If games are won in the trenches, Tampa Bay Buccaneers are toast

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave up a ton of rushing yards while failing to establish the run, yet they decided to make lateral moves in the trenches.

As the old adage goes, football games are won in the trenches. If we are to believe this wise saying, then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in for a bumpy ride in 2019 as they failed to make significant upgrades to both their defensive and offensive lines this offseason.

While the Buccaneers swapped out long time defensive tackle with Ndamukong Suh along their defensive front and last year’s first round pick Vita Vea is finally 100 percent healthy, they have no depth beyond these two players. Starting either Beau Allen or William Gholston would be a massive hole on their defensive line.

Regardless as to if they start Allen, Gholston or seventh round pick Terry Beckner Jr., putting the other two in a rotational role does not give the Buccaneers a formidable rotation to field in 2019. There is potential to move Carl Nassib and Anthony Nelson inside in certain packages to help the depth, but these two giants will primarily come off the edge.

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Last year the Buccaneers ranked 24th against the run and still decided to make minimal upgrades, if not altogether lateral moves. While the Buccaneers are ready to unleash linebacker Devin White in week one, he will not be much use to them if opposing offensive lineman are at the second level to cover him up in a heartbeat.

Offensively, the Buccaneers did absolutely nothing to upgrade a line that could got give the running game a push, leading to a 29th ranked rushing attack last season. The presumed weak link on the line was right guard Caleb Benenoch, who has since been moved to tackle to compete as a swing man; there is now worry that they do not have a replacement for him.

Last year’s third rounder Alex Cappa is not developing as quickly as the Buccaneers need him to, and behind him are two journeyman offensive linemen Josh LeRibeus and Earl Watford. Not to mention that center Ryan Jensen is coming off of a tumultuous year after receiving a massive pay day from the Buccaneers last offseason.

While Demar Dotson, Ali Marpet, and Donovan Smith are a solid core to build around, the Buccaneers have no trustworthy depth behind them should one go down with an injury. Banking on a new blocking scheme with the same players is a risky bet that could prove futile for the Buccaneers in this make-or-break season.

There is a ton of optimism around the Buccaneers this season with Bruce Arians now steering the ship. However the depth in the trenches for the Buccaneers does not give the Buccaneers a clear path forward; maybe they can surprise us all.