Chucky’s Dream Line Fading Away
March 8th, 2014
Today’s release of Davin Joseph has Joe reminiscing about the lost dreams of Chucky.
The Bucs’ Super Bowl–winning head coach set out to build a beastly offensive line with draft picks and big investments but it never materialized.
Chucky and Bruce Almighty drafted pals Jeremy Trueblood and Joseph in the first and second rounds, respectively, of the 2006 NFL Draft. They were going to anchor the right side of the O-line for a decade. In 2007, massive Arron Sears came in the second round to man the left guard spot. In 2008, the Bucs broke the bank to make Jeff Faine the highest paid center in the NFL while they drafted versatile Jeremy Zuttah in the third round. And all that surrounded some young guy named Donald Penn coming out of nowhere to grab the left tackle job in ’07, when free-agent signing Luke Petitgout went down four games into that season.
The Bucs appeared stacked for the present and the future. There were great games, but it never panned out.
As the Bucs dive into free agency in a matter of hours, Joe is reminded of how hard it is to build a strong offensive line, let alone a strong team. Joe could spend another few paragraphs documenting how former rockstar general manager Mark Dominik couldn’t build a defensive line in his five seasons.
Joe’s pleased — and surely not surprised — to see that Lovie Smith and Jason Licht aren’t stuck in the past or lost in hope. What were the odds Joseph would bounce back to form he hadn’t shown in years?
March 8th, 2014 at 5:26 pm
Gruden was fired during a season when he was 9 – 3 after twelve games. Who wouldn’t want to go 9 – 3 after the last few years? Unfortunately they lost four in row in the fourth quarter and he was canned.
Looking back they would have rather had near .500 teams, than the teams that gave up on their coaches. I didn’t see Gruden’s teams give up on him. They always played hard every game.
March 8th, 2014 at 5:29 pm
Defense fell apart b/c of Monte. Gruden got screwed.
March 8th, 2014 at 5:29 pm
Gruden and Allen had no choice but to do a complete rebuild of our offensive line shortly after the super bowl season. It was a complete MESS at that time. I thought they did a good job because our O line definatly improved for many seasons after with all the resources they sunk into. Now, a decade later, its time to do another complete rebuild of the offensive line. I suspect Lovie and Licht will make that a top priority.
March 8th, 2014 at 5:30 pm
@Andrew 1
I’m with you, Gru Blessed us with some best line play we ever had.
March 8th, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Wished we would’ve been able to resign Roman Oben for a few more years. But hey, it is what it is.
March 8th, 2014 at 5:31 pm
The Aaron Sears story remains one for the ages. So much talent. Crazy how he just went crazy. Last I heard he was suing the Bucs.
March 8th, 2014 at 5:33 pm
We need another swing tackle. That can give up quality play at LG/LT-the way Anthony Davis use to in a pinch.
March 8th, 2014 at 5:35 pm
@Bobbie Digital-Good name..hahahaha
March 8th, 2014 at 5:38 pm
On a separate note, Its an absolute tragedy what happened to Sears on personal level. I really hope he completely recovers. On the playing field, he was like a baby Nicks. Come to think of it, the LG position has been a revolving door ever since Sears left.
March 8th, 2014 at 5:55 pm
Wow, DavinJoseph was a good Buccaneer, wish him well.
It realy seems like they will build sth. from the get go. Excited to see what happens.
@Joe/Keith: Joe said, the Bucs shouldn´t trade Revis; but if he doesn´t play up to his contract (what isn´t realy possible), Joe wrote, they could trade him at the deadline – and that doesn´t make sense.
think about Freeman fiasco.
right now (because of good performance in pro bowl) Revis has high value. His health status isn´t much discussed.
there are (by comparison) many suitors out there (bucs could even trade up in draft to get that QB if they want to).
How many teams will be able to afford his contract in season?
What if he doesn´t perform at elite level (again trade value drop off)?
If re-injures (although doubtly) – Bucs would be srewed big time.
As of right now (and because Revis trade to bucs didn´t make any sense at all – only a shianomik demon could have come up to that, with help of owners that just wanted to sell tickets/jerseys) – if you want to trade Revis (and it makes sense despite everything, because he won´t help us winning a superbowl in the near future) – you should do it now, when his trade value is at peak.
he will get older and his knee won´t become any healthier.
Cap + the 4th to 3rder and another 1st (this or next year) + what you can get is exactly what this team need NOW.
short: Trade Revis.
McCown for big money doesn´t make much sense too me neither..
