How Long Will Dotson Be Out?
August 7th, 2018
Talks OL bodies.
Joe had a funny feeling back several months ago about the right side of the Bucs’ offensive line.
As we all know, J.R. Sweezy was coming off a broken leg. The Bucs were awfully dodgy when asked about Sweezy and now we know why: he was released.
And in February, right tackle Demar Dotson said on the “Ira Kaufman Podcast” he was given a green light by team physicians to resume all football activities. But then about six weeks later NFL Network reported Dotson had knee surgery.
At the time, the Bucs said they were hopeful Dotson would be ready for minicamp; that hope turned to training camp. Here we are two weeks in and two days from the first preseason game and Dotson is nowhere close to being back in the mix.
Yesterday, Bucs coach Dirk Koetter was asked how he was handling Dotson as he tries to prepare for the season
“Cautious,” Koetter said. “I’m talking to the trainers and the doctors every day, so it’s not just Dot. He’s barely working back into 11-on-11. He’s improving daily. He looks better and better, but anybody we think is not 100 percent long term – they won’t be out there. We’re not going to take a risk with anybody. We’ve got plenty of guys.”
But do they have plenty of guys?
Sure, there’s camp meat, yeah, Joe gets that. But do you want to risk America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, or backup Ryan Fitzpatrick getting blown up because a guy who will be catering a Knights of Columbus insurance seminar next month whiffed on a block?
Joe’s about convinced that before the preseason is ends, the Bucs will sign a right guard and/or tackle who was just released by another team. That right side of the line looks awfully thin now.
August 7th, 2018 at 4:15 pm
1st preseason game hasn’t even been played and Dotson, Benecoch, Wester, and
Vea are nowhere to be found. Unbelievable!
August 7th, 2018 at 4:17 pm
We have plenty of guys
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No worries Joe, they’ll just put in #27 at RG like they do at practice. How the heck do you have 91 men on the roster yet have no lineman to practice with? Lol, oh it’s a Bucs life.
Speaking of which, did you know that jbf made the deadspin article today “why your team sucks” the Bucs edition? Looked to me like the entire source for the article was jbf but wtfdik? Don’t see JoeBucsFan there at all. –Joe Btw, if you’re a real fan you may want to avoid reading the article. Absolutely brutal even by my standards.
August 7th, 2018 at 4:17 pm
This is why I was expecting Cappa to work in at RT, since Smith is fully capable of playing as a C/G and covering the interior spots.
August 7th, 2018 at 4:23 pm
Same Buc Story….different year….unless…unless….Leicht is baiting teams into thinking we need a trade for OL and #1 is what he has to offer 🙂
August 7th, 2018 at 4:24 pm
My concern and likely Koetter’s is that Wester and Gardner have both been out on top of Dotson. 2 guys who both had great reviews from the offseason but have been missing time visibly.
So imo they did have some depth and a plan at RT with these guys competing as the 3/4 OTs… but most teams don’t have solid developmental 5th and 6th OTs…or a week where they lose or don’t have their any of their top 3 RTs available
August 7th, 2018 at 4:25 pm
I suspect we are waiting for some Cap Casualties or cuts so that we can spend some of the Sweezy $6.5 mil on an Olineman…..(hopefully)
August 7th, 2018 at 4:34 pm
Every year it’s something that torpedos the season.
This year it will be the tackles.
August 7th, 2018 at 4:41 pm
Seems like our Oline has been thin since 1976.
August 7th, 2018 at 4:41 pm
So Im sure I’m making something out of nothing…. what’s up with dirks beard? It’s his last year to get this right. Is the beard a sign of…. I’m working so hard I dont have time to shave?? Haha. Seriously, hes the c.e.o. and has really been unprepared the last 2 years. I cant see us getting any better with klueless st the helm. Facial hair or not, it rrankly looks like a fake persona
August 7th, 2018 at 4:45 pm
I agree. Veteran lineman are always cap casualties or cut for whatever reason this time of year. I would feel a lot better about the weakest link of this team if we bolstered it with a Veteran.
With or without Dot that right side is a huge question mark and possible liability.
I haven’t heard much from the safeties other than Justin Evans this offseason. I’m not a Conte hater but I think if he is your starter that’s not good. Couple plays a game is fine but not a starter. Surprised they never kicked the tired on Reid or any of the other Vet Safeties.
Go BUCS!!
August 7th, 2018 at 4:50 pm
I couldn’t care less about what happens in preseason as long as there are no injuries
What we see and what the coaches see are two completely different things when evaluating players
That includes players from other teams
August 7th, 2018 at 4:54 pm
i can hear DR and rhealist now……
injuries!!!!!…..that’s why we had a lousy season….give the coaches a pass…..lol….
NAWL!!!!!…not this year!!!!…..you had the injury excuse last year…..learn and adjust!!!!!…that’s what good coaches do!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
August 7th, 2018 at 4:57 pm
We do not need to give up anything, except Desean Jackson and his fat contract! Trade him to Dallas, who has a ton of good O-linemen and are in need of a WR desperately! We need tackle depth. Dotson cannot stay healthy consistently.
August 7th, 2018 at 5:03 pm
We just signed an OT that was released by the Giants. Jarron Jones??
August 7th, 2018 at 6:27 pm
813bucboi … And when we lose a QB to injury because of crappy OLine play on the right side you’ll be the first one to scream “It’s Koetter’s fault for not training up the 4th string backups properly.” TALENT counts at the NFL level, but TALENTED players who are injured & unavailable don’t count at all. That’s why they invented this new word called ‘DEPTH’ bucboi.
I’m with Alaskan & TBBF … I want Licht to sign a veteran OLineman who can play Tackle AND Guard.
August 7th, 2018 at 7:20 pm
Richie incognito ?? Move cappa to T ??
August 7th, 2018 at 8:30 pm
“We’ve got plenty of guys.” – Not true at all Dirk, but thanks for trying. Always love your bull.
August 7th, 2018 at 10:25 pm
In reference to DB55’s comment, the following comes from the Deadspin article today “Why Your Team Sucks,” in the supposed e-mail comments from readers:
“Speaking of Winston, an otherwise respectable team blog keeps trying to force the cringetacular nickname “America’s Quarterback” on our local signal caller. Although now that I think about it, a famous pu**y grabbing idiot who hasn’t actually accomplished anything and can do no wrong in the eyes of his supporters despite overwhelming evidence that he may in fact be a terrible person might very well be the epitome of America in 2018.”
I know I often disagree with DB55, but it seems he is accurate insofar as the Joes receiving an oblique reference in today’s dig at our beloved Buccaneers!
August 7th, 2018 at 11:08 pm
At least in the right side of the O-Line Winston can see the rush coming, then fumble
August 8th, 2018 at 10:49 am
Everyone chill. We haven’t even played a preseason game yet. The O-line will get healthier and then we can bring in a vet if needed. Blind side looks very strong…