“A Real Achilles’ Heel”
August 12th, 2014
The Bucs have a weakness, and a renowned NFL analyst thinks it could sink the 2014 team to ugly depths.
National attention for the Bucs’ offensive line issues are ramping up.
Fight-instigating, barista-training, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball box score-reading Peter King, of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports fame, isn’t sure the Bucs can overcome their guard woes, not with Josh McCown under center.
King spoke on the local WDAE-AM 620 airwaves this morning.
“The guards, that to me is an Achilles’ heel, a real Achilles’ heel. I’m skeptical. You gotta protect Josh McCown. You just do. He’s not going to be able to run around and create a lot of opportunities with his legs,” King said.
“That was the thing that really worried me. If you ask me, they have a good chance to be vastly improved, I mean like almost opposite [record] improved. But I think if they don’t protect their quarterback, that’s going to go by the wayside.”
King likes the Bucs weapons, thinks McCown is much better than people think, and he also still wonders whether the Bucs got it wrong when the cut Darrelle Revis. He also insists the Bucs need a strong running game to win under Lovie Smith.
You can hear all of King’s takes via the audio below.
August 12th, 2014 at 10:24 am
The running game is where the weakness at guard concerns me… If we can run the ball well, that alone helps in pass protection. From what we’ve heard so far out of training camp, we’re having a lot of trouble running inside…. A lot of talk about protecting McCown, but we MUST establish a strong ground game.
this issue needs to be fixed fast.
August 12th, 2014 at 10:33 am
@bigpoppa: you could also pass to open up run game, just a thought.
I could also see the Bucs struggling at the CB position (wasn´t Verner aligned to the offense´s No.2 WR?), but like said often times: can´t fill all the holes in one offseason.
Plus, with a good pass rush, it shouldn´t be the biggest concern.
And thats where trouble starts because: The Bucs just dont have a good line, wether its defense or offense.
Thats a big reason for all the bad season in the past years. A good dominant line is able to cover up most of the struggles on any team.
Clayborn is not a good 4-3 rusher – why not trading him if possible? even a 4th rounder would do it for me.
Trade him and Doug Martin for Boone and call it a great day. Maybe even squeezing the 49ers for an additional draft pick.
August 12th, 2014 at 10:40 am
This is going to piss me off if we suck this year because of guard play. When we let 2 guards go for nothing this offseason who were better then what we have now. Why couldn’t we resign Joseph for league minimum like St. Louis did if he still ain’t back from knee surgery then release him. And zuttah we could have kept we have 15 million under the cap. And if someone beats him out we could have still got a 6-7th rounder for him. Why we got rid of them before knowing what we had doesn’t make since. Reminding me off the o line the bears had when lovie was there when jake cutler had no time at all and was sacked about 9 times on Monday night football
August 12th, 2014 at 10:40 am
I really like to hear that a national sports guy (other than Herm Edwards) thinks we have a real chance to go 12-4 this year if we figure out our OLine situation. I’m sure Dallasbuc, Lightningbuc, or Buc Realist will have something snarky to say about that.
August 12th, 2014 at 10:42 am
Well, if Peter King says so then it must be true…..
Seriously, at this point, everyone is simply guessing and going with the trend….his statement could go for any NFL team, if the quarterback isn’t protected, then bad things will happen. Just ask RGIII, his coaches didn’t protect him and that’s why he now has new coaches….
As for the Bucs O-line, the jury doesn’t make its decision until all the evidence has been presented and the Bucs still have five quarters of play to present the first-team evidence, figuring that the fourth “exhibition” game is a throwaway with no first-teamers playing.
August 12th, 2014 at 10:43 am
Joe… You have totally wore out the pre-description of all your sources and especially Peter King…. We are no longer humored by this childish antics…
Keep in mind that all the introduction needed is simple, “Peter King, of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports fame”. Period!
Otherwise, thinks for the continuing coverage of Buc Football.
August 12th, 2014 at 10:57 am
how bout we see how the rest of the preseason plays out. Remember the old bucs under dungy would regularly go 0-4 in preseason, all while looking half sleeping.
August 12th, 2014 at 10:57 am
@Joe
If this week’s game turns out as bad as last week’s for the o-line and old-man-mcCown. We need to turn that negative into a positive. We won’t have much time. But we will make a joebucfan app. it will show the bucs game live, but we will black out the offense, ( or show replays of the defense until the Offense turns the ball over or punts!) We can discuss more of this great idea over beers!!!
August 12th, 2014 at 10:58 am
Whether you believe the Bucs have a chance to go 12-4 or not, the fact is we will have NO chance to find out if our OG situation remains as it is. Sure, one can argue that Incognito is a bad fit – thats easy. And one could say giving up what it would take to get Boone is a bad idea.
Instead, lets just keep on the current path and wait for a castoff from the Panthers/Texans/Raiders horrible Olines to save us – a brilliant plan for failure.
August 12th, 2014 at 11:00 am
@The_Buc_Realist Says:
“…If this week’s game turns out as bad as last week’s for the o-line and old-man-mcCown. We need to turn that negative into a positive…”
Would that be a “turn your frowns upside down” app?