Hope they got a good plan (i like the new regime on paper 😉 but lets see what they do..)
March 8th, 2014 at 6:16 pm
Pat Yasinskas, ESPN, is reporting that Jeremy Zuttah is next!
That’s not what he reported. –Joe
March 8th, 2014 at 6:23 pm
One thing I hate is holding on to crappy players. Myron Lewis anyone?? True blood, that safety we waived last year, our TE. Joseph was not a crappy player, injuries and age got the best of him. He is still a great player, just not the person he was. Hopefully we still clean house and hopefully we get a guard to fill in his spot soon.
March 8th, 2014 at 6:35 pm
OL =5
DL = 4
current starters
picks in the 2014 Draft
1st round
2nd round
4th round
5th round
7th round
SF 49es have 4 picks……
the debt is stillbeg paid forward for the Super Bowl Title
trade up…give up…it is time t dig in an do the dirty work
March 8th, 2014 at 6:43 pm
I don’t think Gruden got screwed. He got his ring. He was in the 1st year of a long term contract and he squeezed every nickel that he could out of it.
Now he has a cushy gig on MNF, ESPN and gets to spend time with his family.
What a deal!
March 8th, 2014 at 7:10 pm
Your right he reported that the whole line including Penn might be wiped clean.
March 8th, 2014 at 7:13 pm
Can’t even follow half these comments lol…
March 8th, 2014 at 7:14 pm
Yep
@PRBucFan
Wild question-Who would you rather have in a BUCS uniform:
DT Ndamukong Suh or CB Darrell Revis?
March 8th, 2014 at 7:19 pm
Yeah, I started drinking early today. I think @Macabee said he started-Sounds like we all faded. Lets no get reckless though, So body put a look out on -Sunshine Skyway Bridge-Just incase Donald Penn gets cut-Who knows what Joe will do..lol
March 8th, 2014 at 7:22 pm
Revis, can’t stand Suh
March 8th, 2014 at 7:27 pm
I hear U
So you would give up Possibly The Most Dominate Tandem Every Assembled at Tackle, just because you think the guy is a creep? Nah, I’m sure you would take, Suh Right? O well-Just a thought
March 8th, 2014 at 7:30 pm
I couldn’t imagine the fan buzz, and media coverage. Sh#t would be insane
March 8th, 2014 at 7:31 pm
I would take Suh over Revis in a heart beat. Not that I dont like Revis. But Suh next to McCoy? that’s just not even fair.
March 8th, 2014 at 7:35 pm
@Couch Fan
Opposing coaches would literally have nightmares-Because there’s no way you can game play for that. Especially if you have a few good edge rushers..smh-Its a wrap
March 8th, 2014 at 7:36 pm
It would be nice to have but you don’t leave you secondary in shambles with no depth just to have Suh who IMO is not as great as people make him out to be.
I don’t like dirty players, will never root to have one become a Buc.
March 8th, 2014 at 7:38 pm
If Suh was as great as people make him out to be he would be much more dominating with the players he has along side him in Detroit and it realy hasn’t ended up so.
March 8th, 2014 at 7:40 pm
Granted you would have to give both SUH & GMC extension, therefore at least getting some cap relief on GMC deal. You also would have to you the additional $30-$35 Million wisely on defensive+Draft well. But Wow-Just a thought!
March 8th, 2014 at 7:41 pm
Anywho lol, why are we talking about this?
lol Get back to drinking sir 😉
March 8th, 2014 at 7:43 pm
@PRBucFan
Nah, he the real deal. I’ve watched ’em, when he’s motivate to win- Ain’t been many like ’em…Ever! Paired next GMC..smh Wow!!
March 8th, 2014 at 8:06 pm
Donkeykong Suh is an idiot, but he’s a pretty good player. It’s that teammate if his Nick Fairley I can’t stand. Dirtiest player in the SEC not too long ago.
March 8th, 2014 at 8:22 pm
Suh was voted dirtiest player by his peers 2 years in a row
March 8th, 2014 at 8:47 pm
@PRBucFan
Some kind of Miracle he’s paired with Gerald-He one become one of most feared..Yes Sirrrr
March 8th, 2014 at 8:47 pm
*He would become one of most feared..Yes Sirrrr
March 8th, 2014 at 8:49 pm
Hey @Macabee ramblings about FS Jairus Byrd- has grown some legs#Interesting
March 8th, 2014 at 8:50 pm
We have much more to upgrade before we dream about unrealistic pairings 😉
I’d be ashamed to have such a dirty player in a Bucs uni lol
March 8th, 2014 at 8:52 pm
@PRBucFan
Hey we just shooting the breeze-Would be a great pairing tho, hopefully better than (F.Thomas/A.Bell.smh)
March 8th, 2014 at 9:51 pm
Joe,
Here’s where I got the Yasinskas/Zuttah story @ RotoWorld. In my post I should have said Zuttah might be next. Is the RotoWorld report incorrect?
