Ryan Jensen — Ready, Willing And Able
November 16th, 2020
The Bucs made a big and bold move on their offensive line yesterday pushing Ryan Jensen to left guard and inserting veteran backup A.Q. Shipley into Jensen’s starting center role.
Bucs general manager Jason Licht talked about the move before the game.
Licht noted that Jensen was in high demand as a starting guard in 2018 free agency when Licht signed him to play center for the Bucs, making Jensen the highest paid center in the NFL. So Licht was supremely confident that Jensen would be a seamless fit against the Panthers despite not playing guard for years, so he told the Buccaneers Radio Network
Joe knows the mighty Chiefs and surging Bills were courting Jensen to play guard back then, and the Colts were in the hunt to have Jensen start for them at center. Licht won the war, in part because Jensen wanted to play center and the contract terms were right.
But the versatility was always there from Jensen, and it paid off for Licht and the Bucs today. Joe can’t understate how impressive it is for Jensen to just jump in and switch positions in midseason without a hiccup. But that’s also the kind of football-loving beast Jensen is. He even punted back in high school.
Joe’s not ignoring 34-year-old Shipley stepping in so well, but Jensen’s readiness to jump to guard is more impressive.
Last week’s Saints debacle was a rough day for Bucs offensive line depth. Yesterday made up for that and more.
November 16th, 2020 at 12:18 am
Jensen was a punter? Imagine the return man that got hit by the punter. Ouch.
November 16th, 2020 at 1:51 am
Well, the hiccup was a blindside sack, but yeah, bravo to Ryan.
November 16th, 2020 at 2:07 am
NASTY!!! Just NASTY!!!!! RESPECT
November 16th, 2020 at 5:36 am
Love it! Tampaaaaaaa
November 16th, 2020 at 5:42 am
I love seeing him downfield blocking.
November 16th, 2020 at 6:22 am
I noticed it early when I saw both Shipley and Jensen on the game. Good move; probably saved them. And that was a helluva block from Jensen that vaulted RoJo into the secondary on his 2,300 yard run to paydirt.
November 16th, 2020 at 6:38 am
I said yesterday in my group thread that we might rush for 200 yards because of that move . Jensen is a different kind of beast at guard when he doesn’t have to worry about snapping the ball . He is able to rev his motor a little bit more and generate good push . Remember Ali Marpet has and can play center . BA and Joe Gilbert need to consider making this a permanent move and inserting Marpet back in at C when he is healthy .
November 16th, 2020 at 6:49 am
Also moving Jensen means less “swamp ass” for Brady to deal with.
November 16th, 2020 at 6:52 am
You can’t move Jensen to guard unless you’ve got a capable backup center…..credit Licht & BA for the Shipley signing….
November 16th, 2020 at 7:06 am
When Marpet returns (next week?), can Jensen make one more move to the left?
Just wondering?
November 16th, 2020 at 7:23 am
Something tells me that Jensen at LT would be the second coming of Trueblood. LT is a different kind of beast.
November 16th, 2020 at 7:28 am
Other than the false start, I don’t believe I saw one bad, or off-center snap from Shipley. Good stuff. Jensen was a mauler at LG yesterday.
O-line played solid overall, but Smith and Cappa are the weakest links, IMO.
November 16th, 2020 at 8:57 am
I haven’t written off Haeg yet. He’s clearly not as versatile as hoped for but he does alright at his more natural position of tackle. He’s not a guard!
November 16th, 2020 at 9:12 am
That seems like damn fine depth when AQ stepping on the field and putting up 46 points.
November 16th, 2020 at 10:09 am
stpete
i agree…
his versatility is playing LT&RT….
o-line played well….big test coming up…
GO BUCS!!!!
November 16th, 2020 at 11:32 am
Maybe Haeg should be the starting LT or at least come in & relieve lazy ass Smith at some point in the game. Why wait so long before taking TB out. Don’t need to see some freak injury when he doesn’t have to be in there. Actually that goes for a lot of the starters.
November 16th, 2020 at 11:34 am
Did you not see Joe Haeg get lit up last week? And you want him at left tackle??? Lawd!
(Joe understands how it’s the in-thing to do to scream for Donovan Smith’s head on a platter, but c’mon.)
November 16th, 2020 at 12:49 pm
Move Wirts to LT and play Heig at RT and trade off D. Smith.
November 16th, 2020 at 8:57 pm
Jensen was pulling on most of them blocks that freed up Rojo. I love Jensen right there. Move Ali back to his pro bowl position LG keep AQ at center. Wirfs At LT and Haeg At RT. We might not have to keep Gronk blocking so much. He already blew out his shoulder blocking. It’s time for Auclair to take over some blocking duties to preserve Gronk for pass catching. Smith is a liability for Tom’s health. We lose Tom tell me how confident will we be with Gabbert at the helm. Think about it now don’t wait till it’s TO LATE.
November 18th, 2020 at 10:55 am
Totally agree $bacbuc$! Get rid of lazy, incompetent D. Smith and make Wirts our LT and use Haeg at RT!
November 18th, 2020 at 11:04 am
Also keep our Center at LG and use our older Center at Center. I love watching Jones running the entire field for an easy touchdown! Ends swamp ass problem as well to our QB’s delight and helps him complete passes better too. I am for making Auclair our blocking TE (who can also catch passes) and save Gronk’s bad shoulder and make him a great pass receiver only!