Jason Licht deserves criticism for Buccaneers early struggles

A kicker, but no offensive line help

The next egregious error that the Buccaneers are facing that is also partially Jason Licht’s fault is on the offensive side of the ball. The offensive line is perhaps one of the most mismanaged units on the team as far as money is concerned. Accounting for nearly 40 million dollars between the starting five, the Buccaneer offensive line ranks 19th in the NFL as a unit which is better than last year but is still not deserving of nearly a quarter of the cap space.

More from The Pewter Plank

• Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
• ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
• Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
• Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
• The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023

Far too much money is tied up in an offensive line that cannot protect Jameis Winston, a player who should and likely will receive a contract extension at the end of this season if he keeps up his level of play. Ali Marpet is sneakily one of the best linemen in the league, Ryan Jensen‘s play is improving, and Alex Cappa has shown some potential.

Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, the tackles Donovan Smith and Demar Dotson have underperformed and account for roughly half of the total pay to the offensive line. While the Buccaneers are on the hook for at least another year with Smith, Dotson, well out of his prime, could have been moved on from this offseason and replaced in the draft.

Dotson has had some good years for the Bucs, but due to his age and the increased frequency of penalties that he is associated with it is likely that the Buccaneers will move on from him this next year. Donovan Smith is one of the highest paid players on the team, yet it still seems as though he is paid far too much for the rate that Jameis Winston is forced to run for his life from the left side of the field.

To Jason Licht yet again: stop overpaying for offensive line unless you plan on moving on from Winston and never plan to re-sign quarterbacks after their rookie deals. While Jason Licht has done some impressive things with his picks in the draft in the past, the outlook for the 2019 season does look bleak now as the schedule will take a difficult turn.

The Bucs are 1-2 through one of their easiest stretches of the year and will have to fight and claw if they want to compete in a beaten up but still winnable NFC South. If Jason Licht wins a Super Bowl in the next four years all will be forgiven, but as of now it is sometimes difficult to ascertain which direction the Buccaneers are trying to go. The season is not yet over and there is still time to learn and grow, but sometimes it is important to be critical and look at the facts instead of just blind loyalty.