Graham Barton And The Offensive Line
September 11th, 2025
Future usage.
Who knows what to expect from Todd Bowles and his clandestine offensive line juggling. But Joe thinks it is safe to type that the line seen in Atlanta is the one starting in Houston on Monday night.
That’s Graham Barton at left tackle, not-that Michael Jordan at play left guard and Ben Bredeson at center with Cody Mauch at right guard and Luke Goedeke at right tackle.
In a notebook item buried in an NFL column typed by Dan Graziano of ESPN, there is this line that sort of had Joe’s noggin percolating.
Barton might not be able to hold up at left tackle over an entire season, but it’s working so far as a patch, and the Bucs are thrilled to know he’s an option at other O-line spots besides center.
So, is Barton the new Bucs’ swing tackle in case Wirfs gets hurt again, or Goedeke goes down?
As was debated in a recent edition of the “Ira Kaufman Podcast,” what if Wirfs’ injured knee is worse than what the Bucs are letting on? A bone-on-bone issue is serious stuff.
If, God forbid, this bone injury cuts Wirfs’ career way shorter than expected, will the Bucs simply just plug in Barton as their future left tackle? Joe obviously doesn’t want to see that. Joe is hoping like heck 26-year-old Wirfs lasts another 10 years and builds up a Hall of Fame resume.
But dang if “bone injury” doesn’t have Joe spooked.
September 11th, 2025 at 7:08 am
Barton appears to be a really good run blocker and would be the best option if Goedeke goes down. I would like to see how well Ben Chukwuma holds up at left tackle.
September 11th, 2025 at 7:16 am
Offensive line must play better. They allowed way too much pressure last week, especially up the middle. I think Atlanta had good pressure about 40% of the snaps. We also need to find a way to run the ball better. That will help.
September 11th, 2025 at 7:31 am
Look at Coen’s run game schemes from last year, which were successful, and employ them in Monday Nights football game.
An improved run game with Bucky finding open lanes will slow down the Texans rush game and will also light up Evans and Ebuka in the pass game.
September 11th, 2025 at 7:53 am
So what actually is Charlie Heck doing? Is he even playing at all????…
September 11th, 2025 at 8:04 am
It speaks volumes that we trust our backup so little that we shuffle the entire line to compensate.
September 11th, 2025 at 8:14 am
I thought the O Line did poor run blocking but way better than average pass blocking and the stats back me up on the pass blocking.
The Bucs allowed 1 sack — two quarterback hits — and just the 2 total pressures on pass blocking. Pretty sure they were worried Heck might end Bakers season before it barely started.
Considering it was the 1st game of the year — much more important to keep Baker healthy on the passing plays.
September 11th, 2025 at 8:17 am
Thought I heard Wiefs could return week 3. Still true?
September 11th, 2025 at 8:26 am
chukwuma is going to be a beast but he needs time, goedeke was not good as a rookie but he’s killing it now. i expect they will develop chukwuma the same
September 11th, 2025 at 8:29 am
Hyaluronic acid injection(also called Rooster Combs) should allow Wirfs to reduce the pain associated with a severely arthritic knee . If the Barton experiment works well the Bucs may be well served to look at Wirfs trade value and field some offers just to see what interest is out there and what may be obtained. Wirfs will continue to have issues with that knee regardless of treatment.
September 11th, 2025 at 8:30 am
The Houston game will be tough! All road games are, and for the Buc’s, those night games are killer! The Buc’s need to bring their “A” game to Texas!! Make plays when needed! Make plays when not needed too. GET IT DONE!!
September 11th, 2025 at 8:44 am
Barton was not horrible at LT last week but he wasn’t great or even considered good at that position.
Looking at the PFF grades he scored a 58 pass blocking and a 46 run blocking grade.
He had one penalty. Allowed 3 QB pressures.
The good news – he allowed zero QB hits and gave up zero QB sacks.
Just to clarify – I still believe Barton did a solid job given the current circumstances but there is room for improvement if he continues playing LT…
September 11th, 2025 at 8:54 am
Why wouldn’t he be able to hold up at LT going forward? He was an all American LT in college for two years. These football experts can make some really dumb conclusions. My guess is he’d only get better the more he played there.
September 11th, 2025 at 8:58 am
Does Heck have MRSA?
September 11th, 2025 at 9:01 am
The initial MCL sprain from the 2024 season was deemed manageable, but the decision to pursue a “natural healing” approach after the season failed.
None of the routine MRI scans detected the full extent of the underlying damage. I am not sure why it took the Bucs so long to get a CT scan completed but neither did Wirfs personal physician. While an MRI is considered the gold standard for visualizing soft tissues and ligaments, a CT scan provides highly detailed cross-sectional images that are superior for assessing bone structure and cartilage as well.
Unlike a traditional arthroscopic “cleanup” surgery, which primarily focuses on removing damaged tissue, BMAC is a form of regenerative therapy.
The choice of a regenerative therapy like BMAC over a more invasive surgical procedure represents a strategic decision aimed at the long-term health and career longevity of an elite athlete.
The therapy is believed to have “disease-modifying” potential, meaning it addresses the root cause of the “bone on bone” by regenerating cartilage around the knee. This is a valuable outcome for an elite athlete, as it prioritizes the long-term health and integrity of his knee.
I doubt it “heals” all athletes of that bone on bone issue — but it seems to certainly have the potential to, and I would not look to trade Wirfs based upon him having the procedure. Instead, I would do repeat MRI’s and CT scans to document the extent of improvement.
September 11th, 2025 at 9:43 am
In Carberry We Trust.
LFG!!!
September 11th, 2025 at 10:37 am
I’ll rather the Bucs go with Barton at left tackle. He’s more athletic than Heck, so the Bucs don’t have to use resources to help him out.
September 11th, 2025 at 10:57 am
Wasnt Tristan a very highly regarded wrestler? Wonder if that played a part in the development of the knee condition.
September 11th, 2025 at 10:58 am
he did good enough! Go Bucs
September 11th, 2025 at 11:14 am
“Joe is hoping like heck 26-year-old Wirfs lasts another 10 years and builds up a Hall of Fame resume.”
Hoping like heck – A double Freudian by Joe!
September 11th, 2025 at 11:27 am
Words and Godwin practicing tomorrow lol
September 11th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
what the heck is everybody talking about here
September 11th, 2025 at 12:29 pm
This reshuffled OLine has to get used to playing as a single unit until Wirfs returns. Only saving grace about a MNF game is the Bucs get an extra day of practice. Barton is versatile and proving it. Licht looks for that in his picks. Another plus is Bucky is copying RW in catching, and he’s started helping out in blocking. Bucs have to bring their A game Monday Nite. This fan has faith.
September 11th, 2025 at 1:27 pm
Expecting a top left tackle to make it to 36 years old is asking a lot, regardless of knee injuries this early in a career. If he can play put his contract healthy, I’ll count it as a win.