Big Day For Charlie Heck
September 7th, 2025
Major shoes to fill.
Bucs left tackle Charlie Heck may not have asked for it, but he’s got monster expectations to fulfill.
The biggest one is making fans forget about Tristan Wirfs for the next month or so. Wirfs very well may be the best offensive lineman the Bucs have ever had. If he continues to play at the level he’s already established. Wirfs will be in the conversation for a Hall of Fame career.
Wirfs is still recuperating from his offseason knee surgery. He hopes to return for the Week 4 home game against the Eagles. But that’s just hope right now. At least he has shed both his walker and his cane.
In a perfect world, Wirfs told the Sage of Tampa Bay sports Ira Kaufman, his goal is to return for the Week 3 home opener against the Jets, but Wirfs admitted that’s sort of a pipedream.
Joe spoke with Heck last week. He’s had an idea he would be the starting left tackle before training camp.
“All the work, all the preparation, is for [today],” Heck told Joe. So yeah, Heck’s looking forward to putting the hours of practice into production in today’s season opener.
What may help Heck is that he’s likely to square off a lot today a Dixie Chicks rookie, James Pearce.
That may be trickier than it looks on a website, Heck told Joe. There is limited film on a rookie. And besides, Jalon Walker and Pearce were drafted in the first round for a reason.
“I mean, once you get to this level in the NFL, everybody can play,” Heck said. “These guys are first-round talent. So yeah, they’re gonna be great players.”
Heck said for Pearce and Walker he sometimes went back to their game tape playing for Tennessee and Georgia, respectively. Heck’s father, Andy Heck, is a long-time NFL offensive line coach, the last 12 years with the Chiefs. Joe asked Heck what his father told him and Heck laughed.
Basically, his father hasn’t told him anything.
“He’s locked in on the Chiefs,” Heck said, laughing about his father. “He goes underwater during the football season. He’ll come back up for air once over.”
Joe hopes the next time Heck talks to his dad, it’s about the Bucs going 3-0 while Heck held the fort until Wirfs’ return.
September 7th, 2025 at 1:04 am
Matador auditions for the southeastern region bullfighting league start today.
September 7th, 2025 at 1:17 am
Matador? Common dude he’ll be facing a couple rookies and has had since Spring to get ready. He’ll be alright.
September 7th, 2025 at 1:54 am
As I said before my biggest concern is penalties. He seems like a savvy guy but after that chiefs game Friday night, it’s pretty obvious how fast a team can get behind with just a couple calls. Gotta be dialed
September 7th, 2025 at 2:00 am
Fingers crossed….
Heck has had months to prepare for this moment and took every practice snap with the first team all offseason – so we’ll see…
I thought Chukwuma looked really good in pre-season. Good enough to deserve some developmental live snaps while Wirfs is out. Doubt that will happen – but if Heck struggles – then maybe they would try putting him out there.
Give em Heck Charlie!
September 7th, 2025 at 2:59 am
Good luck to Charlie. I hope he has a good day out there. Go Bucs!
September 7th, 2025 at 5:58 am
Hoping the best for Charlie today. Not a lot of tape footage on another player you are facing can be a setback. It can also be the opposite. The Thanksgiving table at the Heck’s house has to be interesting this year! Go Bucs.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:33 am
Yuuuuuge….I will be watching Heck to see how he does.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:13 am
As I have said before, in the limited time I saw him during the preseason, he looked just fine. When they don’t mention your name as an offensive lineman, you are doing a decent job. When they do, it’s usually bad.
He’s no Wirfs, but I don’t think he’ll be nearly as bad as Skule was in his first start at right tackle against Detroit last year.
Just hoping to never hear his name.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:50 am
Atlanta’s 1st round pass rushing studs are going to wreck Heck. This game is shaping up to be a blowout loss for the Bucs. Atlanta 31 Bucs 19
September 7th, 2025 at 8:05 am
Let’s not over blow this. Last season we went into Detriot with Skulle at RT. He got destroyed to the tune of 5 sacks. We still won. It’s a team game. Heck doesn’t have to be perfect. If we lose today I doubt all the blame will fall on Charlie.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:25 am
In a strange sort of way having to fill in for a potential HOFer and the best tackle in the league takes the pressure off a BIT.
Nobody has any expectations of Heck replacing Wirfs. If he was coming in for Goeddeke say folks would not accept the drop off.
Every dark cloud has a silver lining. This is a great first game test for the rookie play caller. How will Griz adjust protections, help, and play calling to protect Baker’s backside. Of course Heck could surprise us a bit and come out and dominate. Stranger things have happened.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:31 am
had a dream last night they lined up pony most of the game with rachaad spotting charlie and just crushed the falcons
September 7th, 2025 at 9:43 am
Good luck, Heck and Bucs!! AND GET CREATIVE, GRIZZARD!!
September 7th, 2025 at 9:48 am
Run the ball and stay ahead of the sticks in first, second & third down. We’ve got a 3-headed monster in our backfield run/pass, we need to dictate to ATLs D with them. No jet sweeps, no flea flickers or any of that cute crap. Heck won’t have to worry about being on his heels if we can situationally keep him moving forward.
September 7th, 2025 at 10:40 am
It’s unlikely that Griz is going to suddenly adopt the Bo Schembeckler offense. Griz and Baker will know what to do offensively. With an even sub-mediocre defense, Baker can win with a 30 burger. Don’t make him feel pressured for the 40 burger though, that’s when the tendency to start forcing it happens.