Bucs Are In A Popular Boat
August 8th, 2014
Bucs fans are wearing out their F5 buttons hoping for word about a new guard.
Joe knows Bucs fans are refreshing their browsers multiple times a day hoping that Tampa Bay picks up a guard, somehow, somewhere. They moan to themselves, “Oneil Cousins?” when their supervisor is not hovering over their shoulder.
It’s gotten to the point where innkeepers no longer want some fans to down pints in their establishments because they are tired of the non-stop grousing over a lack of guard. There seems to be, however, a similar malaise across the NFL.
A couple of weeks ago when Hall of Famer Warren Sapp dropped by One Buc Palace, he was telling all who would listen that Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy will be virtually unstoppable in Lovie Smith’s defense and that GMC was hands down the best defensive tackle in the NFL — “Unless you want to keep throwing Geno Atkins in my face,” Sapp said.
But Sapp moments later explained why he expects GMC to blow up, and it had nothing to do with Lovie.
“Where are the guards?” Sapp barked. “I don’t see any guards in the league! There are no guards! The Seattle Seahawks took J.R. Sweezy, a defensive end, and made him a guard and they won a Super Bowl. He had never blocked anyone in his life! That’s how bad it is!”
Joe brought up this point to NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah when he too was at One Buc Palace, and while he didn’t completely agree with Sapp, Jeremiah did say, “I see where Warren is coming from.” More often than not, Jeremiah said, the guard position is a concern for NFL teams.
Then there were these missives on Twitter by the notorious prickly Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com, regarding guards in the NFL.
The more I move around the NFL camps, the more painful it becomes that the guards in the NFL aren’t very good. Weak position.
— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) August 6, 2014
The best guard on any Florida NFL team is Zane Beadles in Jax, and he was was so-so on Denver line last year. — Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) August 6, 2014
So, Bucs fans, you can relax a little knowing many other teams also have guard issues. It isn’t just the Bucs. It sure smells like it is league-wide.
August 8th, 2014 at 8:21 am
As bad as the guards may be, its still a better position than last year. And I for one would like to see what it looks like on the field before I am hitting the panic button.
August 8th, 2014 at 8:21 am
Guard misery loves and obviously has company…..
August 8th, 2014 at 8:39 am
Insightful
August 8th, 2014 at 8:47 am
This is what I’ve been telling people all offseason…you can count on one hand the number of NFL teams that are comfortable at all 5 offensive line positions. If we have good to very good players in Dotson, Collins, and Dietrich Smith…and one of our guards ends up being solid and the other is a weakness, we could still have a top 10 offensive line. It’s really not worth losing sleep over. Could our line be worse than last year? Probably not…will they have to hold blocks all day for a statue on a 7 step drop with one legitimate receiving target? NO!
August 8th, 2014 at 8:59 am
Caught a little bit of the Niners-Ravens last night and Zuttah looked pretty effective at center for Baltimore……was he not better than either of the two current starting guards? Was it a $$$ issue…….these current Buc guards are obviously not making squat.
August 8th, 2014 at 9:05 am
Tom:
Apparently all of the above. Talked to a former offensive lineman the other day. He said Zuttah, at guard, wasn’t much better than Oneil Cousins. As a center he was OK.
August 8th, 2014 at 9:17 am
As I see it, we definitely have an upgraded O-Line from last year. Last year was forgetable. I guess the first snap over Freeman’s head should have been a MAJOR clue for all of us.
Unfortunately, you’re going to have the masses all over this board tomorrow after tonight if things crack early.
REMEMBER EVERYONE: it’s only the FIRST preseason game of action vs somebody thats not red/black/white.
August 8th, 2014 at 9:47 am
I expect a good Bucs effort and showing all around tonight against the Jaguars, adding more fuel to the fire and expectations for a vastly better Bucs season.
August 8th, 2014 at 10:32 am
Zuttah is long gone… the Bucs upgraded to EDS. You don’t pay $4.5M to a mediocre OG either.
The FA pickings in a longshot so it’s time for Edwards, Omameh or Jayce Daniels to step into a starting role.
August 8th, 2014 at 10:51 am
I agree with you biff. Also, Zuttah has always stated center is where he wants to play. It’s possible he requested to be traded after EDS was brought in. Licht did the math and sent him packing.
Game Day! Go Bucs!!!
August 8th, 2014 at 10:54 am
there are teams with excess guards out there, and some have taken a hit to their RB depth during camp, or may not like what they have seen out of their backup RBs. time to pick up the phone and make a trade.
August 8th, 2014 at 12:14 pm
Cousins isn’t worth squat. However, Meredith is a proven NFL Guard, and he easily could end up on the second team behind Chase Daniels and Omameh who have been our best two Guards this season. Edwards, also, will be just as good next year after he builds up in the weight room this year, and will be a good backup this year. We just need to get our new starting Guards some NFL experience, and they will be fixtures on our OL for years to come. Save our cap space to retain our good players.
August 8th, 2014 at 12:23 pm
Then why did we get rid of Davin Joseph?
August 8th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
Been saying it awhile – they’ll be fine… Of course they could have more experience, but if I have to choose between an experienced journeyman and a green young guy with talent, I’ll take the younger talented player every time, even if it means suffering the growing pains. Young interior talent = Edwards, Omameh, and Jace Daniels… This is how you develop a team for the long-haul – you let the young guys play.
August 8th, 2014 at 12:34 pm
phil Says:
August 8th, 2014 at 12:23 pm
Because, at this point in his career, he’s a lesser player than the guys we have now.
August 8th, 2014 at 2:11 pm
Richie Icognito
Richie Icognito
Richie Icognito
Richie Icognito
Restore my faith go get this guy.
August 8th, 2014 at 4:19 pm
T-DUB Says
“As I see it, we definitely have an upgraded O-Line from last year. Last year was forgettable.”
See now, that’s what I don’t get. We haven’t actually seen the oline at work, so how do you know? None of those guys are known for excellence.
While I agree the old oline wasn’t great, I just don’t see how anyone can claim its been “upgraded” without seeing it in real game action (not preseason game action, since it will face starters very little).
What we have is a different oline. We don’t know if it is better yet…and we have little reason to think it will be.
They can prove otherwise though.
August 8th, 2014 at 4:22 pm
Owlykat Says
“…behind Chase Daniels and Omameh who have been our best two Guards this season.”
Oh. You mean the season that hasn’t even started yet?
Off season is not a good way to judge. That’s why there is a preseason…to at least see a little of them in action. Anyone (except Bowers) can look good in the off season.
August 8th, 2014 at 4:24 pm
@jo_mama
Getting Richie Icognito isn’t a bad thought. He is use to training camp in Florida for one thing. I felt he got a raw deal when the whole story broke. Sure, he probably overstepped, but the victim came off sounding like a sniveling sissy.
August 8th, 2014 at 5:47 pm
If thert are so many teams in need of a guard and Richie Incognito is such a savior, why is he walking the streets?
Feel free to do the math.
August 8th, 2014 at 7:24 pm
Richie Incognito + any NFL Team = Media Hyperbole
This type of math Joe?