Bucs Believe in Their O-Line

Well I think it is pretty safe to say that the Bucs won't be making many changes if at all to the offensive line this off-season. Both Gm Jason Licht and HC Dirk Koetter echoed that today as both said they like their current group and feel they have a good nucleus to work with. Now that doesn't mean they don't need to improve as coach Koetter said they need to get better as a group per Rick Stroud.

Koetter said they're happy with their personnel on the offensive line. But they have to get better.

— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) March 1, 2017

 This makes sense as the Bucs have invested heavily into the O-line the past few years by adding key draft pieces in Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, Kevin Pamphile, and Caleb Benenoch. Plus the team will get back J.R Sweezy who was signed last off-season and is expected to make an impact this season. The team also has key veterans in Evan Smith and Demar Dotson coming back who both provide depth and starting ability. I think the Bucs will try to bring back C Joe Hawley for the right price as they will try to keep last year's unit intact.

Now let me be clear I do not agree with the Bucs opinion of their O-line as I think we need to upgrade the C and RT positions. I would like the team to bring in players at those positions via free agency or the draft. On the other hand, the Bucs might have the answers already on the roster to upgrade these positions. Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, and Kevin Pamphile should continue to get better as they gain more experience and all three want to be great.

So right there I say you have 3 out of your 5 starters and are looking for two more to step up to the plate. Now some internal options include JR Sweezy, Caleb Benenoch, Ben Gottschalk, Leonard Wester, and newly acquired James Stone. The Bucs are very high on all five and I think Gottschalk and Stone have a chance to be the upgrade at center if the Bucs choose not to resign Joe Hawley. Again the Bucs feel they have a good group and I think the ideal scenario is they can move either Pamphile or Marpet to C and have Sweezy play G, giving you a strong line of Smith, Pamphile, Marpet, Sweezy, and Dotson. It's going to be an interesting off-season for this unit as they are coming off a down season and must improve overall as an unit.

O-Line Gains More Depth

Some Bucs fans believe that Jason Licht and company need to upgrade the offensive line which they might do but don't expect a big overhaul. The Bucs offensive line had their fair share of up and downs as they were a big reason for the 5 game winning streak, but also had a big part in the Bucs last two losses vs the Cowboys and Saints. The unit has a good young nucleus with Ali Marpet, Donovan Smith, Kevin Pamphile, Caleb Benenoch and the return of JR Sweezy.

With Sweezy being cleared to resume football activities that gives the Bucs O-line more depth and versatility. Bucs Gm Jason Licht likes drafting O-lineman that are versatile and have potential to be great which he has done the last three years by drafting Pamphile, Smith, Marpet, and Benenoch. The team has a good coach in George Warhop who does an excellent job of developing the players technique but also to have them cross-trained at multiple positions.

What Jason Licht has done is build quality depth across the unit and it should only get better as the young core gains experience. Plus Licht has already added young talent in center James Stone from the Falcons, and guard Jarvis Harrison who was a former draft pick of the Jets. Add in Leonard Wester who the Bucs are very high on that gives the Bucs depth for the foreseeable future. Hopefully Sweezy can bring the kind of impact that he was signed on for and add more physicality to the unit.

The Bucs have options now to truly play the best five lineman with Sweezy on board along with other pieces that are entering their 2nd and 3rd years. Look for Licht to keep a similar approach when comes to adding lineman through free agency and the draft. I think their main weakness is at center (click on center) which is where Licht could put his focus at if he is going to add a lineman this off-season. Overall, I think the Bucs are going to stay put at O-line as they will try to re-sign Joe Hawley and perhaps use a draft pick on a right tackle or a center prospect. Then they will let the best five rise to the top and roll with it. Again this off-season is all about adding weapons for Winston, so expect the Bucs to do that while to hope that the O-line lives up to their potential. However, if they don't I fully expect the Bucs to address the unit in the 2018 off-season.

