“Not Just Keep Him From Getting Sacked”
May 15th, 2020
The bar for the Tampa Bay offensive line has been jacked up so high, departed Demar Dotson might not even be able to reach it.
The Bucs simply can no longer afford the number of pass protection lapses they had during the Jameis Winston era. No, Joe doesn’t think the offensive line was ugly the past five seasons, though it says a lot that Dotson and 29-year-old Earl Watford, who made four starts last year, can’t find jobs in a league that craves O-linemen.
Regardless, the protection has to improve markedly to improve to preserve a 43-year-old Tom Brady who can move in the pocket but not outside it, a guy who is not used to getting hit often.
Former NFL safety and personnel executive Louis Riddick underscored that today on ESPN TV. The topic was keys to the Bucs winning a Super Bowl.
“Tampa Bay has to protect him and not just keep him from getting sacked. They have to keep him from getting pressured,” Riddick said.
“When you look at his 2019 season, Tom only completed only 32 percent of his passes when he was being pressured, which really throws him off. And they can’t have him, you know, just completing 32 percent; that’s not going to be how he’s going to excel. They need to go ahead and make sure from inside out, from center to guard in particular, he stays protected and he stays clean in the pocket. So they can exploit the middle of the field with the tight ends they have and the way they are set up offensively.”
Riddick went on to emphasize that The Sickness-shortened offseason is no friend to Brady dealing with a new everything on offense.
Of course, a revitalized running game would/could/should be a difference-maker on many levels.
May 15th, 2020 at 2:35 pm
So he also had trash can WRs last year and likely threw away the ball instead of taking a sack.
Everyone calm down and we can get through this stupid off-season without parroting all these useless nonsense takes from people who don’t matter.
May 15th, 2020 at 2:47 pm
So many people would just be so happy to have football, they’d gaff this concern off and say “Tom will be fine.” Others will say “See? This was not Winston’s fault.” The reasonable and wise understand that Brady’s strength is reading defenses, calling audibles, and adjusting. The O line has some work to do. And rest assured unlike the last QB in here, they respect and fear Brady. He will squeeze every ounce of ability of the O line. It’s going to be good.
May 15th, 2020 at 2:51 pm
Let me see if I get this. New England had one receiver who could get open and catch the ball. Brady still completes 32 percent while under pressure. That’s a problem?
Now he will have at least one open receiver every time he drops back. He’s biggest problem may be to decide which receiver is more open. We do need to worry about them doubling all the receivers…if they let the other team have 15 players.
Obviously, it’s not going to be that easy…but get real. My call is Brady won’t be the problem.
May 15th, 2020 at 2:51 pm
marpet, jensen, cappa played pretty good imo…they’ll give brady room to step up in the pocket and he’ll get it out quick….
doesnt hurt that we got plenty of weapons too…
GO BUCS!!!!!
May 15th, 2020 at 2:57 pm
I hope this lights a fire under Donovan Smith’s lazy azz.
May 15th, 2020 at 4:16 pm
DooshLaRue says, “I hope this lights a fire under Donovan Smith’s lazy azz.”
Smith had his best season last year. Jameis did not help the lineman either with his indecisiveness in the pocket.
May 15th, 2020 at 4:17 pm
The oline played pretty well last season – anyone talking about sacks is a dope, the team threw more than anyone, and threw WAY deeper than anyone meaning the ball was held the long (for example, Winston had 1000 more air yards than Dak who was in 2nd place, that’s a stunning number). So opposing teams had more chances to get sacks against the Bucs – and yet the Bucs did not give up the most sacks.
Smith is solid, Marpet is an all-pro, the angry ginger is fine, Cappa shockingly was fine, and we will see about the rookie.
May 15th, 2020 at 4:20 pm
SMITH ISN’T MEAN… GRRRRRRR!!!!! HE’S LAZY TOO!!!! GRRRRRR!!!!! HE NEEDS TO EAT HIS BOOGERS AND BLOW SNOT ON PEOPLE TO PLAY IN THE NFL!!!!! GRRRRRR!!!! ITS MAKES ME SO ANGRY HE’S NOT MEAN!!!!
May 15th, 2020 at 4:28 pm
AlabamaBucsFan are you really going to sit here and say Jameis didn’t help his O-line. Some of guys must have just started watching the Bucs or you guys just love spreading #FakeNews. The guy isn’t even on the team anymore and it pains you to tell the honest truth. You’re given Donovan Smith for 1 year of good service and he’s been with the team going on 6 years.
May 15th, 2020 at 7:16 pm
JW was difficult to protect. He held the ball forever and was constantly moving all over. I think we are going to see that the O-line wasn’t as bad as they looked under Dumbeis
May 15th, 2020 at 7:41 pm
I mean what NFL QB had GREAT numbers when TRULY getting pressured?
This statistic has been cherry picked to meet his agenda.
May 15th, 2020 at 7:47 pm
@Rod
Agree completely with your take on our OL. I would only add that Haeg is the icing on the cake with his flexibility he gives us great depth from a former starter.
I think if everything goes just right this OL could become exceptional.
I think the same about our LB’s…and potentially our DB’s especially now with Winfield. Our DL is solid for 2020 we can worry about the future when it gets here.
Our QB is er…competent? I think ROJO improved last year and I like our draft I think mix in the improved OL and we’ll finally be able to run the ball.
May 15th, 2020 at 9:24 pm
2020 is definitely going to be interesting w Brady as QB, in BA offense. The Oline will play with more intensity, and Brady’s quicker decisions and ball release will help. NFC South D’s are nastier than AFC north, and that is the wild card, especially impact to QB pressure, hits and sacks. It’s the paper-tiger season so predictions are just that, so I avoid for now. Facts are that Brady’s movement outside the pocket is limited, and he is unlikely to extend plays running for a first down if needed when long developing plays break down. No Bucs fan will miss 30 INT’s, but there might be newfound appreciation and acknowledgement of JW’s athleticism and improvisation that kept drives alive. I hear ya – 30 INTS. JW also took a boatload of hits after his throws; I question if Brady can sustain through the season if he absorbs even half the hits JW took in 2019. Will be interesting to see the Bucs offense develop and evolve with Brady under center. The 1-2 yr experiment success rests on Brady being able to stay healthy. Dude has his own Workout brand, so even at 43, who knows? But as @Joe says, Father time wins more often than not. Avocado ice cream, anyone?
May 15th, 2020 at 11:32 pm
Go re-watch the season!
Cappa gets schooled every series!
Why was he gifted a starting role??
Why are we not replacing him with a true mauler at RG!
Cappa will get Brady killed!
May 16th, 2020 at 6:45 am
Really thought Riddick did more research and film study…
May 17th, 2020 at 12:23 pm
I guess everyone just wants to ignore the fact that it’s the BA/BL offensive scheme which calls for QBs to hold the ball longer in order to take all those shots downfield.
Don’t believe me? Go look at the amount of QB hits and pressures all of his past QBs have taken under his scheme- Palmer, Luck, Big Ben, etc. All were the highest of their careers. All were near the top of the league each season. Jameis as well, imo are how more hits and sacks last year he took vs years before.
This is why I was worried about a 43 year old QB playing in his system.