No Need To Worry About Shaq Mason
August 19th, 2022
New starting right guard Shaq Mason.
Joe can understand if Bucs fans are in a glum mood this morning.
First, Bucs fans are nervous about how the Bucs are going to adequately replace Ali Marpet and Ryan Jensen up front on offense. No matter how many times Bucs types rave about Robert Hainsey, until fans see him perform Week 1, there is apprehension.
Same with whoever will be at left guard.
And then you throw in yesterday’s news about Tristan Wirfs, and oh yeah, what the hell is going on with Tom Brady, Joe gets why fans may want to start day-drinking early today at Hooters.
When it comes to right guard Shaq Mason, there shouldn’t be any fans losing sleep. Last week when Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht appeared on “Movin’ the Chains,” co-hosted by Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller broadcast live from Bucs training camp, Licht said Mason is as solid as ever.
“I feel great about Shaq,” Licht said. “He’s been one of the most impressive, under-the-radar players.
“For us, I can’t think of the last time he had a bad snap. He’s a true pro.”
If Wirfs can’t answer the bell Week 1 in Dallas, Joe honestly doesn’t want to think of old man Brady trying to dodge an avalanche.
If Josh Wells starts at right tackle, you think Dallas just might line up Micah Parsons on Wells? Better have your rosaries handy if that happens and pray for Brady.
August 19th, 2022 at 10:09 am
All this should make fans a bit more appreciative of D. Smith….
Perhaps we can bring in the Earl of Watford or coax Kenyatta Walker out of retirement….
August 19th, 2022 at 10:14 am
Until he gets hurt, then what are we going to do… OH NO, this is so bad, what are we going to do when we don’t have a right guard???
And we all know Brady won’t come back… Oh NO
August 19th, 2022 at 10:16 am
Is this the awesome cool story you wanted us to hang on to the edge of our seats for. That was supposed to come out first thing this morning?
August 19th, 2022 at 10:16 am
I didn’t realize Wells was still on the team, until I saw his name mentioned the other day. We can’t have that guy taking any snaps at tackle, at least not with Brady playing
August 19th, 2022 at 10:26 am
@ Crack: Pretty sure the awesome cool story was about Arians possibly feeling the pull of coaching again.
August 19th, 2022 at 10:27 am
Wells and Leverret have looked terrible every time they play.
Gulp.
August 19th, 2022 at 10:35 am
Shaq actually hasn’t been that great in camp. He especially was bad against Tennessee. He was getting bulldozed. It was kinda disappointing as I thought he would be an upgrade of Cappa. I still have PTSD from the Rams game when Josh Wells almost got Brady killed. Brady amazingly only had three sacks, but he was under constant pressure that he wasn’t able to deliver the ball to the receivers. Wirfs knows his presence is necessary. I say his ready by week 1.
In his last practice against Miami, Brady was visibly frustrated with the OLs inability to pass block. It was reported that he went over to BA to voice his displeasure. If Brady plays, there is no doubt he will have an absolute meltdown on the sidelines if the line is bad.
August 19th, 2022 at 10:43 am
Lt. Dan,
Thanks, yeah, I finally put two and two together. I was expecting something different because of how and when Joe suggested a cool story was coming.
It was a cool story; I will say that. Just not what I was wanting to read about.
August 19th, 2022 at 11:10 am
Joe … ‘When it comes to right guard Shaq Mason, there shouldn’t be any fans losing sleep’.
Jason Licht … ‘“For us, I can’t think of the last time he had a bad snap’.
Joe (Notes Aug 18 practice) … ‘*Shaq Mason gets imploded by Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jefferey Simmons’.
Joe (Notes Aug 17 practice) … ‘*Bucs guard Shaq Mason gets bull rushed badly by Titans DL DeMarcus Walker’.
With all the other potential OLine ‘issues’, it’s comforting to know that I can sleep well tonight knowing that we have Shaq Mason. Just wished that your training camp notes from our 2 days of scrimmaging against the Titans reinforced that. No sweat though, Jason the ostrich has me covered.
August 19th, 2022 at 11:12 am
Just saw a social media post speculating that Tom Brady is missing because he is a contestant on the Masked Singer, hence why he can’t speak about why he is missing practice. Link is in my name for those who want to read.
August 19th, 2022 at 11:13 am
So the Bucs should cut Shaq Mason based on two plays in a practice, one he lost a battle with the second-best defensive tackle in the game and the other a drill where the pass rusher gets a free unblocked head start on the blocking lineman?
Cute.
Joe saw a Dolphins defender blow past Tristan Wirfs last week in the same drill. Even wrote about it. Wirfs truly is a rotten player and needs to be benched, right?
August 19th, 2022 at 11:28 am
I wish he was bigger. The reports from yesterday’s practice was that he was getting walked backwards to the Qb from power rushes from Simmons. His technique was fine it was that he was just too small to anchor his position.
August 19th, 2022 at 11:35 am
Joe, you missed the point.
Let me help.
You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
August 19th, 2022 at 11:38 am
Well, I guess you can. It is your website that we all love so much.
So feel free to spin and unspin the news as you see fit.
I personally really think its awesome that yall interact with us in the chat. How much would it cost you to get IRA to do it to from time to time?
August 19th, 2022 at 11:40 am
Masked singer was filmed in late July and early August. I was hopeful but you can look it up and see the filming dates dont coincide with Bradys absence..
