Bucs Sign Another Guard, Sua Opeta
March 15th, 2024
Competition is on its way to Buccaneers training camp, as the Bucs have let go of three guards in the past week and purchased two to replace them.
The Bucs’ 2023 opening day starter at left guard, Matt Feiler, is a free agent and not expected to return. The guy who replaced him at left guard, former Super Bowl hero Aaron Stinnie, is a member of the New York Giants. And backup and 2022 starter Nick Leverett recently became a member of the team formerly known as the Belicheats.
Today, the Bucs signed former Giants starting guard Ben Bredeson. And now SI.com reports Tampa Bay added former Eagles starter/backup Sua Opeta. The 27-year-old started six games for the Eagles last season. He joined the Eagles in 2019 as an undrafted free agent. He started 10 games — at both left and right guard — for a team that had a ferocious offensive line.
What a Jason Licht kind of guy Opeta seems to be out of the football factory known as Weber State.
Interestingly, Opeta was cut just before the playoffs last season.
Perhaps Opeta just needs more of a chance? He’s about to get one.
March 15th, 2024 at 6:05 pm
OL vibes at one buc place today…………………nice!
March 15th, 2024 at 6:06 pm
JL said a few weeks ago that the offensive line was going to be different this season
March 15th, 2024 at 6:08 pm
week 3 or 4 when we played philly and lost 25-11 they looked like a pro team and we looked like a college team…it was pretty bad…
then the playoffs came and we flipped it on them…
they became the scrubs
March 15th, 2024 at 6:11 pm
Iggles fan buddy says this guy is VERY good, would be a starter on most teams
March 15th, 2024 at 6:17 pm
We currently only have one center?
March 15th, 2024 at 6:19 pm
Cool.
More O-line depth.
Until today the Bucs had 4 open roster slots on their Oline.
With the signings of Skule, Bredeson and Opeta we are down to only one open O-line slot left…
March 15th, 2024 at 6:20 pm
Started 6 games for the Eagles. Good enough for me. These 2 guys are good moves based on experience. Pass Rush.
March 15th, 2024 at 6:21 pm
I like it.Churning the
Bottom of the roster. At this point we know what we had with Leverett and Stinnie.
March 15th, 2024 at 6:24 pm
And Feiler was a miss but these guys are cheap for a reason
March 15th, 2024 at 6:30 pm
Ben Bredeson played some games at center last year for the Giants.
March 15th, 2024 at 6:39 pm
Moving mauch to center and sua at right guard brederson at left guard the line is gonna be nasty we may even get another IOL 2nd or 3rd round first for sure is pass rush if u connect the dots they are working on the O-Line right now and draft pass rush first
March 15th, 2024 at 6:40 pm
Technically this guy is the best guard on our roster. Mauch needs to take a huge step up next season
March 15th, 2024 at 6:43 pm
you don’t move mauch to center because he’s a ginger like big red…
although everyone fancies the idea…
only if it really is the best move…
i see mauch staying right where he is this year, bulking and getting better…
and growing with goedeke into a nasty duo – hopefully
March 15th, 2024 at 6:44 pm
Not getting bigger
March 15th, 2024 at 6:50 pm
The Bucs are not as draft pick predictable as they were a week ago. I like the CB and guard pick-ups but hope this just makes it easier to go BPA- which in this draft will yield at least one CB and interior lineman on day two- this draft is chock full of both. I hear bass crusher or mass thrusher or some such sounding thing is a need? I remember the Bucs having one not too long ago but my old memory fades after a couple years… Class buncher? No! Whatever you call it- yeah, the Bucs need Chop Robinson/one of those doo-hickeys? Penn State players the Bucs draft pan out in recent memory (Smith, Godwin.) Free agency was a masterclass performance. If the draft is half as good this team might actually be dangerous rather than just have its QB feeling that way.
March 15th, 2024 at 6:52 pm
Sounds like the Giants like Stinnie more than Brederson and the Eagles would rather pay Devin White than the other guard.
I’d like to see a number one draft pick at LG, next to the HOF LT. Like an Upshaw/Shell thing.
March 15th, 2024 at 6:52 pm
Both are Big & Ugly, so a good start.
More in the draft, please…
March 15th, 2024 at 6:55 pm
So we got the guy Stinnie replaced?