Jeremy Zuttah – C – Buccaneers
ESPN Bucs reporter Pat Yasinskas reports C Jeremy Zuttah’s roster spot could be in danger.
Zuttah has started all 32 games the past two seasons and can also play both guard spots. He has two years left on a four-year, $16.3 million deal. The Bucs can clear Zuttah’s entire $4.5 million cap hit without any dead money hits if they choose to release him. Zuttah, 28 in June, is merely an average talent.
Source: ESPN.com
Mar 8 – 3:19 PM
“Could be in danger” could apply to half the roster. –Joe
March 8th, 2014 at 10:21 pm
getting rid of Zuttah after just releasing Josheph seems like a questionable decision to me. Guy isn’t great, but versatile and not terribly expensive for a guy who can step in at center or guard.
GM/coach had better have a good replacement plan for the guys they’re letting go and have a winning season this year, or it won’t be long before the fire Lovie signs appear or Licht starts being called ‘rookie GM’ by angry fans.
March 8th, 2014 at 10:57 pm
Please, lets not get rid of Zuttah. I know I said we need to completely rebuild the o line, but lets at least leave someone on the roster!!! Penn and Nicks are the ones that need to be looking over their shoulders imo. Nicks, with his injury settlement, its a hairy situation, but I still expect something to be done. Penn is in the most danger if you ask me. He has a cap hit of 8 mil, and our new Regime is not afraid to make a bold move, like just cutting Joseph outright without even trying to restructure his contract. Still, I’m glad our o line has the undivided attention of our staff, it really needs it.
March 8th, 2014 at 11:10 pm
Davin was a great guy but was either injured or unable to block since the day he came here. Maybe the rookie knee injury was too much to regain college form. Good luck to him but this needed to be done a long time ago. If Penn is upset about then ship him out too.
March 8th, 2014 at 11:19 pm
Can’t win an argument in Joe’s house so never going to start one. I concede that Joe may be right that half the roster could be in danger. But I concede knowing that while that may be true, an indisputable fact is the author of this piece found reason to single out Zuttah and not half the roster.
With that I retreat to continue my dalliance with the spirits barreled and distributed by Jack Daniel Distillery. lol
March 8th, 2014 at 11:22 pm
@ Macabee
lol. cheers.
March 8th, 2014 at 11:56 pm
Damn nothing new..lol
March 9th, 2014 at 12:44 am
The Chicago Tribune reports the Buccaneers are making a “hard push” to sign free agent DE Michael Johnson
March 9th, 2014 at 12:55 am
Chucky’s dream faded the minute he purged the roster of our quality old men… NFL or not… Our fans loved them… Make moves like that and you better win (it all, or at least close) to cure the pain… He didn’t
March 9th, 2014 at 1:26 am
@ LUVMYBUCS
Michael Johnson is an interesting prospect. He’s got all the physical tools, but hasnt done much with it in the past couple of years. But sh!t, if the bucs think hes got it, then go get him. I’m to loaded to debate this lol. I trust our new guys.
March 9th, 2014 at 1:28 am
LUV,
Brad Biggs first reported Bucs are going hard after Michael Johnson. Now Rick Stroud is reporting it. Hope we get our man!
March 9th, 2014 at 1:49 am
Rick Stroud tweeted Bucs pursuing DE Michael Johnson hard!!!!
March 9th, 2014 at 3:57 am
@Andrew 1
Yeah Me 2-I started tossing ’em back early-Buc’it-its the weekend!
March 9th, 2014 at 9:17 am
Jon Gruden might have been one of the worst evaluators of talent in NFL history. His draft record was an absolute joke, his free agent signings (anybody remember giving Charlie Garner one year year and one million dollars more per year than the Bears eventually gave Thomas Jones?) were atrocious and short-sighted at best.
The man could coach and motivate…but he is the prime architect of the mess we are looking at now..six straight drafts of having almost nothing to show for it..that takes its toll on a team. Dominik was average at best as a drafter and his free agent signings and trades were horrible and couldn’t make up for the hole Gruden put us in.