John Spytek Talks Bucs’ Offensive Line
March 4th, 2025
So 2024 Bucs assistant GM John Spytek now is in Las Vegas as an underboss to Tom Brady, but he still likes to talk about his Tampa Bay experience.
Joining PFT Live last week, Spytek was asked about offensive line building. He wasn’t asked about the Bucs’ offensive line, but that’s where he went.
“We kind of established a mentality in those guys and a character that made them a cohesive group,” Spytek said of the Bucs’ line. “I mean, that [Bucs offensive line] in Tampa last year was a group of really special people and players and, you know, we kind of had some non-negotiables of what we were looking for, both character and really physical traits. And we kind of just stuck to those things and, you know, we grew a good group together. The continuity they had and their durability in particular, like those guys played a lot of games together. That working mentality was awesome. Just the like-mindedness of it, those guys hung out all the time.”
Spytek also stressed that he believes the strength of the Bucs through the past six seasons has been the O-line.
He also gave Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager credit for believing in small-school tackles and their ability to move inside effectively in the NFL. The list is long, and it includes retired center Ryan Jensen. In the case of Luke Goedeke, he moved inside then back outside and has thrived. Frankly, Joe thinks Goedeke could be a good guard, too.
Regardless, all this Spytek chatter means little to Joe other than it’s more evidence that the team wants to re-sign pending free agent left guard Ben Bredeson.
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March 4th, 2025 at 10:09 pm
Not only is Bredeson a solid left guard but he’s our best bet at center if Barton goes down and Hainsey leaves. If we can keep both of them for now we can worry about drafting offense next year. I think Hainsey is probably going so we sure need to keep Bredeson.
March 4th, 2025 at 10:30 pm
Bredeson was the weakest link in the OLine, but he’s still a fine player. I think Bucs find a way to re-sign him. Hainsey is probably gone, to try to nail a starters role. POP’s rule is you draft an OLineman every draft, even if only in the late round. Always losing one to injury, retirement, or FAcy… so need to keep the pipeline flowing.
March 5th, 2025 at 1:36 am
It’s also evidence that our man Jason knows what he’s doing in the livestock trade. Warren Sapp says they’re like cattle. Jason knows that.
March 5th, 2025 at 1:57 am
Brederson is not a mauler.
Look at the eagles. They put Bekton at guard. He’s 350.
Worked well.
We need an elite LG.
A mauler. A guy who can actually move people.
March 5th, 2025 at 3:33 am
You should draft at least one O-Line and one D-Line player every year unless you get one in a trade or FA. Think about it in simple math. You carry 10 O-lineman and if they pkay 10 years, you need to replace one every year. And that doesn’t even account for injuries, those that walk or busts. Same goes for D-line except you may only have 8 or 9 there. Those 2 areas are 35% of your team. Need a starter? Get them in round 1 or 2. Need depth? You can go rd 3-5 generally, though this is where FA becomes valuable.
March 5th, 2025 at 6:16 am
Still not sold on our guards. As young guys they should show improvement over last year. If they do, that is very exciting. If they don’t you have to start thinking about replacement, or at the lesst how to get that improvement. The rule is always play better, or get better players.
March 5th, 2025 at 8:13 am
Elijah Klein did well last camp…..I would love to see him compete as a starting LG.