Putting Robert Hainsey In His Place?
March 21st, 2024
A guy who last summer called Robert Hainsey the best backup center in the NFL sounded this week like he wants Hainsey actually to play that role.
Joe is referencing the Xs and Os film guru of SiriusXM NFL Radio, Pat Kirwan, the former Jets linebackers coach turned personnel chief.
Kirwan was ranting on Buccaneers draft needs this week and put his focus on the interior of the Tampa Bay offensive line, along with cornerback and edge rusher (surprise?) as Tampa Bay’s primary needs for the first three rounds.
Kirwan called newcomer guard/center Ben Bredeson, signed in free agency from the Giants, a “good” player, and he mentioned Hainsey as a legitimate starter. But Kirwan said of the Bucs’ interior line that he saw them struggle and general manager Jason Licht should find true competition to push Bredeson and Hainsey.
Joe agrees. Last year, the Bucs gift-wrapped every starting spot on the offensive line in spring practices. That’s nice for building continuity, but it’s not exactly a competitive environment that breeds savage toughness.
Bredeson and Hainsey are on one-year contracts for about $3 million. Throw a rookie second-round pick in there and let the nastiest guys win.
Kirwan’s comments stuck out to Joe because last summer Kirwan said Hainsey would start for many NFL teams and lots of data reveal him to be a good player. Now it sounds like Kirwan is saying Hainsey should be fighting for a job. Keep in mind Kirwan is a friend of Todd Bowles, who knows his O-line was manhandled too often last season.
Regarding Bucs draft needs, Joe is flummoxed that so many analysts don’t put “running back” on their lists.
March 21st, 2024 at 4:43 pm
Hainsey was drafted as a versatile lineman who could play multiple positions. He was a RT at Notre Dame and could conceivably bulk up a little more to play OG as well. Otherwise, why not use him the way they’ve used other valuable multi-position linemen in prior years? He’s not ‘good’ – but as a utilitly OL he’d be a vital guy to have when injuries occur.
Whatever they do, don’t leave him as the full-time starting center.
March 21st, 2024 at 4:46 pm
Watch the all 22, and watch the Panthers put Hainsey on roller skates and push him back into Mayfield’s face time and time again. He’s just not strong enough…
March 21st, 2024 at 4:47 pm
whoever we take, u can bet he’ll be versatile. line cud wind up ten different ways
March 21st, 2024 at 4:49 pm
We need IOL and pass rush is first two rounds and RB1 in R3 along with ILB in R3. white is a good third down back but we need a great RB1 for Coens mid and wide zone runs. I hate to say it but LVD will retire soon and nobody’s fighting for the job. SRV got snaps last year but didn’t keep the job when LVD was out.
March 21st, 2024 at 4:52 pm
Prior to Jensen’s injury, Giedekw, Hainsey ans Stinnie were to compete for a starting G spot. Will Hainsey be competing for the starting LG spot?
March 21st, 2024 at 5:00 pm
We definitely need to address our interior Oline….
I’d love to see a 3rd WR……RB & TE added….
And, yes and edge rusher.
Time to bolster the offense.
We have spend 5 of our last 7 top picks on defense…….Kancey, Hall JTS Vea & White
March 21st, 2024 at 5:14 pm
Hainsey was drafted to be a versatile backup, with the outside shot of starting at Guard.
Never Center. He is not comfortable or good at Center. He was then asked to hold down the spot while Jensen rehabbed.
Jensen aint coming back. We need A Starting Center.
Same with Guard. Stennie was a backup, not a starter
Gotta find Starters at both spots, and a DE to replace JPP. Also a Starting Lber to replace Shaq.
Last year, we were crushed by all the Brady dead money, so we played backups instead of staters at 4 spots.
This year- we need Starters starting, and Backups backing up.
Why the hell does Pat think we need a CB? Thats crazy. Zyon McCollom played more defensive snaps than either Davis or Dean.
We had a replacement for Davis. Im hoping we already have a replacement for Dean!
Watch Josh Hayes this Preseason. He has what it takes to be a very good CB, if he applies himself.
March 21st, 2024 at 5:16 pm
I think we’re going to get a veteran Center.
Whoever drafts centers in the first or second round will probably release or trade the previous guys.
That’s where Licht shines.
Hainsey isn’t currently big or strong enough…and he isn’t nasty enough.
March 21st, 2024 at 5:16 pm
Bredeson and Opeta are backups not starters. They are no better than Stinnie and Leverett. We still need a starting left guard and center. We need some Jason magic in the draft.
March 21st, 2024 at 5:21 pm
Those creamsicles look fantastic, if only once a year.
