“Underrated”
April 6th, 2018
Under the radar.
There were a lot of high profile free agent signings in the NFL. Some made a lot of noise on TV and radio.
However, some of the most important went largely unnoticed but could have large impacts. That’s the case for the Bucs signing center Ryan Jensen.
Per Saints beat guy Mike Triplett of BSPN, the signing which may have the biggest impact of any team in the NFC South was Jensen by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
But let’s face it, anytime a team signs a center it’s an “underrated” move. The NFC South appreciates the value of centers as much as any division in the NFL. The Falcons’ signing of Alex Mack in 2016 helped lift them to a Super Bowl. Max Unger has become a core leader for the Saints since they acquired him in the blockbuster Jimmy Graham trade in 2015. And Ryan Kalil has been an absolute stud as a five-time Pro Bowler for the Panthers. The Buccaneers needed a tone-setting centerpiece of their own after finishing 27th in the NFL in rushing yards last year and allowing a division-high 40 sacks. And they’re beefing up their line at a time when the Panthers (guard Andrew Norwell) and Saints (versatile backup Senio Kelemete) both took hits in free agency.
Time will tell if Triplett is correct. As for lack of rushing yards, true Bucs fans know who the culprit was there. As for sacks, Joe remembers when America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, raved about the offensive line after the nutkick of an overtime loss at Green Bay. The Packers were one sack shy of a team record for sacks.
Given how the Packers are a charter member of the NFL and all ther fantastic teams over the years, one sack from a record with Jameis bragging about his line, well, Joe thought that was over the top.
So Joe asked Jameis how that could be? That the line played so well yet the Packers nearly set a franchise record for sacks? Jameis confessed he was holding the ball too long.
April 6th, 2018 at 6:45 am
He sure has beefed up since he was screaming “Outlander” from that cornfield.
April 6th, 2018 at 6:54 am
I pray for his health and well-being.
Go Bucs!
April 6th, 2018 at 7:15 am
Who was the culprit joe tell us again. Also tell us who’s fault was it and why you’re happy he’s still the hc when all he had to do is sit the culprit out to make us a better team than
April 6th, 2018 at 8:28 am
@Joe … ” Jameis confessed he was holding the ball too long.” So our OLine gave up 40 sacks in 2017 (2.5 per game) and 35 sacks in 2016 (2.2 per game). Pretty much middle-of-the-pack (#18) in that category … as in our OLine was ‘average’. What wasn’t ‘average’ was Jameis’ play for the year as a whole. Too many fumbles? Holding the ball too long? Terrible deep-ball completions?
Folks need to stop blaming the HC/OC for EVERYTHING bad that happens & start holding individual players accountable for their performances on the field. Yes Jameis is still young, but he regressed last year in several significant ways. And if I hear one more person say ‘He was playing hurt’ I think I’ll puke. I don’t care how much of a competitor you think you are, if you’re physical condition is such that you’re hurting your team, you get off the field and let your backup try to do better.
April 6th, 2018 at 8:46 am
Now just need to add Nelson (Wynn/Hernandez/Price) to complete the interior OLine rebuild – add a high end RB and then sit back and watch this Buccaneer offense kick some a$$.
April 6th, 2018 at 9:12 am
Lol @Espo
“Go get Isaac! No wait, bring…Malachai. Ooooooo lol
April 6th, 2018 at 9:15 am
Someone better make sure he knows he can’t take a sickle or bale hooks on the field lol
April 6th, 2018 at 9:54 am
Personally, I’m skeptical of Jenson.
So far as I can tell, he’s a one year wonder. Until he proves otherwise. I’ve heard that he downright sucked until last year.
April 6th, 2018 at 9:55 am
Look at what the Alex Mack addition did for Atlanta.
I know a lot of you guys consider yourself realists, but if we’re being real I think the bucs will be back in 2018
April 6th, 2018 at 9:56 am
Guess I should read the entire article before I comment lol
April 6th, 2018 at 10:16 am
@Defense Rules
EXACTLY!!!! Jameis always gets a free pass with the fans. The messiah can do wrong. Please. Got out played by Fitzpatrick. Jameis has some work to do still people.
April 6th, 2018 at 10:18 am
“The messiah can do NO* wrong”^^^
April 6th, 2018 at 10:43 am
I think you mean culprits, J0e.
Poor o-line blocking + predictable playcalling = lousy run game.
Simple as that.
April 6th, 2018 at 10:49 am
Didn’t Jensen play Rocky Dennis in the movie Mask? He is versatile!
April 6th, 2018 at 1:40 pm
Actually Joe I know I’m a true Bucs fan and know there was more than one culprit there. I feel like you’re trying to say it’s Doug Martin’s fault. Which part of it was. He had a sh!tty year. The second culprit was Koetter’s God awful “straight shot up the gut” running scheme and keeping Martin starting till the end of the season. And thirdly our BS oline.
Who were you getting at?
April 6th, 2018 at 1:50 pm
JonBuc… No that was Eric Stoltz. But that would be badass to see Stoltz in red and pewter playing center for us. I’d go to those games hahaha
April 6th, 2018 at 5:16 pm
I get it’s a sports blog and sports demands a certain amount of hyperbole.
But Fitz outplaying #3? C’mon Man!!!!