“Both Of Them Did A Half-Decent Job”

August 14th, 2022

Guard Aaron Stinnie.

Perhaps Todd Bowles was a little tired this morning after watching film all night, or perhaps his tone of voice was reflecting what he studied.

For those watching the battle for the Bucs’ starting left guard gig closer than Joe watches a hot plate of Hooters buffalo shrimp, Nick Leverett got the start last night while Aaron Stinnie was at right guard.

Bowles said today the position choice was nothing more than the team looking at both guys in different roles. The head coach wants various players to get strong first-team looks at left guard rather than rotate them in and out in preseason games, so he said last week.

Bowles’ verdict on the Leverett and Stinnie film? “Both of them did a half-decent job. Both of them got things to work on,” Bowles said with little love in his voice.

On rookie guard Luke Goedeke, Bowles perked up a tiny bit.

“When Goedeke got in there, he did a decent job, ” Bowles said. “He can play a little lower but he did a decent job.”

Joe’s curious to see who gets the start when the starting O-line is out there on Aug. 27 in Indianapolis.

32 Responses to ““Both Of Them Did A Half-Decent Job””

  1. Elita Vita Says:

    “Both of them did a HALF decent job”

    Too bad both of them can’t play the same position at the same time..lol.

  2. Bucsfan13 Says:

    Half decent gets Brady killed. Bowles is a hard worker. He probably was up until the wee hours breaking down the film. Gisele took away Tom’s computer, so I doubt he watched any film.

  3. Hodad Says:

    I just rewatched the game, and Leverett did a horrible job. At LG he continuely got stood up, and pushed back to easily. He didn’t look much better at center. Niether he, nor Stinnie looked very good. Goedeke was playing to tall, needs to work on his pad level. He did show better strenght, and kept his head up enough to know where he needed to help. Where he needed to help the most was the LT Walton who got completely owned the whole time he played. Johnson wasn’t much better. If we lose Wirfs, or Smith the season is over. I will say the bright spots were Cook who looked better then Waldo, and Malchom who looked better at center than Leverett did. I’d give Malchom more snaps than Leverett going forward, and be on the lookout for better back up options at tackle.

  4. Hodad Says:

    Let’s face it. Stinnie, and Leverett are career back ups at best. Get Goedeke up to speed fast.

  5. Elita Vita Says:

    Look for Licht and Bowles to be at another club’s gate looking for other teams who have Oline depth on final cut day.

  6. geno711 Says:

    Hodad,

    I am not disagreeing with you but in all my years when I watch individual offensive lineman, they all get stood up and pushed back at times. That is just the nature of the position. But if it’s almost every play or more important they fully give up a lane to the QB in under 2 seconds, then clearly a problem.

    I did tape the game and watched it casually just the one time, so I do not have the detail that you do if you dissected it.

    My opinions, the best pass blocking left guard will win the position to start the season.

  7. My Momma Says:

    Any mention of how Hainsey did, Joe?

  8. BucsNoles Says:

    OL looked pretty bad most of the time.
    It will be interesting to see if we sign someone after the 3rd PS game, if not before
    Wonder what Tom saw in the game last night.

  9. Bird Says:

    But but pass blocking is good. If you dont take my work well then screw you. 😂

    Lets be honest. Stinnie and walton had crappy games. Didnt notice leverett as much but hodad seems to think it was no so good ….so three of the guys that have been running with first team are not the guy. And goedeke needs more time being so green

    But we good 😂

  10. Craig Says:

    It was not a good start for the O-line. They do need to gel and get cohesive. As individuals they are not going to be anything but a sieve. so Bowles and BL needs to figure out who is what soon, so they can become a whole O-line.

  11. Gofortheface30 Says:

    While I agree that Stinnie, on a scale of 1-10 he’s like a solid 4. Career back etc etc. I am however disappointed in that he has seemingly regressed from the superbowl yr. Going in to the following yr a lot of people were openly wondering if he should start over Cappa. In hindsight – that seems like a complete joke now. 4 stud receivers is great, but wont matter if 2 of em are on the sideline half the time because Tampa is having to play massive amounts of slide protection with Ko Kieft, Rudolph, especially against the saints. Sure would be nice if our line doesn’t get BULLIED by them for once

  12. Allbuccedup Says:

    Agree with Hodad. Plus I don’t see Brady playing in the Colts game hes going to be watching the o- line.

  13. PassingThru Says:

    Neither played well. Worse, the O Line did a slightly better job stabilizing the interior (not the reserve OT positions who were terrible) later in the game. Why? Because Miami had inserted their reserves too.

  14. Kody Says:

    We got major concerns with our interior OL. I think it’s insane we didn’t go after (at least) Tretter. I’m legit worried for Brady.

  15. Capt.Tim Says:

    Think we need to jettison Fred Johnson.
    Feel better about Center, Where Hainsey and Molchon played well.
    We need another starter at Guard.
    And our backup OTs arent gonna cut it.

