Like quite a few posters here, I've been very critical of the Bucs OL. While not arguing for a total overhaul (who is?), Licht's comments about being fine with the OL are concerning. Its one thing not being able to fix a problem yet, its another to recognize there's a problem. And Bucs OL play has held this offense back over the years more than anything but QB play.
That being said, I do believe that there are a few cases that can lead to a real improvement in OL play and give some hope to the Bucs and their fans.
1) Consistency. This is the most underrated part of OL play. More than any other position OL need to know what the guys next to them are doing and be able to think in tandem - to be "in the zone" together. This was one of Penn's complaints during his down year when the LG kept switching, he had no idea what the LG was going to do. We saw this also under Lovie Smith when he was constantly switching players, and teams that move players around on the OL rarely find success as it usually makes things worse. A third example is the Atlanta Falcons, who a few years ago had a bunch of scrubs at OL who meshed as a unit and had a lot of success. Then they let a couple guys go trying to upgrade the OL and it blew up, taking 2-3 years to fix again.
2) Development. This one is obvious, so I won't say much but if Smith and Pamphile really improve this line looks a lot better.
3) Sweezy. Again, has been discussed here. Sweezy wasn't as good as he's being made out to be and was a questionable signing. But as someone with very little experience on the OL he may look better just by having more mental experience at OL. He also, at worst, brings some more depth and creates more competition (very important) as long as the Bucs don't keep swapping players around.
4) Depth. One area the Bucs seem to have improved is in the talent pipeline for the OL. While I'm not as high on some of the developmental players as the Bucs are, they looked really bad when they played, they are in a better place than in previous years. If these players can take big steps forward, it prevents an injury along this OL being as devastating and creates more competition which lifts the play of the OL.
5) One Player Away. While the OL has been very poor, it has at least one very good player in Marpet. Adding another very good player (even if Smith or Sweezy take major steps forward) can really solidify a line. Because they play so much as a unit, upgrading another position along the OL can make a big difference that elevates the play of the other 3 players.
6) Winston Developing. Mark Cook, very fairly, pointed out that Winston also made the Bucs OL look worse. While the OL looked plenty bad on its own, and struggled heavily in run blocking, Winston becoming a QB who can get rid of the ball quicker and improves in identifying defences will make this OL better.
