The Offensive Line Discovery Tree
September 22nd, 2025
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Joe had to smile reading a high-profile national column devoting a lot of space to the history of the Bucs’ makeshift offensive on display yesterday against the Jets.
It was as if Monday Morning Quarterback author Albert Breer asked Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht to email him a full breakdown of each starter and Breer played cut-and-paste.
Either that, or Breer has a bizarre obsession with Bucs minutiae.
One by one, Breer discussed the building of the O-line that featured, from left tackle to right tackle, Graham Barton, Elijah Klein, Ben Bredeson, Luke Haggard and Charlie Heck.
Here’s one excerpt.
• Guard Ben Bredeson was a find for the pro scouting department, and assistant GM Rob McCartney and assistant pro scouting directors Donovan Cotton and Sean Conley in particular, on a one-year deal in 2024. He came back this year on a three-year, $22 million deal. And with the shuffling, Bredeson replaced Barton at center, where he’s emerged as a the glue of the group, with his intelligence and maturity.
Good for the Bucs getting this kind of exposure for unknown front office folks and little known players.
As Joe wrote last night, the heroic effort from that line yesterday should not be overlooked, and Joe suspects Graham Barton popping out to left tackle for a few games is something that will be remembered for years — including when Barton wants a new contract.
September 22nd, 2025 at 11:07 am
He’s been fine for the situation, but I doubt teams will be beating down Barton’s door to play LT.
September 22nd, 2025 at 11:09 am
Licht is excellent at scouting o-linemen….might be the best in the biz. He’s solid at WR and CB/S…decent at RB. Unfortunately he’s had no luck at QB (drafting), DL although he’s snagged to stellar vet QBs.
September 22nd, 2025 at 11:12 am
It is amazing how they have been able to play and plug these guys. The amount of holding calls however was painful to watch yesterday. This team is the definition of Gritty and that all stems from Baker. That Putrid Pass Defense still is hanging around however and needs to get better soon. Go BUCS!!
September 22nd, 2025 at 11:17 am
Sounds like OC is doing Ok…3 CLOSE wins.
September 22nd, 2025 at 11:22 am
She needs to learn to cover his mouth with the play sheet to truly look big-time
September 22nd, 2025 at 11:27 am
Our OLine struggled quite a bit yesterday (as evidenced by the number of penalties?) BUT … we got a win & points are always the bottom line. We’re now 3-0, winning by a TOTAL margin of 6 points. I don’t know if any team has ever started a season like that, but I kinda doubt it. The 3 teams we’ve beaten are now 1-8 so they’re probably not the top-tier; the next 3 teams are 8-1 right now, so that might be a tad more challenging. After that, we face the Saints in New Orleans then thankfully hit our BYE week.
Even with Wirfs and maybe Godwin coming back, this team is beaten up right now, especially on offense. The BYE looks like it’ll come at a good time, and we might get a number of our starters back by then.
Starting off 3-0 is awesome because it gives us kind of a leg up in terms of the remaining 14 games in our schedule. Win 50% of those and we’d end up 10-7, and that SHOULD be good enough this year to win the NFC South and make the playoffs. I’m hopeful that we’ll do better than that (12-5 or 11-6), but our injury situation is proving to be REALLY challenging. Any news on the latest status of Luke Goedeke or Michael Jordan Joe?
September 22nd, 2025 at 11:31 am
“Joe suspects Graham Barton popping out to left tackle for a few games is something that will be remembered for years — including when Barton wants a new contract.“
How’s about Ben Bredeson grading out as a top 5 pass blocking center through 4 games
September 22nd, 2025 at 11:42 am
It takes an o-lineman to know an o-lineman. He knows what he’s looking for and has an uncanny ability to grab hidden gems from small schools. And then, Carberry and staff are able to train them up to be excellent players in the NFL.
September 22nd, 2025 at 12:30 pm
Well, soon to be former Bucs scouts.
Teams will throw money at them.
Jason Licht has quietly become one of the most respected GM’s in the game and the Glazers have been good owners. Us old farts still remember Culverhouse.
When Tom Brady came and we won a Super Bowl, all the credit went to Tom. Not the fact that we kept KC out of the end zone. The Philly defense didn’t accomplish that.
But I think to some of the veterans, they want a ring that will not have the GOAT astrick (*) associated with it. Winning it with Baker who came here labeled as a NFL washout would be sublime. Then more of the shine will go to that veteran group.
September 22nd, 2025 at 12:46 pm
To this point in the thread, these are some of the best comments I’ve read on this site.
September 22nd, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Yes, void of trolls and the standard negative Karen’s….
so far.
September 22nd, 2025 at 1:01 pm
Good stuff as usual, DR.
But when you said (typed): “Any news on the latest status of Luke Goedeke or Michael Jordan Joe?”
Lemme do a quick edit:
“Any news on the latest status of Luke Goedeke or Michael (not that one) Jordan Joe?”
LOL. So happy we are 3-0, but as you illustriously elucidated, DR, we are beat up. Still, optimistic about the season albeit likely conceding a loss or two in the next month due to our relative lack of health.
Go Bucs ! ! !
September 22nd, 2025 at 1:15 pm
Barton is starting to get exposed at LT. He’s not quick enough.
September 22nd, 2025 at 3:07 pm
it wouldnt be a day ending in day if there wasnt a slurp slurp lick thread for JL
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:51 pm
Bucs are pulling out tight last minute wins vs subpar teams. Injuries derail us every year but we are still winning. Real tests are coming starting this week. Team.has looked reasonably solid so far. Go BUCS!!!!!
September 22nd, 2025 at 8:18 pm
Licht slept walked through free agency and did nothing to address the lack of depth on the Oline. Dude just keeps getting a pass from the fan base.
September 22nd, 2025 at 8:25 pm
You gotta be kidding me. This beat up team has managed to go to 3-0 without being at FULL STRENGTH. Now, when’s the last time any NFL club has been able to make that claim? Plus, the refs are on them like stink on sh1t. Yesterday was a classic example of that crap! I’m an old dawg Bucs fan so I’m used to it. Still yesterday was a “cut” above the rest. Thank gawd, we’re only playing lowly Philly Sunday. Not one of the craporate media darlings like NY or LA. We fans are the only ones who can raise h3ll about it. Probably one of the reasons why the NFL ownership wants to move more games overseas. Screw them! Go Mighty Bucs, 4-0!!
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:45 pm
Hope Wirfs is close to ready.
September 22nd, 2025 at 10:04 pm
Gotta fix the pass defense…that’s the last piece. We will get healthy after the bye week. For now….i hope it’s an especially hot day next week so we can say “Fry Eagles Fry!” 4-0hhhhh……shine Bucs.
Old man Buc here. I was in the stands in 76’ – 85’. Watched Culverhouse cheap out and let Doug Williams get away for peanuts 🥜. Cheered for the Selmons and Dave Pair and on and on and on. On Maui now, Bucs fans are hard to find, but we’re here.
September 23rd, 2025 at 3:12 am
Those dudes and Baker…In whatever order you choose…deserve game balls! They all battled to the last snap! Kudos! The refs sure tried to give this one to the Jets but Baker and the boys were not having it!
Go Bucs!