Study: Bucs Have The NFL’s Best Offensive Line
June 28th, 2022
Leader of men.
Last year, Joe could argue the Bucs had the best offensive line in football, when healthy.
Now with Ali Marpet retired and the Bucs not knowing who will replace him, and Shaq Mason being the new kid on the block and learning the ropes, Joe isn’t sure how good the Bucs front line will be.
KC Joyner of The Athletic thinks the Bucs will be just fine. In fact, Joyner’s research led him to write the Bucs have the best line in the league. Joyner explains his conclusion, but he seems to think Mason is a better run blocker than departed right guard Alex Cappa.
Tampa Bay’s 100 pass-blocking score was key to the Buccaneers posting a 100 overall score, but don’t sell their run blocking short, as they also weighed in with a 71 run score. One key to that latter grade is the addition of run-blocking specialist Shaq Mason, who was acquired from New England in an offseason trade. That could help vault Leonard Fournette above his mid-tier RB2 average draft position (ADP) level.
The way people carried on about the Bucs offensive line for years, Joe finds it a bit funny that now the Bucs may have the best offensive line. And Joe knows certain folks who read this site daily want to throw rocks at a certain starter on this line based on nonsense from those with little sense about offensive lines (the PFF tribe), which folks took for Gospel and have yet to let go of.
#Sad
Joe guesses Joyner believes Aaron Stinnie will start at left guard?
June 28th, 2022 at 3:58 am
Maroons yack about Donovan Smith. Somebody has to hold up the low end of the intelligence spectrum, makes people that actually know football feel smarter.
June 28th, 2022 at 4:59 am
Love these preseason rankings. Haven’t seen any of these teams actually play, but why not rank ‘em. Stupid.
June 28th, 2022 at 6:57 am
PFF grades are make believe trash. Mason is an upgrade and maybe Goedeke will be one wt some point too.
June 28th, 2022 at 7:08 am
I’ll admit that I was a Donovan Smith sceptic but he has been one of the few lineman in the league that really stepped up his game post 2nd contract. I am definitely a believer in Smith now
June 28th, 2022 at 7:36 am
But, how could it be the best Oline with D. Smith on it? (sarcasm)
June 28th, 2022 at 7:58 am
I’m hoping that Godeke works out well. He’ll give us great run blocking if he can beat out Stinnie. Mind you, Stinnie’s good, so if the new guy’ even better look out.
June 28th, 2022 at 8:36 am
For those that knock Bruce Arians, I never got it. Ever since he got here with coaches like Joe Gilbert and Harold Goodwin the offensive line play got better and better.
You could see in the 2nd half of 2019. We typically started winning the line of scrimmage battles both offensively and defensively.
Now when you watch a game and we lose that line of scrimmage battle (like against New Orleans) it is obvious.
Coaching was the 1st difference in the change on this franchise. Then getting Brady made us a Super Bowl contender.
That is why this year without some key players from last year, I think we will be great. Good coaching, control of the line of scrimmage and Tom Brady.
June 28th, 2022 at 8:57 am
The only people dissing Smith are casuals.
Problem with even the best OL is they can still lose bigly to the best DL. Like the Aints or Lambs.
June 28th, 2022 at 9:00 am
Geno, well said… When the Bucs play well, it is when we are winning the line of scrimmage on both O and D. That was CLEARLY obvious in our SB win, we were dominant.
June 28th, 2022 at 9:24 am
I’ll admit I was one who criticized Smith and he really has stepped up. If any of you remember the play Brady’s first game Smith was dragging A$$off the snap and Brady embarrassed him. Very rare that it happens now.
June 28th, 2022 at 10:02 am
Licht work
June 28th, 2022 at 10:38 am
BucnJim,
The fact that that had to happen proves his laziness.
He’s supposed to be a pro. He gets paid like a pro, yet he needed to be embarrassed to get better?
Funny, I haven’t seen Wirfs have any need for extra motivation from day one.
And Joe, you’re statement about the Durable Donnie haters is false.
I base my disdain for him by the games I watch, not the PFF grades.
I will say he looked better last year, for the most part, but he still looks lazy and rarely ever goes after another defender when he beats his man.
June 28th, 2022 at 10:42 am
Don’t want to rain on this O-line love fest but Tom Brady’s ridiculously low “TTT” (time to throw) stats have been a big factor in the Buc O-line ratings. In the playoff win against the Eagles last season, for example, Brady’s average TTT of 2.17 seconds was the league BEST for a game last season. Overall, Brady 2021 average TTT of 2.50 sec was the second lowest release time after Big Ben’s 2.37 secs.
However, the Bucs’ O-line run block win rate for the 2021 season only ranked 22nd. But the numerous O-line injuries and an overall lack of commitment to running the ball factored into this mediocre showing. The good news is that the O-line run blocking improved during the season. The 2022 season should prove the real test for the Buc O-line as it will finally be called on to run block more than it ever has with Brady under center. With Bruce Arians gone and with Tom having a dominant role in game-planning and play-calling, his demand for near perfection in route running and pass blocking will easily translate to the Bucs’ expected debut of their new and consistent PA and Runing attack.
June 28th, 2022 at 10:43 am
geno711 Says:
“For those that knock Bruce Arians, I never got it.”
Not many REAL Bucs fans knock BA….
Patriot fans hanging out on JBF that’s a different story.
June 28th, 2022 at 1:10 pm
1987 — BINGO!
June 28th, 2022 at 5:14 pm
“based on nonsense from those with little sense…..which folks took for Gospel and have yet to let go of.” Kinda sounds like beleiving #45’s lies…no?