“Very Underrated” Robert Hainsey
March 28th, 2023
Center/guard Robert Hainsey
The Buccaneers’ 2020 third-round pick has a lot of fans at One Buc Palace.
The way Todd Bowles spoke today at the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix, the head coach might be leading the cheers.
Joe asked Bowles about Hainsey today and the head coach was firm with his praise.
“I thought Hainsey came a long way, “Bowles began. “When [Ryan] Jensen went down, I thought Hainsey did a very good job during the season. I think he’s very versatile. I think he’s a valuable piece for us. I think it goes very undderrated the job he did from an intelligence and toughness standpoint. We know he can play guard as well. He’ll be in the mix as far as doing some things we want to do with the center/guard combination. When Ryan comes back, you know, we just look forward to getting better and see where he goes. But I was very pleased with everything he did.”
The word “intelligence and toughness” are clearly themes for Bowles, and Joe believes if Hainsey scored high marks in those areas, then the Bucs will clear a path for him to be on the field. Right guard is wide open.
No, Joe doesn’t rule out the Bucs filling the position much later in free agency or in the draft, but Hainsey should have a leg up.
It’s fair to think Hainsey will be better player after his first full season of action, and Joe is confident the Bucs are counting on that.
March 28th, 2023 at 1:45 pm
Hainsey did great considering he was thrust in the fire replacing one if the better centers in the league
March 28th, 2023 at 1:48 pm
I think Hainsey will be just fine at RG and probably in the top spot to replace Jensen when he hangs them up.
Go Bucs!
March 28th, 2023 at 1:57 pm
Officially a swing interior OLmen now, that 2nd deal is going to hit different when it is time for Bobby to get paid.
March 28th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
HAINSEY WILL START AT RG.
BUCS WILL DRAFT BIJAN ROBINSON (RB) IN THE FIRST ROUND.
Bucs will look to put together a solid run blocking line and have a greater emphasis on the rushing attack.
March 28th, 2023 at 2:11 pm
Ugh. Would HATE for Bucs to pick RB at 19. HATE.IT.
March 28th, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Lets put all the pieces of the puzzle together and get busy. A winning season, say 9-8 depends on it.
March 28th, 2023 at 2:13 pm
I’m not opposed to that plan Trask TTF.
March 28th, 2023 at 2:16 pm
“BUCS WILL DRAFT BIJAN ROBINSON (RB) IN THE FIRST ROUND.”
No, we wont. Not gonna draft a TE 19th overall either, and I’m starting to think a safety at 19th overall would be overkill. Considering the only thing that separates Brian Branch from day 2 options at S is none of them have the Alabama “prestige” strapped to their draft status. Also, we’ve been suckered by the allure of Bama alums twice in the first round on both sides of the ball.
March 28th, 2023 at 2:21 pm
Hainsey’s development has allowed the Bucs to move on from Shaq Mason.
Jenson can play Center and Hainsey can move to OG…
It still wouldn’t shock me if the Bucs draft an IOL in the later rounds to compete with Stinnie, Leverett and Molchan.
March 28th, 2023 at 2:25 pm
Hainsey has been coached up by ex Buc, ex Cardinal AQ Shipley.
Bowles should hire Shipley to help coach up the Offensive line, especially Goedecke and Leveritt
March 28th, 2023 at 2:26 pm
@ Trask/Dooley
I’m going to guess OT with pick #19.
Safety or Edge rusher with pick #50 (depends on Shaq Barrett’s rehab progress)
Safety or Edge or Tight End with pick #82 (depends on pick #50 and BPA)
March 28th, 2023 at 2:32 pm
Edge rusher. We don’t have one.
March 28th, 2023 at 2:33 pm
I think Hainsey did an admiral job last season. The kid was tasked with replacing a pro-bowler, and settled in quite nicely. Was he on the same level as Jensen as far as communication skills, no. But they could’ve done a lot worse.
March 28th, 2023 at 2:42 pm
Short arms…..32 1/8…….cut the bum!!! (sarcasm)
March 28th, 2023 at 2:45 pm
“Intelligent and tough” don’t mean you’re a starting caliber offensive lineman in the NFL.
Versatile player, valuable player, but I’d be looking to improve a starting position rather than settling for just sliding our backup center over to guard, that for most of last season looked overmatched out there.
Hainsey is a nice player, but I don’t think he has the lower body to hold up as a full time starting guard.
March 28th, 2023 at 2:53 pm
@Marine
I think that’s the way Licht, Bowles, and the front office are leaning, but I’m also 100% expecting a trade package in some capacity that may/may not include our 1st rounder. We’ve got to find a way to either recoup our 4th rounder or use some of that day 3 capital(pick swaps count) to get an additional pick anywhere between round 3-5. Licht draft trade record is consistent in the sense that he’s made at least one trade in just about every draft he’s presided over for this franchise. 2018, 2019, and 2020 probably being the best examples of Licht’s prowess moving around the draft board to get “his” guys.
