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About the Author: Mark Cook

Avatar Of Mark Cook
Mark Cook currently is the director of editorial content and Bucs beat writer and has written for PewterReport.com since 2011. Cook has followed the Buccaneers since 1977 when he first began watching football with his Dad and is fond of the 1979 Bucs team that came within 10 points of going to a Super Bowl. His favorite Bucs game is still the 1979 divisional playoff win 24-17 over the Eagles. In his spare time Cook enjoys playing guitar, fishing, the beach and family time.Cook is a native of Pinecrest in Eastern Hillsborough County and has written for numerous publications including the Tampa Tribune, In the Field and Ya'll Magazine. Cook can be reached at [email protected]
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The PR Bucs Monday Mailbag is where PewterReport.com’s Mark Cook answers your questions from our Twitter account. You can submit your question each week via Twitter using the hashtag #PRMailbag.

Below are the questions we chose for this week’s edition of the PR Bucs Monday Mailbag.

Question: The latest power rankings on NFL.com has us as at 29, this seems too low? We are only ahead of the Dolphins, Cardinals & Bengals. Discuss.

Answer: I agree it appears too low, but I also didn’t predict two back-to-back 5-11 seasons either. Trying to determine power rankings before the final rosters have even been set is really just a fun thing with little substance behind it. Who saw the Andrew Luck retirement coming? I am guessing the Colts power rankings will drop significantly now.

How many of the Bucs preseason games did this writer watch in full? How many practices did they attend? Probably zero to both questions. My point is, they don’t really fully know this team and are basing it looking at last year’s numbers, key additions and subtractions and how the team did record wise last year.

Bucs Oc Byron Leftwich And Qb Jameis Winston

Bucs OC Byron Leftwich and QB Jameis Winston – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR\

I wouldn’t t get too caught up in any ranking or season predictions, at this point. No one knows how the season will turn out, it is all just speculation for now.

Question: Can you see Bruce Arians pulling off moves to add to this roster as we approach the season? He can’t be happy with what he sees with the O-Line!

Answer: Absolutely. The Bucs will be scouring all the cuts, and even trade scenarios over the next week as they get ready to take on San Francisco in just under two weeks. Arians even said recently that the bottom players on the 53-man roster shouldn’t get overly comfortable, as chances are there will be some moves made. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me to see a few players who aren’t on the Bucs roster today, be dressed for that 49ers game.

Bucs Rg Alex Cappa

Bucs RG Alex Cappa – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

And no, Arians wasn’t pleased with the offensive line’s performance on Friday night against Cleveland, but he isn’t quite ready to trade Mike Evans for a new guard just yet. It was a bad game, no doubt, but, as an offensive lineman told me on Sunday after practice, they will be fine. He knows they are better than they showed and is confident this group will be ready for the season. For his sake – and quarterback Jameis Winston’s health – I hope he is correct.

Question: After seeing RoJo nearly tear his knee up last week, he’s trotted out again to return kicks. Is this actually his job come regular season?

Answer: I was as surprised as anyone to see Jones back to return kicks after escaping what could have been a costly knee injury in the game against the Dolphins the week before. I really have no idea why they would risk it, especially after Jones looks like he will be counted on this season to spell Peyton Barber, if not eat into his carries.

I don’t know that the team has settled on a kick or point returner as of yet, but I like Bobo Wilson at both return spots. And if he is to make this team he will have to be counted on as a special teams player. No one has really stood out in their preseason auditions to me, and it may take a breakout game from someone on Thursday to night before a decision is made.

Regardless, it’s clear the Bucs won’t be keeping a roster spot for just a return guy. It is going to be a guy who can also contribute in other areas as well.

Question: Is it totally out of the question that Dare Ogunbowale could work his way into the RB1 conversation?

Bucs Rb Dare Ogunbowale

Bucs RB Dare Ogunbowale – Photo by: Mary Holt/PewterReport.com

Answer: Working his way into it is a legitimate possibility. I think it is pretty well set that Peyton Barber enters the season as the first team running back, and Jones will get some touches as well. At the very least, I think we see Ogunbowale be a third down guy, as he may be the best running back as far as his hands and running routes. And he also is productive after the reception as we have seen this preseason.

He has been a blast to watch this camp and if he can stay healthy it will be hard to keep him off the field. I don’t know that he takes the RB 1 job at any point this season, but he will be pushing the guys in front of him.

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