Todd Bowles: Depth Is Getting Thin At Offensive Line
August 21st, 2022
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
This has not been a good summer for the Bucs.
First, foot-rubbing tight end Rob Gronkowski, a sure lock for the Hall of Fame, said “adios” to football (we think).
Then on the second day of training camp, Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen went down with a knee injury.
And the cherry on top is potential starter at left guard, Aaron Stinnie, blew out his knee last night playing late in a sh!t game when he had no business being out on the field.
(Funny how doctors allegedly cannot figure out the extent of Jensen’s injury after nearly a month but in a few hours could figure out Stinnie’s ACL/MCL knee injury. Joe would sarcastically guess if, after nearly a month, Jensen’s swelling still would not subside, you’d be looking at amputation from a lack of blood flow. Yes, Joe understands the Bucs are milking this as they want to place Jensen on injured reserve after the 53-man roster is announced. which allows Jensen to return later in the season.)
Week 1 of the regular season cannot get here soon enough.
The left guard spot was undecided prior to last night’s game. Bucs coach Todd Bowles had said “it’s time” to learn who will start and gave rookie Luke Goedeke the chance last night. Goedeke likely played himself out of the job with two holding penalties and a sack allowed in the second quarter.
With Stinnie out, many fans now believe Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht will swing a deal to bring in a left guard. Bowles didn’t exactly throw cold water on that idea when he confessed offensive line depth is becoming a worry.
“We have some depth right now, but we are always looking to bring in someone that can help the team. So if there is someone out there who is available to us that we can get, we’ll try to take a shot at it,” Bowles said.
Bowles didn’t say anything about a starter at left guard, and maybe that was strategic. He doesn’t want to throw any of his young players under the bus by outright saying no one has won the job.
It’s not too late to get a quality left guard. Joe will remind readers that back in 2014 Licht swung a deal to bring in Pro Bowl left guard Logan Mankins and only had to give up a reserve tight end and a fourth-round pick.
Serviceable linemen that teams plan on cutting may be dangled in front of Licht for a trade between now and Aug. 30, when teams have to shave their rosters to the 53-man limit.
August 21st, 2022 at 12:57 pm
The headline just states the obvious. Need some help.
August 21st, 2022 at 12:57 pm
Final cuts around the NFL will be interesting for the Bucs.
August 21st, 2022 at 12:59 pm
On the basis of last night, cutting some Bucs should pose no problem.
August 21st, 2022 at 1:02 pm
18 little receivers but 3 Guards
August 21st, 2022 at 1:08 pm
Ya think!
August 21st, 2022 at 1:13 pm
Search “two reasons the bucs and jc tretter makes to much sense “.
Bucs are playing w fire here. No reason to not pull trigger. Dude could be had for cheap too. Look at his win percentage and literally no sacks given up
Only thing i can think of …is jensen coming back sooner then expected
August 21st, 2022 at 1:25 pm
I agree Bird. I see no reason not to bring in Tretter for a look see. Was hoping for more from Goedeke. But he is a rookie.
August 21st, 2022 at 1:25 pm
Forgot to mention. How about Leverette at LG?
August 21st, 2022 at 1:26 pm
send bowles to the movies.. bring back Arians as HC BEFORE the season starts
August 21st, 2022 at 1:33 pm
Even my dumb a$$ has been saying we need more OL depth…and edge rushers.
Hate to say it but Scotty may be trade bait the way TJ has been balling. And dare I say….if we are ALL in this year Trask might be as well. He’s looked good enough to get some offers. Better than BG. That’s risky though, cause if TB goes down I would rather put Trask in.
August 21st, 2022 at 1:39 pm
Hainsey goes to guard, Tretter to center ?
if Jensen comes back, then we have depth?
also would try to get another guard
August 21st, 2022 at 1:42 pm
It’s interesting how Joe is so eager to throw Goedeke on the bench after his 1st pre season start against one of the best D’s in the NFL, yet 7 years ago a rookie Marpet was praised for his talent and despite mistakes, should be given every opportunity to learn the position. That was the year Martin gained 1400 yards.
The Bucs will probably do a deal to bring in another Guard, but to declare Goedeke a bench player after 1 pre season game is premature and panicky- the guy has talent or he wouldn’t have been a 2nd round pick.
And the argument that Bucs are in win now mode and have to acquire a seasoned quality veteran Now- good luck finding a trade partner willing to cooperate.
August 21st, 2022 at 2:11 pm
Tretter to center and if Jensen comes back either of them can play guard, but im sure brady wants Jensen at C if possible.
