“They Need A Center”
March 19th, 2024
“I don’t think I’ll be in the Buc For Life club, Tristan.”
Joe realizes a lot of Bucs fans don’t like the following analyst and don’t value his opinion.
However, the guy molded three Pro Bowl quarterbacks on three different teams, and he’s watched lots of Bucs football and is friendly with Buccaneers Ring of Honor General Manager Jason Licht, so Joe is inclined to pay attention.
Yeah, Joe’s referring to grumbling Charlie Weis, Tom Brady’s first coordinator with the Belicheats, and the guy who turned Vinny Testaverde (Jets) and Matt Cassel (Chiefs) into studs.
Weis is a co-host on SiriusXM NFL Radio and he was asked today to name the Bucs’ No. 1 need in next month’s draft.
Weis didn’t hesitate, “I think they need a center.” He referred to Bucs starting center Robert Hainsey as “a makeshift version” who didn’t work out too well.
However, Weis was clear that the Bucs should be able to find a good center that can run block and pass block equally well outside of Round 1. So while he thinks center is top priority, Weis seems more focused for the Bucs on edge rusher in Round 1.
Like most Bucs fans, Weis has been appalled at the Bucs’ running game over the past two seasons.
Joe isn’t sure the Bucs will walk out of this draft with an interior offensive lineman, but if they do, Joe certainly would trust Licht’s track record at that position.
On that front, Hainsey certainly turned out to be a very solid pick as the No. 95 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
March 19th, 2024 at 4:43 pm
Can’t force the pick. Where we’re picking in round one, there will be higher rated players then at edge. Chop Robinson had 6 sacks. That wasn’t last season that was 3 seasons! You’re going to get a JTS picking edge in round one just because it’s a precieved need? No thanks. Take a surer thing with our first pick.
March 19th, 2024 at 4:44 pm
I just want Licht to stop drafting LT / RT for IOL (G/C)…Especially with Day 1 /2 picks. It’s a crap shoot at best…How about for a change of pace, this year he drafts a C to play C! All for Oregon’s JPJ at #26 or WVU’s Frazier at #57.
March 19th, 2024 at 4:49 pm
We consistently draft players High in the trenches. I don’t disagree that this is a good approach but it’s time for a few Splash players. We have no home run hitters it’s about time we get a couple. Outside of Mike Evans no one on any other team is afraid of a player on the Bucs offense.
March 19th, 2024 at 4:49 pm
Hopefully the no1 center is there at our pick in the first. All signs point to that guy being elite
March 19th, 2024 at 4:52 pm
Big and beefy at center is Barton.
March 19th, 2024 at 4:58 pm
Draft an SEC center. It’s the only foolproof choice. I don’t fully trust Licht. Sometimes he believes his own BS about small school linemen. Get a big guy who has been thru the wars and is plug and play. That will help us more than QB or a running back.
March 19th, 2024 at 5:03 pm
THAT center from Oregon. Get him in round one.
March 19th, 2024 at 5:03 pm
While I don’t think Powers-Johnson will be available at #26 (I hope he will be!), I think Licht will go IOL with a G or C, hopefully no tackle to convert. Forget Chop, no production in college, just like JTS. I’m not confident that we can evaluate Edge or DL after picking Hall and JTS, although we did great with Kancey!
March 19th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
NYbucsfan…Godwin put up another 1,000.
March 19th, 2024 at 5:07 pm
Hainsey isn’t a bad player maybe he just doesn’t have the body type for nfl interior lineman but I don’t think he’s athletic enough to play tackle.
March 19th, 2024 at 5:07 pm
Hainsey is fine as long as you don’t mind him being the worst starting center in the NFL…
Mr. Chicken Legs needs to go.
I’m ok with him being a back-up but if we plan on starting him for a 3rd season the Bucs deserve what they get.
March 19th, 2024 at 5:08 pm
Another reason the Bucs go Edge in the 1st round. JPJ will not be there at pick 26. I guarantee it. Seattle, Rams, Steelers, Fins, Eagles and Cowboys are all looking for a Center. One of them will take him. Bucs have to overdraft in the 2nd round to get Frazier (WV) or Van Pran (UGA).
March 19th, 2024 at 5:10 pm
NY Bucsfan…^^^ and Rachaad White
March 19th, 2024 at 5:17 pm
White is a 1200+ all purpose back.
Evans and Godwin self explanatory.
Teams have to respect Troy Palmer.
Bucs upgrade center and OG and add another RB that can run inside and the offense will be a tough out for a lot defenses.
March 19th, 2024 at 5:19 pm
I have maintained for awhile that with all the QBs, WRs, and OTs highly rated in this draft that JPJ or Barton will be there at 26 as a plug and play guy for us. Certainly would prefer that before no production Chop. BUT now I am not so sure… JPJ and Barton are seemingly climbing and with Dolphins and Cowboys needing guys there, I can only hope those teams and Pittsburgh are talking themselves into an OT like Mims.
