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- Each week during the offseason, Senior Writer/Editor Scott Smith will dip into the inbox to answer questions from Buccaneer fans. This week, the discussion begins with one fan's idea for a perfect opening-day matchup at Raymond James Stadium, then moves into the realm of the NFL's ongoing free agency period. We also touch on Demar Dotson's 2014 season and what role he might play in 2015.
Fans can submit questions for upcoming mailbags via Twitter to @ScottSBucs (#BucsMailbag), through a message on the Buccaneers Official Facebook Page or via email at *tbbsocial@buccaneers.nfl.com*. The One Buc Mailbag runs every Thursday and is not necessarily meant to reflect the opinions of the team's management or coaching staff.*...1. Hi Scott,This email is in response to the question with regards to the Bucs 2015 season opener. Assuming that the Bucs choose Winston with number 1 draft pick and Titans choose Mariota with number 2 draft pick do you think that the possibility of the top two picks in the 2015 draft facing off against each other would result in the NFL making the Titans v Bucs game the season opener at the Ray Jay?
I realise that the schedule will be set prior to the draft but do you think the above will be in the minds of the NFL schedulers. Appreciate the fact that the above is pure speculation and any views you have are your own and in no way reflect what the Bucs will do with the number 1 draft pick :0)Always enjoy the daily mail bag section. Thanks very much.Stuart Anderson, Bucs fan from Scotland
The easiest schedules in the league, listed in decreasing order.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Teams are listed in decreasing order; No. 1 has the easiest schedule and No. 32 has the hardest.
Alright Stuart, you made it in the mailbag for two reasons, even though this will be, as you point out, pure speculation. One, I like your little dig at my repeated disclaimer about that very fact, complete with emoticon. And two, when I was 16 I worked at a Stuart Anderson's American Grill as a busboy. I really liked that job, so if you were the mastermind behind that chain, a belated thanks!
There's a lot of "ifs" there, Stu. Not only do you have to assume – as you point out, a couple weeks before the draft actually takes place – that Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota will go 1-2, but also that they will be starting for their respective teams on opening day. Plus, isn't it just as likely of a scenario that Winston and Mariota go 1-2, but it's a different team picking at #2? You've got to consider the chance that a team like the Jets or the Browns or the Rams will find a way to trade with the Titans in order to target one of those quarterbacks. That would kind of blow up your plan right there.
Who the Bucs will be playing in 2015.
The Buccneers defeated the Eagles, 27-10, in the 2003 NFC Championship game en-route to their first Super Bowl victory. The Bucs' defense forced three turnovers, including a 92-yard interception returned for a touchdown by Ronde Barber with 3:12 left in the game.
The Buccaneers defeated the Cowboys three times in a row from 2000 to 2003. The Bucs shut the Cowboys out, 16-0, in 2003.
The Giants and Buccaneers combined for 10 fumbles in their 2003 matchup but the Buccaneers held on to win, 19-13. Brad Johnson led the Bucs' offense to 358 total yards.
The Buccaneers won their first-ever matchup against the Texans, 16-3, in 2003. The Bucs' defense held the Texans to just 107 total yards of offense.
The last time the Buccaneers defeated the Titans was two contests ago in 2007. Jeff Garcia completed 20 of 31 passes for 274 yards and a touchdown.
The last time the Buccaneers played the Colts, 2011, Josh Freeman threw for 287 yards, one touchdown and ran for another to lead the Bucs to a 24-17 victory.
The last time the Buccaneers defeated the Saints, 2011, the Bucs had a 300-yard passer in Josh Freeman and a 100-yard rusher with Earnest Graham.
Josh McCown earned both of his touchdowns on the ground when the Buccaneers met the Rams in the 2014 season, but a pair of fourth-quarter field goals lifted St. Louis to victory, 19-17.
Doug Williams connected on a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jim Obradovich in the fourth quarter to help the Buccaneers come from behind and defeat the Falcons, 14-9, for the first time in franchise history in 1978.
The Buccaneers won their first-ever matchup against the Panthers, 20-13, in 1995, the Panthers' inagural season. Casey Weldon scored the go-ahead touchdown on a one-yard run in the fourth quarter.
