Bucs’ running game likely to struggle without Davin Joseph
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have high hopes for their offensive line this season as that unit, long one of the team’s problem areas, is now the anchor of the offense.
A big reason for that has been guard Davin Joseph, a 2006 first-round pick out of Oklahoma who has started 28 games the past two seasons, including all 17 (playoffs included) last season. The 6-foot-3, 313-pounder had an excellent training camp and was outstanding in the first two preseason games, but he suffered a broken foot in the Bucs’ defeat of the Patriots in that second exhibition game Sunday.
With Joseph leading the way, the Bucs have averaged 4.1 yards per carry through two preseason games and racked up 114 yards rushing in the first half against New England. But now indications are Joseph will miss 4-8 weeks after surgery, so a conservative estimate means he’s at least out for the Bucs’ first two regular-season games (at New Orleans, vs. Atlanta).
The Bucs now likely will play rookie Jeremy Zuttah in place of Joseph. Zuttah, a third-round draft pick out of Rutgers, has seen significant playing time at guard and center in training camp and preseason. The team could also consider playing C/G Dan Buenning in Zuttah’s place. Buenning has started 23 games at left guard since entering the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick in 2005.
Now, you could say losing a guard isn’t as big of a deal as losing a tackle, but the Bucs are a power inside running team, meaning a guard is vital to that type of system. In addition, it’s never a good idea to play a rookie lineman (no matter where) when your quarterback is as fragile as the Bucs’ Jeff Garcia is.
And that Tampa Bay offense could be further weakened for that Saints opener as top receiver Joey Galloway is a question mark. Galloway participated in team workouts for the first time Tuesday, but coach Jon Gruden is still not sure of his status for the Sept. 7 season opener.
“He’s not 100 percent yet,” Gruden said of Galloway, who has been hampered by a sore groin since before the start of training camp. “We’re optimistic Joey will be ready for New Orleans, but I still don’t know right now.
“We have to be careful with him. We have been careful with him and we’ll continue to be careful with him, and we are pleased with the progress he’s made. But we’re still not ready to go yet.”
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