Todd Bowles Explains What He Likes In Robert Hainsey
August 24th, 2022
Bucs center Robert Hainsey.
Maybe it is just Joe but it seems the freakout because the Bucs are giving backup center Robert Hainsey every chance to show he can fill in for injured Ryan Jensen seems to have died down.
Is that because folks are starting to learn Hainsey isn’t so bad? Joe doesn’t know but the hollering for a new center nearly has gotten real quiet. Granted, Hainsey has yet to start a real game. But it seems Bucs coach Todd Bowles is content with Hainsey, at least for now.
“Well, you like his toughness, and you like his intelligence,” Bowles said yesterday when he was asked to give the pen and mic club a breakdown of Hainsey.
“They ran the ball a lot at Notre Dame, so he can recognize defenses and help everybody out up there. You know, we want to get better at all the technical and fundamental work, but he’s stepped in and hasn’t looked back. He’s been playing tough, but as has [Nick] Leverett. You could say the same thing about both guys and that’s a tough competition.”
Bowles’ phrase “hasn’t looked back” sure doesn’t sound like code for “Let’s get rid of him.”
Of course if Hainsey faces the Colts and gets abused as if he is the second coming of Garrett “Whoops!” Gilkey, well, then Joe will fully understand the forthcoming freakout.
August 24th, 2022 at 9:07 am
There will be OL vet signings next Tuesday, maybe a trade, when the floodgates open next Tuesday when the 53 rosters are set
August 24th, 2022 at 9:11 am
This photo has me believing.
In Hainsey we trust
August 24th, 2022 at 9:13 am
This is the part of the year where I have to constantly remind myself that we only get to see a very small fraction of the reps these guys are taking. Just bc what Bowles is saying doesn’t exactly match up with what we’ve seen doesn’t mean it’s jibberish. Gotta trust the coaches and GM and realize they probably know best.
August 24th, 2022 at 9:22 am
Very interested to know if the Bucs use one of their eight max IR transactions on Jensen. Even if he has an ice cubes chance late playoffs, how effective would he be coming off injury? How this all ties together with their WR depth and possible trade scenarios will be the story of next week. The Indy game will have many implications indeed.
August 24th, 2022 at 9:22 am
Center freaking got quieter because the Guard freaking got louder!!
August 24th, 2022 at 9:27 am
I like Hainsey because he isn’t injured… yet.
August 24th, 2022 at 9:28 am
They can’t really keep switching guys out for competition–they need to settle on a Center and Left Guard so they can get reps together for the next 2 wks.
August 24th, 2022 at 9:34 am
Hainsey = Starting Center!
Ryan Jensen will not start another game for the Bucs. Dude was one of the worse starting centers in football last year. It blows my mind how some people get passes around here. His run blocking is atrocious. I don’t wish it on anyone, especially a good guy like Jensen, but his injury is a blessing in disguise football wise.
Hainsey will be out starting center for years to come!!! By the end of the season, people will realize how good he is.
August 24th, 2022 at 9:42 am
We’ll see after the Indy game….I want to like this guy and hope that he’s our future…but he might need another year. Brady will be doing a lot that he can learn from so it will be great for his development. Like I said, we’ll see.
August 24th, 2022 at 9:44 am
@Red Skeleton, it your moniker is a tribute to the late great comedian of the middle of the last century, you spelled his name wrong.
I think you’re right about the increased freaking out at guard. It’s almost certain the Bucs will pick up a guard off the waver wire next week.
August 24th, 2022 at 9:46 am
Everything I’ve read and heard on this site and others is that Hainsey’s played well. That guard position has me a little worried but between Brady and Goodwin they’ll coach ‘‘em up. I heard Goedeke had a good first quarter and that one of the 2 holding penalties was questionable.
August 24th, 2022 at 9:49 am
I also heard that there was a chance Stinnie would not have made the team.
August 24th, 2022 at 9:49 am
Just to be clear, teams don’t get 8 IR transactions. They have unlimited IR transactions. Just 8 guys that went on IR that they can bring back during the season.
Historically, I don’t think 8 should be a problem. Therefore, yes Jensen will likely be put on IR. If it gets to the end of the season and he is healthy and they have not used 8 returns from IR, then they will bring him back.
The bigger thing is salary. Jensen’s cap hit this year is 4 million. I believe for every week that he is on IR that the Bucs get 1/17 of relief from his salary cap. I am not sure how this works in the end, but I do believe that in some respects it could free up some more space for a mid season signing of Suh or Gronk.
August 24th, 2022 at 9:50 am
My problem with assuming the Bucs will pick up a guard on the waiver wire is what guard better than what they have in house already will be come available. People freak out way to much. Goedeke is going to be just fine. Rookies drafted 1st and 2nd rounds should be able to step in and start right away if need be.
On a bright note, I’m excited to watch Wirfs, Hainsey and Goedeke over the next several years. We are sitting pretty on the line moving forward.
