Could The Bucs Go Status Quo On The O-Line?
March 23rd, 2015
The free agency dinner bell rang two weeks ago, and the Bucs have not added an offensive lineman.
They booted one, Anthony Collins, and let another quietly fade away, Oneil Cousins.
So now what?
There are no great left tackles walking the streets. There are no slam dunk left tackles in the draft. Left tackle project Demar Dotson, who started the Bucs’ last three games there, might actually be their best option when training camp begins.
Lovie Smith already has anointed barbecue-yearning guard Logan Mankins. He said center Evan Dietrich-Smith is a “foundation” player. Joe hasn’t heard official negativity uttered about Patrick Omameh. Perhaps second-year man Kevin Pamphile is a guy the Bucs believe can make a leap at right tackle.
Sure, there’s depth in this year’s draft at offensive line. But if the Bucs don’t bite in the first two rounds on the offensive line, then they’d be banking on a third-round pick. That would be just fine if the Bucs pick a winner who turns out like the 2008 third-round pick, Jeremy Zuttah.
Joe’s not trying to frighten anyone, but there is a chance the Bucs bank on organic development of their returning offensive line.
There’s a lot of sentiment among important people that the mere presence of new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, versus ill-suited understudy Marcus Arroyo, will fix a whole lot.
Also, Joe views the return of O-line coach George Warhop of an endorsement of the job he did. (Yeah, really.) Again, Joe’s not trying to frighten the masses, just sharing what could be Lovie’s mindset for a team “on the verge.”
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:25 pm
They have to find some more OL if no other reason than depth.
FA was probably the worst option outside of perhaps Wiz.
The draft is still in play.
And first pick on the waiver wire could easily deliver some gem.
Far too early to panic! Again everybody…the sky is not falling..the sky is not falling.
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:27 pm
or, maybe lovie tells them to block this year. last year he said behind closed doors, “guys, just make sure we get the 1st pick in the draft, and oh, mcclown is getting his 5 mill to get whacked…so keep up the good work”
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:28 pm
If the Bucs don’t pickup offensive linemen with at least draft picks 2 & 3 after grabbing Winston, I will be “on the verge” of hurling.
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:29 pm
It’s amazing what just one addition to the offensive line could do. Make everyone better. Same for the defensive line. One good pass rusher could fix it.
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:30 pm
It takes time
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:30 pm
lol…..the sky is not falling.
the damn thing already did.
2-14, simple as that. and you want us to “buy in”…..lol
fool me once….not twice. the team sux till the record says it does not and that goes for the coaching as well.
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:32 pm
yall need to change yer bong water
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:36 pm
Given the lackadaisical approach to addressing the OL dumpster fire, Biff now has the feeling the Bucs are going to trade out of the top pick.
Bad move.
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:40 pm
Lovie just needs to “treat them like men” a little more!
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:45 pm
Lovie Smith, more than anything else, is known for having absolutely awful, awful offensive lines. That he hasn’t learned from that is really not a good omen for this franchise. Oh, and is the line mostly 30+ guys on the downside of their career? You bet it is. Learn from your mistakes Lovie, and no, drafting a QB isn’t doing that. Drafting a QB and putting him behind that line means that QB is almost a guaranteed bust. Come on Lovie…
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:46 pm
It would be a disaster to put a rookie QB behind that joke of an offensive line.
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:46 pm
The scariest part is Warhop is still the coach…
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:47 pm
@stpete
I agree with you. We will at least need to add depth. No need to get all panicky….yet. Boy it sure would be nice if a few of these young lineman panned out.
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:48 pm
What about Jake Long? I think the hole at DE can only be addressed in the draft(probably round 2) and I wouldn’t want to count of a third rounder as our starting left tackle. If Long can stay healthy he can hold down the position far better than anything we have.
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:49 pm
We might not agree on QB’s, but I think all Bucs fans can agree that if they don’t significantly improve the OL they’re gping to get Glennon/Mariota/Winston/??? killed back there in the pocket
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:51 pm
I assume they’ve given up on signing Wisniewski? Haven’t seen any reports of him signing anywhere yet
March 23rd, 2015 at 2:58 pm
Why hasn’t Warhop been fired yet?
March 23rd, 2015 at 3:01 pm
Why are some worried about depth? We need NFL starters!!!
March 23rd, 2015 at 3:03 pm
I think the Bucs go OL in the 2nd round. Also,please don’t forget they picked up Mankins via trade a week before the season started. There is plenty of time.
