Cody Mauch Is A Rookie
November 2nd, 2023
Todd Bowles breaks down.
Of course, Joe would be chugging Big Storm Brewing beers all week long if every rookie the Bucs drafted balled out like Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield did in 2020.
But man, that is so unreasonable.
So Joe is always willing to give rookies slack. A lot of slack. Why? Because they are rookies. They are no longer battling children just off the farm or out of the burbs. That’s often an adjustment to their bodies and heads.
Yesterday, rookie play was a talking point, specifically about right guard Cody Mauch.
Luke Goedeke, who played right tackle in college, was plugged in at left guard as a rookie last year and he struggled. Flipped back to his old position this season, Goedeke has been one of the pleasant surprises of the year.
In fact, Goedeke is quietly developing into one of the better tackles in the NFC.
Some believe Mauch, who was a left tackle in college and is now getting snaps at right guard, is struggling. So Bucs coach Todd Bowles was asked if Mauch is having the same issues as Goedeke.
Bowles suggested the only similarities are that both guys come from farms in the upper Midwest and played for small colleges.
“I don’t think they’re the same issues – I think they’re different,” Bowles said. “Cody, obviously, can get a little stronger there, but he’s seeing a lot of things at guard. He’s a very smart player.
“I don’t think they have similar issues at all. I think [there are] certain things that [Mauch has] got to see and get used to the first time. He’s making the adjustment pretty [well].”
As for how Bowles would grade Mauch through seven starts, well, Bowles said he’s playing like a regular rookie.
“Up and down,” Bowles said. “Obviously, he has some good moments. He had some moments where he’s learned from. As a rookie, we expected that. I like where he’s going.”
Joe believes Mauch will be just fine. Is he getting outmuscled sometimes? Yeah. Can teams bull-rush him? Yeah. But again, what are we are talking about here?
Mauch starts on a line that has allowed just 11 sacks, second-best in the NFL (the Donovan Smith-led Chiefs have allowed the fewest sacks in the league with 10). So really, how bad can Mauch really be playing?
Wait till Mauch has a full year to work in an NFL weight room.
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:03 am
We should have top 5 picks the next 4-5 drafts
Cody will be a nice back up
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:06 am
Would be several more sacks if not for Baker playing Houdini a bunch of times. We have no run game and Mauch getting destroyed and blown into the backfield often is one of the main reasons why.
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:08 am
I don’t care if he’s a rookie. He’s not doing the job. I blame Bowles’ staff. I also blame Licht. He ran off of their Gs. He did not get a C.
So many underperformers this year. It has to be coaching. Dean. Davis. Neal. Mauch. Hainsey. White. White. Palmer. Tryon.
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:10 am
I’m not too worried about Cody Mauch. He is currently one of the worst rated guards in the NFL but so was Goedeke last season.
I am more worried about our starting center Robert Hainsey.
Hainsey is also one of the worst in the league at his position – however he is not a rookie anymore.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see Cody Mauch playing center next season.
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:13 am
He be UGGGLY!!!
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:15 am
I agree with your assessment Joe, and with OL rookie everyone should be specially patient …..The one who concerns me is Hainsey, he is not a rookie anymore…
Not worried about Mauch by any means
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:18 am
“It wouldn’t surprise me to see Cody Mauch playing center next season.”
Interesting thought. Why?
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:19 am
He’s not just a rookie….he’s a “toothless” rookie.
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:41 am
Marine, I also think the plan is for Mauch to play center. He’s athletic, feisty, and intelligent. They just want him to spend a year getting stonger before moving to center.
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:47 am
@ Jokers
Cody Mauch’s RAS score is off the charts. His athletic ability makes him more agile and able to reach the second level and block linebackers while still being stout at pass blocking. Plus Mauch has the intelligence to make the line calls.
Robert Hainsey is not very athletic and is constantly tripping and falling down as he attempts any block that is not directly in front of him. Hainsey should NOT be a starter in the NFL. He is a back-up quality player at best…
Cody just needs to put on a little size and get stronger which will happen this off season.
