Former NFL Suit Thinks Bucs Should Go Offensive Line Shopping
February 6th, 2023
Guard/tackle Luke Goedeke.
Joe knows several readers will not just nod their heads in agreement with this and mutter “Yes!” They will also polish off a Bromosa.
Former Vikings general manager and Titans president Jeff Diamond believes the cure of all the Bucs’ ills on offense is on the offensive line. So Diamond, typing for The33rdTeam.com, says if Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht goes shopping for offensive linemen this offseason, all will be well come September.
Running backs Leonard Fournette and Rachaad White will be fine with better blocking in front of them, which can be provided by one of the top O-linemen in the draft (such as [Peter] Skoronski, [Paris] Johnson Jr. or [Broderick] Jones at tackle or [O’Cyrus] Torrence inside) and with a free-agent signing if the Buccaneers can find the cap room.
Joe isn’t sure the need is so drastic. Having typed that, there is no doubt the offensive line may take a step back without Tom Brady.
Joe isn’t ready to say the Bucs have given up on Luke Goedeke at left guard. And maybe, just maybe, the may slide over Robert Hainsey over there with Ryan Jensen being healthy.. It’s unknown how much better Goedeke can/will play next to Jensen.
Think about it: Alex Cappa at right guard struggled as a rookie, too, and he wasn’t forced to start like Goedeke was.
It’s reasonable to think a new offensive coordinator may make a world of difference just by himself.
February 6th, 2023 at 12:11 am
I think we definitely need to add to the o line but assuming we don’t trade up for a QB we should go BPA. A lineman could be the best player available but secondary, pass rushers, and weapons should be on the table
February 6th, 2023 at 12:13 am
Should be drafting OL and DL YEARLY! The game is won in the trenches.
February 6th, 2023 at 12:34 am
I hate to be glass-half-full w/ the Bucs because 70% of the time you end up w/ egg on your face when you naively expect this team to perform well.
But…QUESTION:
* What if the the line is way better next year? Without
– Brady family drama
– Terrible camp injuries most notably Jensen
– Leftwurst at OC
FACT: The reason the offense played poorly was the oline (and too some degree Brady after his hand and shoulder injury)
If the Bucs could get a decent QB the offense could theoretically be much better next year.
If the Bucs could convince Carr to be a team player and not a stat padding West coast boi then maybe Licht would be on to something…
But again, being positive is dangerous.
–Asst To The Regional Manager–
February 6th, 2023 at 1:02 am
I think Joe is a fraud and posting for views opposed to the information he knows is true from One Bucs. You’re thoughts Len?
February 6th, 2023 at 1:24 am
I’m with Sean Sullivan and say, we need an EDGE! JTS9 is teetering on bust status, Shaq is coming back from an achilles, Nelson and Nassib are FAs. We have that one kid who got hurt in the preseason who looks promising, but otherwise idk man. Looks bleak
February 6th, 2023 at 1:43 am
Cut 76 move 78 to the left and put 67 at RT, draft defense.
February 6th, 2023 at 1:45 am
Is Wirfs at LT a c
February 6th, 2023 at 1:46 am
*Is Wirfs at LT a consideration???
February 6th, 2023 at 2:12 am
Care to offer what that information is you are so sure Joe knows?
Sure hope not.
February 6th, 2023 at 4:11 am
I think our OLine going into the 2023 season is a STRENGTH of this team, not a weakness as Diamond obviously believes. We had our problems for sure in 2022, but that was largely because of injuries (to Jensen, Stinnie & Wells obviously, but also to Wirfs & Donnie (both of whom played hurt quite a bit it seemed) as well as inexperience (Hainsey & Goedeke were green, and our backups Leverett, Walton, Molchon didn’t have much game time prior to 2022). Not to mention Marpet retiring & losing Cappa to the Bengals.
This year Jensen should be back healthy to set the tone for this OLine (he did start the playoff game), as well as Wirfs, Mason & Donnie (cutting him is too expensive & he’s more than serviceable). Hainsey & Goedeke each gained a ton of experience last season & could both be contenders for a starting gig. Walton & Molchon are under contract (as well as several others), but Stinnie, Leverett & Wells (our 3 most experienced backups) are FAs. Wouldn’t be surprised to see us bring back 2 of them however.
That gives us PLENTY of quality talent to work with without spending any draft capital (needed for other positions like DT, DE/OLB, ILB, CB, S, K, TE, WR, possibly RB & maybe even QB if one falls into our lap?). With ME13, CG14, Gage, Otton, Fournette & White all returning, we’ve got some pretty good ‘weapons’. All we need to do is to find someone to drive the race car.
February 6th, 2023 at 6:46 am
Josh Wells , Aaron Stinnie , and Nick Leverett are all unrestricted free agents. All three have some proven ability and will be testing the market to get substantial raises from their 740,000 to 1.5 mil salary numbers and deservedly so. Josh Wells is 32 and Stinnie is 29-this might be their last contract-they will be trying to maximize dollars. Bucs may retain one or two , but not all three.
Wirfs and his agent will be interested in trying LT for obvious reasons. Bucs should be as well as there are only a handful of great LT’s out there. Wirfs can play LT and do that well. Put Goedeke back where he is comfortable at RT. Jettison Dsmith-he is washed.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:09 am
That maryland LT Duncan….yup, at 19.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:25 am
Jensen coming back will be a big help to the Oline…….that, coupled with continued development of Goedeke….
Drafting a top blocking TE would be a big help.
With Hainsey & Leverett, we have some depth.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:28 am
All teams should add O and D linemen every year.
It’s the trenches, dammit.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:54 am
Bucs need defensive backs, linebacker, pass rusher, quarterback, tight end and last o-line.
February 6th, 2023 at 8:03 am
I honestly think this off season and draft…..the Bucs should go hard on and their #1 Priority is the offensive line.
Winning always starts up front in the Trenches……..everyone saw up front what happened to the Bucs this season.
And NOW ……it is time to trade or release Donovan Smith….he needs to go…..the most penalized player in the NFL.
February 6th, 2023 at 8:04 am
……..and Ryan Jensen is another injury away from retirement too……so people shouldn’t count on him either
February 6th, 2023 at 8:10 am
Wirfs to left tackle, D. Smith to left guard, sign two of three FA lineman on squad last year and look to draft/sign FA guard or tackle for the right. If the Bucs can draft the best available guard at 19, so be it. You use TE, RB and FB to help with chip blocks on right tackle. The problem is when (as last year) you have multiple weak spots simultaneously. Difficult to scheme for that and still have enough skill players to execute the plays.
February 6th, 2023 at 8:19 am
Please don’t draft anyone named Broderick
February 6th, 2023 at 8:29 am
Have to build the OL and DL through the draft.
February 6th, 2023 at 8:40 am
Goedecki was “forced “ to play on the other side of the OL … he certainly struggled but that is a lot to ask of any OLmen , especially a rookie.
Hell !
Not only trade every player that can yield a draft pick.
Trade our 2023 picks for picks next year.
February 6th, 2023 at 9:58 am
Wirfs should be considered at LT. Why not, He did it in College. Donnie was horrible. Move Goedeke to RT where played in college and did quite well in the last game of the year.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:08 am
I don’t think a LT will fall to us that late but I would pull the trigger if one did. Licht has done really well at drafting OL and I think we will definitely add at least one rounds 2-3 to compete at LG and just for overall depth. With Jensen coming back from injury I think we will have a pretty good OL. Losing Jensen cannot be understated.
February 6th, 2023 at 5:44 pm
Duh!!!