“Fix All The Things I Really Wanted To Fix”
September 5th, 2023
Bucs center Robert Hainsey
The triumphant return of stud center Ryan Jensen this season turned out to be a fantasy. The reality is Robert Hainsey is back in that role, and he says he’s significantly better.
Talk to folks at One Buc Palace and they’ll tell you Hainsey, the Bucs’ third-round pick in 2021, is bigger, stronger, faster and hungry as ever. And everyone loves his work ethic.
It was another offseason, Hainsey said, of working with former Bucs center and assistant coach A.Q. Shipley in Arizona — in the spring and summer.
They regularly worked on playing left guard, right guard and center, Hainsey said yesterday, including weight training and more.
It paid off big-time, Hainsey said a few different times.
“I was able to take this offseason and fix all the things I really wanted to fix and hone in on some technique that I knew I need to clean up for this year,” Hainsey said. “[I] prepared the whole offseason, all of camp like I was going to be the starter because that’s the only thing you can really do in this league.”
Is Hainsey ready for another season at starting center? “Very ready to go,” he said without being asked.
Hainsey was careful not to say last year’s Buccaneers offensive line wasn’t hungry, but he noted how this year’s young bunch (he’s second-oldest at 25 years old) is having a lot of fun and regularly getting after it and pushing each other.
As Joe has written previously, the data/stats nerd crowd likes Hainsey and he’s got a fan in former scout, Jets linebackers coach and SiriusXM NFL Radio Xs and Os guru Pat Kirwan.
Hainsey is one of the last guys Joe is worried about on this Bucs team rich in question marks.
Join Ira Kaufman and Bucs fans on opening day at the Big Storm Brewing Co. taproom in Clearwater, on 49th Street just south of Ulmerton Road.
Beautiful covered patio with strong sightlines and audio. Indoors, too! Cocktails, a great menu, Florida’s best craft beer and more.
SEE YOU SUNDAY!
Huge covered and comfortable outdoor patio at Big Storm Brewing Co. in Clearwater.
Click on through to check out their website.
Fun time ahead.
Indoors too! Joe highly recommends the Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich and fries.
September 5th, 2023 at 7:02 pm
Hainsey will be better in 2023 than 2022…But still not sure that = NFL starting C kind of play.
From listening to Licht earlier in AUG..He sure seems to be focused on Mauch eventually being a C, as well….Which to me = Hainsey’s not the long-term guy in the FO’s mind.
But that’s half the rub….Where as I believe in drafting true high level college C’s to play C in the NFL…Not RT’s that need 2yrs + to develop into a C…(IE…You don’t draft a MAYBE guy)…Licht & Co tend to draft OL guys & believe that they can be slotted anywhere… Which is not the case most of the time.
September 5th, 2023 at 7:05 pm
Hainsey is a solid pass protector and he is smart enough to handle making the line calls – but I hope he improves his athleticism and run blocking this season.
He rarely gets any push and he is constantly tripping and falling when he is asked to pull or block a linebacker – things that Jenson was very good at…
Come on Robert – either you step up this season or you will be replaced by Cody Mauch next season.
September 5th, 2023 at 7:06 pm
Jason – Please hire PrimeTime immediately – oh sorry, wrong thread
September 5th, 2023 at 7:07 pm
The guy was a tackle in college, it’s a big deal to go from that to a center. I thought he did quite well last year considering his experience level, and should only improve.
September 5th, 2023 at 7:14 pm
Mauch is the future at C – Hainsey will be moving to RG next season – prior comment was spot on – no push in the run game and is on the ground too much when asked to move
September 5th, 2023 at 7:17 pm
He did fine last year. I think he’ll be a good one.
September 5th, 2023 at 7:21 pm
Hainsey will be one of those under heavy scrutiny for 2024. Everyone believes Jensen is probably done. The Bucs will draft a C in the 2024 draft. Either Hainsey is the future C/Bucs draft a day 3 backup center or the Bucs draft a day 2 starting center and Hainsey will be the backup
September 5th, 2023 at 7:22 pm
@catcard202 – A LOT of college tackles become guards or centers in the NFL.
