“You Can’t Give All The Credit To Graham Barton”
October 17th, 2024
Joe really enjoyed one nugget from Ira Kaufman’s chat with a Buccaneers legend this week.
For those who missed it, The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports called Bucco Bruce Arians after the Bucs spanked the slimy Saints on Sunday in New Orleans.
Among other things, Arians gave his take on the rise of the Bucs’ running game. It included a shoutout to center Robert Hainsey, who made his first start Sunday in place of injured rookie center Graham Barton.
Why has this run game taken off?
Arians: “Those two young backs (Bucky Irving, Sean Tucker) are making a big difference. I’ve been a fan of both of them. I’ve always loved Rachaad, but Bucky has added a great spark. They’re also doing a great job of blocking. That was Robert Hainsey out there last week at center, so you can’t give all the credit to Graham Barton. When Hainsey doesn’t have to block a big old nasty nose guard in front of him, he’s fine. They’re doing a great job of throwing to set up the run instead of the other way around.”
Interesting hearing Arians say as long as Hainsey doesn’t have to face a true stud nose tackle, he can kick ass.
Unfortunately, the NFL doesn’t work that way (especially in the postseason), which is why the Bucs drafted Barton in Round 1 this year.
Did the Bucs draft the best center available? That’s a whole different discussion with a lot of meat on the bone.
October 17th, 2024 at 12:34 pm
I’ll give Hainsey kudo’s for a job well done last week. But Barton will probly be a pro bowler starting next season. He’s the real deal.
October 17th, 2024 at 12:35 pm
I thought Hainsey played better than Barton on Sunday. Barton was missing a number of blocks. Not saying that Barton won’t develop into a great center, just that Hainsey did a great job against the Saints.
October 17th, 2024 at 12:35 pm
C’mon Joe!
At least give us an update on Barton.
October 17th, 2024 at 12:51 pm
Hainsey did better at the LOS. He wasn’t as athletic as Barton down the field. Bucs need Barton back for Travis Jones.
October 17th, 2024 at 12:53 pm
Barton was back practicing today.
October 17th, 2024 at 12:55 pm
Will get an update on a few hours when the first injury report of the week is released.
October 17th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
The o line was never the problem. The problem
Was a trash blocking scheme and bad RB’s. Both problems have been fixed.
October 17th, 2024 at 1:38 pm
“They’re doing a great job of throwing to set up the run instead of the other way around.”
I have been screaming this since Brady left. It really does look like this new OC knows what he is doing!
October 17th, 2024 at 1:44 pm
Barton is going to be fine. Happy for Hainsey and glad we have a great backup.
Barton may be missing some blocks, but when he doesn’t miss… he’s moving people. He is also great at climbing to the second level when the play develops properly.
I assume Joe is referring to Frazier when talking best C available in draft… he does look great, but give Barton a bit more time and I am confident he will be just as good if not better. Worst case scenario, he has to go to LG and him and Wirfs will be dominant.
October 17th, 2024 at 1:58 pm
You can’t have enough depth on the offensive line. I hope we can find a way to keep Hainsey beyond ’24.
October 17th, 2024 at 2:03 pm
Too bad Hainsey can’t play guard.
October 17th, 2024 at 2:09 pm
Most NFL Olinemen do well when not facing a DL stud.
October 17th, 2024 at 2:22 pm
Frazier just got hurt and is out a few weeks. I don’t watch a lot of Steelers games but he may “fit their system” better as a mauler blocking for the run and does that well. Doubt he has really been challenged in passing protection with Fields at QB
October 17th, 2024 at 2:25 pm
Glad we still have Hainsey….Glad Skule got work too. We may very well need them later this season. Like to know how Klein is progressing.
October 17th, 2024 at 2:30 pm
Given that Barton switched positions to play center for the Bucs, it’s impressive what he’s been able to do. He’ll continue to improve throughout the season and make a big jump next season.
October 17th, 2024 at 2:34 pm
@GoneGator, Skule’s first game at RT was pretty ugly, but he’s gotten better since. I agree it’s good he got the work in case he’s ever needed later in December or January.
October 17th, 2024 at 2:39 pm
maybe after this week you might want to consider a line up from L to R of…….
wirfs, barton, hainsey, mauch, glass eater
maybe bredeson is the odd man out…?…or maybe not…?…
let’s see what this line and run game does monday night…
also if they have another huge performance monday, do you leave big ben in there and just let rookie barton ride the pine for a minute
October 17th, 2024 at 2:40 pm
obviously big bob did some really good thing in there last sunday with his fresh scarecrow legs 🙂
October 17th, 2024 at 2:42 pm
Hey, how many run-plays were “up the middle” last Sunday? I remember end-runs with spectacular results, but not the brick wall (which Rachaad is always assigned”Hainsey specials” Bowles and Canales luv! So much.