August 21st, 2022 at 2:15 pm
How many years did Gruden get wrecked with injuries after winning a Championship? Now we win another one and the injuries come again. It reminds us just how hard it is to win it all, even if you start as the favorite. Best ability is availability as they say. Go get a great guard. Give up a high round pick and make it happen now.
August 21st, 2022 at 2:20 pm
CaptivaJim … ‘send bowles to the movies.. bring back Arians as HC BEFORE the season starts’.
As I recall, just about everyone wanted Bowles to keep his hands off the offense when he took over for BA as head coach. He’s pretty much done that it seems to me. Now the crappola that’s happening to the offense is Bowles’ fault?
Folks can’t have it both ways. If BA was still the HC, nothing would be different. Injuries would still have happened. Lack of depth would still be lack of depth.
August 21st, 2022 at 2:24 pm
Saying Goedeke likely played himself out of the starting gig by having a few bad plays in his first start is dumb AF. They’ll look at the tape and look at the good and bad… and they’ll also consider the upside, since he’s obviously the future at LG. So, he could be the starter in week 1 if he tightens up a few things, unless they can actually bring in someone who’s better. And are you going to give up much in a trade for someone to come in and be a one year starter and be replaced by Goedeke next year? What’s that worth? Maybe a 5th round pick?
I doubt there’s anybody just on the street that they could sign to improve over what they have now. I’m sure they’ll look at all avenues… but it’s no slam dunk that they’ll be able to find upgrades to what the currently have.
August 21st, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Preseason is killing a lot of teams and the games are for nothing and you do not see college teams playing these stupid boring games . You know what you have in practice and i coached youth football for 7 years and we only had 1 scrimmage against another team and off we went .
August 21st, 2022 at 2:54 pm
If BA were still HC , Stinnie would Not have been playing at end of 3rd qtr in a preseason game..
August 21st, 2022 at 3:23 pm
Waiver wires look out..Here we come. Same with practice squads.
August 21st, 2022 at 3:49 pm
For all we know the team trust Nick Leverett. If not they will make a move. Good teams can fill one guard position. Find the next Joe Haeg or AQ Shipley, no biggy.
Godeke will keep working. Even if he aint ready by Dallas maybe we can have him ready to go some point early on.
Moving Hainsey to Guard sounds bizarre. Hes been training at Center for 2 years. Dont see that happening especially when it sounds like the Bucs trust him at C.
August 21st, 2022 at 4:05 pm
CaptivaJim … None of us know whether Stinnie would’ve been playing or not. IF Bowles is REALLY hands-off the offense, wouldn’t it have been Leftwich who made that decision? If BA were still HC, then BL probably would’ve still played him. That’s what I meant by folks can’t have it both ways.
August 21st, 2022 at 4:20 pm
@Gus
Hahaha!
Exactly!
I’ve been calling for us to draft OG/C prospects in the 2nd round for years and years.
We lost Marpet and Jensen.
They are a huge part of our success.
“18 small receivers and 3 guards.”
Goedeke is a slow footed tough guy who played RT.
Why did Licht think he was cute and draft him over Engram from LSU.
And drafting this Camarada instead of the “Punt God.”
And last year? Imagine instead of Trask, we had drafted an OG/C?
August 21st, 2022 at 4:37 pm
Defense Rules Says:
August 21st, 2022 at 4:05 pm
This 2nd guessing by J03 and commenters is ph0uecking retarded. Saying a guy shouldn’t be there in “garbage time” in preseason? All of preseason is “garbage time” ferkreissake! They’re trying to look at guys in different situations… It’s not like Stinnie’s an All-Pro or something… He’s a backup player looking to move up to starter, at best.
Also, unless you know who the decision makers are about shuttling in players during preseason, pointing a finger is dumb. It might have been Harold Goodwin or Joe Gilbert deciding when to send guys in. It may have been a staff decision made during the week.
2nd guessing when an injury happens. Jeezus… Get over it. Injuries happen. Would you have preferred our 2nd round pick Goedeke be in there and get a season ending knee injury? Or would you rather have someone further down the depth chart, so you could have further reason to b!tch about the performance?
JBF would be better if the J03’s combined IQ was greater than 200.
August 21st, 2022 at 4:38 pm
Tretter..n a trade..beef the line up..I would also shop for a pass catching te I’m not seeing that guy on the roster..Rudolph don’t look that great n brate in unpredictable on how he will play
August 21st, 2022 at 4:53 pm
The correct response to Bowles is “gee, dya think?”
At least he’s finally hinting, with great reluctance, that they “could” look into “adding” “depth”. Half your house is on fire, and gee, maybe you should look around for some water.
Hainsey, already the annointed starting center according to them, is not ready. He just isn’t. He’s smooth, moves correctly, but gets worked. He’s backup caliber right now, and he’s far better than the rest. Leverett plays like he’s drowning. Goedeke shouldn’t be even sniffing a start, a long way off.
