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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be getting a great offensive line coach to join them this year in Tony Sparano. Jason Cole of the National Football Post first reported that the current Oakland Raiders offensive line coach was on Lovie Smith's potential coaching staff, and now Michael Silver is confirming this.
According to Silver, Sparano could join the Bucs because the Raiders are offering him and other assistant coaches just one-year extensions, rather than the much more common two-year extensions.
Sparano has coached offensive lines and tight ends in various places since 2000, and was the Cowboys' offensive line coach from 2005 through 2007 before becoming the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. He coached the Oakland Raiders' offensive line this past season. His offensive lines in Dallas improved their blocking each season, and Sparano has a very good reputation.
Sparano's Raiders line blocked for the sixth-most efficient running game in the NFL in terms of yards per carry, although they struggled significantly more as pass blockers.
Jeff Tedford's offense relies heavily on a varied running game and he asks a lot of his offensive lines. The offensive line coaching hire will be crucial to the team's offensive success.
