Bucs Want More From Their Interior Offensive Line
January 4th, 2023
Robert Hainsey and Nick Leverett
The Bucs have nothing against the stand-up job that’s been done by first-year center Robert Hainsey and backup turned starter Nick Leverett at left guard.
But it just hasn’t been good enough.
Yeah, their blocking has something to do with the NFL’s worst rushing attack.
Todd Bowles pointed a finger yesterday on the Buccaneers Radio Network.
“I think they had great pass protection. I think we need work in the run game, especially the interior three,” Bowles said of his offensive line. “We gotta get better in the run game if we want to go forward.”
Bowles specifically pointed to interior technique, but he didn’t say that was his only issue.
However, on the same show, Bucco Bruce Arians was glowing about the line, and their two coaches: Joe Gilbert and Harold Goodwin.
“I don’t think Joe and Goody get enough credit. I mean, they’re getting way too much blame; that’s for sure,” Arians said. “They’ve held that group together with everybody stepping in and stepping up. Not only did they have to play, but they played good, all the way back to New Orleans. Brandon [Walton] stepped in there [for Donovan Smith and Josh Wells]. .. He held his own. That’s really good coaching, having guys ready to play.”
Arians went on to laud Hainsey for the brutally difficult job he had stepping in for an emotional leader like Ryan Jensen, in addition to the responsibility at center.
Arians is right when he says O-line coaches have done a great job having guys ready to play. That’s development. That’s coaching. But Joe also agrees with Bowles.
The Bucs need more from the interior line to advance in the playoffs. More than once in a while, especially in bad January weather, you need to be able to step up and drive guy in front you when he knows the run is coming.
January 4th, 2023 at 2:14 pm
Just think if the goat was givin 2.5 seconds to find an open Mike evans instead of 1.5 seconds…. We can dream can’t we?
January 4th, 2023 at 2:17 pm
My question is why did it take 7-9 weeks to determine that your rookie wasn’t ready to start and cause disruption to the offense?
January 4th, 2023 at 2:29 pm
No schlitz . You reckon ?
January 4th, 2023 at 2:31 pm
My suspicion all year has been that the coaches have done a good job with the O-line and getting more than their talent level out of them.
Run blocking, or lack thereof, has been the most glaring on this team all season. Pass pro was good to pretty good this singular last game against the Panthers, and we saw the results.
I hope the run blocking improves dramatically, and if it does, we have a decent shot in the playoffs.
In other words, can the O-line play inspired and rise above? Let’s all hope so.
GO BUCS!!!
January 4th, 2023 at 2:42 pm
Backups are fine in spot starts and fill in duty. When they’re asked to play extensively, they get exposed. It’s just that simple. It’s a fine line between adequate and inept. Run blocking, in theory is easier than pass pro. IMO the problem is the running scheme itself. The offense the bucs run is predicated on power. If you can’t move D lineman, it falls apart. They do some zone stuff, but that also takes extreme coordination and knowledge of how defenses are defending the run.
January 4th, 2023 at 3:03 pm
“Bucs Want More From Their Interior Offensive Line”
Understatement!
January 4th, 2023 at 3:25 pm
Psychobabblerap.
January 4th, 2023 at 3:39 pm
Coaches aren’t the only people who want to see more from the O-line. GO BUCS!
January 4th, 2023 at 3:41 pm
Our OLine is horrible in the run game and are barely adequate at pass protection only because Brady reads defenses so fast and has a quick release. Any other QB gets killed with our OLine. Coaches probably have done a good job with so little talent to work with on the interior line.
January 4th, 2023 at 3:45 pm
After a lengthy, detailed study of the situation, I would like to see more out of…the female cheerleaders.
January 4th, 2023 at 4:36 pm
Goedecki is the 2nd round rookie and hainsey is the 2nd year player. TE blocking is a huge difference. Gronk is basically a pulling guard in motion or 3rd tackle on the line. Lost that and then upheaval inside. Bucs also traded up for Goedeke at 57 and he has not had a great transition from college. Jensen makes a huge difference.
January 4th, 2023 at 5:26 pm
all things considered it’s good.
We have an UFA rookie 25 year old out of rice playing at a serviceable level.
Goedeke is bad, Hainsey is starting calibre center (as much as fans here like to disagree with it.
Surprised Tmax isn’t somewhere in here calling Wirfs one of the most overrated linemen in the league like he did Marpet.
January 4th, 2023 at 5:41 pm
We’ve been wanting to see more out of Donovan Smith for awhile & not more penalties you idiot Donovan.
January 4th, 2023 at 5:42 pm
We want more from the coaching staff, too!
January 4th, 2023 at 6:12 pm
Finally people are coming around to the idea that injuries is a huge part why the team has struggled…
People, like the fan above, will of course always point to coaches tho.. regardless of what the talent level is at certain positions..
I miss Ali Marpet, I miss Ryan Jensen
January 4th, 2023 at 7:44 pm
@Dubcity
No I agree with you. The injuries to the OL are killing them, too! That’s why I would’ve resigned Cappa JPP Suh & Whitehead over somebody like Carlton but you can’t say Bowles & Leftwich are doing the best of jobs. I don’t think alot of it is Brady that much I think most of it is because of what’s going on with the OL but Bowles & Leftwich haven’t exactly been coach & OC of the year material.
January 4th, 2023 at 8:43 pm
Name me ONE top team
without a running game! Or name me one QB thats had to play without one! I can, TOM BRADY!!!
January 4th, 2023 at 8:58 pm
The line has been a complete sh$& show.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:23 pm
They’re not strong enough for run blocking plain and simple. Same thing with Special Teams. We need a new strength and conditioning coach.
January 4th, 2023 at 11:03 pm
Nobody mentioning Shaq Mason. Supposedly we stole him for a 5th round draft pick. But in essence, his play has been much worse than Cappa’s last year. Cappa was a much better run blocker for the Bucs last year than Mason is for the Bucs this year.
AND SUPPOSEDLY Mason was an elite run blocker. Have you seen him blow up anyone this year?
January 5th, 2023 at 7:24 am
Could they run block better? Yes. Could Leftwich not be so predictable when he calls run plays? Most definitely.
January 5th, 2023 at 10:19 am
I gotta know who fans consider are good coaches..
Bill Bilicheck may miss the playoff
Sean McVay won a superbowl and will miss the playoffs
Mike Tomlin may miss the playoffs
Andy Reid almost lost to the Texans and Broncos in back to back weeks
Bucs fired Tony Dungy
The Packers were the #1 seed last year and may miss the playoffs
Who is a good coach? Are there any? Is there only 5? Only 2?
And if there are so few… yall wanna fire the ones we have and potentially hire another Lovie Smith?
We are in the playoffs 3 straight years.. yall ready to fire the coaches tho.. I dont get it