Nick Mangold And The Bucs
February 27th, 2017
How much gas is left?
No, Joe was not sent into a dizzy sense of euphoria upon learning stud center Nick Mangold was released Saturday by the Jets.
The salary cap causality means Mangold is free to sign with any team. Joe just didn’t think (initially) Mangold would be a fit with the Bucs.
It almost seems a foregone conclusion that at some point, Bucs right guard Ali Marpet will be moved to center. Whether that is this year or three years from now really isn’t clear.
Joe can still hear the words of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht on the weekend he drafted the former Division-III product. Marpet projected out as a possible center, Licht said.
Joe connected the dots and figured if the Bucs really, really believe floppy hat patrol sergeant J.R. Sweezy is healthy this season, then he would play right guard and the Bucs would move Marpet to center. Issue resolved and incumbent starting center Joe Hawley walks in free agency.
Then yesterday, the more Joe read about Mangold, the more Joe was intrigued by Mangold. Most Jets and NFL insiders believe Mangold, 33, has two or three years left in the tank. Prior to the 2016 season, Mangold had missed a grand total of four starts in 10 seasons. Folks, that’s a rock, though he missed half of 2016 with a bum ankle.
To be fair, Darryl Slater of the Newark Star-Ledger wrote how Mangold is not near the same player he once was. Who the hell is at 33 other than Tom Brady?
Then Joe got thinking: If the Bucs, as Joe firmly believes, are beginning a two- to four-year open window at a solid Super Bowl run, then why not see if they can squeeze three more years out of Mangold?
Marpet certainly doesn’t have to be moved to center now. If Sweezy is healthy, he can play left guard, his position with the Seahawks. And the Bucs could move Kevin Pamphile to right tackle, where he did a damn good job filling in for injured Demar Dotson late last season.
February 27th, 2017 at 9:07 am
Do it do it
February 27th, 2017 at 9:15 am
Every buc fan needs to hope and pray Dotson does not ever see the field next season. if he is a starter the bucs are in a world of hurt at RT.
Thought Sweezy played RG for sea pigeons
I’m good with mangold. Bucs have far too many holes. they can not rely on draft and young players to fill every need. Basically in the entire offense there is like 4 nfl players the rest are upgradable… Still have to eradicate the leader of the losing culture.
February 27th, 2017 at 9:18 am
“It almost seems a foregone conclusion that at some point, Bucs right guard Ali Marpet will be moved to center. Whether that is this year or three years from now really isn’t clear.” – J0E
I don’t see how you can even make a prediction like that. A lot can change over three years. The Bucs could bring in a young guy who ends up excelling there…even if the guy is undrafted and walking the streets.
February 27th, 2017 at 9:19 am
tmaxcon Says
“Every buc fan needs to hope and pray Dotson does not ever see the field next season. if he is a starter the bucs are in a world of hurt at RT.”
/agreed.
/signed.
February 27th, 2017 at 9:19 am
Great article Joe, just one small thing, Sweezy played RG with the hawks if i’m not mistaken.
February 27th, 2017 at 9:22 am
Just make sure this OL “Man” truly wants to be here.
I wouldn’t want this one to miss his BBQs in the cooler climate of the Northeast and act like he really doesn’t want to be in Tampa.
February 27th, 2017 at 9:27 am
Be it him or Jason Kelce just get one of these guys.
February 27th, 2017 at 9:30 am
Tmax I can’t argue your assessment about our Tackles. I’m not as down on D. Smith as others are tho. My thing is I feel they were a little missed used last season and somewhat exposed because to me they should be run blocking more so than pass protecting. All they’re body types to say run block me.
February 27th, 2017 at 9:32 am
Didn’t we do this yesterday?
February 27th, 2017 at 9:34 am
And Joe, why do you keep moving Marpet to Center?
February 27th, 2017 at 9:50 am
Mangold just turned 33 in January. Surely he’s got a couple of good years ahead. Would make sense if the Bucs had a young player to develop behind him. Maybe we already have that guy in C Ben Gottschalk or maybe we draft OG Dan Feeny in the 2nd round or as an alternative take a much younger but less experienced C J.C. Tretter/Packers (26) in free agency.
