“He’s Used To Having Some Power”
January 13th, 2021
Hidden role
Joe’s found that most fans don’t realize that once training camp ends, NFL starters do not play against each other in practice.
But that rule of the NFL world plays in the Bucs’ favor on Sunday against the Saints.
Carlton Davis, for example, isn’t covering Mike Evans and reading Tom Brady during weekly practices. And Donovan Smith isn’t squaring up with Jason Pierre-Paul. Teams don’t do it because the injury risk is too high.
But first-time starter Aaron Stinnie, who will fill-in at right guard on Sunday for Alex Cappa (broken ankle), will cash in on the benefit of his second-team status.
Per Bucco Bruce Arians speaking on WFLA-TV, Stinnie will be fine against the Saints’ ferocious front line because he’s been lining up across from ironman manbeast Ndamukong Suh all year long.
“He’s used to having some power,” Arians said of Stinnie’s regular work against 34-year-old Suh, who’s had a standout season.
The Bucs have watched undrafted Stinnie work for more than a year, and Tampa Bay certainly has built and developed quality offensive line. So Joe understands the confidence in Stinnie.
As Joe has written, if Stinnie mans up in his first start and the Bucs win, Team Glazer should hand general manager Jason Licht and the offensive line coaches tax-free bonuses in brown envelopes.
January 13th, 2021 at 10:09 am
Here is the skinny on Stinnie,
SCOUTING REPORT
A long legged, thick-framed lineman who possesses great size, a wide base and demonstrates excellent footwork, agility and balance. He plays in an up-tempo offense, that is no huddle much of the time and he often starts from a two-point stance. He displays sound hand placement and a powerful punch—he does well playing on the move and walls off defenders wonderfully. His athleticism is on full display when he darts down the line on a pull block and seals off the edge, usually resulting in a big hole for his back to run through. Was originally recruited as a defensive lineman, where he played during his first season before starting the last three years at left tackle. During that time, he has proven to be extremely durable and will finish his Dukes career with over games started, while continuing to improve each season. In fact, he did not pick up the game of football until his junior season of high school, as basketball was his initial love. His father Phil, was drafted in the third round by the New York Knicks and played 12 years in the NBA. His pass protection is where he needs to improve upon the most. At times, his feet will get too close together and he struggles a bit when he plants and pivots in his change of direction. He has been praised by the coaching staff for his intelligence, work ethic and high character. He has also been a key cog and team leader on a championship football program. His experience and aggressive style of play will appeal to NFL scouts. If moved inside at the next level, he possesses the flexibility required to excel. His best football is certainly ahead of him and there is a long-term reward to be had when selecting this player.
January 13th, 2021 at 10:16 am
Thanks Chris. Are you still in the UAMCC?
January 13th, 2021 at 10:33 am
Nice post, Chris
January 13th, 2021 at 10:34 am
This is good news.
But realistically, the Bucs haven’t beaten the Saints since the Fitzmagic opener of 2018 and its gotten progressively uglier. The Bucs season was great, they were definitely improving on offense at the end so the trend line is up. Defensively, the young DBs regressed as the season went on and our vet DL has been worn down and are tired.
Bucs are going to get killed on Sunday but I’m prepared. Hey, we saw a playoff W.. I wasn’t sure I’d see that again.
January 13th, 2021 at 10:34 am
This begs the question…….why go with Larsen vs Wash?…….
January 13th, 2021 at 10:38 am
we’ll see soon enough…
GO BUCS!!!!
January 13th, 2021 at 10:47 am
Tbbf I thought the same thing but I figured because he’s a veteran and has experience but now they know and quickly corrected it. He’s had this week to work with the ones so props to mgmt.
January 13th, 2021 at 10:47 am
The Saints front four isn’t any better than Washingtons. Power guy on the left side and a speed end on the right with two quick first step d tackles in the middle. If the oline/TE plays like last week Bucs can score a lot of points.
Also Arians said Larsen was active because he can snap the ball and that he didn’t plan on him being used as a guard. Stinnie will get all the first team reps this week and I’m hoping we won’t hear his name all game long.
January 13th, 2021 at 10:47 am
Swambuc. Will you start crying before or after the kickoff?
January 13th, 2021 at 10:51 am
If Stinnie has such positive scouting report, why was he undrafted ?
January 13th, 2021 at 10:53 am
Don’t change anything, many are talking hold the ball, slow the game down, TOP. Seriously are you watching this offense? Score 7, 3 whatever every possession until they cannot keep up. If line holds up which I believe they will their confidence is off the charts. Fournett is not that good, some of those holes you could drive a truck through, not to mention the downfield blocking. If he can block Suh, he can block anyone, that man is a huge beast. Ram it down their throats and make them have to score 40+. If Bucs lose so be it but play to your strengths, they will.
January 13th, 2021 at 11:01 am
Aaron Stinnie will have a Taylor Henikie kind of night, we don’t know much about him but he will come up with a few key blocks after the nerves settle. His pops played in the NBA (never heard of him), but he should be able to give some pointers about playing under the big lights. Hopefully it will be like when we find out the team we are playing has a o-linemen that has never started and we still can’t get to the QB, hopefully that’s the Saints (and Jaboo doesn’t have a scouting report on him, maybe he does), let’s go Bucs.
