Retooling The Offensive Line
February 10th, 2015
A BSPNer believes LT Anthony Collins should be kept as a reserve lineman, which he was at Cincinnati.
After the Bucs select a quarterback to begin the 2015 NFL draft — if they don’t, they have major, serious ‘splainin’ to do — things get interesting.
The Bucs need help at safety. The Bucs need help at linebacker. Dear God, the Bucs need help at defensive end, and dudes walking around with a white cane can see what a colossal mess the offensive line is.
Yes, Joe knows others believe only two spos need plugging on the offensive line. Frankly, Joe isn’t sold on any incumbent retaining his position sans Demar Dotson. Sorry, when guys 29 and older (both Anthony Collins and Evan Dietrich-Smith will be 29 when this season kicks off) are being terribly overpaid commensurate with their play, that’s not solid footing for job security.
Matt Williamson of BSPN also agrees this offensive line is in terrible need of new blood. In a list of Bucs needs — it’s longer than Joe’s to-do list he brings with him to confession — after getting that quarterback April 30, Williamson said, Tampa Bay must look to the offensive line.
2. Rebuild the offensive line
Putting a rookie QB behind the Bucs’ O-line, which might be the worst in the league, isn’t a recipe for success next season. Demar Dotson is very underrated at right tackle, and Logan Mankins is effective at left guard, even if he does cost a fortune, but this team needs new starters at the other three positions next season so that it can use Anthony Collins as more of a sixth O-lineman.
If they go with a QB No. 1 overall, the top of the second or third round could be a good spot to take a center or guard who can be a building block for this team going forward.
Sixth offensive lineman? You mean use Collins this year like the Bucs used Oniel Cousins, more or less as an extra blocker on run plays. Really, the Bucs are going to pay Collins $6 million, per Rotoworld.com, to be a part-time player. Really?
Joe isn’t sure, but is there any team paying a guy $6 million (or more) as a non-starter? What’s the point?
February 10th, 2015 at 7:32 am
The point is that the OL is a mess and whoever is behind it in 2015 as the new starting qb will be decimated unless the Bucs retool it and since free agency rarely nets good talent (especially if one looks at the Bucs recent FA history) it seems that the Bucs will have to go after a decent G and C in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the draft and hold off on filling those needs at LB and safety until day 3 of the draft. The question is if L&L will go all offense on 2 straight drafts? I sincerely doubt if they will, I just hope that L&L make some competent decisions this offseason and get the team out of the NFC South basement next season; wishful thinking but can it get much worse for Buc fans????
February 10th, 2015 at 7:37 am
Man it’s really sickening how bad the front office screwed this team up. Jason Lichts tenure as a GM is most likely going to be brief. His performance last year was as bad as Collins and Johnson. Last year as a first year GM, he continually let players go with out getting much in return and replaced those players with backups or underachieving starters whom we assumed would magically find their hidden potential here. None did. As we start this year, things remain the same as the Casillias trade and a draft pick net us two spots in this years draft. This fish stinks from the top down, starting with poor choices by the Glaziers in putting together their executive staff and it’s been raining poor decisions ever since.
February 10th, 2015 at 7:50 am
It sucks now were stuck with a bunch of overpaid under performing veterans at oline. Dietrich Smith and Mankins better step it up. Neither one seemed like they wanted to be here last year. Playing for the Bucs is so bad to them they would rather just give up on the game they love. I really hope they bring it next year. If everyone on the team has an attitude that says this team sucks then nothing will change. As for Collins just trade him to the Browns or Raiders. Guys a head case.
February 10th, 2015 at 7:53 am
Dreambig..I could not agree with you more…
it’s kind of like the decision to replace the old uni’s with the new uni’s.
The old ones were clean and classic, the new ones are a cluster of clown colors and digital numbers that look unorganized…much like the Buc’s front office.
How do they keep the O-Line coach another year after last years debacle…is he going to some how figure out how to coach?
WHAT A MESS!
