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Buccaneers: Grading the Bucs’ 2017 Week 8 loss to Carolina

By Philip Schwegler

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way off the field following the Buccaneers' 17-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers at an NFL football game on October 29, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes his way off the field following the Buccaneers' 17-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers at an NFL football game on October 29, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 15: Donovan Smith #76 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on during the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 15, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Buccaneers 26-16. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 15: Donovan Smith #76 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on during the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 15, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Buccaneers 26-16. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Being the quarterback’s blind spot protector is one of the harder positions to play in the NFL. Every week your going up against the other teams best pass rusher. In the case for Donovan Smith, he was beat more times than he won.

Smith was the culprit of two very untimely penalties. One was for illegal use of the heads and another for holding. Both penalties took away ten plus yard plays, explosive plays, that could’ve kept the Buccaneers drives alive.

Must Read: What's the Temperature of Licht's Seat?

There wasn’t much discipline from this o line this week as we saw most of the teams penalty yards come from the offensive line.

Pass protection was spotty at best against Carolina and kept fans at the edge of their seat as Winston took unecasaary hits.

Better discipline along the entire offensive line can only benefit the team as a whole by providing less penalty yards and possibly bigger running lanes for the Buccaneer’s runners.

The offensive line seemed to lack urgency and toughness against an average defensive line.

Center Ali Marpet appeared to have had a better game this week in the terms of snapping the ball.

Grade: C-

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