March 15th, 2024 at 6:59 pm
I still think we’ll be drafting an OLineman in the Top-3 rounds. We’ve really only got 2 OLine spots up for grabs, and with Hainsey plus Bredeson plus Opeta plus a Top-3 draft pick we’re bound to find 2 capable starters to pair with Wirfs, Goedeke & Mauch.
March 15th, 2024 at 7:01 pm
Can never have too much depth – and Licht knows how to scout offensive lineman.
March 15th, 2024 at 7:01 pm
Fast and strong. Good arm length. Potential. Good signing.
March 15th, 2024 at 7:11 pm
Are they ignoring the OLB position on purpose?
March 15th, 2024 at 7:22 pm
Ditto for Defense Rules and Rod Munich’s comments.
Go Bucs! Build that OL.
March 15th, 2024 at 7:24 pm
Starter / Backup???
March 15th, 2024 at 7:33 pm
Neither one a center. Does this mean the Bucs are targeting one in the draft? Powers Johnson would look good in the middle for the next five years at least.
March 15th, 2024 at 7:42 pm
J Says:
March 15th, 2024 at 7:11 pm
Well, there are reasons. It’s not like there’s a little candy machine, you press E1 and you get an OLB. If there were one they like, that they thought was an upgrade, with a paycheck that makes sense under their cap situation, they’d do it.
March 15th, 2024 at 7:56 pm
@ Bubby
Back-up.
Not really a starter.
But neither was Stinnie and I have doubts about Hainsey and Mauch as well….
Mauch gets a pass because he was a rookie.
March 15th, 2024 at 7:59 pm
@ J
Re: OLB
My hope is that there is a deal in the works for Redick or another OLB with experience.
But the reality is we will probably go into the 2024 season with who we currently have plus our 1st or 2nd round pick…
March 15th, 2024 at 8:05 pm
Sua
March 15th, 2024 at 8:17 pm
Mauch will be good at RG. Tackles are set. Brederson and Opeta can “battle” for LG. Could indicate they are drafting a C over G having signed two Guards to offset Stinnie and Leverett. Still need to draft a top IOL in Rd’s 2-3, like C Zach Frazier. Think RB and WR are perfect value placement in this draft in Round 3. With depth signings today tho, no need to draft 2 IOL, or even a CB. Can focus on Safety depth late, and Edge and offense early. All we need now is our draft picks, hopefully an Edge, C, RB2, WR first 4 picks
March 15th, 2024 at 8:47 pm
I like this guy. I think hes a starter at Guard.
Man, JASON LICHT IS ON FIRE.
Like the CB and both Guards we signed. Also glad to see John Woolford will be back.
Still a couple Pass rushers out there. Jadeveon Clowney and Derrick Barnett.
But it might be Smart to wait until the next wave. After the draft.
Looks like we draft a pass rusher with 1st and 2nd round pick- which is fine with me
March 15th, 2024 at 8:53 pm
@ Simeon
“Mauch will be good at RG”
I hope you are right.
That’s why I am giving him a pass. Very seldom does a rookie O-line or D-line player come into the league and dominate right away.
Every O-lineman we have drafted has taken at least one season to ripen.
– Marpet
– Cappa
– Goedeke
– Mauch
– Hainsey
All struggled until they gained some experience and about 20 lbs of muscle.
My only worry with Mauch is his age – he was 25 when we drafted him. So he is hitting his athletic peak already.
I hope he is able to adjust and improve because he got man handled last season.
It was ugly.
March 15th, 2024 at 8:54 pm
“Every O-lineman we have drafted has taken at least one season to ripen.”
Except Tristan Wirfs.
We is the lone exception. But even he struggled at times as a rookie.
March 15th, 2024 at 9:07 pm
Opeta is actually a solid signing eagles fans didn’t really like losing him. Thst o- line coach knows what he’s doing stoutland
March 15th, 2024 at 9:08 pm
Guard or center in either round 1 or 2!
March 15th, 2024 at 9:10 pm
Giving themselves options and opening up the draft board.
March 15th, 2024 at 9:10 pm
Yea Mauch just needed to hit the weight room this offseason. I think Sua could be our starting LG, But we need an upgrade at C.If licht keeps filling depth holes like he did today we can draft 2 Pass Rushers lol
March 15th, 2024 at 9:16 pm
Exactly they opened it up .. could draft 2 or 3 Pass Rushers now lol
March 15th, 2024 at 9:18 pm
@ UGotRobbed
I agree.
