Inaction At Center Would Be Telling
February 26th, 2017
“Jason, I thought solicitors were banned here? Who is this guy?”
Yes, Bucs fans got worked up yesterday when news broke that stud Jets center Nick Mangold was a salary cap causality.
If the Bucs are going to upgrade any position on the offensive line, it will be center.
If Mangold, or any other free agent center is not picked up or the Bucs don’t draft a center, it tells Joe that Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is comfortable with an in-house candidate.
In short, that means Licht is confident J.R. Sweezy, who has yet to wear a chin strap in a Bucs practice since he signed with the team last March, will be ready to roll.
How does Sweezy fit into the upgrade at center? Simple, if Sweezy plays right guard, that means Ali Marpet is your new Bucs center.
Whether Sweezy is able to play this year after sitting out the entire 2016 campaign on floppy hat patrol with a bum back, well, that remains to be seen. Hell, taking one snap in practice will be a major step forward.
Mangold sounds nice lining up for the Bucs at center, but if Sweezy is expected to make a full recovery, Mangold very likely will not be wearing pewter and red this fall.
February 26th, 2017 at 1:32 am
Worked up is strong.
Interested for improvement is more accurate. This fan is concerned about improvement on the oline. You might even say worked up.
Not worked up about Mangold necessarily or what music my lousy GM listens to but agendas ride hard round these parts.
February 26th, 2017 at 1:35 am
Something happen to JOE Hawley joe?
February 26th, 2017 at 1:39 am
Why take the chance? Go after Mangold. Besides, Sweezy was signed to play LG if Im not mistaken. Dont get me wrong, Im ok with Marpet at center if he’s comfortable and we have his solid replacement, but we dont know that yet. Make a cut, sign Mangold (reasonably) and see what happens.
February 26th, 2017 at 1:39 am
J.R. Sweezy is new to his position anyway. Move him! Why screw up Marpet’s development???
I just don’t get people. Always making new needs instead of just addressing the needs we already have. Want this team to get better? Stop fixing what ain’t broke!
February 26th, 2017 at 1:42 am
Oh, and sorry, Joe, but Center is NOT the weakest spot line. RT is!
February 26th, 2017 at 1:43 am
People love to beat up on Hawley, who was not great at all, but neither was anyone else either. Sorry but the whole damn line sucked but once again, agendas…
February 26th, 2017 at 1:46 am
Yes this is silly talk Joe. Sweezy was brought in to play LG which I never understood… No to Nick. To old IMHO. Jameis, this oline needs a young infusion. Leave Ali be.
February 26th, 2017 at 1:51 am
Sweet was brought in to SWITCH to LG. He was a RG and an amazing run blocker in Seattle
February 26th, 2017 at 1:54 am
Sad to admit it but I actually think that the higher profile GM effup was not that lousy keeker at all. It was the sadly mistaken confidence in his little oline pieces.
February 26th, 2017 at 2:05 am
1. He’s a free agent.
2. Bucs might be looking for an upgrade there. All spelled out in this story.
February 26th, 2017 at 2:10 am
But hey, randomly we get to repeatedly read about our GMs appreciation of AC/DC.
As yet unchallenged..
February 26th, 2017 at 2:34 am
Leave Ali be, Bring in Mangold, LG will sort itself out with time, we need help at RT… Hopefully can be addressed in FA and or Mid rounds of the Draft. I think that all will depend on what size of check the glazers hand licht this FA. Key adds and we are a serious contender.
February 26th, 2017 at 2:39 am
Jaysun Licked is terrible. He likes bad Australian rock music and puts too much faith in his offensive linemen. He keeps a messy agenda book.
February 26th, 2017 at 2:42 am
33 and played 8 games last year, please don’t go down this path again. Stick with the line we have and let them grow together. Maybe shuffle a little bit
LT Smith
LG Sweezy
C Marpet
RG Pamphile
RT Dotson
Res
C Hawley,
G Bennenoch
T Wester D. Smith
February 26th, 2017 at 5:54 am
@GhostofSchiano Yeah he was constantly dinged up by knee injuries, and although he played through them like the warrior he is, he got pushed around all year.
I LOVE Joe Hawley’s heart and attitude, but he gets manhandled way to much.
Mangold would certainly be an upgrade at what some gm’s now view as the most important position on the O-line.