If they stand pat anywhere it might be Dline, but with a lot of depth this draft I expect them to go there the 3rd round.
March 23rd, 2015 at 3:20 pm
They will address the o-line just like last year, 4th and 5th round. They expect last years linemen to develop, the problem they didn’t have many professionals (outside of Mankins) to look up to.
1. QB
2. DL
3. LB
4. OL
5. OL
5. WR
6. S
7. DL
March 23rd, 2015 at 3:23 pm
Draft Cam Erving. Move up into the bottom of 1st round to get him if necessary. Then pick up a good guard prospect in round 3 or 4. That’s about the best that can be done aside from perhaps making a trade for a decent NFL OLine starter. They will probably be bringing in some developmental talent from other teams last cuts after pre-season as well – having 1st right of refusal on any player cut this year.
March 23rd, 2015 at 3:50 pm
You want to draft JW with a line like this? What is his escapability like?
Get some of the older linenmen floating around even if for a year. Then draft.
This is going to take time. Don’t expect wonders this season. Hope for the best.
March 23rd, 2015 at 3:56 pm
The question should be “Can our new QB go status quo on the OL”?
March 23rd, 2015 at 3:57 pm
The oline is there just so they don’t get fined.
It takes time. We’re on the verge. FB doesn’t start until December. We’re in the hunt. We don’t need no sticking OC. Frazier is a proven winner (4 games in 2 yrs). It’s not all on mccown. We have the best 3 tech in the game.
March 23rd, 2015 at 4:13 pm
fastclipper4444 Says:
March 23rd, 2015 at 3:50 pm
You want to draft JW with a line like this? What is his escapability like?
It is what it is. No quick/easy fixes in this situation. Dom never drafted OLine at all in 5 years so the cupboard is bare and devoid of young talent. L&L drafted a couple guys in the 5th round last year who are both somewhat promising but raw and still need to develop. They need to draft a couple more this year in higher rounds.
Winston’s escapability is pretty darn good. He moves well in the pocket and has a good sense of where pressure is coming from while still keeping his eyes downfield. That is hard to teach. He’s good at side stepping and breaking arm tackles as well. Reminded me of Roethlisberger in that respect quite a few times.
Winston is also quite good at breaking contain in the face of too much pressure to buy time – and still keeps his eyes downfield for a receiver to come open while rolling to an open area. He’s not a “fast” runner as his 40 time shows – but he’s a very effective situational runner if a lane opens up and he sees the opportunity.
Let’s put it this way. Winston can’t “run” like Mariota and will not have nearly as many rushing yards over his career – but I would much rather have Jameis than Mariota under center and playing from the pocket as our offense will dictate with a potentially porous OLine.
Winston got a good bit of practice last year in working with a less than stellar OLine. Until they moved Cam Erving from LT to Center late in the year out of desperation – Winston was getting tons of pressure right up the middle a good bit of the year. And he usually made the other team pay for it – often times throwing strikes downfield with defenders right in his face and while taking hits.
March 23rd, 2015 at 4:19 pm
DB/WS – what are you ever gonna do if the Bucs start winning with “Lovie and his lapdog Licht” still calling the shots? Will it just be luck – or will you concede that they succeeded in making a horrible team “relevant” again?
March 23rd, 2015 at 4:23 pm
” the team sux till the record says it does not and that goes for the coaching as well.”
The Bucs record for 2015 is 0-0. That’s just a simple fact. The 2015 Bucs will not resemble the 2014 Bucs. That’s just a simple fact.
We hired an actual PROFESSIONAL OC and QB coach! That will make a HUGE difference.
We’ll have a different QB than McCown the turnover machine..another fact.
Stop crying over the spilt milk. Last year sucked. I don’t see why anyone wants to keep living in the past.
March 23rd, 2015 at 4:30 pm
Let’s get Joe Thomas LT from the Browns. Picks #12 and #19 also next year’s 1st round and we got a deal.
March 23rd, 2015 at 4:43 pm
Signing a shiny new O tackle would really make us feel better. But, obviously L&L must feel as if they arent as bad as we all think they are on OL. Perhaps some of our depth player from last year showed enough to convince them they are ready to step up. Perhaps they are waiting to beef things up when the cuts are made. Perhaps they plan to draft a couple guys. Perhaps the addition of an OC will right all wrongs. I dont know. But I sure am getting worked up over it.
