Bucs Irony & Joe Haeg
April 6th, 2020
New Bucs OT Joe Haeg.
Joe has said many times over the years that nobody writes a soap opera quite like the bumbling Buccaneers of the post Super Bowl era.
There are so many examples, even new free agent offensive lineman Joe Haeg.
Quick trivia: what offensive lineman was taken seven spots prior to Haeg in Round 5 of the 2016 NFL Draft?
That would be Caleb Benenoch, who tortured Bucs fans with horrid guard play in 2018, yet the Bucs front office and Bucco Bruce Arians’ team of evaluators still brought him back in 2019. He was cut in September and bounced to three teams before landing with the Lions in December.
Ironically, Benenoch is behind starting Detroit guard Joe Dahl on the Lions’ depth chart. Dahl, on his second contract, was selected three picks after Benenoch in that same draft.
Yeah, 2016 was a rough draft year for Tampa Bay. (Did Jason Licht miss Lovie Smith?)
As for that 2016 draft, Joe watched a Colts personnel guy talk about how he pulled junior-year film of Haeg at practice for 1AA North Dakota State. The scout, who liked what he saw, wanted to see Haeg practice against former teammate and Chargers linebacker Kyle Emanuel, a fourth-round pick of the Chargers the year prior.
Joe’s been doing a lot of digging on Haeg to see what the Bucs got in the guy who might be their starting right tackle on opening day. Haeg was a starter in Indianapolis before hitting the bench last season as an extremely versatile sixth man.
Former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski once emphasized that Haeg can play every single O-line position. He did make his first start at left tackle to open the 2018 season.
Haeg was known for his in-locker-room coffee shop with the Colts. Yeah, he apparently sold coffee, “Joe’s Corner Coffee Shop.”
Joe also heard a former teammates say Haeg was such a huge Vikings fan when arriving to the Colts in 2016, that his Colts brethren were concerned Haeg might tank the game to help Minnesota.
Haeg has fresh legs after just 73 snaps on offense last season, when he often was used as an additional tight end.
The Bucs’ 27-year-old new addition saw what life was like with and without Andrew Luck, so he understands what adding an elite QB will mean to Tampa Bay.
Haeg gushed in 2018 about Luck’s return. “Just him kind of [taking] back that field general role. When I played with him my first year, life seemed a lot easier because he just sees the game in such a different way and can really help out everyone as we run the offense.”
April 6th, 2020 at 11:19 am
Im happy with signing him. Just need to grab another one in the draft.
April 6th, 2020 at 11:26 am
We need at least two more productive o-linemen.
April 6th, 2020 at 11:29 am
Could be a “depth signing” or……do the Bucs think they can develop him? If he’s able to play and start, it reduces the need to draft an OT so high. There’s little chance that the top 4 candidates fall to #14. AND, they would have to develop themselves.
I feel a LOT better about this staff’s ability to develop players than in years past.
April 6th, 2020 at 11:32 am
Good signing. Let’s keep going on the OL in the draft. I think Brady is going to be the first active player in Buc history to actually have a say in the draft.
April 6th, 2020 at 11:46 am
I still want Simmons in a trade up….just got to figure how to get RB Clyde and a RT…Bartch maybe? Or Peart? Use next year’s draft capital if need be.
April 6th, 2020 at 11:47 am
Seems like this is a good Watford replacement…..hopefully, we will replace Dotson with a first or second round draft pick…..
April 6th, 2020 at 11:49 am
The coffee thing is nuts! We have some of the best espresso in the world right here in Ybor I bet this man is gonna love it. We are in historic times now and it will be an epic season. I hope a top Oline falls to us if not we still have to address the trenches!
April 6th, 2020 at 11:50 am
You do have to appreciate the irony of the one Joe who thinks Lovie single-handedly destroyed the post-Superbowl Bucs (for 12 years) due to his 2 year stint on the team and only occasionally remembers that arguably the worst draft in franchise history was in 2016 when Mr 34-62 Jason Licht had the run of his first NFL Draft to himself without that meddling Lovie or Jon Robinson to bail him out.
Normally when someone is given the most power of their professional career to make decisions and faceplants like Licht did in 2016 you don’t think to yourself “Yeah, those bad personnel decisions before were all due to the guy they fired and totally not the guy who just showed himself as incapable of finding one long term starter in a draft where he started with a top 10 pick in every round.”
April 6th, 2020 at 11:53 am
I think this guy’s versatility is why he is here. A great depth player all the way across the OL with just ONE signing.
Now we go get our RT and we’re cookin’ with gas.