It all depends on how the draft goes and who is selected already when the Bucs pick.
Right now it is wide open – I could see the Bucs taking BPA at several positions:
– WR
– IOL
– Edge Rush
– CB
– TE (only if Bowers is still available)
March 15th, 2024 at 9:21 pm
I’d rather have seen them grab a better center and send Hainsey to the guard spot.
March 15th, 2024 at 9:59 pm
We have taken care of S, Cb, Guard,
We still have huge need at Edge/pass rusher.
I think we sign a pass rusher and Center.
Then draft
Edge/ De
Edge/ LB
Center
WR
Guard
Lb
Bucs are looking like a much better team than last year already!!
Go Bucs!
March 15th, 2024 at 10:06 pm
Isnt this the time when all the would be Accountants are yelling
“ I dont understand where the money is coming from!”
And the Answer is- EXACTLY!
So next off season, stop bothering us with your clueless attempts at mega money accounting.
Drives me nuts, every year!
March 15th, 2024 at 10:28 pm
PASS RUSH!!
March 15th, 2024 at 10:45 pm
Capt Tim
Agree with your draft. Jason has had an incredibly successful FA season already getting everybody back.
Now it’s the draft!!! I agree an Edge Rusher to push or even surpass YaYa and then a premier Center…fill those two positions with two impact picks…even kicking in a little sweetener to move up if a true starter was available at edge or center.
Then pick up the mashing RB…like D.R.’s Dillon…Braelon Allen might be cheaper…but all of the sudden the RB room becomes dangerous and deep.
The Bucs may shift focus next year and become an ‘effective” running team with an improved IOL and better backfield combo. ME13 and CG14 are both excellent possession receivers, Otton is decent and of course Rachaad out of the backfield…the Bucs have the talent to simply move the chains…and move the chains..and move the chains. I’ll miss the no risk it bombs away but the team is starting to look like a talent combo that favors what Bowles has wanted all along.
So get another edge rusher…figure out another ILB and the D becomes formidable. Move the chains and play D. Bowles will be in heaven.
March 15th, 2024 at 10:54 pm
What about VanderEsch the LB for the Cowboys to replace White
March 16th, 2024 at 12:14 am
Graham Barton for center. Gonna be better than Johnson.
March 16th, 2024 at 4:32 am
I would still like it if we at least set up a meeting with Chase Young he could still have his best years ahead of him and offer him a team friendly prove it deal and hopefully he can produce like he did his rookie year I think he still had 7.5-8 sacks last year but who knows if he is asked for top dollar I doubt it but I saw he was supposed to meet with the aints I would prefer him here than against us twice a year
March 16th, 2024 at 5:44 am
Agree with Capt Tim’s picks too. We need edge/pass rusher and center. Licht is doing a good job so far. Can’t wait for the draft. Go Bucs!
March 16th, 2024 at 7:24 am
center depth ??
Bredeson was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round (143rd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was a reserve lineman for the Ravens when the Giants traded a 2022 fourth round pick for him prior to the start of the 2021 season to help bolster an offensive line that had concerning depth issues. Bredeson has since spent the last three seasons with the Giants, and has played significant snaps at all three interior positions. He had 972 snaps at left guard, 376 at center, and 487 at right guard over his time in New York.
March 16th, 2024 at 7:51 am
Vander Esch might not ever play football again. His injuries are serious. Had a neck injury in college and several stingers in the NFL of fusion surgery. I wouldn’t touch him. Look up PRWR last year (Pass Rush Win Rate).
Hasaan Redidick is almost top 5. Trade for the guy already.
March 16th, 2024 at 7:59 am
i’m thinking 2 edge guys and a center as the first 3 picks…
then round things out with a receiver, big rb, ilb, cb (in no particular order)…
or actually yeah, maybe in exactly that order
March 16th, 2024 at 1:58 pm
I hope that Bredeson and Opeta are being considered backup/depth pieces. Seems like they are both lateral moves from losing Stinnie and Leverett. We need a big upgrade in the Interior by drafting one in round one or two.
March 16th, 2024 at 2:44 pm
You’re probably correct, altho Bredeson may surprise everyone.
That said, believe Opeta to seriously complete for a starting spot.
At the moment, have Opeta penciled in as #1 LG
^^mtnbucman^^
Since ’76
March 16th, 2024 at 5:57 pm
I think we’re doing pretty good, depending what they’re thinking
For in the first round and a good one !!!