Which Player Brings The Best Value?
December 4th, 2022
Most bang for the buck.
One of several reasons why Joe slams his head against the wall like a mental patient after watching failing Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich is how much he loves to run the ball to the left.
Meanwhile, on the right side, the Bucs have two of the best offensive linemen in football, All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs and underrated right guard Shaq Mason.
How mind-boggling is this stubborn strategy? Well, Cale Clinton of Football Outsiders, typing for BSPN, decided to list the best-valued player for each NFL team based on salary.
For the Bucs, Clinton believes Mason brings more bang for the buck than anyone on the roster.
The Buccaneers acquired Mason from the Patriots this past offseason for a fifth-round pick already a bargain for a lineman of his caliber. According to Sports Info Solutions, Mason has yet to allow a sack this season, and his 1.4% blown block rate is currently tied for tenth-lowest among all guards (min. 400 snaps). Even after a price hike come 2023, Mason ranks 10th among current right guards and 16th among all guards in cap hit. With the injury woes and roster turnover faced by the Buccaneers this season, Mason was well worth the investment.
Tom Brady also belongs in the conversation for the Buccaneers’ spot on this list. Known for taking pay cuts to facilitate better rosters throughout his career, Brady’s $11.9 million cap hit for 2022 comes in below Carson Wentz’s, Sam Darnold’s and Matt Ryan’s, just beating out Joe Burrow’s rookie deal by about $2 million. Even in a down year for the Buccaneers’ offense, Brady still ranks fourth in passing DYAR and ninth in passing DVOA. However, Brady’s cap hit in 2023 is set to be a more reasonable (relative to performance) $35.1 million. His contract also carries three void years through 2026, none of which have an attached cap hit.
If Joe’s last name began with a “G” and ended in an “R,” Joe would race into Leftwich’s office, throw these facts about Mason on his desk and holler, “What the hell are you doing to my team?!”
For the next few weeks, Joe can sort of understand why Leftwich might want to run left. With Wirfs out Josh Wells is now your right tackle.
Joe thinks it’s safe to say the left side is now the strength of the offensive line.
So it almost stands to reason that fans can now expect Leftwich to try to run off-tackle to the right on Monday night.
December 4th, 2022 at 4:07 pm
My guess is failing uncoordinator BL will line up in trips L and run 28 sweeps tomorrow night. He’ll say the Saints never expected it. Neither would anyone. (Sarcasm, maybe).
GO BUCS!!!
December 4th, 2022 at 4:07 pm
The Falcons lost Joe!
December 4th, 2022 at 4:08 pm
I fully expect more runs to the right now. Our bozo of an offensive coordinator is an idiot.
December 4th, 2022 at 4:08 pm
Was thinking the same sarcastic thing said in the last sentence before even reading it. Or better yet, BL’s game plan will probably call for a lot of deep passes that call for a lot of time in the pocket – something we should now be real good at now, right? How about Evans on some more go routes.
December 4th, 2022 at 4:13 pm
Falcons lost looks like 8-9 or 7-10 could possibly win this division.
December 4th, 2022 at 4:15 pm
This division is a dumpster surrounded by flock of seagulls. So we’re the seagull that got dibs on the half eaten McNugget. Whoopteydoo.
December 4th, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Not the article I am waiting for.
December 4th, 2022 at 4:22 pm
Joe what has happened when you ask leftwich about this? also Brady needs to have more input–this is his final year, no doubt he has the power to do whatever play he wants–he can change a play he can run it right–this is on Brady.
December 4th, 2022 at 4:29 pm
Any team that makes it into the playoffs from the NFC south doesn’t deserve it…..yet alone do they deserve to win either.
So Bucs fans are delusional thinking that the Bucs will catch fire 🔥 if the make it into the playoffs which is a absolute and complete lie.
The Bucs aren’t losing games because of the players
The Bucs are losing games because of coaching
December 4th, 2022 at 4:31 pm
Joe’s done asking Leftwich questions. Virtually all he does is dodge, dance or flat out refuse to answer questions. As if he thinks he’s above critique.
If Leftwich doesn’t want to explain himself (he may have very valid reasons for doing what he does) then Joe will let the results speak for itself.
December 4th, 2022 at 4:31 pm
There is no team in the NFC that can’t be beat, unfortunately every team the Bucs play have 13 defenders counting Bowels & Leftnut.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:00 pm
The run chart will feature the R side, he’s always a day late and a dollar short. Lefty is so predictable.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:02 pm
The Patriots sure wish they had Mason back now.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:06 pm
Leftwich’s answer….