They obviously angle for Jensen to be back by winter, but the season might be a lost cause by then. If they don’t manage to sign two starting caliber OG/Cs who can somehow do the job immediately.
Even if they make such moves, the first part of the season is in jeopardy. It would take that long to develop cohesion, and for new guys to learn the plays.
Lower your expectations.
August 21st, 2022 at 5:24 pm
Wow, riveting stuff.
Maybe next he’ll tell us that the sky is blue.
August 21st, 2022 at 5:35 pm
We have WR depth so trade one for a guard.
August 21st, 2022 at 5:42 pm
Todd Bowels injury managment grade thus far= F-
August 21st, 2022 at 5:42 pm
@Captivajim
We have some New Yorkers at the local Sports Bar, that have been very Anti Bowles from the start.
Now that we are 0 and 2, and looked terrible against the Titans, there is no shutting them up!
They call Todd Bowles “Toilet Bowles” because of how much they hated him back in New York.
They point out that no way would Stinnie have been in there, if BA was still coaching.
I was so hoping we would win against the Titans, just to shut these New Yorkers up about Todd Bowles, at the Sports Bar.
I tried to remind them it is only preseason, but they were having none of it.
August 21st, 2022 at 5:57 pm
People are worried about our record in preseason? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
August 21st, 2022 at 5:58 pm
Not sure why all the love for Ed Ingram of LSU over Luke Goedeke.
Is anyone on this site watching Viking practices or specifically Ingram?
Really, teacherman calling for him over Goedeke can’t even spell his name right so how much can he have watched him.
Places that rated Goedeke higher:
1. Bucs
2. NFL.com
3. Draftbuzz
4. Walter Football
5. Profootball Network
6. Dane Brugler – The Athletic
Obviously Bucs rated Goedeke higher. So did NFL.com.
August 21st, 2022 at 6:18 pm
It appears this has been as bad of a training camp and pre season possible. Disorganized and floundering around. I am wondering if Bowles is Head Coach material. Blunder after Blunder is ongoing. It is not clicking for the Bucs. Brady is AWOL and Gabbert and Trask are not Super Bowl capable. Dallas and the Stanks are licking their chops. Now the team is scrambling to put together a makeshift O line in 2 weeks. I am not optimistic. Never draft a Gator QB. Rudolf is a bust too. That said at least football season is close and win or lose a lot of fun to be had. But the German Game is looking shaky cause they may cancel Octoberfest and have no electricity. Well it as been worse I guess. Dallas will be the tell. It looks to be a slow start to the season. Maybe Brady will return and put it all together quick.
August 21st, 2022 at 7:14 pm
Ereck Flowers and Quinton Spain are out there at guard too. Serviceable vet guards
August 21st, 2022 at 7:39 pm
Stinnie has been around 3 yrs ,. coaches know well what he does well and not so well . he was not Pro Bowl material—BUT he WAS the best we had …there is simply NO excuse for playing him late in 3rd qtr of meaningless pre season game
he’s the head coach.,he’s the strategy guy who manages other coaches . he stands around like a ceremonial statue ,as an observer-not a manager .. BA was always telling someone to do something . He won a SB & would have won another except for bowles.
we ended last yr with a bowles screw up & we’re starting this season the same way !!
August 21st, 2022 at 7:58 pm
Bucs should consider signing free agent Eric Fisher. He is a tackle , but he could be moved to guard. Don’t know what it would cost, but Licht will have to figure it out .
August 21st, 2022 at 10:19 pm
CT@ARCT, NY Jets fans are obnoxious sore losers who know nothing of winning football. If they’ve taken over your bar, find another one.
August 22nd, 2022 at 8:10 am
@BigMacAttack
They have not taken over the Sports Bar, but they are extremely vocal and opinionated, like most New Yorkers.
Then, we have the Boston Bunch, at the same Bar, who are like a broken record, always saying that Brady would never bring the Drama he does if he were still playing for Bill Belichick.
Honestly, the majority of patrons at this Sports Bar are fellow Buc Fans
August 22nd, 2022 at 12:36 pm
Hey Gruden didn’t want Brady. What a loser! Our gain. GOBUCS!
August 22nd, 2022 at 5:57 pm
this just in, ice water sells out in hell, more wanted.
August 23rd, 2022 at 1:04 am
Brady will be the one who says if he’s comfortable with what he has ! Let’s not forget that Brady gets what he wants and he pretty much runs that front office especially when it comes to the offense. If he says he won’t play behind the new Center or LG , then the Bucs will get it done ✅. Go Bucs