March 23rd, 2015 at 4:49 pm
Either signing someone like Wis or drafting LT with our 2nd pick (maybe moving up into the bottom of the first) should def be on the agenda. And then address DE with our 3rd (hopefully Nate Orchard).
QB
LT (may play RT for a bit)
DE
and if we dont sign Wis and kick EDS to RG, then use that 4th on Ali Marpet if he’s still there….then play him at RG or C.
I think thats doable!
March 23rd, 2015 at 4:54 pm
Bucs aren’t moving out of the top pick, end of story. Even w all our holes, Lovie won’t pass at a shot for a top rated QB nor is there a even a top LT in the draft.
So assuming we’re going after a QB it’s strange they wouldn’t sure up an offensive line to best ensure his development… Or even to help glennon at the beginning of the season.
I know lovie isn’t trying to tank next year too, but unless we’re all missing something, the worst OL in football last year is even worse than it was. This is exactly how last year began too with almost blind assessment leading to a scramble for Logan mankins weeks before the season and the loss of a high pick.
So stepping in Lovies shoes, what exactly is he thinking? Has he been given some blessing from the glaziers for at least another year and he’s looking at something in the draft next year? Maybe if he doesn’t think about the OL, does he think it won’t matter? Is there just a lot of wasted money from the Collins and Johnson contracts left over in 2015? Because I have to believe he learned his lesson after last year, right??
March 23rd, 2015 at 5:00 pm
@sickofthedebate I totally agree with you. In addition I feel that the lack of experience from arroyo hindered the offense in that the qbs rarely made line audibles. Look at all the great quarterbacks and you will notice how they are able to shift the online and account for blitzes . You could have the greatest lineman in the wolrd , but if he is not put in the right position he will be set up to fail.
March 23rd, 2015 at 6:04 pm
Poor Jameis.
March 23rd, 2015 at 7:25 pm
There is no way we dont draft an olineman or two. A good mix of vets and younger guys is the way to go. The continuity of Mankins, Dotson and EDS will help(it cant hurt). Add in a promising rookie or two. Hell I think the Bucs could really upgrade by signing Wiz to be our center and trade EDS. Let Mankins and Dotson use the rapport they’ve built to lead this unit.
Now this year there wont be as much pressure on the oline this year. We SHOULD have a QB and we DO have a legit OC. Not to mention all our playmakers. The oline will have a bit more room for error than last season.
March 23rd, 2015 at 8:57 pm
BUCS will get a couple of OL, and yes, Koetter will make a big difference.
March 24th, 2015 at 12:48 am
You have too take JW #1 really. There really is no other choice ! It’s the move TB has too make . Winston he’s gotta be the choice he has just too much potential on the field as a QB too not grab him. I know everyone wants too hate on TB for selecting him but he’s the BPA at his position & he fits the biggest need For TB. We have too put him in a safe environment though. We may not need as many O lineman as we may all wanna claim. Wouldn’t be surprised too see us draft Cameron Erving in rd 2 starting him @ Center and moving Evan Dietrich Smith too RG . Wouldn’t be shocked seeing Kevin Pamphile get a chance too play RT next year . He came from a big school and has size at 6 ft 5 , length 34in arms , speed 4.94 40 , strength 225 25x . So yeah he has the ability too play RT I think.
Demar Dotson
Logan Mankins
Cameron Erving
EDS
Kevin Panphile
Tbh I like Josh Allen the backup center , he came in played in the last game and did an excellent job. He didn’t fumble any snaps either so that’s always a plus. Could start him over EDS , keep EDS at RG and start Erving at RT. Leaves you with Pamphile getting anther year too get stronger and mentally better for the NFL.
March 24th, 2015 at 12:55 am
As for DE I wouldn’t stress it so much guys . I know everyone is worried & you probably every reason too , but its LE its not as big a deal as RE is . Jaqueis smith has RE locked up and he showed he is very successful playing RE against the elite LTs in the league. RTs are usally weaker and teams don’t have many good RTs . It makes it easier too find a DE that can beat RTs . Larry English was a 4-3 DE in college and he is just now getting back into shape for the 4-3 scheme . Wouldn’t be surprised too see him play LE or See William Gholston get 1 last shot too start . Sure Draft a DE like in the 5th rd and hope he can make some noise in the league but don’t go crazy early trying too find a LE.