Offensive Centers:Joe Hawley was signed before the 2015 season opener by the Buccaneers as an unrestricted free agent, following his release by the Atlanta Falcons. Hawley entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick (117th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Falcons. Hawley played collegiately for UNLV. He was pressed in to action at center after starter Smith was sidelined due to an injury. Hawley started 14 of 15 games for the Bucs surrendering one sack and committing four penalties. During his six NFL seasons five with the Falcons and one with the Bucs, Hawley has started 37 of 72 games he has played in at the pivot. He has given up a total of eight sacks and committed 13 penalties. Hawley is an average-sized center, at best. He is a marginal athlete who plays with good leverage and tenacity. Before his knee injury he had decent mobile and was agile, Hawley, can block at the second level and pull on outside runs. He is smart, tough, and aggressive and plays with a nasty demeanor. Known as an enforcer and aptly given the nickname of “Brawley” due to his feisty nature when blocking. Evan Smith signed as an unrestricted free agent, by the Buccaneers on March 14, 2014 from the Green Bay Packers. Smith originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college rookie free agent with the Packers on May 1, 2009. He Won Super Bowl XLV as a member of the Packers. Smith played collegiately for Idaho State University. During his seven year NFL career Smith has suited up for the Packers, Seattle Seahawks and Buccaneers. Since becoming a Buc, Smith has started 20 of 24 games, missing time due to injury in 2015 and his starting spot to Joe Hawley. Smith started 5 of 9 games in 2015, at center and guard surrendering one sack and committing one penalty. Since entering the NFL Smith has started 45 of 85 games and surrendered 15.5 sacks while committing 18 penalties. A limited athlete with marginal size, Smith is smart and tries hard. He has experience at both center and guard. He’s a decent reserve, with starting experience but not someone who you want as your every down starter.Josh Allen was signed on May 12, 2014, after going undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft. He played his college football for the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He was released by the Bucs on August 31, 2014 and signed by the Green Bay Packers to their practice squad on September 3, 2014 and released three-weeks later. Allen was resigned by the Buccaneers to the practice squad on September 3, 2014 and promoted to the active roster on November 29, 2014. Allen made his NFL debut on December 14, 2014 against the Carolina Panthers. Allen saw action in three games, during 2014 season surrendering one sack. Allen was waived by the Bucs on September 9, 2015 from injured reserve. He was later resigned by the Bucs to the practice squad. Allen has ideal size and is a well-built powerful pivot blocker. He has good overall athleticism for the center position. He is a tough, aggressive lineman and very smart.The Buccaneers signed Ben Gottschalk to the Practice Squad in April 2015. Gottschalk was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2014 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at Southern Methodist University, where he started 24 of 47 games he played in. Gottschalk has spent time with the Chiefs, Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers. Gottschalk was signed by the Bucs in January 2016. Gottschalk is a blue-collar, overachiever who has ideal height weight and ideal athleticism for the center position. He lacks core strength and need to get stronger at the point of attack.