April 6th, 2020 at 12:10 pm
I still wonder if the Bucs can fit Jason Peters in the budget. Yes, still draft one of the Big 4 if they’re there at 14, if not get an OT later. Joe Haeg would be the Earl Watson of last year, the Swiss Army knife depth guy.
April 6th, 2020 at 12:12 pm
swing tackle and can play all 5 spots – very valuable reserve
April 6th, 2020 at 12:12 pm
Is it possible the Bucs start Joe Haeg at RT and wait until round rounds 3 or 4 before drafting another OT? We still have a little under $6m left on our cap. Could a Demar Dotson return be possible? I know BA is not a big fan of drafting offensive lineman especially in the first round.
Everyone has us picking an OT with pick #14 but I’m not surprised if we go with a wide receiver in round #1. Keep in mind Godwin will need a new contract after this season and he will probably want @ $13-$15 million per season. There is only one other team in the NFL paying two receivers over $12 million per…
April 6th, 2020 at 12:17 pm
@ Joe in Mich
Jason Peters could be a possibility but not without restructuring the contracts of Marpet, Smith, Jensen or Gholston.
We currently have under $6 million to spend on free agents.
April 6th, 2020 at 12:20 pm
This could easily happen, OT later on. You know, I know, everybody has to know that Jason Licht is in love with Ben Bartch, a small school tough guy, like all of our interior O-Linemen.
April 6th, 2020 at 12:23 pm
I’d be more comfortable with a seasoned vet at OT than having a rook out there, I’m sure BA feels the same way. We’ll see if some of the guys Marine Buc mentioned will give the Bucs more cap space.
April 6th, 2020 at 12:32 pm
1) Sign Jason Peters…If not,
2) Pick up a vet OT after the draft, from a team that took one early…If not,
3) Re-sign Dotson
Keep Haeg as a sub, ease our draft pick(s) in as sub(s)
April 6th, 2020 at 12:37 pm
@ Joe in Mich
I agree. I was a bit disappointed we didn’t make a run at Conklin, Trent Williams or Peters. But I understand that we would not have the money to sign Suh if we did.
I still think there is a chance we go after Peters but he will need to lower his asking price. He cost the Eagles $10.67 million last year. If we can restructure a few current deals we might be able to give him a one year $7m – $8m contract.
We will still need @ $2m – $3m on hand for emergencies.
April 6th, 2020 at 12:38 pm
The Bucs have a lot of and are picking up a lot of multi-position players on the o-line which I think is a very smart move. Ali can play LG, C, RG. I think Donovan Smith would be a better RT than LT so if the plan is to bring in OT in the first it’s Wills Guys that can play all over. I’d like to get an OG/C in the top four to possibly slide in for Jensen at some point. Great coaching staff that can scout good players coming into the NFL. Need to get all t
1. Kinlaw/Wills (both have a large effect on my draft but I want Kinlaw).
2. RB (Akers/Edwards-Helaire)
3 .DT/RT (depending on first round pick).
4. OG/C
4. EDGE
5. S/CB
6. WR
April 6th, 2020 at 12:41 pm
*”Donovan Smith would be a better RT than LT so if the plan is to bring in OT in the first it’s Wills”
Scratch that. If it was Thomas they brought in Smith needs to move to the right side.
April 6th, 2020 at 12:41 pm
@ SOE
I agree with everything you stated except moving Smith to RT. He has never played anything but LT his entire football career and he admitted to Joe Buc Fan that he would be a “train wreck” if moved to RT.
So any OT we pick up has to have the ability to play Left Tackle.
April 6th, 2020 at 12:43 pm
Oops
So any OT we pick up has to have the ability to play RIGHT TACKLE…
April 6th, 2020 at 12:57 pm
Marine Buc…You have no idea how much that “I would be a train wreck at RT” by Smith and we gave him $40 million with huge guarantee. Continue to break drywall with head. Might of been saying that to get good LG money and they were dumb enough to pay him for it. He jumps and does not have great footwork to the left. Anyone please don’t tell me he doesn’t get the ugly run around from fast EDGE and OLB.
April 6th, 2020 at 12:59 pm
If we’re fortunate enough to have one of the Big 4 OT’s fall to us, my favorite would be Becton. If we got him, we might not need to sign another vet OT this year. One or two years at RT, then take over at LT. He’ll get taken top 10, if not top 5 (NY Giants), IMHO. Someone who is pushing 370 shouldn’t be able to run a 5.1 forty.
April 6th, 2020 at 1:02 pm
I’ve been waiting for someone on the Bucs to tell Donovan Smith to drop about 25 pounds, to help his quickness and stamina. Doesn’t look like that’ll ever happen, shoulda had it in his contract, if it actually would’ve helped.
