Upgrading To Zach Fulton
February 27th, 2018
Eight picks after the Bucs snatched Wyoming speedster receiver Robert Herron in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Kansas City picked an offensive lineman who should be on the Bucs’ radar now.
Twenty-six-year-old Zach Fulton has been a rock for the Chiefs. He’s missed just one game in four seasons and has started 46 games at both guard positions and at center combined — for a football team that’s won a lot more than it’s lost.
Think Kevin Pamphile’s versatility with more experience and talent.
Whatever you think of the Tampa Bay offensive line, they need to make a decision at left guard. The share game with Evan Smith and Pamphile last season was flat out goofy and not good enough. Both are pending free agents.
Joe’s already written about Pro Bowler Josh Sitton being a fit; he was ust released by the re-tooling Bears. But Fulton is younger and more versatile.
Many teams are in need of a quality guard/center this year, but there are many options on the free agent market.
Fulton will get paid. Sitton will get paid. Heck, Pamphile likely gets paid by someone. Heck, former Bucs starter Ted Larsen (remember him?) is still getting paid by Miami. Patrick Omameh, a starter with the Jaguars last year, is about to score a new deal.
Joe highly doubts the Bucs draft a left guard. So who’s it going to be, Mr. Licht?
February 27th, 2018 at 9:39 am
Fix the lines and everything will fall into place.
If we didn’t have to settle for FGs in the Red Zone so much we would have won several more games.
February 27th, 2018 at 9:54 am
They lost several games last season due to poor coaching
Fixing that problem, should have been their top priority
February 27th, 2018 at 9:58 am
The great start to the licht GMship….cannot wait until the next regime hopfeully it is more competent than the last 8 years
February 27th, 2018 at 10:02 am
Check THIS out Buc fans! Could you imagine if this mock draft at Bleacher Report actually went down like this?! It would be Buc Heaven. Some intriguing picks here.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2761191-nfl-mock-draft-best-bets-for-entire-first-round
Go Bucs!
February 27th, 2018 at 10:02 am
This talk is fine but what will the bucs really do!
February 27th, 2018 at 10:09 am
@BetterBuccinBelieveIt
Thats more like hell depending on who you ask.
February 27th, 2018 at 10:12 am
@poppems,
Well sure, there always needs to be one Debbie-Downer in each group.
February 27th, 2018 at 10:16 am
LakeLand Says:
February 27th, 2018 at 9:54 am
They lost several games last season due to poor coaching
Fixing that problem, should have been their top priority
^^BINGO^^
doesn’t matter who we get, as long as we continue to be predictable on offense and not aggressive on defense we’ll have the same results more or less….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
February 27th, 2018 at 10:28 am
it is frightening to see the players let go: Michael Bennett, Aquib Talib, Rasheen Melvin, Donald Penn, Mark Barron. It is also frightening to see who they signed for big contracts: Carl Nicks, Anthony Collins, Evan Smith, Chris Baker, etc. Last year they had four draft choices who did well, but never really addressed their biggest needs.
February 27th, 2018 at 10:37 am
stephen right on, OJ may be a great player but was he what the bucs needed? or did and do the bucs still need edge rushers and RBs, just like grabbing a kicke4r in round 2, we as fans have no clue what licht is doing and I am pretty sure he has no clue
February 27th, 2018 at 10:37 am
I welcome Zach Fulton to come on board.
In fact, I want to see a bunch of moves in FA.
FA OC/G
FA CB
FA RB
FA DL
That would alleviate stress in the first round.
Give me:
1st pick NT Vita Vea
2nd pick DE Sam Hubbard
3rd pick RB/DE/CB
February 27th, 2018 at 10:38 am
he will have much better options than the least desirable nfl location ran by the glazer losers. no good players will even consider tampa. you must accpet the glazers business model build from the scrap heap and leftovers and sprinkle in af ew injury prone gambles. just make sure they are soft, have not heart and keep their mouths shut while losing…
February 27th, 2018 at 10:48 am
Herron and Fulton were 6th round picks Joe – not 4th rd.
February 27th, 2018 at 10:54 am
I’m guessing Joe thinks Sweezy is a solid starting RG then?
February 27th, 2018 at 11:11 am
LC
Lol
February 27th, 2018 at 11:25 am
Walking Papers
• Kevin Pamphile
• Evan Smith
Release
• J.R. Sweezy
Sign
• (LG) Andrew Norwell
Draft
• (RG) Quenton Nelson
• (C/G) Frank Ragnow
• (T) Brandon Parker
Possible Projection
LT Donovan Smith | Leonard Wester
LG Andrew Norwell | Caleb Benenoch
C Ali Marpet | Joe Hawley
RG Quenton Nelson | Frank Ragnow
RT Demar Dotson | Brandon Parker
For once in our freakin’ 42yr history we’ll have a formidable offensive line.
U Can Plug & Play your back of choice – and get the desired results.
SideNote: The main reason Dallas once dominat offensive line took a step back.
Was the play of the interior. This upgrade has the potential to be the best in the league.
