“I’d Be Shocked If They Don’t Bring Anyone Else In”
August 25th, 2022
Is GM Jason Licht thinking like a retired offensive lineman is?
Rookie left guard Luke Goedeke plus throwing 40 times a game equals a result that will make Bucs fans wince.
That’s the word from former Bucs guard Ian Beckles (1990-1996). Not only does Beckles say fans are undervaluing chemistry and familiarity along the offensive line, he says general manager Jason Licht won’t stand pat and hope Goedeke or Nick Leverett are a fine fit to start at left guard.
“I’d be shocked if they don’t bring anyone else in,” Beckles said, speaking on WDAE radio this week.
Beckles said Goedeke “will get beat a lot” if he’s thrown into the starting role and that’s playing with fire when you have a 45-year-old quarterback. “I don’t think you’re going to like what that looks like.”
Interestingly, Beckles gushed about tackles Donovan Smith and Tristan Wirfs, even noting that Smith is much more highly regarded around the league than he is in Tampa. But Beckles also said Ali Marpet is far better than whatever the Bucs will put out there at left guard and tackles don’t matter if the interior is blown up too often.
Beckles believes Tom Brady makes every lineman better than he really is, but he’s not capable of turning backups into starters.
So that brings Joe back to Beckles’ original assertion: that the Bucs will bring in an experienced left guard before opening day. Joe would wager on that. All-in means all-in.
August 25th, 2022 at 10:57 am
The pundits are spewing while Brady and coaches will be viewing…we’ll see
August 25th, 2022 at 10:57 am
It’s not just a problem with inexperience at Guard & C…..it’s inexperienced depth…….we lost two starters…..and haven’t even replaced one…
There is no doubt in my mind that an experienced G/C will be brought in.
August 25th, 2022 at 10:59 am
I agree, but I think it is something that the BUCS are conscientiously NOT over-talking about. It does not help them in any potential if they appear desperate. I think they are playing it just right, by under-selling the need to look out there.
August 25th, 2022 at 10:59 am
(does not help them in any potential trade)
August 25th, 2022 at 11:01 am
Tyler Johnson getting all the pre-season reps might indicate they’re showcasing him. Johnson, Vaughn & Edwards could be trade bait. No doubt JL will fortify o-line depth soon. Tbd….
August 25th, 2022 at 11:01 am
I expect they already have film on every interior lineman in the league who MIGHT not survive the final cut
August 25th, 2022 at 11:02 am
Wow- I agree with Ian Beckles!
Our tackles are the best tandem in the league. By far.
Donovan Smith, Imo, is the 3rd best LT in football.
Tristan Wirfs is the best Right Tackle
None of that will matter, if Brady gets pressure up the middle.
August 25th, 2022 at 11:02 am
Agree, Goedeke looked very raw in his first start. Everyone will be watching closely this week to see how he progresses on Saturday. If the right guy is available…the Bucs would certain add to the depth. Meaning a very good players who gets cut for salary or a team deciding to move on to their draft pick.
August 25th, 2022 at 11:03 am
I think if they thought they could do better looking outside they would’ve done so already. There’s not many starting caliber guards who are unemployed. Fans here keep screaming to sign Tretter, but other teams who’ve lost centers, and guards don’t seem to be interested in him either. What I noticed the last two games our guards, and centers have been doing good, it’s Wells, and Johnson the back up tackles that have given up the most pressure. Hainsey has been solid, and Goedeke will keep getting better playing next to Smith, not Wells. Marpet went from a small school tackle, to a solid RG as a rookie. I think Goedeke will do the same, and be fine at LG.
August 25th, 2022 at 11:04 am
Waiting to pick up the best off the street after everyone final cuts and he knows how to pick up guys off the street.
August 25th, 2022 at 11:05 am
I would be more concerned about the guys up front ONLY IF Brady wasnt Brady.
Like, if it was any other QB outside of the elite guys. I would be concerned.
Besides that, Brady has a track record of playing behind green OLs.
I do get the concern though, with him being “old” and all. He can’t be taking a beating all year. BUT DONT KIDD YOURSELVES. Brady was/is going to get hit hard this year. REGARDLESS of who is blocking for him.
So him staying healthy just goes back to HIM. Brady knows how to avoid getting crushed over and over. He will go into a 0-10 streak from throwing the ball away before he takes big hits trying to wait on a play to develop.
Thats what makes are running game this year so interesting. NO ONE is talking crap about out young “replacement” OLinemen when it comes to run blocking.
