Center Upgrade?
March 23rd, 2024
Roster security.
So if you are Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht, what would you draft first at No. 26?
Jenna Laine of ESPN believes center may be a high priority. In list of Bucs needs, she has center as the Bucs’ second-biggest.
Center
… Robert Hainsey doesn’t have the natural lower body strength or body composition to be a dominant center in the league. Sure, the pass protection here is less of an issue than when Tom Brady was quarterback because the Bucs aren’t really a ‘drop-back and throw deep’ team anymore, but from a run blocking standpoint, Hainsey produced a win rate of 59.6% — 45th in the league among centers last year. Bredeson’s run blocking win rate was actually worse at 56.3%. It’s considered a stronger year for interior offensive linemen in this draft.
Most readers know Joe honestly isn’t sure what to make of Hainsey. Joe hasn’t found anyone at or around One Palace to confess the Bucs need to move on from Hainsey — on or off the record.
Interesting Laine brought up Hainsey’s lower body. Joe was told the exact same thing by a prominent NFL analyst who once played in the trenches in the NFL. But this was back when Hainsey was a rookie.
Joe has seen Hainsey open up enough holes in the run game that if Rachaad White could read the asses of his blockers people wouldn’t be savaging Hainsey like they do.
With Bucs dropback, only Tristan Wirfs allowed a lower percentage of pressures than Hainsey.
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:04 am
Edge 1st. Center later or FA.
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:12 am
I’ve come to learn that we will draft who we draft…..no matter what the mocks are….no matter what the articles suggesting players are….no matter what our opinions are.
Rarely do we end up with a consensus player……Kancey? Hall? JTS?…….not on the radar.
We could draft a WR, C, G, Edge, CB, TE
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:20 am
If JL drafts a C/G, and he probably will, make it a Ryan Jensen clone type of dude.
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:27 am
switch wirfs to center…
vita at LG…
draft a LT…
leave goedeke where he is…
put mauch on roids
now that’s a plan
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:28 am
Definitely need a center and a dominant LG. Bucs O line was rated in the bottom 5. Both Hainsey and Mauch need to go. Hainsey is not a natural center and Mauch isn’t much more than a backup on his best days. He should have never been put in the position to start. I can think of two guys I went to high school with that were much better in college than Mauch is now.
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:29 am
the usual morning shenannies…
but when you read it twice, you say:
“wait, that could work”………………….lol
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:31 am
Would love to draft Jackson Powers Johnson in the first but I don’t believe he will ever get past Pittsburgh.
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:32 am
Hainsey’s overall PFF grade in 2023 was low at 52.8…
He also was 2nd in the league among Centers with 9 penalties
If the Bucs are serious about contending in 2024, the MUST find upgrades at LG and Center!
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:33 am
Lt. Dan Says:
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:20 am
If JL drafts a C/G, and he probably will, make it a Ryan Jensen clone type of dude.
Agree – and if that player has red hair – and maybe missing teeth – Licht will be all over it. Loves those 🔥 gingers! Licht said that the O line will look different so grab us the biggest strongest nastiest mean MF you can find Jason.
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:34 am
Tristan Wirfs is dominant at tackle. Robert Hainsey is serviceable at Center. From everything we hear, his more natural position is Guard. So let him fight for a Guard starting position and draft a beastly starting Center. There appear to be a couple available this year, but we’d better be willing to spend our Rnd 1 pick to get one.
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:41 am
@Pickgrin:
ummm……thanks for the public service announcement
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:43 am
Yes! He’s not powerful enough. I remember watching him struggling to squat just 275 on the pat mcafee show. It was then I knew he wasn’t naturally powerful. The Bucs must draft a top IOL. I like one of the following: Powers Johnson , Frazier, Beebe, Zinter, or Van Pran please.
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:46 am
D.R.
So the Bucs have a couple 3rd rounders I think right around 90…would you toss one of those into the pot to sweeten the deal if the Bucs need to move up a couple of spots.
I pretty much go with Licht. He has not mismanaged the draft IMHO. He obviously has made mistakes as do ALL GM’s but I believe his overall talent assessment, maybe Spytek or somebody I do not know deserves kudos here, along with the game day poker playing of the draft are very good.