February 27th, 2018 at 11:28 am
LUVMYBUCS
love that scenario… nice moves. the bucs only concerns should be to protect Winston first and give him a mid pack defense second.
February 27th, 2018 at 11:33 am
This Draft is deep at
-Running Back
-Cornerback
-Defensive Tackle
That’s were I would focus my attention – outside of the 1st pick.
In Free Agency
-Guard
-Running Back
-Defensive Ends
-Cornerbacks
February 27th, 2018 at 11:34 am
LUV
would LUV that oline!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
February 27th, 2018 at 11:42 am
LMB-
How can we afford to draft 3 offensive linemen when we have desperate needs at DE and CB? Also need to draft a RB. We just don’t have the picks to do all of that.
February 27th, 2018 at 11:43 am
I think Marpet is a pro bowl guard and a decent center. Thry should move him back to guard. Sign the FA center from baltimore. Sweezy pamphile smith fight for playing time at LG.
February 27th, 2018 at 11:45 am
tmaxcon
Respect.
Still see some moves – that can upgrade the defense as well.
But I don’t believe we should force out hand.
Two – Young Capable Corners
One (or) Two – 2nd Tier Defense Lineman
One – Cap Casualty Defense Lineman
One – (Trade for) Struggling Young Defensive Lineman (2019 Conditional Picks)
There’s plenty of Cap Space on the Books for 2018,2019,2020.
Time to set the bar and go all in.
February 27th, 2018 at 11:45 am
@LUV
I love all of that except Ragnow. He’s going to cost a round 2 or 3 pick; and that’d mean we spent 2 of our top 3 picks on Offense and ignore defense yet again in terms of building anything with premium picks. It also seems a bit crazy to spend a 2nd or 3rd round pick on a backup interior lineman that will only see playing time due to an injury.
If we go Nelson R1 and sign Norwell I’m hoping we go Defense with 2 of the next 3 picks; with RB being the only offensive player I’d be ok with taking early
February 27th, 2018 at 11:46 am
I think there are a number of moves that would solidify that line. LUV, I might target a FA center, Ryan Jensen or Wesley Johnson then move Marpet back to RG.
Either way we need to START in the trenches.
February 27th, 2018 at 11:54 am
Nice LUV.
Agree w/ LC about Ragnow though. If we sign Norwell and draft Nelson – then Marpet obviously stays at Center (which I think is the correct move) and the Oline is more than fine for this year. We need a RB or DL player with that pick you would have us use on Ragnow given that scenario.
Evan Smith makes a perfectly fine swing back up Guard who can also play Center in a pinch and should be re-signed instead. We still have Hawley under contract as well if Marpet were to get hurt.
February 27th, 2018 at 11:56 am
Trade
DeSean Jackson for example to Cinny for struggling young wide-out Tyler Boyd + Later round Pick. Jackson would give them everything John Ross didn’t in 2017. Plus be a solid mentor for the kid.
We’ll free Up an additional $10MM in cap-space – and give us another pick.
Restructure (Convert Salaries to Signing Bonus – Spread over 3yrs)
–Gerald McCoy
–William Gholston
Release
–Robert Ayers
February 27th, 2018 at 11:59 am
To get them both, boss Buc.
February 27th, 2018 at 11:59 am
Ragnow’s an insurance policy – just in case you gotta let Marpet walk in 2019.
February 27th, 2018 at 12:01 pm
After this year – U can go ALL In On “QUALITY” Defensive Ends in the 2019 Draft & Free Agency.
February 27th, 2018 at 12:03 pm
I’m all about fixing the Oline in a big way LUV – but we are in no position to afford spending high draft picks on offensive “insurance policies” with so many DL and DB needs.
February 27th, 2018 at 12:07 pm
LC & Pickgrin – I respect your opinion brothas – and understand where your coming from. I just believe this course of action has some solid contingencies in place.
February 27th, 2018 at 12:10 pm
But since when on the subject – who would U guys draft in the 3rd round?
February 27th, 2018 at 12:13 pm
when/*we’re
February 27th, 2018 at 12:15 pm
No way to tell without knowing who we get in FA and who we draft in 1st and 2nd rd – not to mention who is left on the board.
I like Rashaad Penny in Rd 3 if we haven’t gotten a RB by then.
February 27th, 2018 at 12:17 pm
Pickgrin
stop worrying about the cap until this BS organization can field a winner for one season. the cap is not a concern … talent is… good teams can manage caps. steelers have been in cap hell for 10 years and have won 2 super bowls. bucs are the reason for a minimum salary cap so you are wasting time worrying about a cap issue. the team has not won in 16 years which is a much bigger concern than a cap which can easily be manipulated by professionals. now i understand having the most incompetent ownership in ALL of pro sports gives one legit concern they will screw cap up as well as the on field product.
February 27th, 2018 at 12:24 pm
The adults were talking…
February 27th, 2018 at 12:27 pm
^^^LMAO!
February 27th, 2018 at 12:31 pm
Pickgrin
please share what meds you are on. you act like this is an organization that routinely is competitive and is just down on it’s luck. optimism is one thing but your BS is scary unrealistic.