April 6th, 2020 at 1:05 pm
@ SOE
When Smith came out of Penn State he had only played LT. For some reason (probably his agent) someone started spreading rumors that Smith could play LT and RT. These rumors were false. I believe it raises a players value if they are considered versatile.
Smith isn’t bad. He isn’t horrible. He is average most games and he has had a few bad games.
The problem is we are paying Smith as a top 5 OT. He is currently performing as a #20 ranked OT. He needs to step up or take a major pay cut.
April 6th, 2020 at 1:07 pm
How can you like this addition?
He was benched last season.
joe haeg -former teammates say Haeg was such a huge Vikings fan. While a colt
This is nothing but competition and depth. Perhaps starter if joe gets it together.
April 6th, 2020 at 1:08 pm
ITS SO CUTE THAT YOU PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT FOOTBALL IN 2020 LIKE THERE WILL BE A SEASON, LMAO, TOO FUNNY, VERY COMICAL, JUST SHOWS HOW LONELY PEOPLE ARE
April 6th, 2020 at 1:09 pm
Bucs vs browns from 2 years ago on nfl
April 6th, 2020 at 1:11 pm
@Joe
You said you’ve done a lot of research on Haeg? What are we looking at here? Things can always change but from his previous years in the NF, but. In your professional opinion was he: Really bad/bad/average/above average/good/great?
Asking because o-line depth has been just as scary as our starting o-line and see where this guy could fall into place on the depth chart. You said he could be starting.
April 6th, 2020 at 1:18 pm
@ SOE
According to Pro Football Focus, the Colts had the NFL’s third-best offensive line in 2019: “Continuity on an offensive line is always a good thing. That’s exactly what the Colts got in 2019 with all five starters playing over 1,000 snaps on the season.
So Joe Haeg was the odd man out on one of the best offensive line groups in the NFL.
He will be considered a solid player on a very average offensive line group.
April 6th, 2020 at 1:27 pm
Joe Haeg’s contract for this year is 1 year, for $2.3 million. That seems to be backup/start-in-a-pinch type of contract (but who knows, he could thrive in a different system). I did read where other teams were interested in him.
April 6th, 2020 at 1:31 pm
@ Joe in Mich
Joe Haeg might be starting at Guard over Cappa. Then move to OT if injury occurs at that position. Then Cappa goes to Guard.
Not a bad “worst case scenario”.
April 6th, 2020 at 1:38 pm
Get a top 4 OT so that next year they can start at LT and replace D. Smith. In the meantime he can play RT. Trade off D. Smith for a draft pick before the end of this season. Perhaps by next year we can start Haeg at RT. I am not opposed to taking a C/G this year who could replace our Center next year and save $10 million we will need for a long term contract to keep our All Pro Slot Receiver. However, we should also pick a backup nose tackle in the draft; which is a bigger need than S or another CB. We also need AJ Dillon to be our Third Down Back and short yardage specialist.
April 6th, 2020 at 1:58 pm
Marine Buc: I thought Cappa was decent at RG last year, not many penalties and played through injuries at times. Competition is always good. Maybe we take a C/OG type with one of our 4 Rounders to provide even more competition along the line.
April 6th, 2020 at 1:58 pm
*4th Rounders
April 6th, 2020 at 2:02 pm
If Lloyd Cushenberry of LSU fell to the Bucs in the 4th, I’d be so happy!
April 6th, 2020 at 2:06 pm
@ Joe in Mich
I agree. We should be drafting a C/G depth player (I like Nick Wells – Washington) in the third or fourth round.
I also agree that Cappa played OK – not great – but OK and showed toughness playing with a broken arm. It will be a good battle between Cappa and Haeg for that starting Guard spot.
April 6th, 2020 at 2:08 pm
@ Joe in Mich
Cushenberry would be a great pick but I think he is going much earlier than round 4. More likely a second round choice.
April 6th, 2020 at 2:13 pm
Very interesting pickup as he appears to be Bruce’s insurance policy to ensure Licht doesn’t panic during the early draft. Sure looks like they are going to let the draft come to them such that they take OT if one of Top 4 falls to #14… or, if all are gone, see what they can get in a trade back if someone wants a specific player (Kinlaw, Ruggs or someone else) bad enough to part with a 2nd. If trade back, Jones and Jackson come into play at OT and that extra 2nd (or 3rd?) makes life much easier. If everything goes against us (top OTs and DTs are gone, can’t find a trading partner and BPA is not really a need… say a WR), Haeg let’s the Bucs take BPA. Its the kind of no fuss, strategic master stroke we’re not used to seeing around these parts.
