“They Came Out And Crushed It”
September 10th, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
It was audacious. It was stunning. It went against everything the Bucs claim to stand for.
And it worked … at least for one afternoon.
Who makes three changes along the offensive line because of one injury? That’s what Tampa Bay coaches decided to do in the days leading up to Sunday’s season opener at Atlanta.
With Tristan Wirfs watching in street clothes, the Bucs pushed backup left tackle Charlie Heck to the curb and moved center Graham Barton over to handle Baker Mayfield’s blind spot. Ben Bredeson shifted from left guard to center and Michael Jordan filled Bredeson’s role.
Unlike his namesake, you never heard Jordan’s name mentioned once the game started. He had joined the Bucs only six weeks earlier as training camp started and at that point, he had few realistic hopes of starting in Week 1.
Instead, he was on the field for all 58 offensive snaps.
Center/guard Ben Bredeson.
Right guard Cody Mauch and right tackle Luke Goedeke remained in their usual spots against the Falcons and the unit as a whole offered Mayfield solid protection. In particular, Mayfield’s first TD pass to rookie Emeka Egbuka featured an airtight wall up front, sealing off Atlanta pass rushers.
“They came out and crushed it,” Wirfs told me in the locker room after a 23-20 victory that gave Tampa Bay the early jump atop the NFC South. “It was awesome to get to watch it. Mike came in and balled. They all played great. Bredeson’s a dog. I hated every second having to watch from the sidelines, but it was nice to see the guys do their thing.”
The Falcons are hardly known for their pass rush, but Monday night’s opponent features a pair of double-digit sackers in Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. Anderson dropped Matt Stafford once in Houston’s 14-9 setback at Los Angeles.
Heck obviously didn’t impress the Bucs in camp. It was his job to lose at left tackle until Wirfs recovers and Todd Bowles indicated Heck would start Week 1, but he gave Tampa Bay coaches too many concerns, leading to Sunday’s overhaul.
This was something out of a spy novel during the Cold War.
Sage Ira weighs in on a left-tackle day at the office for Graham Barton.
Teams usually don’t secretly shake up their offensive line on the brink of the season. For Buc coaches and executives who continually harp on the importance of continuity, the shakeup proved to be the bold and the beautiful.
“We’re ready for Tristan to come back, he’s the best in the league, but communication was great,” Barton said. “Bredeson’s such a stud. For him to be able to kick inside and handle the calls, running the show, that’s impressive. And what I day for Mike, being our starter at left guard. I’m super proud of him. He was a huge help for me today. I’m excited where we’re at — and we’re only going to get better from here on out.”
Before we crown this revamped lineup a home run, let’s remember Tampa Bay’s ground game went nowhere in Atlanta. When Mayfield ends up your leading rusher with 39 yards, you know the holes weren’t big enough. Bucky Irving averaged only 2.6 yards per carry, less than half of last year’s usual production.
Will the Bucs showcase the same alignment up front in prime time? Don’t believe anything that comes out of One Buc Place this week because Bowles isn’t tipping his hand.
“This game really showed the athleticism we have across the offensive line,” Goedeke said. “The win was huge, especially because Atlanta got us twice last year.”
Mayfield had just enough time to deliver his second TD strike to Egbuka. You won’t see a prettier pass this season as oncoming inside pressure prevented Mayfield from stepping up in the pocket. Still, he had enough arm and guts to fire the ball over the outstretched hands of corner Mike Hughes for the winning score.
“There’s no one I’d rather have with the ball in his hands in that situation than Baker,” said Goedeke. “He makes plays happen, whether it’s through the air or with his feet.”
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Ira Kaufman Talks Evolution Of Todd Bowles, Jamel Dean Realities, Dramatic O-Line Shuffle, Deeper Inside Bucs-Atlanta, And More
September 10th, 2025 at 12:05 pm
It worked. It probably shouldn’t have, but it did. It’s probably because each individual lineman is a great player they were more easily able to minimize the effects of a new guard than a new tackle and at least in pass protection they still did really well. If we want a run game we need Wirfs back as soon as possible though!
September 10th, 2025 at 12:06 pm
I am both impressed and very encouraged by the play of the o-line against the Falcons. The last time I saw this big of a last minute shakeup was from the Chiefs when they played the Bucs in the Super Bowl. The world got to see how that turned out.
