Props To The Offensive Line
November 23rd, 2011
OK, time for a sappy, yet true, Thanksgiving post.
Yesterday while browsing the Interwebs, Joe came across a post on Buccaneers.com about how the offensive line gathered together to help needy families for Thanksgiving, helping distribute Thanksgiving meals to those who many not have a Thanksgiving meal sans Ramen noodles, hot dogs or perhaps mac and cheese.
It just seems like this unit is the best of the Bucs, both personally and professionally.
Joe knows for a fact Davin Joseph has donated thousands of dollars to Blake High School in Tampa to help the school’s athletic program.
If that isn’t helping the community, Joe doesn’t know what is.
A couple of weeks ago Joe got to talk to Joseph about the offensive line. No one needs to be reminded of the Bucs’ losing streak and you can see the pain in the body language and the way the offensive linemen speak about how bothered they are.
You could point to players recently who were loafing, but those players do not play on the offensive line.
“We have a strong unit and we have played together for a very long time, long for the NFL,” Joseph said after the Houston loss. “Obviously we are not doing enough to get wins and to get the big plays so we have to get better.”
Most offensive linemen get off on run blocking especially when the guy toting the rock is breaking off chunks of yards. Joseph admitted how much he loves to run block but quickly pointed out his responsibility to block, no matter the play.
“We don’t call the plays,” Joseph said. “What plays are called it is our job to block better. Whatever we can do to help our team, that’s what we have to do. If it’s a pass, I’m with it. We have guys who can pass protect very well.
“We can pass rush, we can run block. Whatever we can do to help the team win we will do.”
Joseph is playing at a Pro Bowl level this season. Donald Penn is simply locking up anyone who plays right defensive end. Jeff Faine has been healthy for the most part and doing solid work. Jeremy Zuttah is really becoming a force at left guard.
Mired in this losing streak there is one unit that the Bucs can brag is strong, both off the field and on the field.
That’s the offensive line.
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Davin Joseph is the best player on this team right now. By a mile.
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:54 pm
How can a man with such a warm and engaging smile, be an an absolute blocking beast on the field – especially when blocking down field. He is the epitome of the word “RoadGrader”!
November 23rd, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Why do some people think our line is so good and some people say the complete opposite? Personally, I agree that Penn, Joseph, and Zuttah have played VERY well, but still, I don’t get the thoughts of some others sometimes.
November 23rd, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Did you see that hit Davin put on the Green Bay player trying to tackle Bount on that long run. He totally pasted him.
November 23rd, 2011 at 5:57 pm
It is undeniable that this O Line is playing great, two weeks ago they were #1 in the NFL in sacks allowed – and we know what they can do in the run game.
Consider this: not one of those players is a rah/Dom era acquisition or draft pick.
Yet: our entire D Line was formed through Rah/Dom draft picks and that is statistically the worst d line unit in the NFL when you consider a combination of pressure stats and rushing stats. Yes, we have improved some since inserting Albert for Softy McCoy – I grant you that and Dom gets credit for that tough decision, and yes Price has proven to be good when healthy (already matched gmc sack total for all of last year). As a unit they stink. Personally, IMO they need to relegate Bennett to spot duty and finish the year with Bowers, Price, Albert and Clay (if they gel the way I think, you have built something).
Softy will never be anything but a situational player – and if these 4 solidify the line – you can use Softy for his 15 snaps a game and if he goes down who cares? Really, does anyone care now after seeing what Albert does? 5 tackles in his first game I believe.
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:27 pm
Two words why this OL is not “elite”:
Jeremy Trueblood
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Leighroy you are wrong. Trueblood is s beast run blocker, he has struggled in pass pro in the past and is subject to losing a one on one with a speed rusher, but he has had a good year.
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:59 pm
We need a corner to replace Ronde when he retires (although I’d like to see more of Gaitor and see if he is going to develop) and we need to improve our linebacking corp. Our D-line is going to be outstanding. The next 6 games are gonna be fun to watch because the intensity of the Green Bay game is going to be continued. We can’t afford to lose and when you can’t afford to lose you play with a different mindset. Hopefully a switch went off at Green Bay and this team saw what they are capable of if they play hard from the opening whistle.
November 23rd, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Nice work guys- all of you. Both on and off the field!