February 26th, 2017 at 6:54 am
First, I dont see how RT is a bigger need than Center. The only Centers under contract are Evan Smith who can potentially be a cap casualty and Gottschalk who isn’t ready to start.
Can Dot be upgraded at RT? Of course, but imo Bennenoch is being groomed to be the next RT so if Dot gets replaced that only delays Bennenoch from taking over.
And as far as Mangold goes, yes he is 33, yes he is coming off a down year because of injury, and YES he would still make a tone of sense. Having a vet on this o-line the level of Mangold would be huge from a leadership standpoint and if he is healthy a talent standpoint.
And I also agree with Bonzai. Yes, Marpet could potentially play Center, should he tho? A lot of fans are so quick to pencil him in as the new Center. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it and Marpet at RG sure ain’t broke. A healthy Sweezy at LG, a healthy Mangold at Center, and Marpet at RG looks preety dang solid to me.
February 26th, 2017 at 7:12 am
Tough call. Mangold aka mankins was brought in by Licht so you never know for top money in last stage of career. I am aware of Sweezey and want to see if he truly is a mauler. His injury concerns me deeply. Spend money cause regardless these guys gaurantees would be up in year or two. ( no way mangold gets more than 2 or 3 year deal with at least one year gauranteed) mangold will go to contender anyway.
But What if pamphile went to right tackle? Sorry but Dotson is not going to get any better at this point in career and they are
Not paying him a ton. Let Dotson be backup for L and R side. He got his contract he was looking for. Get the best 5 guys out there.
February 26th, 2017 at 7:16 am
That’s awesome. Someone came up with Phallus Buc . That cracks me up!
Wonder if the other figures this out?
February 26th, 2017 at 7:26 am
Exactly Joey, completely agree. I brought up last night that Mangold could be the new Mankins. We need a grizzled vet that has the experience of doing it better than most for his entire career, a presence which the 2015 line had in droves with Mankins providing a crystal clear example to Pamphile, Marpet, and Smith.
3 young bucs who I view as budding stars.
The 2016 line lacked that veteran leadership, and the run blocking saw a marked decrease in performance. Mangold would bring it back, and would surely help to mold a future starter at Center.
DO IT JASON!
February 26th, 2017 at 7:33 am
I will be royally pissed if they count on sweezy to take marpets place. How about signing zuttah back since that was idiotic letting him go in the first place and put him at center. Hell he can play anywhere on the line. Sign someone. Ive been a fan of licht and O dont think he and koetter are stupid enough to neglect the inefficiency on the oline despite what they say. They better sling some cash around this year the money and the needs are both there no excuse not to provide jamies with everything he needs. Dont screw this up. Zuutah, stills, gilmore, cambell, crowell. Bring em all!!!
February 26th, 2017 at 7:33 am
Why is every time they talk about bucs GM Licht they have to add AC/DC loving to it? It’s lame and kinda old now.
February 26th, 2017 at 7:34 am
Or mangold instead of zuttah but really like zuttaah
February 26th, 2017 at 7:48 am
Zuttah would also be an option. But if you compare both careers, Mangold has been consistently better than Jeremy Zuttah.
February 26th, 2017 at 7:55 am
Lt smith
Lg sweezy
C mangold
Rg marpet
Rt pamphile
February 26th, 2017 at 7:59 am
PhallusBuc wins the day!
February 26th, 2017 at 8:10 am
@Maxdrumsalot, Great line-up. Love the Idea of letting Pamph battle with Dot for the starting RT spot. The only question mark is Sweezy. Maybe we could bring in Ron Leary from Dallas, I think he could probably win the starting LG Job.
February 26th, 2017 at 8:45 am
I generally trust Jason but if I recall, he appeared to comfortable with the receiver corps last year…that worked out well! With cap space to burn, it would be irresponsible to NOT upgrade when the opportunity arises! Bucs OL is AT BEST serviceable, get it done Jason!
February 26th, 2017 at 8:45 am
Draft the top Center in this draft Pat Eflien in the 3rd, 10 year starter, rookie contract, give Mangold 2 years 1 guaranteed to be the bridge player, sign T Rielly Reif to Dotson, he’s only 26 played 3 years at LT one at RT, he’s gonna cost a pretty penny but investing in the #WALLFORWINSTON is as important as #WEAPONSFORWINSTON
February 26th, 2017 at 8:55 am
Ben Gottschalk is young, a beast at 6’7 and 310, and did very well when he was thrown in against the Bears and KC. I would give him more time at C too.
