Former Bucs G Ian Beckles.

Who better to offer up analysis of both the Bucs offensive and defensive lines than a guy who fought in the trenches in the NFL himself?

And that would be former Bucs guard Ian Beckles. A popular local sports radio personality, Beckles has returned from an extended siesta from his podcast, “In the Trenches” to offer Bucs thoughts.

In his first podcast edition after pulling a months-long Rip Van Winkle, Beckles decided to break down the lines. Below is a synopsis.

Offensive line

Donovan Smith: “Donovan Smith by far had his best year and he excelled as he went on through the season. … Listen, everybody at the end of the season, they always want to talk about, ‘Let’s cut Donovan Smith. Let’s get another left tackle.’ Watch what your wish for.”

Ali Marpet: “Ali has to start making some Pro Bowls. … For God’s sakes Ali has been playing some good football for a long, long time.”

Ryan Jensen: “I’ve always been a fan. Even when the Bucs were losing, I like the way he plays. He plays with a little edge to him. Sometimes when you have a guy in the middle playing with an edge, it wears off on other players. And you become an edgy offensive line. And that’s what you want.”

Alex Cappa: “Before he got hurt, was playing at a Pro Bowl level. He was playing really, really good football.”

Aaron Stinnie: “He played pretty darn well in the playoffs. What’s good about that is Stinnie put in some quality time last year. If something happens to Ali Marpet or Cappa, they can put Stinnie in. You will still lose a little bit but you can still win in that situation.”

Tristan Wirfs: “[A producer] said I had a mancrush on Tristan Wirfs. I’ll take it. I’ll accept it. I have not seen a rookie play that well. Ever. Ever.”

As for the offensive line as a whole, Beckles said, “Our offensive line was actually fantastic” in 2020. “We are in unbelievable hands.”

Defensive line

Ndamukong Suh: “He’s getting on in age but he didn’t fall off last year. … He never misses a play. Never. Since he has been here I have never seen him miss a play. … He comes with that grimy nature and I think he makes everyone around him better. No doubt in my mind.”

Vita Vea: “Vita Vea impressed when he came back. I’m ready for Vita Vea to go a whole season without getting hurt. If he goes a whole season without getting hurt, I can see him going to the Pro Bowl. … The Buccaneers defense is not the same without Vita Vea. It’s not. … If you single-block him, that’s a bad idea.”

Will Gholston: “Not everybody has to be flashy. I know William Gholston is not a flashy-type player. He’s kind of a flashback old school dude. But you need that guy in your lineup. You need him. … You need that attitude.”

Beckles summed up the trenches for the Bucs as setting the team up to win.

“This Buccaneer football team is solid up front,” Beckles said. “And when you are solid up front on both sides of the ball, it’s hard not to win football games.”