Too bad we always lose in them. I can’t remember us winning in them since the very first time we wore them in the upset of Green Bay.
March 21st, 2024 at 5:31 pm
THE MAJOR POSITION OF NEED …
The Bucs need to upgrade LG and C. Another DE would be nice. But the position they ABSOLUTELY need to fill: MLB.
White is gone. LVD is almost gone. Britt is a stopgap. Next year, the Bucs may have no one at MLB.
March 21st, 2024 at 5:35 pm
When you have a crappy QB like Mayfield who holds the ball too long the O-Line gets abused and loses their confidence.
March 21st, 2024 at 5:36 pm
So I have a question. I’m not sure. Which is more important to a successful run game? The guard or the center?
And as far as the mock draft boards Joe, I agree! What don’t they understand? You can Always Tell the real clued in one’s by how they have a nice 5th round pick for us. They really know the going on’s in our world….
March 21st, 2024 at 5:48 pm
Bro, Hainsey is not an NFL starter.
March 21st, 2024 at 5:50 pm
Trask to the future..
Couldn’t help it huh. Lol. I guess it’s a slow news day and if you’re not getting your proper dose of abuse at home, we’ll there’s always JBF.
March 21st, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Trask to the future
Rotflmfao
B**ch, trask aint got no future!
Except selling comprehensive home and auto insurance at your local State Farm branch .
Obvious. Id say Guard, because Guards are frequently involved in pulls, sweeps, traps.
Center, IMHO, is key to pass blocking- because he reads the defense, and calls
(Sets) the Pass blocking.
I believe that anyone who truly knows the Bucs- will have them drafting some Combination of DE, Rush LBer, Guard, center.
Who you take, at which spot, depends on which player has the highest value when you pick.
If the highest valued guy- OUT OF THOSE 4 POSITIONS- is a guard. Then guard it is.
But when you get to that 2nd 3rd pick, you take the position of need. If you drafted Guard, DE, Lber. Then I dont care what the value- Im drafting a Center.
Last night, some friends and I were doing mock drafts. Just to get a feel for who might be available where.
3 times in a row- I was able to pick TCU TE Jared Wiley in the 4th round. That was after drafting my priority 4 positions.
I would be very happy if Jared Wiley dropped to us in the 4th round. I think our new TE coach would be too!
March 21st, 2024 at 6:04 pm
I’ve got no problem drafting a IOL/C in the first round if it’s a need. I don’t care what your chart said yesterday.
March 21st, 2024 at 6:12 pm
Because they see what we see: that the o-line is the biggest problem in our run game woes.
(And you can find quality running backs all over)
March 21st, 2024 at 6:13 pm
A giant F’n DUH !
March 21st, 2024 at 6:14 pm
Bucs can do better than him.
March 21st, 2024 at 6:25 pm
‘Regarding Bucs draft needs, Joe is flummoxed that so many analysts don’t put “running back” on their lists.’
Flummoxed? Me too Joe. Bucs NEED to grab a beastly RB to complement Rachaad, preferably with 1 of our Rnd 3 picks. I’d be very happy if the Bucs drafted RB Braelon Allen from Wisconsin (6’1″ & 245 lbs) who Walter Football has projected to go in Rnds 3-5. Here’s their writeup on him:
‘Allen is a huge power back who was a steady runner over the past three years. His best season was his freshman debut, when he averaged 6.8 yards per carry for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2022, he ran for 1,242 yards while averaging 5.4 yards. Last season, Allen averaged 5.4 yards again while totaling 984 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also showed more receiving ability in 2023 with 28 receptions for 131 yards.’
BTW, Fan Nation just did a ‘2024 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Free Agency 4-Round Projections with Trades’ that intrigues me. They had the Bucs trading down with the Chiefs, and picking up an extra 3rd Rnd pick in the process. I like the thought process. Here were their picks:
Rnd 1 (#32 after trade with Chiefs): Graham Barton (OLine) – Duke. Here’s their writeup: ‘Barton has the ability to play all five positions along the offensive line, and since the Bucs need upgrades at both left guard and center, they could try him out at both spots and see where he fits best.’
Rnd 2 (#57): Bralen Trice | EDGE | Washington
Rnd 3 (#89): Sedrick Van Pran-Granger | OL | Georgia
Rnd 3 (#92 from Lions): Jeremiah Trotter Jr. | LB | Clemson
Rnd 3 (#95 from Chiefs): Max Melton | CB | Rutgers
Rnd 4 (#125): Beau Brade | S | Maryland
Would much rather draft Braelon Allen in that #95 slot so we can get our big RB, but he MIGHT be there in Rnd 4 too. Nevertheless, looks like Fan Nation (whoever they are) had the right ideas.