Hot Takes! Ali, Vincent And More...

by Douglas O'Connor

follow on Twitter @Ren_Daxt

     Back before I came aboard here at Real Bucs Talk, I came across a tweet that was asking for Buc fans Hot Takes. If you are not familiar with the term, it's a controversial or even outlandish view on a topic based on no facts what so ever. Hot takes are more of a gut feeling or something that you want to get of your chest and put out into social media for all to see.

     I had 3 such takes right after the Bucs game 1 win against the Falcons. I'm going to take a look back to see if I hit a home run or struck out with the bases loaded.

Ali Marpet will make the Pro Bowl:  Marpet's small town boy to big city success story isn't news for Buc fans, but his high level of play might be. Coming out of Hobart he was mostly seen as a run blocker, but he was a day one starter and his pass blocking has blossomed. It's hard to break into the Pro Bowl as a lineman. Mostly due to the fact that their stats aren't easily tracked. Recently enormously popular Joe Bucs Fan as taken up the torch and started a campaign to get Ali to Orlando (Pro Bowl gamed has moved from Hawaii to O-Town). With Joe's push this Hot Take might come to fruition.

How'd I Do? It's an easy double into the gap, heading to 2nd thinking about trying for 3rd.

Buc fans will want to replace left tackle Donovan Smith at seasons end: Obviously I don't want this to happen but it's getting dicey. Smith is continually being criticized by national "experts". Most think that his best position in the NFL would be guard. A report just came out yesterday, at time of this post, how Donovan is leading the NFL in quarterback pressures. As these opinions are heard more and more, fans will begin to listen and start to pile on.

How'd I Do? It's hit high enough and the right fielder is on the warning track. (Please catch it, please catch it).

Vincent Jackson will lose his starting job? Another one that I hope never materializes. I can't put my finger on it but something is just off between Jameis Winston and Jackson and I think most Buc fans feel it too. The local media has picked up on it also and flat out asked Head Coach Dirk Koetter about it. His response, roughly, was that he agreed and if the results don't change the personnel will. Wow! Mike Glennon isn't going to take over for Winston so Jackson can catch more balls. Soooo ...

How'd I Do? I have 2 strikes but have taken some good cuts and I own this pitcher ...

Update: The Buccaneers announce that Vincent Jackson has been moved to IR with an ACL injury. Essentially ending his season and possibly his career. This is unfortunate news for arguably the best FA signing in Tampa's history. Technically this Hot Take came true but I'm pulling it off the table do to the nature of the outcome.  

   
     You can find all our posts at realbucstalk.blogspot.com Feel free comment below. We respond to everyone. As always thanks for reading and Go Bucs!

Commitment To Run Game

On Monday for the first time all year the bucs finally committed to the run game and controlled the clock while doing so. The bucs first possession of the game almost took 9 minutes and consisted of 10 runs to 4 throws. Most buc fans see it as Jacquizz Rodgers being such a good running back in reality its just the bucs actual commitment to force feeding the ball to the running back and blocking for him.

The bucs ran the ball 37 times as opposed to throwing it only 30 times. Thats the first time all year we have ran more than passed. The oline deserves huge credit for this as coming into the game Carolina's strength was against the run (10th in NFL) and we made it look like their weakness. The main big uglies that caught my eye were Donovan Smith, Kevin Pamphile and Ali Marpet , all 3 seemed to win their matchup and push forward on running plays. Not one of the runs went for more than 13 yards but it was the commitment to continue to wear down the defense that lead to the only touchdown that Winston threw which was off a play action fake.

Committing to the run will take pressure off Winston and lead to bigger plays downfield. Maybe Koetter needs to not over think it and get back to the basics. Yes we have a young gunslinger but he doesn't have to be throwing the ball 50 times a game for us to win. Hopefully with Martin coming back after the bye we will see more of this run game and ease the pressure off Winston a little bit.

