Arians’ Son: “The Entire Season Hinges On This Offensive Line”
August 19th, 2019
Bucco Bruce Arians’ son Jake, an NFL analyst and a former NFL kicker, doesn’t hide that he has plenty of information about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
As training camp opened, the younger Arians talked about keys to the Bucs season. And he was very clear-minded.
“You have an offensive line that’s very close and pretty good but can’t sustain a lot of injuries,” Jake Arians said, speaking on The Draft Network fantasy podcast. “They’re not very deep on the offensive line and that’s bitten them in the tail in the past. Now Jameis, he can move around enough. It’s goofy looking but he can do it. If they get some chemistry with those receivers, or they get a running back he can dump it off to when that happens, I think they can still be ok.
“But to play devil’s advocate, that’s the one thing that can bite them is that offensive line. If all five guys play together, I say this all the time: Look at the Rams the last two years. Their offensive line wasn’t great. They played together every week. That cohesiveness when they’re close, and this is a close-knit group in that [Bucs] room. I think the entire season depends on that offensive line. They got faster on defense; they got faster team speed; they’re special teams are going to be better. The entire season hinges on this offensive line.”
Interesting take from the head coach’s son. Joe sat on this chatter for a few weeks, wanting to see if the Bucs made any big moves on the offensive line. They haven’t — not yet. However, it has become very clear that depth is a greater concern.
Evan Smith got booted quickly. Caleb Benenoch looks like, well, himself. Earl Watford has been banged up. Mike Liedtke was lost with an injury, and overall the second-team Bucs offensive line has been bad rough in preseason.
Joe would bet a healthy amount of cash the Bucs sign a veteran O-lineman in a hurry when cuts happen around the NFL following the fourth preseason game. Four years ago, the Bucs signed Joe Hawley and Gosder Cherilus late that summer and were dominant running the ball in the regular season.
So it’s not too late to bolster an offensive line that largely was ignored this offseason.
A few other nuggets from Jake Arians:
- “You’re not forcing it to anybody” will be drilled repeatedly to Jameis Winston, he said during a conversation about the Bucs pumping balls to Mike Evans in past years.
- Arians also poured a little cold water on a 100-catch season for Chris Godwin, but he said, “an 80-catch, 1,100-yard season with eight touchdowns. I think that’s very much in the cards.”
- “You want a nugget? They’re high on [Breshad Perriman]. The talent is there,” Arians said, adding fantasy fans should expect four or five deep shots per game to Perriman.
August 19th, 2019 at 6:09 am
Cole Boozer is worse than Benenoch and that is saying something.
Did anyone say a 100 catch season for Godwin?
Did anyone else say 1100 yards for Godwin?
August 19th, 2019 at 6:24 am
And Joe thinks those of us who complain about the offensive line are wrong…
August 19th, 2019 at 6:26 am
I can’t believe they can’t find O-lineman. What about all those lineman from the AAF? Nobody?
August 19th, 2019 at 6:41 am
That can be said about all 32 teams in this league. It is an excuse and a cop-out. Every year the pats win the superbowl with a patch work O line. Later for excuses, next man up. Do your d$%# job to the best of your ability.
August 19th, 2019 at 6:43 am
One thing for certain tho “IF” this O line is fairly healthy for an entire season ain’t nobody flat out containing this offense.
August 19th, 2019 at 6:46 am
Jake Arians hit the nail on the head … this offense will only go as far as our OLine will take us. Hard to be optimistic about our OLine at this point though. Donovan takes naps once in awhile, while blocking. Marpet’s normally fine, but still not enamored with Jensen. Cappa is still a big question mark IMO, and Dotson has averaged under 12 games a year over the past 4 years due to injuries. And oh ya, our OLine depth is non-existent. What could possibly go wrong?
The good news is that it’s obvious BA knows what needs to be done. Problem is that he’s not really in control of the situation. No idea what OLinemen will be released by other teams, or even who we could afford at this point. Can’t wait to see how this plays out.
