About That Offensive Line
June 16th, 2024
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
Joe has already pointed out a key unknown with the Bucs in the middle of June is how their offense will come along under new coordinator Liam Coen.
A team adjusting to a new offense and a new offensive coordinator is always a big mystery when it comes to how long it will take to click and hum.
For example, last year after the Bucs blew out the Packers in Green Bay 34-20, that was Week 15. In the middle of December. After the game in the Bucs’ locker room, Joe was chatting with Mike Evans and Evans told Joe his teammates were still learning then-offensive coordinator Dave Canales’ offense.
Like Coen this year, last year was Canales’ first in Tampa.
Now when you think of the Bucs’ offense, the stars come to mind. There’s Evans, of course, and Chris Godwin and at least in the passing game, throw Rachaad White in there. And of course, you always think of the quarterback. At least Baker Mayfield has played for Coen before.
What goes often overlooked is the offensive line. Last week during mandatory minicamp, Bucs right tackle Luke Goedeke, while he thought the line during underwear football was fine, it must be better.
“Eons away from where we need to be,” Goedeke said of the offense. Real talk.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles discussed how important it is for the offensive line to progress.
“Between the new guys and the new system, [there’s] a lot of chemistry that has to go on there,” Bowles said. “I think Bucs offensive line coach] ‘Carbs’ [Kevin Carberry) and [assistant offensive line coach Brian] Picucci are doing a great job of getting those guys prepared and working with each other.
“You really see the talent once the pads come on – you can’t tell too much in t-shirts and shorts, but they’re working well together right now.”
So while the offense as a whole is learning, the offensive line has to get up to speed just as quick and maybe quicker than everyone else.
It seems the Bucs are well aware of that, both coaches and the big uglies.
June 16th, 2024 at 8:07 am
Our OL should be stacked at this point. No excuses except on coaching.
June 16th, 2024 at 8:25 am
Any reason I can’t post?
June 16th, 2024 at 8:25 am
Valid points and concerns of mine as well. How long will it take for everyone to come together under the new scheme, execute, click, etc? I think fans underestimate those challenges of integrating offensive/defensive schemes with new players, their strengths, not to mention shaking off the old schemes from the previous regime. That’s why the cardinal rule for new head coaches, new offenses/defenses is around 2/3 years. Takes a moment to establish foundations and schemes. We’re too fickle and quick as fanbases to have patients for this level of development that is required, simply because sometimes coaches simply get lucky from day 1, i.e. DeMeco Ryans, and with a rookie QB no less. Lets see if he has a sophomore slump after an unbelievable turnaround last season as first year head coach.
Side note: When Bruce Arians came here, I remember reading that its not until year 2 where a QB starts to thrive in his scheme, you can see that first hand in his first season with Carson Palmer to the second, where Palmer had his re-birth, but the year before as I recall wasn’t easy. Actually, that’s why when Brady came here, I was looking ahead to 2021 vs 2020, because of whatever complexity that Arians had built in his scheme it seemed to iron out better by year 2. Yet, the stars aligned, that team was loaded with future hall of famers, we stayed healthy and we had arguably the greatest QB of all-time, who didn’t take a full season to truly pick up the offense, but 2/3 of the season. Btw, wasn’t totally off, as 2021 we lost all of (4) games. If not for an injury to Wirfs, and AB walking off the field, it’s hard not to think we don’t win another Super Bowl.
Back to Coen, my optimism tells me that this guy knows EXACTLY what he wants to do in this offense, and not just a general idea, or scheme. He’s polished in this format and has actually run these plays with inexperience, youth, but also at the pro level. Given he’s worked at the college ranks, with success I image one of the traits you develop quickly with young men coming from High School is how to teach and/or educate. Fundamentally, he’ll know how to integrate this scheme with guys that we’re hoping are a bit more advanced.
June 16th, 2024 at 8:26 am
My optimism tells me that this guy knows EXACTLY what he wants to do in this offense, and not just a general idea, or scheme. He’s polished in this format and has actually run these plays with inexperience, youth, but also at the pro level. Given he’s worked at the college ranks, with success I image one of the traits you develop quickly with young men coming from High School is how to teach and/or educate. Fundamentally, he’ll know how to integrate this scheme with guys that we’re hoping are a bit more advanced.
June 16th, 2024 at 8:38 am
Matadors-R-Us was last year’s interior. Hopefully new players, new coaching, and Mayfield with a lot of latitude keeps us from having the worst running game in the NFL for the third year in a row. Especially when the head coach favors 1967 style offense.
June 16th, 2024 at 9:32 am
Left guard will be interesting. Bredeson seems to have the lead, but it’s too early to tell. The scrimmages with the Dolphins and Jags will give us a good idea. I hope Cars and Pic settle on the LG well before opening day so the line can build cohesion.
June 16th, 2024 at 9:41 am
It’s always about the trenches: who moves who backwards.
June 16th, 2024 at 9:52 am
Love the new layout/look Joe! It’s a vast improvement customer service wise not to have to click in for ‘more’ just to get nailed w a pop up! The masses rejoice!
June 16th, 2024 at 10:10 am
None of our guards were even in the top 32. We are also going with the same method of starting an unwanted backup again. Chances are the line is still a work in progress.
June 16th, 2024 at 10:46 am
Dave pear go be a saints fan
June 16th, 2024 at 10:49 am
Loving what Bowles has been saying. He sees the talent, and cannot wait to see the pads come on. We can’t wait either. Go Bucs!
June 16th, 2024 at 10:54 am
The best center (Corey Linsley) in the NFL is a free agent . Put Barton at left guard and Linsley at Center . Instant top 5 O-line .
June 16th, 2024 at 10:59 am
Agree with Jude. Todd is evolving, the arrows are pointing up as far as necessary change for improvement. But it’s all moot until the lads come on and stuff goes live in the scrimmages. Just keep The Oaf away from Wirfs and Barton.
June 16th, 2024 at 11:36 am
It’s new for everybody on offense, even Baker. Yeah he threw some passes that Coen called while they were together in LA, but that was not Coen’s offense. It was McVay’s offense being called by Coen.
Fix the run game and hope Baker doesn’t turn it over too much. If we can get that much, we can do alright. I’m still not convinced this division will be good this year.
June 16th, 2024 at 11:40 am
Corey Lindsey will be 33 years old next month and has a heart condition ???
June 16th, 2024 at 12:01 pm
As far as I could see on the TV screen none of the IOL ever really moved anybody on the line of scrimmage. I did notice Hainsey and Mauch make a few blocks further down field, though. This year we have Barton and a bulked up Mauch. I don’t know much about those two guys we signed from the NFCE. I’ve been told one of them is a good run blocker, but I forget which one. The way Joe described that Klein kid poppin’ the blocking sleds has me intrigued. The draft gurus tell me he an excellent run blocker. Lots to watch for.
June 16th, 2024 at 12:12 pm
Who is the 2nd guard?
June 16th, 2024 at 1:50 pm
Lindsey missed 14 games last year with a heart issue and retired
June 16th, 2024 at 5:07 pm
Being “old school” I still don’t go back to the Knute Rockne era. I do know that both offensive and defensive schemes are ever changing. The fundamentals remain, though. Sometimes the old becomes new again with a few new wrinkles.
It remains to be seen if Bowles is ahead of the curve or behind it.
Go Bucs!!!
June 16th, 2024 at 10:55 pm
Good stuff Joe!
It all starts with the fat guys and our new O line coaches have yet to prove anything. So get to work boys!
Go Bucs!