August 12th, 2014 at 11:10 am
And Buc_realist was ridiculed yesterday for being a pessimist! See folks, he’s focusing on the positive.
August 12th, 2014 at 11:18 am
Obviously the prime area of concern is the o-line. This must be corrected first. Yes to Boone but no to Incognito….the latter has a long history of being disruptive. I was at the game last Friday and also must comment that the most impressive QB playing in that game I felt to be Blake Bortles. Glennon I feel is definitely improving. Still hoping next years draft brings us OUR franchise quarterback.
August 12th, 2014 at 11:37 am
Lovie the idea Realist!
August 12th, 2014 at 11:41 am
Indeed, our franchise QB might be in next year’s draft (or it could possibly be Glennon), but Jameis Winston has already said he isn’t coming out next year. I’m thinking either Hundley or Marriota…
August 12th, 2014 at 11:53 am
Louden—enoug of your nonsense trade Doug Martin thoughts. Ya lets cut our best defender and trade our best offensive player. That = disaster.
August 12th, 2014 at 11:57 am
Buddha boy I also remember the Great Peyton Manning winning his first and only Super Bowl after going 0-4 in preseason. Yes the oline is bad but it’s quite evident it can’t get worse. If u guys actually think Edwards won’t start week 3 of
Preseason you’re all fools. So how bout we keep Doug (Louden ur a moron) and atleast see what our drafted guard brings. And don’t anyone dare tell me he’s not ready. Please. A guard is a guard ya he’s raw but
Cmon block the man in front of you. watch tape for two months and a a
Whole month of preseason and he’ll be starting
August 12th, 2014 at 11:59 am
i liked Revis but I think Verner is in fact a better corner. Particularly in a Lovie-2.
August 12th, 2014 at 12:01 pm
My biggest concern was the lack of screen calls to check the aggressiveness of the d-line. Oh, you think that you almost got to the QB the last 3 pass plays? BOOM! Pop the screen right over their heads and make them think twice about how they are gunning for the QB.
Sean Peyton did this to us last season as we DESPERATELY tried to get to Brees at all costs. Quick screen to Sproles checks that mentality real fast.
August 12th, 2014 at 12:10 pm
Oh, there were screen passes Friday with McCown. Not sure they were intentional, though.
August 12th, 2014 at 12:29 pm
New coaches-I like it
New players-I like it
New system- I like it
Enthusiasm-I like it
Direction this team is headed-I like it
We’re gonna get there-I like it
A little patience and it is going to be really nice around here.
August 12th, 2014 at 12:35 pm
I just rewatched our first two drives and rewatched every play several times to key in on the o-line issues. It was amazing how awful Meredith played. He was a disaster on every single passing play. Clemons sack vs. Collins? Yeah, that was because Meredith got blown up so far into the backfield that McCown got flushed up to Collins inside shoulder. Collins had the block until the pocket collapsed. The first McCown fumble that he picked up and ran with, again, Meredith absolutely destroyed in 1-on-1. I thought that one was on Dotson at first. First passing play of the game, Meredith blown off the line into McCown’s face. I’m interested to see how much better they look without him dragging everyone else down. No way Jace Daniels can play worse this week.
August 12th, 2014 at 12:36 pm
Wouldn’t surprise me one bit of Collins and Dietrich-Smith went to the coaching staff and told them they had to get him outta there. He was making everyone else’s job much harder.
August 12th, 2014 at 12:53 pm
King is spot on.
This line will drag this Offense to the bottom of the standings.
Sadly, it is our Coach’s Achilles heel. Everything great- except O-Line. He has never built a decent line.
And the one here is gonna really hurt this team
August 12th, 2014 at 2:23 pm
Needs a strong Running Game?
In a Passing League with No O-Line
What does it cost to bring in Incognito?
If he beats out everyone at the position Great. If you can’t keep him in line as a coach Fire him.
Don’t Deprive us fans of a winning season because of your delicate sensibilities.
Fire Lovie
PS>
Leslie Fraser paid Josh Freeman 3 million dollars after he was thrown off our team. We all know how that turned out.
August 12th, 2014 at 2:43 pm
Buc D I think they were going by a script. Call the plays and run them regardless of what the defense is doing. I’m almost certain this entire offense will have a ton of screen plays to get guys into open field and protect the qb
August 12th, 2014 at 2:43 pm
Out of six seasons, Dungy went 0-4 in only his last year. In ’99 he went 4-0 and the rest are a mixed bag (1-3, 2-3, and 3-1). You cannot tell anything by the W/L of preseason. The play of individuals and ‘units’ are another story.
August 12th, 2014 at 6:46 pm
The notion that our OL won’t improve with 19 more games to play AND drag the offense down is ridiculous. Now everybody has a doomsday scenario based off 1 quarter of poor play by our OL, sh!t is crazy
August 12th, 2014 at 8:45 pm
All the messing with the O-line today tells me they have no idea what to do with this mess. Long season ahead, Bucs fans. We have at least another year to wait, but another high pick in the draft. Oh well …