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You Be The Bucs' GM: Pick The Offensive Line
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Published: February 19, 2009
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Offensive Line
Regardless of contract status, impact on the salary cap or position on the depth chart, who do you want to see on the Bucs next season?
Keep or Cut: Jeff Faine
Keep or Cut: Sean Mahan
Keep or Cut: Davin Joseph
Keep or Cut: Arron Sears
Keep or Cut: Jeremy Zuttah
Keep or Cut: Jeremy Trueblood
Keep or Cut: James Lee
Keep or Cut: Donald Penn
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are pretty well set across their offensive front. They spent big money to bring in Jeff Faine as an upgrade at center last year and have drafted very well in recent seasons to fill out the guard spots.
The only area that might need upgrading is tackle. The Bucs don't seem all that sold on Donald Penn as their starter on the left side and they could use someone to serve as a swing tackle or to push Jeremy Trueblood to be a better starter on the right side.
The Bucs could strike quite a blow at division rival Carolina and give themselves arguably the best line in the division, if not the league, by signing Jordan Gross. They have the money to do it, so that's a situation that bears watching.
Overall it's a pretty good year for free agent tackles. The best of the bunch are older players such as Tra Thomas, Jon Runyan and Mark Tauscher but some good up-and-coming stars could also hit the market.
Bucs under contract for 2009
Jeff Faine - The highest-paid center in the NFL, and he often plays like it.
Sean Mahan – A solid backup center who can also fill in at guard.
Davin Joseph – Starting right guard is coming off his first Pro Bowl season.
Arron Sears – Former Bucs coach Jon Gruden believes he'll be better than Joseph.
Jeremy Zuttah – Incredibly versatile and good enough to start for most teams.
Jeremy Trueblood – An adequate fit on the right side with potential to get better.
James Lee – Bucs seem to like his potential.
Bucs Potential Free Agents
LT Donald Penn - Two-year starter may get some nibbles as RFA.
NFL Free Agents
Jordan Gross, Panthers – Would give the Bucs line a wow factor.
Marvel Smith, Steelers - Getting on in years, but very serviceable at LT.
Max Starks, Steelers - Pittsburgh will keep either him or Smith and let the other go.
Stacey Andrews, Bengals - Would probably be an upgrade over Trueblood.
Khalif Barnes, Jaguars – A better run blocker than Penn but not as good a pass protector.
Vernon Carey, Dolphins - Much like Trueblood except that he could also play guard.
George Foster, Lions - The Bucs would be better off keeping Trueblood.
Anthony Davis, Rams - Former Buc would add to the depth at T and G.
Jon Stinchcomb, Saints – Signing him would hurt the Saints and help the Bucs.
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'You Be The GM' Categories
Tuesday: Quarterback
Wednesday: Defensive line
Thursday: Offensive line
Friday: Linebackers
Saturday: Running backs
Sunday: Defensive backs
Monday: Receivers/Tight ends
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