. The rest are set in to who they are.
Beta’s.
Quinton Nelson went over to the Bucs punter because he got hit in the head during warmups. What do you think one of the 5 blocks of silly putty would have done? Not that.
December 10th, 2019 at 1:41 pm
good morning Brandon…. do you need a hug…. turn that frown upside down clown…..
December 10th, 2019 at 1:41 pm
What ever happened to Gerald Hawkins, the player the Bucs picked up from the Steelers at the end of preseason?
December 10th, 2019 at 1:51 pm
Re-sign all the FA D Linemen and Barrett and draft a 1st round O Tackle- now that would make the O-Line look alot better.
December 10th, 2019 at 1:54 pm
BA will tell Lichtweight to sign David Johnson. His guarantees are up and I don’t see the Cardinals bringing him back. Maybe BA can revitalize him
December 10th, 2019 at 2:00 pm
They played avg last week and I will say that was their best game but look at Indy and you would pretty take each and every one of their o lineman over the Bucs at like positions !! Ask the Bucs d line they wil tell ya !!! And a double props to the Bucs d line for shutting down/ containing the run against Indy !!! I believe Indy helped with that but still a Great Job !!!!
December 10th, 2019 at 2:18 pm
T M A X I P A D. What did I tell you about speaking out of turn. It’s time for you to go to time out. 99 % of the time your wrong. It’s the truth sorry it hurts Cappa an marpet came from what schools again an they are better than average our LT is slightly average but plays just about every snap an game that’s a beast right there just needs to quit loading sometimes lol now Jensen we did have to over pay but that’s the nfl he has bin worth it this year the only one your right about is doctson dude is a drive killing machine JOE correct me if I’m wrong but I’m pretty sure every long run Rojo has had has bin called back cuz of doctson holding penalties. It’s time for him to retire thank you for your services sir but it’s time to go lol
December 10th, 2019 at 2:28 pm
Um, wasn’t Jameis sacked 6 times against the Jaguars? The only time he wasn’t sacked was vs the Falcons…I like Marpet and Jensen, we definitely need to upgrade RT..as for Cappa and Smith I think we need a 2 good rotational pieces for them. Though I think Cappa can be better next year.
December 10th, 2019 at 2:28 pm
#1bucfan
stick to synchronized swimming
December 10th, 2019 at 2:32 pm
IN my opinion I believe Bucs will not draft an OL in 1st. Bet they draft DL or Safety with 1st round. Then OL in 2nd.
December 10th, 2019 at 2:34 pm
OT Hawkins is on the 53 man roster, but has not been on the 48 game day roster yet.
December 10th, 2019 at 2:47 pm
Outside of Dotson, the OL is still good.
But Dotson is getting replaced anyways.
December 10th, 2019 at 3:41 pm
As far as guards, I thought the Earl of Watford played well. Dotson is mostly done and if we keep him, he needs to be a backup next year. As we saw in the Colts game, the drop off from Smith is huge. I’d draft a RT and LT next year and if possible also look to upgrade via free agency. Otherwise, I think the rest of the O-line is set.
December 10th, 2019 at 3:44 pm
Bucsfan77
sir you must be confusing me with someone else. i have been write about this minor league franchise with every post the on field results and wonderful collection of basement titles prove that I have been right and will continue to be right. from cancer93 glenon murphy asj and so many many more i am never wrong and the scoreboard proves it. another failed season
December 10th, 2019 at 3:47 pm
@LordCornelius Says:
December 10th, 2019 at 11:47 am
Our O-line is about average IMO. Not elite though. Imagine our offense with a top 5-10 O-line.
Regardless we need a RT + more depth IMO.
RT has to be a pick in rounds 1 or 2, and I’d grab another versatile O-lineman in round 4-5 for developmental depth in addition to Watford.
I heard someone say something about moving Cappa to RT. God no please. Stop moving the freaking O-line around when a young player does well in a spot.
