Bucs OL Coach Joe Gilbert: Robert Hainsey Just Needs Snaps
August 5th, 2022
Has faith in Robert Hainsey.
It seems the one question many Bucs fans have (but the answer is elusive) is can Bucs reserve center Robert Hainsey handle the full-time chore of snapping the ball to and protecting the greatest quarterback who ever lived… whenever Tom Brady returns.
To hear Bucs offensive line coach Joe Gilbert talk, Hainsey just needs reps to get ready for the physical rigors of the position. That will take a few weeks of training camp, controlled scrimmages with the Dolphins and Titans, and preseason games, Gilbert told Joe.
Gilbert is firmly if not enthusiastically behind Hainsey replacing Jensen.
“I think for him it’s more getting the physical part of it down — his targets, his landmarks,” Gilbert said. “Being able to hold up in the run game, pass [protection], the same thing.
“I just think it will come with reps. And I think the more you see him get through camp the more comfortable he will be. And when he gets to that point [when he is ready], he’s going to be fine.”
As for the mental game, Gilbert said Hainsey is ready to roll.
“Mentally, the kid works his @ss off,” Gilbert said. “Knows what he is doing.”
Recently, former Bucs offensive lineman and Bucs assistant offensive line coach A.Q. Shipley echoed Gilbert’s contention, that mentally Hainsey is fully prepared. Gilbert added that Hainsey has done his homework.
“Oh, absolutely,” Gilbert said. “Robert works his tail off. There is no question off the field he will be prepared. That I can go to bed at night, and all of us can, and be assured he is doing that.”
Bucs defensive lineman Pat O’Connor (not that Pat O’Connor) said he can see a big difference this summer in Hainsey from last year’s training camp.
“He is progressing,” O’Connor said of the second-year center. “He will have a huge role this year with whatever happened to — the terrible news that happened to Jensen. We are expecting a lot [from Hainsey] and he is doing it though.”
Gilbert’s timeline of a go-date to determine Hainsey’s readiness seems to be loosely targeted for around the second or third preseason game. That’s just about the time veterans around the league are either released or placed on the trade market.
Joe once again will reference that on Aug. 26, 2014, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht traded reserve tight end Tim Wright and a fourth-round pick to the Belicheats for Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins. Mankins reportedly became available when he refused to take a paycut.
The Bucs’ final preseason game is Saturday, Aug 27.
August 5th, 2022 at 1:19 pm
Its a little strange that bucs have not commented on Jensen to date. They got results back Monday ? I thought anyway.
If it was a full ACL tear/ patellar tendon tear/ season ending injury why would it not be confirmed he is done for year and placed in that designation. Gives extra body too. I mean those injuries this time of year at beginning of season in just days …are not debatable. You are dunzo. No coming back.
Maybe it is something less severe? December return?
August 5th, 2022 at 1:22 pm
Even if he becomes a really good starting center in the NFL I think the Bucs should sign JC Tretter. The Bucs have way too good of a roster to not be certain about their starting center. The only caveat would be if the Bucs think Jenson can go in three or four months.
August 5th, 2022 at 1:40 pm
Basically he is saying hes not ready yet . Brady will make sure someone is signed
August 5th, 2022 at 1:42 pm
All of this excitement and optimism about Hainsey has come from the organization and his teammates. Please keep that in mind when you hear discussions around Hainsey. Brady said this much at his last press conference. I read an article by Mark Schofield who broke it down by showing film on why Tretter should be on the radar for the Bucs. The reports from practice are that the OL has been a sieve, especially LG. So we’re going into the season with the entire interior line unstable. Bold move. Totally makes sense with an immobile 45 yr old QB.
During the HOF game yesterday, Chris mentioned about Josh McDaniels’ protection schemes in NE improved the OL. That included quick game throws to compensate for bad lines. It Brady doesn’t have time to throw, this offense will not live up to his potential. We might not have to worry about Tom being the QB this season, though.