“I just want to put players in the best position to succeed…..to win football games because it’s the game of football”
I’m being very kind on his use of the English language here.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:11 pm
So with the Dixie Chicks L today does that mean the Bucs are in first no matter what?!?! Wow….. just wow.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:17 pm
Ok Bucs fans, Jackson hurt, Garapolo the glass man hurt, who else are you calling for? Mike White I read? He choked and I would love to see Bucs trade Brady for him, might as well throw in Zak Wilson to. Brady on the Jets would make them a SB contender. Plus I could see more televised games.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:19 pm
🤣 @ NEfan ^^^^^
You’re delusional
December 4th, 2022 at 5:21 pm
Lol, ya’ll act like this is real. Nothing the Jesuits do is real, it’s all scripted. Lololol
December 4th, 2022 at 5:23 pm
There should be a article about who is the worst value (stealing money). for a team that is sub .500 with the GOAT at QB there are quite a few candidates.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:26 pm
Mike, both Carolina and the Saints have 8 losses and Falcons 7, to answer your question, YES if Bucs lose they are still in freaking first place. Unbelievable, here’s another good one, Pittsburgh has beating all the NFC South teams except Carolina, they haven’t played them yet.
TheBucsA…@ not delusional, wishful thinking.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:31 pm
Players that bring best value to a team are those who r consistent n will never give up on a play.
Best value players n coaches will do the following:
•Reach out for difficult but catchable balls n not consume most of ur time complaining for a flag. An all pro not making an effort to catch a difficult but catchable pass is unacceptable.
• Try to gain extra yards after catching a pass n quit flinching n going to the ground all the time.
• Stand their ground to protect their qb. Again, quit giving up on plays.
• Quit playing passive
• Quit looking to fair catch majority of balls n quit running outta bounds. Show some courage.
• Quit allowing OL to bully n push u around. Get in the weight room n stop relying on ur speed only.
• Quit arm tackling n tackle like a professional
• Step up during crunch time when ur numbers called to finally get some pt n not look to be a one trick pony.
• Quit playing scared, passive n calling conservative plays.
• Think outside the box. Give ur 7 time Super Bowl winning qb the autonomy to call his own plays.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:59 pm
His name is LEFTwich, not RIGHTwich.
Come on Joe, it’s obvious why Bryon does what he does.
December 4th, 2022 at 8:05 pm
This may be the first time Joe has ever read a reference to the Jesuits here. Not sure if that’s bad or good. Given Joe’s nasty background with priests, probably not good (Joe still has an urge to punch a nun if he wouldn’t go to hell for it).
December 4th, 2022 at 8:14 pm
Just wait until that moron directs a curb stomping by the Saints.
You think the natives are restless ^now^?
December 4th, 2022 at 9:20 pm
Some of these runs to the left involve Mason pulling that direction….
December 4th, 2022 at 9:22 pm
You know Mason is doing great, because this is about the first time I’ve seen or heard his name all year. Hey Joe, I’ve also got some nuns I was more scared of than the devil himself. But I also have fond memories of the hot nun who gave me my first woody in the 7th grade.
December 4th, 2022 at 9:34 pm
Joe Says:
Joe’s done asking Leftwich questions. Virtually all he does is dodge, dance or flat out refuse to answer questions. As if he thinks he’s above critique.
—————
Joe, can you ask on behalf of your readers then? Because I have a question I’d love Leftwich to answer…
Please ask him why he turned down the Jacksonville job? Did he think he’d actually have another chance to be a head coach? Because that would imply this clueless idiot actually thinks he’s good at his job and would have the entire NFL courting him in the future.
He can’t actually be that dumb, that he thought once Arians was gone, and Leftwich got to showcase himself without Arians interfering, that every team in the NFL would be begging to interview him first next offseason.
December 4th, 2022 at 9:41 pm
Joe spelled out how Leftwich doesn’t answer questions.
Besides, there are protocols to follow. Asking him in a Bucs press conference in December about a job he didn’t get 11 months ago that has nothing to do with the Bucs and is old news is breaking all sorts of protocols.
And again, he wouldn’t answer either way.
December 4th, 2022 at 11:01 pm
Leftwich supposedly turned down Jax because he didn’t want to work with the GM there, who is widely considered to be worthless.
December 4th, 2022 at 11:30 pm
So Joe
Basically the whole press interview gig is just a pre ordained show? Like WWE? Or most any MSM?
What’s the point of even holding pressers?
December 4th, 2022 at 11:52 pm
Hahahahaha. Spot on.
December 5th, 2022 at 4:24 am
Joe Says:
December 4th, 2022 at 4:31 pm
Joe what has happened when you ask leftwich about this?
Joe’s done asking Leftwich questions. Virtually all he does is dodge, dance or flat out refuse to answer questions. As if he thinks he’s above critique.
The media in general these days has this sense of being entitled to answers they want to push their agenda….However in this case i’m surprised you didn’t bail on these guys alot sooner!
December 5th, 2022 at 8:53 am
In a educational setting, the Jesuits are well known for the academics and discipline they demand.