My ideal offseason as of now assuming Winston is the answer:
-re sign JPP/Barret/Suh/Nassib/Winston
-draft OT / DT at BPA first 2 picks, getting a penetrating DT to compliment Vea and our next starting RT
I got to say, I am so close to you in these thoughts.
I would say sign Barrett, JPP, Suh, Winston, Nassib in that order of preference
Draft OT. First three rounds should be loaded with Offensive line types. I like getting one in the 1st round though. I am not sure that I agree with the defensive tackle position because think it might be a reach. I think very few defensive tackle studs in the draft so I would prefer bucs take a BPA if not an O line early.
December 10th, 2019 at 4:50 pm
Beckles has been through the rigors himself. I bets he knows it takes a lot of grit and heart to suck up some serious pain and get back out there to protect your QB the way he did.
Dude had both a bum knee and ankle from what I heard. Seeing him play though it meant a lot to me as a fan. Then we got Cappa who plays with snapped bones!!! That kinda stuff rubs off on other and is the exact attitude I love to see from a lineman.
And give Mike Evans some props for blowing a ligament to make a play to help get us the win…….Don’t gotta love a 6-7 record. But ya do gotta respect the mental makeup of this team……..Call me crazy but I can see why Vernon and Gerald ain’t here no more…..They don’t seem to fit the type of attitude we got going right now.
December 10th, 2019 at 5:01 pm
tmax.. youre such a D..lol i feel sorry for you that you live your life like a negativity, I assume, from your optimism on JBF.com.
just sayn…merry xmas
December 10th, 2019 at 5:21 pm
People who think we overpaid for these guys forget quality linemen are almost impossible to come by anymore.
December 10th, 2019 at 5:26 pm
JimmyJack – I love your last paragraph! We are finally starting to see the change we anticipated when BA was hired.
December 10th, 2019 at 5:36 pm
Why hasn’t the biggest troll of our FAN site not been banned from here yet?
It’s a Bucs fans site and that idiot has proven time and time again he isn’t one. I’ve read some ignorant comments in here, but Cappa and Marpet being backups at best, takes the cake. But how can we expect any less from an idiot who’s called a HOF coach a career loser and a first ballot HOF LB a sorry player. What makes an idiot like him believe he knows more than HOF voters is unexplainable. The only conclusion is that he’s a troll and has no place commenting in this site. #dumbestidiotinjoebucsfanhistoryhandsdown.
December 10th, 2019 at 5:40 pm
Chris K
big baby can’t face the truth so he wants it banned…. toughen up buttercup…. cancel culture wuss…. i love it…. pardon me while I go take a dungy and clean up using the new bad character lovie smith soft secondary sanitary wipes….
December 10th, 2019 at 6:37 pm
The Bucs play is a natural to create bitter fans. After all this time still trying to figure out the mostly ugliness of this effort. I mean who has been this bad to compare to? The Lions?
December 10th, 2019 at 8:25 pm
Jameis always get hit after the balls out no flags for Bucs
December 10th, 2019 at 11:12 pm
Beckles is fake news.
December 10th, 2019 at 11:28 pm
We need to build up the trenches in the 2020 Draft. A few smart, talented O-Linemen.
December 11th, 2019 at 5:44 am
Anonymous, there isn’t truth in his statement. Are you agreeing that Derrick Brooks and Dungy sucked at what they did? That’s the trolling and ignorant part. My only apologies is not mentioning you as the 2nd stupidest poster on here.
December 11th, 2019 at 7:02 am
Tmaxcon needs a new hobby. He’s gonna die early if he keeps following the Bucs. Have you considered medical marijuana for your stress?
December 12th, 2019 at 4:56 pm
So Peyton Barber is a free agent. This upcoming NFL draft is LOAD w/ very good RBs. Too many to list! I see the Bucs drafting one in the 1st 3 rooms & maybe signing Barber to very low 1 yr deal.
Then having all 3 backs compete for the job next yr.