Buccaneers: 3 players that need to step up in Week 7
By Ryan Doyle
RG Caleb Benenoch
Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jameis Winston owe their offensive linemen a thank you. The big bodies up front have given both of them time in the pocket to put up impressive passing numbers.
Well, every offensive lineman except for Caleb Benenoch. So far this season, Benenoch has been one of the worst guards in all of football.
According to Pro Football Focus, Benenoch has allowed a team-high five sacks and 13 pressures. He also has the fifth-worst PFF pass blocking grade among guards.
In every game, the Buccaneers rotated Evan Smith in Benenoch’s place near halftime. Smith has value as a backup at center and the other guard position, so the coaching staff doesn’t want Smith to play standard starters snaps.
That may have to change soon because the Benenoch experiment is failing. Even rookie guard Alex Cappa could be getting some playing time soon.
After each game, Benenoch’s leash gets shorter and shorter. He needs to find a way to have a bounce-back performance against a terrorizing Cleveland front.
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