January 13th, 2021 at 11:15 am
A good read, Joe. I hope you are right. I was just surprised at how little experience the second team players have. That has me more than just a little concerned.
January 13th, 2021 at 11:20 am
Props Chris!
January 13th, 2021 at 11:24 am
Just curious as to why we put Larsen in against Wash?
January 13th, 2021 at 11:34 am
@123urout: why was TB12 a 6th round pick? And look at Julian Edelman. HOFer? Lots of examples to list. Consider that it comes down to opportunities and making the best of them. Playing against Suh every day? Priceless.
January 13th, 2021 at 11:41 am
Coaches should be pouring over and dissecting the game films of the AINTS 3 LOSSES TO THE RAIDERS,EAGLES, AND PACKERS. Sean Payton AINT NO CHOIR BOY( 1 YEAR SUSPENSION ). THIS IS WAR. BUCS GOT A QB NOW WHO WAS DOWN 25 POINTS MID-3RD QUARTER in a super bowl and won the game.
January 13th, 2021 at 11:51 am
Wow I was definitely worried about Stinnie but you just made me feel 10 times better!!!! Cant wait for this game now!!!! Thanks Joe!! GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!
January 13th, 2021 at 12:00 pm
@Gbo – Larsen played against WFT because Stinnie was inactive. BA said Larsen was active as back-up due to his versatility at center or guard.
January 13th, 2021 at 12:12 pm
Drafted , Undradted. Btw AB and Scotty Miller were 6th rounders also.
January 13th, 2021 at 12:12 pm
TBBF: I think Arians said that Larsen was active and Stinnie was inactive because Larsen was the backup Center. Weren’t expecting to use either one, the Bucs O-Linemen have been iron men, other than Marpet’s concussion.
January 13th, 2021 at 12:15 pm
*And D Smith’s 1 game missed/Covid related.
January 13th, 2021 at 12:19 pm
I’m worried about Smith, not Stinnie. His next good game against the Saints will be the first. He’s single handedly lost about 4 games vs them.
January 13th, 2021 at 12:25 pm
123urout:
If Brady is going to be a good QB why was he not drafted earlier than the 6th round???
January 13th, 2021 at 12:46 pm
If he’s practicing against Suh, then hell, he’ll be good to go! Believe it or not this is how the Patriots got so good as a team. They did practice against each other so Brady was always tested and the defense was always good against the league. That is until the more mobile QB’s started to become factors. Mahomes, Watson, Jackson and the typeon on
January 13th, 2021 at 12:49 pm
Playoffs Donovan Smith is focused. Granted, it’s been 1 game, but I saw exactly what I wanted to see from D Smith in his 1st playoff game. We’ll see which D Smith the Bucs get in his 2nd playoff game.
January 13th, 2021 at 12:56 pm
Next man up!
Just do your job!
Sound familiar?
January 13th, 2021 at 1:45 pm
Good intel chris
January 13th, 2021 at 4:02 pm
Interesting post. I think another angle is that he doesn’t have to hear line calls with 80,000 people screaming. For a first time starter, in a road playoff game, this is an ideal situation.
January 13th, 2021 at 5:06 pm
not so sure this scouting report is legit or on point…
his father had a heck of a career at virgnia commonwealth as a power forward…
yet never played a single game in the nba…he was drafted by the knicks tho…
January 13th, 2021 at 9:11 pm
adam from ny Says:
January 13th, 2021 at 5:06 pm
not so sure this scouting report is legit or on point…
his father had a heck of a career at virgnia commonwealth as a power forward…
yet never played a single game in the nba…he was drafted by the knicks tho…
_____
It says he played 12 years in the NBA. Is that not correct?
January 14th, 2021 at 11:18 am
This is why ima start calling you non talented talent evaluators johnbucsfan. You got all that technology Mr laser focus and still can’t see. STINNIE played in the Detroit win from the 3rd quarter til the end of the game. He pulled on one play he looked like he had 4-3 speed(exaggeration) but he looked good. I think we need to get our Oline some zone blocking schemes. I even seen Jensen in space running next to TJ or CG he was step for step. If Ali was one of the fastest linemen in his draft class. Wirfs every penny was the one of the fastest n this years draft class. Donovan even look good running in space let’s these big boys moving and roll opponents. Pound them! Quit getting physically over powered by the Aints.
Since I see Suh on the picture his snap count was too too high this year. He looks tired. The RT on Washington was pushing him around. The Atlanta line was giving him the business. Its do to shabby line rotation. Nelson and Davis should have got more playing time during the year. Khalil quickness is elite but he is a no namer so the refs can’t see him getting held. Nelson power is elite because a TE can’t block him he holds the edge good on run plays and he plays the run good. If Nelson work on his drops in coverage and get his hands up when he can’t get home he could be a good asset.