Shining Licht
September 24th, 2015
All that screaming and yelling through the winter, spring and summer because Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht did nothing to bolster the Bucs’ offensive line other than snagging two second-round picks.
My how the song has changed.
Licht is shining nowadays in the glow of his last-minute veteran pickups.
Joe wrote countless times that Licht could find live, experienced bodies in late August and early September. And it looks like he did. Starting right tackle Gosder Cherilus and veteran center Joe Hawley, who is expected to start for injured (ankle) Evan Smith on Sunday in Houston, already have looked better than the rotten chicken salad of an offensive line the Bucs put together last season.
The Bucs are running the ball effectively, and Jameis Winston, America’s Quarterback, often had time to throw in New Orleans.
Cherilus and Hawley (23 career starts with the Falcons) also should improve as they get more familiar with the Bucs offense and their line mates
Heck, if Demar Dotson returns healthy in less than a month, as is expected, the Bucs would have legitimate depth at both offensive tackle positions. If Smith can make it back, then the Bucs are that much stronger in the depth department. Smith would be an excellent backup.
Yes, backup. Today, Lovie Smith said Hawley almost earned “a game ball” for his work in New Orleans.
Joe hammered the prospects for the Bucs’ O-line this season, and the seemingly bad plan in place. But Joe must change his tune. Licht deserves to the bask in the glow of goodness now, and there appears to be a real shot for the Bucs’ offensive line to approach being average in 2015.
What a turnaround that would be.
September 24th, 2015 at 3:36 pm
The talent is really starting to accumulate. One more solid draft and we might have something.
September 24th, 2015 at 3:39 pm
They will be tested on Sunday. Play smart!
September 24th, 2015 at 3:40 pm
Well, let’s not too carried away after two games there Joe. This week will be a good barometer of a test to see just how much they have improved. I admit to keeping my fingers crossed that they can keep Jabo upright this week and that we can squeak out a victory on Sunday. I will be making the trek down from North Carolina next week to hopefully watch us build a three game winning streak! Go Bucs!
September 24th, 2015 at 3:45 pm
Slow your roll…only 1 win… against…pretty sad N.O. team…
September 24th, 2015 at 3:50 pm
Joe is riding the roller coaster!!! after playing a very bad saints team Joe and the Sheep are now flying so high!!!
September 24th, 2015 at 3:51 pm
Slow his roll my arse. Folks round here were losing their God forsaken minds over this O line during the summer. Everyday I read we have the worse O line in the league. Tell that to Andrew Luck. Y’all know that guy many of you kept saying”Jamies is no”.
September 24th, 2015 at 3:51 pm
Mark Dominik sucked so bad as GM, Licht looks like a genius… Not really but anyone is better then Dominik…
September 24th, 2015 at 3:57 pm
Realist!!! that’s going to be your excuse all season,we’re playing bad teams. You’ve said on many occasions the Buccs are a bad team. Can y’all make up your minds. Geesh. I won’t wait on it. The schedule came out and stated only four playoff teams on our schedule. I’ve said many times 2 and 14 record not a 2 and 14 roster. This team bad a$$,just young on offense. I won’t let some of you forget about the comments you’ve made prior to the season starting you can bet dat.
September 24th, 2015 at 4:07 pm
Lovie just needs to concentrate on the D. Just keep building up that o-line, because all Jameis needs is an average running game and an average o-line. I don’t even THINK about the D nearly as much as I used to. These days all I think about when it comes to the Bucs is building that o-line. Because that’s all that matters baby.
We’ve been given a gift (JW)now take care of that gift.
September 24th, 2015 at 4:10 pm
@Realist
Ok you call us sheep. If we win 10 this year or less but make the playoffs what will that make you. Let’s get on the record early.
September 24th, 2015 at 4:18 pm
I agree, 87. One more good draft for the OL. We need to put more into protecting Winston than the Colts did with Luck.
September 24th, 2015 at 4:19 pm
When it comes to O-Linemen on this Bucs team if I don’t hear the following:
or
Then that means you’re likely having a decent game. I don’t know very much about offensive line play but the Bucs ran the ball well and I didn’t hear any of those quotes directed at Ali Marpet which is a good thing.
September 24th, 2015 at 4:35 pm
Joe is losing his mind
One game the BUCS barely won and suddenly we have a “good” line????
