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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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 13: Ryan Jensen of Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepares to pass the ball during the NFL match between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 13, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 13: Ryan Jensen of Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepares to pass the ball during the NFL match between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 13, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images) /

Looking at the rushing analytics

On the ground, the Buccaneers are literally banging their head up against a wall, stuffed on 21 percent of their rushing attacks. Again, instead of trying to beat through the teeth of the defense with Barber, the Bucs should give the ball to Jones and let him get to the edge; not only has Jones been more efficient for the Bucs this season, but the pewter and red rushing attack has had a significantly higher success rate running behind the guard than it has right up the gut.

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It should come as a surprise to nobody, but the Bucs are having the most success running the ball behind Marpet and Jensen this season. Running in the two-gap has been where the Bucs have seen the most success, and an attack they should continue. Running off tackle, the Bucs rank in the bottom third in the league, as Smith and Dotson have been, by far, the weakest links on the offensive line.

The Arians’ zone blocking scheme has been a far more efficient rushing system than the scheme the Bucs ran under former head coach Dirk Koetter. Pushing the ball off guard to the left, where they can get Marpet to kick out on the end and Jensen to the defensive tackle has allowed for them to mask the weak link in Smith by getting him matched up on either a corner off the edge, or a linebacker or safety at the second level.

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