Confusing “Depth Chart” Chatter
May 29th, 2015
Joe is here to dissect every last word out of the mouth of Lovie Smith.
Lovie is the Buccaneers equivalent of the President of the United States.
Every word matters. So it intrigued Joe when Lovie seemed to struggle with talk of a depth chart yesterday.
Last spring, Lovie repeatedly referenced how he has a “starting rotation” for every position. But it now seems he’s abandoned that phrase and hasn’t settled on something new.
Consider the following: Lovie said yesterday that Doug Martin is a “first-team” running back, “like he has always been.” But later when talking about running back Charles Sims, Lovie said, “We don’t really have a depth chart, per se.”
To add to the confusion, Lovie acknowledged, after a question from Roy Cummings of The Tampa Tribune, that Jacquies Smith and George Johnson are now the first-team defensive ends, left and right, respectively.
And when asked about second-year former “milk cartons,” offensive tackle Kevin Pamphile and right guard Kadeem Edwards, working with last year’s starters on the offensive line, Lovie said, they were “next up on the depth chart to get an opportunity.”
It’s easy to say that opening day is all that matters. But that’s not quite reality.
Coaches need to establish a pecking order and who will compete to oust the first-teamers. That really starts in training camp, and partially starts right now, when some positions compete against others despite the absence of pads.
Joe’s not sure why Lovie seems to be struggling to name his current first team, or just say that there are no first teamers other than the obvious studs on each side of the ball.
May 29th, 2015 at 12:56 pm
One thing for sure, we know who America’s Backup QB is
May 29th, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Like the “POTUS” analogy…….Lovie appears to be as confused as Obama
May 29th, 2015 at 1:13 pm
Too many players were gifted the starting job at their positions last year. Maybe this is a sign that there will be more open competitions this offseason. That wouldbe a good thing.
May 29th, 2015 at 1:34 pm
We remember all too well how Lovie named Josh McCown his starting Qb and named a soon to be injured player starting CB.
I just think Coach is not rushing to name our 2 rookies as starters on the Offensive Line. If they earn it….great. If they get beat out, then that’s what happens.
I would much rather Coach wait to make proclamations about depth chart and starters in the first few days of OTA’s. Let’s see who shakes out through the summer and name the starters when everyone has earned it.
May 29th, 2015 at 1:47 pm
there shouldn’t even be a depth chart at this point
May 29th, 2015 at 1:52 pm
I agree with the comments above. A depth chart is not important or even very helpful at this point. Everything should be up for grabs. Let’s get the best players on the field. I think Jacquies Smith is a perfect example from last year of a no-name player who worked is way up and made a big impact.
May 29th, 2015 at 1:56 pm
If Jake Long can pass a physical he’d be superior to anyone in camp.
Is he still available?
May 29th, 2015 at 2:12 pm
I would like to see us bring Jake Long in here. He would probably start opening day. And if he gets injured, then you just drafted a tackle in the second round plus Pamphile too so the depth would be there.
May 29th, 2015 at 2:19 pm
This is a sports blog not a political platform. You have a problem with Obama? Fine, that is your business and prerogative, but there are many who support Obama and feel he is doing a good job and thats why he was elected twice (and he didn’t have to cheat to be elected I might add). Lets talk sports and leave our bias political views to ourselves.
May 29th, 2015 at 2:46 pm
“Lovie is the Buccaneers equivalent of the President of the United States.”
Spot on Joe! Since they speak out of both the sides of their mouths, I tune out both of them.
May 29th, 2015 at 2:47 pm
“Lets talk sports and leave our bias political views to ourselves.”
I guess you missed the part about Joe comparing the two?
May 29th, 2015 at 2:57 pm
there is and should be a depth chart at this point of the season…..I don’t think anyone in the world thinks anyone can beat out GMC or lavonte david for the starting job. there should only be competition at positions where fans and coaches were not satisfied or think theres room for improvement. we drafted Winston first overall because the position needed upgrading.
May 29th, 2015 at 3:29 pm
^^^^^^I know….Sorry. Sometimes I can get carried away on topics that I am as passionate about as the Bucs, but you are correct. This is a Bucs forum.
May 29th, 2015 at 4:25 pm
OAR Says:
May 29th, 2015 at 2:47 pm
“Lets talk sports and leave our bias political views to ourselves.”
I guess you missed the part about Joe comparing the two?
—————————
Joe compared Lovie’s status with the bucs to the office of the president and he went further and said every word out of their mouths matter. He was not singling out Obama as some of the posters are doing. Any president in office words will matter regardless if you agree with his policies or not. Obviously you missed the point of Joe’s analogy. Hence why I said leave your political bias to yourself. This is a sports blog.
