Jeremy Trueblood Needs To Play Smart

August 24th, 2012

Bucs offensive tackle Jeremy Trueblood is an enigma of sorts. An effective if not at times a crushing run blocker, Trueblood sometime struggles with pass protection.

Then there are those silly penalties he gets in rashes. One of those dumb penalties rose up last Friday against Tennessee when he was flagged for a false start.

Simply put, that’s just not having your head in the game.

It’s those penalties that could get Trueblood in hot water with Greg Schiano, so writes Stephen Holder in a Tampa Bay Times Bucs chat.

Comment From Frank: When you read between the lines, do you think Penn and Trueblood are on thin ice with Coach Schiano? He has made comments and moves in camp that make me think he would like upgrades at both spots at some point, maybe even this year. Your thoughts?

Stephen F. Holder: I don’t think Penn is in danger as long as he does what he needs to do. He’s a good player — when he’s disciplined with his weight. Anyone who says his weight is not a factor in the way he played last season is blind. But he’s great shape right now. All I can say about Trueblood is that Schiano is big on disciplined play. And making false starts is not disciplined. I don’t think he’ll have a high tolerance from that from anyone

Trueblood had a poor game against Tennessee; let’s not sugarcoat things here. It’s bad enough if a right tackle is turnstiled time and again during a game. Throw in a few flags, and what’s the point of even being on the field?

If Trueblood can just stop the silly penalties, it will go a long way to staying in the starting lineup.

12 Responses to “Jeremy Trueblood Needs To Play Smart”

  1. Jrock Says:

    Over/Under on how many games until Dotson replaces Trueblood in a game, or even given the chance to start over him?

  2. Matt Says:

    The human turnstile will be released next summer and we’ll draft his replacement in the second or third round after going defense first…again.

    Unless Dotson can step up???

  3. Chris FWC Says:

    Agree with Matt. Dotson plays just like Stiffblood though. Both stink!

  4. Meh Says:

    I think Trueblood’s run blocking is overrated. It isn’t terrible, but it isn’t anything special either. Just much, much better than his horrible pass blocking.

    I suspect it will be his last year here to be honest.

  5. Dave Says:

    I was thinking the same thing. Dotson is at least as good as Trueblood, with a much higher ceiling. Why hasn’t he gotten reps at right tackle?

  6. Thomas 2.2 Says:

    Whoa! Holder just called Joe blind. Ban him, he is negative! Lmao

  7. dan Says:

    that. was pretty funny.

  8. Jrock Says:

    Dave – Dotson has gotten a lot of reps at right tackle ever since Penn came back from injury. I’m pretty sure this is the last year in Truebloods contract, so I would expect to see a lot of Dotson during the season unless Trueblood changes his play bigtime

  9. BigMacAttack Says:

    I’m looking forward to seeing Dotson play RT tonight, hopefully. I’m off work early, feels great, listening to TKraz and Steve White getting ready to head up to Tampa. I hope the Bucs can at least make a good showing tonight against a great team. It really comes down to Freeman and if he can produce. Wilfork is a beast and Zuttah will have his hands full.

    Go Bucs!!!

  10. BigMacAttack Says:

    Sulli needs to call a good came too. He is a big unknown right now and he has to fill a big roll as OC. Lots of weapons, lots of potential, & lots of unknowns.

  11. Mike J Says:

    Meh, I tend to agree.

  12. Piratic Says:

    “…Trueblood sometime (sic) struggles with pass protection.”

    Wow Joe, that’s definitely pulling your punch. #65 is little more than tolerable as a pass blocker, and that’s not sometimes, that’s nearly EVERY time.