New RT Cherilus expected to fill void 
Released on July 26 by the Colts, Gosder Cherilus he was signed to fill the hole left by RT Demar Dotson, who will miss several weeks with a left knee sprain. JAY CONNER/STAFF By Roy Cummings | Tribune Staff Published: August 18, 2015 TAMPA — New Buccaneers RT Gosder Cherilus is not unaccustomed to the pressures of protecting a franchise quarterback. During his eight-year NFL career, that’s just about all he’s done.A first-round draft pick of the Lions in 2008, Cherilus was only in the league a year before he was asked to protect Matthew Stafford. Five years later, after signing with the Colts, he was tasked with protecting Andrew Luck.“Yeah, I only block for No. 1 picks,’’ Cherilus said with a laugh on Tuesday.The circumstances under which Cherilus was brought in to help protect QB Jameis Winston, the first overall pick in the 2015 draft, are no laughing matter. Released on July 26 by the Colts, he was signed to fill the hole left by RT Demar Dotson, who will miss several weeks with a left knee sprain.But just how soon Cherilus can begin filling that role is uncertain. On Tuesday he took only a couple of first-team snaps during what proved to be a rain-shortened workout at One Buc Place, where Cherilus said his biggest obstacle will be learning the offense.The Bucs though, are clearly counting on Cherilus being a fast learner. Though coach Lovie Smith said the starting right tackle job is now “up for grabs,’’ it’s apparent he expects Cherilus to eventually win out after being signed to a two-year, $7-million deal.“You don’t bring a player in like that unless you plan on him helping you out in some kind of way fairly soon,’’ Smith said. “Again, after one practice we’ll kind of see, but we wouldn’t bring him in here if we didn’t feel like he could help us this year.”The wrath of KwonRookie MLB Kwon Alexander called plays for the first-team defense again on Tuesday, and it doesn’t look like he’ll be moving out of that spot any time soon.On Tuesday, after Alexander forced and recovered a fumble in 11-on-11 work, Smith said former first-team MLB Bruce Carter is now competing for starter’s reps with Danny Lansanah.Winston isn’t surprised by the sudden turn of events. He’s known about Alexander since their high school days in Alabama.“We knew each just because Alabama kids know each other,’’ Winston said. “Back then he was a little bit skinnier, just like me, but he was always able to fly to the ball and make great plays.”Rare rookieAt first they were impressed by the speed with which he learned the Bucs offense. Shortly thereafter they were impressed by his ability to take command of the huddle and manage the line of scrimmage.Now, Winston is impressing teammates yet again with the calm demeanor with which he plays the game, even in the wake of potentially catastrophic mistakes.“He’s not fazed by anything,’’ Bucs DT Gerald McCoy said. “A mistake desn’t bother him, an interception doesn’t bother him. He has something that is rare for a rookie and that’s that next-play mentality.“A lot of rookies that come into the league, they get so frustrated after making a mistake, but he just doesn’t do that. His focus is all about, “I have to be better. I have to get better.’’’ [email protected] (813) 259-7893Twitter: @RCummingsTBO
