What We've Learned About The Offensive Line

I've predicted that 2011 will be an important offseason for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to use in addressing the offensive line.  Let's take a look at what we know about the offensive line based on moves made by General Manager Mark Dominik during the 2010 season.

The five men slotted into their best positions make up the opening day roster for 2010.  That means Penn, Vincent, Faine, Joseph, and Trueblood are the core and the five best offensive linemen on the team. 

On the inside (Center and both Guard positions), the Buccaneers rotated Jeremy Zuttah with Keydrick Vincent.  When Faine went down, Zuttah and Vincent moved into the starting role, and young Ted Larsen was promoted from the practice squad.  So the order is Faine and Joesepth, then Vincent and Zuttah, then Larsen.


On the edge (both Tackle postitions), Penn and Trueblood are the top two.  2010 Injured Reserve member Demar Dotson not only played some right tackle in 2009, he also spent most of the summer of 2010 in camps and OTAs covering for Donald Penn at left tackle.  When Trueblood was injured, the Buccaneers sent in James Lee, who started while Trueblood was on the inactive list.  Through the 2010 injury situation, the next player brought to the practice squad was Derek Hardman.  Finally, Will Barker was promoted from the practice squad.  So, in order, it's Penn and Trueblood, followed by Dotson and Lee, then Hardman and Barker.

The 2010 season is half over and it's important to try to build as clear a picture as possible on what the Buccaneers believe they have.  By doing so, we'll know exactly what the Buccaneers do not think they have.  And that will help us in our analysis leading to the 2011 Draft.

Tampa Bay Replenishes Practice Squad

The Buccaneers have added two players to the practice squad.  C John Malecki was previously with the Tennessee Titans.  TE Nathan Overbay was previously with the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos.  Both went undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft.

The vacancies were created when TE Ryan Purvis and T Derek Hardman moved from the practice squad to the active roster.

Purvis replaces the released TE Jeremy Stephens, who's multiple run-ins with the law may have finally ended his NFL career.  Hardman replaced FB Chris Pressley, who was released, to add depth to the offensive line since G Keydrick Vincent was unable to start due to a back injury.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1991 NFL Draft Class

Round (Overall) Player, Position, School

1 (7) Charles McRae, T, Tennessee

3 (66) Lawrence Dawsey, WR, Florida State

3 (80) Robert Wilson, FB, Texas A&M

4 (93) Tony Covington, SS, Virginia

5 (120) Terry Bagsby, --, East Texas Baptist

5 (136) Tim Ryan, G, Notre Dame

6 (147) Rhett Hall, DE, California

7 (174) Calvin Tiggle, LB, Georgia Tech

8 (207) Marty Carter, FS, Middle Tennessee State

9 (233) Treamelle Taylor, --, Nevada-Reno

10 (260) Pat O'Hara, QB, USC

10 (265) Hyland Hickson, --, Michigan State

11 (287) Mike Sunvold, --, Minnesota

12 (314) Al Chamblee, LB, Virginia Tech