Bucs’ New Center Building Chemistry With O-Line, QB

The chemistry the Bucs’ O-line is building together has played an important part to Hainsey’s personal success. With everyone playing next to someone they’ve never played with before, accelerating that process and building that trust is paramount to continued success and improvement.

“We’re definitely improving every week,” Hainsey said. “I think it’s a lot of fun getting out there with those guys every week. Just improving together, learning together. Everyone was next to someone new and it was mine and Luke’s [Goedeke] first time really playing. Going from where we started to where we are, I think we’re growing every week and just continuing to improve.”

One of those new players next to Hainsey is right guard Shaq Mason. Acquired in a trade early in the offseason, Mason provides a veteran presence along the interior and someone Hainsey has leaned on. More importantly, six weeks into the Bucs’ season, they are starting to understand each other’s tendencies and communicate non-verbally to know what each other is going to do on any given play.

“It’s awesome,” Hainsey said. “Shaq’s a great dude. He’s been a great addition to our room and he’s been a lot of fun to play next to. I know we all trust each other very well, and I know he’s always doing his job and he trusts me too. We’re getting those subtle communications down and things are growing where we don’t really have to say as much and we know what each other is thinking so that’s cool.”

Bucs QB Brady, Hainsey Getting On The Same Page

While Hainsey has been developing chemistry with his fellow linemates, he’s also been establishing a relationship between he and quarterback and Tom Brady.

“It’s been really fun, he’s a great guy to learn from and he’s just a great guy to be around,” Hainsey said. “He’s a lot of fun and we get along really well. Just being able to have the resource to learn from is a lot of fun.

“I try to be a student of the game, so being able to understand the why he likes what he likes, why he dislikes what he dislikes, and wants to do the things he wants to do. It’s a lot of fun for me to learn. There’s so much to learn in football. No one can ever know it all, but I take a lot of pride and joy in learning each week  and preparing. I take a lot of pride in my preparation so by the time we get out there Sunday I know what’s going on.”

For Hainsey, it’s been a process learning Brady’s likes and dislikes and the way he sees the game. Early in the Bucs’ season, it’s been paying off for the young center as he is starting to understand what Brady might change on a given pre-read snap.

“He knows so much, so when he’s out there, I know whenever he changes something if he likes something,” Hainsey said. “I take a lot of pride in my preparation, so i feel like I see what he wants too. If we get out and see a look, a lot of times I know before he changes it that he might change it. We bounce off each other, talk about what we like and dislike, so it’s been a cool process working with him.”

The communication is steady between the 23-year veteran and the first-year starter. They talk every day about certain looks they might get and how to call them so they remain on the same page. The pair share a mutual relationship and work together to understand what each other is seeing on certain play.

“Throughout the week, we talk about certain looks,” Hainsey explained. “Most of it’s in the run game and then pass protection. Talking about what he likes, how we coach it, and then we adjust if we need to. [We] kind of explain to each other what we see and what we’re thinking and work through it. So it’s a cool mutual relationship.”

As the season rolls on, he’s starting to get a better view of the field the way Brady sees it. Getting synched up with his quarterback will only help the offensive line. Being able to understand what Brady is seeing and relaying it to his Bucs teammates faster can sometimes be the difference between a pass getting off and allowing a sack.

“Certain looks for certain plays,” Hainsey said. “He may see it different than I see it and we can talk through it and I understand what he means he understands what I mean. Just in general, seeing the way he views the defense, I’m learning how that is so when I see it I know what he’s thinking.”

For his part, Brady has been really proud of how his young center has stepped up. The trajectory is only pointing up for Hainsey, and the effort and commitment he’s put into being the best player he can be hasn’t gone unnoticed by the G.O.A.T.

“He’s doing a great job,” Brady said. “I love him being in there, and he’s really stepped into a tough position to play. I’m proud of him for his effort and his commitment. It means a lot to him; I think everyone feels that from him, how much he cares about what he’s doing.

“That’s important when you’re with a group of guys that are … we all put a lot into it. You want to see young players, especially guys like that, that really accept the responsibility that comes with being a starter at that really important position on the team, like center. [I’m] just really proud of what he’s accomplished thus far.”

As the season continues to play out, the relationship and chemistry Hainsey develops with his fellow linemen and Brady will only help contribute to the Bucs’ success. Through the first five weeks, Hainsey’s improvement has been noticeable and if he stays on this current trajectory, it looks Tampa Bay may have found a real a gem of a center.