Bucs GM Is Uplifted By Justin Skule
October 7th, 2024
“Hey Ira, how bout you and the boys leave the O-line evaluation to the professionals. I don’t tell you how to conjugate a verb or eat a donut.”
So Week 2 punching bag right tackle Justin Skule is no longer a guy Bucs fans are screaming about or wishing to be traded to a future Bucs opponent.
Before Skule took the field as a starter for injured Luke Goedeke in Week 2, Joe loudly warned of a looming disaster. Joe didn’t think Skule looked the part in training camp, and he didn’t do anything in preseason to change Joe’s mind.
Joe saw a right tackle that was about to get smoked. That’s what happened. However, Skule, like any quality player would, has adjusted and adapted. He’s become serviceable. It’s a great credit to him.
Some players would wilt. Skule didn’t. And it seems he’s appreciated by Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht.
“It takes some time for those guys to jell, and I was really happy to see Skule step up and have a good game [against the Eagles],” Licht told the Buccaneers Radio Network prior to Thursday’s groin-stomp loss to the Falcons.
“It just takes some time sometimes for these guys to play well together, and they’re starting to do that.”
Licht was quite a prognosticator as it relates to Thursday night. The Bucs’ offensive line had few troubles with the Falcons and Tampa Bay scored 24 points in the first half. And for the second consecutive week, the Bucs scored a touchdown on their opening possession.
The Bucs’ run game ranks 11th in the NFL in yards per carry — with Skule playing full-time. And the passing game is growing in its efficiency.
While Joe can’t wait for Goedeke to get back on the field, Skule has progressed on the right edge of the O-line and is to be commended.
Now if only the Bucs could get their edge pass rushers to improve at the rate of Skule.
October 7th, 2024 at 5:04 pm
Bucs edge rush will immediately improve the moment Kancey can play next to VV. Goedeke return is most welcome .
October 7th, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Not really an indicator of success since the Falcons are terrible at rushing the QB yet the coaches decided not to throw the ball. Baker got hurt when he was sacked on a 3 man rush. They’re DT mauled the first round draft pick Barton. If we are talking about Skule gelling with the starting lineup what does that mean for Goedeke?
October 7th, 2024 at 5:34 pm
Their*
October 7th, 2024 at 6:04 pm
Justin is the man, we can’t depend on Luke
October 7th, 2024 at 6:14 pm
Let’s see if he can play defense and cover a receiver..
October 7th, 2024 at 6:34 pm
Is Licht foreshadowing something?
October 7th, 2024 at 6:40 pm
I’ll gladly eat crow if Skule and Mauch turn into serviceable pros by year’s end. Jury is still out and way too early to be patting themselves on the back. Coen altered the scheme to account for some of the deficiency. Let’s see how they fare against the next good defensive front or two. I hope they prove themselves. Go Bucs!
And Todd needs to let Coen cook.
October 7th, 2024 at 7:41 pm
Yes, Skule was overmatched against Hutchinson in the Detroit game. After the second or third sack why didn’t the coaches put in a running back to help him out?
October 7th, 2024 at 8:01 pm
Looks like we’re drafting all defense this year
October 7th, 2024 at 8:06 pm
I could probably record a sack against Skule. Any of the fans probably could, too!
October 7th, 2024 at 8:25 pm
Dereck carr is an idiot lol why would he just throw it up like that
October 7th, 2024 at 9:01 pm
Sucke has not improved, they’ve changed the offense to get rid of the ball quick because he sucks so badly. There is no way Licht doesn’t know that, and he’s being completely dishonest here with this nonsense answer. The guy gave up another sack vs the Falcons and had a big holding penalty, and Mayfield ran out of other sacks where he blew the block. Give me a break. Not doing anything about this, or Britt, while worrying about the punter, is one of the most baffling things I’ve seen from Licht since he’s been here. They have the cap space to make a move, and yet they do nothing. Is he not sold on the team actually competing this year and doesn’t want to even give away a future 7th to vastly improve the roster? I don’t get it.
October 7th, 2024 at 9:30 pm
If Todd Bowles had coached the Kansas City Chiefs instead of Andy Reid, would Patrick Mahomes’ career have taken a different turn. Would Alex Smith still be the Chiefs qb?? Bowles, known for his defensive strategies that dont seem to work anymore, lacks Reid’s offensive creativity.
Hoping he can get the defense turned around at least and to me personally Skule has been protected by the scheme these last 2 weeks.
But moving on Reid’s innovative play-calling as your seeing tonight, has been essential in maximizing Mahomes’ talents, allowing him to thrive. In contrast, Bowles’ conservative approach could have stifled Mahomes I beleieve, limiting his development and playmaking ability. Running up the gut 1st and second down.
