Solving The Offensive Line Riddle
February 17th, 2015
Two words could sum up most of the swings and misses the Bucs had last offseason: “Offensive line.”
OK, fine. You want to dismantle an underperforming offensive line and try to get better. However, it got progressively worse.
Added insult was two guys the Bucs tossed, Donald Penn and Jeremy Zuttah, played well for their new teams; better than their successors on the Bucs; that’s for sure.
The offensive line was such a collective turnstile in the preseason the Bucs panicked and traded for his-heart-was-left-in-New England, barbecue pitmaster Logan Mankins. Despite being a shell of his former Pro Bowl self, Mankins (outside of right tackle Demar Dotson) was likely the best offensive lineman the Bucs had.
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com talked to Joe about the Bucs’ offensive line and its future.
“Offensive line is more about coaching,” Rosenthal said. “You can probably find your premium tackles in the draft. You are hopefully not going to be on the top of the draft that often, so, it is always going to be quarterback first but [the Bucs] are in a position where they don’t need to force. I don’t think any of the offensive linemen are worth taking that early.”
The neat thing about the 2015 draft is that the middle rounds are expected to be loaded with offensive line talent. There’s also projected late-first-round talent, and with the Bucs owning the 34th pick, you figure an O-lineman who should have been chosen in the first round will fall in their lap.
After that, Joe wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs draft two more offensive linemen, as that is the projected value position in this draft.
February 17th, 2015 at 11:32 am
Winston in the first, Cam Erving in the second, Taiwan Jones in the third, then corners and OL….
Free agency pass rusher again, OL depth DL depth maybe a safety…
February 17th, 2015 at 11:37 am
how about a decent slot guy
a third receiver
February 17th, 2015 at 11:45 am
So, if the Bucs trade VJ and get that mid 3rd round pick, It could help the Bucs for years to come!
February 17th, 2015 at 12:07 pm
“Offensive line is more about coaching,”
_______________________________________________________________
Good thing we retained the horrible OLine coach then…
February 17th, 2015 at 12:47 pm
@bucrightoff I was thinking the same thing.
Can someone explain why the hell Warhop is still employed?
February 17th, 2015 at 12:55 pm
OL, Arroyo and Def Coordinator should’ve been fired once the season was over. But Lovie is ok with losing as long as the check clears.
February 17th, 2015 at 12:55 pm
The problem with going OL with the 34th is that you still have that gaping hole at MLB. Package a 4th and make a move for Perryman?
Score a QB and MLB.
If the premise of the article is correct, the OL talent will still be on the board.
February 17th, 2015 at 1:11 pm
I’m about 20 minutes from Iowa city. I can just go the there, find Scherff and poke that bear until he punches me. Then he’ll drop to us in the second.
February 17th, 2015 at 1:11 pm
Trade Down -Grab more premium picks and prospects
(Options)
• LT-Lane Johnson
• LG-Donovan Smith, Jamon Brown
• C -B.J. Finney, Max Garcia
• RG-Laken Tomlinson, John Miller
• RT-Demar Dotson, Rob Havenstein
February 17th, 2015 at 1:19 pm
Looking Forward
*(2016 Left Tackle Draft Picks)
• Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
• Spencer Drango, OT, Baylor
• Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
• John Theus, OT, Georgia
• Jack Conklin OT, Michigan State
*(2016 Left Tackle Free Agents)
• Trent Williams LT 26 WAS
• Nate Solder LT 26 NE
• Anthony Castonzo LT 26 IND
• Russell Okung LT 27 SEA
• Matt Kalil LT 25 MIN
• Riley Reiff LT 26 DET
• Cordy Glenn LT 25 BUF
February 17th, 2015 at 2:29 pm
As long as they take a QB #1 (Winston please) – I’d like to see 3 lineman drafted. Cam Erving at #34 would be a heck of an acquisition if he lasts that long.
L&L need to put lazer beam focus on solving the OLine disaster this off season. Nothing else is more important and if they succeed – the Bucs are likely to win quite a few games this coming season. No stone should be left unturned in finding talented big men to bring in. No OL job should be safe either until we start seeing major improvement with run and pass blocking.
February 17th, 2015 at 2:58 pm
If its about coaching then what does that say about George Warhop? How is it that half the league plugged in late round or undrafted players and made them work last year and we couldnt figure it out. Why is he still on this staff?
February 17th, 2015 at 3:16 pm
Two words can describe the swings and misses of the Bucs offense last year. Marcus Arroyo. To deny an inexperienced out of his league first year coordinator didn’t play a big part in the units disastrous performance is to truly be in denial.
February 17th, 2015 at 5:45 pm
QB first…Mariota please
OL
MLB
DE
OL
OL
OL
OL
February 17th, 2015 at 7:16 pm
Orlando Franklin. He would fill in for Omameh and wont cost TOO much. He started close to every game last year and is easliy Denvers best olineman. Then of course we have the draft to fill in more holes on the line.
February 17th, 2015 at 8:18 pm
SHAQ MASON
February 18th, 2015 at 4:52 am
Bucs 2015 draft
1. Mariota
2. OL
3. Anybody who can run towards the opposing QB in a way which makes him uneasy
4. OL
5. OL
6. OL
7. Used mop in clown costume to coach OL
8. On-hand MRSA prevention specialist