Graham Barton Wants To Be The Answers Man
June 13th, 2024
Rookie center Graham Barton, Tampa Bay’s first-round pick.
The Bucs’ first-round pick has very high goals. He’s not looking to just fit in as a rookie.
Graham Barton has a green light to be a rock and a leader within the Tampa Bay offense.
Step 1 is not just building a relationship with Baker Mayfield, he said, but getting everyone on the offense to trust him immediately.
Barton elaborated on that today at One Buc Palace. The rookie has an impressive mindset.
“Building trust is the biggest thing,” Barton said. “You know, I want Baker and I want the offensive line to be able to trust me at center. Like when I’m in the huddle, just trying to be assertive, knowing the offense. So when we get up to the line of scrimmage and, you know, there’s a confusing look or something, I’m the one who knows the answers.
“And just consistently being that person as a center that kind of, you know, makes you that center teams look for, the guy that knows the offense inside and out, can get us out of a jam. So I think that’s the biggest way I’m trying to build some trust. You know, ‘Hey, Graham knows what he’s doing. He’s here to work. We can trust him on the field.’
Joe’s not worried about Graham learning the offense. It’s no surprise when a rookie center is competent in the NFL. What Joe wants to see is if Graham can move bodies in the run game and stay consistent as a pass blocker.
You know, the physical stuff.
Yeah, he’ll get a workout trying to push around Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey in practice, but the real tests will come in joint practices and in preseason when opponents are looking to rip his head off.
It’s now less than two months from when the Bucs will put on their uniforms and face the Bengals in Cincinnati. Joe is drooling.
June 13th, 2024 at 1:51 pm
Is the equipment dept gonna sell Bakers game used items as well?? Since Brady’s hit the market. Where is TEAMGLAZER on this one when those guys trying to retire off Tommy Boys items.
June 13th, 2024 at 1:54 pm
Barton looks like he is feeling the HEAT
June 13th, 2024 at 2:06 pm
Ya know the “physical stuff”
That Hainsey never did!
He never moved people. He forced Brady to release the ball in less than 1 second.
Mayfield dodged 20 sacks last year because of pressure up the middle.
Mayfield was athletic enough to dodge sacks that were Hainseys fault.
Hainsey couldn’t run block or pass block.
Thank God we finally invested in a 1st round center!!!!
June 13th, 2024 at 2:07 pm
I’m with you Joe. We already know the guy’s smart….
I wanna see Barton knock some 300lb NFL linemen backwards on their arses
Haven’t seen that once in the last 2 years from the Center position that I can remember.
I’ve sure seen Hainsey moved backwards like he’s on roller skates a few dozen times though….
June 13th, 2024 at 2:22 pm
Gosh, I hope so. He sure sounds impressive.
June 13th, 2024 at 2:34 pm
Barton went to Duke so he clearly has the brains! Aren’t Centers the guys in the NFL who call out protection schemes pre snap?
Barton only got to play 5 games at Center after Dukes 1st and 2nd team Centers went down with season ending injuries. He did so well he was named 2nd Team Freshman All America by the Athletic with just 5 games on his resume!
And guess what happens when an OL turns out to be true stud? He gets moved to Left tackle. Can you say Tristen Wirfs? Barton was all ACC by his Junior year.
Brains and awesome attitude, I’m getting very excited. Don’t know that I’ve reached Joe levels yet though. LOL
“Joe is drooling.”
The last time we saw that was when Rachel Watson was prowling the sidelines!
June 13th, 2024 at 2:42 pm
This guy gives me the very warms. He’s saying the right things, maybe too much, but ok – let’s go!!!
Anyone is better than Matador Hainsey.
June 13th, 2024 at 3:11 pm
Barton is cerebral. Need that on the O-line. Nice to see.
June 13th, 2024 at 3:22 pm
I really like the pic, Joe! He looks like he could be a character from Reservoir Dogs. Mr. Pewter?
June 13th, 2024 at 4:00 pm
We know he’s a road grader in the run game I’m really hoping we’re not sacrificing are pass for the run. I’m rooting for him to be a brick wall in the pass game
June 13th, 2024 at 4:15 pm
My Question (Joe, if you don’t mind asking) is …
Who is calling the protection scheme in Coen’s system?
In some systems it’s the Center. In some it’s the QB. If Baker is calling the protection, Barton will be an instant upgrade. If Barton is calling the protection, it may take him a little longer to get acclimated.
Hopefully, this decision hasn’t been made yet and the most competent guy gets the gig: Mayfield or the center.–Joe
June 13th, 2024 at 4:17 pm
I think we’re all going to be very happy with this pick. I think our O line will be a force this season. We’ve been missing the head of the spear, not anymore.
June 13th, 2024 at 4:29 pm
Barton seems to be sharp and an over-thinker and that is great in football. He is watching out for everything. A true team player. Cannot wait to see him in action.
June 13th, 2024 at 7:03 pm
I like the pick, Barton is going to be great. Good attitude, Big, and if he can at least make good decisions and put some guys on their arsses that would be nice. Time in pass rush is Big for Baker and holes for the run game. Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
June 13th, 2024 at 7:23 pm
Not sure we’ll see Barton in preseason games, but working against VV and Kancey will be good, as well as the scrimmages.
June 14th, 2024 at 3:16 am
It was a miracle they did as well as they did last year, but I’m really looking forward to next season. Go Bucs!
June 14th, 2024 at 4:10 am
Whoops
Two years ago Hainsey struggled at times with line calls. I remember Brady calling out his ass at one point because he was totally confused. Hope Barton fares a bit better.
Let me get that drool off my chin…
Love it Joe! Let the pancakes begin!
Go Bucs!