Pass Protection Has Been Outstanding
September 17th, 2023
Physical.
Joe thinks Bucs fans would agree. Offensive line was an expected team weakness entering the 2023 season.
Each and every starting position on the line had a valid question mark. But two games into the season, those questions largely are being answered in the positive. The Bucs have given up only two sacks, both in the season-opener.
Not bad for a unit that fans hollered and screamed and stomped their feet over damn near daily since the playoff loss to the Cowboys. When Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen was unable to get back on a practice field this summer, forget about game snaps, the offensive line outlook appeared bleak to many fans.
Today, the Bucs didn’t allow a sack. That’s partly attributable to Baker Mayfield and his sometimes Houdini ways.
Still, for an offensive line jumbled together, they are playing solid ball.
Mayfield said after the game he can see the line coming together and has witnessed them gel since OTAs. Mayfield lauded the line for physical play in the first half today, which he believed was key in wearing down the Bears’ defensive front.
So is the Bucs’ offensive line outperforming Joe’s expectations? Yes it is. And that’s a great thing.
September 17th, 2023 at 6:27 pm
Line has mostly been good – but Matt Feiler has been an issue. He’s the only lineman that stuck out to me last week in a bad way, and I know he had a couple of more plays today. Just something to keep an eye on – and I’m saying that about today based on the TV angles, so I could be wrong if I missed something.
The line is really being helped out by the scheme as well since they get rid of the ball fairly quickly. But the Bears and Vikings do not have good defenses, so next week vs the Eagles will be the first big test.
September 17th, 2023 at 6:35 pm
The OL have held their own…..canales play calling is just getting better. I was worried the 1st 1/2 in the vikes game.
They need to open more running lanes and as you said by bailed them out a few times. They get a C+ so far from me.
September 17th, 2023 at 6:39 pm
Three key penalties on 3rd down. Fix that.
September 17th, 2023 at 6:41 pm
67 had 3 penalties. 2 holds and a false start. Two of them were on 3rd down. Absolute drive killers.
September 17th, 2023 at 6:42 pm
Too early to tell. I have a pretty strong feeling that next week won’t be the same story against the Eagles. Feiler and Wirfs were struggling to pass off the easiest of pass rush games today. Geodeke had some issues today. Even Wirfs had a couple of suspect low effort plays today. It looked like it was probably hot as hell down there today, so I’m not going to be too hard on any of them. They’re gonna have to put on their big boy pants next week though.
Brady would have been sack at least four or five times today.
September 17th, 2023 at 6:43 pm
Right Tackle and #67 is a bad mix. Just a drive killing combination.
September 17th, 2023 at 6:52 pm
The o line and running backs did a good job blocking blitzes, kudos to our new OC
September 17th, 2023 at 7:06 pm
It’s still a line where you have one guy playing the same position as they did a year ago. So far, it’s all good, but they obviously need to improve. Luke is, by far, making the hardest transition – he’s basically a rookie again at tackle, and came from a small school and wasn’t facing NFL talent. That’s easier to hide at guard than at tackle, so he’s going to have some issues, that’s normal. With that said, he has not stood out to me as being an issue when watching game 1, and didn’t stand out as being beat today, but again, I’ll have to see the tape.
September 17th, 2023 at 7:11 pm
I’m not impressed with the OL and think the Eagles DC is going to make it a miserable night for the Ol and Bucs offense.
Baker was under pressure most of the game and the Bears defense penetrated and disrupted both running and passing plays.
They will have to learn from the film and play better as a unit
September 17th, 2023 at 7:12 pm
I think canalas plays versus leftwich plays are also making a difference. Coming in he knew this unit has lost Marpet cappa last year and smith this year. I am sure they were question marks surrounding Jensen. So canalas must have gotten creative with that information and has done a great job so far. But the eagles come to town next week. Then we’ll know
September 17th, 2023 at 7:14 pm
Let’s give some credit to Baker’s escapability. He ducked and spun his way out of a few sacks today.
September 17th, 2023 at 7:18 pm
godeke is a penalty machine and Wirfs was getting beat. I think it’s more Baker being an escape artist and ability to extend plays. Watching the Dallas O line now, Zak Martin is a beast.
September 17th, 2023 at 7:19 pm
Please don’t tell me that Luke is about to turn into another Donovan Smith. Too many mistakes and at crucial times….🤔
September 17th, 2023 at 7:20 pm
So far so good! They will get better with more snaps together!
September 17th, 2023 at 7:25 pm
This is a new offensive lineup. The offensive line takes the longest to jell. Simple football fact. Canales is the new OC. Feisty BM is new. Bucs are 2-0. They are slowly improving. Bring on Philly. Bucs play them at night–thank god!! I have two Beagles. Please don’t insult them with the Eagles. We call Atlanta, who beat GB today, the dirty birds. That applies to the eaglets.