The Buccaneers have won 10 of 19 games against the Redskins all-time. The team won their last matchup against the Redskins, 2014, and have won four of their last six contests.
The Buccaneers downed the Jaguars, 16-17, in 1995, the Jags' innagural season in the NFL. Errict Rhett ran for 100 yards and two touchdowns in the Bucs' victory.
The Buccaneers won six straight games against the Bears from 1997 to 2000. The Bucs sacked Cade McNown five times and intercepted him twice en-route to a 41-0 shutout victory in 2000.
I do think the creators of the NFL schedule put some thought into maximizing the ratings potentials of certain matchup when they put it together. I just don't think they can weigh such factors too heavily. First they have to work around wish lists from the league's network partners, requests by every team as to certain home dates to avoid, stadium availability and other conflicts. An opening day matchup of the top two picks in that year's draft, both quarterbacks, would be neat, but it's probably not important enough for the league to try too hard to force it.
Besides, if we are interested in seeing Winston and Mariota do battle on the same field, wouldn't it be wiser to schedule the meeting of their respective teams later in the season. Let's say those two passers do go 1-2 – SPECULATION! – to the Buccaneers and Titans. Maybe they're both starting on opening day, maybe not. It seems to me there's a better chance later in the season that both rookies are in the lineup, and a better chance that they'll be playing with more confidence and more understanding of their respective offenses.
2. Scott,So Oakland released pass rusher Antonio Smith yesterday, do you think the Bucs will look at him if they can land him for the right price? Also if the Bucs are not sold on Winston or Mariota do you think they should consider looking at Matt Schuab? Best Regards,Tyler Whaley
Florida's Dante Fowler and Clemson's Vic Beasley lead a talented group of linebackers.
Tyler, I think the Bucs should and will look at every possible addition to their pass-rushing corps. Actually, I'm sure they already have. Like every NFL team, the Buccaneers have a cadre of pro scouts to go with their college scouts, and that former group spends its time keeping scouting reports up to date on every player in the league. The idea is to have a well-formed opinion on a player, any player, before he becomes available so that you can react quickly if it happens.
In this case, I'd imagine what the Buccaneers did was pull that scouting report when Smith was released, then task someone on the staff with poring over his 2014 game tape. In doing so, they might have found the 12th-year veteran to be a bit of a puzzle. He was signed by the Raiders to a two-year $9 million contract last year, and proceeded to start all 16 games and collect just three sacks. Given that the Raiders are not hurting for cap space, it can be rationally surmised that his release was an indication that the team did not feel like Smith's performance matched the investment.
But, like I said, it's a weird case, at least if you believe the evaluators at Pro Football Focus. Smith was classified as a 3-4 DT by PFF, so you have to look at that list to find his grade. And among that group he ranked 57th with an overall mark of -3.9. However, he actually had a very positive pass-rush grade (18.3, third in that group). His grade was dragged down by an absolutely abysmal mark against the run (-20.0, worst in the league).
A countdown of the top 50 overall players in the 2015 NFL Draft as ranked by NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah.(Note: this list has been updated to reflect Jeremiah's most recent rankings.)
