Fancying Fanaika?

January 12th, 2015
Joe's got his eye on a free agent with strong ties to Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter

Joe’s got his eye on a free agent with strong ties to Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter

Joe can’t play pretend when it comes to the Buccaneers’ offensive line.

Lovie Smith says Demar Dotson looks promising at left tackle, Logan Mankins did everything asked of him, and Evan Dietrich-Smith is a foundation player for the franchise going forward.

Sorry, but Joe’s brain can’t stretch to those lengths.

For months, Joe’s been studying potential free agent offensive linemen the Bucs could bring in. Last week, Joe shared his interest in Bengals pending free agent Clint Boling, just 25 years old. Over the weekend, Joe speculated about potential salary cap casualty Todd Herremens from the Eagles, a solid veteran who would come cheaper than Mankins.

Today, Joe’s rolling out Cardinals starting guard Paul Fanaika. Drafted in the seventh round by the Eagles in 2009, Fanaika was signed off the street by the Cardinals in 2013, following a year out of football.

Yes, Bucs general manager Jason Licht was Arizon’s VP of Player Personnel at the time. Fanaika went on to start 30 of 32 games at right guard in 2013 and 2014.

His contract ends next month, if the Cardinals can’t or don’t re-sign him. BSPN Arizona beat writer Josh Weinfuss referenced in Q & A recently that Fanaika, 28, is a guy he believes the Cardinals will re-sign.

But Joe thinks the Bucs should take a long look at Fanaika. Two years starting for a winning team and a great coaching staff is worth a close sniff. It’s not like the Bucs have much at right guard, and Fanaika won’t command a lot of cash.

Oh, and guess who Fanaika played for at Arizona State, new Bucs offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter.

51 Responses to “Fancying Fanaika?”

  1. DB55 Says:

    Lmao, if Winston is a “thug” then this guy will be labeled an Isis terrorist. Come joe!

  2. Mr. Patrick Says:

    The O-Line has to be the top priority. No QB in the world will look good behind the league’s worst line, he’ll just get beat to death

  3. Skyline Crew for Mariota or Winston Says:

    DB55, I didn’t find anything bad about him. What did he do that would make him an ISIL Terrorist?

  4. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Thug……..I’m interested in thugs at all Oline & Dline positions….a MLB & S thug would also help….but not at QB…..

  5. DB55 Says:

    Skyline

    He grew a beard.

  6. Skyline Crew for Mariota or Winston Says:

    rrriiiiight…..

  7. Robert 9 Says:

    I just spit coffee on my screen….

    “Logan Mankins did everything asked of him, and Evan Dietrich-Smith is a foundation player for the franchise going forward.”

  8. Architek Says:

    This is a good value and production pick as long as we scheme and have the continuity to get these guys on same page Immediately!!!!

  9. Jerseybuc Says:

    “Lovie Smith says Demar Dotson looks promising at left tackle, Logan Mankins did everything asked of him, and Evan Dietrich-Smith is a foundation player for the franchise going forward.”

    Robert, you are not alone….So alright then. We have 60% of the O line apparently in good hands.

    I can’t wait til a legitimate O line coach gets a look at these guys.

  10. OB Says:

    I believe the house cleaning that Koetter will/should do will tell us where we are going and how.

    Joe please refresh us on when they can release coaches and players and when they can sign free agents?

    Thanks

  11. Robert 9 Says:

    they rook who replaced EDS is playing better than him and New England hasn’t missed a beat w/o Mankins.

    Their both marginal at best and overpayed. they should be on the top of the house cleaning list.

    we should be able to fetch a 4th and receiver for Mankins though LOL

    stop the recycling truck and start teaching some younger guys w/o baggage and have upside

  12. Dean Says:

    Here’s an interesting thought. You know all the obvious teams that need QB’s.

    Bucs, Titans, Jets, etc., etc. But I’ve got someone that is going to be right in there with all the losers, because the desperately need a QB. They need a QB right away, because their best-ever signal caller is calling it quits.

    He will step down either this year or next, so they have to start developing an heir-apparent immediately.

    Who is it? None other than the Denver Broncos. Think about it guys. Peyton’s time is either here or coming down the road like a blizzard.

  13. Buc-O's 82 Says:

    @DB55
    That was CLASSIC!

  14. Bill Says:

    NOOOOOO. This dude is average–at best. Aim higher.

    Nothing wrong with competition, and Bucs fans would kill for average about now. –Joe

  15. Matt Says:

    Denver is grooming Osweiler bro. He’ll be thrown in the fire if Peyton retires and if he doesn’t get it done they will address it the following off season.

