Welcome again to a different version of Grinding the Tape.” This week we will probably be having a look at 2/3 of the Bucs’ left guard battle. Headed into coaching camp it seems that the Bucs will probably be taking a look at three gamers to battle for the beginning spot. Rookie Luke Goedeke, veteran Aaron Stinnie, in addition to Robert Hainsey. Goedeke’s sport was damaged down intimately shortly after he was drafted by Jon Ledyard.
Aaron Stinnie vs. Robert Hainsey
So as we speak we are going to take a look at the opposite two gamers vying for the fifth offensive line starter position. Earlier than we get into the tape let’s take a look at how every participant got here to be on this battle. Stinnie entered the NFL in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. There was some hypothesis he may get chosen as there have been a number of shops that had a Day 3 grade on him, however that by no means got here to fruition.
He spent 2018 and 2019 bouncing between Tennessee’s roster and apply squad. The Bucs ultimately claimed Stinnie off waivers from Tennessee in November 2019, the place he has remained as a reserve. Within the final two seasons, Stinnie has appeared in 12 video games, logging 91 snaps. He additionally performed important snaps in three of the Bucs’ 4 playoff video games in 2020 main as much as their Tremendous Bowl victory instead of the injured Alex Cappa.
As for Hainsey, he was drafted within the third spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft. Hainsey, who performed proper sort out at Notre Dame, transitioned to heart as a rookie with the Bucs.
As we dive into the tape on every of those gamers, please be aware there’s very restricted NFL tape on every participant. Final season Stinnie and Hainsey mixed to play 122 offensive snaps. That’s the equal of about two video games. Now that doesn’t imply we will’t be taught something from watching their tape. However you will need to remember these are small pattern sizes. Due to this fact, reasonably than saying “that is who this participant is” it’s in all probability greatest to say, “that is one thing to search for.”
Aaron Stinnie
Most conversations surrounding the Bucs’ left guard place battle begin with some type of “Aaron Stinnie has the expertise.” I simply don’t get this argument for 2 causes.
First, expertise isn’t a ability set. Numerous gamers have expertise. That doesn’t imply they’re any good. Simply final 12 months the Carolina Panthers signed offensive lineman Pat Elflein, who had expertise. Elflein was not an excellent offensive lineman earlier than the signing, and he continued to not be good after being signed. That’s to not say Stinnie isn’t good. Simply that his expertise shouldn’t be a purpose in and of itself to say he’s.
The second is that Stinnie doesn’t have that a lot expertise. At the very least to not the diploma that ought to give himself a major leg up on the competitors. With all of that stated let’s truly take a look at Stinnie’s tape to see what he does deliver to the competitors.
Anchor
I determine it’s best to chop to the chase. Most Bucs followers are involved with how properly the Bucs line goes to carry up in defending quarterback Tom Brady. Over his restricted taking part in time during the last two seasons Stinnie has produced favorable go blocking grades per PFF (84.4 in 2020 and 69.4 in 2021). Nonetheless, in watching Stinnie, I’ve my issues how properly he’ll maintain up over the course of a full season towards extra highly effective inside rushers. This concern is especially because of Stinnie’s smaller body stopping him from actually having an sufficient anchor. You possibly can see it within the following two clips.
Right here you may have Stinnie taking part in left guard towards the Giants. Because the ball is snapped, Leonard Williams is ready to drive Stinnie backwards simply. That is although Stinnie is ready to get good leverage in Williams’ chest. Williams is ready to actually bodily dominate the early a part of the rep. Now with that stated you may see one of many largest property in Stinnie’s sport. His capacity to get better mid-rep was famous as part of his draft profile out of James Madison and continues to point out up 4 years later. The person doesn’t stop.
One other rep towards Williams and the Giants. Once more, you may see Williams places Stinnie on skates. It doesn’t have an effect on the play as a result of it was a fast out to the flat. Stinnie is technically sound, however simply doesn’t have the decrease physique energy to stone defensive linemen persistently.
However watch as Stinnie’s lack of anchor turns into a problem on a play that wants extra time to develop. He will get run backwards and his man finally ends up affecting Brady and contributing to the sack.
Approach
I discussed it on the final clip, however one factor that basically shines by with Stinnie is how technically sound he’s on a rep-to-rep foundation. Check out how properly he executes this attain block towards Miami.
Watch as Stinnie will get an ideal push with prolonged arms after which follows it by driving his shoulder by and climbing vertically. Superior rep.
On The Transfer
Within the time Stinnie was on the sector the Bucs appeared to extend their use of motion alongside the offensive line within the run sport. Whether or not it’s exterior zone runs or traps/pulls that they had Stinnie transferring a very good bit. And it is smart why. He has fast ft that permit him to work properly on the transfer. And whereas he does transfer properly there are nonetheless some alternatives in his sport.
Watch as Stinnie fires out of his stance and picks up his man on the pull. This might have been an ideal rep aside from his lack of follow-through on the block. Stinnie isn’t capable of maintain the block and the defender is ready to shed him and contribute to the sort out. You can too see the place he his motion talents go away one thing to be desired when he will get out on screens. Case-in-point.
On this display screen go Stinnie must get to the nickel defender. He isn’t capable of get to him, and as such the play is blown up for a minimal achieve. Whereas Stinnie has nice footwork, he doesn’t have the pace or agility to be a plus on performs like this.
Robert Hainsey
Hainsey’s taking part in time in 2021 was even lower than Stinnie’s, logging simply 31 snaps for the season. Due to this fact, I solely have two clips to share with you. In watching his restricted reps, I got here away fairly impressed with the second-year participant. He performed with a strong anchor and good type. It confirmed in his PFF grade as properly, as he earned a 78.2 go block grade and 65.7 grade general.
Going again to the play the place Stinnie gave up a part of the sack, focus your consideration now on the middle. Hainsey will get a little bit of assist from Alex Cappa, however general Hainsey retains his anchor and partitions off Dexter Lawrence. A number of offensive linemen misplaced on this play, however Hainsey was not considered one of them.
Keep in mind that Dolphins clip the place Stinnie efficiently executes his attain block? Once more, shift your eyes to the middle. Hainsey is simply as profitable in firing off the road, gaining leverage and tilting his physique to wall off his defender. Then Hainsey climbs to try to get to a second defender.
Who Is Higher Suited To Win The Battle?
General, there’s not sufficient tape on both of those gamers for me to say definitively which one I believe is healthier suited to win the beginning spot. Add Goedecke into the combo and it really ought to be a camp battle.
Out of those two gamers I might lean Hainsey, as I believe his physicality and body give him the next ceiling than Stinnie. Stinnie to me is the right backup guard who can spot begin and use his technical prowess to fill in properly in a pinch. If anybody not named Goedecke wins this battle I hope will probably be Hainsey.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings