The Pewter Plank
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ComPewter Analysis: a deeper look at Buccaneers offensive line

By Cory Kinnan

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 16: Donovan Smith #76 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sits on the bench during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 16: Donovan Smith #76 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sits on the bench during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and offensive guard Ali Marpet #74 warm up before the start of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on September 17, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and offensive guard Ali Marpet #74 warm up before the start of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on September 17, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Looking at the Stat Sheet

The first glaring number that jumps out when looking at the Bucs’ offensive line is the amount of sacks surrendered. The Buccaneers have surrendered 25 sacks this season, the third most in the league behind just the Tennessee Titans (who they will face this week) and the New York Jets; they have also given up the fourth-most hits on the quarterback in the league. We will take a deeper look at this as well, as this does not all fall on the offensive line.

More from The Pewter Plank

On the ground, the Bucs rank in the bottom third of rushing yards and yards per attempt, but again, a stubborn commitment to Peyton Barber (3.5 yards per carry) over the more explosive and talented Ronald Jones (4.4 yards per carry) is sure to drag these numbers down. The Buccaneers have recorded the 17th most rushing touchdowns on the season with six scores on the ground.

On the ground, the Buccaneers offensive line does not surrender many negative plays when running to the left or right, but are top ten in negative plays when running up the middle. Again, why the stubborn commitment to ramming Barber into the teeth of the defense when Jones has been far more productive in his ability to hit the edge?

While the numbers on the ground and the amount of hits on quarterback Jameis Winston are not flattering, the Bucs’ offensive line has not found themselves in the bottom of the league in any statistic. Should the Bucs utilize the personnel they better, their numbers could take a big jump.

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