We’ll see, but part of me has a hard time believing we stand pat with all those day 3 picks, especially considering there are multiple clubs with more than one first round picks and about 2-3 teams with either no 1st round or 2nd round selections. Partners are out there to be had, we’ve just got to be on point putting any pick packages together.
March 28th, 2023 at 2:53 pm
@ Dooley/Marine
I think if Robinson is there at 19 we take him. He’s a big, fast, pass-catching back and many are calling him a generational talent that didn’t get more exposure due to playing at Texas, a program still rebuilding.
White is a solid back but he’s more of a finesse runner. We need a big pounder back now that Fournette is gone. Robinson would be someone to build the offense around. If Canales wants to lean more heavily on the run, you had to have a back to do it and Robinson would fit that role more than White or Vaughn.
I think the Bucs go Robinson in the 1st, OL in the 2nd, and either safety or edge in the 3rd. Then probably TE in the 5th.
I think we’ll sign a solid OL as a free agent and most likely edge as well.
March 28th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
The only knock I heard on Hainsey was that he wasn’t pushing guys around like Jensen. Maybe another year of off season training and he’ll have the power we’d all like to see. If that happens, he should be a quality starter for years to come.
March 28th, 2023 at 3:05 pm
@gotbuccs. Thank you! His “toughness and intelligence” didn’t stop him from being pushed back on nearly every play. We had a historically bad run game, and he was a significant factor to that performance.
March 28th, 2023 at 3:08 pm
@Trask to the Future
Nah, Bijan Robinson is good, but he’s not 19th overall good for the position our roster is in good. Also, White was solid in the duo blocking scheme as a rookie and by all indications Canales seems to be bringing a zone scheme with him to Tampa. Again, IDK how well White will fair in a zone scheme, but pretty much most of his tape at ASU under Herm Edwards(asst to the HC?) was in a zone scheme and the dude was ripping chunk plays left and right in his time there.
There’s a few RBs I like in this draft, like Tyjae Spears & Chase Brown, but I also think this draft will shake out like the 2018 & 2019 draft when we infused some young talent into a defense that was kind of void of talent and lost a handful of vets. We need to come out of this draft with a legit NB, add to the OLB/DE rotation, Safety help if not a starter, and possibly another ILB to get ahead on 2023 probably being LVDs final season in the NFL. Could be totally wrong and we actually go after Robinson, but there so much more we could do with the 19th overall pick on either side of the ball w/o using it on an RB.
March 28th, 2023 at 3:21 pm
Licht has a knack for drafting o-line, particularly after rd 1. I have no doubt that he’ll snag another starter in the draft
March 28th, 2023 at 3:28 pm
@80forBrady
“Bowles should hire Shipley to help coach up the Offensive line, especially Goedecke and Leveritt”
I’ve been saying this since I found out last year Shipley has been inviting Hainsey to the desert to get his butt kicked for a few weeks. AQ probably makes him babysit as well and calls him “Bobby-san” like Myagi did Daniel.
March 28th, 2023 at 3:42 pm
Gotta get an edge somehow, either Van Ness, McDonald, the K State kid, freaking anyone, really. I’m going to have to wind down a bit, I know I’ll be disappointed with how the draft goes, because my expectations are not going to be anywhere near reality, and there’s no point in being upset (learned that last year). That being said, I WILL be upset if there is no new edge rusher on the team via draft, no matter what.
March 28th, 2023 at 3:43 pm
Bowles’ predictable statements are typical of the organization that has consistently OVERrated Hainsey, the golden boy, who was essentially treated as Jensen’s replacement even before Jensen got hurt. This heir apparent hype continued, throughout Hainsey’s mediocre season. They really wanted Bob to take over, so they could Jensen and his contract. You expect this from in-house, sure, but realistically Hainsey is what he is. Softish, no push, beaten in key moments. This is not to say he isn’t hard working and technical. A passable rotational lineman or backup is all he really is, and that is what he would be on a better team. Can he eventually develop into something more? I think he’s close to his ceiling.
March 28th, 2023 at 3:48 pm
@ Trask
How do you feel about Luke Goedeke being our starting RT next season?
I personally don’t like the idea very much but who knows what Licht and Bowles have in mind…
If you don’t like Goedeke as our starting RT then you will probably want to draft an OT at #19.
I like Robinson as a player but not at #19. The Bucs have bigger fish to fry…
March 28th, 2023 at 3:50 pm
@ Dooley
I think it is possible Licht trades down from pick #19 – especially if there are plenty of solid OTs available. It would be nice to collect a few more picks in the top 150.
