“That Was Not The Same Matt [Feiler]”
April 14th, 2023
Joe was knee deep in film all through the night watching new Buccaneers guard/tackle Matt Feiler.
Feiler 30, was signed this week after two well-paid years with the Chargers as their starting left guard. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2014 and was a practice squad guy with the Texans and Steelers before finally getting playing for real with Pittsburgh in 2017.
A Steelers starter at right tackle in 2018 and 2019, Feiler moved to left guard in 2020 and then cashed in with the Chargers in free agency.
Joe was pleased to learn that a lot of Steelers fans wanted Feiler to return after the Chargers made him a salary cap casualty in March.
Former Pittsburge linebacker Arthur Moats is a popular Steelers media guy and he spoke on his YouTube channel about how much Feiler developed. Moats used to face him in practice.
Feiler was such growth project, Moats said it’s hard for him to think of Feiler and not remember the raw version.
“I gotta not think of practice squad Matt Feiler or when he was just figuring it out Matt Feiler,” Moats said. “When [I] was seeing him in person, that was not the same Matt.”
Moats agreed with the notion floated by his co-host that Feiler was “damn good the last two years [in Pittsburgh]. And Moats acknowledged that Feiler can be a starter for a lot of NFL teams now after what he showed with the Chargers.
Joe really likes this addition of Feiler. You can’t teach 6-6, 330 pounds, plus he’s got a starter’s mentality to push the mix of inexperienced guys fighting for jobs on the Bucs’ offensive line.
Overall, Feiler’s 2022 film won’t be shown at O-line clinics this summer, but he’s certainly a legitimate and durable player, and possibly a significant upgrade if he can recapture his 2021 form.
April 14th, 2023 at 1:56 pm
Good to hear! I hope he has a nasty, Jensen-like attitude, too. That’d be sweet.
April 14th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
We shall see.
April 14th, 2023 at 2:16 pm
@ Joe
“he’s got a starter’s mentality to push the mix of inexperienced guys fighting for jobs on the Bucs’ offensive line.”
You nailed it with this line…
Great signing. Provides inexpensive depth (possibly a starter), experience, size and leadership.
I believe this Feiler will replace Josh Wells as our swing tackle but he is also capable of playing guard and may become our starting LG/RG.
78 games in the NFL – started 75 of them.
April 14th, 2023 at 2:36 pm
I hope that means we wont take an Olineman in the first round.
April 14th, 2023 at 2:48 pm
Cont complain about depth of the interior OLine – we have a myriad of combinations now
April 14th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
I still think they’ll take a tackle early and center late.
April 14th, 2023 at 2:58 pm
The vast majority of us have no idea who the good lineman are. All I know is he sounds versatile and they definitely need the depth.
April 14th, 2023 at 2:59 pm
Not sure now what Licht will do. He might not take that tackle with our 1st pick. I would not be surprised to see him trade and get a 2 for 1 deal. It would also be nice if somebody..anybody would give us a 2nd and a 4th for Mr. White.
April 14th, 2023 at 3:09 pm
Hearing Licht’s presser, he said Hainsey is an Interior O-Lineman (because of his relatively short arms), this guy has even shorter arms (32”) than Hainsey. That leads me to believe the Bucs will still take an OT in the first 2 Rounds of the draft. A nice signing, to get a guy who has started for 2 different teams.
April 14th, 2023 at 3:10 pm
this is a typical licht move before the draft and i like it. as soon as you think you pegged licht to what he will take in the first round, he does something like this. licht likes to sign guys who has the potential to be a back up or starter so it opens up his draft options even more. like him or hate him, licht can build an o line pretty well.
this has all of the feels of a potential trade back in the first, like Mike J said. now, can he find someone to trade back with?
April 14th, 2023 at 3:24 pm
A good signing before the draft
April 14th, 2023 at 3:32 pm
“Joe was knee deep in film all through the night watching new Buccaneers guard/tackle Matt Feiler.” What? Instead of going to the Taylor Swift concert?
April 14th, 2023 at 3:46 pm
Holes up the middle, run rachad run!
April 14th, 2023 at 4:16 pm
Road grader, this guy is going to open some running lanes. Hope Jason drafts Broderick Jones and does not draft a QB at #19. Please not Levis 😠
April 14th, 2023 at 4:18 pm
He was serviceable for both the steelers and chargers.
April 14th, 2023 at 4:36 pm
Another Leap for Licht. Fantastic. Couldn’t be having a better off-season, all things considered.
April 14th, 2023 at 4:43 pm
Feiler will be in good hands with coach Gilbert, but we’re still going to need another new addition at tackle, a developmental guard, and a center just to make sure we’ve got the personnel to cover our butts in case disaster strikes.
