Enough Crying About The Offensive Line
August 28th, 2019
Matt Ryan, behind his fortified offensive line, was pummeled by the Jets. There’s mass panic in Tennessee about their O-line.
The Cowboys’ line is all over the injury report. The Browns’ front-5 was brutal against the Bucs. The Seahawks offensive line is in shambles with ineffectiveness and injuries, including veteran guard Mike Iupati, a guy many Bucs fans wanted to sign this offseason.
Joe, along with many former coaches and players in media, has been talking about the offensive line crisis in the NFL for years.
Did Bucs fans really think there wouldn’t be a few issues in Tampa?
Moan all you want about general manager Jason Licht not getting his money’s worth on the Bucs offensive line. He’s got four starters earning nearly $40 million this season and they were awful in Friday’s first half. It’s a fair criticism. But put the cost aside and really think about whether the O-line is really that bad when compared to its counterparts around the NFL. That’s the most important consideration.
At least this Bucs line has proven it can pass block for a team that led the NFL in passing with a freakin’ turnstile at right guard.
They’re also a rather durable bunch. And Ali Marpet and Donovan Smith were once-upon-a-time starters on the punishing rushing attack of the 2015 Bucs. Dotson played well that season, too, after he returned from a major knee injury.
Yes, there is a small divide at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters. One Joe and Sage columnist Ira Kaufman think the Bucs offensive line is a trouble spot and a potential weakness; the Joe typing here thinks the Bucs have far bigger concerns and likely won’t get into a bidding war for the veteran, second-rate offensive linemen that fall off rosters later this week.
The reality is — good or bad — Bucs officials were happy with the offensive line after two preseason games. And they’re likely too seasoned (stubborn?) to panic and not trust their coaches’ ability to coach up the guys already in place.
Lots of fans around the NFL are crying about their teams’ offensive lines — and many of those will cry all the way to the playoffs.
Derrick Brooks serves up his player perspective on the retirement of Andrew Luck. And there’s more on TAMPA TWO with Ira Kaufman, presented by Caldeco Air Conditioning & Heating, a JoeBucsFan and The Identity Tampa Bay production. Great stuff!
August 28th, 2019 at 5:09 pm
Biggest question will be how Leftwich and the man who couldn’t protect Andrew Luck adjust to the weakness of this line
Can’t trust the friends of Bruce to fix this while he’s semi retired
August 28th, 2019 at 5:11 pm
Even though I disagree you hit the nail joe “ once upon a time “ this is 2019
August 28th, 2019 at 5:14 pm
This is what happens when the enough doesnt allow hardly any contact in practices and training camp
August 28th, 2019 at 5:15 pm
Beat any passing pressure with better play calling. I.e. shorter passes ,screens,roll outs etc. and a little bit of running.
August 28th, 2019 at 5:16 pm
Good point Joe! I would like to see at least one real game before we hit panic button.
August 28th, 2019 at 5:18 pm
Death, taxes, and the Joes defending an overpaid, undertalented line. Because, durability.
August 28th, 2019 at 5:18 pm
Yeah ok but they suck.
August 28th, 2019 at 5:23 pm
The Bucs were at least smart enough to realize the BIGGEST problem was the defense and of course BA was in full agreement. You can complain all you want about the O line but it is/was a far second to revamping the defense. One thing at a time if you want things done right. There may still be a plan in place for another lineman we don’t know. I wish this team was a little better off before Arians but the issues that need to be addressed (besides weapons for Winston) are staggering.
August 28th, 2019 at 5:37 pm
We still have a turnstile a right guard, Crappa sucks out loud and Smith will continue go to sleep 4 plays a game like he always does.
August 28th, 2019 at 5:38 pm
We pass blocked very well last year and let’s face it…….sure we had a poor running game but what did we have invested in our RBs?
Almost zero…..zero money…..a UDFA as our featured back & a second round pick that wasn’t coached or wasn’t ready…..
Many other teams pay their top back millions….
