Jason Licht: “We Think We’re Gonna Put Graham Barton At Center And See How It Goes”
May 9th, 2024
Still unclear (for regular season).
The mystery of Bucs offensive lineman Graham Barton continues.
At least for the regular season.
When the Bucs drafted Barton on Night 1 of the NFL draft in the first round two weeks ago, the Bucs immediately said he was a center.
The next night, Bucs assistant general manager John Spytek said Barton might a guard.
In subsequent media appearances, Bucs types have said a variation of, ‘Well, we think Barton is a center, but we’ll try him out there and if it isn’t a fit he will be moved to guard.’
Super Bowl coach Mike Martz said flat out, Barton is not an NFL center, but a guard. Um, kay.
All of this speculation seemed to be put to rest earlier this week when gead coach Todd Bowles appeared on “The Rich Eisen Show” and directly said Barton is the Bucs’ center.
But wait, there’s more!
Today, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and seemed just as muddy on Barton’s situation as before, at least for the regular season.
“We took him — we think we’re gonna put him at center,” Licht said. “So we’re gonna put him at center and see how that goes during OTAs and training camp. That’s a daunting task in itself sometimes. To move a guy from left tackle [in college] to center has been done several times.
“But he did play his entire freshman year, it was a covid year, but his entire freshman year at center and did a helluva job.”
To be fair, Licht later said Barton will be the Bucs’ center in training camp. So Barton it seems will be given plenty of time to show he’s earned a starting spot at center.
“Now the good thing about him, we think he is versatile,” Licht said, almost hinting Barton could end up at guard. “Shoot, he played tackle pretty darn well in the ACC.”
The more Joe thinks about it, the more Joe would welcome Barton at left guard if it came to that.
You have an All-Pro Super Bowl-winning tackle to Barton’s left and a smart center (Notre Dame grad) to his right, one who has never missed a start since Logan Hall destroyed Ryan Jensen’s knee in underwear football two summers ago.
That way the Bucs could also allow Cody Mauch to stay at right guard and continue development.
Speaking on how the first round shook out last month, Licht repeated that he got sweaty when Pittsburgh was picking at No. 20 and Barton was still on the board.
Licht hinted divine intervention may have played a hand — as he tried to make the Sign of the Cross — talking about how he had a sudden wave of patience overcome him. It was Licht’s first draft as the Bucs shot-caller in which he hasn’t pulled off a trade.
Had Barton not been on the board when the Bucs picked at No. 26? Licht had a backup plan, of course.
“Then we just take someone else and tell everybody that was the guy we wanted all along,” Licht said with a smile.
Boy, ain’t that the truth! Honesty is so refreshing.
"We think we're gonna put Graham Barton at center and see how it goes..
We think he's very versatile and he was the guy that we wanted" ~ @jasonrlicht #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/JuQsrUN24i
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 9, 2024
May 9th, 2024 at 3:51 pm
How is it “unclear?”
They’re going to do exactly what Coen said at his presser. Barton was drafted to play C. They’re going to put him at C unless he can’t handle it (unlikely).
May 9th, 2024 at 3:51 pm
Until Spytek opened his mouth, there was no confusion.
May 9th, 2024 at 3:58 pm
Thankful that the Bucs aren’t saying we are going to start Barton at center… and will evaluate him honestly. It would be terrible if they saw him failing at center and decided to keep at center regardless to the level of play. Clearly, Barton is a talented guy and they are expecting great outcome. I believe they expect Barton to dominate, but respect Hainsey enough to talk about competition and opening the possibility of moving Barton to guard if that ends up being best for the O-line overall.
May 9th, 2024 at 3:58 pm
As far as I know, Mike Martz is not on the Glazer payroll. His opinion on this matter is irrelevant. Obviously the Bucs scouting department identified him as a C. They announced his pick as C.
May 9th, 2024 at 4:02 pm
This is not as big of a deal as it is being made.
No team KNOWS exactly where a rookie as versatile as Barton is going to end up.
Where does he give us the MOST value.
That is where he will play.
The other spots will have ALSO WON their job.
At least we are deeper IMO.
May 9th, 2024 at 4:06 pm
So, the Bucs have talented, versatile OL that can play multiple position, and coaching staff is open to putting the best combination on the field.
Are you trying to turn a luxury into a problem?
May 9th, 2024 at 4:14 pm
I thought guards are supposed to do more for the run game
May 9th, 2024 at 4:19 pm
Another “open competition” on offense. Baker will show Barton how to win it and Robert will cry on Kyle’s shoulder.