May 29th, 2015 at 4:27 pm
When the coach is expected to say something to the media nearly every day, he’s bound to say something contradictory to past statements. Kudos to Joe for catching Lovie’s slip. This is just talking head gossip.
May 29th, 2015 at 6:15 pm
Sooo I like buccaneer football.
May 29th, 2015 at 7:04 pm
None of the depth chart business means anything until the pads go on. You can’t hardly tell Jack crap about what you’ve got in an OLineman in particular until you see them competing in pads. Smith and Marpet are both a good bit more athletic than Pamphile and Edwards (Duh – 2nd round picks vs 5th round picks) – so they will look great with no pads and no real contact. Its not until they start playing and practicing for real – in full pads – moving defending bodies around and trying to keep them away from your QB that the abilities of a Lineman to actually Block and hold or move a talented defender can be evaluated.
You can evaluate skill position players much better without pads – but with O and D linemen – its hard to do this early in the process.
If the coach doesn’t name a starter at any given position in May – it’s because there is competition and he wants/needs more time to evaluate. Why does the “press” – LOL – try to PRESS the guy into an answer when he’s not ready to give one? Pot stirrers – the lot of you – LOL
May 29th, 2015 at 9:10 pm
“Lovie said yesterday that Doug Martin is a “first-team” running back, “like he has always been.” But later when talking about running back Charles Sims, Lovie said, “We don’t really have a depth chart, per se.”” – Joe
Not confusing at all. After Doug Martin, the depth chart is NOT set.
And if any backup does well enough, it is feasible he could replace a starter. Say, if Rainey does really, really good. They might trade Martin.
Personally, I think they should try to get AP. Having Winston and AP here would sell a lot of tickets.
May 29th, 2015 at 10:25 pm
Lovie was asked about the ‘depth chart’ of RBs, O-line, and DEs, and was basically non-committal.
Well, let’s see…
No RB had over 500 yards. Apparently there is no ‘ #1’ RB from last year.
The DEs were almost non-existent.
The O-line WAS non-existent.
Three of the biggest disappointing areas, with no ‘big’ off-season improvements and Joe wonders why there is no depth chart.
I would hazard to guess that in each area, you could make a case for each player to be at the top just as well as making a case for him being on the bottom. That makes a depth chart worth about as much as a treasure map written in the sand during low tide.
May 30th, 2015 at 12:38 am
Who ever keeps talking about Obama needs to get a life this is a blog about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers so please stop with the Obama talking idiots and focus on the blog and try to get this team back to a dominant force that they should be
May 30th, 2015 at 1:26 pm
Like my DI told us our first night at Lackland,
“As of tonight, you’re all even in my eyes, tomorrow, well that’s a new day…goodnight ladies…..”
May 30th, 2015 at 3:31 pm
Game plan?
Sorry, just like Lovie Smith, I’ll believe the rookie player hype when I see it.
May 30th, 2015 at 11:26 pm
I like how the offensive line is shaping up so far and im really starting to see their plan in development take place. It seems that Pamphile and Smith are definitely going to be starters but the real question is do they put Donovan Smith at guard or tackle and do they try and trade Dotson for a draft pick if Pamphile continues to please and surprise coaches during the off season programs. Kareem Edwadrs and Ali Marpet are in interesting positions though because they will be the primary contenders to start at right guard and will be competing against each other during training camp. I think Edwards will win the job from Marpet seeing as Edwards has played guard longer than Marpet has but Marpet may be introduced to the center position if he doesn’t win the starting job but if he wins it then Edwards can continue to develop as a backup and get back healthy from his injury.
Running back position looks to be in great shape early and I think Dominique Brown is going to earn a roster spot moving mike James to the waiver wire and depending on how the special teams battle goes Rainey may be either traded or kept for depth in case of injury on special teams as Martin will clearly be the feature back this season with Sims taking over on third downs so there probably will four running backs on the depth chart again restoring Lovie’s philosophy of the running game with two fullbacks as well to enforce the power run game because the seventh rounder will make the team as well as Lane they are both powerful bruisers who will come in handy in November and December and the postseason.
May 31st, 2015 at 9:31 am
Depth charts are only useful going into preseason games so they can give reps to the guys who will be working together. Having our second rounders playing with the second teamers should have them outshining their competition pretty fast. I think that is why Lovie is not gifting them the starter spots.
He wants them to see the difference in ability between starters and second teamers. Then they will be ready to handle the other teams they will have to play against.