Good, encouraging words from The Biscuit, but it’s one game: Barton has made “the difference” this year (combined with the new play-calling) in producing a real “run-game.”
Bruce may be exaggerating-for-effect a little bit: Hainsey doesn’t exactly only lose to elite opponents while playing center, he loses to almost all of them. Barton wins most.
Last year, etc. there was no run-game, there were no holes with Hainsey; this year, when Barton wins his Match-ups there is. That’s the difference.
October 17th, 2024 at 2:43 pm
Barton has athleticism you just can’t teach…if he can stay healthy and get his reps he’ll be a monster.
October 17th, 2024 at 2:49 pm
JOE:
Did the Bucs draft the best center available? That’s a whole different discussion with a lot of meat on the bone.
^^^^^
Ahhh!!!! This would be a GOOD article. There were a lot of good Center prospects in this draft. I would have picked 2 ahead of Barton. Let’s compare …
#1: Sedrick Van Pran
SVP has less snaps than Barton but also less sacks allowed and less penalties. Same PFF grade as Barton.
HE WAS DRAFTED IN THE 5TH ROUND!!!!
#2: JPJ
Not a bad start. Same-ish snap count. Same Sacks Allowed (1). Less Penalties.
Drafted in Round 2.
Joe’s point pre-draft was you don’t have to draft an IOL in the 1st. My two prospects are performing at the same level as Barton but cost the Bucs less $ and less draft opportunity cost. Looking at the rest of the 1st round, Barton is still the best on the board. Unless the Bucs could have traded down this was ultimately the right pick.
October 17th, 2024 at 3:08 pm
Barton will probably be the best drafted but there are a couple other rookie starters and maybe the Bucs could have waited. A young DL would have been nice.
October 17th, 2024 at 3:18 pm
Just the fact that Joe is forgetting that a rookie usually “gets to have” a “rookie year” without undue criticism, speaks well of Barton’s playing-demeanor and leadership-potential, expected of an elite center of the near future.
Who could be the next Ryan Jensen: Hainsey or Barton?
Thought so.
Cripe, the guy misses one game and…
October 17th, 2024 at 3:41 pm
OLines have always taken time to develop chemistry and jell. So, the coaches have to settle on who the first string OLine dudes are. Have they done that yet with a new OC? That’s one good thing about having a b#tch of a schedule: gonna definitely figure out who the first string lineup is.
October 17th, 2024 at 3:49 pm
The Bucs just draft the best tackle available and then try to jam him in to whatever guard or center position they have available. It’s not the best way to get instant production from a player.
October 17th, 2024 at 4:04 pm
You are not gonna hear arians really tell the truth and say the scheme was booty and now it’s not. Barton is 100 percent an upgrade from bob no doubt about it.
October 17th, 2024 at 4:13 pm
The Bucs are always trying to move a young offensive lineman from their natural position to another position of their choosing. They messed up the head of Ali Marpet, Luke Goedeke, they both stunk the field after the switch. Then they Excel once they were moved back to their natural position. Graham Barton sucks as a OC, we don’t know if he will get better or not.
Or we’re willing to sacrifice a season, waiting for him to improve?
October 17th, 2024 at 4:37 pm
Barton gonna be a STUD for 10 years. Elite size and athleticism. Nice to see Bob fill in admirably though.
October 17th, 2024 at 5:29 pm
lol cobra exactly.
Also our running scheme this season is dramatically different from last year, so it’s hard to even compare. There was zero creativity in our run game last year (of the past few seasons before that to be honest. But we had such a stud o-line with Marpet, Cappa and Jensen at the interior, it didn’t matter).
October 17th, 2024 at 5:29 pm
*or the past few seasons before that
October 17th, 2024 at 7:11 pm
I’m just worried to many are buying into the O line is fixed. That was an injury riddled D line. I’m going to wait and see if it’s real or not. Because fact is Mayfield is still having to release the ball is 2.22 the fastest of his career and second fastest in the NFL. Which is affecting Mike Evans down field separation.
October 17th, 2024 at 10:54 pm
I also wonder if Hainsey can play guard… Or tackle for that matter. Do they cross train the O-Line depth?
October 18th, 2024 at 1:50 pm
As an offensive line coach, I teach ALL my guys to play ALL the positions, on both right and left side. For most of them, it’s not a big deal moving around. There are certain physical characteristics that you like to see in a Tackle (longer arms, better pass set) and in a Guard (more mobility, killer mindset) and in a Center (more brains, and agile). But overall, a good lineman should be able to play any of the positions in a pinch. The fundamentals are all the same.
October 18th, 2024 at 1:50 pm
If the Bucs drafted an OLineman in the 1st 3 rounds every year, they will likely continue to be a playoff team for a long time