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:05 am
@marine buc
Agree. I think Mauch would make a great center with his agility. Our Oline really misses Jenson
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:06 am
The Chiefs have Mahomes who is a Houdini in escaping tackles.
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:13 am
Always some dork on here that thinks rookies should be immediately dominate NFL players. Read a couple already. Said the same crap about Luke last year.
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:16 am
I’m not sure why so many people have Cody pegged at center next year. Yeah, Hainsey is JAG, but so is Mauch thus far. Cody is a rookie, but he’s also 25 years old already. I’m not sure how much muscle he can pack on in the weight room. Seeing as lack of power is the biggest knock on Hainsey I’m skeptical of exactly how much better the similarly under-powered but more athletic Mauch can be. I’m not saying he can’t play center. I’m just questioning why so many fans assume that is preordained.
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:22 am
Again everyone gets blamed but Baker Mayfield – and quite frankly its a tired act.
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:29 am
Texans’ OLine is banged up- no reason why Bucs’ D shouldn’t dominate
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:33 am
You keep ragging on Rachaad White in the running game, but you give Mauch a pass? Mauch is part of an interior line that bears most of the responsibility for a porous running game. He gets zero push in the running game and routinely misses assignments. Mauch is playing about as well as you can expect from a rookie tackle from a small school moved to guard, which is not that good.
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:36 am
I don’t understand why people expect so much out of a rookie especially on the O-line and D-line. A lot of those guys get by just with their talent alone in college. In the NFL everyone is good. Give the guy a break. He needs to bulk up a little but given his history he probably will. Don’t forget Mauch has gone against some pretty powerful D-linemen so far this year and he will continue to see it until he starts holding his own against them. Personally I loved the pick when we drafted him and I still think he will be a good player for the Bucs going forward, just give him time.
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:37 am
I don’t blame Cody, he was put in a position where he was going to struggle. He should be on the practice squad as he is not a starting quality guard. He doesn’t have the ability, strength or experience at this point. Kind of sad that the Bucs would put him in this position if they really wanted to win the division.
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:39 am
technically, we shouldn’t have to start rookie OL not picked in the 1st round, they should be cycled in…
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:43 am
The RG from Buffalo was the pick they would of made. But Jason loves to out think people on lineman. Sometimes you need to pick the right choice.
I’ll give mauch time, but it’s obvious the RG from bills was the right choice
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:57 am
Another Licht total reach turns to bust.
Stop protecting Jason Licht.
He’s gone with Todd. Joes, you know it.
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:57 am
I think it was horrible to move Goedeke from college right tackle to NFL left guard in his rookie season, and I think it was horrible to move Mauch from college left tackle to NFL right guard in his rookie season.
Shaq Mason could have played left guard last year and Matt Feiler could have played right guard this year. I don’t understand the thought process at all. Feiler is likely a one year rental and Mauch is a potential multi year starter. Why piss around wasting time?
There’s a huge difference between taking Wirfs, who has established himself in the NFL and moving him to left tackle, and taking a smaller school college offensive lineman and turning their world upside down by making them switch dominant hands before theyve even had a chance to get acclumated to the speed of the NFL. They messed around with Marpet before finally letting him settle in on his dominant side. Cappa had the luxury of not playing much his rookie season and then he struggled through his second season before finally somewhat figuring it out.
It has to be an arrogance thing with the front office and coaching staff.
November 2nd, 2023 at 11:27 am
Licht and his BS reaching thinking he knows more than 25 competent GMs, this team is what Licht was building before BA came in; a dumpster fire and if Licht somehow scams his way through another HC, the Glazers are gullible for Licht’s BS and deserve the future 5-12 teams
November 2nd, 2023 at 11:52 am
He might be fine but it’s no guarantee. Still might need to draft OL relatively early next year. Don’t reach, but keep your eye on who’s available. Also need another safety, MLB, pass rush…
November 2nd, 2023 at 12:10 pm
Mauch will be a very good player once he’s moved back to his natural side. He needs to be a LG. Bucs should draft an elite LT or RT, whichever is available, in 2024 and possibly a center.