March 19th, 2024 at 5:20 pm
Upgrade interior OL and add a RB like Ray Davis from the draft to team with the existing talent on offense and they are ready to be a cohesive unit.
March 19th, 2024 at 5:22 pm
JPJ or Barton would so much to improve the complexion of the offense. Mayfield will actually be able to step into throws mid field as the Bucs will be running more 11 personnel due to Coen’s offensive scheme.
Upgrading interior OL is a top priority along with edge.
March 19th, 2024 at 5:38 pm
My mock simulator today. I’d be happy with this draft. These are really easy and fun to do.
26Buccaneers Logo
Graham Barton
IOL | Duke LogoDuke
57Buccaneers Logo
Cooper Beebe
IOL | Kansas State LogoKansas State
89Buccaneers Logo
Trey Benson
RB | Florida State LogoFlorida State
92Buccaneers Logo
Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
LB | Clemson LogoClemson
125Buccaneers Logo
Theo Johnson
TE | Penn State LogoPenn State
220Buccaneers Logo
Ro Torrence
CB | Arizona State LogoArizona State
246Buccaneers Logo
Braiden McGreg
March 19th, 2024 at 5:50 pm
I hope we find a solid career center with an early pick this year. I do trust Licht when drafting for OL. That said, l also hope we can find a starting caliber edge rusher also. Best player available for positions of need is always a good rule of thumb for any round. Sound thinking is not cliched. Just saying.
Go Bucs!
March 19th, 2024 at 6:10 pm
All_da_way … ‘Upgrade interior OL and add a RB like Ray Davis from the draft to team with the existing talent on offense and they are ready to be a cohesive unit.’
Agree with upgrading the interior OL (at least draft a Center in 1 of the Top-2 Rnds). Agree with adding a beastly RB, but why Ray Davis? He’s ranked #20 by Walter Football, runs a 4.55 secs 40, projected to go in Rnds 4-6) but isn’t a beast (5’10” & 216 lbs like Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen (6’1″ & 245 lbs with a 4.56 sec 40 projected to go in Rnds 3-5). I’d love to see us use one of our 3rd Rnd picks on him.
March 19th, 2024 at 6:18 pm
Ray Davis knows Coen’s scheme but the Bucs can draft an even more dynamic RB if they want. Point being the offense isn’t far off from being a top tier unit again.
March 19th, 2024 at 6:26 pm
I agree that edge rusher is a top priority in the draft. The good news is that the team’s needs are positions with a low draft value, such as RB and C/G. Licht might also think about another TE.
March 19th, 2024 at 6:30 pm
JPJ would be a great 1st round pick. Some may say he could be had later. But he’s ready to roll day one.
March 19th, 2024 at 6:47 pm
Marine Bucs: Hahaha, yes, Hainsey blew himself up from the waist up, but has no foundation to support it.
March 19th, 2024 at 6:57 pm
No doubt in my mind.
March 19th, 2024 at 7:01 pm
Pass rusher is great and good but we didn’t have it last year and came out, what, ranked 7th in defense last year? Center, imo is most needed and powers-johnson.isnt going to the second rnd
March 19th, 2024 at 7:34 pm
I thought we already signed a center. His name is Ben. I think his last name is Bradeson or close..
March 19th, 2024 at 7:48 pm
We will definitely grab an interior lineman with the ability to start with one of the top 4’picks. Powers Johnson and Burton in first round and if not we will get one before pick 102.
March 19th, 2024 at 7:52 pm
At this point even with losing Barrett, cd3 and white, I still think the pick needs to be center, even if we have to throw that extra 3rd round pick in to move up 6-7 spots to draft powers Johnson. In my head we beat the lions in the divisional round and come really close to upsetting San Fransisco in the nfc title game IF Mayfield had a little more time to throw the ball and if we could run block a little bet better to take some of that pressure off of his shoulders. Our offensive line hasn’t been the same since Jensen went down, we don’t just need to draft a center we need to draft THE best center prospect in the draft. We all called for Bowles head last year; he’s going to get the best out of the defense this year with the young pass rushers.
March 19th, 2024 at 8:17 pm
Yes we need a Center for sure, biggest need on Offense. Hainsey has reached his ceiling as a backup. Been a glaring weakness, especially in the run game. Get an Edge, replace our Center, and draft a RB2 and we are in there like swimwear.
March 19th, 2024 at 8:49 pm
We need 3 new starters.
Pass rusher(DE or OLB)
Left Guard
Center
We might need a second Pass rusher
Everything else is Depth
Ben Bradeson is depth only. He cant be a quality starter, despite his strength and high effort.
I dont know if you’d call it a birth defect, but he has third shortest arms ever measured in the history of the NFL.
When your job is to “Steer” 300 pound men, that is a huge disadvantage.
One you dont want in a starter.
He is good depth.
Not a starter.
March 19th, 2024 at 8:58 pm
Micah Parsons had 6.5 sacks in his two years of playing for the Nittany Lions.
If you’re saying that you wouldn’t have wanted Micah Parsons as your 1st Round Pick that year because he didn’t have amazing college sack stats, then you might want to reconsider your talent evaluation.
