The battle at right guard is heating up

Every training camp has battles and the Buccaneers certainly have a few on both sides of the ball. Everyone has been talking about the competition at cornerback and wide receiver, but the right guard position has been flying under the radar a little bit. After the Buccaneers parted ways with J.R. Sweezy this offseason, a starting spot opened up.

Tampa Bay has a couple options at right guard. The team can elect to go with Caleb Benenoch or Evan Smith. Smith did play right guard in the first game and the way the offensive line performed, it’s hard to say Smith is not in the lead for that spot.

Head coach Dirk Koetter, commented on the battle brewing at right guard between Benecoch and Smith after Monday’s practice.

“It’s ongoing just like battles for a lot of positions are ongoing. They’re both working hard, and we’ll see how it goes,” Koetter said.

Evan Smith has been in this league a very long time and has been solid for the Buccaneers ever since they signed him back in 2014. Koetter loves Smith’s versatility and his ability to help some of the younger offensive lineman.

“Evan is like an offensive line coach on the field. He helps all of the young guys. When we do our two-field work, he’s over there with the second and third group. The fact that he can play all three inside spots and play them well, we’re fortunate to have Evan,” Koetter said. “I think a lot of teams look for that guy that’s like a sixth man in basketball that can play multiple spots. Right now, Evan is that guy for us but if Evan was in there starting at any of the three inside, we would be fine.”

It will be interesting to see how the battle plays out, but by the sound of it, Smith could very well be in the lead at this point.