The 200 Pressures Mark
May 30th, 2019
High-tech data tells a story
The Bucs moved the ball up and down the field last season, racking up loads of yards but failing miserably in the red zone — and at field goals.
Despite that reality, legions of fans think the Buccaneers’ offensive line was a horrid bunch.
Ironically, most of those same fans think head coach Bucco Bruce Arians is a brilliant offensive mind and was a heck of a head-coaching hire, one who wields a ton of power at One Buc Palace. Why is it ironic? Because Arians didn’t add any significant offensive line talent through the draft or free agency.
Yeah, it’s early. Average offensive linemen can be had after late-August, early-September cuts. It happens every year.
Still, Arians assessed the talent and felt the status quo would be fine.
Joe brings this up after reading “NextGen” high-tech tracking data at NFL.com. The satellite technology that tracks footballs and players’ uniforms reveals Bucs quarterbacks were pressured 200 times last year. That was tied for third-worst in the NFL with Jacksonville. Worst and second-worst were Minnesota (217) and Atlanta (204), respectively.
Perhaps moved by that data, the Vikings drafted a center at No. 18 overall. Atlanta snatched two O-linemen in Round 1. And the Jaguars appear to have landed great value with the No. 35 overall pick, tackle Jawaan Taylor out of the University of Florida. Jacksonville and Atlanta also were active in free agency along their O-line.
The Bucs? Crickets.
Joe is ok with it. Seriously.
Joe is not ok, however, with how the Bucs neglected the running back position. It’s downright depressing. But the O-line just wasn’t that bad overall and there’s still time to find capable depth.
May 30th, 2019 at 1:05 pm
“Kobe is interested in BAs runningback screen design
Andy Ried screen design with the Oline blocking and runningbacks is the best
Klueless screen oline blocking was pathetic. oline had no idea what to do
the defense is going to come after JW3 all game. They will not give him time to throw deep. BA can trap the blitz and throw the screen behind them for tds.”
Kobe Faker
May 30th, 2019 at 1:09 pm
The RB issue is an OL issue, and those pressures given up drive the point home.
The downfall of the 2019 Bucs will be the Oline. Everyone will blame Jameis or the running game, and the Bucs may draft help at those positions, yet they will suck year after year until some goddamn coach/gm finally has the brains to do something about the trenches.
May 30th, 2019 at 1:18 pm
Doesn’t make sense that Joe is ok with it….
Benenoch was Terrible
May 30th, 2019 at 1:19 pm
We can argue all day about whether it was the O-line or the RBs that were the problem, but the big issue now is that the GM/coach failing to address either position in the draft or FA so far.
May 30th, 2019 at 1:33 pm
Gotta Build the trenches. Hopefully we have drafted enough skill positions that we can start to draft an beef up the trenches now
May 30th, 2019 at 1:42 pm
In Bruce I trust.
May 30th, 2019 at 1:50 pm
Holy smoke!
I agree with a Kobe Faker post!
May 30th, 2019 at 1:52 pm
Fix the trenches……….maybe someday
May 30th, 2019 at 1:58 pm
If we would have drafted Russel Wilson in 2012, we wouldn’t be in this position.
May 30th, 2019 at 2:00 pm
ya ya, we had Josh Freeman, but they already knew he had issues at that point.
May 30th, 2019 at 2:04 pm
Should of drafted lael collins & laremy tunsil, but licht grabs hargreaves who will be cut
May 30th, 2019 at 2:17 pm
One could make an argument the Bucs had a stronger unit a year ago than today. At this point they still had Pro Bowl alternate to be Guard J.R. Sweezy on the roster. Whoever saw film on Benenoch and decided he should be the starter and J.R. Sweezy should be kicked to the curb should be fired if they haven’t been already. This was a really curious move, especially given his salary, the Bucs cap space at the time and the timing of the cut.
May 30th, 2019 at 2:25 pm
Worst RB group in the division and there is no debate about it.
May 30th, 2019 at 2:26 pm
Hopefully next year we will be looking at a picture of Justin Herbert or K J Costello.
May 30th, 2019 at 2:28 pm
@BucDan
Yeah…. NextGen stats prove that 1 out of 297 Kobe Faker stats to be legit.
I agree this time as well Brother Kobe.
May 30th, 2019 at 2:29 pm
Wait so the next gen stars show that they were the 3rd worst unit in the league at allowing pressure on the QB and your response is “see I told ya they weren’t that bad they didn’t even need an upgrade.”
Weird…
May 30th, 2019 at 2:29 pm
*posts
May 30th, 2019 at 2:29 pm
So no matter how many different groups of analysts/experts demonstrate that our o-line is garbage, you’re still cool with not improving it?
Strange… but hey wtfdik?
GhostofSchiano Says:
May 30th, 2019 at 1:52 pm
Fix the trenches……….maybe someday
We can all keep hoping… maybe.
