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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