Robert Hainsey, Fired Up To Be Working At Center
May 14th, 2021
Rookie OL Robert Hainsey.
Gotta love when a rookie offensive lineman has a news conference and states his love for run blocking via an old quote, ”’moving a man from point A to point B against his will.”
Bucs rookie third-round pick Robert Hainsey is at One Buc Palace today with the rest of the Bucs rookies, undrafted free agents and tryout players.
A right tackle at Notre Dame, Hainsey opened eyes at the Senior Bowl working at center, and that’s where he said he is focused on now with the Bucs.
Joe asked Hainsey about working there pre-draft, and Hainsey said it was a daily routine after really liking the position at the Senior Bowl. Joe asked why he likes center, and Hainsey said it’s very much about a new challenge, more responsibility and learning more about the game.
In a strong display of confidence, Hainsey said, ”I know what I’m doing” when it comes to playing center. He added that he’s consulted with his good buddy, Bears center Sam Mustipher.
Joe is glad the Bucs are throwing directly into the center fire. They need to know if he’s a capable potential backup before preseason concludes.
No need for another Garrett Gilkey situation.
Enjoy today’s new Ira Kaufman Podcast, Bucs safeties coach Nick Rapone (Part 1) is a special guest.
May 14th, 2021 at 12:27 pm
If Hainsey performs he will likely be the starter next year. Jensen is a FA, one of the top rated centers in the league, and the Bucs have a lot of contracts to sign.
May 14th, 2021 at 12:31 pm
Hell fyucking yeah! So excited about Hainsey! If hes for real about puttin in work at the NFL level, Tom and these oline coaches could get another knock out the park young olineman. Oline is so important for the future.
May 14th, 2021 at 12:37 pm
I understand his excitement. When I was moved to center in HS I realized I got to touch the ball on every offensive snap and hit somebody… Not a bad Gig!!!
May 14th, 2021 at 12:50 pm
Jensen is pretty ornery as we all know lol, Hainsey is in for a good old fashion knock-down drag-out fight for the Center position. Ryan Jensen really cleaned up the “Stupid Stuff” last year. With that said, if this kid can beat him out one day, then all the better for the Bucs. GO WORLD CHAMPION BUCS!!!!
May 14th, 2021 at 12:55 pm
This was somewhat of a risky pick as Hainsey really has minimal center-guard experience at collegiate level. Performing well for a week at the Senior Bowl at a new position is not a lot to go bye! I thought Bucs would have been better served by going traditional route and drafting a pure guard like Wyatt David and moving him over to center or drafting a lower rated C in the 5th round or later where many Centers are often drafted. Hainsey has the build to play C and he is undersized for either Tackle or Guard so it will have to work for him there unless he has ability to bulk up to play guard! But better to have someone with his attitude even if his experience and measurables are not perfect!
May 14th, 2021 at 1:00 pm
The kid looked awesome at the Senior Bowl. Never played guard or center before but still looked like a technician and more than held his own.
In a couple years after he’s transformed his body like Cappa did, he should become a great player for us and be Jensens replacement.
May 14th, 2021 at 1:03 pm
i know drafting o-linemen isnt the “sexy” move with a lot of ppl but i love it! build the trenches up and let them go to war!!!
May 14th, 2021 at 1:52 pm
So basically – Hainsey, once trained at Center – can be plugged in anywhere along the line in an emergency and likely not have it be a “Garrett Gilkey situation”.
That type of flexibility in 1 OL player is invaluable while he is still a back up…
Interestingly – if Hainsey WERE to start any games at Center this year with the rest of the line intact – that would mean all 5 starting OLinemen were drafted by Jason Licht. And all 5 were drafted as Tackles coming out of college……
May 14th, 2021 at 2:15 pm
hainsey was my favorite pick in the draft!!!!!
the kid played lights out in the senior bowl…
GO BUCS!!!!
May 14th, 2021 at 3:00 pm
I liked this pick, and I am glad he will be trained at center because I have a suspicion that Ryan Jensen is going to retire after this year.
May 14th, 2021 at 3:03 pm
Going from college tackle to NFL center is quite the move, if that’s the plan then you want to start that this offseason so he can take over for Jensen next year. It seems pretty risky to me, but Licht has nailed his o-line lately, so I expect it to work out.
May 14th, 2021 at 3:33 pm
But there was a center available at the same spot. They know what they are doing I am sure but only time will tell
May 14th, 2021 at 4:05 pm
On the other front of offense, ABnormal is being sued again🙄
Awe Geese it’s only 30K… hope he has his head free of his sphincter for
Upcoming title defense 💥
After all he is an ASSet !
May 14th, 2021 at 5:17 pm
If Brady plays next season I think Jensen comes back for a discount….that guy woukd hurt to lose.
May 14th, 2021 at 6:38 pm
Dude in sweat pants – Well, if you can take a tackle, and teach him center, and get him some time at guard as well, you’ve now got a really vertistle guy who can play anywhere, and that’s very valuable. So I get it from that perspective. But generally you go after a guy who has college experience doing that, rarely do teams take tackles and make them centers. But again, not a criticism, Licht has done a great job on the o-line and I just find it to be an interesting situation.
May 14th, 2021 at 8:31 pm
6’4″ tall and 304lbs. Kind of tall for a center?
May 14th, 2021 at 10:43 pm
I figured that’s where they were going to play him. They have Kappa and Marpet and the guard back up Stinnie. I fully expect him to end up being a back up, maybe someday a starter, at any of the three positions on the interior
May 15th, 2021 at 4:23 pm
Hey @Joe!
Is it there a link to that countdown list which Gilkey appears? Godd stuff!
I guess DE Bennet is top3
May 15th, 2021 at 6:27 pm
Southeast Buc:
Yes, Joe linked to the story in the post. Last paragraph.