Ryan Jensen A Tone-Setter
July 11th, 2022
Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen.
Wanna know how much better the Bucs coaching is now compared to the during The Lost Decade? For starters, take a look at the record the past two years.
But it is more than that. When Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians arrived, he brought a stacked staff of mostly veteran coaches who knew how to build winning teams.
One only needs to look at center Ryan Jensen as a shining example of what good coaching can do. Jensen was a good center with great qualities. His glass-eating demeanor and willingness to (sometimes) ignore the whistle and bait/get under guys’ skins was a solid working foundation. Bring in Harold Goodwin and Joe Gilbert to smooth out the too-rough edge, and now look what the Bucs have: the best center in football.
That’s right. Jeremy Fowler of BSPN is releasing his top players at each position as chosen by unnamed NFL suits and coaches and former players. Jensen jumped from honorable mention in years past to the best center, per Fowler’s sources.
Jensen wasn’t a major factor in the voting over the past two years, stuck in honorable mention status. But this year, he outdistanced all centers by a wide margin.
“I think he’s the best center in football,” a veteran NFL defensive coach said.
As an NFC offensive coach added, “He’s wild as s—. Every play, he’s talking and playing physically to back it up.”
[I]t’s the attitude and physicality that sets him apart.
“The last two years, his game has taken off,” a recently retired Pro Bowl offensive lineman said. “His explosion in the passing game really stands out. He sets a tone for the entire team.”
Jensen is just one of many examples Joe could cite as to what strong coaching can do. The Smiths (Lovie and Mike) did untold damage to this franchise that set the team back years. To paraphrase former long-time JoeBucsFan.com commenter Thomas 2.2., it took a while for Arians and his staff to coach the Smiths out of them.
Once the good coaching began took hold and top-shelf veteran talent was added, the team took off.
Coaching matters. Always has. Always will.
July 11th, 2022 at 12:53 am
AMEN!
July 11th, 2022 at 12:53 am
The Smith brothers, Dominik, Schiano and Raheem made sure that the Dungy/Gruden Bucs became the Yuks once again for a decade.
Thank you Jason for firing Lovie, firing Mike and Dirk, and hiring Arians which enabled the signing of Brady, drafting well, and signing all those good free agents and coaches. Except Armstrong, he sucks.
July 11th, 2022 at 2:24 am
Even though it’s like spotting a pink unicorn in the woods, I give credit to a national guy like Fowler for giving one of our guys the credit that he deserves. The only question that I have with our coaches is whether Bowles can step up and be a good head coach. Otherwise, I’d take our group of coaches and front office for that matter over any others in the league.
July 11th, 2022 at 5:06 am
Godwin is the guy that never gets enough credit.
July 11th, 2022 at 8:16 am
Agree 100, this coaching staff is awesome.
July 11th, 2022 at 9:27 am
Love Jenson
July 11th, 2022 at 9:30 am
Bam Bam Jensen
July 11th, 2022 at 10:24 am
Don’t forget what Brady has done for Jensen. When he chewed Ryan out in that Bears game, Jensen cleaned up his game from being a bully to a more focused leader. Brady also had the Friday after practice meetings to get the Oline on the same page. Tom makes everybody better.
July 11th, 2022 at 1:10 pm
Joe gilbert deserved an apology. there was a lot of discussion from you joe when he first signed saying you were leery this was the guy who got andrew luck maimed. been great coaches that is for sure
July 11th, 2022 at 1:21 pm
It took a culture change.
July 11th, 2022 at 1:45 pm
Goatfarmer I think you’re wrong to include Raheem in that list. He’s proving himself as a very good coach who probably found himself as a HC too young. He’ll get another shot. He’s earned it.
July 11th, 2022 at 5:02 pm
Ryan is a real live bad azz, something many people do not know about him.
Not only is a big and physically strong, but he comes from a family very very active in competitive martial arts.
Ryan is a high degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.