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Young O-Line Will Be Put To The Test

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By KATHERINE SMITH | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 31, 2007

Updated: 12/30/2007 11:13 pm

TAMPA - Donald Penn describes the Bucs offensive line as young and hungry.

The youth part is easy to discern - everyone but 10-year veteran center John Wade.

"He's the hungry," Penn said.

Youth has been on display the past two games, both losses, when Bucs quarterbacks have been sacked eight times and running backs have combined for an average of 55 yards.

That four of the five offensive linemen have two seasons or less of experience, and none of that includes postseason experience, doesn't concern a unit that in past seasons had been the team's weakest link. That the offensive line, heralded earlier in the season for its cohesiveness, hasn't performed up to standards the past two games is cause for concern.

"Our performances on Sunday haven't been consistent enough," Wade said. "There's been some good things and that's great. But we're not going to break our arms patting ourselves on the back. There's a lot of stuff left out there that was on us throughout the season. If you're going to be a championship team, you can't do that stuff."

Wade is the only member with playoff experience. Rookie left guard Arron Sears hopes to see his first postseason action. Sears left Sunday's game during the Bucs' first possession after he injured his right ankle. Coach Jon Gruden said the team will know more about Sears' injury and his status for the playoffs later in the week.

This much they do know - the Bucs are a different offense with Jeff Garcia at quarterback. Garcia's been out for most of the past two games, including all of Sunday's loss to Carolina.

"I think Luke McCown did a great job and he is a young guy as far as starts go, but I think he can really be a quarterback of the future," right guard Davin Joseph said. "I don't think Luke hurts us at all, but of course I think if we had our starter in there, it would have been a different look."

Members of the offensive line watched Saturday's game between the Giants and New England to get a glimpse of what they can expect when New York comes to town for Sunday's 1 p.m. kickoff.

Penn, who was pressed into starting left tackle action when Luke Petitgout went down earlier in the season, grew accustomed to facing the opponent's best defenders each week. The fact he'll face strong opposition from a talented Giants pass rush is nothing new.

"There are two great ends over there," Penn said. "They have a great defense. The guy I'm going up against Osi Umenyiora is a two-time Pro Bowler. He's good and I've got my work cut out for me."

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