The Key is his health. If he is 100% recovered from a foot injury, there is nobody out there any better. The thought of another J.R. Sweezy is always on your mind though. We sometimes underestimate the importance of a good center to a QB in reading defenses and helping the QB in game situations. Winston needs to have a Peyton Manning/Jeff Saturday relationship with his center. Mangold could be that guy and bring a lot of offensive team leadership as well.
February 27th, 2017 at 9:55 am
Silly season indeed.
February 27th, 2017 at 10:50 am
Hmmm I’m a little confused as to the overwhelming optimism on this guy. Joe subtly mentioned his injury this year. Teams do not let go of consistently good players with miles left on the odometer. Especially when they have Fitzpatrick at quarterback and that dude that KNOCKED THE F OUT.
Is their cap situation really that bad or do they know something we don’t?
February 27th, 2017 at 11:02 am
Eric, the Jets have a young Center that filled in nicely for Mangold. I think they are short on cap room too and are looking to go younger across the board. We’ll find out how that works out when we play them this season. Hopefully Lavonte doesn’t hit the QB out of bounds this time. Lol
February 27th, 2017 at 11:07 am
Pamphile is definitely an upgrade over Dotson!!!! I love the OL shuffle Joe, is this the next service offering for Joe – player personnel counsel…
😉
February 27th, 2017 at 11:49 am
Ah got it. Well he could be a temporary game changer. We are at a position for the first time in a while that we can actually afford to fill our biggest holes and there is a lot of talent available to do so at those particular positions in free agency.
We should be patient as well cuz you know how great players get cut after free agency is completed. That’s when the big boys strike the most.
February 27th, 2017 at 12:31 pm
Joe I’d like an article on the logic behind the 2-4 year window concept? Why are you thinking like this?
Seems pretty rediculous to me.
If Winston was 35; and most our best players were all 28-32 then it makes sense. That’s the only scenario for me tho and even then we should be grooming a new future if we’re competent
February 27th, 2017 at 1:19 pm
The reason behind moving marpet to C is because he could be an all pro C or G. And having an all pro C is more valuable than a G.
February 27th, 2017 at 2:40 pm
Really like your logic here Joe. That would also hopefully help keep Dotson healthy as a reserve if he couldn’t beat out Pamphile at the position. Although I’d honestly still rather have a younger and in his prime Wiz at center.
February 27th, 2017 at 3:47 pm
I’ve been saying for the longest that Marpet’s body type is absolutely ideal for Center.
I hope the Bucs have at least looked at this possiblity.
February 27th, 2017 at 3:52 pm
If Mangold is healthy and his head is in the right place – it would make a lot of sense to bring in such an experienced player to play Center for a year or 2 while we develop or look to acquire his replacement. Hawley’s play did not cut it last year and Evan Smith (although a solid and versatile back-up) is not the answer.
February 27th, 2017 at 3:57 pm
unless scouts feel like being a Jet has sucked significant motivation out of him (a la Mankins 2014), this is a hard pass. otherwise we are advocating signing a Gosder Cherilus equivalent at the center position.
February 27th, 2017 at 6:38 pm
Lol, a ton of assumptions in this article. Sweezy returning (even though he never even played a snap in practice last night), moving a pro bowl guard to an entirely new position that he’s never played before, and a player that can choose any team in the league that has no ties to FL or Tampa. I predict we go 0-3 with these three guesses.
February 27th, 2017 at 10:29 pm
We u don’t draft well you have to sign old crusty vets
February 27th, 2017 at 11:58 pm
I’m glad Joe has been reading my comments. I said all of this in the other Mangold post. we need upgrades on the o line. That doesn’t mean we just shuffle around the guys we already have, we need new top level talent. Mangold is the best of best at his position. Why waste time “experimenting” with Marpet at C when he is already a rock solid RG, and we have the opportunity to sign one of the best Cs in the game? Mangold is also a leader, he has been a leader his entire career. Great guy and excellent teammate. The exact kind of guy you want to add to a young team that is looking to take the next step.
February 28th, 2017 at 7:22 pm
What about Steve Wizniewski from Philly? Was an all pro center in Oakland. Eagles made him a guard, but he’s leaving because he wants to play center again. Younger, less expensive and may be a better fit.