I feel like this team (barring injuries always the caveat) is poised already to reach the playoffs. But if the Bucs wish to not be one and done and move up the ladder they need a beast at Center as well as RB.
I agree with the concern over edge rusher but I believe the true concern is over QB pressures and getting QB’s uncomfortable along with the sacks and those can come from a variety of positions. I concede that Edge rushers usually comprise the majority of these on many teams but YaYa might be enough if some other guys step up and if the talented safety duo are used creatively by Bowles in some blitz packages.
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:46 am
putting hainsey next to wirfs is not a bad idea…
they are pretty tight too…
good communication already…
and with bredeson and opeta it should be ok if someone stumbles…
draft a big dog center round 1 or 2….or edge…either or…depending who’s there and who you like
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:49 am
We need some freaking maulers dude
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:50 am
Not sure a rookie center is the best answer but I trust JL will not put Bake at risk
Maybe find an upgrade in a trade?
Good guards can help make a center better
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:50 am
Yep!
If ANYTHING Hainsey has secured his roster spot for years to come. Just not at starting center.
Love the guy!
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:59 am
Joe I do agree with the holes Hainsey opened up last season and White just didn’t see them. I watched every game last year. The other thing is, I would like to see where the Bucs stand with the percentage of sacks given up in the NFL last season. I saw where several sacks were on Mayfield holding the ball to long So I would much like to see that percentages
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:59 am
I came back just to see if there were any comments on AppleTV’s Dynasty. If you haven’t seen it check out the last three episodes to see all the crap Brady had to put up with playing for Belichick. All you Brady haters living in your mobile homes probably can’t afford the app. I did read many of Joe’s posts, the one that sticks out was the one about the Brady effect. I would like to give you some facts:
1. The reason the team did not have a WINNING season was because Bowels gave the final Atlanta game away!!! Not to mention GB, Ravens, Browns & Pittsburgh oblivious coaching choices.
2. Confirmed m, Blows changed the offensive strategy from RISK IT NO BISCUIT to watch paint dry offense.
3. Brady threw 733 times because the run game failed to get just one yard on MANY 3rd & 4th and 1 situations.
4. Oline, run game, wr separation if not the bottom close to the bottom of the league.
5. R. White saved Bakers arse.
6. Brady brought Gronk, Lenny & say what you want about him AB to win Tampa the SB.
7. The multi-million dollars he brought to the city.
8. Like Belichick, Blows didn’t like Brady had more power than him so he tried to neuter him.
Whether the Brady effect loves on, who knows but it was real when BA ran the ship, because a offensive minded coach understands the value of the ELITE Qb’s input. At anytime BA could have grabbed Baker!!!
You haters are ingrates!!!
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:59 am
Yeah hainsey………if that’s true he really couldn’t squat 275 on mcafee that’s kinda crazy
March 23rd, 2024 at 8:59 am
A QB first, then best player available thereafter.
March 23rd, 2024 at 9:03 am
drop hainsey down to 265 and cross-train him at edge 🙂
#WeNeedHelp
March 23rd, 2024 at 9:11 am
If the C from Oregon is there at 26 that would be a tough guy to pass on. Think he’s gonna be real good.
March 23rd, 2024 at 9:18 am
What Jenna isn’t saying is we need big butts at center and some other O line
positions. Remember the Hogs who opened up holes for John Riggins. One of my favorite players, pre Mike Alstott, alias mark Alstott.
March 23rd, 2024 at 9:21 am
I think Licht will find a very good center in the 3rd or 4th round. He has an eye for finding O-line talent later in the draft.
March 23rd, 2024 at 9:23 am
The center from Oregon is going top 20, and if the Bucs trade up it needs to be for an edge rusher.
March 23rd, 2024 at 9:27 am
Wow, so refreshing! This is the 8th consecutive article NOT about Mayfield! Joe, you OK?
March 23rd, 2024 at 9:34 am
Mauch will play better this season, he just needs to put on some weight n hit the weight room. He has a streak of Ryan Jensen in him. Remember when folks doubted Alex Cappa. Be nice if we could get Cappa back. Our main need is a DE, n not ur passive n soft JTS or Logan Hall type players. Laiatu Latu, Chop Robinson, Jared Verse, or Branden Frisk are the type of players whom I believe can come in and make an immediate impact.
