How long?
The Bucs are beat up on the offensive line. We all know that.
And just when it appeared the Bucs were getting better with a stabilized left side of the line, it’s all falling apart.
Two weeks ago against the Lions the Bucs’ offensive line got worked over. Hey, no shame in that. The Lions have one of the best front-seven in the league.
But last week against the slimy Saints? No excuse for that. Bucs All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs may have had the worst game of his spectacular career. Graham Barton was absolutely getting blown backward by bull rushes.
Joe shrugged off the performance in Detroit. Eh, it happens. But the performance in New Orleans? Joe’s antennae are up. Something is not right.
Now Aaron Schatz, the creator of DVOA and former chieftain of Football Outsiders (RIP), typing for BSPN, is of the mind that the Bucs may want to trade for an offensive lineman as the trade deadline looms Tuesday.
Key position of need: Offensive line. With right tackle Luke Goedeke (foot) on injured reserve and right guard Luke Haggard dealing with a shoulder injury, the Buccaneers could use depth all across their O-line.
Well, the key here for Joe is what is the status of Luke Goedeke and Luke Haggard. The right guard did fine when he started. And obviously, Goedeke is one of the top right tackles in the game.
If the Bucs don’t think Goedeke will return before December, maybe it is smart to trade for a tackle if the Bucs can get the guy for a bucket of used footballs.
Same goes for right guard.
But the key is, when can Goedeke and Haggard return? If both are on the cusp of returning, then there’s no need to swing a deal for an offensive lineman.
Only the Bucs and their medical staff have any idea about when Goedeke and Haggard may get on the field again.
As for the left side of the line, that needs to be figured out this week.