Welcome to SR’s Fab 5 – my weekly insider column on the Bucs that options 5 issues which can be on my thoughts. SR’s Fab 5 is now a faster learn, however nonetheless packs a punch. Take pleasure in!
As a result of July 4th vacation subsequent Thursday, there received’t be one other SR’s Fab 5 column till Friday, July 12. Benefit from the fireworks and Completely satisfied Independence Day!
FAB 1. Bucs Should Begin Graham Barton At Middle Proper Now
Bucs C Graham Barton, QB Baker Mayfield and C Robert Hainsey – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
You may’t blame rookie middle Graham Barton for eager to win the job by competitors somewhat than being handed the beginning obligation.
However the most effective factor the Bucs can do is to call Barton the beginning middle on the primary day of coaching camp and finish any perceived camp competitors between he and veteran Robert Hainsey.
In any case, the Bucs spent their first-round choose on a participant to exchange Hainsey, who has been a two-year starter, filling in for the injured – and now retired – Ryan Jensen. So why sustain the charade?
Hainsey wasn’t deemed to be sufficiently big, and the Bucs wished to get larger on the tip of the spear alongside the offensive line. So go forward and make that occur, Todd Bowles and Liam Coen.
Barton is listed at 6-foot-5, 314 kilos whereas Hainsey is 6-foot-4, 306 kilos on the official Bucs roster. The Duke product shouldn’t be solely stronger and in a position to anchor higher in cross safety and get extra push within the run sport, he’s additionally an elite athlete. Keep in mind, Barton scored an ideal 10 as a middle prospect on Kent Lee Platte’s RAS (Relative Athletic Rating) popping out of the draft.
It’s within the workforce’s finest curiosity to right away transfer ahead with an “all-in” mentality that Barton would be the one snapping the ball to Baker Mayfield – even when it’s not what the standard, hard-working rookie desires to listen to.
“I nonetheless should earn it,” Barton mentioned. “It’s not going to be like that in any respect – not less than in my thoughts you’ve bought to earn it each day. And you must present that you simply belong. Clearly, that’s what I wish to do. I’m right here to contribute identical to everybody else – embracing my position and exhibiting up each day and incomes it each day. Not sitting there and saying, ‘I’ve bought it.’”
I’m a giant believer in competitors, but when there’s a superior expertise on the roster like Barton, and he occurs to be a rookie, the one factor holding him again is a scarcity of expertise. Really enjoying is the best solution to achieve expertise as a result of there may be solely a lot that may be discovered within the movie room and on the sidelines taking psychological reps.
Bucs C Graham Barton and RG Cody Mauch – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
So give Barton as many snaps as attainable at middle in camp working with Mayfield somewhat than splitting begins with Hainsey. Snapping the ball to Kyle Trask for half of camp shouldn’t be going to additional Barton’s on-field chemistry with Mayfield and adequately put together him for the season.
“Constructing belief is the largest factor,” Barton mentioned. “I would like Baker and I would like the offensive line to have the ability to belief me at middle. Like once I’m within the huddle, simply attempting to be assertive and figuring out the offense. So after we rise up to the road of scrimmage and there’s a complicated look that I’m the one who is aware of the solutions. Simply persistently being that particular person as a middle, it makes you the middle groups appears to be like for – a man that is aware of the offense in and out and may get us out of a jam. That’s the largest method I’m attempting to construct some belief, ‘Graham is right here to work and we are able to belief him on the sphere.’”
Barton has the precise thought for certain. However the one solution to really obtain that’s to finish any charade and inform Hainsey that he’s going to be the backup this 12 months. As a result of Hainsey is in a contract 12 months, why not throw him into the combo to start out at left guard with Ben Bredeson and Sua Opeta? See if he can deal with the change to protect. Hainsey must be a lot motivated with free company looming in 2025.
Tampa Bay was smart to set its offensive line previous to coaching camp final 12 months. The workforce inserted rookie Cody Mauch, the second-round choose, into the beginning lineup at proper guard instantly through the OTAs and it enormously benefited not solely him, however proper deal with Luke Goedeke. The chemistry between Mauch and Goedeke grew from coaching camp and have become fairly sturdy by the top of the season.
We already know that the Bucs could have an open competitors at left guard. So why complicate issues and have a contest between Barton and Hainsey at middle, too? Solidifying 4 out of the 5 beginning spots throughout the road sooner somewhat than later makes extra sense than simply three.
FAB 2. Graham Barton, Baker Mayfield Should Be On The Identical Web page
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and C Graham Barton – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
One more reason why Graham Barton wants as many snaps as he can get with Baker Mayfield is as a result of Mayfield could have a a lot better freedom to name audibles on the line of scrimmage this 12 months. So it’s much more crucial that Barton and Mayfield get on the identical web page as early as attainable.
“That’s one other a part of my position that we’ve talked about – figuring out when the play change goes to come back,” Barton mentioned. “I’ve to know in my head, ‘Hey, we’re calling this … but when we get this – we’re going to vary the play.