March 23rd, 2024 at 9:45 am
Struggling to squat 275???
Seriously?
I would think every player on the team should be able to do this with relative ease. Not saying I can today…..but easily when I was in my 20’s
March 23rd, 2024 at 9:46 am
I know Joe hates mock drafts, but Chad Reuter’s current 4 round mock for the Bucs made me smile.
March 23rd, 2024 at 9:51 am
Hainsey is weight room strong, not naturally big and strong like Big Red.
C needs a serious upgrade in Round 1 or 2. As does LG.
March 23rd, 2024 at 9:55 am
If you are going to run the ball you need bulldovers that can make holes and get to the second level. RJ was supposed to be our guy at center, but that never happened long term. We need a top tier starting caliber center here. Hainsey did a good job given his talents and the situation. He is a good lineman that still needs time and developing.
March 23rd, 2024 at 9:57 am
This is one of Joe’s false equivalencies every time he talks about Hainsey.
It really is a simple thing.
Both things can be true.
1. White misses’ holes.
2. Hainsey is a well below average run blocking center.
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:07 am
45th best run blocking center in a league with 32 teams.
Joe, no offense, but you are the most willfully ignorant person when it comes to scouting players.
Hainsey is a valuable player, but not as a starter at Guard or Center. He’s a very valuable interior swing backup.
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:16 am
If center Powers-Johnson at 6’3″ 325 is still available, he has to be #1 pick. Paul Brown believed in building up the middle. Good baseball teams are also built up the middle— catcher, SS, 2nd base, C field.
If Powers-Johnson not available, the EDGE from UCLA Latu is the way to go. There will be a decent center available in second round. This class is deepest in OG talent so should be able to find some plug and play in rounds 3 and 4.
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:17 am
If powers-johnson or Barton are there, it’s a no brainer
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:28 am
StPete … I guess I’m old school in that I don’t like giving away valuable picks to move up, unless MAYBE it’s for a QB. I see the Top-3 round picks as being either starters or key rotational players right from the git-go on the Bucs (we rarely have the luxury of selecting depth/development players that high up). Hard to build through the draft if you package picks to move up. Give a pick away & you’re POTENTIALLY losing a key player.
This year I see us with 4 key NEEDS: (1) Center; (2) DE/OLB; (3) ILB; (4) RB. And we can get all of those in the Top-3 Rnds (HOPEFULLY). My next priority would be TE if a good one’s available when we pick in Rnd 4. After that, go for depth. If we don’t plug those holes though, we won’t be firing on all 11 cylinders on offense or defense.
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:30 am
For those wanting to trade up in the 1st using one of their 3rd round picks, just know that you can probably get a pretty decent starting RG there.
Hold on to the picks to fill holes and add depth
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:30 am
We’re getting a center, I have no doubt. Maybe not in round 1, but certainly by the end of day 2. A starting guard and a center, or both. Of course, we have other needs, so we may not be able to fill both open IOL spots.
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:37 am
Yessir!
Agree 100%
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:39 am
Best player available.
Might be Brian Thomas from LSU. Might be Kool Aid from Alabama.
First round is about best player available and raw athleticism.
There’s options for Center competition later in the draft, should not be round one.
Jadaveon Clowney is still out there as an edge rusher too. Reddick isn’t going to get traded until after June 1st.
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:48 am
D.R. and Mountain,
I agree. I’m generally not a fan of ever trading up, I’m more of a Bobby Beathard fan who always tried to move down for MORE pics to offset the high % of failures all NFL GM’s have over the years. Beathard may have the record for trading out of the first round.
I think that draft that D.R. posted from NFL.com would crush it for the Bucs.
March 23rd, 2024 at 10:50 am
Get a new center and move Hainsey to RB. 😉
March 23rd, 2024 at 11:00 am
OH NO!!
Joe has seen Hainsey open up holes in the Running Game!!!
Well, we know which Joe is manning the site today.
Have you also see
1) Bigfoot. 2) a ufo 3) a mermaid 4) a unicorn
Because i guarantee, you saw a Bigfoot flying a ufo- in hot pursuit of a unicorn riding Mermaid, before you saw Hainsey open up in running lanes!!
The only lanes Hainsey has opened up, has been express lanes to the QB, for every defensive tackle that lined up across from him.