November 2nd, 2023 at 12:26 pm
Fred-Your answers are in the comments. Cody is way more athletic. The plan was not to have Hainsey as the starting center in this new offense. He’s not athletic enough. That’s why the Bucs let Donovan walk and traded the RG to the Texans. Cody is smart and athletic enough to get to the next level blocks and make line calls. He will continue to get stronger.
November 2nd, 2023 at 12:31 pm
Well he sure isn’t gonna be an underwear model, hope this football thing works out
November 2nd, 2023 at 12:40 pm
Let’s keep it real Joe… the “Donovan Smith-led Chiefs” benefit from having one of the most innovative OC/HC’s, one of the most elusive QB’s in the game matched with a solid IOL, but two of the worst rated OT’s in the league.
November 2nd, 2023 at 12:44 pm
So Joe thinks GoDonkey is one of the best tackles in the league huh?
Listen to the number said after the offensive penalties are announced Joe-I heard GoDonkeys number 3 times last game. Baker and his escapability is the main reason for low sack numbers.
November 2nd, 2023 at 12:49 pm
I know that when Cappa was a rookie we made him sit his rookie year then he came in and dominated. We should have plugged in stinnie at right guard because he balled out during our Super Bowl run and is proven at that spot. It baffles me why we don’t make Mauch sit and develop over the course of the season. Our run blocking would also be stronger on the right side. It makes no sense if these coaches are committed to winning.
November 2nd, 2023 at 1:13 pm
Somebody tell Rob to STFU… he says we need to draft a LT or RT… I mean, there’s a lot of stupid takes here, like blaming Mayfield for being sacked the 2nd most, but Rob thinks Wirfs or Goedeke needs replaced.
FYI, all interior linemen the Bucs draft are cross trained at Center. Licht likes versatility on the line as much as anything else. I specifically remember reading that Licht thinks he can play C.
November 2nd, 2023 at 2:08 pm
@Rob
Why would you waste a high pick on an OT when you already have an elite LT and a solid, steadily improving RT. Hoping you meant LG/RG, but even then the FO is not cutting bait on Mauch after one season. Do think drafting a top C is a wise move. If they do, something to consider would be sliding Hainsey to RG (he was a RT in college) and moving Mauch back to his natural left side, albeit at LG instead of LT.
November 2nd, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Mauch played LT in college, WHY IS HE NOT PLAYING LEFT GUARD? We made him switch sides because we signed some scrub journeyman LG?
November 2nd, 2023 at 3:36 pm
Good comments! In defense of Hainsey, if Jensen was healthy, he would not be starting. OL play could be worse. And thank god Baker can move!
I think/hope Mauch will improve.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:35 pm
I think if Mauch had a better center next to him his play would dramatically improve. The guy is a rookie I expect rookie things to happen. He is going to get stronger and learn better techniques to take advantage of his athleticism. He was drafted at what 6’5″ 302lbs? If he gains some wait to be around 315lbs look out!
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:11 pm
CONSIDER YOUR HISTORY …
Marpet and Goedeke both are from small schools. Bad to okay first years. Goedeke would have been okay at RT as a rookie. Both rock solid in year 2. Expect a big jump for the big man. Going from a small school to the best players in the world is a big jump.
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:58 pm
Start Nick Leverett over Mauch until he gets stronger!
Alex Cappa would be a better comparison to Mauch’s rookie shortcomings/struggles.
Not enough brute man strength yet for the NFL.
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Mauch, you are the weakest link. Goodbye!
Next man up!
November 3rd, 2023 at 1:09 am
Cody Mauch, is the same as many rookie OL guys…they usually go through their rookies season, figure out their own weaknesses in the pros, and come back improved their second year. And with more strength.
Too many fans do not account for development.
November 3rd, 2023 at 8:55 am
Too many ‘fans’ are impatient as h3ll. Licht knows what he’s doing.
November 3rd, 2023 at 10:16 am
“Mauch starts on a line that has allowed just 11 sacks, second-best in the NFL (the Donovan Smith-led Chiefs have allowed the fewest sacks in the league with 10). So really, how bad can Mauch really be playing?”
There you go enough said…..