Order No. 1 For Preseason Finale: Only Future Ex-Bucs Offensive Linemen Should Play
August 21st, 2022
Guard Aaron Stinnie.
After last night’s game, Joe fully understands why significant others of Bucs fans do not want their loved ones anywhere near a showerhead today.
Last night, for no good reason, possible starting left guard Aaron Stinnie was playing with three minutes left in the third quarter of a sh!t preseason game. A Super Bowl starter at the thinnest position on the team — a position that at halftime appeared wide open — Stinnie blew out his knee to some degree.
Beautiful! (sarcasm)
Joe has no earthly idea why Stinnie was on the field. It was reckless if not irresponsible. Sadly, we cannot turn the clock back. The Bucs have to prepare for the worst.
Joe would be surprised if the Bucs don’t have a new offensive lineman this week, or later this month.
Now is just about the perfect time to land someone. In the next nine days, serviceable guys will get cut as NFL teams have to be down to a 53-man roster by Aug. 30. By now, teams have a great idea of what offensive linemen they may release as a salary cap casualty or would be eager to trade on the cheap.
Yeah, Joe assumes teams would try to rake Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht over the coals because they know Licht is trapped in a buy-mode; he’s not selling. But obtaining a throwaway draft pick is better than getting nothing when you cut a guy.
It’s obvious from last night that rookie left guard Luke Goedeke is not yet ready for prime time.
Team Glazer or Licht need to issue General Order No. 1 for this week: No offensive lineman with a chance to start at Dallas Week 1 shall play Saturday at Indianapolis. Nick Leverett, Donovan Smith, Robert Hainsey, Shaq Mason, Tristan Wirfs, enjoy the weekend off.
The only guys on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium should be offensive linemen who have no shot of starting and guys who need good film for their USFL interviews.
August 21st, 2022 at 8:08 am
At least it was good to see Wirfs moving around happy on the Buc sideline. Maybe we can dangle Tyler Johnson who’s put good preseason film out there in a trade. Don’t see any way around not bringing in a Vet guard.
August 21st, 2022 at 8:13 am
Why was Stinnie playing when the starters were on the bench? Because Stinnie isn’t a starter. He’s currently LG2, behind Leverett. He is fighting to become LG1, and to win that role he needs playing time.
Licht needed to sign Tretter and a legit LG1 the past few weeks, but he gambled (or procrastinated) and lost. That’s why he’s going to negotiate from a position of weakness.
August 21st, 2022 at 8:18 am
Best O is a stingy D.
Suh.
August 21st, 2022 at 8:21 am
Pretty soon, we will be trying Ko Kieft at LG. Just needs to put on 30 more lbs.
August 21st, 2022 at 8:24 am
The OL is so bad, not sure there’s much of a difference between 1st string and 3rd string at this point. Just sayin’.
August 21st, 2022 at 8:32 am
If Leverett is the starter, then Licht loses all credibility regarding drafting OLinemen. Gotta look at the long term upside- Goedeke has to get playing time to improve and he will improve – trust coaching staff and Brady to develop him.
August 21st, 2022 at 8:33 am
Add in ex everything. Let Ryan and Trask play the whole game.
August 21st, 2022 at 8:34 am
Horrific mistake drafting Goedeke and asking him to play out of position in his first year. Ingram was available at that pick and was All-Sec and a TRUE LG that was ready to start on Day 1. I warned the Bucs about this before and after the draft and now the chickens have come home to roost. Just unforgiveable to have Stinnie in the game at that juncture considering you KNEW you were super thin at Oline. Disgusted I am. I would not blame Brady if he goes back into retirement after the complete and utter mismanagement of the Oline.
August 21st, 2022 at 8:37 am
@Alanbucs. We have no time for long term development this year. It’s a win now season. The Joes get it perfectly. We should be operating as a team with SB aspirations and that means making decisions that will help the team achieve that stated goal. Joes, please write another article on Keith Armstrong. This guy is killing our team, and he hasn’t been questioned about it.
