Buccaneers Free Agent Outlook Part II
By James Yarcho
Joe Hawley – Center
Joe Hawley filling in for an injured Evan Smith in 2015 turned out to be a good thing for Jameis and the offense. The chemistry along the offensive line truly began to gel once Hawley entered the lineup and the offense became the best in franchise history.
Unfortunately, given the loss of Logan Mankins and the injuries that plagued the rest of the line throughout 2016, the line wasn’t nearly as good. Hawley was the recipient of quite a few of those injuries and missed one game as well as multiple plays throughout the year in various games.
One thing is certain – Hawley is one tough dude. No matter how many times he would leave the game, he consistently toughed it out and came back in.
That being said, the Buccaneers seem likely to look elsewhere for a starting center. Koetter has speculated himself at the possibility of Ali Marpet or Kevin Pamphile sliding over to center with the medical clearance of J.R. Sweezy allowing him to return to football activities. I’m certain the Buccaneers would love to bring Hawley back as a depth piece as well as the leader he is. The big question is, would he accept a smaller deal to be a depth piece?
That would be the ideal situation, and Hawley is enough of a team guy that he seems like he would like to stay here and continue to work towards what is being built. Also given the offensive line’s injury history, he’d likely get to be back in the starting lineup by week five.
In the end, both sides want to get something done and they will.