“So for me to know in my head, ‘Hey, Baker is about to vary the play, I have already got what I’m about to say prepared in my head. As quickly as I hear it, I can get all the pieces adjusted and we are able to snap the soccer and never give the protection time to possibly get out of one thing. That’s a very vital a part of my job, undoubtedly one thing I’m beginning to study and can proceed to study.”
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles know that his high draft choose has numerous weight on his shoulders throughout his rookie season. However he’s additionally inspired by the excessive soccer I.Q. of the Duke product.
“It’s a heavy load, particularly after enjoying deal with for 3 years after which going in opposition to a protection that does numerous issues,” Bowles mentioned. “This shall be an excellent baptism for him, so far as preparing for the season. I feel he’s discovered so much. I feel he’s desirous to get in pads and actually present what he can do bodily. He’s a sensible man.”
Bucs C Robert Hainsey and OC Liam Coen – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Robert Hainsey, the Bucs’ beginning middle over the past two years, snapped the ball to Mayfield for all 19 video games final 12 months, together with each playoff contests. If known as upon to start out as a result of a Barton harm or ineffectiveness, Hainsey has three years of NFL expertise beneath his belt heading into camp this 12 months to lean on.
Hainsey is a great middle who can shortly re-establish his chemistry if obligatory. However proper now, Barton and Mayfield want the reps collectively to gel and skim the protection’s alignment the identical method.
Do not forget that Barton can be making the transition from left deal with at Duke to middle. He final performed middle for 5 video games as a freshman in 2020. So Barton and Mayfield – and the Bucs offensive line as an entire – will solely profit from getting the rookie snapper as many snaps as he can get this August so when Tampa Bay’s QB desires to vary the play, the rookie middle shall be on the identical web page and make the suitable, corresponding line name.
FAB 3. Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey Will Get Graham Barton Prepared To Roll
Bucs DTs Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Whether or not he’s named the starter or not early in coaching camp, Graham Barton could have his fingers full come July 24. And that’s an excellent factor.
Barton will get some wonderful appears to be like in apply from Tampa Bay’s two distinctly completely different – but equally proficient – defensive tackles. Each 347-pound Vita Vea and 286-pound Calijah Kancey will current a pair of separate challenges for the rookie middle.
“It’s nice they’re on our workforce,” Barton mentioned. “I’m glad I get to go in opposition to all of them of coaching camp after which I don’t should see them within the season, you realize? (laughs) It’s nice to have guys with that a lot expertise and talent and expertise too – with Vita.
“To have the ability to go in opposition to all of them coaching camp, and Calijah has been right here the entire time and Vita was right here this week. Simply getting a style of what that’s going to be like and the expertise that they’ve – that shall be nice in coaching camp to kind of get used to. These are going to be two of the most effective that I’ll see all 12 months. I feel getting that have now’s going to be actually useful down the street.”
Bucs exterior linebacker Markees Watts, who was a current visitor on the Pewter Report Podcast, mentioned that Barton’s studying curve is about to be accelerated as a result of dealing with the contrasting kinds that Vea and Kancey will current.
“He’s going to study numerous classes actually quick,” Watts mentioned. “His progress curve goes to go completely bend. He’s in such a tough place as a result of he’s bought a mix of all the pieces. Not solely is he retaining eyes on one particular person, he has to control Vita Vea, who simply would possibly membership you and dislocate your shoulder he’s so highly effective. And you’ve got somebody like Calijah who’s going to wash your fingers proper up and run previous you.
Bucs QB Kyle Trask and C Graham Barton – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
“He’s completely going to have his fingers full. However with stress comes numerous information and numerous progress. He’s going to develop. I imagine in him. He’s going to be actually good.”
From rookie mini-camp to the OTAs to the workforce’s obligatory mini-camp, Barton has discovered so much already. Now he’s spending his time reflecting on these classes and making ready for coaching camp.
“I don’t wish to rise up right here and say, ‘I bought it,’ as a result of there’s a protracted solution to go,” Barton mentioned on the finish of mini-camp. “We’ve solely been right here a few weeks. However, I undoubtedly suppose the largest factor is it’s okay to make errors, however don’t beat your self up over making a mistake – simply right it, don’t let it occur in a sport. If you make it twice, that’s if you get mad at your self.
“I simply suppose retaining my head above water and taking in as a lot as I can, simply attempting to take heed to everybody. Understanding my place as a rookie, I simply bought right here, I don’t know something. [I am] telling myself that and attempting to soak all the pieces in has form of been my mindset. I really feel like I’ve gained numerous information from the vets, the coaches, the assembly time, on the sphere. I really feel like I’ve discovered a ton and [I’m] excited to take these subsequent couple weeks and kind of digest it and are available again for coaching camp able to roll.”