    Peyton should come back at a TomBradyesque $10mm/ yr salary so Denver can resign the ThomAs boys. If Peyton comes back and takes less then Demarius will too.

    Man Welker fell off the cliff, my goodness is he slow. No way Denver brings him back or anyone for that matter.

    We need homegrown talent on the oline not free agents. It is unfathomable how we have neglected the oline in the draft over the past few years.

  16. bucs4lyfe Says:

    you know things are bad when joebucsfan is giving free agent advice on offsensive lineman

    LOL. Hey, Joe was loudly in favor keeping Penn and Zuttah. –Joe

  17. Robert 9 Says:

    sumo wrestlers, lumberjacks professional wrestlers and KFC clerks might be a good place to scout a big lineman.

    and make sure he is white, has a big ol beard and dips tabacco would be a huge plus

  18. ChanEpic Says:

    PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE no more, been out of football for a year guys. OK, PRETTY PLEASE.

  19. DB55 Says:

    Robert 9

    Lmao, nah go to Nebraska or Iowa. Make sure they got on a cowboy hat, a big o’ belt buckle and some cowboy boots. A John deer hat will do just as well. Tabakee is definitely a plus. They make the best oline men. Not that I would stereotype cuz who would do that? Who would stereotype someone nowadays?

  20. The Buc Realist Says:

    free agent Guards, what could got wrong!!!

  21. dontlikethedirtybirds Says:

    How about former QBs (S. King comes to mind) as a good offensive line guy. I mean he has the weight. Sorry I couldn’t help myself

  22. Robert 9 Says:

    look at the OL on the playoff teams. their all big white rednecks

  23. DB55 Says:

    Robert 9

    Not true. There are black Cowboys too. Even Puerto Rican ones. Did you know the “cowboy” originated in Spain, hmm who knew? Que Pablo…..

  24. Danthebucfan Says:

    Is it possible to go from worst line to above average in one year

  25. MadMax Says:

    Could be a nice cheap pick up. Peat, Scherff, and AJ Cann will cost a draft pick, and very well could be had if we get creative with trading down for more picks, then trading back up.

    Joe, what is this “Current ye@r” question/answer under my comment? Never seen before, just letting you know.

    It’s a way to prevent spam and robot funny business. Doesn’t show for everyone. –Joe

  26. Chef Paul Says:

    “Evan Dietrich-Smith is a foundation player for the franchise going forward.”

    You cant build a foundation out of facial haired human waste.

  27. Chef Paul Says:

    DB55, Robert 9,

    Dudes in Iowa that wear cowboy hats and cowboy boots are posing pussies. The real cowboys are father south. Get yourself a big ole corn fed farmer with a John Deere hat, spittin chew though? That boy can tip 6 cows… At the same time!!

  28. StPeteBucsFan Says:

    EDS did not suddenly become a crappy football player nor did Mankins! Football is still a team sport and that aspect of “team” may be most important on the OL.

    If we take Mankins, EDS, and move Demar Dotson back to right tackle we have three competent professionals. All pros? No. But serviceable lineman able to contribute…ABSOLUTELY.

    And so that leaves Andrus Peat to anchor the LT spot and now we are down to a right guard. We have Pamphile and Edwards for a little depth. Yes that’s a bit shaky but we have to first get a competent starting five before we can worry about depth.

    And so if we got Fanaikas how do we get Peat and the QB? We get the QB at the first pick, we take the 34th pick out of the 2nd round and add whatever it takes to move up high enough to get Peat. That could require several more draft picks since we’d probably have to move up quite a bit to get Peat.

    Still if we came out of this draft with nothing but a franchise QB and a franchise LT to protect our franchise QB’s blind side this would be a killer draft. I know we need linebacker help. We might need to help the pass rush but I’m not as desperate about the pass rush as I am the Oline and QB. We have Jacques Smith…maybe Clayborn returns to rookie form..maybe Bowers continues to improve now that they moved him to the interior and maybe Michael Johnson gets healthy. Yeah that’s a lot of maybes but this team is simply not ready yet. This years “maybes” are perhaps the best we can hope for given ALL of our needs.

    Our edge rushing would remain suspect but have some maybes..our interior lineman are actually pretty damn good with a rotation of GMC..McDonald..Spence and Bowers.

    Given the new coaches I’m getting pretty excited!!!!

  29. Brandon Says:

    Robert 9 Says:
    January 12th, 2015 at 3:00 pm
    I just spit coffee on my screen….

    “Logan Mankins did everything asked of him, and Evan Dietrich-Smith is a foundation player for the franchise going forward.”

    —————

    Who in their right mind would give coffee to a 10 year old?