February 26th, 2017 at 8:56 am
Jason Gump spends too much time w his box of chocolates not seeing the weaknesses of the team… the OL is turrible.. turnstiles on the left and right of jameis… get jameis protection.. bad enough ignorant timmy jones is sacking but real football players could physically hurt jameis w this cruddy OL
February 26th, 2017 at 9:01 am
Line seems to need a veteran presence….what’s the true downside to quality depth on the line?
February 26th, 2017 at 9:02 am
How do all the experts here know that Marpet wasn’t drafted to play center to begin with and was forced out of necessity to play guard.
LUV made a great comparison the other day with Kevin Mawae. And following up on his observation I saw an even closer connection.
BOTH Mawae and Marpet played tackle in college. So were they out of position when BOTH began their NFL careers as RG’s? Mawae moved to center his 3rd season…it coincidentally happens to be Marpet’s 3rd season! Mawae went on to become one of the greatest centers ever…7 time All Pro.
There is absolutely NO reason to panic over moving Marpet. Center is the position that requires the smarts…the guy calling out assignments…Marpet is very smart…he now has two years under his belt and has enough veteran presence to play center…ala Mawae who didn’t move until his third year.
My dream OL for this year if everything worked out….D Smith…K Pamphile…A Marpet…Sweezy….Benenoch. Dot and EDS can provide solid depth.
I realize all the questions around the right side there…Sweezy’s health and Benenoch’s readiness to start…but it’s not really that HARD to IMAGINE these lineup working out very, very well.
February 26th, 2017 at 9:32 am
Joe??? Who ever said marpet COULD play center? Seriously… marpet will not play center. And if he did, it would be a poor choice to move a guy away from his prime spot. Stop getting Bucs fans hopes up and spreading ignorant alternative facts about offensive line shuffling. It’s not as easy in real life as it is in Madden.
February 26th, 2017 at 9:33 am
@Stpete
Well Marpet was drafted as a Guard and Licht said he can play center too not the other way around so I don’t think he was forced to guard out of necessity.
Yes, Marpet could move into Center and have a ton of success. I just don’t see a reason to move him. If he was struggling at RG it would make more sense, but he is becoming a Pro Bowl caliber RG. Why mess with that?
Who knows tho. Maybe Marpet will be groomed to be Center of the future. Bringing in a vet like Mangold would only help that transition imo.
February 26th, 2017 at 9:43 am
PhallusBuc …ha ha ha. You’re becoming famous too now Dallas.
February 26th, 2017 at 9:49 am
If they weren’t scared to trade for Mankins. They certainly won’t be afraid of picking up Mangold.
February 26th, 2017 at 9:52 am
Getting Mangold is a no brainer! Keep Marpet at Guard where he is doing pretty well. Let Sweezy or anybody else compete for the other Guard spot!
Now we can turn our attention to the combine, Free Agency and the draft to get some weapons for Jameis!
February 26th, 2017 at 9:53 am
Both tackles and center are bigger needs than Joe will admit. Dotson was not just the worst right tackle on the field each Sunday when he played he was a drive killing penalty machine. Dotson is horrendous next I’d give you center as a need followed by Joe’s man crush and free pass recipient lt Smith.
February 26th, 2017 at 9:54 am
A couple of things to remember, its easier to find guards then centers!!! And as well as Nick Mangold,,,, do “studs” get released as cap casualties???? Do we want a plug at center only to have to shop for a new one next year???? Does 3 centers in 3 years help JW3??????
It is more to the picture than just this year!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 26th, 2017 at 9:56 am
PhallasBuc! Well isn’t that clever. Not trading up into the second round to pick a lousy keeker or paying a boatload of cash to a guy that never one time practices with your football team.
Clever is cute.
February 26th, 2017 at 9:56 am
Well Logan Mankins was traded to us for a 4th round pick and an undrafted TE who fizzled out. And he had a tremendous influence on our young offensive lineman, regardless of the mangled perception of Dallas & PhallusBuc.
Mangold could do the very same thing.