August 19th, 2022 at 11:43 am
Also, Brady missing weeks of practice to participate in a TV show seems like it wouldn’t be as acceptable to the Bucs, as him saying I’m not sure I made the right decision to come back and need time. If this goes on past Monday, its time to worry big time.
August 19th, 2022 at 11:54 am
I can’t see Brady dressing up like a clown for the masked singer, but I don’t really know the guy. Even if he did, it wouldn’t take two weeks to shoot. You put the clown suit on, dance around I’m guessing, pull the stupid head off, and everyone can’t believe it. Shouldn’t take two weeks to film that. So he’s just taking it easy, and will be back soon cracking his own whip. Every team is dealing with injuries, and problems. We’ll be Dallas ready.
August 19th, 2022 at 12:18 pm
Keep in mind what Devin White said. I don’t think he ‘was praying’ for TB to sing on a silly tv show. Tom is not on vacation or doing something for profit. He’s dealing with something serious. At least that’s what it seems. I’d lose a lot of respect for the guy if he’s just screwing around. I really don’t think it’s the case.
August 19th, 2022 at 12:49 pm
I don’t think anyone is insinuating that someone should get cut over a couple plays in practice, that’s hyperbole. I’d like someone to cite any HOFer who never had a couple bad plays (or bad days overall) in practice. But sleeping easy may be the other extreme by comparison.
Is there still middle ground in any arguments? Do people still hold intelligent thoughts? Such as while I feel comfortable with Shaq on the team, I am still anxious to see the newly revamped line play together in the regular season.
Besides. I rest easy bc I put in work and tire myself out. Not bc of the words I read about my favorite football team on my mobile device (though I do appreciate the service!).
August 19th, 2022 at 12:52 pm
Appearing on that TV show would lose a bit of my respect
August 19th, 2022 at 1:04 pm
F Micah Parsons. He’s good but doesnt make anyone lose sleep. Week one just run the ball down their throats right at Lamicah Parsons. Rely on our defense to shut down their offense. I don’t think anyone is afraid of Wak ( I meant Dak) Prescott. If we could go into a playoff game against Aaron Donald and von Miller with Josh wells then I have a little amount of concern going against D Lawrence and Micah I’m just saying
August 19th, 2022 at 1:30 pm
Prior to making those Shaq Mason comments, I looked back through your training camp notes to see if those were just isolated comments regarding Shaq. As I remember, I don’t think that I found him mentioned anyplace. Several other OLineman got mentioned a LOT (such as Hainsey, Leverett & Stinnie?), and not necessarily in a good way.
Just tried to point out that your 2 comments about Shaq Mason don’t exactly reinforce JL’s comment about him. Not getting many real warm fuzzies either regarding how well the interior of our OLine can protect 45-year-old, relatively immobile Tom Brady AND also at creating holes for our RBs.
August 19th, 2022 at 1:33 pm
brady is MIA who said he is coming back
August 19th, 2022 at 1:54 pm
Actually I take back my previous comment. After more research there are dates on the masked singer that perfectly coincide with his absence. That includes the Semifinals and Finals, which of course the GOAT would win. However if thats the truth, I agree with Winfield, “I’m praying for him”.
August 19th, 2022 at 2:53 pm
Mason is at his best In the power run game, and is a terrific pulling guard. However, if the bucs are planning to throw 700 times again, pass blocking over and over isn’t his strength. I still believe the bucs should commit, and be more imaginative in the run game. It would make the offense that much harder to defend. Why you wouldn’t run against light boxes, and smaller fronts is beyond me.
August 19th, 2022 at 6:14 pm
The training camp so far appears to be a Bowles Blunder.
August 19th, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Hope the movie is worth it.
August 19th, 2022 at 7:31 pm
and you people take notes from underwear football
August 19th, 2022 at 7:47 pm
No one was advocating cutting Shaq Mason! Jeesh!
Unless Rosie gets signed, then he might be in trouble.
August 19th, 2022 at 9:01 pm
These guys are going to need some of Brady getting in there azz to get a little sense of urgency and work on the pass blocking. You can’t tell me that the Bucs could not have benefited from picking up J.C. Tretter. I can’t believe that Shaq Mason won’t be able to pick up his pass blocking. If Brady comes back something tells me these guys will get it together.
August 19th, 2022 at 9:54 pm
Shaq has not been great this camp or preseason, which is concerning. Hard to tell what the problems are, but there are many possibilities, from the system, the lack of cohesion next to him at the moment, to the lack of Brady.
Physically, his strengths and weaknesses were known when they signed him, and they haven’t changed. He’s undersized. He’s good at power run blocking but not great pass blocking. He needs support to hide his deficiencies.
Having a healthy duo of Jensen and Wirfs next to him was supposed to do that. Take both away, and Shaq is exposed.
August 20th, 2022 at 11:05 am
steele – that’s the point. When Stinnie replaced Cappa the other four were all there. Now, no Cappa, no Jensen, no Marpet and no Wirfs. So Stinnie is exposed for sure and the weakened center position definitely spills over to Mason as well.
But the horror show will be watching Josh Wells at RT Yikes. Better have a healthy dose of Super Ko next to him to help. Forget about running the ball with this lineup. Quick slants, screens, dump offs, checkdowns. Gonna be really fun to watch, (s a r c a s m)
August 20th, 2022 at 3:42 pm
Remember when you were all like, “Guhhh Bucs no need run football only throw.” This is why that was wrong.