  30. Brandon Says:

    StPeteBucsFan Says:
    January 12th, 2015 at 5:34 pm
    —-

    It’s still early but I honestly don’t think Peat has much of a chance of getting past the top 10. He is probably the most talented OT coming out with only Scherff as his legitimate competition.

  31. StPeteBucsFan Says:

    @Brandon

    Point taken. I’ve seen some mocks where he actually went as high as 3. So I accept your criticism as me being perhaps the cockeyed optimist. 🙂

    I’m Ok with Scherff BTW as well as ND’s Ronnie Stanley. Either of the three will do for me, I simply like Peat the best.

    Bottom line is that I want Dotson back on the right side where I thought he’s really coming into his own and let’s draft a franchise left tackle to protect our franchise QB.

    But you’re certainly correct it won’t be easy.

  32. StPeteBucsFan Says:

    And in a non football but JBF topic. Am I the only one here who admires the boobs on that Russian woman in the ad? LOL

    I may be getting older but I’m not dead. But then again I might be a dirty old man by now I guess. Unless some of you young dudes agree.

  33. Buccfan37 Says:

    Off topic, the Broncos let Fox go. His NFL record at Denver was 46-18. What does a coach have to do to be appreciated?

  34. rayjay1122 Says:

    @StPeteBucsFan

    All I see is a karate add with kids in the pic. No boobs for me 🙁

  35. StPeteBucsFan Says:

    So then Rayjay you’re suggesting I’m a dirty old man. Guilty as charged I guess!

    Bucsfan

    Agree completely about Fox. I wonder if Peyton had any input into that decision?

  36. DB55 Says:

    Lmao ST Pete

    I think the ads come up based on the websites you visit throughout the day lmao

    You dirty old man rotf.

  37. DB55 Says:

    Damn fox got fired cuz manning couldn’t hit the side of a barn? That’s crazy!

  38. StPeteBucsFan Says:

    “You dirty old man rotf.”

    Dang you guys have figured me out!

  39. Scotty in Fat Antonio Says:

    LMFFAO! I am getting the same Russian Beauty AND Russian Senior ads. How does it know my age…lol.

  40. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Just make sure whoever we get on the Oline is “corn-fed”….

    As for Fox, I hope he isn’t Atlanta bound!!!

  41. Matt Says:

    StPetebucsfan- Re: your Russian chic comment..Anastasiadate dott comm is a scam bro. Or am I too late?

    You’re welcome.

  42. iamkingsu Says:

    @joe
    Open up a new feed so we can watch mariota struggle tonight.

  43. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    @ Lurker

    Where are you?…….Lurking?

  44. MadMax Says:

    Btw, I dont think Peat has declared yet….I hope he does….kid deserves to get paid now.

  45. MadMax Says:

    nvrmind….he declared!

  46. MadMax Says:

    Imagine this, trade down (maybe multiple times), draft Peat, move back into the first to draft Amari Cooper, then find a way to draft Bryce Petty!!!!

    That would be a hell of a 1-2-3 punch!!

  47. iamkingsu Says:

    @joe
    Thanx

    @ the rest of you morons
    Have the decency not to comment on the open thread until the game starts

  48. MariotaOrWinstonOrWalkdaPlank Says:

    How many times did we see EDS actually ROLL the ball to Glennon or McClown?? What kind of professional does that? As for Mankins, he’s a good player, but his half-assed efforts were not appreciated by this Bucs fan, lost season or not you are getting paid millions, do your damn job.

    Liar Smith needs to stay away from the offense……..far away.

  49. StPeteBucsFan Says:

    Watching this weekend ONE thing really jumped out at me. Not that I haven’t seen it before this season with the Bucs.

    Great Oline play makes virtually any NFL QB look great. If you give any NFL level QB enough time he’ll pick apart a defense. This is how 3rd stringers were able to rip us apart.

    Watching the first period of the Ravens/Pats for whatever reason the Pats got no pass rush. Joe Flacco looked like the best QB in the league! You simply cannot give an NFL QB that much time.

    Conversely if you don’t protect the QB they end up looking like Glennon/McCown.

  50. cmurda Says:

    Comparing Glennon/McClown to an NFL level QB is like comparing Nabakov to Ben Bishop for the Bolts. Nabokov sucks (see Flyers Lightning game tonight) and Bishop is an NHL caliber goalie. The O Line admittedly was awful but a good QB also makes his O Line look good. Holding the ball and trying to make a ham sammich doesn’t exactly do wonders for our O Line.

  51. DallasBuc Says:

    Lovie and lapdog are not into big money productive players or salary minimum productive players. Best to put all your cash in McTrash, Johnson and Collins. All equally non-productive and command top dollar. Don’t mess with a proven game plan!