Is Charlie Heck The (Temporary) Answer?
July 24th, 2025
Ready?
If Bucs fans are looking for a reason to squeeze the juice out of the orange a little tougher this morning, Todd Bowles gave them that motivation yesterday.
And Bowles wasn’t exactly wrong.
Bowles was getting peppered with questions about Tristan Wirfs and his decision to go under the knife and have surgery, which could keep him out of a few games to start the season.
Monday, in an exclusive sitdown with the Sage of Tampa Bay sports Ira Kaufman and Joe, Bowles suggested Wirfs would be back sooner than later.
Whew.
In the meantime, Bowles has an immediate question to ask: Can swing tackle Charlie Heck get the job done? Bowles was candid yesterday: He doesn’t know. And Bowles’ reasoning is smart.
“He is right now,” Bowles said of Heck filling in for Wirfs. “It’s a little early to tell out of pads. I have not seen him live in pads on our team.
“I’ve seen him on other teams. He’s a very good athlete. We have a different system, so to speak, with some of the different things we do.
“You really won’t be able to tell until you get in pads, but I know he’s a very good athlete and he’s very smart.”
Perhaps that is why the Bucs were sniffing veteran tackle George Fant this week with a workout.
This Fant is interesting to Joe in that he has been a starter on playoff teams. He’s no piece of camp meat. Two years ago Fant started for Houston, blocking for then-rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. That’s a challenge.
Bowles even hinted Heck may need competition.
“Whoever comes behind him competing at that spot, we want to see exactly what we can and can’t do – whether they’re going to require help or less help, or a different type of run and pass options for us,” Bowles said. “Those things will determine themselves in training camp, but it definitely is hard to replace a Tristan.”
So Monday is the first scheduled practice where the Bucs will wear pads. Joe wouldn’t expect the Bucs to sign any tackle until Heck has had enough padded practice reps so that the Bucs sort of get a feel for what they have.
July 24th, 2025 at 9:05 am
They should have signed Fant before another team signs him. Heck’s PFF rating pretty low, and Fant is just more insurance.
July 24th, 2025 at 9:17 am
“Joe wouldn’t expect the Bucs to sign any tackle until Heck has had enough padded practice reps…”
I disagree with you on this one Joe. The Bucs need to sign a tackle (Fant?) asap. There is no depth behind Heck.
July 24th, 2025 at 9:24 am
Heck no!
July 24th, 2025 at 9:25 am
They chose to sign Heck over all the other tackles in the free agent pool this offseason. That tells you something. There is also a reason Fant is still unsigned. That tells you something. There will also be other tackles released in the cut downs from other teams who may be more attractive than Fant. I will bet the Bucs staff has their eye on some other tackles they believe may be released.
July 24th, 2025 at 9:25 am
Ah what the heck.
July 24th, 2025 at 9:31 am
Why wouldn’t we bring him in BEFORE the pads come on. If anything, to get acclimated with the coaching staff and players. SMH
July 24th, 2025 at 9:32 am
They are working out 34 year old LT Chris Hubbard this morning.
Something is going on at One Buc Place
July 24th, 2025 at 9:35 am
I meant they worked out 34 year old swing tackle Chris Hubbard yesterday.
July 24th, 2025 at 9:41 am
Whether or not Heck is the answer, this is the year to be all in. Can’t afford not to have a deep room. Goal is still 30pts a game whoever is in there. Lets keep Baker upright!
July 24th, 2025 at 10:00 am
A healthy diet of screens would be wise. Grizz need look no further than his play call sheets from last year when Evans & Godwin were on the shelf.
July 24th, 2025 at 10:23 am
Heck wasn’t signed to be a starter nor was he signed to be camp meat. He is a backup and until proven otherwise, I am ok with him backing up Wirf.
July 24th, 2025 at 10:52 am
Feeling George Fant would be best here.
July 24th, 2025 at 11:01 am
The problem is the backup to the backup.
Heck came in as an experienced swing tackle. He now is the starting left tackle.
It’s fine to have a developmental guy or two behind your second team. It’s not fine to have not ready for prime time depth next in line behind the two starting tackles. Especially when LT could prove shaky and RT could get injured.
Big Bucs problem is the cap issues. We hear happy talk about Wirfs. But what are the odds that he starts the season PUP? Reading chatter about how he’ll be back for Game 3 or 4. But if he’s going to be out for three games why wouldn’t you keep him off the roster for 4 games and keep someone else? So you need Heck and at least one if not two experienced backup swing tackles. Those don’t grow on trees, and the bottom of the barrel is all that’s now left.
Sounds to me like the Wirfs situation is going to cost us at least two extra player slots. Plus he has to be on the initial roster to be eligible for return. We could cut one or two after Wirfs returns but it’s going to affect the numbers we keep at several other positions.
July 24th, 2025 at 11:14 am
Just sign Fant. LOL It doesn’t work that way.
What does the player want? Maybe he will take less some where he can start.
July 24th, 2025 at 1:04 pm
There could be several reasons they haven’t signed another tackle. Big reason, I hope is, Wirfs won’t miss much time. Another reason I hope is, they really like that UDFA they gave a bunch of money to. Maybe they want to see how he looks when the pads come on first? Maybe they’d rather have the coaches spend extra time getting him ready rather than getting someone else up to speed. Remember, they only have one a days, not two, or three practices a day like it use to be. Only so many reps to go around. Bringing in another player might stunt the growth of a kid they’re really high on.
July 24th, 2025 at 1:23 pm
Porn stage matador needs help. Sign Fant.
July 24th, 2025 at 1:35 pm
Fant has experience, but if I remember right he’s 34. Just sayin’.
July 24th, 2025 at 1:37 pm
@Hodad, I think you have a good point. Or maybe Fant showed he can’t.
July 24th, 2025 at 1:42 pm
I’m going to go look up that tackle
July 24th, 2025 at 3:35 pm
Fant just turned 32….
July 24th, 2025 at 3:37 pm
Meant to say just turned 33 – this month….
July 24th, 2025 at 8:07 pm
Forget fant go get Trey Hendrickson
July 25th, 2025 at 1:06 am
Again, who is the best RB to protect Baker?
Not even close.
Completely expect White to play more snaps .
July 26th, 2025 at 12:12 am
Yep Trey can sell beer and wash dishes when he’s not playing totally out of position as a left tackle. :facepalm: