Greg Auman
NFC South Reporter
TAMPA — The competitors for the Bucs’ beginning left guard job will possible carry into coaching camp, however when the crew lined up for its first OTA apply final week, the man with the primary crack on the job was veteran Sua Opeta, signed as a free agent after 5 years with the Eagles.
“He is been a pleasing shock,” coach Todd Bowles stated after the crew’s exercise Tuesday. “He is powerful. He comes off the ball, he is a wonderful run blocker. You’ll be able to’t actually see the go block till the pads come on, however proper now, he is powerful, reveals up on daily basis, actually will get off the ball.”
The Bucs wish to improve their inside offensive line, and took an enormous step in utilizing their first-round choose on heart Graham Barton from Duke. However they will have a brand new starter at left guard as effectively, with veterans Matt Feiler and Aaron Stinnie gone.
“I believe it is an unimaginable alternative,” the 6-foot-4, 315-pound Opeta stated of competing to start out with the Bucs. “I’ve labored actually onerous the previous 5 years to get to the extent of play I am at now, and I really feel prefer it’s undoubtedly an open spot, and I am able to take it.”
Opeta, 27, is a narrative of persistence, becoming a member of the Eagles as an undrafted rookie in 2019 out of Weber State, getting lower 5 instances earlier than lastly settling in as an every-week participant final season. Obscured as a backup on among the best strains within the NFL, Opeta had solely 4 begins in his first 4 seasons in Philadelphia, then obtained an opportunity to show himself final yr, making six begins and taking part in 59% of the crew’s offensive snaps.
“So far as a confidence booster, it was enormous for me final yr,” Opeta stated. “I performed over 500 snaps, whereas earlier than, it would be like two or three begins a yr. To play week after week like that final yr, it was an incredible alternative, and I really feel like I ran with it. That is what I am making an attempt to do right here.”
The Bucs signed one other veteran in Ben Bredeson, who began 16 video games for the Giants final yr, and used a sixth-round choose on UTEP’s Elijah Klein, so there will probably be good competitors in coming months. Opeta labored with the beginning line final week, however on Tuesday, it was Bredeson working there as coaches attempt totally different combos early on to see what their choices are.
Being in Philadelphia allowed Opeta to be taught from a pair of future Corridor of Fame linemen in heart Jason Kelce and deal with Lane Johnson, and in addition lining up behind a Professional Bowl guard the previous two years in Landon Dickerson. They taught him learn how to be an expert, to return in on daily basis able to work and enhance. The Eagles are two years faraway from a Tremendous Bowl, however in addition they had two of their postseasons with Opeta finish in Tampa in opposition to the Bucs in 2019 and 2023. Leaving the Eagles gave him a clearer path to common taking part in time with the Bucs.
“You do not actually give it some thought an excessive amount of and simply tackle the position you are given on the time, however yeah, at the back of your thoughts, you are questioning, ‘Are there extra alternatives elsewhere?'” Opeta stated.
He stated one of many issues that drew him to Tampa was the prospect to play subsequent to an All-Professional deal with in Tristan Wirfs. Opeta has already seen how Wirfs holds himself within the weight room, and he is wanting ahead to having the ability to apply with him. With a brand new offensive coordinator and line coach in Tampa, Opeta preferred the concept of everybody ranging from scratch with an open competitors for jobs.
“They do not have their particular guys, so to return in with recent eyes on you, it is an incredible alternative,” he stated.
The locker-room tradition in Tampa is “wonderful,” he stated, saying gamers welcomed newcomers from his first day, one thing that is not all the time the case, even with profitable groups. He is made a very good first impression on new Bucs offensive line coach Kevin Carberry.
“He is a man who’s been round, been part of a very good program,” Carberry stated. “He is an expert in taking issues from the assembly room to the grass. He is a very good professional, and he will work onerous and proceed to enhance. He has all of the instruments to be a starter on this league.”
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Opeta signed a modest contract with the Bucs, with a veteran minimal wage of $1.125 million and a $250,000 bonus, and solely $650,000 assured. Bredeson, by comparability, obtained a $3 million cope with $1.75 million assured, establishing a very good competitors that might lengthen into the common season.
Opeta stated his time in Philadelphia, going forwards and backwards from apply squad to the primary roster and having to struggle to maintain his spot on the roster, has ready him for no matter problem awaits this fall.
“It is not simple, however it offers you one thing to work towards each time,” he stated. “You continuously wish to show your self.”
Greg Auman is FOX Sports activities’ NFC South reporter, protecting the Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints. He’s in his tenth season protecting the Bucs and the NFL full-time, having frolicked on the Tampa Bay Instances and The Athletic. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter at @gregauman.
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