September 17th, 2023 at 7:59 pm
Baker has also done and incredible job of making people miss/creating something from nothing. There were several plays where he was under siege and found his checkdown. Also, some A+ pocket moves, including against guys that were coming in basically unblocked. Baker’s only weakness has typically been from the blindside, and Wirfs has mostly locked that down.
September 17th, 2023 at 8:25 pm
The o-line played lights out compared to da bears o-line today. I believe bears qb was sacked 6 or 7 times. Their qb looked to me like a beaten man.
The Bucs gave up no sacks, and baker looked like he was having fun.
All of this is a welcomed surprise and I had this all wrong. Good job Bucs. Keep bringing the heat.
September 17th, 2023 at 9:06 pm
It will be interesting to see how they hold up against the Eagles.They should get better all season.
September 17th, 2023 at 9:17 pm
They’ve been decent but Mayfield deserves A LOT of the credit.
He had at least 4-5 plays in the last 2 games where a defender had him and he somehow escaped, no thanks to the o-line. They’re playing decent, but I’d say they’re average at best right now.
September 17th, 2023 at 10:05 pm
cut down on those penaties – killing off drives…
but the line is def looking decent and will hopefully come together even more…
a lot of people were expecting complete shambles going into the season…
feiler has been a nice plug in next to wirfs so far, and mauch is holding his own out there for a rook…
and hainsey is very quietly playing well…and very quiet is what you like when discussing o-linemen
September 17th, 2023 at 10:44 pm
For only 2 weeks into a new season with position changes, a new OC and system AND a quarterback who is only getting better each week I’m more than pleased with how OUR ( yes …OUR ) team is progressing each week. Next week will be a huge challenge!!! What would I like to see from the Bucs ?????? Punch the Eagles in the mouth early , often and repeatedly….. I believe that if we start this game with a violent mindset ( it is a contact sport after all ) and hopefully put our feet on their necks and don’t let up we can win this game . Maybe Christian Izien can pull off a Ronde move in the last few minutes and convince Eagles players that Cuban sandwiches are WAY better than Philly Steak whatever ……BUCS BY 10 !!! PLEASE GUYS ….WHIP THEIR ASSES !!!! GO BUCCANEERS!!!!
September 18th, 2023 at 1:56 am
I disagree..I see issues..well find out vs the eagles more
September 18th, 2023 at 5:14 am
Igor get Licht WE DID IT! FrankenLine it’s alive ……ALIVE!!!!
September 18th, 2023 at 6:35 am
Noticed Jenson on sideline cheering and coaching up fellow linemen. gotta like that he’s doing this.
September 18th, 2023 at 8:03 am
The unit is playing average. Feiler is the weak link in this line. If we are in the playoff picture by the trade deadline, I’d look for a LT or LG to play LG. In the 2024 draft, I’m taking the best LT available and moving Wirfs back to RT. Then I’m moving Goedeke inside to RG and move Mauch to LG. I’d also consider drafting a center in 2024 or 2025 because I’m not paying Hainsey big money once his contract is up. If he will sign for 3-4 million per season then keep him. I’m of the philosophy that a team should always have the majority of the trench players under 28 years of age. It’s just too physically demanding of a position. There are a few exceptions like Andrew Witworth and Jason Peters but not many.
September 18th, 2023 at 8:21 am
Lived in the Philly suburbs for a few years on the west end of the main line (for those of you who know Philly). Got to say that Philly fans are a fuking pain in the butt. Nasty would be a polite description. Would love to see the Bucs win but they better wear their big boy pants. Went to grad school at Temple. Penn turned me down. Snotty blue bloods. I grew up low income blue collar and Penn would have been too snooty anyhow. Love Tampa since 1973. Even the Creamsicle Bucs! Lost every game that first year. Hoping for a big time turn around this year!!!! Go Bucs!
September 18th, 2023 at 8:25 am
The OL is at a tipping point
Either they will slowly begin to gell and be a average at best OL , which is OK for this year
Or they will be exposed by DC’s as the weakness are exposed and attacked.
September 18th, 2023 at 11:06 am
Feiler is a problem. But not because he’s the weak link, but because he is the only one ever seen “loafing”. He doesn’t finish plays. He works hard on his initial block, but once the defender has been pushed outside or past the QB, he just QUITS PLAYING. I remember at least 4 times where I was yelling at him to “keep playing” as Baker was scrambling. He was just standing there like some kind of sight-seer watching the play end. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I don’t get it.
September 18th, 2023 at 12:41 pm
Baker is pretty slippery and that’s a big help.
September 18th, 2023 at 5:01 pm
Luke Goedeke graded 74.7 in the Bears game by PFF.