Bruce Arians Wants A Familiar Face Alongside Donovan Smith
March 1st, 2022
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It was perhaps the biggest nod to date acknowledging the Bucs’ hunger to bring back their two free agent guards, Aaron Stinnie and Alex Cappa.
It came today while Joe questioned Bucco Bruce Arians at the NFL Scouting Combine.
JoeBucsFan.com: Coach, you’ve said before that you’re a big believer in continuity on the offensive line. When you got to [Tampa,] you kept the whole line intact. Does this change with Ali Marpet gone sort of make it more likely that the free agents come back?
Bruce Arians: I think it helps, you know, because there’s going to be a little more money. (laughs) But if we could still get Cap, Ryan and Stinnie, there’s still a lot of continuity. Those guys all played together and, you know, Donnie’s not going to feel like he’s out there with a new guy.
That last line really stuck with Joe — not wanting Donovan Smith on his own with a new left guard.
Longtime Bucs fans remember how Donald Penn seemed to have a new left guard every year. Joe had a lot of conversations with Penn about that through the years. It’s a great challenge, and it can keep a left tackle from playing freely and focused.
Today, Joe thinks the Bucs would prefer to re-sign Stinnie and Cappa over Jensen and only Jensen. Also, there was lots of love coming today from Bucs officials on the grown of third-string left guard Nick Leverett, who got his chance to shine against the Colts in November.
March 1st, 2022 at 3:03 pm
It sounds to me that as long as the guy isn’t coming off the streets or a different team, then the staff is completely confident in the line. Ali will be missed and there will be a bit of a drop off, but I’m confident that this organization will be fine on the line.
March 1st, 2022 at 3:38 pm
If we can re-sign Cappa and Stinnie, we’ll be okay at guard.
March 1st, 2022 at 3:50 pm
Love that pic of Donovan. That was a great and memorable play.
March 1st, 2022 at 4:12 pm
Joe’s spelling on this report has me thinking he’s got a few pops going on in Indy. Have one for all of us Joe!
March 1st, 2022 at 7:04 pm
What is this obsession with Stinnie? He’s a backup offensive lineman who, as a starter, is below average. Cappa meanwhile is very much just an average starting lineman, by far, the weak link on the line — and Stinnie is behind him.
No, I’d rather have one pro-bowl player than 2 OK players, in particular when one is a backup. Yes, you need depth, but I have zero doubt that Licht can find 2 guards in the draft, he’s really really good at scouting offensive lineman, and guard is one position where you could have 2 rookies starting and not completely write off the year.
With that said, if Cappa gets less money than predicted, there’s no reason not to bring him back if possible. As for Stennie, again, he’s a backup, and if he only gets backup money, then fantastic, bring him back, if he needs to spot start while a rookie gets ready, that’s fine too. But he’s a backup, albeit a good one, but also a below-average starter.
March 1st, 2022 at 7:32 pm
They’re probably gonna give that Hainsey more playing time.
March 1st, 2022 at 7:34 pm
Maybe moving Donovan to guard might work (since he’s so inconsistent out at tackle) & then draft somebody with Wirfs.
March 2nd, 2022 at 9:38 pm
The Bucs have has John Molchon on their practice squad for 2 years. He’s has a nasty streak in him too. Hopefully, if he gets a chance, he can showcase what he’s got too.
March 2nd, 2022 at 9:38 pm
Have had*
March 6th, 2022 at 7:17 pm
I think many forget or don’t realize how impressive Stinnie was in the playoff run. He came in and played incredibly well.