Exposing The Offensive Line
November 14th, 2014
You want to know why the Bucs offense has been, as Charles Barkley would say, “turrible” this year? Well, Mark Bullock of the Washington Post sums it up in two factors: inconsistent quarterback play and a struggling offensive line.
Bullock, an X’s and O’s guy who writes for the paper of record in our nation’s capital, goes into great detail (with photos) as to why the Tampa Bay offense is a mess, and why he expects the Redskins to expose the offensive line for what it is: subpar.
But it’s not just run blocking they’ve struggled with. They’ve been poor in pass protection too. Both starting tackles, Collins and Dotson have struggled with edge rushers, and both have missed time with injuries. Pamphile, a backup tackle and rookie, has been forced into more playing time than he’s ready for.
Bullock noticed, specifically in the loss to the Browns, the Bucs were relying heavily on draw plays and screens because the offensive line wasn’t getting the job done. The Browns, for reasons unknown, continued to blitz the Bucs, which allowed them to gain good chunks of yardage. Props to Bucs acting offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo for recognizing this.
The article is damning. Bullock believes, that if the Bucs offensive line continues to get their lunch handed to them, the Redskins won’t blitz much in order to take away outside plays.
The Bucs are so weak up front, Bullock suggests, the Redskins defensive line won’t need any help taking care of matters on its own.
November 14th, 2014 at 5:21 pm
You can go ahead and add the Defensive line and sec
November 14th, 2014 at 5:25 pm
You can add the Defensive Line, Secondary, Special Teams & Punter to that list…..Coaching, Team Physician, Strength Coach….and probably Cheerleaders if you want….at the top of the list is the Owners…..
The only element of all things Bucs that is worth celebrating is the shrinking fanbase….we are excellent!!!
November 14th, 2014 at 5:34 pm
So why did he not say it was all Glennon’s fault? I guess it is not! More people play on this lousy offense!! It all goes right back to Lovie. More questions. First ,why pick these players and what happened with Tedford? The defense falls on Lovie and his DC. Their play and the T2 excuse is old. Why if they knew Tedford was gone for good as was suggested this morning did they not bring in an OC. This whole mess stinks of Lovie. He is the master mind so we were told.
November 14th, 2014 at 6:08 pm
The OL has been a goat cluck since the word go.
I’m wondering if the ad hoc personnel moves and line Coach Warhop might have been in Tedford taking a long stroll.
November 14th, 2014 at 6:22 pm
🙂
November 14th, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Funny, I only remember the Bus running one screen and one draw. That’s a lot?
Some X’s and O’s guy!
November 14th, 2014 at 6:34 pm
Wait another player we “upgraded” the line this offseason isn’t good enough. Isn’t that the guy we gave up two draft choices to pick? Btw, was watching nfl network today, they did a segment on how good mark barron played last week with his tackles and sack. Good thing we traded him for Mankins and a 6th round pick.
November 14th, 2014 at 6:38 pm
Finally, it takes an outsider to call it what it is, although I somewhat disagree on Mark’s take on QB because the offensive line dictates the amount of time the QB’s have to go through their progressions. Yes, ..both Glennon, and McCown’s play has been erratic, but given the ineffectiveness of their protection, how can they be blamed? We have no running game we can trust, and it’s not because of our RB’s. We are one dimensional, ..no …we are half of one dimensional.
Remember the first 6 games of the year when Tom Bradee was struggling because his offensive line was not protecting him, and then Belichick figured it out, made some changes on the offensive line. One was controversial at the time when he replaced Mankins with a rookie, but turned out to be the best move, and the offensive line is now giving Tom a clean pocket, and the running game has been better.
If our offensive line could dominate the line of scrimmage just 70% of the time we could do some damage. Imagine how great our receivers would really look if we had a running game. Imagine how better our QB’s would play with time to find open receivers. We are simply over-matched and this has to be our #1 priority next season. The offensive line gets a BIG F.
November 14th, 2014 at 6:47 pm
Just read at NFL.com that Goldson, Martin, and VJax are likely to be gone next year. They also said it looked like a 2nd year of rebuilding under Lovie. You think?
November 14th, 2014 at 6:56 pm
How does Warhop continue to be employed in the NFL? every team he has touched has been medicore or poor. No success period.
November 14th, 2014 at 8:12 pm
Like I’ve been saying, I hope 3 of first 5 picks are o-line next draft. Give me mariotta 1 then find de. I still like Glennon. If anything I cut or trade mcnown.
November 14th, 2014 at 8:26 pm
After McCowns presser expect to see this oline play inspired and really get after the Redskins on Sunday. I think the offense will be fine. Now that defense.. Jackson and Garcon and Reed are going to torch our secondary unless McCoy has the game of his career.
I think McCowns heArt felt presser will be the turning point. He instantly became the unquestioned leader of that team and he’s the ultimate team first guy and we will see a different team out there.
November 14th, 2014 at 9:00 pm
Tedford would be committing career suicide to come back in this mess and after week 4 he knew this. I think the fact that we were one injury away from Cousins starting at left tackle is the reason for Tedfords heart prblems. I’m just surprised it didn’t cause McCown any.. oh wait….
Tedford was going to be the real xs and os coach of the team allowing Lovie to be Lovie. He’s not a technical guy, he’s a big picture relational man/coach. McCown is going to will this team forward and be the xs and os guy. Read Steve Whites twitter marathon. It was a helluva read. So much so that i think the Bucs should consult him asap for assistance… anyhow…. Arroyo is learning on the fly and this will help him immensely for his career. He’s getting better, he just needs to listen to McCown and keep it simple and not try to get too cute like he did last week.
November 14th, 2014 at 9:25 pm
If i am a member of the O line and read this story , i will bust a foot up any redskin defense lineman i see. Maybe he needs to look at his, home team before he writes about the Bucs.
November 15th, 2014 at 2:37 am
Oline couldn’t be more exposed if they played without pants
November 15th, 2014 at 1:41 pm
Matt, it appears from your writing that you think Tedford did the right thing by quitting. Do you like quitters. Would you play with a quitter would you support quitters. A quitter is usually synonymous with a coward.