Bucs’ Gifted Offensive Linemen Are Pricks On The Subject

There isn’t a denying that one of many largest components within the Bucs’ offensive success final season stemmed from the play of the offensive line. From left to proper sort out, Tampa Bay has constructed a powerful assortment of offensive linemen. What makes it much more spectacular is contemplating that 4 of the 5 (excluding free-agent signee Ben Bredeson) joined the workforce through the NFL Draft.

Basic supervisor Jason Licht joined Monday’s Pewter Report Podcast and mentioned the best way he rebuilt the group upfront. Licht additionally shared how the present group compares to the 2020 offensive line that paved the best way for a Tremendous Bowl win and why every of them are pricks (in a great way).

Bucs GM Jason Licht: “We Have One Of The Higher Offensive Traces In The League, If Not The Finest”

To know the state of the Bucs offensive line now, one has to look again in time to know simply how effectively it panned out. After the 2021 season, the workforce misplaced its complete beginning inside. Professional Bowl left guard Ali Marpet instantly retired at age 28, heart Ryan Jensen suffered a career-ending knee damage at first of coaching camp in 2022, and proper guard Alex Cappa left in free company.

Bucs GM Jason Licht and former C Ryan Jensen – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

Every of those strikes may have despatched Tampa Bay’s offense right into a spiral, however Jason Licht acted rapidly and instantly the room is in a a lot better form.

Even higher than it was earlier than Marpet, Jensen, and Cappa had been within the image – and bookended by left sort out Donovan Smith and a rookie proper sort out Tristan Wirfs.

Luke Goedeke was the primary participant added into the fold, drafted within the second spherical of 2022. Initially drafted to fill Marpet’s void, Goedeke struggled mightily at left guard however discovered his residence at proper sort out, permitting Wirfs to make a seamless shift to guard quarterback Baker Mayfield’s blindside in 2023.

Cody Mauch would then be drafted within the second spherical the next yr and has developed right into a plus proper guard. It took a pair years to actually fill the outlet Jensen left at heart, however Graham Barton was the Bucs’ first-round decide in 2024 and has the potential to be a perennial Professional Bowler.

Bucs RG Cody Mauch and C Graham Barton – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

Whereas Jason Licht admitted that he doesn’t have the superpower of figuring out good offensive linemen, it certain appears that method with how these prime draft picks have performed in Tampa Bay to start their careers.

“No, I don’t have that,” Licht mentioned of possessing mentioned superpower. “I’m glad it labored out. We invested quite a bit… excessive picks, first- and second-round picks into that after which obtained [left guard] Ben [Bredeson] as a free agent. These guys, they higher work out due to the funding that we had, they usually had been the correct of fellows. It’s superior seeing the way it has labored out. I believe we’ve got one of many higher offensive traces within the league, if not the very best.

“I believe they’ll present that this yr and like I mentioned, that’s an important room. I’ve mentioned this many instances within the group; ensuring you’ve the correct of fellows however then additionally the expertise degree that they’re. We must always have them – I’d wish to preserve this line intact for a very long time. Luckily, they’re all very younger so that might occur.”

How Does The Bucs’ Younger, Gifted O-Line Evaluate To The 2020 Unit?

It says quite a bit that Tristan Wirfs, the longest tenured offensive linemen, continues to be 26 years previous and locked up on a long-term deal. Ben Bredeson is the elder statesman, having turned 27 years previous in February. He’s additionally locked in after re-signing on a three-year deal this offseason.

To maintain the offensive line intact will imply re-signing all of the latest draft picks to long-term offers, beginning with extending Luke Goedeke, who’s in a contract yr. There’s a situation the place all of them stay on the town till the top of the 2020s, which might be outstanding and solely enhance the possibilities for this workforce to have extended success.

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs and HC Todd Bowles – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

Having such a powerful offensive entrance introduced up the query – how do they examine to the 2020 workforce that protected Tom Brady and performed a pivotal function in successful a Tremendous Bowl?

“Nicely, the very first thing that involves thoughts is, you already know, Ryan Jensen,” Licht mentioned. “Such a seasoned vet that we had and I imagine we made him the highest-paid heart on the time. Simply what he introduced and his tenacity, he’s a prick on the market which I like. I consider him however that sort of bled into the entire room there.

“I believe we’re nonetheless taking issues from him – identical to what Logan Mankins did for us sort of stayed and had remnants for a very long time that helped develop Ali Marpet. It’s laborious for me to say that it’s extra proficient however I’ll say I believe proper now it’s general, I believe it’s just a little bit extra proficient group than what we had in the event you think about all 5 positions.”

It’s laborious to argue with Licht right here.

Wirfs has blossomed from 2020 to now. Luke Goedeke is a stronger, extra constant offensive sort out than Donovan Smith was. It will get just a little tough evaluating the interiors, as the sting would go to Marpet over Bredeson at left guard. Ought to Graham Barton stay as much as his potential, it might be push between him and Jensen. At proper guard, Cody Mauch is simply enhancing and already proving to be higher than Cappa.

None of that is even contemplating the “prick” issue.

Jason Licht Loves That The Bucs O-Line Embodies A Prick Mindset

Again when Baker Mayfield inked his three-year, $100 million deal final March, Jason Licht famously known as Mayfield a prick.

“He units the tone for this workforce together with his … effectively, for lack of a greater phrase – on a [scale] of 1 [to] 10, he’s a ten on the prick scale,” Licht mentioned then. “That’s what you need in your offensive linemen – and Baker is sort of an offensive lineman in a quarterback’s physique. “It’s what has rallied this workforce this yr. He’s a giant a part of it.”

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs and QB Baker Mayfield – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

It got here as no shock then that when Licht was requested whether or not the workforce has some other equally robust, nostril to the grindstone gamers, he talked about each single one of many offensive linemen up entrance whereas giving one other nod to Mayfield.

“Nicely for the place it’s simply sort of uncommon to see,” Licht mentioned referring to his Mayfield being a prick remark. “The way in which that he performs, you are taking the great with the dangerous, typically you’re holding your breath. He’s simply not going to take shit from anyone, and I find it irresistible. It energizes your complete workforce, particularly the offensive line.

“I like the best way Luke performs, I might put him in that class. I like the best way Cody performs. Cody is thru the whistle, by way of the echoes of the whistle on each play. There’s nothing extra enjoyable for me than seeing Cody pull out in area and simply demolishing someone. It’s what I stay for after I’m watching the offensive line. Luke does the identical factor, and Graham is a kind of guys, I believe I’ve mentioned earlier than, it sort of reminds you of an accountant by day, however a assassin by night time. He turns into a unique particular person on the sphere.

“Ben and Tristan in their very own proper are the identical method, so I’m not simply together with them. It’s a enjoyable group to observe, I believe that’s the rationale for our success with the offensive line, the run sport, move safety and every thing. All of them play so effectively collectively, they usually all have the identical mindset.”

The Bucs are hoping to proceed the offensive success that they had final season, and the actual fact they’re returning all 11 starters is an efficient place to start out. Most significantly, having a proficient, robust offensive line will increase the possibilities for the workforce to enhance this season.

Watch Bucs GM Jason Licht On The Pewter Report Podcast

Bucs normal supervisor Jason Licht’s feedback in regards to the workforce’s offensive line are solely the tip of the iceberg throughout his one-hour look on the Pewter Report Podcast with Scott Reynolds and Matt Matera on Monday. You possibly can watch it in its entirety under.