With the departure of Alex Cappa in free agency, the Bucs didn’t wait long to replace him. They quickly moved to essentially steal right guard Shaq Mason from the Patriots for just a fifth-round pick.

Mason has graded out as one of the best guards in the league over the past five years, per Pro Football Focus. But like any player coming to a new team, there have been some growing pains for Mason. One of the biggest is learning the scheme and building continuity and chemistry with the guys around him.

“The main thing [is] building chemistry. Getting on the same page and adjusting to the mental aspect of the different play calls and terminology,” Mason said.

So far, it’s easy to see Mason’s athleticism and why he has been heralded as one of the best at his position. However, he is still learning a new system and that will take some time. Bucs offensive line coach Joe Gilbert is thankful the team has training camp to get it squared away.

“Shaq’s a great athlete, but part of it is he’s still learning, too,” Gilbert said. “Thank God that we’ve got some time to get it squared away, but you can see his pass protection’s starting to come along. He’s getting his legs underneath him. It’s the same thing, getting that continuity with Tristan [Wirfs] is starting to come along pretty good.”

Getting Comfortable With His Linemates

Bucs RG Shaq Mason and C Robert Hainsey – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Mason’s addition solidifies the right side of the Bucs offensive line, where he’ll be lined up next to an All-Pro right tackle in Wirfs. Through the start of camp, it’s been about building that camaraderie and chemistry between the two. And that’s something that Wirfs has enjoyed over the last week and a half.

“I think it’s been awesome, but that’s the biggest thing is getting on the same page,” Wirfs said. “He did something a certain way for seven years. I did something a certain way for two years with Cap. Now, it’s just me and him getting comfortable and on the same page and everything. But I think it’s been going great. He’s an awesome dude to play next to. He’s an awesome dude in general, so it’s been fun.”

Mason knows who will be lined up to the right of him in Wirfs, but who will start at center is still up for grabs. So far through camp, the eighth-year guard has been impressed with Robert Hainsey, who was thrust into the starting spot after Ryan Jensen’s injury. Hainsey has been the starter with Nick Leverett getting second-team center reps.

“He’s definitely stepping in and doing a good job,” Mason said. “He works his tail off day in and day out. He’s doing a good job of getting us all on the same page and conducting us five. He’s an extra smart guy. He knows the things in and out, he knows how to get everyone on the same page, knows how to adjust quickly. And that’s all you can ask for, for an offensive lineman.”