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Five Players to Watch in Buccaneers’ Preseason Opener

By Alan Schechter

Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter reacts during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter reacts during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (middle) celebrates a touchdown run with teammates center Evan Smith (62) and offensive tackle Donovan Smith (76) and center Joe Hawley (68) and tackle Gosder Cherilus (78) to give the Buccaneers the lead during the second half of a football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (middle) celebrates a touchdown run with teammates center Evan Smith (62) and offensive tackle Donovan Smith (76) and center Joe Hawley (68) and tackle Gosder Cherilus (78) to give the Buccaneers the lead during the second half of a football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Evan Smith/Joe Hawley

This one is a double as we are taking a look at a position battle.

It’s easy to pay attention to players fighting for spots at the skilled positions.  If a guy makes a great pass rushing move, you see that.  A receiver makes a great catch, you see it.  A great throw?  You get the idea.  But games are won up front.  The offensive line drives your offense.  Winston and company can be as good as anyone, but if the line doesn’t play well, they will have no chance.

We have a competition going on for the center position, as indicated by Dirk Koetter:

"“We’re alternating Evan [Smith] and Joe [Hawley] every couple of days, so, as we said, there’s competition there. We want competition like that at every position, if we can get it.”"

Last season, Hawley started 14 games at center for the Bucs, and posted a Pro Football Focus grade of just 48.5, 28th of all centers in the league.  Smith had a better season, with a rating of 70.3.  It was at the guard position, granted, but Dirk is looking for competition to get better.

Watch these guys do battle inside the trenches on Thursday night.  Some of the most interesting football can occur right down there.

Next: Adam Humphries

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