The Bucs could also work a trade for Devin White and collect a pick or two from that deal as well.
March 28th, 2023 at 4:54 pm
Hainsey is a great asset for this team. Having a Versatile linemen like Hainsey who can step in with confidence when needed is nice to have.
I wouldn’t consider making him a full-time starter unless he’s between two Monsters like Jensen and Wirfs. Even then he would struggle at times. My understanding is this team is planning on primarily using a zone run blocking scheme this year. This Oline will look very different on run blocking plays. Expect the guards to pull and be used to double team defenders. They may also be asked to block guys at the second level. Imagine that. Linebackers getting blocked instead of running free on run plays.
March 28th, 2023 at 5:06 pm
If only @steele had any knowledge he could be dangerous. A first year starter (0 starts at center ever) essentially equals his predecessors pro bowl grade from previous season but he’s not worth having. Ingenious.
March 28th, 2023 at 5:08 pm
Build those trenches. I have no concerns at all about JL drafting O-line. I know the haters hate DS but him, cappa,marpet , hainsey all above average draft picks. Marpet of course tops the list. Luke will come around n turn into a stud. JL just needs some help on D-line lol besides vea.
March 28th, 2023 at 5:17 pm
@Marine
I think Licht gets his new tackle in the 2nd round. BTW I think we draft an LT and leave Wirfs at RT.
For an Offense that was terrible in average points per game, and one of the worst running attacks in the league, I think the best way to improve that is to go get the top back in the draft, who is a damn good RB. Game-breaker RBs are hard to find. Sure they can be found in later rounds but they’re incredibly difficult to luck into the right pick. Robinson is going to be a stud in the NFL. I think it’s easier to fill OL holes via free agency & trades than to land a special RB to build your offense around.
Robinson just makes so much sense if Canales plans to rely heavily on the run.
March 28th, 2023 at 6:11 pm
you’d think the bucs had money with the way people are being picky! they’re/we’re looking for adequate and hoping for surprises! unless some of you have the riches to slide in there? rightttt.
March 28th, 2023 at 6:20 pm
just trust jason to get us a good line together he normally has a good eye for talent there.
I think we should trade back and pick up a few 2nd round and 3rd picks and fill the roster out.
Unless a amazing talent slides into our lap that would make sense but i doubt that will happen normally its fools gold its better to trade for more bullets for your gun to have a better chance of hitting.
Talent of a football players normally is difficult to assess with out seeing them vs current nfl talent on tape. Between the ears or extreme rare talent is the difference maker.
March 28th, 2023 at 6:38 pm
@ Trask
If the Bucs were within their “Super Bowl” window then it would make more sense to draft a RB at #19.
However – this team is building for the future – by the time the Bucs are making their next Super Bowl run Robinson will be on the downhill slide already…
Most running backs last 4-5 years in the NFL – IF they are lucky.
March 28th, 2023 at 6:47 pm
You can be intelligent and tough but when you are blown off the ball 3 yards those intangibles dont matter! Here’s to hoping he got stronger as well!!!
March 28th, 2023 at 7:33 pm
Why are some of you saying that Hainsey was bad last year ?? I mean don’t you think 🤔 Brady would have been all over it if he wasn’t comfortable with Hainsey at Center ? He played great for a kid who was thrown into the fire and had to block and hike the ball to the G.O.A.T. ! He wasn’t the problem , the left side of the line was the problem (LG) and made it harder for D.Smith to do his job cuz he had to try to help the crappy LG play… Hainsey earned his way on to this years starting job wherever it might be.. Go Bucs
And another thing.. If all the good DBs , OTs or OLBs are gone at 19 , draft the RB that is supposed to be the next Adrian Peterson .. Those guys don’t come around often and we haven’t had one in a long time..
March 29th, 2023 at 12:47 am
Bucs aren’t picking a running back at 19 I don’t what his name is! We don’t draft running backs in the 1st rd duhh…
March 29th, 2023 at 12:47 am
Care*
March 29th, 2023 at 2:03 am
I believe Joe(LDK) said it on the Ira podcast once.
Hainsey’s biggest problem is he isn’t Ryan Jensen.
Now he won’t be Ali Marpet, but he will spell Shaq Mason IMHO.
March 29th, 2023 at 8:46 am
You guys keep saying RG for Hainsey. Wrong, he is more suited at LG. Goedeke should be the RG.
March 29th, 2023 at 1:54 pm
Hainsey is ok. But Goedonkey bleauxs donkeys.
March 30th, 2023 at 4:19 am
He gives us some choices along the O-line. And I think he did a good job at center for the most part … but he got pushed into Bradies lap all to often in the first few games and that led to alot of Bradies problems.
March 31st, 2023 at 8:26 am
Marine Buc I think you’re on the right track with pic selection