Back in college, a Texas friend told me how nice Emmitt Smith was, because he gave nice gifts to his offensive lineman after each season. The following two things can be true: (1) Smith is a nice guy, and (2) he understood how important his linemen were to his success.
So when Bucs center Ryan Jensen was carted off in practice yesterday, it might have been the biggest fantasy news of the week. More impotrant than Geno Smith getting first-team reps. More important than Rhamondre Stevenson (maybe?) pushing ahead of Damien harris on the depth chart (for now?). More important than the not-all-that-surprising fantasy anxiety surrounding the Raiders' jumbled backfield.
While it could be a few days before we know whether Jensen's out for the preseason or much more, Tampa Bay reportedly is bracing for the worst: losing their o-line lynchpin for the season. Coupled with Ali Marpet's retirement at only 28 years old, the Bucs could be facing a meaningful downgrade in an area they can't afford to downgrade. Let's face it: they nearly beat the Rams and reached the Super Bowl despite losing some of their heaviest hitters. They're doing everything possible to amass an almost injury-proof juggernaut.
But "good" offensive linemen don't grow on trees. (And if they did, it would have to be redwoods, which are on the opposite side of the country from Tampa Bay. But I digress.)
Here's the stat to focus on: Tom Brady's sack rate with the Bucs these last two years has been the 2nd and 3rd lowest of his career. He led the league in pass attempts last year and dominated the fantasy landscape for much of the season because (a) he's great, (b) his receivers were/are great, and (c) he was well-protected. Consider how a season-ending Jensen injury might impact this team's game plan heading into Brady's age-45 campaign. He's one of the league's least-mobile QBs. Smart/savvy? Absolutely. Quick to get the ball out? Of course. But an uptick in defensive pressure, I believe, will force the Bucs' hand.
I don't want to overreact to the news. Losing a starting center matters, and it also doesn't mean we dramatically downgrade Brady and his receivers. However, we should consider how a Jensen season-ender would create more unpredictability in an otherwise dominant passing attack. And that alone is worth weighing when drafting Brady, Mike Evans, etc.
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So when Bucs center Ryan Jensen was carted off in practice yesterday, it might have been the biggest fantasy news of the week. More impotrant than Geno Smith getting first-team reps. More important than Rhamondre Stevenson (maybe?) pushing ahead of Damien harris on the depth chart (for now?). More important than the not-all-that-surprising fantasy anxiety surrounding the Raiders' jumbled backfield.
While it could be a few days before we know whether Jensen's out for the preseason or much more, Tampa Bay reportedly is bracing for the worst: losing their o-line lynchpin for the season. Coupled with Ali Marpet's retirement at only 28 years old, the Bucs could be facing a meaningful downgrade in an area they can't afford to downgrade. Let's face it: they nearly beat the Rams and reached the Super Bowl despite losing some of their heaviest hitters. They're doing everything possible to amass an almost injury-proof juggernaut.
But "good" offensive linemen don't grow on trees. (And if they did, it would have to be redwoods, which are on the opposite side of the country from Tampa Bay. But I digress.)
Here's the stat to focus on: Tom Brady's sack rate with the Bucs these last two years has been the 2nd and 3rd lowest of his career. He led the league in pass attempts last year and dominated the fantasy landscape for much of the season because (a) he's great, (b) his receivers were/are great, and (c) he was well-protected. Consider how a season-ending Jensen injury might impact this team's game plan heading into Brady's age-45 campaign. He's one of the league's least-mobile QBs. Smart/savvy? Absolutely. Quick to get the ball out? Of course. But an uptick in defensive pressure, I believe, will force the Bucs' hand.
I don't want to overreact to the news. Losing a starting center matters, and it also doesn't mean we dramatically downgrade Brady and his receivers. However, we should consider how a Jensen season-ender would create more unpredictability in an otherwise dominant passing attack. And that alone is worth weighing when drafting Brady, Mike Evans, etc.
---
Sign up for my 2022 Fantasy Draft Rankings ("PFN Pass") or 1:1 Advisory Services ("Touchdown Pass"):
https://pass.profootballnetwork.com/