A-F Grades For The Bucs Against The Panthers

     Everyone likes lists. Here is a quick rundown of grades for the Buccaneers against the Carolina panthers.

A     Jacquizz Rodgers touched the ball 35 times during Monday's game. Though his yards per rush average was pedestrian, 3.4, Rodgers continually moved the chains and set the tone for the game. The Bucs fed him the ball on the first 6 plays. While picking up 2 first downs was big, it put the defense on it's heals that lasted throughout the contest. 

B-     Buccaneers Corner Backs did have a hand in letting Panthers tight end Greg Olsen run free to the tune of 9 catches for 181 yards. A lot of those plays were against the Bucs linebackers. Account for the 2 interceptions caused or made by the duo,and add in a pass breakup that was an eyelash away from a pick 6. This and not giving up a passing touchdown earns the pro bowler and the rookie a high mark.

C+  The Bucs Defensive Line didn't have 1 sack or 1 tackle for loss and brought little to no pressure to Derek Anderson's doorstep. So why an average grade you may ask. The Buccaneers  DLine was missing 3 out of 4 starters and had 2 players, Gholston & Lambert, in for more than 95% of defensive snaps. An unheard of stat in today's NFL. While the unit as a whole wasn't necessarily an asset it sure wasn't a huge liability as it could of been.

D-    Roberto Aguayo missed half his kicks and may have been one miss from losing his job. Never the less he made the game winner and aloud the Bucs to put a smile on their collective faces going into the bye week.

F     Demar Dotson was hailed as the best offensive lineman in Bucs camp. He got a big new contract, some job security, everything was coming up roses for number 69. Then the season started and his film so far is more of  how not to than that of a cornerstone lineman. Leading the team in penalties (fact), whiffed blocks (maybe) and tripping over ones feet (possibly but definitely happened). Once Aguayo made that game winning kick, Dotson has taken over as the biggest disappointment.      

     

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.

Dotson Looks to be Back to 2014 Self

2015 was an unfortunate year for right tackle Demar Dotson as he could never get on track due to injuries. Now finally healthy, Dotson is ready to prove he is one of the top right tackles in the game and earn a big contract as he is in the final year of his current deal. Well Dotson looks fantastic so far in camp as he has been dominant especially during Monday's session as he was physical and athletic as well.

1-on-1 pass-rush drill as entertaining as ever, and 1 guy who really seems to be killing his reps is T Demar Dotson.

— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) August 1, 2016

Dotson is looking like his 2014 self as he was the Bucs best lineman that season, and so far during this camp he has been the best on the O-line. Dotson can really be a force due to his size at 6'9 315lbs which makes him tough to beat around the edge. He has above average athleticism where he can get out in the open field and lead the way on screens and tosses to the outside. This offensive line was pretty good without Dotson, now with him back this line could be the force that it needs to be. With Logan Mankins gone, Dotson needs to be the leader and so far in camp he has done just that.

Most Consistent

Dirk Koetter was asked today who he thought was playing the most consistent in these first 5 days of camp and of course he gave the big names like McCoy and Lavonte David but he also gave some names that you wouldn't have thought.

Alterraun Verner and Brent Grimes at corner, Chris Conte at Safety. On the offensive side of the ball Demar Dotson, Right Tackle, off to a fast start. Cameron Brate, Tight end, fast start. Doug Martin and Charles Sims, fast starts.

Its great to hear him name drop players like Verner who had an off year last year and Dotson who is coming off of an injured season. Its also good to see Cameron Brate's name in there, showing that he has improved and is showing that on the practice field. Its still really early in camp but getting the attention of the head coach is a good sign. Time to keep improving and getting better day by day.

Make or Break Year For Dotson

Two seasons ago, right tackle Demar Dotson was probably the best offensive lineman on the Bucs and still was heading into last season. However, he suffered a knee injury prior to the start of the season and was sideline for 8 weeks in which he was replaced by free agent pickup Godser Cherlius. Cherlius did a decent job but wasn't on the same level as Dotson is as far as pass protection goes. Not saying Dotson is a elite right tackle but is at least above average which is good enough for a right tackle.

Dotson is heading into a contract year and must get back to his 2014 form which was probably his best season as a pro. This will probably be his last big contract as he is already 30 years old and will be looking for top dollar. At 6'9 315lbs, Dotson has the size and length plus the athleticism to dominate at times on the field and is usually pretty consistent every week. Dotson and Cherlius will compete for the starting job during training camp and preseason which should be an interesting battle. I expect Dotson to win the job just due to the fact he is the better player and if healthy that should be an easy decision for the coaching staff.

Lets hope Dotson brings his best in 2016 and gives more time for Jameis to see the field and not have to worry about the edges at all. Dotson is a solid run blocker as well, and also does a good job on screen plays by getting out in the open field quickly to set up blocks for the RB. Having Dotson at his best in 2016 will be big for the Bucs offensive line, and more importantly it needs to happen for Dotson or he will be gone in 2017.

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.