Charlie Heck Said More Snaps, Starts Has Made Him A Better Player
October 26th, 2025
Improvement.
Joe remembers last year when Justin Skule took over for concussed Luke Goedeke at right tackle against Detroit. It was a brutal baptism.
Adian Hutchinson simply clowned Skule. Bucs fans may have revolted if not for the Bucs stealing a win.
Skule gradually got better each game before he was no longer a liability.
Later, when he had to go against Nick Bosa when Tristan Wirfs was hurt, Bosa didn’t exactly go nuts.
Joe heard from someone with the Bucs that Skule likely wasn’t a natural at right tackle, but duty called. He got better with more snaps.
Charlie Heck believes the same is happening with him.
He’s been starting for Goedeke ever since the Bucs’ starting right tackle left the Week 2 Houston game with a mysterious foot injury. At times, Goedeke is seen wearing a boot. Other times, he’s walking around in sandals. His (possible?) return is shrouded by vague pronouncements from the Bucs.
So for the time being, Heck is your Bucs right tackle. Joe spoke to Heck last week and asked if he’s a better player than he was when he stepped onto the field in Houston.
“Absolutely,” Heck said about feeling comfortable after five starts. “[More starts] “definitely being able to get all of those reps and work together as an offensive line.”
Heck passed when Joe asked him to name some areas where he has grown. Like most offensive linemen, they believe if a line as a unit improves, everyone improves. To do that, they need snaps as a group.
“I think it comes down to more [improvement] as a team,” Heck said. “When we’re running the ball well it makes passing the ball easier and it gives the defense something to think about.”
It is that element that has his focus, Heck said. The offense improved with an improved line, not so much his personal improvement.
Heck told Joe you will see both him and the Bucs’ front line as a whole play better if a game doesn’t turn into “a passing festival.”
How much has Heck improved? Well, last year when Hutchinson squared off against Skule, Hutchinson racked up 4.5 sacks. Monday against Detroit, Hutchinson moved around but Hutchinson had a grand total of zero sacks.
Goose egg.
Heck wouldn’t take credit.
“We were sending a lot of attention to him the whole time with chips and backs coming out of the backfield.”
Joe is pretty confident Bucs fans would like to have Goedeke back in there. Why not? He’s one of the better right tackles in the game.
But with Heck improving, that’s all you can ask for, a backup coming in and gettting better.
October 26th, 2025 at 12:40 am
Yea – Heck has improved – a little…. Its still a HUGE dropoff in play compared to when Goedeke is in there. Especially in pass protection
I still don’t understand why Chukwuma isn’t getting at least a couple/few developmental snaps per game at RT the last few games…. Heck is barely serviceable – Chukwuma might just be an upgrade with some live development.
And Chukwuma is the player who has to come off the bench and finish the game right now if either Wirfs or Heck gets hurt and can’t continue…. wouldn’t it be better to have had at least a few live snaps under his belt if that were to happen?
October 26th, 2025 at 12:53 am
“…that’s all you can ask for, that a backup comes in and gets better.”
Exactly.
Compared to The Lost Decade, our overall talent level is far better, and that includes the front office, and the coaches.
Haters will spew their mindless hate, but I’m grateful that we’ve been relevant for the last six seasons.
October 26th, 2025 at 5:32 am
Did Joe not see Heck get trucked/embarrassed Sunday? I have never seen an NFL tackle get beat like that.
I think that play spooked Baker and he never got in to any semblance of a rhythm afterward.
Go Bucs!
October 26th, 2025 at 7:20 am
they should have run way more in the first half, maybe Mike would not have got hurt!
October 26th, 2025 at 7:21 am
Even though he looks like Raymond’s giant big brother, he’s impressive. The Bucs are lucky to have him and let’s hope he stays healthy.
October 26th, 2025 at 8:21 am
Heck wasn’t the problem last week, Jordan, and Barton were. Barton needs to bounce back with a good game. Jordan has to prove he’s better than Klien. The RG spot has been the revolving door on the O line this season. Cody, Klien, Haggard, Jordan. They have to settle on someone, and that player can’t be a weak link.
October 26th, 2025 at 8:42 am
Right on Hodad!
Still think they ahould swap Barton and Bredeson. Ali Marpet was tried as Center one year but blossomed into an All Pro at Guard.
October 26th, 2025 at 9:08 am
Heck is playing pretty well as long as the Bucs don’t try to pass the ball 50+ times. RUN THE DANG BALL!!!! play Defense at a high level & don’t give the aints anything easy. Protect the Ball run clock . The Bucs are the better more talented TEAM . Prove it!!!! Go Bucs!!!!
October 26th, 2025 at 11:58 am
Go CH 77 !! Let’s Pound that Rock !!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Saints !!
October 26th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
The Mattress Man himself. Providing just enough of a full-body cushion between Baker and the DE/LB