O-Line Love And Baloney At One Buc
October 27th, 2017
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken talks O-line
Buccaneers offensive coordinator Todd Monken stood before media yesterday and was his usual candid self.
Monken isn’t often enlightening, but he does call it rather straight.
Asked about the Bucs’ offensive line play to date, Monken went in various directions. Here’s the Buccaneers media relations transcription:
“I feel like that they’ve played well. From a protection standpoint, with as much as we are throwing it, I think Jameis [Winston] has stood upright pretty well for a guy that is good at scrambling and making plays and those things. I think that’s been pretty good.
“Yeah, there’s going to be some breakdowns. Then you look and say, ‘How could we run the ball better? How could we do a better job of finding ways to run the ball?’ Getting Doug [Martin] is a part of that. We need to get a few more explosive plays, which will help that. I think they’ve played well.
“I say that also, Ali [Marpet] is still only six games into center. There is an adjustment there that comes. [J.R.] Sweezy is new and had a whole year off. That’s a part of it that you’re still working through that will continue to improve. Then you’ve got a new tight end that’s a rookie that’s part of it. You’re using him in the run game and he is only going to get better.
“And sure, if you ask Tim [Spencer] I’m sure that he would say we need more of our running backs. We need more to make something out of nothing, push the pile. If you said it out of every position, we need to block better on the perimeter to get explosive plays. It’s all of us. We’ve got to game plan it better. That’s all part of what we do – figuring out the puzzle and keep moving forward as an offense.”
Joe agrees with Monken that the offensive line is playing well. Bucs running backs have left too much yardage on the field and they lack explosiveness. Also, hits and sacks on America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, are down, and Bucs QBs have had enough time to lead the NFL in passing yards per game.
But Joe will not tolerate this baloney any longer of the alleged importance of continuity on the offensive line under this regime. If that were the case, then Evan Smith and Kevin Pamphile wouldn’t be splitting snaps at left guard, and Ali Marpet would still be at right guard.
October 27th, 2017 at 12:40 pm
I disagree joe. Both Evan and Pamphile have rapport playing with this oline. Way different than a bunch of players first time with each other
October 27th, 2017 at 12:45 pm
I think continuity might be overblown, but i think building rapport with the other player and understanding their tendencies is very important. In this case, they are all very familiar with each others playing styles
October 27th, 2017 at 12:56 pm
Of course the O-Line is going to be playing good. They go up against the “BEST” DT in the game every day in practice. What a luxury that guy is I tell you. I want Gummy Bears on my ice cream please.
October 27th, 2017 at 1:12 pm
The OL is NOT the problem. In fact despite their slow start and the time it’s taken for DK and #3 to finally start using OJ and DJAX I think we’re well on the way offensively. Obviously OJ’s great game and Brate’s continued excellent play give us the best TE tandem in the league. And recently it seems as if DK and #3 and DJAX are getting it. Those 5 yard completions to DJAX with 10 yards of YAC are 15 yard explosive plays. #3 doesn’t have to throw it over the defensive backfield to DJAX for a bomb to get a big play. Put the ball in the right spot and catch DJAX on the run and his speed can make a big play.
The offense is getting better!!! As for the D….gotta love our LB’s….after that I do not know. Just means a different tune in next year’s off season. Instead of #weaponsforJameis it’s now #weaponsforSmitty.
Would we really be peoed at this point if Licht drafted three straight DE’s…I wouldn’t…I just want them to fix that ONE problem. I realize we have some desperate needs in our defensive backfield but given the history of the Bucs let’s just get a freaking DE who can play in the NFL. I wouldn’t care if our first four draft picks were DE’s….could we just find SOMEBODY….ANYBODY who could hold down the fort for us at DE? How long must we suffer?
October 27th, 2017 at 1:43 pm
Oj had a terrible day run blocking…
October 27th, 2017 at 1:58 pm
You could argue the Dot is one of the best RTs this season. Looks to be in pro bowl form like he was a couple years ago
October 27th, 2017 at 2:00 pm
The RB screens worked great at the beginning of the game…slows down the downhill pass rush…needs some more of that
“The first time I see our so-called offensive coordinator Todd Monken with the playsheet in his hands during the game, will be the first time I see Todd Monten with a playsheet in his hand during the game”
Kobe Faker
October 27th, 2017 at 2:22 pm
Agreed Kobe. Our best running plays happen when our Lineman get a chance to get downfield IMO.
What I can’t understand is why we start off many games one dimensional with a downfield
pass attack. For one, Winston seems to be cold and off rhythm at the start and this plays just don’t work……..Secondly, our line has good ability in run blocking and just aren’t being used. No game comes to my mind more the New England because Martin was gashing them yet play calling ignored him and it was a 1 score game all 1st half.
Im still bent up about that game and blame Dirk for call in one of the worst games I can remember…….More sickening is that was the one time our defense played really well and Dirk allowed them to be a basic unearned win.
October 27th, 2017 at 3:37 pm
@StPete … “As for the D….gotta love our LB’s.” I would’ve agreed with you StPete, right up until these last 2 games. Not sure what it was, but looked to me like the LB play AS A UNIT dropped off somewhat from previous games. Not sure whether it was a change in defensive scheme or the change in responsibilities now that Kwon’s back in there, but ‘something’ just didn’t look right. LBs missed a LOT of tackles IMO, and I saw what seemed like some rather strange coverages (saw I think it was Beckwith trying to cover a receiver very deep down the field … and not doing a very good job of it … fortunately the receiver missed what could easily have been a TD). Of course, when nothing’s clicking then hey, nothing’s clicking.
October 27th, 2017 at 5:44 pm
this offense is definitely still finding itself. for all the talent there are still several guys finding rhythm and roles. Monken was dead on singling out marpet and sweezy on the OL, two guys who need to get comfortable after spending prior seasons doing completely different things. DJax and Howard are finally integrating also. the buffalo game was extremely promising in that regard, i think we are close to being one of the toughest offenses in the league to defend. still need much more from the run game and in the red zone if we are going to overcome this defense
October 27th, 2017 at 8:15 pm
Yea, imo, LG is a much bigger issue than LT. Sure Smith might not be great, but come on. How many teams have 2 guys splitting snaps at one of the main OL spots? Its not like they’re rotating as an extra OL.
October 28th, 2017 at 4:32 am
All I know is that this weeks games will have everyone saying the whole team is screwed up. It ain’t gonna be pretty.
Unless things suddenly improve with the young guys at CB.