April 14th, 2023 at 5:21 pm
What are we paying him?
April 14th, 2023 at 5:42 pm
He’s got great size for a tackle. Hard to believe that a guy who stands 6’6” could have short arms
April 14th, 2023 at 5:50 pm
Atlbuc- What it means is that Bucs won’t be forced to overdraft or reach for a OL. They can stay true to their board and draft the BPA in positions of need considering the draft position depth. This time in FA is all about filling out your position depth so you can have maximum flexibility going in the draft.
April 14th, 2023 at 6:32 pm
PESSIMISTIC
The Chargers had the worst offensive line in the AFC (Bucs left to center might have been worse). I’m not excited about getting their castoff.
April 14th, 2023 at 6:33 pm
Can he run block?
April 14th, 2023 at 6:35 pm
I don’t know how this deal turns out. That said, JLneeds to keep chipping away at the Team deficiencies. Hopefully it all comes together during camp.
April 14th, 2023 at 6:48 pm
wow good read joe…
so pencil this behemoth in to the left big red…
and stuff goedeke in between jensen and wirfs on the right…how bad can he be between two pro bowlers, if he has developed some…
that leaves a the boatload of current young bucs & vets battling for back up and rotational spots…
walton behind the mystery man at LT…
and if donovan smith is still on the market, sign him on the cheap and toss in ali’s little banjo too boot
(i’m kidding on this one – we know DS is not returning)
then there’s wells…who if healthy, can come on the cheap at this point after injury and free agent availability – and can bounce back and forth from RT to LT if necessary
April 14th, 2023 at 6:49 pm
to the left of big red*
April 14th, 2023 at 7:06 pm
Goedonkey is a tackle or ball washer. He is no guard. He gets ruined over by nose tackles and anyone really strong, which means he won’t be a good tackle either. But yeah he’ll be given a chance.
April 14th, 2023 at 7:16 pm
If he can play left tackle, that would be huge.
April 14th, 2023 at 7:20 pm
@goatfarmer:
umm…i don’t think the team needs a designated ball washer…
a little bit of medicated powder should keep the guys fresh, dry, and ready to practice in the summer heat 🙂
April 14th, 2023 at 7:23 pm
LOL Adam from NY!
April 14th, 2023 at 7:31 pm
Wells signed with the Jaguars. The Bucs need to draft a good Tackle.
I haven’t given up on Goedeke, Cappa wasn’t ready to play his rookie year either, and wound up being decent.
April 14th, 2023 at 7:57 pm
Offensive line depth, with starting experience, and can play multiple positions. Sounds like a win when you get a guy like that on the cheap. Even if he’s not good, you just cut him, no big deal.
April 14th, 2023 at 8:25 pm
After all that research it is great to hear Joe’s favorable opinion on this Feller. GO BUCS!
April 14th, 2023 at 8:48 pm
donny must be freaking out right about now…he’s still a free agent – that’s a little crazy…
might he sign on with one of the new york teams? – he’s from new york
(and yeah wells signed 10 days ago…oh well…i must have missed that one)
what kind of salary is donny going to get…that’s gonna be interesting to see…how long can he hang around on the open market…
do you think his homie ali is just saying “yo just retire dude, chill out, take it light my man”
April 14th, 2023 at 9:50 pm
He opened plenty of Holes for Austin Eckler in San Diego.
I like this signing
April 14th, 2023 at 10:09 pm
He seems to be durable , not much of a history of injuries which for us is great!
April 15th, 2023 at 12:22 am
I think The Dongster retires to a life of eating. I can see him enjoying a life of gluttony without exercise.
April 15th, 2023 at 1:18 am
Hmm
This gives me hope for Goedeke’s improvement. On top of that the room now has a guy that can prove to our backups that… Hey keep working and you will get your shot!
April 15th, 2023 at 1:34 am
This guy destroyed Bobby Wagner on a pull block from left guard on a long touchdown run for Eckler! All I needed to see. This guy can play.
April 15th, 2023 at 5:50 am
This guy just replaces Josh Wells, good signing for Licht.
April 15th, 2023 at 6:54 am
Well the Buc faithful have spoken. We like the pick up.
April 15th, 2023 at 9:37 am
value quality and depth and versatel .
April 15th, 2023 at 9:57 pm
Between Feiler, Leverett, Hainsey, Jensen, Stinnie, Goedecke the interior of the line should be set unless Feiler, Hainsey or Goedecke is able to move to OT
A late round or UDFA Center coulld make the roster.
April 15th, 2023 at 11:25 pm
DROK, just remember, too many Jensens would be like too many Truebloods
April 17th, 2023 at 12:50 pm
Great competition at LG. Goedeke needs to move back to the right side and play RG. Draft a LT this year.