Todd Bowles Does Not Rule Out Using Ryan Jensen As A Guard
January 4th, 2023
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
Earlier today in his normal Wednesday press conference, Bucs coach Todd Bowles again was asked for an update on rehabbing Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen. And again, Bowles was vague.
Bowles said Jensen is continuing to work out, now in his second week of a 21-day window where he can be activated from the injured reserve list.
“We’re gauging his progress,” Bowles said. “It’s still status quo. If anything changes, I will let you guys know.”
But things then got interesting. Bowles was asked if or when Jensen does return if he would play guard or center. Bowles did not dismiss the notion of Jensen playing guard, something that Joe pondered last week.
“I would like to see him come back before I made that decision,” Bowles responded.
This is not a crazy thought. Remember back in the Super Bowl season of 2020, Jensen started two games at guard. Ali Marpet had suffered a concussion midseason and was out for three weeks. The first game he missed, the Bucs tried to play Joe Haeg at left guard. It went badly as the Slimy Saints held the Bucs to three points and Tom Brady absorbed seven hits and a pick.
The next two games, against the Stinking Panthers and the Rams, the Bucs started A.Q. Shipley at center and moved Jensen to left guard. The offensive line improved significantly.
So it seems Bowles is open-minded to flipping Jensen to left guard and keeping Robert Hainsey at center.
This is all very interesting to Joe.
January 4th, 2023 at 4:15 pm
Let the best person for the job man each O-line spot!
As an aside, just saw on the Bucs site Coach Bowles mic’d up for Panthers game. He is not near as stoic as I thought. In fact, I was somewhat impressed. Good watch/listen, and I recommend it.
GO BUCS!!!
January 4th, 2023 at 4:26 pm
“So it seems that Bowles is at least open-minded to flipping Jensen to left guard and keeping Robert Hainsey at center.”
Lets hope Bowels is at least open-minded to letting our offense play no risk it no biscuit football!
January 4th, 2023 at 4:37 pm
A healthy Jensen is a big boost to the LG position and the line.
His fire and toughness will rub off on D Smith.
Jensen has taught us all the importance of attitude on the OL.
January 4th, 2023 at 4:40 pm
BTW, How big of bust is Luke Goedeke?
Marpet, Cappa, and Wirfs were solid as rookies. Even D Smith was passable.
What did they see in Goedeke?
January 4th, 2023 at 4:54 pm
joe – what i find interesting is if the bills/bengals game gets played during the nfc week of the playoffs and then the following week the nfc gets a bye. the #1 seed would have three weeks off but can you imagine bucs beating (likely cowboys) and then brady having two weeks to prepare for the #1 seed eagles. a lot for that to happen even if it works out schedule wise but that could be fortuitous.
January 4th, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Interesting thought. Jensen can certainly play guard, but his communication skills at center are top flight. If he can go, I think they put Hainsey at LG. That makes a damn good trio in the interior. I’m sure they’re worried about continuity, but like D-Rok said, put the best out there and let the chips fall.
January 4th, 2023 at 5:11 pm
A few linemen have said it’s easier on the knees at guard than playing center.
January 4th, 2023 at 5:12 pm
Yes, Redeemer, I hear ya bro, but here’s my conundrum:
When healthy, we KNOW what Jensen brings to center position, and it’s an important position on the line.
We also have seen and know what Leverett brings as LG.
The big unknown is that we haven’t seen Hainsey at guard, at least in the NFL.
So, without the benefit of seeing these guys in practice, from a fan’s perspective, I say, plug Jensen back into Center, and keep Leverett at LG. Put Hainsey in for heavy formations instead of a TE or swing tackle. Use Hainsey as a relief lineman. Use him, yes, but don’t start him.
That’s my take on it, if it’s worth anything. Like you said, Redeemer, sometimes continuity is a dish best served warm, as in, recent performance.
GO BUCS!!!
January 4th, 2023 at 5:15 pm
Wait, have we seen Hainsey at guard yet? Suddenly I’m not sure if I’ve seen him at that spot yet. Help, guys! Refresh my memory, LOL.
January 4th, 2023 at 6:09 pm
I would like to personally thank the Falcons, Panthers, and Saints for gifting us this home playoff game. Hope they have great off-seasons.
January 4th, 2023 at 6:17 pm
whatever works
January 4th, 2023 at 6:45 pm
“BTW, How big of bust is Luke Goedeke?”
I think it unfair to put a bust label on this kid just yet. He’s still in his rookie season, is transitioning from a RT in college to a LG as a pro, he only has 1 full yr of college experience on the OL (he transferred as a TE). Not to mention, he is going thru his rookie season with $h!t coaches on an OL with zero continuity, a 1st time starter to his rt, and Smith to his left. I think you would have a much different opinion of him if he had been lining up next to Jensen all yr. He is a warrior, just needs some more pro technique. Also, you may have noticed that he came off the bench a fair share during the panthers game as eligible to help contribute to that clean pocket. Would be nice if Lefty was creative enough to tap into that TE experience with a creative play, but that ain’t gonna happen. Think about all of the players that have looked bad thooughout this year under this regime.
January 4th, 2023 at 7:09 pm
If Jensen is able to go, I think he’d give a boost to the O-Line. Let Leverett be the big TE that can take any snaps that Rudolph would’ve gotten.
January 4th, 2023 at 7:24 pm
DRoc, I felt the same when I watched Todd mic’d up. I’m reserving judgment.
January 4th, 2023 at 8:50 pm
Let Leverett be the big TE that can take any snaps that Rudolph would’ve gotten.
Now THAT is a helluva idea! There’s your max protect package.
January 4th, 2023 at 9:07 pm
If he can come back healthy and is the best option at left guard, I am all for it. Hainsey hasn’t been half bad. The weak link has been left guard. He will only help Hainsey at center and, of course, he brings the attitude.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:02 pm
Nobody knows how healthy Jensen’s knee really is.
No camp, no practice, no game reps, and you throw him into a game? Unless he is 100%, he should not risk reaggravating or causing lasting damage.
Jensen is the center. THE center, and should play nowhere else. But only if he is completely—completely—in game shape.
January 4th, 2023 at 10:58 pm
@SlyPirate
Really, I personally don’t think Cappa was any better as a rookie than Goedeke.
But who knows. Cappa just got 105 total snaps as a rookie and did not play until the 11th game of the season. He had an easier path to play IMO in that he only had to beat out Caleb Benenoch.
January 5th, 2023 at 12:19 am
I am all for any way we can get Ryan Jensen back on the field, assuming he can play.
He gave our O Line a swagger we have not had since he got injured.
January 5th, 2023 at 5:35 am
steele Says:
January 4th, 2023 at 10:02 pm
Nobody knows how healthy Jensen’s knee really is.
No camp, no practice, no game reps, and you throw him into a game? Unless he is 100%, he should not risk reaggravating or causing lasting damage.
Jensen is the center. THE center, and should play nowhere else. But only if he is completely—completely—in game shape.
^^^^^^^^^^^
If the Bucs only played guys that were 100%, they wouldn’t be able to field a team…Also, Jensen played Left Guard for the Bucs in the past, when Marpet had a concussion and they had Shipley start at Center, a few years back.
January 5th, 2023 at 7:10 pm
Sly Pirate. Cappa didn’t see the field as a rookie. Goedeke isn’t close to being a bust yet.