No Greater Disappointment Than O-Line
December 16th, 2013
The Niners, Lions and Panthers all allow four yards per carry. The Bucs averaged 2.2 against those teams this past month.
Last year at this time, offensive line coach Bob Bostad was a miracle worker, leading a group that was blowing open holes with four of five linemen in positions where they didn’t start the 2012 season.
Now, it seems, Bostad is captain of the Bucs’ fastest sinking ship.
This year’s Bucs offensive line was supposed to be magical. Aside from being one of the highest paid lines in the NFL, the group had plenty of talent. Even NFL Network rated them as the 5th-best O-line entering the season. But again yesterday, the Bucs couldn’t run the ball.
Nothing.
Yes, the Bucs have stalled the past month against some of the best and most physical front-7s in the NFL — Carolina, San Francisco, and Detroit. However, keep in mind Carolina, Detroit and San Francisco all average allowing at least 3.9 yards per carry. The Bucs averaged 2.2 yards per carry in those recent games. That’s no coincidence, and it’s downright horrendous. Outside of one breakout run against Buffalo, the numbers weren’t pretty for the Bucs in that game, either.
Remember, Doug Martin got nothing going early this season before the Bucs had a pocket off success in the run game prior to the recent swoon.
You can’t do that and be a competitive team unless you have an elite quarterback. The Bucs’ entire offense is built on running the football and they can’t do it. Greg Schiano had no answers yesterday.
Joe wrote yesterday about how Davin Joseph is playing now for his Bucs career, especially considering he’s due $6 million next season and has performed poorly. Donald Penn and Carl Nicks are also due massive, non-guaranteed cash in 2014.
The Bucs have extraordinary decisions to make on the direction of the franchise this offseason. Unfortunately, those big calls come at quarterback, O-line and defensive end — arguably the three most important positions on the field.
December 16th, 2013 at 11:30 am
1. Blow up that overpaid line.
2. Get a new GM that drafts OL talent.
December 16th, 2013 at 11:33 am
3. Donald Penn sucks.
December 16th, 2013 at 11:34 am
The Bucs don’t need a QB….we need a better O-line, WR & TE….along with an OC…
We need “competition” for Glennon…perhaps a Veteran FA….or a later round QB
We should trade our pick for more picks since we have many areas of need.
I would restrucure Penn & Joseph (need for depth anyway) and if Nicks isn’t 100%….cut him!
December 16th, 2013 at 11:40 am
The Bucs do need a QB; Glennon is the 4th best QB in the
division and that will not lead to any division titles/playoff berths anytime
soon.
December 16th, 2013 at 11:52 am
BucsFan68…what other QB is available in free agency or the draft that will not still be the 4th best QB in the division. You and Joe with this silliness of a line. “4th best QB in the division.” Cutler would still be the 4th best and so would ANY other rookie they draft. So who is this “new” QB that could be better than Brees, Ryan and Cam…is he out there?
@Joe… can you name one? If not then all of you stop it with this garbage talk “4th best QB in the division”. I’m not saying this has anything to do with the article. I’m saying that you Joe started all this “4th best QB in the division” nonsense and if it wasn’t you that did, you certainly have banged that drum more than once.
Sorry I’m a lil cranky today. Not much sleep.
December 16th, 2013 at 11:59 am
Definitely got the fourth best GM in the Division.
If he racks up 4-12 he can put it alongside his other 4-12 and a 3-13 too.
I know, I know, the record is meaningless when evaluating a GM. Feely goody draft analysis is the way to go.
December 16th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Better yet CAN ANYONE NAME A QB THAT THE BUCS COULD GET SO THEY WON’T HAVE THE 4TH BEST QB IN THE DIVISION?
Help me, I’m stumped. SMDH
December 16th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
So I guess we have to just accept we got the fourth best QB in our Division.
For goodness sakes we couldn’t like draft a guy who becomes as good as the others.
Impossible.
December 16th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
Not Bostad! Not Glennon! Buc1987 is a lil upset because he knows what the problem is and it doesn’t look like it’s going to be fixed anytime soon! Expect more of the same.
Meanwhile, Buc1987 sounds like that little guy in the blanket whose picture is on the Jumbotron in the Gieco commercial. Lol
December 16th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
Doesn’t matter who Bucs bring in, as long as this coaching staff is here, they won;t know how to get them to play well.The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and aover and expecting different results. That’s what is happening every Sunday. Hell, Dan Marino would be a bad QB with this Oline and OC. Real coaching makes a difference, just look what Flynn did when he returned to Green Bay. TBBucfan is right on! Bucs need alot of new bodies on oline, another WR and TEbut
December 16th, 2013 at 12:07 pm
Major disappointment. You gotta put some of it in coaching Joe, which I think you did here. They gotta dig into the film though an really see if Joseph, Penn and Zuttah can play up to their pay grade.
December 16th, 2013 at 12:08 pm
Eric…that’s true. Someday it might happen. I don’t see ANY QB coming out this year that is going to change the fact next season or the season after that. Maybe someday, maybe someday. Brees will retire, or Cam might have a career ending injury. Who knows?
So the Bucs might have the 4th best QB in the division for a long while. Unless they trade for Br-ady.
December 16th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
Splengo…I have been bitching about Sully since week 1. I am fully aware of where most of the problem lies. It’s not just the HC.
LOL I’m not upset. I’m upset that people keep repeating that same old line “4th best QB in the division” and not stating the answer to solving that or naming a new QB option.