August 5th, 2022 at 1:51 pm
Ocala
I agree
At the very least he’ll be depth in case hainsey is injured
GO BUCS
August 5th, 2022 at 1:57 pm
He excels and we see that Jensen is a luxury then we got him on a rookie contract
August 5th, 2022 at 2:06 pm
Bird, if it was a clean ACL tear, I agree that the Bucs would have already announced it and he was done for the year.
I’m not sure,” Bowles said. “We’re waiting for everything, the testing and the swelling, to go down so we can see more.”
Bowles said they are looking into second and possible third opinions. Therein lies the reason for the delay. The fact that Jensen has not been placed on injured reserve yet at least leaves the door open for a late-season return to the Bucs.
Everything is suggesting that Robert Hainsey and Nick Leverett have had solid reps in camp so far. Their early action has been positive. The longer the wait for information on Jensen’s injury, I think the better the possibility for a comeback in 2022. But Bucs won’t want to announce that possibility unless there is really a chance my guess. Seems like all the reasons they have not reached out for a center.
I think that JC Tretter would be fine; But as a zone center, he would have to transition to the Bucs power run system. That is not 100% a guarantee either.
August 5th, 2022 at 2:30 pm
The zone versus gap power blocking pertains to run blocking. Right now the priority should be pass blocking, which in that case makes the signing of JC Tretter imperative. If the O Line is indeed in a state of collapse on pass plays, then worrying about Tretter adapting to gap is a distant secondary concern. Staunch the wound from bleeding should be order of the day.
August 5th, 2022 at 2:30 pm
It doesn’t matter what Joe Gilbert thinks…..or Bowles….or Licht…..or Glazers…..or Joe….or you……or me….It only matters what Tom thinks….
The only problem is that Tom absolutely, positively will not give a straight answer.
August 5th, 2022 at 2:49 pm
I’m sure the swelling has gone down enough to make a diagnosis. As for Hainsey, of course he needs snaps. How the hell else are they supposed to get him ready?
August 5th, 2022 at 3:00 pm
I think Brady has covid. Its def. does not have anything to do with family. Gisele just posted her on a talk show like 20 yrs ago with a monkey on ig stories. As a Brady fan I wish he could just concentrate on the Bucs. Like the first 2 years he was always posting liking things on ig that was strictly Buc related. Brady’s personal friend is Bruce Beal. I still don’t understand how miami and Brady been tampering for 3 yrs yet in 2020 Brady chose Bucs. 2022 Gisele wants Miami. Again Bruce Beal personal friend offering Brady the world. But in the end it was about playing football so he is back with Bucs
August 5th, 2022 at 5:02 pm
BucsFan, something is wrong with him. It isn’t all about Jensen either. He’s probably embarrassed about the tampering stuff, as he should be. Fact is, the NFL has only taken away a first rounder on three occasions. All, either directly or indirectly involved Brady. As self conscious as he is about his image, he should’ve known better.
August 5th, 2022 at 10:12 pm
I agree with PassingThru. It doesn’t matter how well Hainsey is doing. Depth and experience is needed, right now. If not Tretter, then at least someone who knows how to pass block consistently better than still=learning Hainsey.
They are taking a chance that Jensen will be back in a manageable time frame, and want to believe that a committee of in-house is good enough to make it through to Jensen’s return. It’s cheap, they already feel they invested in Hainsey, and that’s it. And too bad for Brady.
August 5th, 2022 at 10:29 pm
He basically said Hainsey still needs to learn how to play center. What?
August 5th, 2022 at 10:32 pm
Unless Hainsey drops a turd in preseason there’s no reason to go outside the organization for another center or other OL. The daily panic button and catastrophe speculation complex is always fully juiced on the JBFs.
August 6th, 2022 at 3:02 am
Hmmm….I suspect a new center big fa signing soon. Go Bucs! Brady hello from the other side. He be aite.
August 6th, 2022 at 5:59 am
I still think Hainsey will be fine. Left guard is scary right now.
August 6th, 2022 at 8:37 am
I think he’ll be fine but I would not be surprised if they signed someone for depth. The question I have is what is going on it left guard with Stinnie?