The Bucs have pumped a lot of money into their offensive line over the past three offseasons. They’ve signed center Jeremy Zuttah and new left guard Carl Nicks to pricey long-term deals since the 2011 season ended.
There was no room left for incumbent starting center Jeff Faine, and the club formally announced Wednesday that it has released him.
On paper, at least, Tampa Bay’s front five has a formidable look to it. They will start Donald Penn at left tackle, Nicks at left guard, Zuttah at center, Davin Joseph at right guard, and Jeremy Trueblood at right tackle.
The total value of those five players’ contracts is $168 million.