PewterReport.com began a new offseason feature this year, giving readers an opportunity to get their questions answered about the Bucs by the PR staff. Today, Mark Cook answers five questions taken from Twitter submissions and our message boards using the hashtag #PRMailbag.

Q. Warrenfb12 said: Donavan Smith got absolutely worked by Adrian Clayborn last week. So, do the Bucs have trouble brewing at left tackle?

A. I don’t think there is necessarily trouble brewing, but Smith has struggled more at times than I expected him to going into his second season, particularly in pass protection. While Jameis Winston has had his ups and downs this season, I would love to see what he could accomplish if he had a clean pocket like Derek Carr did in the Raiders game.

While Smith has been inconsistent at times, Demar Dotson on the right side has been just as inconsistent, if not more, not to mention leading the team in penalties. There are more pressing needs for the Bucs going into next offseason, and left tackles that perform at a Pro Bowl level tend to be first rounders. The Bucs won’t have the luxury of taking a tackle with a Top 15 pick with all the other needs that will need to be addressed next draft in my opinion, so most likely it will be Smith going forward in 2017.

Q. DonkeyHunter asks: At what point does Licht start to feel some heat? The Aguayo pick should’ve been enough to get anyone fired. But, couple that with the overall FA signings under his watch, and it doesn’t appear to help his case. Do you think there’s a chance he’s shown the door, or do you think Mike Smith will be the scapegoat this year?

A. No, I don’t think Licht is close to being shown the door. I know the Aguayo pick was and still is an unpopular selection, but there is no guarantee whoever they used instead would have panned out. The Bucs success rate with second round picks hasn’t exactly been stellar. Plus eight games is way too early to determine if the pick turns out to be a good one or a bad one. I think undrafted free agent finds like Cameron Brate, Adam Humphries negate some of the misses. I think the Kevin Pamphile, Kwon Alexander and Ali Marpet picks outweigh the Austin Seferian-Jenkins pick or the Anthony Collins signing. And can we even question the Mike Evans pick?

Free agency is a crap shoot and there is a reason a player is a free agent. If teams wants to keep their top players, they always seem to find a way. That isn’t to say some recent free agents couldn’t be helping the team this season. But winning free agency doesn’t equate to hoisting the Lombardi.

And ultimately a general manager’s fate will be tied to the quarterback they draft, particularly with the No. 1 overall pick. Winston still has some skeptics but he is far from being labeled a bust by anyone.

As far as Smith, these next eight games will determine a lot moving forward, but if I had to speculate, Smith is back again next season.

Q. TampaBBR asks: Do you think the Bucs would consider moving on from Martin? He’s a great RB but we just paid him a lot of money to get hurt again.

A. C’mon man, haha! No the Bucs aren’t moving on from Martin. Injuries happen to the best of them sometimes. How can you blame Martin? Now if he were a run of the mill running back who was of average ability and he was high priced, then yes. But you can’t give up on a player that was the second best rusher in the league a year ago because of a hamstring injury. I know Martin well enough to know, that no one is more frustrated than he is. He takes a lot of pride in his toughness and not being on the field right now is driving him crazy.

Q. ShugSmith wants to know: What do you see the Bucs doing different with David, and do you think Smith is putting the players in the right position?

A. It is really difficult to determine if David’s issues are scheme or his inability to fully grasp the nuances and concepts. He isn’t hurt. And he didn’t forget how to play football. Those are two things we know. But there is no question he doesn’t look nearly as comfortable this season as in year’s past. If I had to guess, I would tend to go with him just not playing as confidently as he would like based on the scheme. I think he gets there this season at some point, and the light bulb will come on. The Bucs certainly could use a playmaker like Lavonte over the last eight games. He has shown flashes at times, but not the consistency the defense needs.

Q. Chris asks: Who would start for Kevin Pamphile if he can’t play Sunday?

A. That all depends on if Joe Hawley can play. If Hawley can play and Pamphile can’t then you will see Evan Smith slide to guard most likely. If Hawley is out then Smith goes to center and then it could be Caleb Benenoch who would see action at guard. And there is a small chance the team could activate Josh Allen from the practice squad. Something tells me Hawley plays, and Smith starts at guard for Pamphile.