I am thinking that the o-line has a lot more depth than I originally thought.
September 10th, 2025 at 12:20 pm
Both TD passes were elite. Big league throws.
September 10th, 2025 at 12:29 pm
The longer this line plays togethor, the better they will get. Everyone seems to be hinting that Tristan will return for the Jets game, but never can be sure. This way, he does not to be rushed back too soon. Their Bye week is Week 9, and right now I would not worry if Wirfs did not come back until after that,
And the success is food for thought – Bredeson is a good experienced center, and Barton would be a huge upgrade at Left Guard. I hate to hurt Charlie Hecks feelings, but I think he would have been swamped against the Falcons, and worse against the Texans.
On to Houston – LFG!!!
September 10th, 2025 at 12:50 pm
While we’re at it, don’t forget that both Rasheed White and Bucky Irving got in on the helping the OLine block for Bake party. That might have affected their overall yardage. It sure as heck helped Bake! Go Bucs!!
September 10th, 2025 at 1:05 pm
Get well soon Wirfs!
September 10th, 2025 at 1:09 pm
Michael Jordan impressed me the most. What a stud that nobody saw. Totting around.
September 10th, 2025 at 1:20 pm
I wonder how much Carberry had to do with this?
He seems to be a pretty solid line coach for us to have.
They’re a bunch of o line coaches out there you wouldn’t want trying to make this three-way switch work.
September 10th, 2025 at 1:26 pm
I hadn’t watched any news prior to the game on Sunday and didn’t know of any changes on the o-line until the Bucs started on offense. That was shocking!! I could only think WTF!!??. 😉
I was more than a little concerned at the beginning of the game as it didn’t look good at the start. They got better though and I’m sure they’ll continue to get better the more they practice together.
The Atlanta defense must of been looking forward to playing again Heck and been surprised to see Barton as left tackle. 😉
September 10th, 2025 at 2:06 pm
Great performance to change 3 positions and play so well. Last year it took the offense several games to hit its stride (lack of pre-season work??). I think both the rushing and passing game will improve rapidly, hopefully back to last year’s standard.
September 10th, 2025 at 2:25 pm
Shake-able and workable indeed. We had a lot of surprises, and one being Buka too. A lot of us knew he was going to be good, but right out of the gate he was awesome. Looking forward to Wirfs coming back on the field too.
September 10th, 2025 at 3:18 pm
What an outstanding article! I have read a ton of good sportswriters in my day. And you, sir, are one of them. And that’s not taking anything away from our Joes. Keep up the good work!
September 10th, 2025 at 3:20 pm
Hmm? A ton of good sportswriters? Well, that didn’t turn out to be the complement I meant it to be.
September 10th, 2025 at 3:25 pm
Why bother keeping Heck around? It’s obvious that he can’t do what the team needed him to do. Put him on the practice squad or release him. There has to be someone somewhere who might fill a need we can pick up.
September 10th, 2025 at 5:21 pm
After reading your note — I rewatched that 1st TD to Egbuka. Wow, that line was the biggest reason that play worked.
We tend to notice only when the line fails. Kudos to our T-Rex set of offensive lineman.
September 10th, 2025 at 7:12 pm
So coming out of college NFL masterminds decided Barton couldn’t play LT in the NFL? Don’t tell me, his arms are a quarter inch to short? Dude could be a pro bowl LT. We’ll see how he does one more week. Wirfs will be back for the Jets game. Barton, like Egbuka, great first round picks by Licht.
September 10th, 2025 at 8:44 pm
The way I see it is, there was too much emphasis put on long pass plays by Grizzard. That was what the Bucs worked on improving this whole offseason. DON’T FIX WHAT ISN’T BROKEN!!!
They sure as heck better get back to the short, let players make plays, offense against the Texans. Baker isn’t going to have time to keep experimenting with deep throws against them – especially with a new makeshift line.
September 11th, 2025 at 1:45 am
The mastery of Tampa Bay’s one and only Sage!
“Bredeson’s such a stud. For him to be able to kick inside and handle the calls”
It just occured to me that Bredeson may be the MVP of this O line right now. Not any easy thing he did Sunday.
How many NFL snaps has he had at center? Any info on that?
Go Bucs!