{"id":4623,"date":"2016-10-23T16:14:54","date_gmt":"2016-10-23T20:14:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=4623"},"modified":"2021-03-18T16:37:39","modified_gmt":"2021-03-18T20:37:39","slug":"tampa-bay-buccaneers-offensive-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/10\/23\/tampa-bay-buccaneers-offensive-line\/","title":{"rendered":"Unsung Heroes: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Line"},"content":{"rendered":"

The reason the Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/strong> have kept their heads above water at 2-3\u00a0is the least known aspect of their team, but one which has remained healthy all year and that is their offensive line.<\/p>\n

Unsung Heroes: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Line<\/h2>\n

The Bucs’ front five isn’t mentioned among the league’s best offensive lines for a couple of reasons, the main one being that the Buccaneers have a losing record and thus, they won’t get much attention unless they start winning.<\/p>\n

Another reason is that the Buccaneers’ offensive line doesn’t really have a household name that gets people excited. The most notable member of the offensive line is a tackle that doesn’t even start and that is\u00a0Gosder Cherilus<\/a><\/strong>. Cherilus has been a right tackle his entire NFL<\/strong> career, and\u00a0in his ninth season as a pro, he has seen some historical moments.<\/p>\n

Cherilus was drafted 17th overall\u00a0in 2008 out of Boston College<\/strong> by the Detroit Lions<\/strong> and went into the frying pan right away. He played 16 games and started 13 for the Lions, who went 0-16 that season. However, he was there in 2011 when the Lions went 10-6 and made the postseason for the first time since 1999. He played 16 games, started 15 in the process.<\/p>\n

After five years with the Lions, Cherilus played with the Indianapolis Colts<\/strong> for two seasons. For 2013 and 2014, Cherilus protected the right side of quarterback Andrew Luck<\/a> <\/strong>and helped him make the postseason in two consecutive years.<\/p>\n

Cherilus started 16 games in 2013. He was apart of the historic comeback against the Chiefs in the Wild Card<\/strong> game, in which Luck rallied the Colts from 38-10 in the second half to win 45-44. The Colts reached the AFC Championship<\/strong> game the following season and Cherilus started 13 games in that season as well. 2015 was his first year with Tampa Bay<\/strong> and he once again\u00a0started 13 games.<\/p>\n

A Group of Contribitors<\/h3>\n

The other notable lineman is Evan Dietrich-Smith<\/a><\/strong> who has been with Tampa Bay for three years, but had success with the great Green Bay Packers<\/strong>‘ line for four years. Other contributors include\u00a0tackle Demar Dotson<\/a><\/strong>, who’s been with the Buccaneers since 2009, tackle Kevin Pamphile<\/a><\/strong>, guard Joe Hawley<\/a><\/strong> and center Ali Marpet<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In addition to tackle Donovan Smith<\/a><\/strong>, the Buccaneers have developed a strong, mobile young line that has meshed and for the most part controlled the line of scrimmage. They have struggled a little blocking the run as the Buccaneers have averaged 3.3 yards per attempt, which is 29th in the NFL.<\/p>\n

In spite of Jameis Winston<\/a><\/strong>‘s turnover problems this year, and the fact that\u00a0he is a quarterback who likes to be deliberate in the pocket and let things develop, he’s been sacked only 12 times, which is tied for sixth best in the NFL.<\/p>\n

The Buccaneers have already faced some of the best pass rushing teams in the league including the Los Angeles Rams<\/strong>, the Denver Broncos<\/strong>, the Carolina Panthers<\/strong> and the Arizona Cardinals<\/strong>. If Winston continues to get the same protection, it’s only a matter of time before he turns that into more positive plays and also turns the Buccaneers’ season in a positive direction.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n