  16. Defense Rules Says:

    The player who we’ll miss BIG-TIME is Jensen. And not just his play (and ability to ‘set the tone’ for the line), but just as importantly his LEADERSHIP. He’s very protective of Brady, and wouldn’t tolerate guards on either side not doing their job and getting pushed around.

    Watching the game last night, I have trouble feeling that Stinnie, Goedeke, Leverett, or any of the other OLinemen who played are ready to be starters. Jury’s still out on Hainsey (hard to evaluate a center if the guys on both sides are getting pushed around). OLine play last night was meh at best, and certainly didn’t do Kyle Trask or our RBs any favors.

  17. Allbuccedup Says:

    Better get a vet guard or center in here this week because guard and center look weak. If you don’t Brady may not come back.

  18. Crickett Baker Says:

    From what I heard, Bowles was happy with Hainsey.

  19. Hodad Says:

    Hainsey looked solid. He’s no Jensen, but who is? That LG spot looks shakey. I’d throw Goedeke in there right now, and see if he can be ready for the season.

  20. SOEbuc Says:

    Hainsey did look strong and knowledgeable throughout his game.

  21. teacherman777 Says:

    Goedeke is only 305 and 6 ft 6.

    He’s not a guard. And he’s slow.

    We need to beg Ali Marpet to start putting weight back on.

  22. JimmyJack Says:

    Sounds like the battle is Stinne vs Leverett. Thanks for clearing that up Joe, I was wondering why Stinne was on the other side.

    One guy who stood out to me was big boy #74 at RT. Very impressive game from what I saw. Looking for him next game as poor depth at Tackle was a big reason we got bounced by the Rams.

  23. Defense Rules Says:

    JimmyJack … I saw Fred Johnson (#74) make several excellent plays, but also saw him get owned on some others. Lack of consistency? He’s a big man no doubt (listed at 6’7″ & 326 lbs) but couldn’t stick with Cincinnati (3 yrs making the roster then cut). Who knows though, maybe our OLine coaching will make a big difference.

  24. HC Grover Says:

    OL are OL we can put a decent OL on the turf.

  25. JimmyJack Says:

    Defense. I didnt watch every play from Fred Johnson(thanks for giving his name). I must have missed the bad plays. But i did notice him later in his start, either just before or after halftime, and he looked like he was gassed. Got concerned if that big dude has enough endurance to give us a full 4 quaters.

    Out of curiosity do you remeber when you saw him get owned? Which quarter?

  26. Defense Rules Says:

    JimmyJack … I was keying on him for awhile (on Logan Hall too when he was in there) because I’d seen #74 throw a mean block downfield on one of the videos that Joe included in a previous video and I was impressed. Still am actually.

    It was a series sometime in the 1st half (I want to say close to midway in the 2nd qtr but not positive) where he seemed to be having some difficulty (didn’t watch much of the 2nd half so have no idea how he did). In all fairness though, the Dolphins DLine was getting very good penetration throughout most of that 2nd qtr, and just about every one of our OLinemen looked like they were struggling.

    All in all though, I think Fred Johnson has a pretty good shot of making the final 53. Gut feel is that the Bucs will end up picking up a veteran OLineman with some versatility before the season starts though.

  27. steele Says:

    Not good at all. Entire interior OL remains a question mark. Lack of talent and experience, period. Leverett awful. Stinnie, average at best. Hainsey, still unclear. Discouraging, and TB12 cannot feel great about this.

    If they don’t act quickly to field a legit starting OL by week 1, they are basically ushering TB12 out the door, along with the season.

  28. Goatfarmer Says:

    Did Logan Hall jump out at anyone? I saw him congratulating other guys for tackles, don’t remember an impression.

  29. Wild Bill Says:

    After seeing what is left of the Oline during practices Brady took time off to decide if he really wants to get blasted repeatedly this year. His 45 year old knees are suffering premature dislocation leading to existential depression.

  30. Defense Rules Says:

    Goatfarmer … The times I keyed on Hall he was on the interior. Didn’t see him make any real plays that stood out (but he did seem to get stood up some). My general impression remains that he’ll be much better used further outside than inside because of his weight (and if he’s the typical rookie, his strength isn’t yet where it’ll need to be to operate successfully inside either).

    He and Aaron Donald are pretty close to the same weight (Hall 6’6″ & 283 lbs vs Donald at 6’1″ & 280 lbs) but the similarities stop there IMO. Donald’s quickness is legendary; haven’t heard the same about Hall. Plus 280 lbs on a 6’6″ frame on a rookie playing inside may not be optimal. We’ll see.

  31. BillyBucco Says:

    You guys are watching them play with other backups.
    Plus there will be some double teams with Mason on the right.

    Trust me I’m worried, but that was the first preseason game.
    There is still time for a solid center and guard to emerge.

    Plus don’t count out a trade by Licht if necessary.
    The team knows what’s up, especially Licht when it comes to the O Line.
    It’s like his own football baby.

  32. Goatfarmer Says:

    Thanks DR.

    My warms from yesterday are for Anthony Nelson.