The Bucs offensive line had a down 12 months in 2022. So the workforce determined to revamp their blocking unit in 2023. Present projections would name for not a single place to be manned by the identical participant as final season. A few of these are as a result of place modifications (offensive deal with Tristan Wirfs shifting from the suitable aspect to the left), some are as a result of former starters getting back from harm (heart Ryan Jensen), whereas nonetheless others are younger gamers moving into premium roles (Luke Goedeke shifting again to his pure place of proper deal with and Cody Mauch moving into proper guard). However with the left guard spot the Bucs have taken nonetheless a distinct path, in signing knowledgeable lineman.
Matt Feiler just isn’t a celebrity. He by no means has been, and at 31 years previous and now getting into his seventh season it’s unlikely he ever can be. However as knowledgeable lineman what he does present is a succesful and educated participant who may be counted on to get the job achieved more often than not.
Bucs C-G Robert Hainsey and LG Matt Feiler – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
It has been stated many occasions earlier than by many an analyst smarter than me that offensive line play is a weak-link system. That was proven to be true final 12 months with the Bucs on the left guard place when then-rookie Goedeke struggled to regulate to a brand new place at a a lot larger degree of competitors than he had ever skilled earlier than. Regardless of strong play from a lot of the remainder of the road, Goedeke was fairly actually one of many worst guards within the league and the Bucs offense sputtered largely as a result of his play.
In steps Feiler to hopefully treatment that ailment for Tampa Bay. A transfer from horrible to common can usually be simply as massive a lynchpin for a unit because the transfer from common to phenomenal.
Bucs Acquired Feiler On The Low-cost
Feiler was the sufferer of circumstances, which aided in his being obtainable for the Bucs. After placing up 4 strong seasons in Pittsburgh as primarily a proper deal with, the Chargers signed him to a three-year, $21 million contract in 2021. Additionally they continued his swap from proper deal with to left guard which had begun within the 2020 season. His first 12 months in Los Angeles proved to be moderately profitable as Feiler posted a 74.0 Professional Soccer Focus grade, exhibiting particularly effectively as a run blocker.
Then in 2022 Feiler took a moderately substantial step backwards. There have been nonetheless indicators of the above common participant he had confirmed to be over the earlier 5 seasons, however combined in with these good performances have been some actual duds. With solely two actually good video games for the 12 months and 6-7 unhealthy ones the Chargers needed to decide on whether or not they wished Feiler to complete out his contract. With comparatively little lifeless cash affixed to his contract and Jamaree Salyer having confirmed himself to be a really succesful alternative the Chargers let Feiler go.
This put Feiler in a bind. He was coming off of a down season at a place he had little expertise at however was now two years faraway from enjoying deal with. At 31 years previous these query marks depressed Feiler’s market. This left him as an ideal choice for the Bucs who have been searching for merely ample play after Goedeke’s disastrous 2022 season and extra depth basically.
Feiler’s 2022 Season Was A Step Again
As talked about earlier than, Feiler had a very profitable 2021 in Los Angeles. He was particularly good as a run blocker, posting a 78.5 PFF grade in that division. And the tape confirmed simply how good he actually was.
The left aspect of the #Chargers offensive line — LT Rashawn Slater, LG Matt Feiler and C Corey Linsley — is a real weapon within the operating recreation. pic.twitter.com/Iu0LJCBQQw
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) November 5, 2021
Underneath offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, Feiler was requested to run block in an influence run scheme that required lots of double groups. He thrived on this system.
The execution of those combo blocks by Rashawn Slater/Matt Feiler and Corey Linsley/Zion Johnson is totally stunning. Offensive line artwork. pic.twitter.com/WKWA2yG76s
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) September 14, 2022
And when he was requested to work in area it was usually as a puller the place he may goal a lineman coming off the sting. He exceled on this aspect of the sport as effectively.
Actually like what the Chargers did within the shotgun run recreation on Sunday. Pin and pull with Matt Feiler right here. Watch Trey Pipkins and Zion Johnson although. pic.twitter.com/haeGiWmt3Z
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) November 8, 2022
So, what modified in 2022 that brought on his run blocking to regress from a energy to a weak spot? From what I may inform watching three of his video games (@ Kansas Metropolis in week 2, @ Atlanta in week 9 and @ San Francisco in week 10) Feiler was requested to do various things in a run recreation that advanced into one thing new. And he wasn’t pretty much as good on the new asks. Bear in mind the double workforce from earlier? Now examine it to this rep the place he’s requested to get to the second degree and canopy a linebacker in area.
This was a constant alternative in his play throughout all three video games. You possibly can see it once more right here in opposition to Kansas Metropolis.
And he didn’t wrestle in area simply on these second-level blocks. There have been a number of occasions the place he was late to get to his spot or missed a defender within the display recreation.
These have been the crux of Feilers points for almost all of the snaps I watched him play final 12 months.
Can Feiler Succeed In The Bucs New Mid Zone Scheme
I’ve my issues. It’s not that he has by no means achieved it. And it’s not that he hasn’t proven sometimes he can execute.
It’s simply there isn’t lots of proof to help it. Feiler appears to work greatest when he’s shifting north and south, not east and west.
One cause to have some hope is that Feiler has appeared good on the transfer whereas run blocking, albeit once more in a distinct scheme. As a puller he’s extraordinarily adept at locking onto his goal and stonewalling edge defenders.
Feiler As A Cross Protector
In cross professional Feiler profiles as growth or bust participant relying on who he’s matched up in opposition to. If he’s chargeable for one-on-ones in opposition to among the stronger defensive tackles within the recreation issues can get tough as evidenced by absolutely the subject day Chris Jones had in opposition to him final 12 months.
And I do know I’m sure to listen to that Chris Jones tends to try this to most offensive linemen. Whereas that is completely true, this recreation in opposition to the Chargers was considered one of his greatest which exhibits Feiler struggled comparatively as effectively.
It’s not simply Jones who pushed him round both. Feiler tends to wrestle together with his anchor regardless of his hefty construct. This confirmed up persistently within the video games I watched.
However whereas it will probably proceed to be a problem, as he can supply up an excessive amount of of his chest to longer extra highly effective opponents, he may cling comparatively effectively within the mixture. There was a strong variety of good reps by way of the video games I watched when it got here to defending the quarterback. This was largely as a result of a strong base and energetic palms that he makes use of to his benefit.
And one space the place Feiler excels is passing off stunts and twists. As a rule he finds and eliminates the looper, protecting his quarterback clear.
And now and again he chilly clocks an unsuspecting lineman, placing him on his ass in Ryan Jensen-like vogue.
Technically Feiler was aided by his heart’s legs sweeping Grady Jarrett to the bottom, however don’t you Bucs followers need to see Grady Jarrett down for the depend? Properly then how bout another of Feiler de-cleating an opponent…only for enjoyable!
What Can We Count on With Feiler In Tampa Bay?
That is the $2.5 million greenback query, isn’t it? I’ve little doubt the general cross safety Feiler will create can be higher than what Goedeke produced final 12 months. However will or not it’s higher than Nick Leverett, who changed Goedeke mid-way by way of the season? I’m not so positive it is going to be. Nevertheless, on the comparatively low wage the Bucs dedicated to Feiler he definitely will increase the ground of the offensive line room whereas including good depth. As for him as a run blocker, I really like the thought of him engaged on pin and pulls and double groups, however I’ve critical issues as as to whether he’ll thrive within the Bucs new operating scheme.
