The Pewter Plank
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Buccaneers: Predicting what’s in their future

By Jerry Stalheim

Dec 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) gestures after a third quarter touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) gestures after a third quarter touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Offensive Line Will Give up Less then 30 Sacks

Last season the offensive line gave up 35 sacks the twelve most in the NFL, and ProFootball Focus had them as the 23rd ranked offensive line or in the bottom ten in the NFL.

Related Story: Podcast: James Goes Off About Pro Football Focus, Hargreaves Haters

They chose not to address the offensive line at all in free agency or the draft but the return of guard J.R. Sweezy from injury is basically like getting a new offensive lineman since he missed all of last season. After being signed to be a left guard Sweezy will move back to his natural position of right guard this season.

The announcement earlier this offseason that Ali Marpet would be tried out at center which fits his size (6’4” 307) better then being a guard, average size of an NFL center is 6’4” 304 and average size of an NFL guard is 6’4” 320.

Meaning the offensive line will consist of Donovan Smith at left tackle, Kevin Pamphile at left guard, Ali Marpet at center, J.R. Sweezy at right guard, and Demar Dotson at right tackle. Marpet and Smith each played ever snap last season and will bring consistency to the offensive line while the return of Sweezy at his more natural position where he won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks should help to bring familiarity and only make the offensive line better.

Also we can not forget that the Bucs drafted the best blocking/receiving tight end in this years draft, OJ Howard, that will definitely help out in the blocking.

The consistency and familiarity of the offensive line will play much better and knock five to ten sacks off of last years 35 sack total, and give Winston plenty of time to find his new weapons.

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