O-line Has Been The Best Unit

This unit was the biggest weakness two years ago and now the Bucs offensive line is probably their strongest unit on the team. The line has been pretty good so far in 2016 as Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet are becoming better and better with each passing game. The line is really athletic and physical which allows them to open up the screen game very well. The group was better this past week in the run game and should get better as the season goes once the run game finds its rhythm.

The pass protection has been phenomenal though as they have only allowed 5 sacks against 142 pass attempts. This group doesn't get the credit it deserves and really does a great job as an unit. They give a good pocket for Jameis to throw and he usually has enough time. This last week against the Rams front four I thought they did very well and pretty much dominated throughout the game. Donovan Smith, Kevin Pamphile and Ali Marpet are looking to be cornerstones for this line and are just getting better. Bucs Gm Jason Licht has invested into this unit and so far it has paid off as the unit looks to be a strength for the foreseeable future. Coach Koetter needs to ride this line by keeping this offense more balanced and let them be physical by running the ball.

Dotson is Demanding Better Consistency From the O-Line

To win football games in the NFL your team needs to be strong in the trenches because that is where games are usually decided. The Buccaneers have made improvements to both offensive and defensive lines over the last few years and are looking for both units to take the next step. The offensive line was much improved last season in which they helped lead the Bucs to 5th in rushing offense. The O-line has solid depth and is looking to get big seasons from 2nd year guys in Ali Marpet and Donovan Smith as well as a bounce back year from RT Demar Dotson.

Speaking of Dotson, he spoke with the media yesterday and believes the O-Line can be much better than what it has shown so far in camp, and needs to be more consistent every day.

“We’re not as good as we want to be.  We have to put together some better practices.  I don’t think we’ve had two good practices in a row.  We have one, then we come back out a little dead.  We have to bring our own energy, and that’s something we’re not doing right now.”

Dotson has always been known to be very candid which is a good thing as it was in this case. Dotson is looked upon as a leader on this line now especially with Mankins gone, and he has welcomed that title with open arms. Dotson has been the best lineman in camp and basically called out his linemates to step up their game because he knows the importance of having a good O-line and what it can do for a team. The Bucs need their offensive line to be better than it was last year and it looks like Dotson is making sure the rest of the guys know that.

Finding an Identity

Before last year, I was always saying the Bucs need to find an identity on offense and defense and stick with it. Now this was an issue due to the revolving door with the coaching staff and players as their was no consistency on both fronts. However, with Dirk Koetter taking over the offense last season we finally saw an identity on offense which was playing a balance style with establishing the run early with medium to deep play action passes mixed in. The Bucs found their identity which was playing physical by using their strengths which was running the ball to open up the play action passing game. With the Bucs offense going into their second season in the same scheme they look to build upon last year and continue to enforce a physical style of play on offense with explosive plays mixed in.

This offense is built to run the football so why not take advantage of that and make it known to opposing teams that its going to be a physical game when they play the Bucs. Now Koetter wants an balance diverse offense but it is good to know that the offense has something it can lean on every week and that is the running game. With two good running backs in Doug Martin and Charles Sims plus a physical offensive line led by second year guys in Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet, this running game could reach a new level this year. Koetter will likely bring back the 6 man o-line along with the 3 tight end sets which he used to run and pass out of which confused opposing defenses.

The play above just shows what this offense is capable of and that it could be one of the better offenses in the league this season. With pretty much the same personnel returning, hopefully the Bucs can build on the identity that was formed last season and continue to be a smash mouth explosive offense in 2016.

Donovan Smith and Noah Spence Will Make Each Other Better

Donovan Smith was solid last year as a rookie left tackle but he knows he can be much better and has been working on everything to raise his game to a new level. Smith believes he is way ahead from where he was at this point last year which he thinks should only make him better.

Donovan Smith says he's far ahead of where he was last year in terms of his conditioning & knowing how to take care of his body.

— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) May 24, 2016

This is great to hear from Smith because he is going to need to be in great shape if he is going to improve against speed rushers which has been his weakness. The good news is he will be going against good edge rushers in Robert Ayers and Noah Spence every day in practice which should help. Donovan Smith knows what Spence can do as they played against each other in college and lets just say Smith wasn't very successful that game.

