ComPewter Analysis: a deeper look at Buccaneers offensive line

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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) /

Looking at the passing analytics

Yes, the Buccaneers have given up 25 sacks this season, but some of the blame (while Smith and Dotson deserve a ton of it) has to fall onto the shoulders of Winston. According to Next Gen Stats, Winston has the 18th most time to throw in the league out of 38 qualifying quarterbacks; the fact of the matter is that Winston tends to get through his reads slowly and will hold onto the ball far too long.

Taking a look at the strip sack against the Carolina Panthers in London before the bye week, Winston had approximately seven seconds to throw the ball as he slid through the pocket well. At some point he is going to have to learn to take the check down or throw the ball away.

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Play calling has also not been in favor of the offensive line as well. If you know that you have a quarterback who is slow at getting through his reads, and an offensive line that is below the league average, then why design a large portion of pass plays to be long developing and five step drops?

Regardless, the offensive line is just outside of the bottom five in adjusted sack rate according to Football Outsiders, surrendering a sack on a whopping nine percent of their drop backs. Only the Titans, Jets, Broncos, Dolphins, and Cardinals have a higher sack rate than the pewter and red.

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