The Bucks will be without starting center Graham Burton, the team’s first-round pick, for Sunday’s NFC South game against the Saints in New Orleans. Thankfully for the Bucks, they have veteran Robert Hainsey as their backup.
Hainzuh has been a two-year starter in Tampa Bay, replacing Pro Bowler Ryan Jensen, who unfortunately suffered a career-ending knee injury on the second day of training camp in 2022. Hainzuo never missed a starting role in two seasons and helped the Bucks win. Back-to-back NFC South championships.
And the team happened to be 2-0 in New Orleans with Hainsey scoring the ball.
According to Pro Football Focus, Barton had his worst game of the year, missing practice for a week after injuring his hamstring in the 36-30 overtime loss to the Falcons in Atlanta. The rookie posted a 39.5 grade against the Falcons this year, giving him a 58 overall grade in PFF.
That’s actually better than the 50.2 overall grade PFF gave Hainsey in 2023 and down from 66.7 in 2022. The Bucks want to be an upgrade over Hainsey from a size and athleticism standpoint, which is why the team drafted Barton in 2020. First round in April.
But at least Hainsey has experience snapping Baker Mayfield and has experience in the NFL. Hainzu should be considered one of the better and more experienced backup centers in the league.
The Saints’ center situation is much worse than the Bucks’.
Bucs DT Vita Baer and Saints QB Derek Carr and C Eric McCoy – Photo courtesy of USA Today
It could even get worse. Just ask the saints. 4th string center for Sunday’s game against the Bucks.
New Orleans’ best offensive lineman, starter Eric McCoy, is on injured reserve. The same goes for his backup, Shane Lemieux.
Third-line center Lucas Patrick made his first start on Monday Night Football against Kansas City, but did not practice all week. He is listed as suspected with a chest injury. If Patrick is unable to play, New Orleans will start Connor McGovern as their fourth center this year.
That’s not ideal when going up against Tampa Bay defensive tackles Vita Vea and Logan Hall, who have combined for five sacks in the past two games. Return of pass-rushing defensive tackle Kariya Kanshi. Not to mention the fact that the Saints have a rookie quarterback under center in Spencer Rattler, a fifth-round pick out of South Carolina in April.
Robert Hainsey has become an absolute pro this year.
Bucks C Robert Hainsey and LG Luke Goedeke – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Robert Hainsey has only played one offensive snap this year, and that was an extra tackle on a goal-line running play in the team’s 26-7 loss to the Broncos. Hainsey, the team’s third-round pick four years ago, is in the middle of his contract year. The fact that he was demoted to reserve during such an important season in his career was difficult to swallow. But Hainzu is a professional about it.
Not only is Hainzu a second-year starter after being demoted, but he’s also very good friends with left tackle and team captain Tristan Wirfs, and how Hainzu responded to the team drafting Graham Burton to replace him. I talked about that.
“It’s tough, but the best five are going to play and we’ve always said that,” Wirfs said. “We want to present the best five and the correct five. Hainsey is one of my best friends and he knows that, so it can be tough at times. Both he and Graham have worked together, but… , just trying to get better every day.
“It’s a bit of a strange dynamic with the friendship dynamics and the competitive dynamics, but we’re a really close-knit group and we all understand that we have to come together and play as one. I think so.”
Bucs C Graham Burton, QB Baker Mayfield, C Robert Hainsey – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
There is no animosity or bad blood between Hainsey and Burton, which is a testament to how team-oriented Hainsey is as a player. The hope is that Hainzie will play against the Saints and have his best game, building on that performance if he signs a new contract from Tampa Bay or elsewhere.
And perhaps taking a week off to recover from a hamstring injury will allow Barton to take a step back and watch and learn from the sidelines, allowing him to play as Tampa Bay’s starting center when he resumes playing. He will be able to show his best game.
“Graham is an athletic guy,” Wirfs said. “He’s very smart. He’s confident. The more reps he gets at center, the better he’ll get.”