Chop Robinson is very much in the mold of a Nittany Lion 3-4 OLB like Micah Parsons.
Chop Robinson transferred to Penn State after his freshman year at Maryland where he had 2 sacks and he was redshirted his first year at Penn State.
Chop Robinson had 4 sacks in seven games before breaking his leg last year.
6’3”, 250 lbs, 4.48 forty and Penn State pedigree such as Micah Parsons means that the Bucs would be lucky to draft him.
March 19th, 2024 at 9:01 pm
The CENTER from OREGON has multiple pro bowls in his future. He is an athletic freak. Can pull, read the line calls for one of the best lines in college football last year, and is a beast at run and pass blocking. I simply don’t understand why he’s slated to go at the end of the first round.
The Buccaneers should pick him up. You plug him in at center and the position is set for the next 12 years
March 19th, 2024 at 9:24 pm
Hainsey was ok. I don’t think C should be a high priority. Our running game has been atrocious for way too long though.
March 19th, 2024 at 11:07 pm
Yes, we need a center, but we want to keep Hainsey.
Centers can’t be tossed in, straight from the draft, and play at a high level. Hainsey might even be the starter this season, because every one knows what he can do.
Center, edge, and maybe a RB.
Always need a LB and CB from the deep rounds.
March 19th, 2024 at 11:08 pm
I am starting to lean more towards Van Pran or Frazier. Everyone is hyped about the Ducks center but I am wondering why he didn’t crack the starting spot until his last year. There were two guys ahead of him. One made it to the NFL but was a back up last year for the Broncos and looks to be a backup this year too. The other guy didn’t get drafted and now he is a position coach at Oregon. So prior to this last season nobody knew who Powers Johnson was and his own coaches didn’t see him as an upgrade over a couple of guys who obviously aren’t NFL starter talent.
I like the guy who came in and started for three seasons for a top program in the SEC. He has a track record of being able to hold up against the closest thing he can to the NFL.
March 19th, 2024 at 11:34 pm
Hainsey was ranked 34 out of 32 teams.
That means that every starting centr was better, and 2 backups.
Hes horrible. Hes a big part of why we cant run- its because he cant block.
Meybe some of you think thats good enough.
I think it is an area of critical need.
If paying a guy 10 million a year not to block is cool,
Then dont worry- Ill play center for the Bucs.
I can use the 10 mil, and cant do much worse than Hainsey.
I’ll hike the ball, and fall down. I’ll occasionally trip somebody up!
March 20th, 2024 at 12:01 am
Interesting thought
March 20th, 2024 at 12:26 am
OL, DL, and CB. We can wait a season on all other positions.
I mean, sure, it would be nice to address every spot we need to…but realistically, you can only do just so much in one draft.
The top needs are the lines.
March 20th, 2024 at 12:41 am
Rd 1 OLB Laiatu Latu
Rd 2 C Zach Frazier
Rd 3 G Zak Zinter
Rd 3 RB Braelon Allen
Rd 4 WR Javon Bakers
Just a mock thought that’d sure help our IOL be stronger and fill our other needs
March 20th, 2024 at 3:10 am
Jason, we have to trade up for Powers….sorry, we’re losing that 3rd, but great job on getting us another one…..its like it was planned.
March 20th, 2024 at 8:36 am
Deff could use a road grader at center but I like hainsey. Dude stepped in from day 1 as a rookie when jesen went down and hasn’t missed a game. He’s durable and he’s not terrible at pass blocking. He’s no road grader but he shows up and can pass block.
March 20th, 2024 at 9:30 am
A top Center can historically be had later in Round 1 of the draft or even beyond, and the Bucs have a good draft record drafting O-Lineman lately, so I have my fingers crossed they will be able to find a good upgrade at the position. We definitely need one.
March 20th, 2024 at 9:55 am
Jpj won’t be there at 26 guaranteed
March 20th, 2024 at 11:01 am
Matt Cassel was a stud? Lmao that’s some revisionist history right there.
As for the Bucs needing a center… I mean, duh? That’s been glaringly obvious to anyone with eye balls since Logan Hall ended Jensens career in practice.
March 20th, 2024 at 11:09 am
@marine buc
Exactly. Mr Chicken Legs. Like Benenocht. Who also had no business starting.
We need a badass center and guard.
The 1st and 2nd round should always be the trenches.
Always!
(Maybe a cornerback sometimes)
March 20th, 2024 at 11:57 am
I’ve seen many point out that you can find Centers late, while this is true this sure makes Hainsey look not so great since he was a third round. I hope Licht doesn’t try his patented move of taking a tackle and moving him inside. This has only worked with great success with Marpet. None of the others have worked out. He should be looking at a legit IOL option, not another project. Hainsey is too small for C. They need a guy that is in the 320lb range.
March 20th, 2024 at 12:36 pm
I am SURE they will come away with an interior lineman.
Considering 2 holes on the roster are there, it would be asinine to believe they wouldn’t