J.R. Sweezy signs with Buccaneers to help offensive line

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have agreed to terms with guard J.R. Sweezy, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. He'll help fill the hole left by left guard Logan Mankins, who retired this week.

Sweezy, a converted defensive end, has started all but two games over the past three seasons for the Seattle Seahawks. He's played almost exclusively at right guard, which makes him a curious fit for the Bucs: they need a left guard, and they're not moving Ali Marpet away from the right guard position. More than that, the Bucs like what Kevin Pamphile did at left guard in limited time last year. Whether Sweezy will compete with Pamphile or be gifted the starting job remains to be seen -- but given that multiple teams were reportedly interested in Sweezy, he's probably starting.

Here's what Danny Kelly of Field Gulls said about him:

As I told Niners Nation's David Fucillo this week, Sweezy's been tough and reliable, and plays a very physical brand of football. He's much better in the run game than in the passing game -- he's good at finding and targeting people on the second level in the run game -- but too often gets worked in pass protection.

Pro Football Focus has never really liked what Sweezy did in Seattle, grading him at a 46/100 for his play last season. The Bucs will hope that the grading outfit is wrong, and Sweezy just looked bad because of circumstances -- like a line always in flux, and a quarterback who holds on to the ball forever.