Ultimately, Bowles’ focus on defense might have overshadowed the need for an explosive offense, potentially hindering Mahomes’ rise to stardom even. Without Reid’s influence, Mahomes may not have become the superstar he is today. Is he doing the same with Baker Mayfield?? Was Baker given a fair shake in Cleveland? We see how bad Carolina is… So is he holding back the offense???
AKA code turtle as joes calling it???
This is completely for fun do not take this too seriously. But could he have hindered even Patrick Mahomes? Dan Reeves did with Elway…
October 7th, 2024 at 10:50 pm
Aidan Hutchinson. 4.5 sacks. Looked like Skule was standing in concrete against Hutchinson. I still don’t think he’d be ready for a rematch.
October 7th, 2024 at 11:31 pm
rod is right ^^^^^^
the team has adapted to the “skule issue”…not the other way around…
and the high praise from licht makes me more concerned about goedeke’s return and his head issue…
seem like a spin because luke is not in good shape…
but yeah, hopefully he’s back next sunday and i’m all wrong here
October 7th, 2024 at 11:35 pm
carr injured oblique – called it a night early…
i don’t even know who the backup is over there since jameis is gone
October 7th, 2024 at 11:57 pm
Licht crowed about how well Stinnie was doing last year. Where is he now?
As My Momma said when Goedeke started at left guard and Hainsey at center: It was clear malfeasance on Lichts part to not be prepared during Brady’s last year. And now we have “Dachshund arms” Bredesen, and Mauch who plays like a turnstile.
And “Logan the Oaf” who destroyed Jenson’s knee, and JTS who isn’t smart enough to get around a right nor left tackle when he’s gotta clear path to the QB.
“Ring of Honor” GM, Licht? Really Joe? It’s clear Licht can only “buy” a pass rusher in JPP, or trade for one in Shaq, or buy a center in Jensen, waste picks on kickers, nor draft a QB, drafts a lazy left tackle in Smith (who only played well when Brady lit a fire under his backside). He can’t draft worth a lick.
October 8th, 2024 at 2:10 am
“It takes some time for those guys to jell…”
It’s spelled ‘gel’. 😉
October 8th, 2024 at 4:56 am
My Momma, have you ever heard of any of these guys?
Evans, Godwin, Marpet, Cappa, Wirfs, Goedeke, Vea, Winfield Jr.
All drafted by JL.
Every team is a mixture of drafted players, FAs, UFAs and players from trades. How you get them doesn’t matter. Getting quality players who play together is what matters.
October 8th, 2024 at 7:58 am
BucsGuy
AMEN!!!
October 8th, 2024 at 9:13 am
I’m sorry Jason but Skule sucks. He will continue to get “Smoked” as Joe says, because he moves like he has 20 pound weights on each ankle. He consistently needs help in the form of Mauch, a TE, or a RB. He has made Mauch look really bad because of it BTW. Hard for an O line to ever “jell” when they are having to cover for a guy. Not to mention how that hurts the play calling.
Go Bucs!
October 8th, 2024 at 9:45 am
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile. Evans, Wirfs and Vea were no brainers, and I give him credit for Godwin, Winfield and Marpet, but Cappa was average, Goedeke is average. And yes, he’s found some gems, but if you compare Lichts drafts to the Steelers, who over the years have consistently put a winner on the field, he’s average, and doesn’t deserve to be called a “Ring of Honor” GM.
October 8th, 2024 at 9:46 am
Rich Mc Kay was a far better GM.
October 8th, 2024 at 9:53 am
Rich McKay drafted Hall of Famers, Pro Bowl players
October 8th, 2024 at 12:19 pm
Unfortunately Joe the games are 60 minutes long and the offensive line was trashed in the second half.
As far a Skule is concerned against the Eagles ,he wasn’t facing an elite pass rusher.
Same with the Falcons who were ranked low as far as qb pressures and sacks.
In fact Liam Coen may have decided to run at the end of the game rather than throw it in fear of the rush getting to Baker.
One other point though,and with all due respect to Rachaad White
He is Not an every down back.Hes great in the passing game but spends too much time behind the line of scrimmage.
I’ve seen enough of tip toe and a one yard cloud of dust.Prove me wrong.
October 8th, 2024 at 1:09 pm
Obviously he got destroyed by Hutchinson but he’s a backup right tackle. I’m sorry but if you expected otherwise you don’t know ball.
Most guys are going to struggle against a guy like him. Since then Skule has improved each week. That’s as good as anyone can hope for in a back up offensive lineman.
Draft and development. That’s how you build a franchise going for its fourth consecutive divisional title