Let’s see what happens….and I agree….you can adjust the playcalling and move the chains….
August 28th, 2019 at 5:42 pm
I really don’t care about those teams problems. I have my hands full being a Buc’s fan. At least those teams have been to the playoffs in the last decade. I’d trade our problems with almost any of those teams right now.
August 28th, 2019 at 6:06 pm
Screens, slants, quick passes all help tremendously in the passing game.
I’m concerned about the run blocking, as it has been abysmal since 2015 “once upon a time” as you say… Improved playcalling can definitely help, but these guys gotta start getting some better push.
If you can run the ball when your opponent knows you’re going to run, you will win a lot of football games.
August 28th, 2019 at 6:10 pm
That’s right we can stop crying about our OLine… there are plenty of other positions on this team that suck too.
August 28th, 2019 at 6:19 pm
Crying about the offensive line is the ready-made excuse for Jay-Miss Winston’s bad play.
August 28th, 2019 at 6:34 pm
College read option offense do NOT produce OL with the needed skills for the NFL. Bruce has already said any OL you draft is for the next coach as College OL need 3-5 years to develop into NFL starters.
August 28th, 2019 at 6:49 pm
Bragging about outclassing a bum isn’t much.
August 28th, 2019 at 7:04 pm
They are overpaid and underperforming. That’s not panic. That’s a fact.
August 28th, 2019 at 7:14 pm
There’s no crying in football.
August 28th, 2019 at 7:25 pm
I think if we had an above average OL we would EASILY win 10 games minimum this yr.
No running lanes and no time for JW3. Means turnovers for the opposition, putting extra weight on our D, and playing from behind more often than not.
August 28th, 2019 at 7:27 pm
I’ll stop crying when they start playing.
August 28th, 2019 at 7:33 pm
Welcome back, “other” @Joe.
I for one expect this year’s offensive line perform better than last year’s version. This with only the one change at RG in youngster Kappa.
I feel this for two reasons. First I do have faith we will have better coaching to go along with the scheme change. Second, because I believe in the potential of Alex Kappa.
He will have a rough go occasionally during this upcoming season. He will get his lumps. He will be caught by surprise from time to time by a wily veteran as happened in the game against the Browns. No doubt he had his eyes opened wide. He will be fine overall, though.
In Arians I trust.
August 28th, 2019 at 7:36 pm
They are durable cuz they don’t play hard enough.
August 28th, 2019 at 7:38 pm
Marpet is good as well as Jensen minus the stupid penalties. Here is what P!sses me off though. Dotson has been making around $4.5 Million which I feel falls in line with his age and ability at right tackle. Donovan Smith which they knew what they were getting got $27 Million Guaranteed and is making $14.5 Million in Salary the following two years. Everyone screamed how the Bucs need to sign Smith. I was in the camp of roll the dice and draft someone next year. You want to know why we are in Salary cap hell and we still suck? This is the perfect example. Treat average like a superstar and expect to win against real superstars.
August 28th, 2019 at 7:45 pm
This organization has been rewarding average for over a decade. Forcing us as fans to accept mediocrity and telling us they’re future hall of fame or ring of honor players when we ALL knew better. You know things have hit the absolute rock bottom when you have laughing turds dancing on the sideline while we are down by 21 points.
August 28th, 2019 at 7:51 pm
The best part I can take from this article(and it’s true) is that this is basically the same line as last year & they did a good job pass blocking. One half of a practice game of football does not erase all that.
We didn’t just luck into all of them passing yards last year. Our blocking up front did it’s job.
I hope they take that Browns game and performance personally and us it as fuel.
August 28th, 2019 at 8:03 pm
if we have more field goes than Winston’s turnovers we will not have a loosing season.
Cappa was left to deal with adversity on purpose last Friday. Good way to get experience.
We will deal with our o-line just fine.
Go Bucs!!!
August 28th, 2019 at 8:17 pm
Yes you are right sorry about the multiple rants.