March 21st, 2024 at 6:36 pm
so do we sign hainsey for 100 mil or nah ?
March 21st, 2024 at 6:40 pm
@defense:
in order to maintain sanity you have to list …
tom gravy as the #6 pick
crock turdy as the #7 pick
for every draft, for every year for the rest of your life 🙂
March 21st, 2024 at 6:54 pm
Thank you Captain Obvious.
Anyone with eyeballs in their head knows that Hainsey is a bad starting NFL center.
This is why I wouldn’t mind the Bucs taking Jackson-Powers with their first pick if he is still available.
Plug him in for the next decade so we can stop watching our interior line get dominated every game.
Then we need to use another 2nd or 3rd round pick on a left guard.
Yes Buc fans – you heard that right. We need to draft 2 IOLs. Not just one.
March 21st, 2024 at 6:58 pm
@ DR
I like your plan.
Moving back and drafting one of the best IOLs is exactly what I hope our GM will do. Pick up more picks inside the top 100.
Then drafting Van Pran would be fine with me as well…
As long as we find a few major upgrades to our interior o-line in this draft and at least one OLB and one RB I will be fine with it.
March 21st, 2024 at 7:36 pm
Replace Logan Hall, Shaq, Hainsey and the two guys that played at LG with STARTERS. We already replaced Ryan Neal. If we could get one of these in FA we could also pick up B. Allen from Wisc with our last 3rd rounder. A true RB1 would be nice and R. White will make a great 3rd down back. Do this and we can take on everyone!
March 21st, 2024 at 7:36 pm
Defense rules.
Love your first four picks. Instead of CB and safety, Id go TE and RB.
But Id be really happy with your first 4. Love the trade also
March 21st, 2024 at 7:37 pm
@D Rules.
I too like where you are going. In fact, I’m not so sure Graham will be available at the end of Rd 1. I would be stoked to get him. Whether it be him or another capable O linemen capable of playing center, I like the thought of sliding Hainsey to left guard and Graham if we are lucky play center. Hainsey can push some holes open but not going against the defense’s biggest tackles. Guard could be the fit for Hainsey.
March 21st, 2024 at 7:38 pm
CB, TE and ILB with the rest of the picks.
March 21st, 2024 at 7:47 pm
I dont like safety in the 4th. Go to O line depth or another DE. Really like the Trotter mock. Hope that happens.
March 21st, 2024 at 7:51 pm
I have no problem with drafting a high percentage (sure thing) offensive lineman. Edge rushers are gambles, many wash out.,
March 21st, 2024 at 8:06 pm
Marine Buc, Capt Tim, Cmurda … I love their idea of picking up an extra 3rd Rnd pick like they did, and I like the idea that they went IOL, Edge, OL & ILB with 4 of those Top-3 Rnd picks, but who’ll be available when we pick is anyone’s guess at this point.
I do hope though that we grab a beastly RB to pair with Rachaad. Every position group is 1 injury away from ‘Next man up’ and at this point, that’d be Chase Edmonds (who I love, but he is on the smallish side & is getting up there in age). Bucs were hurting last season in (1) 3rd down conversion percentage (41.%); and (2) Red Zone TD percentage (44.9%). Way too low, and having a studly beast back there (in the Mike Alstott mold) would surely help up those percentages.
March 21st, 2024 at 8:08 pm
“Putting Robert Hainsey In His Place”
You mean the BENCH – right?
March 21st, 2024 at 8:21 pm
White’s best games he would run right up the back of Hainsey, and if Hainsey won his block, White would get good gains. Most games Hainsey didn’t win.
So put a good center in there and a good left guard and you might be pleased with White, and with Edmonds.
March 21st, 2024 at 8:32 pm
If Baker is such a “crappy” QB that he is a detriment his OL why does Wirfs hang out with him? Youth wants to know. 😅
March 21st, 2024 at 8:42 pm
Capt Tim
Thanks for laying out a pretty solid reason why the guard is a better choice concerning the run game. Others didn’t seem to know either so well done. It would be a surprise if Wiley was still there at that pick but crazier has happened. A Solid pick up in the 4th..
Dr, it’s funny how some don’t seem to pick up what you’re putting down within your story. And I agree with your summation on a solid draft from those guys.
I wonder if they’ll catch what you were trying to say with your second shot at it. Great catch. I believe I’ll check them out because someone over there is either thinking outside the “obvious box” or they are Really in the box and their thought process is kicking butt. At least they’re trying to actually be creative and the way the trade goes down, well it maybe on target. The picks…. As you know, we’ll see.
