Baptism By Fire
July 11th, 2014
RT Demar Dotson and the rest of the offensive line will have their hands full early.
Bucs fans are giddy about now. Joe can’t blame them for their enthusiasm.
A new football season is about to dawn on the area, as Bucs training camp begins two weeks from this afternoon. That has Bucs fans, dealing with a drought of relevant football subjects to argue about, in a brighter mood as the NFL summer siesta ends.
It’s also dawn of a new era for the Bucs and Lovie Smith. Maybe for the first time since Chucky cussed out referees on the Bucs sidelines, Tampa Bay has a proven professional head coach. That also has fans geeked.
So, with apologies, Joe presents the “Custodian of Canton,” eye-RAH! Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune, throwing cold water in Bucs fans’ faces. He’s basically stating on Twitter that after two weeks, fans will have a pretty good idea how the Bucs’ offense will fare.
Tampa Bay’s overhauled OL will have to get it together in a hurry. The Bucs first two opponents (Panthers, Rams) ranked 1st and 3rd in sacks
— Ira Kaufman (@IKaufmanTBO) July 10, 2014
Joe is also concerned about the offensive line. With more apologies for beating a horse, Anthony Collins has never started a half season much less a full season. Carl Nicks? Nobody knows what condition he will be in. Evan Dietrich-Smith is a fine center. At right guard is another mystery and at right tackle, though Demar Dotson is probably Joe’s favorite player to interact with, he’s no modern-day Dan Dierdorf. And there’s little to no depth.
Facing the likes of Charles Johnson, Greg Hardy, Chris Long and Robert Quinn in the first three weeks of the season, the Bucs’ offensive line is going to have to grow up at warp speed.
July 11th, 2014 at 7:20 am
I think the line is going to have problems for a few games but they will come together as a team and as brothers.
July 11th, 2014 at 7:20 am
Giddy?
Seriiously?
I think “guarded” enthusiasm would describe what a lot of people might be feeling at this very, very early pre-camp period.
One thing’s for sure: It WILL be better than the Schiano “Stinkfest”
July 11th, 2014 at 7:28 am
Last year’s O-line was not a question mark. It was “known” as the bottom of the league O-line. I would rather take this year’s O-line over last year.
July 11th, 2014 at 7:39 am
Joe
I think there will have to be a rotation regardless, except at center. So we will see soon.
July 11th, 2014 at 7:41 am
@Realist- Did you think that before the season started last year? I know I didn’t.
Most good O-lines have a chance to marinate. I hope this will be a quick study.
July 11th, 2014 at 7:49 am
Though it irks me to no end to see the seemingly never ending attempts to lower expectations and quell fan excitement about the first actual promising football season we’ve had since I can remember, I do appreciate the continuous coverage you guys have in the midst of nothing significant happening. I realize that it’s part of the job and you have to maintain objectivity to a certain extent but it’s hard to ignore that confirmation bias seeking side. Keep up the good work and I’ll be happy to continue to come back, even if I choose to adamantly, but respectfully, disagree at times
Dude, it’s July 11. Breathe easy. –Joe
July 11th, 2014 at 7:49 am
Though it irks me to no end to see the seemingly never ending attempts to lower expectations and quell fan excitement about the first actual promising football season we’ve had since I can remember, I do appreciate the continuous coverage you guys have in the midst of nothing significant happening. I realize that it’s part of the job and you have to maintain objectivity to a certain extent but it’s hard to ignore that confirmation bias seeking side. Keep up the good work and I’ll be happy to continue to come back, even if I choose to adamantly, but respectfully, disagree at times
July 11th, 2014 at 8:26 am
The more relevant question to ponder might be, will their offenses be able to move the ball on our defense?
July 11th, 2014 at 9:07 am
Captain Warhop will have the Crew Ready Baby!
The Captain will teach on how to take advantage of over aggressiveness. Opposing o-lines will need oxygen by halftime at the stadium in Dale Mabry folks. Tedford and Arroyo will emphasize 3 step drops with quick release of our starting & athletic QB – (that would be McCown). Our unknown scheme will buy us time against these aggressive defenses. Because of these points don’t be surprise if our offense starts ahead of our defense.
Remember the 1st two games are in hot, smothering & choking humidity which is to our advantage. Lovie will have training camp in the afternoon so the team will become friends with the humidity.
Oh yes! I’m GIDDY Baby! Go Bucs!!!! 2-0 Baby!!! We are going to shock the World…
July 11th, 2014 at 9:11 am
IMHO! Don’t try to wake me up. You are having the nightmare and I wish you the best of times…lol
July 11th, 2014 at 9:17 am
Correction opposing d-lines will need oxygen by halftime…
July 11th, 2014 at 9:36 am
Call me crazy but I think the O will do just fine. We have a QB who is good at getting the ball out fast and good under pressure. He has big wideouts and T/E’s who can catch balls within a big radius and a speedy slot in Herron. Martin will be back to his best and Simms will be a huge asset as a quick target out of the backfield. I think Lovie and Tedford know what they are up against and have game planned an offence designed to get the ball out in a hurry and not give the opposing D the time to get to the QB. Don’t look for many long bombs but our offence will be fast, unpredictable and difficult to game plan against.
I also believe in Peter Pan and Fairies and believe big Carl will be back and have a good if not spectacular season this year and the O line will be OK to start with and improve greatly as the season goes on. If we don’t make the playoffs we should at least be in the hunt at the season end and not hanging our heads in shame like recent years. Plenty of reason to be optimistic this year.
July 11th, 2014 at 9:39 am
They’ll hopefully be ready after going against our defense line in training camp, we have some great talent this year. Carl Nicks is needed though…
July 11th, 2014 at 9:44 am
@Britt – playoffs, playoffs!!! Super Bowl Baby!!!
July 11th, 2014 at 10:21 am
I refuse to allow anyone to crush my hopes except for the Bucs themselves.
Naysayers, can go kick rocks
July 11th, 2014 at 11:44 am
@ Buc Realist
The ONLY reasons that our O-Line wasn’t Great last year is the injuries to Nicks & Joseph. However, I do like our OL’s potential this year (especially if Nicks comes back). I think we’ll be able to help our OL making quick reads & having an overall creative offense.
July 11th, 2014 at 11:45 am
*by making quick reads….
July 11th, 2014 at 1:11 pm
I hope the defense is ready to win the first couple of games by scores like 10-0.
Neither Carolina or St Louis’ offenses are anything special. A team with Mike Shula as its OC will never strike fear into anyone. EVER.
Scoop and score, D!