May 30th, 2019 at 2:32 pm
A drop-back deep ball offense is going to have a higher number of pressures. Quicker you get the ball out, the fewer pressures.
May 30th, 2019 at 2:35 pm
@tnew
Please note that by Joe’s line of thinking, a Pro-Bowl alternate IS a Pro-Bowler.
“America’s Gusher, Pro-Bowl ALTERNATE …… JW!”
May 30th, 2019 at 2:49 pm
I also agree with Kobe’s post…..more screen passes…
Another play that should work is a play action to Rojo…..he will have 3 or 4 defenders on him….then dump a pass off to Howard.
Also…the last time I checked it’s still May….isn’t our first game in September….I am quite certain our roster isn’t set.
May 30th, 2019 at 2:55 pm
You can’t run the ball when the entire right side of the offensive line is mediocre to terrible. Barring Cappa develops, I don’t see how that changes, regardless of running back or coach
May 30th, 2019 at 3:07 pm
The Bucs have added as much personnel to RB position as OLine position- which means Arians and staff probably think that positioning, scheme, play calling and coaching were the issues.
Bucs may make more additions/ subtractions before season starts.
I trust Arians because of his past results.
Bucs have a good chance to start the season strong, depends on how young players respond to Thursday night short turnaround vs Panthers.
Win 2 of the 5 straight on the road and they’ll finish with 5 of last 8 at home.
Off season speculation, yeah, … the Main Man to make it work is Jameis.
May 30th, 2019 at 3:26 pm
Alanbucsfan Says:
May 30th, 2019 at 3:07 pm
The Bucs have added as much personnel to RB position as OLine position- which means Arians and staff probably think that positioning, scheme, play calling and coaching were the issues.
BINGO!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
May 30th, 2019 at 3:37 pm
So bottom 3 in pressures and bottom 3 in runs hit behind the LOS… no one should be OK with that lol. That sucks.
That said I am hopeful for reasons others have mentioned – primarily with the coaching staff and scheme. Smith is an above average OT IMO, Marpet = pro bowl capable or better, and Jensen = pro bowl capable per his work with the Ravens before coming here. Dotson = serviceable. RG = should have been drafted IMO. More so than RB. Although I loved Henderson too. I have no faith iin Cappa or Warford till proved otherwise when the pads come on.
GO BUCS!
May 30th, 2019 at 3:44 pm
Should have signed Richie when you had the chance. Now you need a RT and a RG. No worries though once the pads come on you’ll see many changes to the roster. I’m not worried.
May 30th, 2019 at 3:46 pm
Pretty simple. We threw the ball a TON and that translates into more pressures with no balance of the run game.
May 30th, 2019 at 4:17 pm
Red Zone:
#1-Mike Evans, #2-Chris Godwin, Slot- OJ Howard/Justin Watson= TD
Especially if JW continues to use his scrambling abilities like the end of last year.
May 30th, 2019 at 5:29 pm
@allbuccedup, Yeah it would be great to see Herbert play three games before injury, because you know, the guy hasn’t even made it through a college season without missing at least 2 games. Not to mention his accuracy isn’t very good, and that’s in a spread offense. But hey, let’s go with the names we know right?
May 30th, 2019 at 5:47 pm
Still again Joe, you only relied on offensive pass protection stats. Nothing on run blocking. The offensive line sucked horribly at run blocking. You hardly seen guards pull and engage. Even with knowledge of the snap count they had no line surge. Pad levels too high. The right side especially lacked in lateral footwork. Way to many missed blocking assignments. Never could produce clean run lanes. The offensive line hardly ever got to the second level of the defense on run plays. Why don’t you consider that aspect in your analysis Joe?
May 30th, 2019 at 6:10 pm
This will be a good football team this season.
May 30th, 2019 at 8:51 pm
O-Line is the reason for no running game. Give R.J. some space
May 31st, 2019 at 7:54 am
did someone insert a rod in jameis’ forehead?…he looks different…did they lobotomize him to be great now?
#MakeJameisGreatAgain
May 31st, 2019 at 9:43 am
They need to give karlos Williams a shot. One year min salary deal with some incentives. The NFL is probably going to announce new Mary Jane rules soon. Wouldn’t hurt giving a guy like this a chance.
May 31st, 2019 at 9:50 am
The third worst in pressures validates everything I said about the OL last year. D. Smith and Benenoch were the culprits along with Warhop who knew Liedtke had proved to be superior to D. Smith but would never start him anywhere. However, BA is smart enough to improve D. Smith by using a TE to chip block all speed rushers from the left side of the Offense or just bench D. Smith or retrain him to start at RT and start Liedtke at LT.
May 31st, 2019 at 10:38 am
Correction: or retrain D. Smith to play RG.