FAB 2. Pamphile In A “Big Money” Contract Year

While Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans is expected to receive a high-priced contract extension this summer – likely August – after having his fifth-year option picked up, there is another free-agent-to-be who could be set for a big payday in 2018. Tampa Bay offensive linemen Kevin Pamphile has only started 17 games in his three-year NFL career, but if he adds 16 more this year in his fourth season in Tampa Bay he could be one of the more sought after free agents next March.

Pamphile’s versatility of being able to play guard and right tackle – and even left tackle in a pinch – will likely drive his value up if he picks up where he left off in 2016 and has another strong season. While he’s penciled in as the Bucs’ starting left guard this year, head coach Dirk Koetter has said no one is guaranteed a starting job heading into 2017 and that the five best offensive linemen will play.

Bucs G Kevin Pamphile – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Earlier in the offseason Koetter said that Pamphile might get some snaps at right tackle this offseason to provide competition for Demar Dotson, who turns 32 in October. Pamphile was inserted as the starter at right tackle in the team’s Week 16 game at New Orleans for the injured Dotson and played well.

“As long as I get a good head’s up and let me know, I’m good,” Pamphile laughed. “As long as I get more notice than a couple of days before the game! I feel confident playing outside. I’m pretty fluent playing left or right tackle or guard. I’m excited for any challenge the coach presents to me this offseason.”

Dotson took the news that he might be getting an unexpected challenge at right tackle in stride this summer, perhaps in training camp, as you would expect a veteran to.

“I’m going nine years into this thing,” Dotson said. “If somebody wants to bring competition for me, I don’t think it will bother me. I’ve been blessed. I’ve been fortunate to play as long as I’ve played and I believe in myself. If they say they want to give Kevin some reps and want to compete with me, it wouldn’t bother me. I don’t know if that’s what they’re planning or not, but that’s part of the business.

“There are always some highs and lows. One thing I’ve found out is you never know what they’re thinking behind closed doors. Sometimes they tell you something, sometimes you don’t find out until you hit the field when my reps get low. It wouldn’t bother me, though.”

The Bucs have already said that Pamphile will be the first option at either right or left tackle this year if an injury occurred to Dotson or Donovan Smith. Evan Smith or perhaps Caleb Benenoch stepping in for Pamphile at left guard – a position that Pamphile wasn’t even slated to start at last year.

Pamphile was eagerly awaiting the opportunity to step in at left guard when Pro Bowler Logan Mankins retired after the 2015 season, but with just one game at guard in the NFL under his belt and J.R. Sweezy, a mauling, run-blocking guard sitting there in free agency, the Bucs made a move and signed the former Seattle starter.

The Sweezy signing stunned Pamphile, who worked hard last offseason preparing for his big shot to become a starter in Tampa Bay.

Bucs G J.R. Sweezy – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“It was tough,” Pamphile said. “I’m not going to lie. Dirk hit it on the head when he called me after they signed him. He said it was a decision they made, and I was honest with him. I was upset. He assured me that if I went about it the way I’ve gone about it the last couple of years that I would definitely earn that spot. He encouraged me to prove myself. Now going through the whole season playing left guard and showing the coaches that I’m a starter that solidified everything for me. I’m excited for this season. I want to help the team win. That’s all I want to do.”

Sweezy never played a down last year as a herniated disc in his back that he suffered in team workouts sidelined him for the entire 2016 campaign. Pamphile worked hard and competed as if Sweezy was somehow still able to snatch the starting opportunity away from him. He got better each practice and each week and oftentimes was Tampa Bay’s best offensive lineman last year despite having the least amount of starting experience.

A player who had seen action at left tackle and right tackle as a rookie had found a home at left guard, and that versatility will serve him well as he enters a big contract year.

“From entering the league I was so geared towards playing left tackle or at least on the left side, but Coach Warhop explained to me that I could be the jack of all trades and play any position and bring so much value to the team.

“Dirk has touched on that a couple of times. I denied it for a while, but now I see that I could make this a huge trait of mine, and a selling point for the Bucs that I can be plugged in anywhere and we’re good on Sunday. Or if I’m not here next year, other teams know that they could put me anywhere and I’m a solid starter for you.”

Average to above average offensive linemen have been getting paid ridiculous money in free agency over the last couple of years. Baltimore right tackle Ricky Wagner was signed to a five-year, $47.5 million deal, while Jaguars tackle Kelvin Beachum was signed by the New York Jets for $24 million over three years. Neither player has sniffed a Pro Bowl.

Bucs LG Kevin Pamphile – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

With another good season and the versatility he offers, Pamphile could be a heavily sought after free agent next March. But will the Bucs, who will be a year away from having to pay handsomely for looming free agents Smith and center Ali Marpet, want to commit big bucks to Pamphile after signing Sweezy to a big contract that averages close to $5 million per year – even after re-structuring it this offseason?

Probably not if the team wants to keep Pamphile at guard. But if Tampa Bay sees Pamphile as a possible eventual replacement for Dotson then the answer is probably yes.

But first things first – Pamphile needs to have a big contract year on the field and help Tampa Bay’s offense get back to the 6,000-yard machine it was in 2015. His teammates believe he’s up to the task.

“I definitely think so,” Dotson said. “Having a contract year brings the best out of most guys. This is his opportunity because we know in free agency they overpay for everybody. Kevin is the type of guy that I like, not only as a player but as a person. He comes to practice every day, comes to work every day looking to get better. He is going to embrace his opportunity in knowing that this is the shot that he gets.

“This is one shot you get that can be a big payday. You can take care of your family, put some money aside for the future, and I think he’s going to embrace it. I don’t want to see him lose that opportunity. I’m going to be on him every day letting him know it’s his contract year. I call him, “Big Money” because he’s got that big money coming. ‘Hey, Big Money man, this is your year!’”

Pamphile isn’t focused on the money right now. Instead he’s focused on retaining a starting spot on Tampa Bay’s offensive line – wherever it may be.

“Dirk said it – the best five will play,” Pamphile said. “The competition we have in camp will be exciting, and I’ve got to make sure I’m in that starting five.”