When the Buccaneers signed J.R. Sweezy prior to last season, they thought they had Logan Mankins 2.0. Mankins had announced his retirement, leaving a hole along the line both physically and vocally. Mankins was an experienced player, much of it coming in New England with the Patriots, and he was the glue that was bringing the Bucs young line together.
Sweezy’s job was to replace Mankins as that veteran glue to keep the young ones together. Unfortunately, he never recovered from his previous injury with enough time to salvage 2016. Without him, the line took steps backwards.