February 10th, 2015 at 7:54 am
Key to the Dallas Cowboys recent success
*3 offensive linemen in a 4-year span in the first round of the draft
Per: Jason Garrett
1st Round (#16) LG-Zack Martin (2014)
• Pro Bowl (2014)
• First-team All-Pro (2014)
1st Round (#31) Travis Frederick (2013)
• Pro Bowl (2014)
• Second-team All-Pro (2014)
1st Round (#9) Tyron Smith (2011)
• 2× Pro Bowl (2013, 2014)
• First-team All-Pro (2014)
• Second-team All-Pro (2013)
February 10th, 2015 at 8:01 am
Definitely agree with your analysis Joe that the Bucs need big-time help at safety, LB, DE, OL and obviously QB. For sure Lovie and Licht will need to do much better in not just the draft, but also in free agency. Hitting on 5 quality starters (minimum) plus adding some quality depth, all in one year, probably isn’t going to happen. Just too far to go in a single year … although we can all dream. And certainly hope for much better performance on the field by the players we do have. And improved coaching.
February 10th, 2015 at 8:02 am
Better call Chip Foose and take this entire team to “Overhaulin” it’s need of SERIOUS repair…..
February 10th, 2015 at 8:06 am
Fixing the OLine has to be the priority this offseason. Nothing else is more important. I believe the unit they fielded last season was more responsible for the 2-14 record than any other single weakness the Bucs might have had.
It will be hard for Lovie to not spend draft picks for young defense talent 2 years in a row – but with the #1 pick, the extreme need and the talent available at QB – we have to use that #1 pick on a QB and take our shot at landing a franchise QB.
Then the attention HAS to go to OL. At least 2 of the next 3 picks (rounds 2.3.4) should be spent on talented young Olinemen. Guard, Tackle, Center – position doesn’t even matter because we need them all. Just find some talent and bring in more talent via FA. We need competition for starting spots up front and lots of it.
Collins, Cousins and Gilkey should not be brought back.
If FSU’s Cam Erving is available at pick #34 – that would be an easy choice to make at that spot – not only because of his talent but his versatility could be extremely valuable as well.
February 10th, 2015 at 8:08 am
LUVMYBUCS Says:
February 10th, 2015 at 7:54 am
Key to the Dallas Cowboys recent success
*3 offensive linemen in a 4-year span in the first round of the draft
——
#34 overall is close enough to a 1st rounder. I’m fine with our early 2nd… but there are no o-linemen remotely talented enough to be considered top 3, let alone #1 overall.
February 10th, 2015 at 8:11 am
Trade down TWICE and address QB in 2016
February 10th, 2015 at 8:22 am
And we have Warhop to coach these new olineman that we draft. Seriously he must have damaging photos on somebody high up in the bucs organization.
February 10th, 2015 at 8:22 am
I’d rather have Cousins because even though he sucks too, he’s cheap even if he shouldn’t be on the team either. Thing is can’t spending 2 or 3 picks on OL either because there’s still lots of holes on this team and the picks need to be spread around. Should really try and bait the desperate Browns into both their firsts this year, another first next year and a few second or thirds too to come get Mariota. That other first next year, with them being the Browns, could be another top 10 pick.
February 10th, 2015 at 8:29 am
I’d be ALL over a Browns deal !!!!
I’d be ALL over a Browns deal !!!!
I’d be ALL over a Browns deal !!!!
I’d be ALL over a Browns deal !!!!
I’d be ALL over a Browns deal !!!!
February 10th, 2015 at 8:31 am
The only downside to trading down this year would be……
another 5 month QB barage from the Joes next season
🙂
February 10th, 2015 at 8:47 am
BuildTheLineForJameis
February 10th, 2015 at 8:59 am
What makes anyone think that Lovie can rebuild this team when he let the best players we had go and replaced them with backup players from other teams that no longer wanted them.
This coach is a joke. The sooner we replace this joke the sooner we can start to rebuild the team and the longer he is here the deeper the hole will get.
February 10th, 2015 at 9:02 am
Collins may be serviceable….here’s why.
