After two weeks the Buccaneers’ offense is taking shape and gaining momentum. But there is always room for improvement. One group of players in particular needs to improve to take this offense over the top.
Struggling Group
I’ll get right to the issue. The middle of the offensive line needs to improve. Looking through the lineup in Pro Football Focus and you see the glaring issue. Bookended with two players in the seventies the middle averages a grade of 53.56. A large gap in grades for sure.
Left Guard
Matt Feiler looked phenomenal in week one. Not a single pressure allowed and he moved well in run blocking. Unfortunately week two was a different story. He allowed three pressures and was thrown around in the run game. If week two Feiler is what we are going to get for the rest of the season they’ll need to evaluate Nick Leverett starting again.
At Center
Meanwhile Robert Hainsey sits at a measly 52.2 grade after last season’s grade of 66.7 at center. Both his pass pro and run blocking grades are low. s of two weeks this season he’s allowed seven pressures. SEVEN! He only allowed twenty all season last year. If his current trend continue the offense can’t pick up steam and go full throttle.
Right Guard
Lastly, Cody Mauch, this years second round pick is being graded at a low 49. So far he’s allowed only one pressure according to PFF earning a 83.6 grade in pass pro. But where he falls very short is in the run blocking portion of his game where he earns a 36.5 grade.
Final Thought
If this team can’t be consistent in the middle of the line and gel together then the offense won’t be able to get to Dave Canales’ full offensive scheme. They must improve and do so before Monday Night Football.
The offensive line is still holding this team back.
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