NFL Trade Rumors 2015: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Shopping for an Offensive Lineman?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are reportedly looking for an additional offensive lineman, according to SB Nation. The Bucs are said to be unhappy with current offensive line play even though they know that they have two rookie starters including quarterback Jameis Winston.
In a report by Jenna Laine on Twitter, the Bucs are shopping the market for possible help inside and they are willing to trade.
According to SB Nation, trading for an additional offensive lineman is not going to work because the problem is not the performance of individual players but their inexperience. One example is rookie offensive guard Ali Marpet, who showed his inexperience against the Cleveland Browns. The report notes that considering the difference of Marpet's playtime from game one to two, he will surely improve with time.
The same offensive line was just bad last season as mentioned in a separate report from SB Nation. But this season, they have improved, especially Donovan Smith, Logan Mankins, Evan Smith and Dirk Koetter, who have been praised by football pundits this offseason.
The Bucs just also signed Gosder Cherilus to replace offensive tackle Demar Dotson, who is currently injured with a knee sprain, as reported by Fox Sports. Last season, the Bucs was also unhappy with their offensive line and traded for Mankins and his huge contract. The result was not very good as Mankins is not the same player he once was and took some time to adjust to the Bucs system.
In other news, cornerback Tim Jennings is going to Tampa Bay for a possible reunion with coach Lovie Smith as reported by NFL. Smith coached the Chicago Bears from 2004 to 2012 and brought Jennings in 2010. They worked together for three seasons.
Jennings was released by the Bears last Aug. 30 due to the team going young. Jennings told Sports World Report about his release, saying, "Once the whole regime came in and everybody was here, I kind of knew. But they also gave me a heads up and told me I would be out there competing for a job. I had my best years here. I made two Pro Bowls. I played some good football. I had some ups and downs with injuries but for me, this is where I played my best football. They told me they were going to go younger, but I'm looking forward to finding my next team."
NFL also said that coach Smith has signed former Bears players in the past, who know his Cover-2 scheme. Jennings is only 31 years old and can be a difference maker alongside Alterraun Verner to help the Bucs' defensive line that finished 28th in the league last season.
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