Getting rid of him will save $3 mil in cap……so he will make three even if he is cut. Trading is not likely. It is possible that Collins simply wore down as the season went on. Recall that he was primarily a backup when we signed him….so its possible he would be effective if used less often.
Certainly the question is can we get a better player for $3 mil.
Personally, I am more in favor of cutting him and using our younger draft picks from last year & next year as the 6th linemen and depth. (Better for the Future)
February 10th, 2015 at 9:07 am
Greg…I agree about Lovie…however I have come to accept he’ll be coaching the Bucs this year… he can not coach/motivate nor evaluate talent…he gave us a # 1 pick for Gaines Adams….SMH
February 10th, 2015 at 9:13 am
Lovie needs to get his defense working sooner than later. The only way this happens is with a pass rush. Get an experienced pass rusher or two in free agency. Shore up the O-line in the draft with one or two bargain signings in free agency. This team has gone far too long without addressing the O-line via the draft. Fill the rest of the holes with good value signings.
The number of holes this team has is one of the reasons why a trade down would make sense. Although it’s not worth trading down if one of the QBs grades out to be a very good pro prospect.
February 10th, 2015 at 9:23 am
@Brandon
Yeah, can’t see any sure fire prospects like Jonathan Ogden’s in this draft.
Sad when you think that even though……
Free agents (Made the Pro Bowl)
• Center-Jeff Christy (2000)
• Guard-Randall McDaniel (2000)
UDFA (Made the Pro Bowl)
• Donald Penn (2010)
That as an organization–We’ve only drafted 2 Pro Bowlers in 39 yrs !!!!!
*Player Drafted (Made the Pro Bowl)
Center-Tony Mayberry (1997, 1998, 1999)
• 4th round (108th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft.
Guard-Davin Joseph (2008, 2011)
• 1st round (23rd overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft.
Note: Paul Gruber was never selected for the Pro Bowl. Even though he made the All-Pro team twice (1991, 1992)
February 10th, 2015 at 9:24 am
@JoeJoes Fungi Nails
I think a # 2 for Adams….but your point still is intact….
February 10th, 2015 at 10:05 am
I watched Draft Day last night. Man I was so excited watching them work that draft. So excited for the draft.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:17 am
http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/161163/2015-nfl-free-agents
Above is a list of all the NFL Free Agents as of 2/9.
February 10th, 2015 at 10:18 am
Here are the Bucs Free Agents
Unrestricted:
Da’Quan Bowers, DT
Adrian Clayborn, DE
Oniel Cousins, OT
Larry English, DE
Dane Fletcher, LB
Mason Foster, LB
Mike Jenkins, CB
Lawrence Sidbury, DE
Luke Stocker, TE
Jason Williams, LB
Major Wright, S
Restricted:
Leonard Johnson, CB
Bobby Rainey, RB
February 10th, 2015 at 10:31 am
Retool Joe? You mean re-address, since they have already addressed it last year and failed miserably in doing so. Trades, FA, draft ALL MISSES! Wish I had an hope they could fix this position. All we did was let the best players walk and miss on the new ones. Yuccaneers are in full force.
February 10th, 2015 at 2:39 pm
Is Collins contract guaranteed? If they can’t free up that money, then they have to see if the guy can contribute somehow, even if it’s not as a starter.
February 10th, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Get Greg Hardy in free agency. JW or MM at one. Then two O-line in 2 and 3 sounds great to me. Maybe trade down in 2 and/or 3 as well
February 10th, 2015 at 5:56 pm
Forget the quarterback and take the Cowboys’ route – use the #1 pick to upgrade the O-line. If someone gave the Bucs Tom Brady or Payton Manning neither one would amount to much behind the Bucs’ o-line. Best bet is to trade that #1 to the Browns, for two first round picks. Then use both of them for a blue chip offensive lineman. Everyone, including most who comment here, pays lip service to the adage “it all starts up front.” Then when it’s time to back it up, there’s the call for a franchise quarterback, this running back, that receiver. I got news for you all, without a quality o-line none of it work. And, it doesn’t matter who is under center.