May 9th, 2024 at 4:20 pm
There is nothing….I mean nothing…….that is more exciting than a Center/Guard controversy…….and that’s what we have……WOW!!! what a way to push all of TBBFs buttons…..
May 9th, 2024 at 4:21 pm
I wonder if anyone asked Barton where he would like to play? Give him his preferred spot and isn’t he most likely to excel there?
May 9th, 2024 at 4:27 pm
Hainsey at C ain’t working, so try him at LG.
May 9th, 2024 at 4:29 pm
Center is the most cerebral position on the line and requires the most communication skills. And there’s the fact that being able to snap a football accurately and still get into a pass pro set/effective run blocking position is another unique skill.
They probably have no doubts about his physical ability, but rather all the intricacies that go into “manning the pivot.” This shouldn’t be all that hard to understand.
You also have to consider that they want to have the best 5 guys on the field. And if the best 5 guys include having Barton at LG and Hainsey at Center, then that’s what they’ll do.
May 9th, 2024 at 4:40 pm
As long as one of the 3 or 4 players vying for that LG spot looks decent – Barton will stay at Center.
If Opeta and Bredeson and Klien (and Hainsey) all look like crap playing at that open Guard spot – then I imagine the Bucs would consider leaving Hainsey at Center and have Barton start at LG for this year.
The apparent “indecision” about Barton’s starting spot is nothing more than executive base covering JUST IN CASE a switch to Guard was necessary.
Bucs drafted Barton with the intention of putting him at Center – and thats almost certainly where he will start and stay.
May 9th, 2024 at 5:08 pm
I’m kinda thinking starting at center was the original plan. No telling how it all shakes out in the end. Reconsiderations. Surprises. Injuries.
May 9th, 2024 at 5:12 pm
Well yeah of course!
He played tackle in college, toss out the little time he played center.
Bucs rightfully so don’t want to be in the position of declaring that he will be their center and then later have to say he will play guard after he struggles at center and then proclaimed a poor draft choice.
Blah blah blah , it will sort itself out and he will have a fine career.
May 9th, 2024 at 5:29 pm
SB~LV…he played a full season a C.
May 9th, 2024 at 5:31 pm
Joe must be thick, seems pretty clear to me. Barton is the Bucs new starting center. A blind man can see how bad we need a center since Jensen went down. You could put a tackling dummy at LG, Mauch, between Wirfs, and Barton, and he’ll look like a pro bowler. Same on the right side. Whoever plays RG will be better working next to Barton. He balances the line by being the big man in the middle. Putting Barton next to Wirfs exposes the whole right side, bad idea.
May 9th, 2024 at 5:41 pm
Yes, center!
Watched the interview while working from home today. I did not know that Arians had contacted McAfee about being our kicker during covid. Licht did a great job on his show today. He was openly honest.
May 9th, 2024 at 5:48 pm
Look, the Pillsbury Doughboy was so awful last year that there is no way that Barton is not an upgrade. Even if he gets a “F”. Hainsey spent more time last year with his buttocks in Baker’s face after getting shoved backwards that Mayfield needed to see his orthodontist after the season ended.
Any scenario in which that weak link Hainsey plays C this year, short of about six injuries, is a joke.
May 9th, 2024 at 6:03 pm
Good Grief.
May 9th, 2024 at 6:09 pm
Thanks Joe, now I’m craving waffles.
May 9th, 2024 at 6:14 pm
Joe-“The more Joe thinks about it, the more Joe would welcome Barton at left guard if it came to that.
You have an All-Pro Super Bowl-winning tackle to Barton’s left and a smart center (Notre Dame grad) to his right”.
Hey Joe, you do realize Duke is considered the Yale of the south, right? Hainsey is a solid back-up, but doesn’t cut it as a starter for what this team needs at center.
May 9th, 2024 at 6:21 pm
What’s the mystery? He’s going to start training camp and the preseason at center and will likely cross train at guard. As long as he can handle the rigors and complexities of playing center in the NFL, he will be the center. If he can’t, he will likely be a pro bowl level guard. Mystery solved.
May 9th, 2024 at 6:28 pm
He’s center and there isn’t another option. O don’t care what kind of smoke signals are coming out of OBP. This is bullocks.
Hainsey truly sucks at center. It’s hard to find worse. Barton was drafted in the first round to play… CENTER. It’s Barton or Hainsey at center and I for one will be pleased to watch a rookie struggle at center than watch the other option.
And versatility is for jockstraps, not offensive linemen. Let these boys master their craft at their assigned position. Stop shuffling. I don’t see Curly around.
