Graham Barton Addresses Recent Bucs’ Pass Blocking Woes
November 8th, 2025
No excuses from Bucs center.
On Wednesday, Bucs center Graham Barton stood before the local pen and mic club and was asked why the offensive line has been anything but Bucs-like the past two games.
Fortunately, Joe had a one-on-one with Barton about 15 minutes before Barton spoke with the media throng.
So Joe asked Barton if the Lions’ pass rush put something on tape that the slimy Saints copied the next week? Chase Young all of a sudden looked like the stud he was as a rookie before his knee surgery and two of the best offensive linemen in the game for the Bucs looked, well, pedestrian.
“The honest answer is upfront, we didn’t have our best game,” Barton said. “We didn’t have our best game, you know. We were off on some pre-snap [changes and shifts]. We didn’t pass-off [blocking assignments] the best.
“I just don’t think it was a great performance for us. And I think [the] bye week [came] at a great time, because I think the last two weeks, if you look at Detroit, New Orleans, just not our best games.
“And that starts with me. Not my best games [or] performances.”
Joe appreciated the candid answer. Joe was neither looking for a hot take nor trying to ambush the second-year player from Duke. Joe was just looking for information and let Barton know that.
Against the Saints, maybe for the first time in the NFL, Barton was getting bull-rushed with relative ease.
Barton didn’t dodge any responsibility. He said if he plays better, the offensive line will play better.
“I’d like to definitely improve,” Barton said. “Every opportunity is a learning opportunity. We’re going to keep getting better. We’ll keep grinding this out.”
Barton sort of suggested the offense felt a tinge of shame for not having better games in Detroit and New Orleans.
“I think after Detroit [and] New Orleans, I think [there was] a somber feeling for our offense,” Barton said. “But we were 6-2 going into the bye. I think if you look at [wins over] Seattle and San Francisco and [remember] how we were feeling after those two games, I just think we’ve got to find that again.
“And that starts up front. That starts with me. Just executing better and playing with good technique and fundamentals and and I think we’re going to keep getting better … just stick together as a team and keep moving forward.”
The Bucs defense got a major shoutout from Barton for the win in New Orleans. He was quick to admit the offense didn’t have it that day and the defense played above the rim.
Barton’s near-term goal? For the Bucs not to have to rely on the defense to win games by themselves.
November 8th, 2025 at 6:09 am
No one wants to criticize or question people that seem like legitimately great humans – like a Chris Godwin or Graham Barton. But in a performance and availability based business, you have to keep business separate from the MAN and call a spade a spade. I appreciate Barton being a man, giving a sound answer. However, he hasn’t done anything to make anyone forget Ryan Jensen. Frankly, I am not even sure we’re getting average at the moment. As an aside – Bredson, Barton, whoever is at RG, and Heck – ALL below average, then when you can’t even have Wirfs protecting Bakers blindside, holy freaking crap guys. YES, let’s get our shi together ok
November 8th, 2025 at 6:51 am
It took Jensen four years to become the center that we knew. Barton for sure isn’t there yet and he was a first round pick as opposed to Ryan being given time to develop. I think he’ll turn out just fine. Hopefully great. I appreciate his accountability and hope he steps up in the second half of the year. Personally, I’m all for the Bucs being determined to show that the Patriots aren’t all that in run defense. I just wish we had Bucky and his lateral moves. That’s something that the OL can’t create.
November 8th, 2025 at 6:56 am
How important is Cody Mauch to this team? Nobody talks much about that. Did anyone watch him finish the game where he was hurt? Watching him play last year and he was as impressive as any RG in the league and he was still getting better. You lose a player like that and then Goedecke to boot you can’t overstate the blow our offense felt. That’s equivalent to the loss of Bucky. At least. It’ll be interesting to see who’s at RG come Sunday. Freeney? Jordan? I think it’s gonna be Haggard. Barton and Heck have had a different player between them for 3 or 4 straight games. Luckily White has been an excellent blocker and the tight ends have been helping out too. But then our passing game loses some bullets. Barton does seem to know what we’re going to have to do though. “We’ll keep grinding this out”. Yep. He and the rest of the team knows. And they’re doing a darn good job of it.
November 8th, 2025 at 7:09 am
GFTF30 and a second year ,out of position player who started the season at LT is supposed to make us forget Ryan Jensen? Have another cup of coffee pal.
November 8th, 2025 at 7:11 am
It’s a predictable scheme. Not much creativity. Reminds me of BL. OLs always struggle when things are predictable.
November 8th, 2025 at 7:23 am
BFFL – I agree with that. Grizz isn’t Coen, at least not yet. Even more so with Bucky playing everyone can see where we’re going with the ball. Hate the passes in the flat where our RB’s have their back to the line of scrimmage. Horrible plays – remind me of Gruden.
Also, haven’t gotten any press, but Chase Young stepped up vs Wirfs. First time I can remember Tristan getting rattled.
November 8th, 2025 at 7:34 am
BFFL, agree 100%, the lack of creativity and consistent predictability over the last two games plays a major factor in the performance. Just look at the goal line situation against the saints. I felt earlier in the year Grizz was mixing it up and keeping it less predictable. At the end of the day he’s a rookie play caller, hopefully he did some self scouting over the bye week and does a better job of putting the offense in position to succeed in the second half. Diversity in the play calling is all that more imperative with all the injuries and less talented players playing. Go Bucs! Bucs 31 Pats 17
November 8th, 2025 at 7:52 am
Stpete salty – you’re the kind of guy that would blame bad decisions of morons on the cops, or Antonio Browns weirdo tendencies on CTE. Barton is a first round pick, therefore – expectations come with it. I know, mind blowing right. Is have no time for excuses, crying, and looking for something to blame. That’s what unsuccessful people do. Do I expect Barton to be all pro year one? No. Do I expect mfing AVERAGE to above average? Well, golly – that sure is t too much to ask. Does this offend your sensibilities? Maybe take some TRT to fix your candy a$$