I try not to be be cruel. ESPECIALLY on a Sunday morning. But youve forced my hand.
HAINSEY SUCKS. HE WAS THE WORST RANKED STARTING CENTER IN THE NFL!
ACTUALLY, HE WAS RANKED 34TH. TWO BACKUPS RANKED HIGHER. AND WHOEVER GAVE HAINSEY THAT RANKING MUST BE CLOSE FAMILY, BECAUSE HE WASNT ANYWHERE CLOSE TO THAT GOOD!!
I hope you’re happy. I was trying to avoid that.
The only good thing I can say about Hainsey, is THAT HE ONLY SUCKED AS BAD AS STENNIE, WHO WAS THE MOST PATHETIC GUARD WHO PLAYED A SNAP LAST YEAR.
These arent my opinions., although I was the first person who started screaming about how horrible those two were. Now, everyone has ranked those two as the worst in the league. Everyone( almost everyone, right Joe) knows that they were hugely responsible for our worst in the league running attack. Our horrible 2.3 second pocket time.
Hell, I blame’em for the Hindenberg and the Titanic. No unit should have two such horrible players next to each other!!
Right JTS and Logan Hall?
Its incredible the Bucs did as well as they did last year. It really is.
And even though Hainsey and Stennie were absolutely horrible, they are only two guys. Replace them, and our offense is gonna make a huge upswing.
And Joe(B), even though you hallucinate. And and wanna waste a pick on a Qb in the first round. And was deeply concerned that wirfs would forget which hand to stick on the ground,
We still love ya and appreciate all the Hard work you do.
Besides, whats wrong with a lil hallucination once in awhile. Me and my giant invisible rabbit friend think its ok!!
March 23rd, 2024 at 11:13 am
Then others sitting up in the press box are seeing mirages too.
Be very careful if you are suggesting Joe is lying.
March 23rd, 2024 at 11:17 am
Just remember if you are using that service as your guide, it has Baker Mayfield as 19th out of 38 QBs ranked for the season last year.
Where are you quoting this from. It seems like an actual misuse of the time to throw time for quarterbacks. That really measures a good stat on quarterbacks and how quickly they tend to throw the ball when they drop back to pass. If it is the time to throw metric, it is a positive metric on Baker and not a negative metric on the offensive line. But you may explain it to me further, if I have it wrong.
Peace on a Saturday!
March 23rd, 2024 at 11:18 am
Nope. When there is green space and a wide open lane to run through and Rachaad White instead runs right into the back of Cody Mauch, that ain’t on the offensive line.
But Joe knows NFL fans LOVE to bitch about their teams offensive line… just because.
March 23rd, 2024 at 11:23 am
Joe,
Two things can be true.
1. White misses’ holes.
2. Hainsey is a well below average run blocking center.
But really, then three things can be true.
1. White misses’ holes.
2. Hainsey is a well below average run blocking center.
and
3. A sports journalist uses only the fact that White misses’ holes to imply that Hainsey is good.
Number 3 is the false equivalency.
Here is another false equivalency.
1. You are a much better writer than I am and have people come to your site.
2. Since you have a lot of people come to your site and I have no one come to any Bucs football site, your logical take on a situation is stronger than mine.
False equivalency.
March 23rd, 2024 at 11:25 am
I’ll give you $10 if anyone besides you reads that entire post Tim.
RIDICULOUS.
What are you 12?
March 23rd, 2024 at 11:32 am
Hainsey isn’t terrible, but that’s about it.
March 23rd, 2024 at 11:57 am
Good morning, fellow fans. Coffee is hot over here in central time. Anyway, joe, I recall one article where you kinda lost you s71t, with journalistic integrity of course, when Hainsey opened a hole (your words) and raschad slammed into him. Alright, there is one. I remember watching the highlights and laughing as I was imagining Joe throwing his beer in the booth. But again, that was one out of how many attempts through the whole season?
I saw Hainsey lose much more than he won. It a center gets rag dolled once a year I guess I’m ok with that, but it was time and time again joe.
Hainsey seems like a good guy. But he isn’t a starting center in the NFL. Or shouldnt and hopefully JL will fix this issue that has plagued our online since Brady’s last year. The experiment is over and the results are in..