Barton is going be fine at his assigned post. Playing center is like riding a bike….
May 9th, 2024 at 6:31 pm
All you need to know is that they asked Hainsey and Mauch to gain some weight. They were next to useless when the run came up the middle. Of course, our OC decided to show us that play over and over.
May 9th, 2024 at 6:47 pm
I love waffles. I don’t eat waffles enough.
The issue is I don’t eat breakfast often. I absolutely love bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns … especially with Hollandaise sauce. So, there isn’t room for waffles.
Maybe I should eat waffles at a different time of the day. Lunch and dinner very greatly so maybe waffles become a not-breakfast-thing.
Anyone have a suggestion?
May 9th, 2024 at 6:51 pm
@Sly, waffles as a bun? Then any meal is fair game.
May 9th, 2024 at 6:57 pm
Isn’t rookie mini camp tomorrow? Seems like we should know more tomorrow. Big mystery. Slow day… lol.
May 9th, 2024 at 7:00 pm
Fried chicken and waffles for dinner is good.
May 9th, 2024 at 7:39 pm
WHO…..CARESSSSSSSS……!
Shuffle guys around in the middle three spots and let it play out.
This has turned into the Wirfs-to-left-tackle saga.
Will he. Won’t he. What if this. What if that. Who’s on 1st. What’s on 2nd. Why’s on 3rd. Look out, When’s going for home.
Unless Barton is completely useless, he’ll start at center. Mauch, Opeta, Brederson, Klein, and Hainsey will compete for the two guard spots with Mauch starting at one side or the other.
May 9th, 2024 at 7:41 pm
I’m not sure that Hainsey was the worst lineman last year. He had Stinnie and Mauch beside him and he had to cover for them. Mauch led the team in sacks allowed last year and PFF had him graded worse than Hainsey. I certainly believe Mauch will play better this year, but will he better than Opeta and Barton? I want the Bucs to play the best five, even if Mauch has to sit. However, I think Licht has an investment in Mauch and wont’ let him sit. So they easy CYA lineup would be: Wirfs, Opeta, Barton, Mauch, and Goedeke. We have the good fortune that Barton can play C or G. I just hope that the Bucs will let the best 5 play and not do a CYA lineup. Camp will be fun!
May 9th, 2024 at 7:54 pm
I just gotta think that if accurate that a 6’ 5” 3/8 center is on the tall side for Baker . Licht has been pretty spot on with o line picks thus far . Time will tell !!
May 9th, 2024 at 7:56 pm
Great picture for the article joe. Thanks for the laugh
May 9th, 2024 at 7:58 pm
WINFIELD IS A WRAP!!!
Licht just announced a deal will done with AWjr in the next month. AWESOME!
May 9th, 2024 at 8:32 pm
Oh look…another FAKE competition!
Seriously, Hainsey will play guard, Barton will take over center.
Cody will add muscle this off season.
May 9th, 2024 at 8:35 pm
Joes man crush for Hainsey defies all logic…makes absolutely no sence
May 9th, 2024 at 8:36 pm
SlyPirate … ‘Licht just announced a deal will done with AWjr in the next month. AWESOME’.
AWESOME indeed! Someone though probably had to restructure their contract to clear enough money for AWjr’s deal to get done. Wonder who that would be? Hoping that Wirfs deal can get done too before the season starts.
May 9th, 2024 at 9:18 pm
Just seeing that video of Barton and Wirfs standing side by side last week … man, I’d be tempted to have him at LG as well, and just run everything to that side. Barton is huge, bigger than I thought he’d be by looking at his combine numbers.
But in any case, try him at center, and if he doesn’t pick it up right away, move to guard. Hainsey is NOT a bad starter, he’s just not a good run blocker, but is a good pass protector – so here’s an idea, don’t run behind him, and to have to monsters on the left side clearing the way, that could be the ticket to success there.
May 9th, 2024 at 9:20 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
May 9th, 2024 at 8:32 pm
Oh look…another FAKE competition!
Seriously, Hainsey will play guard, Barton will take over center.
Cody will add muscle this off season.
———–
Probably – but nothing wrong with being flexible and moving Barton is he’s just not picking it up quickly enough. Also, nothing wrong with moving him if he’s just a good center. We saw that with Marpet, at guard, he was an ALL-PRO talent, at center he was merely a good starter. That’s why the Bucs should try out different things, but not get stuck on doing something if he obviously seems better somewhere else.
May 9th, 2024 at 9:38 pm
A nice big body at the point of attack is not a bad thing. At 6’5 and over 300 pounds he should be able to hold back the defensive push up the middle and still be able to get a piece of any blitzes.
