The Buccaneers’ offensive line has been a major question mark all year, and when the season opens next weekend the line will feature a bunch of guys who have never played together as a unit. And coach Lovie Smith says that’s just fine because, according to Smith, chemistry among offensive linemen is overrated.
“It’s been talked an awful lot about “the offensive line, they have to play together’’,’’ Smith said, via ESPN. “I don’t buy that at all. I think you get the best possible guys you can, and you make moves when you have to.’’
Smith said new arrival Logan Mankins can fit right in without having practiced with his teammates
“He knows how to get himself ready,” Smith said of Mankins. “He’ll have to change a little bit of terminology but not as much as you would assume. He’ll fit in right away and I don’t think that will be a big issue. Some of our other offensive linemen haven’t played a lot together. But these three preseason games, they’ve come together. Based on the way they played the last time they were together [in the third preseason game], we like where we’re at.”
At the moment, the offensive line looks like the Bucs’ biggest weakness. If Smith is right, perhaps the offensive line can be a surprise strength of a team going in the right direction.