Ted Larsen benched, Jeremy Zuttah in for Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by Sander on Sep 16, 2011 1:28 PM EDT

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 11: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a pass during the season opener against the Detroit Lions at Raymond James Stadium on September 11, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Last season Ted Larsen was one of the surprises of the season. He was a waiver wire pickup at the end of the preseason, but the rookie was starting at left guard by week seven. He turned out to start the rest of the season, even when the Bucs had the option of playing Zuttah at left guard when Jeff Faine was healthy. Larsen wasn't an overpowering presence at that point, but he was pretty solid and looked like he could develop into a good starter.

That seemed to be confirmed in the first preseason game, when Ted Larsen looked very strong. But things suddenly collapsed, and he looked like the worst starting offensive lineman throughout the rest of the preseason. It wasn't much better against the Detroit Lions either, as Larsen struggled to hold up in the run game and made some critical mistakes as a pass blocker.

So now, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers move back to Jeremy Zuttah. The 2008 third-round pick has had the chance to start before, and seemed to be a competent player. He lacks power in the run game but is a solid and reliable pass blocker. And perhaps there's reason to believe he'll do better as a starter now, as he looked pretty good in preseason. Regardless, he should at least provide an improvement over Ted Larsen.

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ZUTTAH!

"Let's get one thing straight that my crown ain't for testing-testing
Chop heads off like King Henry the 8th, guillotine to ya neck, bitch
I'm a king in this thing, don't be dumb, been in this shit since '94"

by 4QB on Sep 16, 2011 1:36 PM EDT reply actions

Good move

by Carlitin1988 on Sep 16, 2011 1:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Experience - 1, Youth - 0

by Cracker Ball on Sep 16, 2011 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions

totally support this move by the team. I hope we can find a cohesive unit out there for the whole year

by Marlon The Okayplayer on Sep 16, 2011 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

IMO

I think Ted Larsen was better fit for the zone blocking scheme we ran last year. He is getting overpowered with the man blocking scheme they are running now. Zuttah fits that scheme well and has better technique so he should do better.

by TB Buc on Sep 16, 2011 1:46 PM EDT reply actions

I support the move.

Zuttah played better than Larsen in the preseason and I actually thought that Zuttah should’ve started against Detroit. I still think that his future is at center, which opens up a conundrum at left guard. I will add that according to Coach Morris, Larsen sustained an ankle injury in the preseason game against New England and that it has caused Larsen to lose some of his aggressiveness and power. Even so, I think Zuttah is an upgrade and I’ll keep
my fingers crossed that Faine can stay healthy for the whole season even though I think he gets paid too much to be an overrated glass egg.

by TB86 on Sep 16, 2011 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

Great, but who is the backup?

Is Larsen better than Hardman? Can Lee and Dotson play inside too?

by Chengdu Buc on Sep 16, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

That's where the conundrum lies.

I think Larsen will be the backup. When he is fully healthy, I view him as a more powerful blocker than Hardman and as a whole, Larsen is a better technician. As for Lee, I cringe at the thought of moving him inside as he is not a very good run blocker and as the preseason showed, he’s not a good fit in the power man-to-man scheme that Pat Morris is bringing in. I think Dotson’s best fit is at right tackle and he may prove to be the wild card not this year, but next year if Trueblood doesn’t improve his play.

by TB86 on Sep 16, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Remind me

why was it we fired the offensive line coach from last year? Wasn’t it because he was a great big meany and was hurting every one’s feelings? I just don’t get it. Our line seemed to be getting in stride towards the end of last year but we broke it and changed it. Larsen has more upside so I would rather see us stick with him. Zuttah is what Zuttah is. Hope this helps the line get going.

And I say, "Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know." And he says, "Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consiousness." So I got that goin' for me, which is nice.

by dryroastedsean on Sep 16, 2011 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

Zuttah isn't old.

He was a third round pick and O lineman can take a while to reach their full potential. Larson was a late round pick that still has plenty of time to get better.

by Pirate25 on Sep 16, 2011 3:08 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions

Several reasons were given for firing him

Being a zone-blocking specialist instead of running more man/power schemes was one. Not being a teacher was the other.

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by Sander on Sep 16, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Larsen has been pretty disappointing thus far

So starting Zuttah is a good move.

It's great to be a Florida Gator!

by Gatorbuc15 on Sep 16, 2011 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

I approve of this message!

I just hope this line develops sooner and not later into a cohesive unit.

East Coast Fan

by Bucfan on Sep 16, 2011 4:09 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Awesome!!!

Just wanted to say your site is one of the few that waive the mandatory 24 hr waiting period in order to post a comment. Good job! :)

"It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America...Molly Ivins"

by CattleDriver on Sep 16, 2011 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

A Texans fan?!!!!! Get this guy out of here!!!!

Just kidding…LOL!

Still waiting for the day that the NFL comes back to LA...

by LABucsFan on Sep 16, 2011 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Good move

That’s one think I have like about this regime (Morris/Dominik) from the start. They’re not afraid to take chances and try new things/people out. But if it’s not working, they don’t hesitate to make a change. Sure, Larsen was handed the job this year based on last year, but if he’s not cutting it these guys will make the change.

by Bruce McRae on Sep 16, 2011 7:17 PM EDT reply actions