Buccaneers: Five Reasons for Concern Heading Into 2017
![Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter and general manager Jason Licht prior to the game against the Washington Redskins during the Tropical Storm Hermine at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter and general manager Jason Licht prior to the game against the Washington Redskins during the Tropical Storm Hermine at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a75647e235f5e996d5e42ea7a0908776fdf85e099a1a78a45eb9668bf37d1d8d.jpg)
Offensive Line
Brian DeFeo touched on these guys earlier this week in his off-season needs piece, but they were so hard to watch at times I needed to delve into the numbers myself.
The film on these guys is bad enough. Does anyone else pray that Gosder Cherilus, aka the Turnstile, never plays a down for the Bucs ever again? How many times did we say his name, followed by expletives, during the Dallas game? Probably too many to count.
Now take a look at the numbers. They allowed eight more sacks than they did in 2015. According to Sporting Charts, the Bucs had the sixth-highest percentage of runs that were “stuffed” at 11.9%. Football Outsiders ranked the line 21st overall, with an “Adjusted Line Yards” stat of 3.74 yards per carry.
That’s probably even higher than most of you expected. I know I was surprised by it. They must get better.
Next: Free Agents the Bucs Should Consider in 2017
These issues are fixable, they are not grave. But they are key for this team to take that next step.