August 19th, 2019 at 6:55 am
Too depressing to get past the headline
August 19th, 2019 at 7:04 am
Great analysis from a kicker. A freakin kicker. Things must be slow at camp
August 19th, 2019 at 7:11 am
We’re pretty high on the waiver list. Pretty sure, from BA’s past, he’ll pick up a few descent Olinemen at the 53 cutdown.
August 19th, 2019 at 7:12 am
It is the same OL that was here last year and the brilliant GM and new HC seeemed it was perfect it just needed coaching. Koetter used this OL to have one of the best offenses in the league last year, so maybe if the defense is up to NFL standards then the bucs make it to 7-9
August 19th, 2019 at 7:52 am
I am surprised William Poehls is not ahead of Boozer at Tackle. He has looked much better in my opinion.
I think Joe is right about the Bucs going after other linemen when cuts occur. My prediction is the Bucs keep 7 of the linemen currently on the roster, put two more on the practice squad and sign two from other teams.
Bucs would have 9 OL on active roster and 2 OL on their practice squad.
August 19th, 2019 at 7:57 am
I actually disagree…..I think the key to our season is the Defense…..pass rush & coverage…..if we don’t improve greatly there….we are toast because teams will outscore us.
Our Oline is good enough….especially in pass protection…..and Jameis can scramble…..BA will have him dumping it off to backs if he is pressured.
August 19th, 2019 at 8:05 am
This is a great article to follow up the no RB in the backfield. If the Oline does not hold up the QB will take a beating play after play after play that we run with no RB to step up and block whoever has gotten past the Oline. And as we have seen this preseason and last year, this Oline is good a the Ole’ blocks. At least they do help the QB back up after he has gotten hit and sacked. Just watch our newly resigned LT he is always right there to help his QB up when his man blew right past him and into the QB. His is the first hand to help up the QB.
Jake is correct our season will be determined by how well our Oline plays.
GO BUCS!!
August 19th, 2019 at 8:06 am
Yes every team has O line issues.
However after 5 years of Gump this is the O line put together to protect the franchise QB?
I feel bad for Winston.
Gump has had plenty of time to put an NFL level offensive line together.
It’s pathetic.
Games are won and lost in the trenches and the Bucs are weak on both sides.
August 19th, 2019 at 8:17 am
Remember this is the 2nd highest paid o line and these are the soft results they get
Awful
August 19th, 2019 at 8:25 am
They need to add at least one oline man each year from the 2nd or 3rd round. That way they always have talent and depth with manageable contracts.
August 19th, 2019 at 8:31 am
Can someone remind me who constructed this offensive line? Was it Lovie Smith?
August 19th, 2019 at 8:51 am
Joe, I heard the Steelers have alot of good O-Linemen an some will have to be cut they can’t keep all of them and with BA connect with them I look for us to see who they cut and grab them.
August 19th, 2019 at 8:57 am
Willing to lay cash the Bucs pick up some offensive lineman in two weeks when about 1,200 players are suddenly looking for work. Arians has openly talked about doing just that.
August 19th, 2019 at 9:09 am
Joe Says:
August 19th, 2019 at 8:57 am
Joe, I heard the Steelers have alot of good O-Linemen an some will have to be cut they can’t keep all of them and with BA connect with them I look for us to see who they cut and grab them.
Willing to lay cash the Bucs pick up some offensive lineman in two weeks when about 1,200 players are suddenly looking for work. Arians has openly talked about doing just that.
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Dire….their scrap heap is better than ours…
August 19th, 2019 at 9:19 am
This is what happens when your gm wastes draft picks on 15 cb’s and 6 safeties. Oh wait, he used a third rounder on the small town college star, Alex cappa. Licht failed in keeping our trenches young and competitive.
August 19th, 2019 at 9:23 am
Saints and Falcons spent early on OL
August 19th, 2019 at 9:24 am
Saying the Bucs are going to pick up a few OL after cuts is obvious. What would be interesting is predicting who will be (name players) available and who on that list would the Bucs be interested in. I’m working on a list and would be interested in seeing others.
53 roster and practice quad predictions are interesting too. Read Bonzai’s yesterday and it’s inspired me to do my own.