April 6th, 2020 at 2:16 pm
@Harold out here screaming for attention…..loneliness much? lol
April 6th, 2020 at 2:31 pm
Was checking up on BA oline coach Joe Gilbert cus I knew he’d done a lot of time with the Colts, also. Gilbert has been mostly on very good offensive teams in NCAA and NFL. Read his stats and career biography. UCF team improved 0-11 in 2004 to 8-5 in 2005 for their first bowl appearance in school history (1996 was the first season of football). Three members of his offensive line in 2005 were recognized with postseason conference honors (one all-conference and two all-freshman conference awards). University of Houston-Gilbert stayed one more season with them. his single season, the Cougars finished second in the nation in passing yards and tenth in scoring offense. Gilbert had another player ( Sebastian Vollmer) named to all conference team. 2018 University of Ariz. OL coach lead Pac-12 in rushing yards.
We need to pick up two oline R1-R4.
April 6th, 2020 at 2:46 pm
#HaegsHotJavaHut 🙂
April 6th, 2020 at 3:27 pm
Joe Haeg is originally from Brainerd, Minnesota.
LOL, no wonder why he was a Vikings fan.
And, I like Becton too, and hope we draft him.
April 6th, 2020 at 4:01 pm
At best, Joe Haeg is depth. At worst, he won’t even make the final roster.
I get the feeling he was signed as a distraction for the draft. Watch…before the draft, someone will talk him up to make it seem like they believe he will start.
April 6th, 2020 at 5:34 pm
@Bonzai nailed it.
Haeg got benched by the Colts and then he became expendable. Now he’s with the Bucs. He’s going to be a career backup and a very versatile addition as a reserve. I like this move to get him for that reason. But don’t for a second think he’s going to be a week 1 starter on this team. That is an absolute fantasy.
Imho if Joes Haeg starts, folks, then something has gone horribly wrong on our line. No disrespect to the fella, but if he’s been cross trained as a Swiss army knife offensive lineman and lost his starting spot, then it’s plain as day (to me) that he’s got a great brain and technique but limited athletic ability to hang with the starters for very long.
Maybe our awesome OL coach can work some magic though! I’m happy to be wrong about this, because I’ll be rooting for him hard since he’s a Buc now!! Go Haeg! Hope you crush it buddy!!
As Bonzai stated, the addition of Haeg might help us divert draft day attention away from our continued need on the offensive line. But I don’t think it’s going to be a strategy that works. I think we’re going to have to trade up and give away future draft picks to get who we need to get for the OL.
On a positive note about Haeg and his locker room coffee, though, he sounds like a nice addition that can fill the vacuum of “slightly-weird” that was left by Nassib moving on….
*sigh* I miss good old Carl……
April 6th, 2020 at 6:02 pm
He started his 1st 2 years in the league all over the Colts line I believe he can be our RT but should still draft one in 1st if there there if not Ruggs plz
April 6th, 2020 at 6:08 pm
While I think the Bucs view someone as versatile as Haeg as depth…I believe Haeg thinks he has another opportunity to start.
He was a starter his first two years in the league until Indy upgraded enough to move him to the bench. Haeg looks at competing against a rookie or Cappa in terms of trying to get a starting gig.
April 6th, 2020 at 6:17 pm
Marine Buc: Probably so on Cushenberry. They say he’s a great team guy, too. I was thinking 3rd day would be good to take a Center to groom behind Jensen.
April 6th, 2020 at 6:22 pm
Stpetebucsfan: That probably was Haeg’s plan, grab a starting gig here and go back in free agency next year. I just hope we have a better plan than his, with much more OL talent taken in the draft/bargains after the draft.
April 6th, 2020 at 7:09 pm
It’s clear that Licht has a thing for the flowing locks. I need this filter on potential RT candidates in the 2020 draft. Also wondering if this puts Donovan Smith on notice—not for his play, but the Lair of Hair (formerly known as the OLine meeting room).
April 7th, 2020 at 2:50 am
@Buccan8, long hair and beards means we’re all just big teddy bears inside…but Viking warriors when need be….i get a lot more flirts from the ladies since ive been growing mine 2 years now 🙂
April 7th, 2020 at 6:53 am
Soooo, Max—what’s your 10yd shuttle time? 🤔 🤣😂
April 7th, 2020 at 6:54 am
I think Haeg will be more than serviceable at RT. It will be hard to replace him unless we get one of those stud 4 top OT.
April 7th, 2020 at 6:02 pm
The so called top 4 OT are on paper only. Who’s to say they will all pan out. I do believe Jones or Jackson might be just as good. We all know what a crap shoot the draft is. That also goes for any position in the draft.