An Inexperienced Player Is Experienced By Playoff Time
August 10th, 2022
Major downgrade with injury.
In the mind of one of the more respected offensive line analysts working in #NFLMedia, the Bucs’ offensive line took a substantial hit when center Ryan Jensen blew out his knee early in training camp.
Brandon Thorn is one of the few guys out there who specializes in offensive line play. And he works his tail off at it. He’s always researching, always talking to coaches and players and GM-types to learn what he can.
Thorn absolutely adores Jensen. In fact, Thorn believes Jensen is just about the perfect center combining power, durability (until two weeks ago), strength and attitude.
Thorn ranks his offensive lines in tiers. He had the Bucs in the second-tier only because Ali Marpet retired and left guard is currently an up-in-the-air void.
The Bucs could get away with an inexperienced left guard because a good center like Jensen could hide the inexperience of the left guard, Thorn explains, but that concept is blown to pieces now.
Thorn said he dropped the Bucs’ offensive line all the way to No. 15 in the wake of Jensen’s injury; that’s how major the hit is.
So Joe will try to spin this into a positive, and Joe bets Thorn would agree. If the Bucs can get to the playoffs with Hainsey, after 17 games, Hainsey will no longer be inexperienced by that time. By January, Hainsey should have already seen just about every blitz trick there is.
So let’s cross our fingers, Bucs fans. Unless this is an elaborate smoke screen, it sure seems Hainsey is the Bucs’ center for 2022.
August 10th, 2022 at 9:12 am
I think the o line situation is overblown, to many rookies come in and start right away and there are no rookie lineman starting. Continuity is not an excuse either the chiefs have an entirely new o line albeit vets but we’ll be just fine especially after facing our d line every week in training camp
August 10th, 2022 at 9:14 am
We’ll be fine. Lost in all of this is the Brady factor. He makes all linemen look good with quick reads. His 2016 Patriots went 14-2 with two rookies, Mason at guard and Andrews at center. Oline will gel as the season goes.
August 10th, 2022 at 9:22 am
You guys are crazy to think that not having Jenson is going to be fine. Huge blow and we will definitely feel it. I feel the oline is most critical after the QB on a team. Go Bucs! I just hope Jensen is back by playoffs.
August 10th, 2022 at 9:38 am
Every time Brady gets hit I hold my breath. He is so much more susceptible to injuries at his advanced age. The loss of Jensen is absolutely going to add in a few extra hits on the goat. Hopefully those extra hits aren’t ones that will end the Bucs Superbowl aspirations
August 10th, 2022 at 9:42 am
We also thought we’d have problems with replacing Cappa going into the playoffs during our Super Bowl run, but Stinnie did just fine and we won it all. I believe Hainsey will do a very good job. Sure, he’s no Jensen, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still be a top tier O Line. He’s smart and athletic and those traits are going to help him find some level of success.
August 10th, 2022 at 9:43 am
“An Inexperienced Player Is Experienced By Playoff Time” Have to love this perspective.
August 10th, 2022 at 9:54 am
If Brady doesn’t have any broken ribs by week 6, we’re golden
August 10th, 2022 at 9:57 am
The biggest concern here is lack of experienced depth at the center position now. If Hainsey gets injured ( look how easy it was with Jensen) who steps in then? We still need to find an experienced vet center in the event that should happen. We can’t leave Brady in that incredibly vulnerable position.
August 10th, 2022 at 10:01 am
Tretter in two weeks when his price has dropped.
August 10th, 2022 at 10:12 am
Have the Bucs ever said what Jensen’s injury actually is? I mean, did they amputate?
August 10th, 2022 at 10:14 am
Obviously having Jensen in there would be ideal. But has anyone ever really researched some of the patchwork lines Brady has thrived behind in the past? He’s worked with free agent rookie centers, low draft pick centers starting as rookies, etc. Ditto with guards. And often with subpar tackles. Granted he’s older, but also savvier.
August 10th, 2022 at 10:34 am
From what I heard, Tretter is at the end of his career. Couldn’t even practice. He is a name with a fine history and will likely retire before playing for a low salary. To go to him would say that Hainsey, and the other backups, are incapable of handling the position. What next… is Tony Mayberry is available?
August 10th, 2022 at 11:00 am
I have to admit that Hainsey and Stinnie look the part well. Both are big, and powerful looking. Physically I think they will surprise a lot of people.
I hope Jensen is helping Hainsey with seeing the defensive alignment at a glance. That will be big, as will Hainsey’s leadership abilities.
If those come around quickly this will be a super season. It’s going to be a great season anyway.
August 10th, 2022 at 11:33 am
Tretter in 18 weeks when his price has dropped.
August 10th, 2022 at 11:40 am
I get that this dude has practically dedicated his life to offensive line play, but he needs to go back and study harder if he thinks a line that includes Wirfs, Smith, and Mason is no better than 15th. I’ve read here over the last week that everyone loves Hainsey, so unless they are blowing smoke up our butts, I expect little dropoff at center. Stinnie kicked a$$ during our super bowl run and Goedeke was a second round pick for a reason and no one picks offensive linemen better than Licht. Our offensive line is still a strength and we’re going to need it to be in order to play catch up the first four weeks while these killer quarterbacks are nuking our insanely overrated (My humble opinion) secondary.
August 10th, 2022 at 11:58 am
mark2001 — didn’t hear that about Tretter being nearly spent, if true then better to wait, as the Bucs are doing.
Of course Julio is thought to be nearly spent and here he is.
August 10th, 2022 at 9:38 pm
Look at the tackles he goes against in practice he will be ready