I don’t think so……put down the crack pipe
September 24th, 2015 at 4:40 pm
@stpetebucsfan
we have already been through that
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2015/09/go-on-the-record/
Are you alright?? are you car keys in the dishwasher??? do I need to call someone to pickup you up and take you home??
September 24th, 2015 at 4:43 pm
Its about time Joe Hawley received some recognition. He was tenacious Sunday and was going after someone the whole game. Donovan Smith should watch his play in the game film and follow the example Hawley sets. Who would have thought the Bucs could snag a 6-7, 316 OL who used to protect Andrew, Luck in Cherilus. When Dotson returns this line is going to be better than average.
September 24th, 2015 at 4:53 pm
All they need now is to stay healthy and time.
Everyone should know OLines get better and better as they play as a unit. These guys barely played together this preseason because they were too busy trying to figure out who can play and who to cut.
Now they know and stability is what they need
September 24th, 2015 at 4:55 pm
In the words of Arron Rodgers R E l A X !!
September 24th, 2015 at 5:04 pm
Light is on Fire!!!
If the defense continues play hard as they did last game, I see 8-8 for our Buccaneers, Baby!
100% effort! Keep earning your paycheck Bucs!!!
September 24th, 2015 at 5:25 pm
Will be a difficult test against the Texans for sure. The Bucs in general seem to do better against speed and not as well against power teams.
September 24th, 2015 at 5:28 pm
I’m still in the 4-12 boat. I’m happy that we got a win at NO, but we didn’t play great on offense. The defense looked like an NFL defense but I haven’t seen anything yet that makes me go up to 5 wins yet. We have a gift though that we have the NFC East in an apparent “down year”! hope for the best!!!
September 24th, 2015 at 5:37 pm
A little “Whoa Nellie” is in order here. One decent game does not an average OL make. Let them put a few games in a row together before we starting singing their praises.
September 24th, 2015 at 5:40 pm
Use the hurry up offense, use shotgun 80% of the time, move the pocket around as to avoid a stationary target, use screen passes and the snap count to nuetralize the rush.
No ice cream for at least 72 hours prior to the game. Hey at least Foster might now play, fingers crossed.
Rejoice for the kingdom of Jameis is here!!!!
September 24th, 2015 at 5:44 pm
Yeah Licht assembled a line like the 90’s Cowboys. He’ll get executive of the year for sure.
September 24th, 2015 at 5:51 pm
We will see this week against JJ then we can talk!
September 24th, 2015 at 6:01 pm
Reading “America’s Quarterback” every time you mention Winston makes me never want to visit your site again. He’s America’s Quarterback about as much as I am the Pope.
September 24th, 2015 at 6:05 pm
So the plan all along was to wait until the last minute to sign veteran castoffs to protect the #1 overall pick? Even if it ends up working, it’s still a terrible plan.
September 24th, 2015 at 6:12 pm
I love Realist so much sometimes. Sure he’s what many perceive as a Debbie Downer, but he sticks to his guns and is almost always right. Put down the crack pipe. I swear, TB has some of the most ignorant fans (across all sports, not just football). This team has given up the 5th most sacks in the league (4 against Ten and 3 against the Saints). Jameis only dropped back 24 times! Can any of you even name someone on the Saints D-Line? Maybe some of the more hardcore fans could come up with Cameron Jordan but I assure you that’d be it.
Don’t get me wrong, I was ecstatic with the W. Absolutely thrilled. But Brees was clearly injured and we STILL almost gave it away. I’ve said 4-12 since Day 1. I had them beating Titans, Jags, Redskins and Bears. I could see as much as 6 maybe even 7. But don’t start talking about playoffs or having a solid O-Line after 1 unconvincing win. I swear the stupidity on here sometimes….
September 24th, 2015 at 6:39 pm
Joe Hawley started a bunch of games at guard for the Falcons, he didn’t start all 23 games at center.
