Recall how Licht said he was happy with our offensive line after the season ended? Remember how so many people thought Haeg would be a starting RT?
With the addition of OT Wirfs, he will be the starting RT. Where does that put Haeg? Haeg will be a backup at RT, RG, or will Arians allow for competition at starting RG? Seeing how Cappa needed harsh criticism from Licht to improve his game in 2019 training camp. Here's an excerpt from bucsreport from training camp:
2. Earl Watford and Alex Cappa
This isn’t speculation, but fact: Right guard will without a doubt be the most-watched training camp battle over the next two weeks. Easily the Achilles heel of the roster, right guard was brushed over as a need in both free agency and the draft.As it stands now, 29-year-old Watford (who is now on his sixth team) is the projected week one starter. His backup, second-year guard Alex Cappa, has had a poor camp, to say the least. The outcome here looks rather bleak anyway you put it. If Watford beats out Cappa, then Cappa probably isn’t cut out for this team. If Cappa is named the starter, I’m genuinely scared for Tampa Bay’s running backs. Keep a close eye on this one.
Does Licht want to continue Cappa's growth or can Licht swallow his pride to have a true competition at RG with Haeg in tow?
Why do I think we need competition at RG
-- 2019 Direction Rush Att, Bucs (Football Outsiders) --
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Left end = 6%
Left tackle = 9%
Mid/Guard = 70%
Right tackle = 12%
Right end = 4%
-- 2019 PFF ratings, OL Bucs --
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LT Smith = 70.8 PFF rating
LG Marpet = 72.3 PFF rating
C Jensen = 79.3 PFF rating
RG Cappa = 62.7 PFF rating
RT Dotson = 71.0 PFF rating
Because we run up the gut 70% of the time, we can focus on the Bucs' interior offensive linemen (iOL). Of the three iOL, Cappa is the weakest link. In fact, Cappa is the weakest link for the whole OLine corps.
A little google search and I found a colts forum that revealed the PFF scores after four games in 2016. Haeg had a 67.0 PFF rating with a comment of, " Best run blocking OT, not so much on pass "
Haeg's PFF score
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2016: 952 snaps, 4 penalties, 9 sack, 67.9 PFF rating (RT)
2017: 987 snaps, 4 penalties, 6 sack, 64.1 PFF rating (RT)
2018: 364 snaps, 3 penalties, 2 sack, 59.0 PFF rating (RT/LT/RG)
2019: 72 snaps, 0 penalties, 1 sack, 71.9 PFF rating (RG/RT)
Since Haeg cannot pass block, but has been denoted a mauler in run blocking, then maybe the best use of his asset is to keep him inside at guard.
I don't have a PFF paid subscription and can't look at the run blocking grades to compare Haeg and Cappa.
If Haeg wins the starting RG position, then that gives the Bucs the opportunity to focus Cappa to playing center. A re-signed RG Haeg and C Cappa will be cheaper than 2021 C Jensen's $10 salary, if we're planning for the future, provided Haeg is an improvement over Cappa at RG. But I don't know if there will be an actual competition at RG because Licht loves his picks and gives them a longer leash.