December 16th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Just kidding 1987,
I hear what you are saying about QB, but we are never going to be more than a .500 team with Shiano. You’re going to get your chance to find out!
December 16th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
I would like to see some NFL pedigree brought in. All of the talk about a QB in the first round, this article makes a stronger statement to push for Bruce Matthews son – Jake.
December 16th, 2013 at 12:22 pm
The Bucs aren’t able to knock out 4 or 5 yards a carry against top rush defenses? Instead of pointing fingers at the O-Line that was brilliant a few short weeks ago, some of it could have to do with the fact that the Bucs are on their fourth starting RB this season.
I like the kid, but has anyone considered that maybe Bobby Rainey isn’t the second coming of Barry Sanders after all.
December 16th, 2013 at 12:22 pm
@ BucsFan68
All of the QBs in the draft have the “potential” to be great….but so does Glennon. The grass is always greener….unless you can figure out a way to land a proven franchise QB…then we have to go with potential.
It could be argued that Glennon has the potential to be better than Ryan.
Franchise QB Brees just got beat by the team we play next week….
December 16th, 2013 at 12:58 pm
I’ve gotta say, way back in the draft I said the oline was going to be a major problem. Zuttah is much better at center than I thought he’d be though.
December 16th, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Yeah, I laugh when I hear the comment of “can’t win with the 4th best QB in the division” from Joe or Bigdufus or whoever. Of course you can…how good is Flacco? Glennon is a pocket passer, just like Brees and Ryan. No one can honestly say that give Glennon 2-3 years he can’t pass like them (and for sure Ryan). Now Newton is a different animal, like Kaepernik. That’s the biggest argument AGAINST Glennon…his immobility unlike theirs. If Kaepernick wasn’t that mobile, Bucs win that game…he kept 3 non-scoring drives alive alone with his escapes and converted into points.
Bucs have major issues due to 1) injury = #1 & #2 RB, #2 WR, #1 OL, #1 & #2 TE all gone (plus #1 QB a disaster) 2) overrated players = offensive linemen as Joe rightfully points out; Revis underachieved due to his injury first 8 games; Goldston mainly a head-hunter (same player as Barron); #2 and #3 corners terrible first 8-9 games, etc etc
They are a mediocre team….plain as day
December 16th, 2013 at 1:45 pm
I’m not an expert,, but I heard that Aaron Murray was rated the best QB in the history of the Southeast Conference. That conference seems to dominate college football.
Aaron seems to be quite intelligent as well. He achieved a degree in psychology early and was pursuing another degree. They may have to put Dr Murray on the back of his jersey.
I was a big fan of drafting Murray or Manziel in the 2nd round but Murray blew his knee out. He should be available in the 4th or even the 5th round. A steal.
He is a local kid.
I believe he has the capability to become the best QB in the NFC South and a perennial winner.
It’s a no brainer imho.
December 16th, 2013 at 1:46 pm
@ Bill T
totally agree
December 16th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
No worst than second-best quarterback in his division. Nice try.
December 16th, 2013 at 2:19 pm
Zutah, & Meredith are the only linemen safe in my book.
Joseph has gotten better as the season has progressed but hes still not at the level he has been at in the past. Dodson is average at best on the right side and his price tag isn’t too high. So I can see the two of them returning but I wouldn’t bet on it.
Penn, I love the guys attitude but the man has played sub par all season. It is time for the Bucs to move on and replace the LT.
December 16th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
You have the fourth best receivers and ol. Even an Elite QB can,t win like that.
December 16th, 2013 at 2:32 pm
Eli Manning put up a goose egg yesterday and 5 int’s. The Bucs need to try to get him. He is a clutch QB that needs a change of scenery, but gotta block for him. Glennon gets scared and can’t make clutch plays under pressure, but he is an awesome #2 QB.
December 16th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Last year the Bucs has an offense that was hitting deep passes left and right, which opened up holes for Martin. Nothing is in a vacuum. I believe our OLine is only a slight disappointment. The QB position and the play calling are much worse offenders.
December 16th, 2013 at 5:17 pm
So who will be available in free agency?
And who is coming out in the draft?
I guess cutting all three
And freeing up all that cash,
And signing 2 others and drafting 2 more might not be so bad.
Aldon Smith is phenomenal.
Smith, their DT is an All-Pro.
San Fran is amazing!
The Bucs stuck with a Super Bowl contender in week 14!!!!
Are you guys crazy?
We are improving!
Go Bucs!
December 16th, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Over paying and overdrafting of the NFL’s two least important starting positions is insane to begin with. Good OGs, much like RBs, can be had anywhere.
December 16th, 2013 at 6:02 pm
OK….ask Brees if an elite QB can win against a good defense with no rushing game. When you meet Seattle or St Louis and can’t rush you lose. Our success against Seattle came with the rushing game allowing us to pass. Michael James 158 yards. I don’t care who your QB is….if you are one dimensional against a good D you will lose 99% of the time. Against Detroit we won the turnover battle. Just go back and look at the correlation between rushing and winning. Everyone thinks this is a passing league but it’s really not unless you have a ground game to go along with it. San Francisco and Seattle are good examples.
December 16th, 2013 at 7:56 pm
The injuries to the receiver and running back positions have taken a heavy toll on the team this season. Jackson was probable for the game with a bad hamstring. He still caught some passes. This team can’t win when key players are out.