Rotation = Holes
February 28th, 2018
Slipped big time.
So last year the Bucs rotated Kevin Pamphile and Evan Smith at left guard. Dirk Koetter has always said since he took over as the Bucs head coach that he wanted the best five offensive linemen, regardless of position, to be on the field.
Well, last year the Bucs, in theory, had six “best” offensive lineman.
In 2016, Bucs guard Kevin Pamphile graded out as the best offensive lineman on the team through the first half of the season. In 2017, he couldn’t win a starting spot.
The job was Pamphile’s to take, Koetter said late this morning in a private chat with Joe and Bucs beat reporters. But for whatever reason, Pamphile didn’t grab the proverbial bull by the balls, which led to a rotation at left guard with Smith.
“This is a this-year league, not a last-year league,” Koetter said. “It doesn’t mean we don’t like Kevin. He has worked for everything he’s got. He has earned the right to be an unrestricted free agent.
“Kevin’s versatility is still one of his biggest strengths. But he didn’t have quite as good of a year in 2017 as he did in 2016. That doesn’t mean we don’t want him back. But right now, we are not in control of that.”
That didn’t sound to Joe like a ringing endorsement.
Koetter did not qualify his words to suggest Pamphile was limited due to any injury or there was something off-field that may have had his attention and affected his play.
With the Bucs not exactly doing cartwheels for Pamphile in public, and J.R. Sweezy still hurt, all of a sudden it sure smells like the Bucs are drafting a guard at No. 7.
And Groundhog’s Day will continue
As for rotations, the conversation with Koetter turned to the rotation at safety. There again, Koetter suggested a safety — you pick, T.J. Ward, Chris Conte, Keith Tandy — didn’t grab the bull by the balls and demonstrate they belonged on the field full-time.
So, add safety to the needs of the Bucs, which now includes running back, defensive end, corner, guard, defensive tackle, backup quarterback and Joe would assume dozens of beer vendors at the Den of Depression to help Bucs fans nurse their pain.
February 28th, 2018 at 1:33 pm
This team has too many holes to fill for this upcoming draft/ freee agency, bucs are screwed for another 2 years unless there is perfect execution by the glazers/licht. We wouldn’t be in this position if licht hadn’t signed Sweezy
February 28th, 2018 at 1:36 pm
Some of us have been yelllng about guard play all season long.
February 28th, 2018 at 1:37 pm
Oh hey, the Jets released Muhammad Wilkerson. Bucs should go after him
February 28th, 2018 at 1:41 pm
The bucs will go after wilkerson. At least they should. Anyone who has ever been able to get the qb should be brought in. Pickins are slim. Now will wilkerson wana come here is the question. Im not a huge fan but at this point you have to take chances. Desperation time. Pony up licht
February 28th, 2018 at 1:44 pm
That’s why solid depth is so important in the NFL.
February 28th, 2018 at 1:44 pm
Jet’s released DE Muhammad Wilkerson.
February 28th, 2018 at 1:49 pm
The only downside to Muhammad Wilkerson is he was injured last year, and to release him now, the Jets must have a reason. It could be a cap issue…I think he was due $17m this year. But his dead cap hit is $9m for 2018.
Honestly, now that I think about it, does anyone else think the Muhammad Wilkerson release smells like when the Bucs releases Michael Bennett? Bennett had an injury, and the Bucs did not feel paying him was worth the risk.
We could strike gold with Muhammad Wilkerson.
February 28th, 2018 at 1:55 pm
Why I have been saying Davenport in the first, he is going to put on a show this week in Indy TRUST ME, and Hernandez in the second kid is an absolute beast at the G position. We need to dump Sweezy if he is not fully healthy, sign a solid LG in FA, sign or draft a large bruising RB and with a younger, healthier, more talented interior Oline plus a larger RB our redzone issues will be corrected for the most part.
February 28th, 2018 at 2:02 pm
Joe, you left out CBs … we need 2 starting CBs. And kicker … we could use a starting place kicker. And Center … we need a starting Center so we can move Marpet back to RG. Absolutely concur with adding more beer vendors.
And Bonzai, Wilkerson has a LOT of baggage, but he has a LOT of T-A-L-E-N-T too. His production has fallen quite a bit these last couple of years, but that might be on the Jets as much as it is on him. Worth the gamble IMO. Sign Wilkerson, re-sign McDonald, draft a beastly DT someplace in the top 3 rounds and voila … our interior DLine becomes a force to be reckoned with.
February 28th, 2018 at 2:04 pm
We all might have different ideas on what and how to fix this team but it looks like everyone agrees Oline and Dline need fixing. Hopefully our coach and GM see this as well. My season tickets are riding on what they do in FA and the draft.
February 28th, 2018 at 2:26 pm
For the thousandth time Marpet is not going back to guard.
February 28th, 2018 at 2:52 pm
the entire roster and organization is a Black Hole… no hope and the place where free agents and coaches come to regress.
February 28th, 2018 at 2:55 pm
So Joe – you just now figured out that we need 2 new Guards and a better safety to pair with J. Evans??? I thought that was obvious.
That only brings our upgrade needs to 2 Guards, 1 RB, 2 DEs, 1 DT, 2 CBs and 1 Safety. How many draft picks do we get again?
February 28th, 2018 at 2:59 pm
Ready the Jet Glazers – Sign Muhammad Wilkerson (Age:28)
February 28th, 2018 at 3:04 pm
Marcell Dareus had waay more baggage then Wilkerson.
Yet it didn’t stop the Jags from stockpiling defensive line talent.
February 28th, 2018 at 3:21 pm
Defense Rules Says:
“And Bonzai, Wilkerson has a LOT of baggage, but he has a LOT of T-A-L-E-N-T too.”
I admit my memory is not what it used to be…but way back when we first got Simeon, wasn’t he known to have some sort of baggage or locker room issue?
I realize he didn’t once he got here, but I think I remember something like that. I think.
February 28th, 2018 at 3:26 pm
SIGN BIG MO!!!!!!!!!
we have too many nice guys on this team…..get a few a-holes/bad a$$es in here to weed out the fake and phony…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!…..GO BUCS!!!!
February 28th, 2018 at 3:30 pm
I hope Joes right that we are going G #7. He’s second only to Chubb on my big board.
Wouldn’t mind Burkley either. IMO drafting G,RB 1-2(maybe 3 for RB depending who they like)is the best approach. It should get our running game going and we will then have two phases of this team ready. Pass and rush attack.
CB appears to be strong this draft too. If they can identify somebody they can count on to give us some snaps that might be the way to go if we can add some quality competition and resign Grimes or another solid player.
Getting creative to fix the Dline is where Licht is going to have to show us fans how he can build this team outside the draft. If he decides Chubb is that guy and makes a move for him I’m cool with that. But he will know that if it doesn’t payout this year it may cost him his job.
February 28th, 2018 at 5:19 pm
I’m not going to repeat all I usually say once again. But it’s O-B-V-I-O-U-S what the Bucs must do this offseason.
FIX THE TRENCHES, FIX THE BUCS!!
February 28th, 2018 at 6:03 pm
The draft should come BEFORE free agency imho … it seems like a no-brainer