“Boring Good” Graham Barton
September 2nd, 2024
Ex-Buccaneer weighs in on rookie center Graham Barton.
So rookie first-round pick Graham Barton, Tampa Bay’s projected run game savior at starting center, didn’t get to block any premier players in preseason.
But he did put snaps on film and former Bucs defensive tackle Beau Allen (2018-2019) dissected the rookie’s game for Green Light with Chris Long.
Allen dove into the Xs and Os and didn’t report anything negative, and he’s a tough grader.
He called Barton “boring good,” which is no insult for a center.
“Man, he looked really good. He looked very comfortable, like very solid, almost like boring-good,” Allen said. “… I think the biggest thing for me is like he’s got a really nice base with really good feet. …He did some things that kind of made me feel like he knows what the f**k he’s doing, like he’s comfortable. He did a really good job picking up [twist games from defensive linemen] late, staying square and passing it off. That’s one thing that you see with rookie O-linemen a lot of times — like they’re almost surprised by these pass rush games even though they’ve been seeing them for all those years in college, too. But one thing he does a really good job of is on combo blocks; he’s staying square and driving his feet.”
Allen went on to detail how Barton’s blocking timing is sharp. He also added that he doesn’t see Barton as “super physical” player, more of a “very fluid” and sound position blocker.
“I don’t see him as a super physical. I think he’s more position blocker. Very fluid.”
Joe will take it. As Joe has mentioned, Allen doesn’t hold back with his critique.
If Barton can be a top-15 center this season, Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht is going to be worthy of another quality draft report card.
Interestingly, Allen, who lives in Tampa and follows the Bucs, noted he doesn’t think center was the major issue in the Bucs’ league-worst running game last year.
September 2nd, 2024 at 1:12 pm
Pre-Draft, when the Bucs were looking at Centers, I watched tape on Barton, JPJ, and Sedrick Van Pran. Barton was the technician. Smooth. Always in the right place. Nothing interesting. JPJ was big body that could move people or eat up space. SVP was mean AF! He looked to destroy people. His tape is super fun to watch.
Of the three, Barton is the only surefire 8-year starter. That’s what you want with a 1st. I still would have traded up for Verse and drafted SVP late.
September 2nd, 2024 at 1:53 pm
I don’t know how you couldn’t improve the run game by replacing the 32nd ranked center. It’s not difficult to cover up a bad center because they have a guard on either side. Hainsey rarely won in 1 on 1 situations. The Bucs frequently gave him help. The problem with doing this is that you lose blockers on the 2nd level. Just because he’s not getting blown up doesn’t mean he is doing his job well. I would say that the Bucs agree with me. That’s why everyone in the NFL knew the Bucs were trying to draft a center.
September 2nd, 2024 at 2:42 pm
What did he think was the problem? Don’t be afraid to tell us…
September 2nd, 2024 at 2:55 pm
“Interestingly, Allen, who lives in Tampa and follows the Bucs, noted he doesn’t think center was the major issue in the Bucs’ league-worst running game last year.”
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The biggest issue in the run game was Cody, he just didn’t have the power to push guys – also the rotation at LG didn’t help either. Hainsey wasn’t great at run blocking by any means, but the issue came from all three interior guys not being good run blockers and just not being able to move guys.
Of course there was nothing saying you had to run it up the middle … well, I take that back, there was something, Todd Bowles.
Anywho, I expect Cody to be better this year. From what I saw on tape last year, Cody knew what he should be going but just didn’t have the muscle to make it happen – and reports are that he bulked up over the offseason, which is to be expected and hopefully that will be the difference. One of the reasons Licht drafts mostly tackles is because they have large frames that you can put a lot of weight onto, so I think Cody will be fine – turn into your next Cappa.
For Barton, with his draft pedigree and athleticism, you’re hoping he turns out to be your next Marpet.
September 2nd, 2024 at 4:12 pm
Center wasn’t the issue huh? Seems Licht disagreed.
September 2nd, 2024 at 5:31 pm
He was blocking Vea and Kancey in training camp, and blocking Jags and Phish starters in scrimmages. Licht saw that too. Maybe not everyone did.
Dude seems like a true stud.
Another jackpot for Jason.
September 2nd, 2024 at 6:53 pm
Then why do the RBs have the Hainseybutt blocking sled for practicing behind the line of scrimmage?
September 2nd, 2024 at 7:54 pm
How can you call a rookie who has yet to even play a preseason game “boring good”. When the real season begins we will soon know if he is just boring good or kick ass good. I vote for kick ass.
September 2nd, 2024 at 7:56 pm
Correction, only played preseason games.
September 3rd, 2024 at 3:45 am
Allen is one of the few out there who knows what he is talking about and doesn’t just go with the rest of the bogus BS of most of the “NFL experts”.
So I would tend to believe his take on Barton.
Go Bucs!
September 3rd, 2024 at 4:16 am
I am okay with “Boring good.” Allen mentioned the position of Graham’s feet and being squarely put. That could be as he gets his leverage going as a rookie new to center. By mid-season they will be calling Barton “Fiercely good!”