PLUS, we have the best medicine for an aggressive D coming out of the backfield. –Kieffer, KO– Your new most favorite FB
August 25th, 2022 at 11:05 am
If they can’t bring anyone in, the solution is to start Trask so when he gets pummeled the blame can be placed on him, not the line. Isn’t that how it works?
/s
August 25th, 2022 at 11:05 am
I can agree with the prediction, makes sense, but on the other side you should let time tell if Goedeke will be capable or not….Don´t forget that the begininngs of Alex cappa were not precisely brilliant so as Donnie….Both got better with time….
And I trust JL on picking OL……But I understand Beckles concerns pretty well
August 25th, 2022 at 11:06 am
*Wait a minute…”and he knows how to pick up guys off the street.” I meant to say to play football lol.
August 25th, 2022 at 11:11 am
SOE,
We knew what you meant. Don’t try to play coy now. 🙂
August 25th, 2022 at 11:15 am
Agree with Tampabaybucsfan lost two offensive lineman possibly for the season and have not brought a replacement for either one. I guess hes waiting to see who gets cut Tuesday.
August 25th, 2022 at 11:21 am
Spytek gave a presser the other day. I listened intently. The nugget I took from his interview? He clearly stated that the Bucs have lists at the ready of all potential players they’d bring in, graded and ranked. The job of his scouts is to have these lists available 24/7. It impressed me, and it’s what I would do if I worked in that type of role. Spytek said after all that homework is compiled and collated, it’s actually “easy” going down lists in search of a player and then sign them.
My point is: The Bucs have already done homework on every potential player they could bring in, seemingly at every position, and are very prepared.
August 25th, 2022 at 11:21 am
It won’t be JC Trettor – he just officially retired from the NFL…
August 25th, 2022 at 11:23 am
If Beckles is betting on such a move soon, I’ll bet against it.
August 25th, 2022 at 11:24 am
When you repeatedly reach for a Division II lineman in the draft , then you will eventually GET a DII Lineman!!!!!!
Tretter is a good lineman , but when you are the NFLPA President and actively encourage teammates to blow off the OTA’s , you get blackballed by the league.
August 25th, 2022 at 11:24 am
Ian Beckles is right. Too many unfamiliar fan names suddenly show up on this site and assure us all that the O Line is great just because we have Tom Brady. I seriously question what those folks know.
I’ve seen Brady operate behind some marginal O Lines, but I cannot recall a single New England O Line that went to the Super Bowl that was this weak on the interior. Back in 2014 the New England O Line was old (the great punt returner Dan Connolly), and lacked talent. The only reason why that team made a very late season run was when Bryan Stork finally healed enough to get back to Center. Stork wasn’t really that good, it was that the rest of the interior O Line was poor, and it allowed their makeshift Center to go back to Guard. And of course, they had Dante Scarnecchia coaching them up.
Without Stork, that team would have gone down in the playoffs. This Buc interior O Line is similar, without a Stork to shore them up.
August 25th, 2022 at 11:30 am
Brady made OL look better in NE. But our Offense is different than theirs. We all saw what happened vs Washington last year and every single time we play the stoooopid saints. Captain check down worked in NE not in Tampa.
August 25th, 2022 at 11:33 am
Licht has got this…..he will pick up a FA Vet G/C,,,,,or he’ll make a trade..he’ll do whatever is necessary.
I also listened to Spytek…..that is one sharp dude……I am convinced we are fully prepared.
That LB we brought in was near the top of his list……
August 25th, 2022 at 11:34 am
Sorry, I meant Dan Connolly, one of the greatest punt returners in NFL history.
August 25th, 2022 at 11:34 am
kick returners
August 25th, 2022 at 11:41 am
I think the worry about rookies starting on the O-line is a bit overrated.
Shaq Mason started 12 games as a rookie with TB12, including both playoff games.
If the coaches like Luke Goedeke, throw him in there.
August 25th, 2022 at 11:41 am
Bucboy. You ain’t lieing I thought the offensive line was good and it was Trask fault?? Now everyone is concerned about the line because it’s Brady so that’s a excuse for Brady not for other quarterbacks.
August 25th, 2022 at 11:42 am
PassingThru
Check you sheet before throwing shade about what people know.
Your opinion and perspective are filtered through the same lenses.
The difference is Optimistic vs Pessimistic.
To each there own.