August 19th, 2019 at 9:28 am
I’m not sure the O line is anything other than bottom tier. Bucs QBs last year in Fitz and especially Winston are able to move around and evade tacklers, and had to do it pretty much all year long. And unless the RBs are truly terrible, their blocking may be been pretty bad too. I get the point about being the #1 pass O in the league but that could also because they had no choice but constantly pass because they are playing from big deficits so often. At least it sure seemed like it.
August 19th, 2019 at 10:04 am
We’d have enough money to trade for a good O linemen if we cut JPP, Ryan Smith, who got burned again against the Fins, and when Santos is cut. Speaking of JPP has he even been at training camp? He missed the entire off season, to busy getting his neck broke to show up for OTA’s, and I haven’t seen, or heard if he’s even with the team. If he can’t be bothered being with the team at all, why are we holding on to him? It’s not like he knows the system, and can afford to rehab away from the team. Other injured players are at least on the sidelines getting mental reps, or riding the bike while watching practice, what’s up with this guy? Why are we paying him big money to stay home?
August 19th, 2019 at 10:13 am
There are Boozers walking the streets of Tampa bottle in hand that could block better than Cole Boozer.
August 19th, 2019 at 10:27 am
Cut Boozer and Benenoch now and play Poehls and Ruble in their place. We have to see if they can handle it and play them with the second team offense the second half of the Cleveland game. Watford can back up all 5 OL positions and started at Guard and OT while at Arizona for BA. Uhatafe or Holcomb can backup the Guard position and Holcomb played some RT as a backup to Dotson last year and was decent. We are much better now at backup OL after development by professional BA OL Coaches not named Clueless Warhop than BA’s son knows.
August 19th, 2019 at 11:50 am
I would consider 8 wins this season AMAZING. I don’t see more than 6 wins tho and there is potential for only 3-4 wins with a few untimely injuries. jason licht is still a handicap for this team
August 19th, 2019 at 12:13 pm
Such low win projections. I don’t agree. I think we can go at least 2-4 in the NFC South and all of these teams are very beatable: Titans, Jaguars, Cards, 49ers, giants, lions and colts.8 to 10 wins is not really a reachwith a dependable kicker and improved defense.
August 19th, 2019 at 1:12 pm
I still don’t understand why all the focus on the offense. This season will come down to defense and how much it improves. Buying a bigger bucket that has big holes in the bottom doesn’t hold water. You have to patch the holes. You have to be better on defense.
August 19th, 2019 at 2:23 pm
Godwin going to get some work in this offence. Hes going to be getting those dirty catches over the middle. Staying healthy is going to be key for his stats. Godwin would be a #1 receiver on some teams. Its up to Winston to put the ball on the money so he can get those yards after catch. And the oline has to block of course. But he can do good in the slot and it sounds like his going to get alot of targets this year.
August 19th, 2019 at 3:38 pm
Stanglassman: agree… Joes please chat up your colleagues and tell us who you think is out there on the bubble of another team’s roster that we can expect to see in the mix. Lots of others used quality picks on OL (looking at you Falcons) and may have a few too many bodies. Maybe its worth shipping a late round pick out to get our pick of the litter (no pun intended) instead of hoping someone falls through the waiver wire to us?
August 19th, 2019 at 5:41 pm
It is a shame with our highly paid OL we are hoping to pick up some scrub that could not even be a back up on his current team to improve ours!
August 19th, 2019 at 6:24 pm
“The Entire Season Hinges On This Offensive Line”
ZERO depth.
Doomed.
August 19th, 2019 at 8:43 pm
Lol betting on the success of this OL? Did yall watch the play of the Tackles? Cmon man. No playoffs. Lucky to get 6 wins
August 19th, 2019 at 11:40 pm
Will someone please explain the logic of giving Donovan Smith a new contract? Oh…I forgot Jason Litch perceives him as being an elite LT. I watched the films on this guy n he is terrible at protecting Winston. He gets knocked around at will as if he’s a pushover…which actually he is. He’s soft, passive, n after being thrown around, bull rushed, or faked out, he just stand around n watch defenders corral Winston like a Wolfpack. He’s gonna get Winston killed n BA will not hesitate to call him out n put him on the hot seat.