August 24th, 2022 at 9:57 am
Geno, the is a zero percent chance we’ll see Suh or Gronk in a Bucs uniform. I love Suh, but would puke if our line was so bad, either due to injury or performance, that we had to add someone as terrible as he is at this point. I hate euphoria. I hate loyalty in sports. I would cut Mike Evans right now for Jamarr Chase. I would cut Lavonte David right now for Micah Parsons. It’s not personal. It’s about football, and Suh can no longer play it.
August 24th, 2022 at 10:03 am
Im curious how many guys played Tackle in college and successfully converted to a star Center, around top 10 or so. And the notes on him coming out was how versatile he was at the senior bowl. So if true, im just saying, its not too late to move him to LG if we need to,,,,that position is available….plus theres probably better talent available (at C vs. LG sitting out there, this is no knock on Hainsey).
Maybe Tretter will lower his asking price….especially for a chance to win a SB.
August 24th, 2022 at 10:08 am
Agree with the Graham Tram. He certainly looks the part.
August 24th, 2022 at 10:14 am
TRETTER IS A LOT BETTER
August 24th, 2022 at 10:18 am
My only problem with that stmt is he is literally comparing hainsey to Leverett
You dont want that comparison honestly. Leverett is not a starter . Titans players razzed him and said go back to the practice squad
Most people dont have a problem with hainsey. Its more left Guard is the issue. And most guards that are out there or soon to be cut is not really special
Tretter is proven center. And hainsey was taking reps at left guard before jensen went down. That just seems like the safer play. Very similar roles anyway.
But i trust licht in this area as oline has solid moves over the years. So who knows what happens. Maybe a trade?
August 24th, 2022 at 10:54 am
Even if the team is high on starting the rookie at LG they still need a veteran OL because after Leverett the team has no depth.
Stinnie is done for the year and Jenkins return is many months away.
August 24th, 2022 at 11:25 am
I think Hainsey will be fine if for no other reason than he is upright and mobile. He seems to have earned the trust of The Minds and I suspect Tom will come around as well. I’m rooting for him.
August 24th, 2022 at 11:49 am
What about pass blocking?! We are a pass first offense. Bowles only mentioned his run blocking. Bowles didn’t get into specifics. Only the same thing we’ve been hearing is that he is smart. Nothing about his actually play on the field. He gets pushed back too much, and he’s soft. He’s not a tone setter like Jensen. He compared Hainsey to Leverett who’s another inexperienced center. This team is determined to go in house for OL replacements. Absolutely malpractice. Bowles is failing his first test. Licht and Bowles don’t have to take the punishment from starting behind an inexperienced interior line like Brady. If you think Brady will have a say who starts, you’re badly mistaken. This is on Goodwin and Bowles.
August 24th, 2022 at 12:03 pm
I also like preseason Hainsey，
Regular season Hainsey ? We will know soon
August 24th, 2022 at 12:59 pm
Maniac Buc Says:
“(Ryan Jensen) was one of the worse starting centers in football last year. It blows my mind how some people get passes around here.”
########
Pro Football Focus has Ryan Jensen listed as a TIER 1 ELITE Center, and is in their Top 6. — Like everything else, it is subjective. However, at PFF, they are required to view a TON of coaches film for any player they are grading.
August 24th, 2022 at 1:14 pm
Garrett Gilkey LMAO there’s a blast from the past
August 24th, 2022 at 1:22 pm
^^ Nicky666, no doubt man lol!! — He played 1 year for us on the OL back in I think 2014.
August 24th, 2022 at 2:33 pm
Slo Mo Joe always trying to create from a non story. Great reporting as usual, not.
August 24th, 2022 at 2:46 pm
Billy A,
JOE certainly does not me to defend, but Robert Hainsey (C) and his progress is pretty much the most pressing issue/story that affects the football team right now. — What the hell are you talking about… non-story, great reporting not.
ODD.
August 24th, 2022 at 5:49 pm
I’m not worried about him. I don’t even like Notre Dame, but a big tough center from Notre Dame, a position that needs to be intelligent, I trust. I’m just waiting to see what happens at left guard.
August 24th, 2022 at 10:12 pm
These are all the public relations things you expect Bowles to say.
Hainsey is indeed “smart” and “works hard” but definitely soft. He has gotten worked. He is not ready. Right now, he’s a midgrade backup. Leverett is awful.
If this is what they’re sticking with, then get ready to stick the fork into the season. Not hyperbole. On-field results have been clearly subpar.
August 25th, 2022 at 3:20 pm
If Brady is good with him protecting him and snapping the ball to him then I guess he is going to be the Center. If Brady doesn’t think he can do it then we would have a new player already. I’m more worried about the Left Guard situation. Go get Earl Watford /Isaiah Wynn or BOTH. Go Bucs