August 25th, 2022 at 11:58 am
Reserve center Trystan Colon or reserve guard Tyre Phillips from the Ravens are possibilities. Both have played for the Ravens but appear to be their 10th and 11th offensive lineman for this year’s roster.
Never have seen either of them play but the Ravens typically have well coached players.
August 25th, 2022 at 12:11 pm
The Guys at the Sports Bar are a tough crowd!
The loss of Marpet can not be overstated, and a couple of the Sports Bar regulars were blaming Brady’s “retirement” on the loss of Marpet.
I agree with Ian Beckles that Licht will bring in some new linemen.
As far as the Ravens linemen go, yes, they will be well coached.
That is a given with any Harbaugh Team.
However, it must be remembered that the Ravens are an old school run first team, so not sure how good their lineman are going to be in pass protection ?
I also agree that Licht has this, and him and Spytek will find us what we need.
August 25th, 2022 at 12:25 pm
Yeah, about this “List” – I assumed that was exactly, what happened with that LB pickup from Pitt… They snatched him up soooo fast, for a very good reason, I suppose. Hope it ends up being one of ‘those moves’ that when you look up in Week-15 & are like, “Yeah, What A Great Late Preseason Pickup/Move There,” & then, midway thru The Playoffs (during another Super Bowl Run), & you’re like, “Ohhhhhh, Yeahhhhh… HAIL YAAYUH!!!!”
August 25th, 2022 at 2:35 pm
I wonder if Marpet would have retired before this year if he knew Brady would be back? I don’t remember the timeline to be honest…but in a selfish and greedy way would have one more year been too much to ask? How dare him retire with plenty of money and his health in tact. Went ahead and shed all the unhealthy weight almost immediately following to boot. He was manhandling opposing players last year…definitely went out on top.
August 25th, 2022 at 2:36 pm
@Gobucs. You know nothing about the offense in NE. Your assessment is reductive. NE has one of the most complex offense in the NFL. It’s why some receivers don’t cut it with them. There’s a lot of option routes that require a high football IQ by the receivers. There are different types of check downs. Check downs aren’t a bad thing if it extends the drive. We don’t have to score in a fancy way. Low percentage throws was one of the reasons why this offense was so inefficient under Winston. What makes Brady so dangerous is that he will take what the defense gives him and can surgically move the ball. Death by a thousand cuts. Logan Ryan called him the most patient QB in the history of the NFL. We’re really one of the few teams running an Air Coryell type offense. Most teams run some sort of variation of the West Coast offense with the quick game.
August 25th, 2022 at 3:00 pm
Shorten up the routes, and get rid of the ball. I’ve said this for months. Anyone expecting the same high flying offense from last year, is going to be disappointed. They may get there eventually, but at least to begin the season, expect a lot of short passes, and a bigger reliance on the running game. I think you’ll also see more play action.
August 25th, 2022 at 5:24 pm
i feel like we really need to add TWO linemen
August 25th, 2022 at 5:35 pm
Everyone, and certainly the national mediots, are “shocked if they don’t” make a move.
I’d be more shocked if they do. At least I would be if they signed major impact veterans at this stage. They are strongly, emphatically insisting on their “in-house options”, their practice squadders, and aren’t showing any inclination to do otherwise.
They might give a sniff to a back-of-bench depth type, but all signs point to: who we see is who we get.
August 25th, 2022 at 5:41 pm
Wonder if Beckles will post a podcast before the Joes and Ira do one again
August 25th, 2022 at 6:48 pm
I emphatically agree with your synopsis, GOB. I think we will see much more of what you suggested, and think the Bucs NEED more runs, especially perimeter-type runs (Student Body Left ring a bell? LOL) and more of an emphasis on moderate to short quicker passes. I hope to see more screens, also.
Also agree that it might take 6-8 weeks for our O-Line to gel, and only THEN can can allow Fouts to chuck it downfield to Alworth and Joiner. Oh wait, wrong decade! Brady to Evans, Julio, Gage, and Godwin deeper downfield.
As you might’ve guessed, the optimism in D-Rok camp runs high for the offense this year. I’d wager this offense will be much more steady and eat up more TOP than the last 2 years. I think we have enough on O to average at least 28 points per game.
August 25th, 2022 at 6:53 pm
Does anyone know how many counters and traps the Bucs typically run? Does our offense even have traps in it? The trap, in my experience, was devastating if not over-used in a game.
Hoping someone can educate me in:
1) Do the Bucs run traps or counters?
2) If not, why not?