Winning Cog Michael Jordan
September 18th, 2025
Michael Jordan, the starting Bucs guard.
The wizardry of offensive line whisperer Jason Licht, the Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager, is about to be put to the ultimate test.
Right tackle Luke Goedeke won’t play Sunday (bad foot). Left tackle Tristan Wirfs is likley out (bad knee). Cody Mauch is done for the year (trashed knee). And Graham Barton has been playing out of position filling in for Wirfs while left guard Ben Bredeson replaced Barton at center.
It’s unclear how the Bucs will proceed Sunday on the offensive line, but it’s obvious a newly-signed player, Dan Feeney, or a very inexperienced one will be on the field with shaky Charlie Heck and the gang. The Bucs’ depth will be pushed to what might be its limit.
But in the midst of all that angst, Licht added to his legend through the play of Michael Jordan, who started Weeks 1 and 2 at left guard and played darn well.
Bucky Irving and Rachaad White combined for 27 carries and 136 yards on Monday night. That’s more than 5 yards per carry! Jordan was part of an interior line that got the job done for the second consecutive week.
Assistant Bucs GM Mike Greenberg suggested Tampa Bay might be winless without Jordan.
“Michael Jordan that we picked up this summer, that’s been such a key addition,” Greenberg told the Buccaneers Radio Network. “He started two games, done a really, really nice job. So, you know, credit to the scouting staff and Jason just always looking for who else we can bring in, who else is out there that may be able to help us. And hitting Michael Jordan signing in the summer has been really, really beneficial. And, you know, I don’t know if we win these first two games without the play that we’ve had from him.”
Jordan had starting experience and five NFL seasons under his belt when the Bucs signed him in July. But he was out of football. In fact, he was at the zoo. What a smart signing by Licht.
Joe nauseous at the thought of all the losses on the Bucs’ O-line, but it wouldn’t stun Joe for a second if the Bucs find their way through it.
September 18th, 2025 at 9:45 am
I watched him pretty closely and he did look like he got the job done. No penalties or bad mouthing by announcers.
September 18th, 2025 at 9:46 am
he’s been heaven sent lol
really impressed with his play…
hopefully Klein can show something…
hopefully MJ is just as good at RG…
3-0!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
September 18th, 2025 at 9:47 am
Honestly, it’ll be rough, but the O Line coaching and scouting is one of this org’s strengths. If they can overcome any injuries, it could be this.
September 18th, 2025 at 9:50 am
I suppose if the “new” oline needs to be first placed into action the Jets would be the team to play. (sigh)
September 18th, 2025 at 9:53 am
Jason has a tremendous track record with O Line. Not sure he can pull this one out of the fire though. Jordan has played well. We have alot of football left to play though. Anyone seen Opeta?
Go Bucs!
September 18th, 2025 at 9:59 am
Now its time for Klein to step up and show he can play in this league… at least its the RG spot he’ll be stepping into – the position he played in College and is most comfortable with….
Dan Feeney just got here and won’t know enough of the offense to play with just 3 practices and 4 days to learn the playbook….
I sure wish the Bucs would get Chukwuma some live snaps while both starting tackles are out…. Let him alternate series with Heck and see if the kid’s ready or not. My guess is Chukwuma would be an upgrade – but you won’t know until/unless you see how he performs taking live snaps.
September 18th, 2025 at 10:03 am
And yea – (not that) Michael Jordan has been solid…. I have not heard his name announced once in 2 games – which is always a great sign for an OLine player.
Great pick up and we’re lucky to have him right now.
September 18th, 2025 at 10:17 am
So did Opeata completely flame out? Why have we not signed him?
September 18th, 2025 at 10:22 am
So now right guard Cody Mauch is gone for the season? I’m getting sick to my stomach. The best unit on the team is suddenly a major detriment
You cannot win in this league if you don’t win the trenches. Ask a Cincinnati.
September 18th, 2025 at 10:31 am
I think Elijah Klein is going to get some run, the Bucs seem to remove the spotlight from some of these guys until they appear seemingly outta nowhere. If I were a betting man this weeks lineup will be
LT: Barton LG MJ C Bredeson RG: Klein RT Heck (ouff this is sad)
When Goedeke and Wirfs come back it looks a lot better though
LT Wirfs LG MJ C: Barton RG: Bredeson RT: Goedeke
We just need to hunker down and beat the Jets with quick passes and screen games. 3-0 going into the Eagles game gives us a bit of wiggle room for and L there. I dont see us winning that game with the current O-line we have.
September 18th, 2025 at 10:41 am
Sua Opeta just signed to the practice squad. we need to add MJ to the 53 it seems or are we going to run the risk of a solid guy being cut and readded to the practice squad over and over. Either way, we are in merky waters. Elijah Klein could probably go down to the practice squad and no one wouls take him but idk
September 18th, 2025 at 10:45 am
Let’s take 1 game at a time and see how we do. Carberry is really earning his money so far. IF and this is a big if the season turns out in the end we only lose Mauch for the year then that would be a super best case senario. Don’t want to see anyone injured but if it turns out that way the way things have started that would be a serious blessing. Don’t look past the Jets, TCB this Sunday and get most of the O-line back in place before the Eagles and we have a great chance at winning.
September 18th, 2025 at 10:53 am
Yeah, but can he hit a 3 with the game on the line?
September 18th, 2025 at 11:22 am
Bucs home PA announcer really needs to take this opportunity… At guard… Michael Jordannnnnnn!
September 18th, 2025 at 11:25 am
This might be the game for Tez Johnson… especially if the Jets starting nickel corner, Michael Carter II is out.
Carter might be the best nickel corner in the game and got to think his back up can be exploited by someone with a very shift skill set like Tez.
September 18th, 2025 at 11:37 am
He’s the one that injured Mauch!
September 18th, 2025 at 12:04 pm
Next man up!!! One game at a time!!!! Get through the Jets game!! This is a winnable game no matter who starts on the OL!!! Get it done!!! LFG!!
September 18th, 2025 at 12:05 pm
I think we are witnessing another big raise for coach Carberry and Licht.
Having the running game back gives me hope specially after the way we ran on the first game.
More adjustments in the oline this week….. rinse and repeat.
LFG!!!!!!
September 18th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
reasons for hope: the falcons and texans had back ups on the o line and they both played tough, reddick without a sack in the 2nd game (i saw him getting held)…
guys like to play for tampa and resurrect their career… like brady, baker is getting these guys to play their best and they love baker …did you see him congratulating michael jordan and the entire line after rachaad punched it in for the winner? not a good situation at all but not necessarily conceding the season yet!! go bucs!!
September 18th, 2025 at 12:29 pm
He’s hurt and likely out for Sunday, what a nightmare.
September 18th, 2025 at 12:31 pm
If Klein isn’t good enough to be a back up guard, what’s he doing on the roster? They drafted him, and he made the team, again, what’s the problem? I think the Bucs are signing for depth, but I got to believe Klein starts Sunday. He played across the line this summer, even center. He knows the calls, and protections, he has to start. Let’s see what we got.
September 18th, 2025 at 12:38 pm
It would be cool if his number was 23
September 18th, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Michael Jordan missed practice today.
We might need 4 OL, long snaps to Baker and 6 receivers out wide to try and get the passing game off the ground.
If we can make this work Sunday and get a win, we should all be thrilled. 3-0, even if drop to 3-2… get our tackles back by week 6 and things look good again.
Bucs won a SB in 2021 missing their RG. Can do it again but man the guys gotta stay healthier going forward.