SMU defensive lineman Elie Nabushosi (7) rushes against Texas A&M offensive linesman Cedric Ogbuehi (70) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UCLA defensive lineman Owamagbe Odighizuwa gestures to teammates while facing Colorado in the first quarter of an NCAA football game in Boulder, Colo., on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Miami's Phillip Dorsett (4) runs against North Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks, top, gets ready for the snap as Southern California center Max Tuerk looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, in Pasadena, Calif. UCLA won 38-20. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Oregon offensive lineman Jake Fisher (75) waits for the snap in the first quarter during an NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Oklahoma defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (80) is pictured before an NCAA football game against Tulsa in Tulsa, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney (50) claps his hands as he prepares for another play at the line of scrimmage in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern Mississippi at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014. Mississippi State won the season opener, 49-0. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah breaks away from Southern California defenders on a 20-yard touchdown run during the second half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, in San Diego. Southern California won 45-42. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson (9) lines up to cover a Utah State receiver during an NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014, in Logan, Utah. (AP Photo/Eli Lucero)
Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams (88) catches a touchdown pass as Syracuse defensive back Darius Kelly (18) defends during the second half of the Texas Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, in Houston. Syracuse won 21-17. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Florida State center Cameron Erving (75) points out an assignment before a snap against Oregon in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015 in Pasadena, Calif. Oregon defeated Florida State 59-20 to advance to the first ever NCAA football playoff championship game. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Boise State running back Jay Ajayi dives for the touchdown as Arizona cornerback Jarvis McCall Jr. defends during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Connecticut cornerback Byron Jones (16) runs a drill before an NCAA college football game against Temple in East Hartford, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Michigan wide receiver Devin Funchess (1) celebrates a touchdown in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Penn State in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Mississippi State defensive lineman Preston Smith (91) readies for a tackle against UAB in the second half of an NCAA college football game at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. Mississippi State won 47-34. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Florida State defensive back P.J. Williams (26) defends at the line of scrimmage against Oklahoma State 's Jhajuan Seales (81) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Florida A&M running back Gerald Hearns (30) is tackled by Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) in the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith celebrates after catching a 44-yard touchdown pass during the first half of the Big Ten Conference championship NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
USC Trojans wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) during an NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on November 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Washington's Marcus Peters (21) snags the ball in the end zone in front of intended receiver Georgia State's Robert Davis in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, in Seattle. Peters was flagged for pass interference on the play, leading to a Georgia State touchdown on the drive. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Central Florida wide receiver Breshad Perriman (11) breaks a tackle by Connecticut cornerback Jhavon Williams (6) after Perriman's touchdown reception in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in East Hartford, Conn., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014. Connecticut won 37-29. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
LSU cornerback Jalen Collins (32) celebrates his interception with safety Rickey Jefferson (29) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, in College Station, Texas. LSU won 23-17. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong (21) runs away from Arizona cornerback Jonathan McKnight (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Kentucky linebacker Bud Dupree poses for a headshot during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
In this photo taken on Oct. 13, 2012, and provided by the University of Virginia , Virginia's freshman defensive end Eli Harold follows the action during an NCAA college football game against Maryland in Charlottesville, Va. Coach Mike London decided to get more young players involved last week after the Cavaliers had lost four straight, and Harold, an undersized defensive end, was among those that made an immediate impact.(AP Photo/University of Virginia)
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Ereck Flowers (74) lines up on the field in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Miami defeated Cincinnati 55-34. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Missouri wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham (15) celebrates his touchdown against Auburn during the first half of the Southeastern Conference NCAA football championship game, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
LSU offensive tackle La'el Collins (70) warms up before an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, September 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat (70) during the second half of the Foster Farms Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Houston defensive end Eric Eiland (21) and Pittsburgh offensive lineman T.J. Clemmings (68) during the second half of the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, in Fort Worth. Texas. Houston won 35-34. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)
Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (90) celebrates after Florida place kicker Austin Hardin (16) missed a field goal attempt during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. Florida State won 24-19. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
