Dan Connolly visits Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are addressing their offensive line in one of the least productive ways. In a move strangely reminiscent of last year, the Bucs are bringing in Dan Connolly for a visit, Ross Jones reports. I say "strangely reminiscent" because Connolly was one of the worst guards in the NFL last year, which probably makes him this year's Oniel Cousins.

Connolly would at best be a short-term solution to a long-term problem. Connolly has started at guard and center for the Patriots since the 2010 season, but at 33 he's not exactly a spring chicken. He's also struggled to stay healthy for full season, having only one season with 16 starts under his belt. Given his horrifyingly poor performance last year, it's likely that age has caused him to decline past the point of usefulness.

Connolly was with the Patriots when Bucs general manager Jason Licht and director of player personnel Jon Robinson were there, so that would explain some of the interest.

The Bucs were also reportedly interested in Stefen Wisniewski, who hasn't signed with a team yet. Tampa Bay managed to pass up the opportunity to sign any free agent lineman, and then released Anthony Collins, leaving them with two big holes on the offensive line at tackle and guard and no one to fill them. Signing Connolly would give them a little extra competition at one of those positions, but I'm not sure I'd rely on him to start.