March 21st, 2024 at 8:59 pm
The best thing about Hainsey has been has availability since he was asked to start at center 2 seasons ago. Its well beyond time that we stopped playing with fire. He isnt going to get better, and we are lucky he doesnt miss many games. Licht brought in two journeymen on short deals- he is going to double down with a couple of picks there as well, and likely early.
March 21st, 2024 at 9:16 pm
@Capt. Tim,
I’m pretty sure Hainsey was drafted to eventually replace Jensen, they moved him to C way before Jensen got hurt. They saw potential in him being a better C for whatever reason. But, I’m pretty certain their evaluation of him at C didn’t take off like they hoped and that was proven when he took over for Jensen.
March 21st, 2024 at 9:26 pm
Lambchop,
Hainseys first action was at guard. Like many back ups, the Bucs were planning to Cross train Hainsey at both Guard spots- and see if he can play center.
When Logan Hall destroyed Jensens knee( and career), it went from “ can he” ,
To “ he has to”.
He was meant to be depth, and thats where he needs to be.
Time to get our starting Center on board, and let Hainsey back up all the interior line guys. All this experience makes Hainsey more Valuable.
But still not a Starter.
March 21st, 2024 at 9:27 pm
Obvious,
Thank you sir.
March 21st, 2024 at 9:32 pm
If we do successfully upgrade at center this year Hainsey will win the LG spot or at worst be a great backup offensive lineman for several years to come. Win-win situation to me.
March 21st, 2024 at 10:51 pm
Need to put a 3rd with our first and move up for Powers….sorry, i know some dont like it but we have a short window still….and i see Baker getting chased a lot again if we don’t get a great talent. Powers is probably going 20.
March 22nd, 2024 at 12:21 am
No, move Hainsey back to guard, I think he’s a better fit there – although all the nonsense about him being bad as a center is just stupid. He’s a good pass blocking center, you know, because this team was literally built as a passing offense – so here’s an idea, use your players in a way that takes advantage of their skills.
At guard, I think he’ll be improved and will be a solid starter.
In any case, having a guy that can start at any position on the line is really valuable, so hopefully Hainsey is here for a long time.
March 22nd, 2024 at 1:34 am
Today’s a good day for an Ira Poscast
March 22nd, 2024 at 1:34 am
Podcast. Eager to hear FA takes
March 22nd, 2024 at 4:01 am
TBBF … ‘Time to bolster the offense. We have spent 5 of our last 7 top picks on defense…….Kancey, Hall JTS Vea & White’.
True enough TBBF, BUT … only Vea & Kancey are bonafide starters, and they (like most DLinemen) are ‘situational’). Hall & JTS are rotational players who seem to disappear for games on end periodically. White of course is now gone, and both Vea & Kancey seem to be ‘situational players’ who’ll probably average around 60% field time (give or take depending on who we’re playing). Vea got 54% def snaps last year, and Kancey got 51%.
Todd Bowles top priority will always be ‘stop the run first’ (he’s shown that over many years now). Gap control & containment seem to be critical to that goal. Some players seem to be able to do that AND pass rush (Vea, Suh, JPP among others), but players like Hall & JTS don’t seem to have that magic elixir yet. Neither Gholston nor RNR ever really had it either, and Gaines seems to follow in that mold.
I’m actually surprised that the Bucs have been able to consistently get 45-48 sacks per year over recent years, given the emphasis that Bowles places on stopping the run. Averaging 3 sacks per game is no small feat. Personally though I feel that much of our DLine (and OLBs) needs better talent if we expect to compete with the big boys in the playoffs.
March 22nd, 2024 at 11:21 am
To anyone who says that Hainsey was drafted to be a backup you are clueless. The guy was picked in the 3rd round. If you draft a player who isnt a starter in the 3rd you’ve failed at the pick. Last year the 3rd round pick was Ya Ya Diaby, the year before it was Rashaad White. Hell, Ronde Barber was a 3rd round pick.
March 22nd, 2024 at 1:47 pm
Hainsey is a great 6th man on the line. Probably better as a G than C in terms of strength, definitely smart enough to call blocking schemes. And yeah, a RB in the draft would be great, Allen from Wisconsin or Estime from Notre Dame would add a little goal line power. (My preference anyway)
March 22nd, 2024 at 7:24 pm
Hainsey isnt a great anything. He might be ok as a backup-but I doubt it.
Rod munch
Hainsey was ranked 34 out of 32 starting centers. His grade was a 5.2.
Average is a 6.
Hes terrible