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Buccaneers: Grades for week 9 loss to Saints

By Philip Schwegler

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sits on the bench during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sits on the bench during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/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) /

Offensive Line

Winning the battle in the trenches is one of the most defining factors in a win for a team right along with turnover ratios. In the case for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, that battle was loss all day.

The one name I’ll mention every week is Donovan Smith. Smith is responsible for Winston’s blind side. Smith goes against the toughest defensive end each week, no matter who it is, he needs to give his best effort or face getting his quarterback killed.

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With the First Pick

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    • As in previous weeks, Smith was a major part of Winston’s injury becoming worse. One particular play Smith allowed the defensive end to blow past him and wrap up Winston in which he fell on his injured shoulder again.

    As for the rest of the offensive line, blown assignments and stupid penalties created early havoc for the Buccaneers.

    Winston had the offense driving past midfield in the second quarter, but due to several penalties on the offensive line, all one after another, the Bucs found themselves moving into enemy territory to moving back into their own.

    Simple discipline would be a fix for these penalties and blown assignments.

    Several times on running downs, the offensive line missed key blocks to help Martin run past the line of scrimmage and gain positive yardage. Most of Martin’s missed opportunities can be blamed on poor offensive line play.

    Grade: D-

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