FILE - In this Sept. 20, 2014, file photo, Alabama defensive back Landon Collins celebrates after Alabama sacked Florida's quarterback during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff looks to block during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Florida offensive linesman D.J. Humphries (70) prepares to block a Tennessee defender during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Clemson's Vic Beasley pursues Syracuse running back Prince-Tyson Gulley during the second half an NCAA college football game in Clemson, S.C., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/ Richard Shiro)
Texas' Malcom Brown (90) lines up against Baylor during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oregon Alex Balducci, left, and Arik Armstead celebrate a defensive stop against Michigan State during the 1st quarter of their college football game in Eugene, Ore. Saturday Sept. 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon (25) stiff arms Auburn defensive back Jermaine Whitehead (35) on a 53-yard touchdown run during the third quarter of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Georgia's Todd Gurley (3) returns a kickoff for a touchdown as Auburn running back Corey Grant (20) defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Athens, Ga. The touchdown was called back due to a holding penalty. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
In this Sept. 27, 2014, file photo, Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory (4) is stopped by Illinois' Simon Cvijanovic, second from left, and Chris O'Connor, right, as Illinois quarterback Reilly O'Toole (4) throws the ball in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb. G(AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes (15) intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for Penn State wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Washington defensive lineman Danny Shelton (55) in the first half during the Cactus Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Senior wide receiver DeVante Parker celebrates after scoring on a 33-yard pass and run play against rival Kentucky in their NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. Louisville came from behind to beat Kentucky 44-40. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota runs as T.J. McDonald and Eric Dungy chase during an NCAA football game against USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Ca,. on Nov. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
South Dakota State quarterback Jacob Menage, left, is sacked by Missouri's Shane Ray during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (5) looks for a receiver as Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler, Jr. (6) pressures him during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
South Carolina quarterback Dylan Thompson, bottom, is sacked by Florida's Dante Fowler Jr. (6) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012, in Gainesville, Fla. Florida defeated South Carolina 44-11. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)
Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) celebrates his touchdown against Ohio State in the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal game, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
West Virginia's Kevin White (11) catches a pass for a touchdown over Baylor's Xavien Howard (4) in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Morgantown, W.Va., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Chris Jackson)
Southern California defensive end Leonard Williams looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Now, the Buccaneers will believe their own scouting eyes and won't be referring to PFF's numbers, but if those numbers are at least close to indicative of Smith's performance, that's a lot to think about. They suggest that a team would probably be bringing him in to work as a situational pass-rusher, a third-down type of guy. Also, it may be a moot point if Smith takes the opportunity to go back to Houston, where he played from 2009-13.
As for Schaub, between you're sending if that email and my reading it, that definitely became a moot point. Schaub, another former standout in Houston who didn't have much impact in Oakland last year, signed with the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday to serve as a backup behind Joe Flacco. Anyway, you're question seemed to be posed as bringing in Schaub to start, instead of drafting a quarterback with the first overall pick. Schaub has started eight games over the past two seasons, all at the tail end of his time in Houston, and seems to be settling into a reserve role at this point in his career.
3. Dotson Staying at LT?
@caseyreporting is Demar Dotson the answer at Left Tackle? He's 1 of my fav #BUCS but I noticed he struggled last season at LT #BUCSmailbag
— Guillermo Cebreros (@CebrerosBUCS) March 30, 2015
Can I go with a really solid…*maybe? *If that sounds like I'm being wishy-washy on the subject, please let me explain.
First of all, I'm glad that you've identified Dotson as one of your favorite Bucs, Guillermo. He's probably been our most underrated performer over the past two seasons. He had a really strong year at right tackle in 2013, then was probably the bright spot on a front line that really struggled in 2014. As you mention, Dotson got some time at left tackle late in the year after the Buccaneers decided there wasn't much point in sticking with the (since-departed) Anthony Collins any longer.
The best photos of offensive tackle Demar Dotson from the 2014 season.
So, what happened? Well, that's where my "maybe" comes in. Dotson played the first 13 games on the right and the last three on the left and I'd say the results were inconclusive. He neither bombed on the blindside nor set the world on fire. Not to lean too heavily on PFF grades again, but if you look at their game-by-game analysis of Dotson's performance at LT, they were all pretty much just average. One was a little above average, one was a little below average. He got better in his second start there and then better again in his third. That's promising.
Dotson's four best games of 2013 were all at right tackle, but so were his three least successful games. We have a lot more information on which to judge him at RT; I've got to believe the jury is still out at LT. But let's think of that as an opportunity. The Buccaneers are going to have one new starter at the two tackle spots in 2015, right? It could be 2014 rookie Kevin Pamphile, though he has very little experience so far. It could be a high draft pick, or a yet-to-be identified veteran found through free agency or the trade.
And it could be a player who is a particularly good fit at either right or left tackle. If you believe that Dotson is a known commodity on the right side and a possible solution on the left side, that gives you some flexibility in the players that you target. Given that Dotson was particularly effective as a pass-blocker last year, and that he has a good build for the left tackle spot, I'd personally like to see him get a more extended audition there. But I think the final solution for the Bucs' front five in 2015 is going to involve some moving parts between now and September, and Dotson could end up moving with them.
> READ LAST WEEK'S MAILBAG: NEW FACES, NEW RULES
