The Bucs’ left guard competition started with five players vying for the starting spot, replacing Ali Marpet.
Robert Hainsey was taken out of the mix when center Ryan Jensen was injured early in camp. It appears Luke Goedeke, who is making the transition from right tackle, is still a year away from really competing for the job. He’s been running with the second string all camp. And Brandon Walton, who has seen reps with the top unit in camp, has recently played more tackle, including the first preseason game.
That presumably leaves just Nick Leverett and Aaron Stinnie battling for the starting job. Leverett got the go-ahead against the Dolphins on Saturday night, getting the start at left guard. Stinnie started at right guard in place of Shaq Mason, who sat out the game. But head coach Todd Bowles says that isn’t indicative of who will win the position.
“We’re looking at them both,” Bowles said. “Both of them did a half-decent job. Both of them have things to work on. For the first game out with those guys starting to play together, I thought they did a good job.”
Hainsey, Leverett Get Praise
Looking back at the tape, Bowles thought the O-line did some good things. He specifically highlighted Leverett and Hainsey, while surreptitiously not mentioning Stinnie. Stinnie was called for holding on the second play of the game.
“I thought Leverett did a good job going in,” Bowles said. “I looked at the offensive line and Hainsey did some good things. Thought [Fred Johnson] at right tackle made some strides – he is a big man and he did some good things pushing the pile. Goedeke got in there and he did a decent job. He could get a little lower, but he did a decent job.”
The competition isn’t over yet and will go down to the wire. The Bucs have stated they want to have a definitive starter heading into the final week of preseason to build continuity along the line. Though it appears as of now, Leverett has the upper hand.
The post Bucs Left Guard Competition Heating Up appeared first on Pewter Report.
https://www.pewterreport.com/bucs-left-guard-competition-heating-up/
#fantasyfootball #Sports #Betting #sportsbetting #sportsbettingadvice #freepick #freepicks #sportsbettingtips #handicapping #predictions #sportspredictions #NFL #esports #espn #NBA #NHL #sportsprediction #ncaa #mlb #WNBA #prediction #nhl #nhlplayoffs #nhlpicks #nbapicks #NBAPlayoffs #NFLPlayoffs #espnsports #bettingsports #bettingtips #bettingonline #bettingexpert #basketball #football #soccer #hockey #sportspicks #ncaabasketball #foxsports #cbssports #soccerpredictions #sportingbet