March 23rd, 2024 at 12:36 pm
JOE it was the same with Donny as it’s now with hainsey. People are just throwing 💩 hoping it sticks. Is hainsey Ryan Jensen hell no but he does his job and he’s durable. I’d the Bucs have a chance to get a star at C absolutely do it but don’t reach and fill some other holes also just pick the best player available doesn’t matter what position if you just draft for need with high picks that’s when you get in trouble.
March 23rd, 2024 at 12:51 pm
BillyBronco
Im 11, now F off
Joe,
You know thats not true about me. No one has been a more Staunch supporter of Donald Penn and Donovan Smith.
And I was a huge supporter of our line, when it consisted of
D.Smith, Marpet,Jensen,Cappa, and Wirfs. Constantly pointed out how fortunate we were to have such an outstanding unit.
But stennie,Hainsey, and Mauch were horrible.
Im really Lucky. I dontneed to base my opinions on what others say.
I can watch the oline play, and know if they suck or not.
And our interior line Sucked. Its gotta get fixed
March 23rd, 2024 at 1:30 pm
Is it just me, or is it ironic- that a guys who’s post name is
“BillyBronco”
Ask me if Im 12?
Was it a toss up between “billybronco”, and “willyAstronaut”?
March 23rd, 2024 at 3:14 pm
If that top center Jackson-Powers is still available, you must take him.
March 23rd, 2024 at 3:20 pm
For the life of me, I can’t figure out why Joe doesn’t know what to make of him. Did you watch the games last year? The interior of the line was blown up every other run play at the handoff. That starts with a center. Upgrade the center the guards get better. It wasn’t much better with pass protection, but Baker is more mobile
March 23rd, 2024 at 3:40 pm
Are you serious?
Let it go Joe. We are all wrong sometimes.
I was right about Goedeke being a huge risk at LG during Brady’s last season.
I was wrong about Goedeke succeeding at RT.
I was right about switching Mark Barron from SS to LB.
I was wrong about Cappa becoming a great RG.
I was right about wanting to draft the Honey Badger in round 2.
You were wrong about drafting Johnny Manziel.
You were right about drafting Lavonte David.
You were wrong about drafting Morris Claiborne.
You were wrong about firing Bowles.
And you are wrong for continuing to defend Hainsey.
You see the run block rate.
He never wins at the line of scrimmage.
2 years in a row. He never played center in high school or in college.
Benenocht was a failed project. Hainsey is a failed project.
Marpet, Cappa, and Wirfs were amazing picks.
Aguayo failed. Matt Gay has succeeded.
It’s life.
But stop defending Hainsey. It’s okay to be wrong.
March 23rd, 2024 at 3:45 pm
A Beest center sounds good. Hard to go wrong.
March 23rd, 2024 at 6:06 pm
The glaring hole at edge is probably more glaring than the hole at the interior of our OLine but man if we can get a sure thing at center in the draft with our first pick I wouldn’t be mad. I would rather replace JTS than let him fail up, and I think we can get Robert some help on the line on day 2 or 3 and he can be serviceable with our evasive and elusive QB.
March 24th, 2024 at 12:04 am
Our first is so late it feels like a second, so we will almost certainly trade up.
And the t needs to be Center.
Pass rush? Yeah, I get it…but Center is more important for QB protection and run game.
March 24th, 2024 at 1:44 am
Colonel Tim – I read your above posts in their entirety, you can collect your $10 from Billy Buckoff
March 24th, 2024 at 2:54 pm
Using stats to lie is a Joe thing to do…making Hainsey seem good, somehow by this chart that does indeed show he had the 2nd lowest percentage of pressures on the Buc line to the immaculate Tristan Wirfs is, I suppose, undeniable.
What is deniable, however, is how that doesn’t reflect Hainsey is good. See, Wirfs 12% was the best rate of all LTs. Hainsey being 2nd on the Bucs must then be among the best at C, right?
Well, if having the 23rd of 32 best rate means good, then absolutely. Truth is only 9 of 32 allowed a higher rate. Hainsey is just shy of a turnstile at C in pass blocking.
March 24th, 2024 at 6:27 pm
Graham Barton
March 24th, 2024 at 9:09 pm
Most teams don’t have to spend top 50 picks on their entire starting OL. Need to be able to develop players and OC needs to be able to play to their strengths.