“Vets” Have Helped Patrick Omameh
August 19th, 2014
Bucs G Patrick Omameh thanks his teammates for making him a better player.
Offensive line play was such a trainwreck against Jacksonville, the debut of the Lovie Smith-endorsed Jeff Tedford offense, that any guy walking around with a white can could see changes needed to be made.
Had changes not been made, quarterback Josh McCown’s life insurance would have been canceled. It was brutal to watch and painful to remember.
Well, one of those changes was to insert Patrick Omameh to starting guard. Not only did the offensive line improve against Miami, Omameh seems to have kept his gig, for now. And his play seemed to pass muster for Lovie.
“He goes about it as a professional,” Evan Dietrich-Smith said. “Pat’s kind of a quiet guy; he’s funny when you get him talking and stuff, but he’s a good guy. He’s strong; he’s a lot more athletic than people probably give him credit for. He does a lot of good things. He’s smart out there, doesn’t make too many mistakes. But every guy has something individually that we can clean up a little bit and we’ll be working on that coming into this third game and go out there and have another good showing.”
Advancing to a starting spot was not easy, Omameh noted. Talking to the Tampa Bay pen and mic club yesterday, Omameh thanked his teammates for helping him improve.
“I couldn’t name one,” Omameh said. “Each of the vets, I can turn to a lean on for when I have a question or just looking for an answer to something small – whether it’s a scheme thing, a technique thing. Years in the league, the experiences they’ve had, they’ve been able to give me a little bit.”
Remember earlier this summer, FootballOutsiders.com believed Omameh would be one of 25 breakout players. So maybe the Bucs may have found a player that will be a rock on the offensive line for the foreseeable future?
To hear more of Omameh, click the red button below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.
August 19th, 2014 at 11:16 am
nice read. pulling for the guy.
Joe,
what happened to Dotson?
August 19th, 2014 at 11:29 am
Oline is not better without Penn, Joseph and Zuttah.
August 19th, 2014 at 11:43 am
Joe, I’ve been waiting for an article on it, but just can’t hold back anymore.
THE NEW UNI’s ARE UGLY!!!!!
OMG, they look like a cross between something worn by the local police flag football team and bathroom attendants at a Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band festival.
What the heck was wrong with the last design, didn’t they win a SB with it? Isn’t it harder for a sports team to establish generational-type loyalty when they keep changing the brand’s image? The Steelers, Packers, Raiders, Chargers, Broncos, Chiefs, Dolphins, Giants, etc. etc. etc. are only a few examples of teams that might tweek the stripe on their jersey or add a shadow behind their trademark, but none of them during the modern football era have changed one of their colors, or put colored shoulder pad patches on their everyday uni’s.
Geez, Pewter and Red WAS something to fear back in the day and could have been again. Dumping Schiano and bringing in Lovie and Tedford was all that was needed. They’ve gone too far.
August 19th, 2014 at 11:48 am
You sure that first quote isn’t from EDS? Could have sworn it was him instead of Lovie.
August 19th, 2014 at 11:52 am
Oh my God Joe…did you just make fun of blind people!!!!?????? Here come the PC police…..
August 19th, 2014 at 12:27 pm
I was surprised how good Omameh looked. The more I rewound, the more I was surprised. He may be in that spot for awhile
I love the new Unis. Wasn’t really sold on them, until I saw an entire unit in them. I think they are league best.
August 19th, 2014 at 12:55 pm
I’m not a big fan of the uniform changes either. I loved the pewter and red, exactly why would you change the Super Bowl winning attire anyway. I also like the original orange and white uniforms better than these new ones. It is curious no fan input went into the new ugly numbered uniforms. I guess familiarity breeds acceptance.
August 19th, 2014 at 1:07 pm
Joe, how’d we get Patrick again???
August 19th, 2014 at 1:56 pm
I love the new unis and I love the fact it gives us a real throwback since we can’t have white helmets
August 19th, 2014 at 1:56 pm
Well, let’s say we have found somebody to work with and grow with at RG. The fact that’s it’s Omameh shouldn’t be all that surprising. Now, about that LG… The thought of Cousins doesn’t comfort anyone. Is it possible he’s not as bad as his prior reputation led us to believe? I’m skeptical. I’m sure their eyes will be open over the next few weeks for a starting guard with some tread left on the tires, but I wouldn’t expect them to make a move unless it’s a clear upgrade.