4-12 with cancer93 10-6 without the disease.
February 27th, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Get my name outcho mouth. I ain’t no billy goat…
February 27th, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Zach Fulton would be a possible upgrade.
Ben Says
“I think Marpet is a pro bowl guard and a decent center. Thry should move him back to guard. Sign the FA center from baltimore.”
Tampa fans tend to forget how much trouble we have had in finding good centers for the team. When you get one, you don’t just move him.
The team might do that, but I doubt it. Marpet is a decent center, yes…and he’s only played the position for one year. He played guard for his entire career before that. With time, Marpet will become a great center and this team’s center whoas will finally be far behind them.
Kevin may or may not remain the LG. But we do need an upgrade there to some extent. Re-sign him or move on to another player, I don’t care which. To be honest, I am more concerned with RT.
Demar Dotson has not had a healthy season in 4 years. I don’t know why people even talk about him as part of the offensive line. He;s a part time starter at this point.
And the injuries are only going to keep coming more and more, because he’ll turn 33 in October. There really is no point in keeping him unless its as a bridge player.
They can shave $4.6m off the cap by releasing him and moving on. Find a better, healthier right tackle in free agency. Get past these injury prone players.
February 27th, 2018 at 12:47 pm
Pickgrin
simple questions… defend you bs or keep your fingers off the keys… if all these crap players you defend and love are so good then why in the hell are the bucs the worst organization in football and permanent residents in the nfc south basement… you can’t ignore the facts or deny history… your version of bucs simply does not exist.
February 27th, 2018 at 1:46 pm
“defend you bs or keep your fingers off the keys”
LOL – that’s hilarious coming from you “cancer”max
Dude – the very fact that day in and day out you spew your nonsense here that Gerald McCoy is a cancer who keeps this team from winning with his very presence – um – that alone speaks volumes as to the credibility of any other “opinions” you might subject us to…
You are a miserable human being – obviously – never failing to accentuate the negative regardless of the subject matter.
You subject everyone on this board to utter nonsense constantly with this ridiculous McCoy obsession.
You are not a “fan” of the Buccaneers franchise. You don’t like this team at all. But you LOVE to hate on this team and a # of its best players in particular.
I imagine that if the Joe’s didn’t morosely appreciate the # of clicks and responses you generate with all your relentless trolling – you woulda coulda shoulda been banned just for being such a d!ck long ago…
February 27th, 2018 at 2:25 pm
Pickgrin
instead of talking about me why don’t you prove me wrong about these garbage players you tout year in and year out and yet they stay in the basement. I am a fan but I am not willing to accept failure as easy as you and cancer93.
February 27th, 2018 at 2:28 pm
what you call trolling is factual analysis. if the real world and facts are too much for you to handle maybe it’s time to change your meds.
February 27th, 2018 at 2:30 pm
it’s one thing to be optimistic it’s another thing to be so far in denial that being delusional is an acceptable happy medium.
February 27th, 2018 at 6:02 pm
Aside from being predictable on offense and horrible on defense this coaching staff couldn’t develop a cold outside of Mark Duffner and Coach Monken. Look at all the players THIS regime had that left and went on to have good careers once getting far away from this coaching staff. Rasheen Melvin, Patrick Omameh, Bradley Mcdougald just to name a few. Or the free agents that came here and digressed ,, such as Ghost Johnson, Seaggy Baker who were having career years with their former teams only to come here and fall flat. As @Lakeland said, we would be a much better team of we had a talented coaching staff and HC.
February 27th, 2018 at 6:11 pm
Glazers won’t allow Licht to spend money on multiple players, even if we have the most money in the NFC. They’ll spend big money on one FA, and then pay some average players average money. “We don’t have $17 million laying around.” That’s why we have so many holes and suck so badly. Not saying huge money for every FA out there, but you have to give good (don’t have to great) players what they deserve, especially lineman, and we don’t do that.
February 27th, 2018 at 11:20 pm
@Joe
..Fulton played center for much of the year last year as well, this is a great read as this guys should be a priority, can play either guard or center.
From the rags at PFF
846 snaps — 634 at center, 150 at left guard, 62 at right guard
12 pressures allowed — one hit, 11 hurries
Go get him Licht!!!!!!!!
February 28th, 2018 at 12:12 am
Sign Fulton to play center, move Ali back to RG , resign pamphile as our swing guy an sign Sitton or Norwelll or draft Nelson. And we will have the best oline behind the Cowboys in the league.
February 28th, 2018 at 12:20 pm
Sign some established Tackles this off-season.
February 28th, 2018 at 12:27 pm
Pamphile is ok so is the Smith boys but let Sweezy walk as well Dermar Dotson. Dermar Dotson sucks he is the most penalized lineman in the league. I say keep Marpet at center and move Dsmith to guard and Pamphile to right tackle. Evan Smith can be the new swing lineman and then sign a Left tackle in free agency instead of drafting one. The development of an offensive lineman at this point would hurt Winston even more. Wester and Beneoch are good too back up as well . That solves the offensive lineman problem if we can sign an established left tackle due to the development up front.