August 28th, 2019 at 8:28 pm
All those teams mentioned have better OLines and running games. Did you really mention the Cowboys? Any RB could get 1000 behind those monsters. This has got to be one of the weakest arguments around.
August 28th, 2019 at 8:30 pm
Crying who is crying? That’s laughter you hear from us Bucs fans that expect nothing different from this OL…. same guys as last year same results.
August 28th, 2019 at 9:13 pm
It’s the same line as last year except for Cappa, and prior to last Friday the offense had played only 2 series. That’s why preseason is important.
I think they’ll be OK if Cappa isn’t total trash – and according to everything I’ve heard and read he’s been OK in camp. The Bucs don’t gameplan (I don’t think) for preseason games and Cleveland was sending a lot of pressure, so they could have simply not been prepared for whatever Cleveland was doing. This is, afterall, a totally new offense.
But Cappa… ugh. He looked completely lost out there. Hopefully it was just a learning deal and he’ll be fine, because right now, in game 2, the comic book loving softie McCoy is going to destroy this mean (GRRRR!!! MEAN GOOD!!! GRRRRR!!!!) booger eater.
August 28th, 2019 at 9:14 pm
Licht drafted a D2 & D3 player to protect a “franchise” qb let that settle in the ol medula oblongata
August 28th, 2019 at 9:15 pm
Dom>Licht …….Same line same results? That’s the point. I will take a top rated passing attack any day thank you very much……..Mix in that with a improved defense, improved FG kicking and less QB turnovers and we might got something this year.
And I’m talking 11-5 something baby!!!
But it gotta be same results mimimual. No repeats of that Browns mess.
GO BUCS!!!!
August 28th, 2019 at 9:15 pm
The Patriots just traded late draft picks for 2 offensive linemen. Maybe we can swing a deal with them. Someone like Cole Croston (I don’t know how good he is, but I’m sure he’s been well coached, at Iowa and the Pats).
August 28th, 2019 at 9:17 pm
Disthy…..So you now got a problem with Marpet? Do tell……Do tell.
August 28th, 2019 at 9:20 pm
Cappa is still new he hardly played as a rookie n it usually takes 3yrs for an olinemen (BA even said that) so how bout we hold off on the bist tag……oh wait i forgot many bucs fans r quick to call a newer player a bust un less he plays like a HOFer right off the rip. R Barber n lynch were probably bust after their first game too right SMMFH 🤦♂️🤷♂️
August 28th, 2019 at 9:28 pm
Rodney agreed but you words are futile to the kneejerkers.
My favorite part of the Browns game was watching MJ Stewart(our new starting nickle) give all the kneejerkers the proverbial middle finger with a great game!!
August 28th, 2019 at 10:27 pm
great o-line play is overrated………
so we give the worst gm in the league an extension. wow just wow
August 28th, 2019 at 10:34 pm
No Licht no Arians.
August 28th, 2019 at 11:14 pm
Wow Joe. You mean that the COST of convincing BA to coach the Bucs was that the Glazers extend Licht for 5 years? Doesn’t that pretty clearly imply that BA is now the REAL GM? Guess we shouldn’t pick on Jason for bad picks any longer if he’s just being a good lapdog.
August 29th, 2019 at 1:39 am
Texbucs,
It’s not that the read option scheme doesn’t produce quality linemen. There’s no flaw in the scheme that produces bad lineman. Nor can it be said that the read option as a scheme cant translate into the pro game.
It’s not as simple as you state.
There’s a few basic reasons that can be applied across the various college teams that are read option, but then it’s about the program or programs, and not to mention the ncaa itself has been a big contributing factor.
On the flip side, BA is an NFL coach. He’s not creative or trend setting. He represents the old guard. It’s to be expected that an old timer like him will have problems with portions of the current game. Line play may, I don’t believe we’ve seen enough yet, be a thing he struggles with in regards to integrating a rookie into his offensive scheme. Hope not, but it’s looking like it.
Btw, He’s not alone as many proven nfl coaches feel the same way as ba. Does that being, college of line play sucks.