NFL players skip voluntary OTAs for a plethora of reasons, each individual to the circumstance. Tampa Bay Buccaneers right tackle Demar Dotson's motives are apparently monetary.
The Tampa Bay Times' Greg Auman reports that the 29-year-old blocker has stayed away from workouts awhile his agent and Bucs' brass engage in negotiations on a new deal.
Dotson is signed through 2016. He's due to make $2.5 million this season and $1.75 next season (plus a potential $1 million bonus escalator based on playing time).
Per Auman, Dotson's absence could "escalate to a prolonged holdout" if a deal isn't reached.
The Bucs housed the worst offensive line in the NFL last year. Dotson was the best of the sad group. Pro Football Focus rated Dotson their 28th tackle last season and 14th-best pass blocker at the position.
Dotson has started 47 of the past 48 games in Tampa. He played 13 contests at right tackle with three on the left side in 2014.
With Tampa using draft picks on left tackle Donovan Smith and right guard Ali Marpet, Dotson was penciled back into the right tackle spot alongside veterans Logan Mankins and Evan Smith on the inside.
With rookie quarterback Jameis Winston set to start under center, it's vital for the Bucs O-line to spend as much time together as possible in order to coalesce before the season begins. It appears Dotson is using that as an opportunity to try and leverage a new, richer contract from the Bucs.
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