FAB 4. Graham Barton Should Be Ready For A Washington Buzzsaw In Week 1
Commanders DTs Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne – Picture by: USA Right this moment
One more reason for Tampa Bay to only go forward and decide to having Graham Barton be the workforce’s middle this 12 months and provides him the entire first-team reps in coaching camp is the workforce’s season-opening opponent. The Bucs host the Washington Commanders in Week 1.
Which means Barton and Tampa Bay’s inside offensive line shall be dealing with one of the crucial harmful defensive deal with tandems within the league in Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.
Allen, a two-time Professional Bowler, is 6-foot-3, 300 kilos and has an ideal mix of energy and velocity. He has posted 39 sacks in seven years, together with 5.5 final 12 months and a career-high 9 sacks in 2021. When he’s not attending to the quarterback, Allen is making life depressing for working backs, notching 57 tackles for loss in his profession, together with 10 final 12 months.
Payne is simply as monstrous, and even larger and stronger at 6-foot-3, 320 kilos. He has 30 sacks in his six years in Washington, together with 4 final 12 months. He’s only one season faraway from a career-high 11.5 sacks, which got here in 2022 – his lone Professional Bowl marketing campaign. Payne can be a backfield penetrator, notching 53 tackles for loss, together with 18 in 2022 and 13 final season.
New head coach Dan Quinn is a defensive guru who will definitely deploy Allen and Payne in methods to finest disrupt and confuse Tampa Bay’s rookie middle.
Even Barton mentioned that the quantity of element from veterans on the NFL stage has taken him unexpectedly a bit.
“I wouldn’t say it’s the largest shock, however the depth and the element on the NFL stage of what you’re doing, the way you’re doing it, method, fundamentals, ideas and methods, issues like that,” Barton mentioned. “How way more there may be to the sport of soccer, I suppose, that you simply didn’t all the time perceive in faculty. So, studying that has been the largest leap, going by that.”
Getting Barton as prepared as attainable by giving him as many reps because the beginning middle as attainable is clearly one of the best ways to arrange him for the Commanders’ 1-2 punch up entrance.
FAB 5. Bucs Can’t Wait To Face Jayden Daniels In Season Opener
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels – Picture by: USA Right this moment
Talking of Washington, Tampa Bay’s new middle Graham Barton isn’t going to be the one rookie who shall be beneath fireplace in Week 1. New Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, the second general choose within the 2024 NFL Draft, could have the unenviable job of dealing with defensive mastermind Todd Bowles and his troops in his first professional sport.
Daniels will seemingly play in not less than two of Washington’s preseason video games, however not the total contests. Commanders new offensive coordinator Kliff Kinsgbury has squared off in opposition to Bowles earlier than when he was Arizona’s head coach in 2019 and 2022. The Bucs narrowly received each video games, 30-27, in Bowles’ first 12 months as defensive coordinator in 2019, and on Christmas evening, 19-16, again in 2022.
But Bowles could have had all summer time to invent new stress packages, new defensive appears to be like and disguised coverages to idiot the rookie QB and get his head swimming early. Bucs working again Rachaad White, who’s finest associates with Daniels from their enjoying days collectively at Arizona State, believes Daniels is in for a tough NFL debut.
“Coach Bowles’ protection is so powerful,” White mentioned. “I simply considered it, and I used to be simply telling my guys (Bucs rookie working backs) that working backs are available and also you wish to shield the quarterback, and clearly that’s big. Once we slip or one thing like that I inform them, ‘In the event you can choose up the blitz in opposition to Coach Bowles protection, bro, you’re going to have an ideal shot of selecting up any blitz on any protection.
“For him (Daniels), I like our possibilities as a result of Coach Bowles … yeah, they dial it up. And our defensive gamers, man – we’ve a bunch of younger guys getting into sure roles, and we’ve bought veteran guys which can be simply ballplayers.”
The final time Tampa Bay’s protection took the sphere, it surrendered the result in Detroit in a 31-23 defeat within the NFC Divisional playoffs late within the fourth quarter. Bucs exterior linebacker Markees Watts mentioned that the protection can’t wait to take the sphere within the season opener to play higher and avenge that painful loss.
“It left a nasty style in everybody’s mouth,” Watts mentioned. “We’ve got to make up for what we did. I feel everybody goes to come back out with a chip on their shoulder to avenge our fallen purpose from final 12 months. I’m excited to see what’s going to occur, particularly with our new guys on the market. It’s going to be enjoyable.”
Watch The New Pewter Report Podcast With Particular Visitor Bucs OLB Markees Watts
Tampa Bay exterior linebacker Markees Watts joined the Pewter Report Podcast on Thursday, June 27 and was a implausible visitor. We’ve had a number of nice interviews with Bucs gamers and personnel this offseason, together with inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis, defensive deal with Will Gholston, exterior linebacker Yaya Diaby, basic supervisor Jason Licht, cornerback Zyon McCollum, assistant basic supervisor Mike Greenberg and Watts.
To take a look at any of these episodes click on right here.
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