Bucs’ offensive line improvement should be timely vs. Saints defense
TAMPA — The Bucs had a lot of moving parts on the offensive line ahead of the season, but the line’s continuity throughout the year has been a big key to the team’s turnaround on offense.
Tristan Wirfs moved from right to left tackle. Luke Goedeke went from left guard to right tackle. Rookie Cody Mauch took over at right guard and Aaron Stinnie eventually replaced Matt Feiler at left guard. The only holdover was center Robert Hainsey.
But that unit will be tested Sunday against a veteran, physical Saints defense.
“They’ve got all these savvy moves,” Wirfs said. “Cam (Jordan) has been around for a long time. ... He’s seen everything. He kind of expects things. It feels like he’s always a step ahead almost, so you’ve got to be on your game. It’s Demario Davis, too, one of the best inside linebackers in the league just flying around. He hits like a truck. Just guys like that.”
The Bucs’ biggest improvement has come in the rushing attack. The last three games, Tampa Bay has averaged 105.7 yards on the ground.
“I think just seeing things through the same set of eyes for us five up front, the run game, pass game. We know the Saints do a lot of crazy stunts in the pass game,” Wirfs said. “They’ll bring (linebacker) Pete (Warner) or Demario Davis up in the A gap and drop them and bring somebody else up. It’s knowing who to pick up and when to pick it up.”
Injury update
Outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett was among the players who did not practice Wednesday. Barrett sustained a groin injury in Sunday’s win over Jacksonville.
Although he hasn’t had the kind of season he’s used to with only 4.5 sacks, he had split a sack to close out the Bucs’ win at Green Bay two weeks ago.
Cornerback Carlton Davis is in concussion protocol and also did not practice. Nor did tight end Ko Kieft, who left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury.
Quotable
Bucs coach Todd Bowles on his team tempering their excitement that they could win the NFC South this weekend:
“On Sunday, it’s okay to be excited. We’ve got a lot of young guys on this team. But the focus has to be there. ... We’ve got a lot of things to prepare for and get ready for and we’ve got to execute. So it’s a long wait until Sunday.”
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