“He Earned That Money”
March 27th, 2018
The Bucs sure are high on new center Ryan Jensen, their big bucks free agent signing from the Ravens.
And they’re not the only ones.
At the swanky NFL bash in Orlando last night at the annual owners meetings, Joe had a great chat with Bucs general manager Jason Licht about the impressive film of Jensen, from his toughness to his execution. Let’s just say Licht felt thoroughly great about making him the top-paid center in the game.
But that prompted Joe to go looking for members of the Ravens hierarchy in attendance. Unfortunately, Peter King of Sports Illustrated and TheMMQB.com fame, had John Harbaugh cornered for a long time.
But Joe persevered and found a Baltimore official ready to chat as Joe left the party and entered a bar at The Ritz-Carlton.
Simply stated, Joe was told Jensen turned in a whale of a season that surprised everybody associated with the Ravens. Not that Jensen was a bad player, but his level of success while moving to full-time center last season wasn’t forecast. “He earned that money,” Joe was told about Jensen. “If he can duplicate last season, Tampa probably will have a very different offense.”
Yes, Jensen had a career year in 2017, but nothing about the guy screams that he’s a one-year wonder, more of a late-bloomer, sixth-round pick who grinded his way to the top of the league.
That’s the bet the Bucs have made.
March 27th, 2018 at 4:14 am
Please not another Anthony Collins….
Fingers crossed…..both hands
March 27th, 2018 at 4:45 am
Bucs’ OLine IMO lacks meanness. Not playing dirty, just ‘we’re gonna rip your face off’ type of play. I don’t see that from Donovan, nor Dots (or Pamphile) & only from Ali on occasion. Thought JR would bring it, but he hasn’t from what I’ve seen. Ryan Jensen strikes me as the leader this OLine has needed since Mankins left … more times than not opponents will end up flat on their back looking up. I’m anticipating great things from this young man.
Remember the ‘old days’ when ‘Who let the dogs out?’ was the Bucs’ mantra? That’s what this OLine needs to become IMO … 5 Rottweilers. DLine could use some of that too.
March 27th, 2018 at 5:04 am
Joe. on another topic, why is Eric Reed still sitting on the side line. I know his past stance on Kneeling, is that the reason or is it a talent issue???
March 27th, 2018 at 5:11 am
I’ve almost entirely given up on the notion, of us drafting Quenton Nelson. But if, by some miracle; he falls to us at #7. You almost feel sorry for the rest of the league.
Road Warriors
LG Quenton Nelson
OC Ryan Jensen
RG Ali Marpet
March 27th, 2018 at 5:27 am
Pretty sure the titans feel the same way about pemphile and devner about the addition of 5 sacks on limited snaps in clinton mcdonald.
switching dirty underware with dirty underware.
March 27th, 2018 at 5:31 am
@LUVMYBUCS
yea yea. like the no fly zone and the dunkaneers. the nfc south is licking its wounds still. Djax took the top of their D and OJ.. I mean.. WHO DO YOU COVER? pick your poison.. pffffff
March 27th, 2018 at 6:10 am
Love to see Nelson in the first, R.B. in the second. Strong running game helps defenses also.
March 27th, 2018 at 6:19 am
In 4 offseasons, name the big free agent signings that paid off under Licht…..
1. Brent Grimes
2. ……
I have to see it to believe it….Sweezy was the exact same hype and we whiffed on him.
March 27th, 2018 at 6:32 am
If Sweezy starts this year (won’t if Nelson is the pick)…..and if that happens Sweezy could be actually cut….the cap hit is less that $2m….or would be a backup…..but if he starts….Jensen’s influence on Sweezy & Marpet could be significant….lets hope.
Also Sweezy should be healthier and that should also make a huge difference in his play….it’s hard to be nasty when you are hurt.
Ryan Jensen isn’t simply a player….he is an attitude…let’s hope its infectious.
March 27th, 2018 at 6:48 am
@ Bobby M. it doesn’t work, they don’t get it. No FA will come in and change the culture of a franchise when you still have vets like gmc around. The expectation for something like that to happen is absurd. joe was speculating and talking about players not stepping up and calling out chris baker last year.. where’s the coaching staff? where was dirk koetter? why did they let him play?
You think jpp or jensen change the mentality of the staff and front office? the’ll make mccoy something he isn’t or move him aside?
this is so far fetched and the history proves it.
March 27th, 2018 at 6:57 am
Don’t know why everyone is so down on Peyton Barber. He had the exact YPC as Leonard Fournette. And Barber was running behind a line that often took a smoke and coffee break whenever a running play was called. If we drafted Nelson who would be playing with Jensen and a relocated Ali Marpet, I think Barber could hit the 4.3 mark. Did anybody see Nelson’s pro day? He was knocking anything they put in front of him around like a cartoon character being launched into space.
March 27th, 2018 at 7:00 am
Tampabaybucfan Says:
March 27th, 2018 at 6:32 am
Also Sweezy should be healthier and that should also make a huge difference in
his play….it’s hard to be nasty when you are hurt.
Unfortunately, he is still hurt. I can see us doing the same thing that we did with Nicks – injury settlement (again)
March 27th, 2018 at 7:02 am
Pretty sure sweezy got injured after the bucs signed him.
Do you know what they do when they perform a fusion surgery. It’s basically putting a door hinge on your spine.
So yah. It’s gonna change how you play the game . Especially at a position where you are grappling with over 300 pound men. You
Can blame that all you want on the Bucs for signing him? Probably blamed the bucs for going after Carl nicks to and then him having fluke foot injury , fasciitis and mersa. ?
March 27th, 2018 at 7:03 am
Gnobucsfan.
Lol. Just said same thing. Good stuff
March 27th, 2018 at 7:09 am
Joesdaycare.com
Joe’s-thought of changing your website name?
The whining of crying baby posters is out of control here. To many poopy diapers to change.
March 27th, 2018 at 8:21 am
Here’s hoping we didn’t sign another one-hit wonder…
March 27th, 2018 at 8:26 am
Google Ryan Jensen highlights or go on You Tube. I can’t wait to see him and Marpet open up running lanes!!!! And Jameis will enjoy much better protection up the middle. Cannot overstate the importance of this addition.
March 27th, 2018 at 8:42 am
Due some luck with fa oline, would love a rookie to cement the rg position.
March 27th, 2018 at 9:14 am
If things don’t work out for him with the Bucs he’d be great filling in for Danny Bonaduce if The Partridge Family ever makes a comeback.
March 27th, 2018 at 9:40 am
Fingers crossed.
One good year (the 1st year at a new position no less) should not make one the highest paid player in the league at said new position.
I guess thats NFL free agency for ya though….
Good Luck Jensen. We need you to be great for $10M a year.
March 27th, 2018 at 9:46 am
we’ll see…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!!…..GO BUCS!!!!!!
March 27th, 2018 at 11:31 am
All the players the Bucs got in free agency have the same m.o. they are overachievers who overcame adversity.
March 27th, 2018 at 11:54 am
I really think it was too bad that there were no proven Tackles available in free agency and unfortunately there’s not one available in the top end of the draft either. The Browns are getting Barkley, Giants will draft Chubb and Colts get Nelson plain and simple. I think once the Broncos draft Josh Allen the other teams may wait. See Tampa Bay is screwed up right because everyone in the world knows we don’t need a QB even though our QB situation is on the brink right now but is not being played or capitalize on which is class A brilliance by Jason Licht. Don’t be afraid to give up more capital late to get back in day one of the draft and complete the team.