“Already Showing The Ability To Block Vita Vea”
August 2nd, 2024
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Sage Ira Kaufman’s work is presented by Bill Currie Ford, the iconic family-owned dealership one mile north of the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway. Kaufman has been covering the NFL since the mid-1970s and became a New York Giants beat writer in 1979. He started covering the Bucs in 1985 and hasn’t looked back.
If you’re one of thousands of Buc fans concerned about the state of the running game, chill out. Help is on the way.
At least that’s the encouraging message delivered by NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger, who played offensive line for three teams over an 11-year NFL career. I caught up with Baldinger after a practice this week at One Buc Place.
“I think the first-round pick, Graham Barton, is going to make a difference,” said Baldinger, who, like Barton, also attended Duke.
“I think the Bucs will have stronger bodies up front. You can’t scheme the run game. You can do some stuff like San Francisco, but they have Trent Williams there, guys who move bodies.
“You’ve got to move the line of scrimmage. If you look at the success of the Rams last season on the ground, the year before, they couldn’t run the ball. All of sudden Kyren Williams goes crazy. That’s because they went out and put a strong offensive line together and ran the ball.”
Barton is expected to displace Robert Hainsey as the anchor of a young offensive line led by left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who just signed a lucrative contract extension.
“Jason Licht was telling me that Graham is already showing the ability to block Vita Vea,” Baldinger said. “That’s the biggest test you’re going to get in this league right there. There’s a little something to Barton. He’s very strong and he runs very well. NFL centers have to be able to run. You’ve got to lead sweeps and get your backs to the second level.”
According to Baldinger, Rachaad White hasn’t had the benefit of adequate blocking up front the past two seasons, when the Bucs ranked last in rushing.
“There hasn’t been a lot of daylight up there,” he said. “It’s been rough, really rough. I think you’ll see more daylight, so White’s not dancing.”
Adding some juice to a drab ground game is a top priority for new offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who returns to the NFL after a year at Kentucky. Coen directed the Rams’ attack in 2022.
“Literally everybody is plucking someone from Sean McVay’s system,” Baldinger said. “They’re all coming out of L.A. right now. I think you’ll see a lot of motion from Tampa with guys playing multiple positions, looking for matchups. Liam will ask his receivers to block the edge.”
Baldinger is enamored with second-year defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, who played well last season after recovering from a calf injury sustained in training camp. The two have worked out together in South Florida and Baldinger came away impressed.
“I know this kid … he’s a worker,” Baldinger said. “There’s no reason a guy his size (6-1, 280) should be good, but his hands are unbelievable. He works out with this martial arts guy and Aaron Donald has helped him. He’s an advanced student. Looking at YaYa Diaby, you can see he has an NFL body. Typically, NFL players make their biggest leap between their first and second year.”
Looking to upgrade their pass rush, the Bucs drafted edge rusher Chris Braswell in the second round.
“Braswell’s got real power,” said Baldinger. “I’m anxious to see him. He’s got the ability to collapse the pocket and there’s no doubt he’ll have a great opportunity here. They’re going to play their best guys — Todd’s not going to fool around.”
ALWAYS ask for the Ira Kaufman discount at Bill Currie Ford, where GM Sean Sullivan will beat any advertised price by $100. Don’t Worry. Drive Currie!
August 2nd, 2024 at 12:15 pm
Did any of us know CK has worked with Aaron Donald or a martial artist? Did anyone one know Barton has been successful against Vea? I haven’t heard or read that anywhere.
Baldy has absolutely the best stuff.
August 2nd, 2024 at 12:24 pm
can Hainsey play guard well enough to start?
August 2nd, 2024 at 12:28 pm
Not good newz
August 2nd, 2024 at 12:30 pm
Great job Ira!
LFG!!!
August 2nd, 2024 at 12:39 pm
@ Sly, same here – first I’ve heard about CK and Barton. Any O-lineman who can block Vea 1v1 is a powerful dude. These little nuggets are awesome to hear about, and I’d love to hear more stuff like this.
Good article, thanks Ira!!!
August 2nd, 2024 at 1:17 pm
Or….should we be concerned that Vita’s getting blocked by a rookie? Barton certainly does look the part though.
GO BUCS
August 2nd, 2024 at 1:20 pm
Great interview!
August 2nd, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Is he blocking Vita w/o help?
August 2nd, 2024 at 2:49 pm
Joe noted one play that Hainsey stopped VV, and with this news about Barton, I have a concern that VV lost too much weight/strength?
August 2nd, 2024 at 3:08 pm
Hainsey doesnt have have the lower body strength to move ANYBODY.
He will get cut this year.
And hopefully sign with someone else.
Hes a good guy. But its time to give Klein a shot.
August 2nd, 2024 at 4:48 pm
Klein will be a good run blocker
August 2nd, 2024 at 5:15 pm
Joe bucs fan is the best site. Thanks for sharing this interiew. This gets me pumped up. I love baldy as a linemen and his fuped footbal finger as he talks. This is the best time of year and glad football is back. Olympics sucks!
August 2nd, 2024 at 6:23 pm
Great interview! Good to hear that Graham is already showing the ability to block Vea. So excited for the games.
August 2nd, 2024 at 7:46 pm
I love hearing that about Kancey, he just looks to be special (in the good way) and I expect a very good season. Not sure it will be a breakout season quite yet, but he should be very good at the end of this year, then you’re talking ALL-PRO next year.
August 2nd, 2024 at 9:56 pm
I’ve been saying that for 2 years.
August 2nd, 2024 at 10:36 pm
Got a lot of respect for Baldinger’s analysis. He’s been there done that.
August 3rd, 2024 at 10:54 am
This guy should be writing Bucs marketing material to sell tickets. That was way more inspiring than “we will wear a bad shade of orange that was that laughed at 40 years ago”
August 3rd, 2024 at 4:47 pm
@D-Rome – all of us have, except the Joes for some reason. As if losing Marpet, Cappa and Jensen in a single offseason wouldn’t massively affect any team.
August 4th, 2024 at 12:27 am
Bucs are powerful upfront , both offensively and defensively.
It’s up to us what our ceiling will be…#62 Graham Barton
is a good fit , powerful dude!