September 24th, 2015 at 6:53 pm
We will go 11-5 and win the NFC South as I predicted before the season, as far as i’m concern it’s already in the book And we will have a Top-10 defense at the end of the season. Our o-line has improved, but our play calling having been up to par, but it will get better. Jameis will get better and will have complete command of this offense. There’s not a team in the NFL that don’t give up sacks, teams can’t teach o-linemen because of the CBA. You can’t teach a o-lineman techiques and stunts while in shorts, and even in pads they are limited in practice. But as I said before you can overcome sacks, Big Ben has been sacked 419 games in 11 seasons. He also has 2 Super Bowl wins, 3 Super Bowl appearance. It takes a weak person to make a excuse for losing, you lose because you were out played. It’s just that simple, all of that woulda, shoulda, coulda and if we had him, or if he wasn’t hurt is a bunch of nonsense.
September 24th, 2015 at 6:58 pm
I would like to hear from the Realist about a couple of things he likes about the Bucs team….
I bet what he likes is that Dominick isn’t the GM & Clayborne is gone.
September 24th, 2015 at 7:20 pm
@tampabaybucsfan
Sure, I like the fact that the Bucs play early on Sunday, No late prime time games thank you!!!
lets see, um um um. I like the fact they have an OC that should make it to the end of the year!!
and something else to like, hmmmmmm I like the fact that players are going outside to get good coaching….
And I do like Jameis, I think he has a lot of potential. If the O-line could really learn to pass protect and a very speedy WR added and If Lovie stays away from the offense we might actually have something……
September 24th, 2015 at 7:27 pm
The fact that Joe Hawley is only 26 years old, we may have our long term center. All we need now is the long term answer at left guard. Having the same offensive line together for a few years would be huge.
September 24th, 2015 at 7:56 pm
Is McCoy limited for this Houston game? I thought I saw that on the bottom scroll on the tv game. Maybe I missed the story.
September 24th, 2015 at 8:28 pm
Im still enjoying the win but its just 1 win. Let’s at least get on a winning streak first before we start declaring anything.
September 24th, 2015 at 8:41 pm
@ Realist
You had to work really hard for those….thanks….I appreciate your effort to be positive….
September 24th, 2015 at 8:53 pm
Im a very optimistic person, but even i cant crown this o line as being “good”, yet. Sunday’s test will t
September 24th, 2015 at 9:10 pm
You guys are hilarious. The Joes never said good, they said approach average. Unfortunately, that would be a HUGE upgrade over the OL play last year.
September 24th, 2015 at 9:18 pm
Still way to early, too small a sample size, but Sunday’s game will be an excellent preview of how little or far the OL has progressed.
September 24th, 2015 at 9:22 pm
“To be the best, you have to compete against the best, and win”….CocoaBchBuc
September 24th, 2015 at 9:37 pm
The tune changed because we were starving for a win. The Saints were a terrible team. I’ll wait until we play a good team.
September 25th, 2015 at 3:13 am
Yes indeed this article says it best. Licht really has put a lot into this offensive line the past teo seasons now and things are looking better as they coach and develop players to their strengths. They are definitely going to have to use the first two picks of this years draft to drafting true top level tackles on the offensive line because Mankins will be gone and I expect Marpet to start for him at some point but I also think they should move Donovan Smith to right guard sooner rather than later because he is not fit to be left tackle by looking at his techniques he blocks fascinating and is very grounded which is suitable for a guard but he is not quick enough with his feet to be a great left tackle in the league. Draft two left tackles in the draft bring back Cherilus and Dotson and let the draftees develop behind the vets. I also think once Dotson is healthy and ready to start then he should start at left tackle and D. Smith be immediately moved to guard or the bench maybe even try Marpet at center just to go ahead and move him to his natural right guard spot. . ,
September 25th, 2015 at 4:49 am
It’s funny how some of the dimwits believed the running game became less effective in the second half against the Saints because Hawley replaced Smith. They look at both events happening around the same time and conclude they must be related. How stupid.
The Saints began to key on the run because the Bucs went super conservative in their play calling in order to preserve the lead and run out the clock (what a shocker with Lovie Smith as head coach, right?). That’s why the run game slowed way down in the second half.
If the Bucs would’ve continued their same mix of play calling as they used in the first half and not been so predictable in the second half they would’ve probably won by a larger margin, and the Saints wouldn’t have been so successful against the run in the second half either.
In other words I’ll trust the coaching staff’s analysis as to who deserves a game ball over the uninformed “fans” any day of the week.
September 25th, 2015 at 6:29 am
Sweep the division……Win the division!