August 21st, 2022 at 8:41 am
Nick Leverett was quoted as saying he can’t wait until Tom comes back. Tom presence changes everything. I do think some guys play with a sense of urgency when he’s behind center. No one wants to be on the receiving end of “Psycho Tom’s” wrath. #firekeitharmstrong
August 21st, 2022 at 9:02 am
I turned off the game at halftime.
Now I hear that was the GOOD half.
What a disgusting awful garbage display of incompetence
.
August 21st, 2022 at 9:03 am
Looks like our second round is not worthy should have been a 4th or 5th round pick.
August 21st, 2022 at 9:27 am
Agree. You guys keep acting like stinnie was a starter. He filled in a few games when everyone around him was solid. If he has guys around him that are ehhh
Good luck with that. He was barely average. I hope he gets
Healthy but cmon man. Bucs paid as backup cause they knew.
They should have made A move earlier. Only reason they havent that i can think of …is jensen coming back at some point
The obvious move is tretter. Check out his rankings over last few years. He is always hurt so doesnt practice but never missed a game in 5 years. That means the dude is tough. Have him at center and hainsey will be fine at left
Guard. And then sign another olineman if you can. Cause leverett and walton are average at best
August 21st, 2022 at 10:25 am
Tretter. Today.
Restructure Rudolph, he sucks. Tell him it’s that or the street.
August 21st, 2022 at 10:29 am
Allbuccedup how do you figure??? The man can’t block and catch the ball by himself you know. This is the most live NFL action he has seen since 2021, you know when he was drafted??? He saw no action what so ever last year so this year he’s working out some kinks. He’s for sure no Mack Jones at this point but dang give the man a chance to start a season before saying he was drafted too early or a bust. Or is that your anti Florida fanboi speaking???
August 21st, 2022 at 11:18 am
Yeah I’m with those that think Rudolph needs to pack it in. He’s a lost steps lost step and, being an older guy, I always root for a grizzled veteran to come over and get at least one ring before retiring, I just don’t think the team needs him more than the cap space. Otton is a damned fine player at TE.
August 21st, 2022 at 11:24 am
There are two teams with playoff hopes which lost their starting centers. One of those two lost centers. Tretter is still on the street. Why?
The answer is obvious to Joe. And it should be to all. Good players are not unemployed on Aug. 21.
August 21st, 2022 at 12:44 pm
@Joe
As I mentioned before, Tretter is likely being blackballed, even one of his former teammates on the Browns has said as much. How else do you account for Tretter being regarded as one of the best Centers in the league; even if you don’t like PFF ratings, look at how others regard his abilities. On top of it, he’s missed only 1 game the past 5 seasons, and only allowed 1 sack last season. The current IOL (Hainsey included) are having trouble making it through 1 practice without giving up a sack, or being destroyed. What on Earth do you think is going to happen when they face the Rams or Saints?
To me the answer is obvious. Tretter is available, he won’t cost a draft pick, and he’s a seasoned vet. Where else are you going to get a starting IOL at this point, one who excels at pass protection?
All preseason long the fan base has had sunshine pumped out their collective hindquarters about how wonderful Hainsey and Goedeke will be, conveniently leaving out that they are not remotely ready now. The IOL is leaky, Tretter is available and won’t cost a future pick.
Anyway, here’s a quote by a person who isn’t using PFF measurement. His name is Joel Bitano. He’s an All Pro Guard for Cleveland. He played with Tretter last season and considers him a top 5 or top 10 Center in the NFL. He also finds it strange that Tretter hasn’t been signed:
August 21st, 2022 at 4:28 pm
@passing thru
I think you nailed it.
We need to sign Tretter today.
August 21st, 2022 at 4:30 pm
Engram has taken the starting guard position for the Vikings.
https://thevikingage.com/2022/08/18/ed-ingram-guard-starter-minnesota-vikings/amp/