"I don't remember," Smith said. "He had a good game against us though, I will tell you that. We didn't play our best as a team. I didn't play my best myself. yeah, he did have a good game."

                   

It just shows the talent of Noah Spence in that he is just a natural pass rusher and how far Donovan Smith has come in his overall game. It will be also good for Spence to go against a power tackle like Smith which will make Spence better as well so its win win situation for both players. Smith vs Spence in practice is going to be the battle to watch once training camp starts. Smith wants to become a technician and he will have to be that if he wants to hold his own against the dominant speed rushers that are in this league. He will get a head start by going against guys like Jacquies Smith, Howard Jones, and now Noah Spence.

Offense Will Go As The O-line Does

A pleasant surprise from last year was how much the oline had improved. The line had 4 new starters as rookie 2nd round picks Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet were plug and play players to go along with additions Joe Hawley and Gosder Cherilus. The line was pretty much was patched together and still played well enough to clear paths for a 1400 yard season by Doug Martin and a 4000 yard season for rookie QB Jameis Winston.

This year the bucs will have returning starters in Smith, Marpet, Hawley and Dotson to go along with new prized free agent pick up J.R. Sweezy whom seems to be a classic mauler. The O-line is where it all starts for this Buccaneer offense as Winston needs time to throw and Martin needs holes to run through and it seems as if they will have that with this group. Smith and Marpet with a year under their belt will only continue to grow as players and build on their great rookie campaigns.

The O-line may be the strongest group on this team as not only do they have a strong starting 5, they have depth to go with it in Evan Smith, Kevin Pamphile, Gosder Cherlius and now 5th round pick Caleb Benenoch. O-line coach George Warhop had the line gelling last year and they were just slapped together. Lets see what the line can do with a year of continuity and added talent. Before you think about how Winston, Evans and Martin are doing, remember that it all starts up front and they benefit from the big uglies in the trenches.

Who is J.R. Sweezy?

When first signed many Bucs fans saw Sweezy as a depth pick up or someone that wasn't a big deal. Granted fans were thinking the Bucs would go out and spend the big bucks on some highly touted defensive end to help pass rush but they ended up with some no name offensive lineman. So who is J.R. Sweezy and why did he get such a big contract, 5 years 32.5 million.

J.R. Sweezy grew up playing linebacker in high school, then eventually defensive end in college. He never once played offensive line until he agreed to switch positions and was drafted in the 7th round by the Seattle Seahawks. Sweezy has only played his guard position for 4 years and has already gotten a reputation for being a vicious run blocker while standing 6'5 300 pounds.

While being questioned today during his press conference Sweezy talked a little about himself and what he's about.

"The high effort thing, thats just me playing ball, I'm going to play whistle to whistle. Doing everything I can to block an extra second." Sweezy went on to say, "I love run blocking, thats what I live for. I take a lot of pride in it and I want to run the football. Thats what I'm about."

Sweezy will be taking over Logan Mankins spot at left guard which will be a slight change from his normal position at right guard, but he appears up for the challenge. Sweezy can add to a Bucs line that ended up being a strength at the end of the year. With his 5 year contract he can grow with the young lineman in Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet to form a formidable line to protect Jameis and pave the way for Doug Martin. Licht took some heat from fans for not throwing the money out but signing Sweezy was a big deal, especially in helping the franchise QB.

The biggest draw for Sweezy wasn't the money or a certain player but he stated it was a certain feeling.

"Everybody I talk to say we're on the brink of something special here." 

I agree with Sweezy and to be honest the biggest reason is because of having our franchise QB in Jameis as well as having a man with a direction in Licht at the helm. Let's keep moving forward to see how "special" this team can get.

Farewell to Logan Mankins

Today behind the breaking news of Peyton Manning's retirement, the Bucs had a respected man hang up his cleats as well. Logan Mankins has officially decided to retire after 11 elite seasons in which he was a Pro Bowler in 7 of them. Mankins will better be known for his days with the Patriots but his time here in Tampa won't go unnoticed.

