Solving The Meredith Mystery
November 18th, 2013
Real mysteries like a cure for cancer, why the government can build spacecraft but not websites, why sports fans are brainwashed by ESPN, or how Budweiser sells so much lousy beer, they pale in comparison to the mystery of why the Bucs’ offensive line has turned into a juggernaut over the past three games.
Is new starting left guard Jamon Meredith making that much of a difference?
Joe asked Jeremy Zuttah yesterday to please offer a candid answer to that pressing question. Zuttah has played left guard and plays center alongside Meredith, so who would know better?
“It’s probably a combination of things. I mean Jamon came in last year and we started running the ball [effectively] again, you know. So he came in last year and he’s done it before,” Zuttah said. ” I think it’s really just a mentality, you know, that we’re going to run the ball, we have to run the ball. It’s not we want to, we have to run the ball. He came in here and he’s doing a good job. There’s a lot of, you know, we have guys that have done it before so there’s no reason why we just can’t keep doing it. It was frustrating for a while where it’s not as successful as it should be.
“Jamon has everything he needs. He’s big, physical, athletic. With him, it’s about just that confidence. Now that he’s rolling, you know, keep that confidence in himself and continue to play aggressive. That’s all it is. He has every attribute he needs.”
Adding to the mystery is the fact Meredith doesn’t like to talk much to media. So he’s not one to enlighten the masses.
After four games in 2012, Meredith replaced Ted Larsen at right guard. Larsen was starting for injured Davin Joseph and, guess what? The Bucs’ running game was ugly with Larsen but took off when Meredith was inserted. Meredith started the rest of the way and you rarely heard his name, a good thing for offensive linemen.
If the Bucs’ O-line finishes strong, then the next great mystery would be why it took half a season for Meredith to get a shot.
November 18th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Judging by Zuttah’s response, we’re not going to get a straight answer on this one. My guess is that Bostad, Sully or Schiano had an underlying issue with Merideth.
November 18th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Hmmm Did Larsen go to Rutgers??
Maybe for Schiano, Meredith is not a polished Buccaneer Man…
November 18th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
L Stock, that’s precisely what came to mind. Nothing against Larsen but it’s clear Merideth is the superior player.
November 18th, 2013 at 4:03 pm
IMO it’s the stubbornness of this staff ex. Stunts on d-line
November 18th, 2013 at 5:52 pm
He should start forever and they should get rid of nicks now
November 18th, 2013 at 6:06 pm
RE: Nicks that’s a possibility. Will he even play this year? Is he still fighting MRSA, or the toe?
November 18th, 2013 at 6:09 pm
Larsen was a great center at NC State and they should keep him at center in the NFL. Quit monkeying around with his natural position and trying to play him at guard. Fit your scheme around your players, not the other way around.
November 18th, 2013 at 7:53 pm
The next great mystery is how to ease Carl Nicks off the club.
November 18th, 2013 at 10:42 pm
Nicks’ first 2 or 3 years were guaranteed. I have been saying we should trade nicks. He is not doing a damn thing even when hes playing. I hate that we gotta use lingering injury issues for our players who are not pullin their weight n performing to their salary size. I was down on glennon n i still i got my doubts but he is playing mistake free. Cant hate that but Id just like to see more deep balls with jackson underwood n page.