Shaq Mason Reported For Voluntary Work And Is Impressing
May 10th, 2022
New Bucs guard Shaq Mason.
Perhaps the best Buccaneers move tied to last month’s NFL Draft was the deal made months ago — after Tom Brady unretired.
That was the Bucs coughing up a fifth-round pick to New England for guard Shaq Mason, a veteran of seven seasons and an owner of two Super Bowl rings.
Mason turns 29 this summer and is a beast of a right guard. He could have skipped voluntary spring conditioning and team work at One Buc Palace, but instead Mason has reported for duty and is impressing his position coaches.
Offensive line coach Joe Gilbert focuses on tackles while his tag-team partner Harold Goodwin, the Bucs’ assistant head coach, works with the centers and guards.
Gilbert spoke about Mason today and said while there’s no pads or hitting yet, Mason has found ways to let everyone know the Bucs made a great trade.
“Shaq’s been awesome so far, really smart football player,” Gilbert began. “I really feel great and I know Goody does, too, about where he is. Really good guy in the room, has picked things up. Really, really sharp so far.”
Gilbert also went on about how good Mason’s film looks, from his “great feet” to his overall athleticism and deceptively long arms for a shorter guard.
Yes, Mason will start at right guard, replacing departed Alex Cappa.
May 10th, 2022 at 7:30 pm
All for a 5th round pick. Sounds like an amazing pickup. I’m not worried about our o line at all, barring an injury, but even then, the depth is on par with our receivers.
May 10th, 2022 at 7:43 pm
I can’t believe we got Shaq for just a 5th round pick… What a lucky break after losing both Marpet and Cappa.
It seems to good to be true. I’m glad he is healthy and showing up to workouts.
May 10th, 2022 at 8:11 pm
Amazing time to be a Buc fan when your OL loses both guards and may not miss a beat. The Bucs FO deserves credit here. Great job Shaq!
I kinda feel bad for being good ? This can be confusing for some longtime Buc fans.
May 10th, 2022 at 8:22 pm
People always forget Mason when they’re grading the Bucs draft. They traded him for this year’s 5th rounder so as far as I’m concerned it should be taken into account when you judge this years draft.
May 10th, 2022 at 8:49 pm
Tell a few sleepers have been found in the later rounds. Don’t sleep on the later guys! LFG! BUCS!
May 10th, 2022 at 9:00 pm
What’s to pick up? It’s the same offense he’s played in his whole career. You folks will quickly become impressed with his play. A salary dump by the Patriots, shouldn’t figure into the bucs draft though. A fifth rounder is hardly fair compensation for one of the best guards in the league. I do think the trade signals more running though. Mason is a good pass protector, but his value is as a road grater. He also pulls as well as any guard in the NFL. Great for traps and counter runs. The PFF grades between him and cappa aren’t close. He’s a major upgrade. He plays hurt too. Nothing not to like.
May 10th, 2022 at 9:01 pm
Shouldn’t surprise anyone. Shaq Mason was a multi time all pro. And was still playing at that level last year.
May 10th, 2022 at 9:11 pm
I really don’t see our O-line missing a beat in transition from losing our starting guards… We upgraded right guard, and we have strong competition at left guard including Glass-Eater Goedeke. O-line is like my lowest concern on this team.
May 10th, 2022 at 9:21 pm
It literally blew my Mind, when we got him, and a whole lot of Patriots Fans were pissed, and still are.
He is a huge upgrade over Cappa, much more physical, and a much better run blocker.
Credit Jason Licht, because we lost both our starting Guards, and Jason has replaced them.
Because we have Brady and all our receivers, we won’t do it, but we could easily be a smash mouth power running team, if we wanted to be.
May 11th, 2022 at 12:39 am
Why didn’t Goodwin have a presser? Is he pissed about not being head coach?
May 11th, 2022 at 7:21 am
When you add Shaq to our draft for the 5th rounder…..it looks significantly better.
May 11th, 2022 at 7:41 am
This guy sounds like a pros, pro. He wants to know the offense by the time the vets show up. Your O line is only as strong as it’s weakest link. This guy ain’t going to be that. This might be one of Lichts best pick ups.
May 11th, 2022 at 7:45 am
The whole right side of the O-line is just pure beast mode. Shaq, wirfs, Gronk (Mr Goodtime will return, imo.) If included as a part of the draft, Licht scores a A-.
May 11th, 2022 at 8:54 am
Glad we got him. GOBUCS!
May 11th, 2022 at 10:03 am
All for a 5th round pick, all for a 5th round pick, that’s all you guys say… AND HIS SALARY. If the Pats thought he was worth his salary, they wouldn’t have traded him. The best part of a 5th round pick is the low amount it holds against the salary cap.
May 11th, 2022 at 12:12 pm
Brandon Says:
“If the Pats thought he was worth his salary, they wouldn’t have traded him.”
$8M for a top 5 Guard is a low salary and a very good deal. Bengals paid Cappa $10M. Marpet was making close to $11M. The Bucs upgraded their already competent RG spot and saved $ in the process. I’m not sure what Belicheat was thinking but the Bucs were the clear winners here….
Brandon Says:
“The best part of a 5th round pick is the low amount it holds against the salary cap.”
The worst part of a 5th round pick is the 75+% BUST rate…