He was crucial in bringing a winning culture to the Bucs and showing a winners mentality is supposed to be. Mankins was the first man to step up in the locker room to give a speech to Kwon Alexander in front of the whole team to show his respects. Mankins has also had his part in grooming the young Bucs lineman (Smith, Marpet, Pamphile) whom will continue to grow off of his teachings.

Mankins was a true professional and a hell of a teammate. His 2 years in Tampa were more than enough to show the type of player he was. You truly represented the Bucs well and it was a joy to watch you on Sundays.

Five Starters This Time

The 2015 draft class for the Buccaneers was pretty special, and could go down as one of the best draft classes in franchise history next to the 1995 draft class which netted Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp. The Bucs got four starters from last years class, and they are all pretty dam good players starting with the selection of quaterback Jameis Winston, who will ultimately define how great this 2015 rookie class truly is.

In addition to Winston, The Bucs selected offensive lineman Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet in the second round, then in the 4th round got linebacker Kwon Alexander all of whom were above average starters in their rookie seasons. It was a great draft for the Bucs and one day down the road, Bucs fans will be looking at this 2015 draft as the turning point back to winning ways.

Now the bar has been set for Jason Licht and his staff as they must find a way to top last years class, which is easier said than done. The normal expectations for draft classes are usually find two starters with your early round picks and while the rest are usually solid depth players that could potentially become starters. So to get four quality starters from last years class and play very well in their first year is just uncommon and rare.

The Bucs feel they can do it again this year as they want to find five starters beating their mark of four last year. Licht and co firmly believe in building through the draft and want this years draft to be just as special as last years. With Mike Biehl and Rob McCartney on board as the director of college scouting and pro scouting respectively, Licht feels very confident in those two plus along with his scouts that they can do it again and find immediate impact starters in the upcoming draft. If the Bucs can find five starters in this upcoming draft, then the Bucs need to give Jason Licht and company a big time raise. I will say this if the Bucs can just find some pass rushers and a solid corner or safety, I will call that a very successful draft.

Two Future Pro Bowlers?

In 2014, the Bucs offensive line was atrocious as it gave up 52 sacks, and didn't generate any running room for their running backs. The Bucs starting 5 was LT Anthony Collins, LG Logan Mankins, C Evan Smith, RG Patrick Omameh, RT Demar Dotson which looks decent on paper but it wasn't. Collins was an complete flop as he was constantly beat like someone stole something from him, plus Mankins and Omameh were overpowered consistently leading to quick inside pressure on too many plays. This led to an offensive ranking of 29th in scoring(17.3) and 30th in yards which is just pathetic.

Enter 2015, where Jason Licht realized his mistakes and quickly cut the dead weight in Collins who didn't play in 2015. Licht knew for the 2015 NFL draft that offensive line would be a position of strength and he could at least get one starter there. After drafting Jameis Winston, Licht decided to a get a blindside protector with the 34th overall pick in which he took dancing bear Donovan Smith out of Penn State. However, Licht wasn't done yet as  later in the second round, he traded up with the Colts to select G Ali Marpet out of Hobart College. After those two picks, the Bucs offensive line had already improved drastically because of how bad the players they were replacing were. Jason Licht was thrilled about Marpet, comparing him to a young Logan Mankins.

Both were outstanding in 2015 for rookies as Smith was pretty good as a blindside protector for Jameis, and Marpet was just a road grater in the run game. I think both have pro bowl potential as both just need to work on their consistency and technique.  They helped an offense reach new heights as it had the 5th rushing attack and only allowed 25 sacks which was 4th fewest which is an gigantic improvement from the previous year. I can see both make giant leaps in their games and take this Bucs offensive line to new levels. One thing is for sure, Jason Licht knows how to pick offensive lineman and like coach Koetter said "We hit the jackpot with those two".