Cody Mauch Expected To Add Weight, Impact
March 26th, 2024
At the NFL Scouting Combine last month, head coach Todd Bowles talked about wanting to get bigger along the offensive line.
Joe’s initial presumption went in one direction.
That was believing the Bucs would look to replace left guard Aaron Stinnie and/or center Robert Hainsey with larger players. Stinnie moved on to the Giants while Hainsey is on the roster. In free agency this month, the Bucs signed guard/center Ben Bredeson from the Giants and added Eagles guard Sua Opeta. But those guys don’t represent a huge size difference.
Fast-forward to today at the NFL Owners Meetings, and Bowles said he expects right guard Cody Mauch, a rookie last season, to be a larger human when he returns to the field in 2024.
He also said he expects Mauch to be “a lot better” as a sophomore.
“I thought he was very smart and played very tough last year,” Bowles said of Mauch. “I think he hit a rookie wall at some point with the grind and his body. I think he knows how to prepare physically right now. He’ll be a little more stouter and a little more heavier. He’s a good football player. He’s a very good football player. We look for Cody to be very, very good this year.”
Mauch measured 6-5, 302 pounds a year ago as a draft prospect. He sort of has a lean frame compared to many linemen, so perhaps the Bucs want Mauch playing around 315 pounds?
Regardless, Bowles made it clear. He expects to see a bigger, better more consistent Mauch this season.
March 26th, 2024 at 10:46 am
Keep in mind strength and weight can be two different things. 15 extra lbs would be great, but usable strength is most important imo
March 26th, 2024 at 10:49 am
How can he gain weight and increase his stamina at the same time (which was his biggest problem) in one offseason?
March 26th, 2024 at 10:50 am
If he can get to 320 then we got something good going
March 26th, 2024 at 11:09 am
It seems to be doable.
Our nutritionist, Jessica Pastuf, and one of our strength and conditioning coaches should be able to get a program together that will benefit Mauch in both gaining size, increasing strength and improving his overall health and game conditioning.
It must already be happening if Bowles is mentioning it to media.
Means Mauch is a guy that is taking his pro career very seriously like Wirfs and Goedeke.
March 26th, 2024 at 11:28 am
He just needs to hang out with Tristan and Luke. Those boys know how to eat and lift big. He will be fine.
March 26th, 2024 at 11:48 am
what was Ali Marpet’s playing weight? I know he lost a ton when he retired
March 26th, 2024 at 11:51 am
Cody is supposed to be a glass-eater, I wonder how many lbs he can gain from those calories?
March 26th, 2024 at 11:52 am
Cool
March 26th, 2024 at 12:27 pm
He did a good job as a rookie playing a different position and side.
Linemen usually need a couple of years for their body to mature.
It would have be great if they found a starting center in free agency.
Draft the best center. If he can start, move Hainsey back to his natural
position at guard. Cody might be able to switch back to tackle.
Anyway, he is going to be bigger and better.
March 26th, 2024 at 12:52 pm
Maulers, Jason – get us maulers! Ground and pound kick your a$$ talking sh!t won’t back down maulers!! And then add the biggest baddest knock your a$$ straight back RB. Do that and we’ll be just fine!
March 26th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
Despite a # of struggles in his rookie season – I’m not concerned one bit about Cody Mauch heading into this year. The kid has talent and attitude. Exactly what we need more of between the tackles.
Go find us another one – just like him Jason Licht!
March 26th, 2024 at 1:38 pm
Bucs need a C in the 1st round. JPJ, Barton and Frazier will be gone by the end of the first round or early 2nd. Maybe trade back and puck up another 3rd rd pick depending on how things fall. I think Van Pran also goes in the 2nd before the Bucs are on the clock.
Get Isaac, Kneeland or Braswell in the 2nd rd. Pick up a Guard (Mahogany or Poni) and ILB (BPA) in the 3rd followed by a Power RB in the 4th (Estime, Davis or Allen).
March 26th, 2024 at 2:16 pm
To tall, and light to play guard. Why not just draft players who are already big, and strong that don’t need to learn a new position? To think Licht traded up for this guy who needs developing. Wonder what small school tackle he’s going to trade up for this year.
March 26th, 2024 at 2:48 pm
Wyatt Teller transformed his body and became a dominant RG for the Cleveland Browns. If Mauch has worked this offseason to build upper body strength, he can become the same type of player.
March 26th, 2024 at 4:18 pm
Hopefully Goedrke can introduce Cody to his barber!
March 26th, 2024 at 4:46 pm
I remember when Bubba Smith was the 1st to hit 300 lbs and was the heaviest player in the NFL. Now 300 lbs is considered small. Incredible!
March 26th, 2024 at 6:22 pm
Some of these guys play at 100 pounds over their natural weight, unreal. Brad Culpeper played at 280+, was down to 180 2 years after he retired
March 26th, 2024 at 9:14 pm
Cody was fluffy last year, and got shoved around all season.
Not uncommon for rookies.
But guys that want it, spent the first off season getting stronger.
We’ll know in July if Cody wants to be great, or one contract is enough.
I think he’ll be reborn badass this july
March 26th, 2024 at 9:44 pm
Big Daddy Liscomb was the first 300 lb layer in the league. I don’t remember the year. One HOF DT with the Vikings played at 220 lbs for Bud Grant. I can’t recall his name at the moment. Typical was around 250 lbs back then.
March 26th, 2024 at 9:46 pm
I think Bubba Smith was the first 6’ 9” player.
March 26th, 2024 at 11:47 pm
He’ll grow into a man and yes two great linemen to look up to and eat with. No worries viking man you got this. Go bucs!
March 27th, 2024 at 3:39 am
I had to chuckle a bit when I read Bowles’ quote about Mauch where he went from good to very good to very very good within three sentences.😁
Mauch will be fine, imo. Isn’t he a former TE, with excellent feet?
Rookies are such boys relative to who they’ll be as 5-year veterans.
As an obvious example, take Sean Murphy-Bunting. During his first training camp, he had a look on his face like he was going to wet himself, and now, he’s a solid, if unspectacular, veteran starting CB.
I’m curious to see if Mauch cross-trains at C.
March 27th, 2024 at 8:11 am
i used to hear when i was younger from bodybuilder enthusiasts, you can only put on 8 pounds of pure muscle in a year…now i just googled it and it’s saying more like 8-15 pounds in a year…
something must have changed…
anyway, if mauch can come in at say 322, 20 pounds heavier, that would be ideal…like 10 pounds of muscle and 10 pounds of beef…
well that’s a lot…maybe 15 pounds – half muscle and half beef…
either way if he comes in hovering around 320 that would be good news…
something like 318-322 pounds
March 27th, 2024 at 8:23 am
Adding 20lbs when you’re already 305 isn’t as difficult as it sounds….its only 6.5% increase in his body weight. At his age, he’s still physically maturing. Gaining strength and weight should happen rather easily for him.