One area I fully trust Licht with is offensive lineman. His record speaks for himself.
And while you are correct that he does tend to choose guys who need to develop / transition over the first year or 2, he’s also drafted instant starters in Wirfs, Marpet, D Smith, etc.
September 5th, 2023 at 7:29 pm
Voice of Truth – I hope not, an all-pro guard is more important than an all-pro center. It’s not a bad idea to cross train guys, but moving them around on the line, as starters, I’m not a fan.
unbelievable – yeah, Licht normally drafts nothing but tackles. Smith, Marpet, Cappa, Hainsey, Luke, Cody – all tackles. But Marpet played guard, then center, and while he was fine at center, he was an all-pro guard – so thankfully they moved him back once they got Jensen.
September 5th, 2023 at 7:42 pm
Optimistic about Hainsey, kid works hard and has the right mentality.
September 5th, 2023 at 7:43 pm
@ Rod
I agree. But it wouldn’t surprise me if the Bucs move Cody Mauch to Center just like Marpet did.
Cody Mauch had an 8.77 RAS – which puts him at #152 out of 1,227 lineman drafted since 1987.
Cody can play whatever position he wants to.
September 5th, 2023 at 8:19 pm
I’m not the first to say it but, it all starts in the trenches. If we don’t win there, we won’t win many games.
September 5th, 2023 at 8:28 pm
I like our youth movement. I think we have some promising young men on the team and we will all know what we have at the end of the season.
Hoping that Hall, JTS, and Zyon step on D. Right now it seems like Hall is the only one who sticks long term, I see him as being the next Gholston potentially.
On offense I am really hoping that Goedeke, and Hainsey step up in a big way. I believe White will establish himself as a clear RB1.
September 5th, 2023 at 8:43 pm
Marine Buc Says:
Cody can play whatever position he wants to.
——–
That I don’t agree with, I don’t think he’s an NFL tackle – he’s got borderline size for that. But if you can play guard, you can play center, and I think he can be a very good guard. But I guess I just don’t value center as much as other people, to me I’d never move a stud player to center (short of it being an injury situation). Your center needs to know how to do the pass protection calls and such, but in terms of play, I’d rather have an elite guard over and elite center.
September 5th, 2023 at 11:55 pm
What you need to know about Hainsey?
#1 – He’s SMART! If he knew what he needed to work on, and he worked on it, he’ll be improved. He’s also a guy that can pick up on the new playbook.
#2 – He can MOVE! His downfield blocking is Pro Bowl level. Expect Hainsey to spring some big runs and screens.
September 6th, 2023 at 12:43 am
Hainsey was an average center late in the season last year. Needs a better anchor. Gets pushed back too far leaving no room for the QB to step up in the pocket.
Hope that is improved this season. If so we should be fine at center barring injury. Backup center is a major concern. Line calls are a concern as well. Not sure who is making the calls. He or Mayfield.
Go Bucs!
September 6th, 2023 at 4:40 am
Damn, I must be losing it. At first glance, all I saw in that picture was cheeks and beard, and thought that it was Mike Evans. LOL
September 6th, 2023 at 5:52 am
Not for nothing but we have some high draft picks on our Oline, and just in the last 3 years, be nice if they gel and develop to be a strength for us the next 4/5 seasons.
September 6th, 2023 at 6:44 am
FYI Marpet was a better LG than a center and was a better LG than RG he was misused much of his career to fill in Lichts O Line Dreams !! The Bucs constantly lack continuity due to his individual projects . The individual drafting has been good the stubbornness by Licht hasn’t always allowed the best O Line continuity!!
September 6th, 2023 at 11:40 am
If you like watching a guy getting runned over, Hainsey and Goedeke are for you.
September 6th, 2023 at 12:04 pm
Hunter’s Crack Pipe, I thought the same thing for a moment or two. LOL. Had to zoom in.