Potential Buccaneers option is off the table before season
By Rob Leeds
The Buccaneers were a team that could’ve gone either way with their center position. J.C. Tretter retiring took that choice away.
The loss of Ryan Jensen was a huge blow to the Buccaneers during the preseason. Any team that loses one of its best players and one of the best players in the league at their position is going to hurt.
The Bucs had a few choices when approaching how to handle that major loss.
First, the Bucs could let it ride with what they had on their roster. They drafted Robert Hainsey just a year ago, and it is about time that the team lets the guys from that draft class get their shot.
The staff loves Hainsey, and it made sense that they would want to get him as many reps as possible to see where he is at after a year.
The other move for the Buccaneers would’ve been to sign a veteran free agent. J.C. Tretter’s name came up a lot.
A veteran would’ve given Tampa an added level of protection that a rookie isn’t guaranteed to provide. The Bucs still have some cap space and have shown a willingness to go after the proven options if it means giving Tom Brady the best-possible roster.
Again, J.C. Tretter retiring takes that choice away, but that isn’t only a bad thing.
The Buccaneers should be willing to put some trust in the guys that they spend priority picks on. Hainsey has played well in the preseason and in camp, and it there isn’t a need right now for a guy that would be more expensive and isn’t guaranteed to be that much better.
There is going to be a very different offensive line in Tampa this season. There will be growing pains, but the end result should still be the same.
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