February 26th, 2017 at 10:01 am
Dallas and Phallus have me cracking up.
February 26th, 2017 at 10:03 am
Phallus Buc………..LoL
February 26th, 2017 at 10:17 am
Use the $weezey $windle left over loot from his contract/heist and put it towards Mangold. $weezey will never even see the practice field…count on that. O-lineman a little longer in the tooth don’t concern me as much as older running backs or receivers. Mangold is the perfect fit at the perfect time for this particular Bucs squad.
February 26th, 2017 at 11:08 am
I would be hesitant to move Marpet to Center. Other than in a exhibition game he hasn’t played that position. He hasn’t practiced that position at all in his 2 seasons as a buc. He is currently our best o lineman moving him to a new position could make him less effective while he learns the position. IMO gaining an experienced center would be best case scenario. Let Marpet be the dominant RG he is and let the rest of o lineman fight for the other 4 jobs.
Pamph at RT is worth a look. He played well last season as a full time starter, I’m not sure how he would do at RT, but he has the size to play there. If sweezy is indeed healthy let him play LG and move pamph to RT (if he is comfortable there) if pamph can’t play RT, then it should be an open competition between pamph and sweezy for LG spot.
February 26th, 2017 at 11:09 am
Bring in Mangold and leave Marpet to become a pro-bowl guard. I have no doubt he is smart enough to be center but he never played the position at any level. Why not solve a problem instead possibly creating a new one.
February 26th, 2017 at 11:27 am
Mangold and Leary would be a ton of money spent on the Oline.
February 26th, 2017 at 11:34 am
80 Million in cap space. Mangold and Leary would be short term solutions. Or bridges.
February 26th, 2017 at 11:35 am
Plus I’d wager to say if Leary starts we’d cut sweezy loose for a 6th rounder.
February 26th, 2017 at 11:53 am
Stpetebucsfan Says
“How do all the experts here know that Marpet wasn’t drafted to play center to begin with and was forced out of necessity to play guard.”
I don’t think the issue is what position he was drafted to play. I certainly originally wanted him at center, even though Joe (I think) and a bunch of people here mistakenly said he could play tackle last year.
But the issue is this: Regardless of what position he was drafted to play, he’s playing guard and he is very good at it. That means that guard position is fixed. By moving him, you gamble that he will be good at center and that his replacement will be good at RG…which essentially creates two potential weak spots. By keeping him where he’s at and just addressing the center position, you are only having to deal with one weak spot, instead of adding to potential troubles.
I still say this…JOE HALWLEY is a great center. the ONLY reason he got beat there last year is because his injuries weakened him. Blocking with a bum knee tends to help opponents beat you.
So the question is this: Will Joe Hawley ever heal up fully? If so, will it happen by the time training camp arrives? If not, don’t resign him and go after a center either in free agency or draft (unless the BUcs think their other guy is ready).
February 26th, 2017 at 11:54 am
Right tackle was the worst position on that line all last year. Go back and look at the tape, everyone. You will see opponents collapsing the pocket through the right tackle most of the time, regardless of which player was in.
February 26th, 2017 at 1:07 pm
Thats why I like zuttah he is versatile and above average. You can put him and marpey almost anywhere
February 26th, 2017 at 1:19 pm
I think a question mark most all of us aren’t asking is, if Sweezy ever does return for us what’s saying he’ll be any good? First of all, you take someone and put him on a new team and there’s no telling if they’ll be as good as they were. Second, anybody that’s been out of the game for a year is going to have some major rust. And third, and must glaring, HE HAD BACK SURGERY THAT TOOK A YEAR TO RECOVER. Do we really want this guy protecting Jameis?
All that said, I don’t think we can rely on him. If he does ever start for us, do you really think he’ll be that good?
February 26th, 2017 at 3:25 pm
Again Mawae made pro bowl at RG before they moved him to center after he played tackle in college.
I trust the Bucs braintrust here. Agree with Realist that guards are easier to find than centers. Centers are the guys charged with calling out protections and they need to be smart.
I also agree with posters who point out that #3 could benefit from having the SAME center for continuity…that’s not going to be Mangold or any short term vet.
February 26th, 2017 at 6:19 pm
You win in the trenches. Always have, always will. Goes along with …. Defense win championships. Check the last NFL game played.