Bucs LG Rotation Was Planned, Will Continue

“Well, Leverett earned some playing time,” Bowles said. “We wanted to change the pace a little bit and give Luke [Goedeke] a little bit of a break. And they were tight going into training camp, so we wanted to get the guy some reps.”

On Monday morning after reviewing the tape, Bowles indicated that the two guards would continue to platoon on Thursday night against Baltimore.

“They’re both very physical,” Bowles said. “Both were neck-and-neck going into training camp, going into the season. Obviously Luke won it out, Leverett’s earned some playing time so we started getting him some in there. Luke was nicked up a little bit as well so we got Leverett a little more time. They both fought hard and played hard, we just got to get better.”

Goedeke got nicked up in the game and was in a walking boot in the locker room in Carolina.

“If Luke’s injury is fine he’ll start,” Bowles said. “But Leverett will play.”

Leverett Played Quality Snaps For Bucs In Carolina

The early results looked good on Sunday with Leverett in the lineup. The offensive line was getting good push and opened holes in the running game. On a run behind Leverett Rachaad White picked up a gain of 11 yards.

Leverett’s pass protection was sound and the offense was starting to find their rhythm. However, an untimely penalty and an incomplete pass to Mike Evans stalled that drive. Leverett’s second drive started off well, but a sack by Brian Burns, who was working against Donovan Smith set the team up with a third-and-24 that the team couldn’t convert.

After two solid drives by Leverett, who was getting his first game action of the season in his hometown, he was pulled for Goedeke. Leverett didn’t seem to be injured and it made little sense in the moment, as the Bucs offense was starting to find a bit of rhythm. It makes less sense looking back at it. Switching back and forth between the two players not only makes it tough for the offense to maintain that rhythm but for the players as well. Yet Leverett wasn’t going to use that an an excuse. 

“It’s definitely tough,” Leverett said after the game. “But at the end of the day, the fans, the people out there watching don’t want any excuses. I don’t want any excuses. I’m going to go out there and prepare and that’s been my mindset. I’m not going to let anything hold me back. Just because we’re switching and swapping, I go in two series, he goes in two series, I’m going to stay ready every series. I don’t have that option to go out there and blame it on me not being in there consecutively. No, I’ve got to get the job done regardless. That’s just my mindset. Go in there have no excuses and just get the job done.”

Goedeke would close out the half and open up the third quarter. His first series ended the half, while his second would result in yet another punt on the day. The Bucs quickly got a first down on a 13-yard pass to Evans on his third series, then found Evans again a play later for 18 yards. A promising drive was stalled out though when the Bucs couldn’t gain a yard on three straight, creating a turnover on downs following a run on fourth-and-1.

“Watching from the sideline is kind of hard than being in the action,” Goedeke said. “Just getting those series off, muscle-wise I kind of tightened up, but it was fine. Perspective-wise it’s better to see it in front of me.”

Leverett next series in was a quick three and out play series. Though on his next drive the Bucs put their only points of the game on the board. A 13 play drive consisting of only passes let for a single Tom Brady scramble when the pocket collapsed. That would be the final series for Leverett but he feel like he left it all out on the field and now it’s up to the coaches to determine what happens next.

“I did everything I could,” Leverett said. “Every week, it’s not anything new, go in there and prepare like I’m the starter. Work my tail off. I feel like I had a pretty decent game, so hopefully they look at the film and decide who needs to go out there. At the end of the day it’s whatever’s best for the team. I’m not a selfish guy at all. I’m a role player. If the team needs me as a starter, I’m there ten-toes down. If the team needs me as a back up, I’m there ten-toes down regardless. It will be good for them to evaluate the tape and see who he wants to start at left guard. Whatever it takes.”

The final two series went to Goedeke. The first a six play drive that ended in a turnover on downs. Followed by two runs to let the clock wind down and end the game. Goedeke said he knew in the beginning of the week that he would be rotating with Leverett throughout the game against the Panthers but doesn’t think it affected him. 

“I knew beginning of the week,” Goedeke said. “I  don’t think it really had any effect on me or my play or anything. Whatever the coaches want, that’s whatever they want. I’m just here to play football and give it my all and everything. If that’s what they see is the best interest, then that’s what is then. I totally, I’m just going to do my job.”

Leverett Graded Out Higher For Bucs

Goedeke (48) out-snapped Leverett (20) in the contest, but early grades from Pro Football Focus show positive results for Leverett. The third-year guard fished with a 74.3 overall grade including a 68.2 in run blocking and a whopping 83.6 in pass blocking. While the rookie had his best game as a pro in pass protection posting a 69.4 grade, he struggled in the run game (43.9) and had a 55.2 overall grade on the game. 

Talking to reporters post game, Goedeke said that he hadn’t lost any confidence after the rotation and that he just needs to play with more consistency, especially in the passing game. We’ll see how Goedeke and Leverett fare on Thursday night against Baltimore, and if one of those two young guards can emerge as a permanent starter as the offense and the team looks to rebound from a terrible, 21-3 loss in Carolina on Sunday.