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Bold philosophy began with Bucs' offensive line

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 11, 2009

TAMPA - In the spring of 2006, Coach Jon Gruden, general manager Bruce Allen and offensive line coach Bill Muir looked at each other and agreed on one central point — this can't go on.

For years, perhaps decades, the Bucs had tried to cobble together an offensive line through castoffs, rejects and late-round draft picks.

Since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' brain trust made that unwavering commitment to forge a dynamic line, youth has been served up front and the results appear encouraging.

"If you are going to build an offensive line of any repute, you do it through the draft, not in free agency or through the waiver wire,'' Muir said from Arrowhead Stadium, where he has moved on to coach Kansas City's young line. "Jon Gruden was the guy who said that no matter what it takes, we're going to build a line in Tampa and let's get on with it. His fingerprints are all over the plan.''

Guard Davin Joseph, the 23rd player selected in the 2006 draft, led the way, followed by second-round choice Jeremy Trueblood, now starting next to Joseph at right tackle.

The Bucs chose guard Arron Sears in the second round the next year and versatile guard Jeremy Zuttah came aboard as a third-round pick in 2008.

No unit on the Bucs exemplifies the organization's pledge toward youth more clearly than the group now coached by Muir's successor, Pete Mangurian.

"I know those guys are young, but mistakes will not be tolerated around here,'' Mangurian said. "I don't care what it is, it's never good enough.''

Center Jeff Faine, 28, was targeted from the start of free agency in 2008 and 26-year-old left tackle Donald Penn was signed in '06 from Minnesota's practice squad.

Zuttah started five games as a rookie and he has the left guard spot all to himself now while Sears attempts to work out personal issues the organization declines to speak about.

"A lot of the credit should go to Bruce Allen,'' first-year GM Mark Dominik said. "It was a situation where we were really transient there for a while. You want your offensive linemen to grow together as a unit and the year we took Davin and Jeremy, it was not a popular decision in town. There's nothing very sexy about drafting linemen, but if you want to build a football team, you've got to have the patience to take them.''

Joseph earned Pro Bowl honors last year as the Bucs averaged a healthy 4.1 yards per rush.

They ran the ball successfully for much of this preseason, despite the absence of Sears and a groin injury that slowed Faine for much of training camp.

"I've been extremely impressed with the work ethic and professionalism of these guys at such a young age,'' said Faine, the old man of the group. "They are not thin-skinned and we work hard for each other. We don't want to let each other down.''

The Bucs intend to capitalize on the group's run-blocking prowess with a zone-blocking scheme this fall, hoping to draw extra defenders into the box.

Head coach Raheem Morris is counting on one of the NFL's youngest offensive lines to set an aggressive, physical tone.

"We're going to get better and better and you don't know what we're going to do next,'' said Penn, who will protect Byron Leftwich's blind side against DeMarcus Ware and the Cowboys in the season opener. "It's a great feeling to go out there and know we're one of the best offensive lines in the league.''

Faine was named an offensive captain as a new Buccaneer in 2008 and Joseph is beginning to assume a larger leadership role.

"We hold each other to a high standard,'' Penn said. "All through camp, Davin wasn't letting anyone take a knee. 'You have to stand up,' he kept saying. Every time I tried to take a knee, he grabbed me and pulled me up. Little things like that go a long way. The best part about our group is you haven't seen anything yet.''

The 313-pound mauler who triggered Tampa Bay's focus on the trenches senses a plan that is about to pay off.

"This is a bright group and we can all admit we have a lot to work on,'' Joseph said. "But the cornerstones are in place for us to be a great offensive line. It feels great to be part of building something special.''

Mangurian is setting the bar high for a young unit that added tackle Xavier Fulton as a fifth-round pick out of Illinois.

In Kansas City, Muir prefers a more patient approach.

"The best thing about starting young guys up front is you train them the way you want and they don't have a lot of bad habits,'' Muir said. "I tell 'em, 'Don't complain, don't explain. Do what you're told to the best of your ability.' Don't spoon-feed them or coddle them, but you know they're going to stumble. It's your job to pick them up.''

Tampa Bay's starting five has an opportunity to remain together for an extended period and develop the chemistry so vital to the position.

"Last year, we took Zuttah and a lot of people scratched their heads and said why would we take another offensive lineman?'' Dominik said. "This year, we take an Xavier Fulton. It's a mind-set that you have to have if you want to protect your quarterback and run the ball effectively.''

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833.

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