It will come down to fundamentals like footwork as to whether he can handle the center.
May 9th, 2024 at 10:11 pm
DR Says:
“Someone though probably had to restructure their contract to clear enough money for AWjr’s deal to get done”
Its the opposite DR – Signing Winfield Jr to a long term deal will free up cap space – for now at least.
Franchise tag requires that all $17M is counted against the cap this year. By doing a multi year deal – Bucs can cut this year’s cap hit down to almost nothing (couple Million) if they want to. Do a big up front signing bonus and spread it out over the 4 or 5 years….
May 9th, 2024 at 10:14 pm
Finally, some honesty about who a team wanted and that they say that about almost every player! If Marvin Harrison, or Malik Nabers, or say Caleb Williams had been available, then the Bucs take them. Likewise, there are probably 10 other players taken between 1-25 they’d have taken over Barton so to say he’s who they wanted all along is coach speak for he’s who was available that we wanted.
May 9th, 2024 at 11:25 pm
Rod-
“Hainsey is NOT a bad starter, he’s just not a good run blocker,”
Which makes him a bad starter on this team. Coen spelled out what he wants up front and why. Why? Because they want to run the ball. We aren’t running anywhere with Hainsey and recent history is good enough to convince me. “Hainseys good at pass protection” ? I guess that depends on your definition of good pass protection. If turnstile is a good grade in your book then you have your guy. He’s got nothing I want to see at Center. If he can flip over and win one of the guard positions, bravo. Maybe the best good enough olineman win. We have beasts on the edge and my eye and his dad tell me Barton is going to be a beast, balls center. This way each of these hopeful guards has the anchors they need on each side. The lineup:
Beast-hopeful-Beast-hopeful-Beast.
May 9th, 2024 at 11:26 pm
His ras* not his dad
May 10th, 2024 at 12:21 am
they’re giving hainsey his respec,t as if it’s a low key demotion…
meanwhile barton was a high key first round selection…
they’re just playing musical chairs for now on the line
May 10th, 2024 at 12:41 am
I am a pessimist by nature , however , I believe the bucs are building an offensive line that is going to be the envy of the league. I feel confiedent this could be one of , if not the best offensive line in the nfl for years , if they retain them and they stay injury free.
May 10th, 2024 at 4:29 am
I wish we had traded up for the that West Virginia center.
We could have secured our running game for 5 years.
May 10th, 2024 at 4:31 am
I mean in the 2nd round.
I wish we had Barton AND the West Virginia center.
Instead of a 4th string OLB.
Diaby, Gregory, JTS, Braswell.
We needed a a true center to go along with Barton.
May 10th, 2024 at 5:32 am
LOL Joe you are killing me today!
I am not a crook!
Honestly I don’t knw what your talking about.
I did not have sex with that woman.
This is for your own good.
Jason is gonna make Todd play him at LG and they are still arguing about it me thinks.
Go Bucs!
May 10th, 2024 at 5:42 am
am i in time out Joe?
May 10th, 2024 at 5:48 am
LOL… you are on it today!
I am not a crook!
I did not have blank with that woman.
This is for your own good.
lol
Jason is gonna make Todd play him at LG and they are still arguing about it me thinks.
Go Bucs!
May 10th, 2024 at 6:18 am
Now craving waffles too this morning.
Agree with A Bucs Fan – chicken and waffles are really sounding great right now.
May 10th, 2024 at 6:19 am
I think they are merely preserving the possibility/hope that Klein wins the center job.
May 10th, 2024 at 7:13 am
SlyPirate Says:
May 9th, 2024 at 6:47 pm
I love waffles. I don’t eat waffles enough.
“The issue is I don’t eat breakfast often. I absolutely love bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns … especially with Hollandaise sauce. So, there isn’t room for waffles.
Maybe I should eat waffles at a different time of the day. Lunch and dinner very greatly so maybe waffles become a not-breakfast-thing.
Anyone have a suggestion”
Waffle=carbs, carbs bad. Eggs, bacon, I’M listenin!
May 10th, 2024 at 7:42 am
@Beeej, chicken and waffles are great! Brunch, lunch, or and early dinner.
But comparing calories and health, I think stick with the eggs, baked hash browns. Maybe not the bacon. In the end you have to do what is best for you.
May 10th, 2024 at 8:54 am
@teacherman1983
No way Barton would’ve made it out of the 1st rd.
Barton’s is an exceptional athlete……he should be a gaurd because he moves so well in space