How Bad Has Charlie Heck Been?
November 7th, 2025
When a reasoned and seasoned Bucs-friendly former NFL player says a Bucs player isn’t “functional,” Joe feels summoned to explore.
Joe is referring to retired defensive end Chris Long, who earned two Super Bowl rings in his day. Long has studied hundreds of right tackles and thinks Charlie Heck has a done a sad job filling in for injured starter Luke Goedeke (foot), who officially is questionable for Sunday against the Patriots after practicing for the first time since Week 2.
Long lectured on his Green Light podcast this week about how while a quarterback needs to feel comfortable that someone is blocking his blind side, bad blocking on a quarterback’s “vision side” should not be discounted.
Steady vision-side pressure can make a quarterback form bad habits, Long said, and he thinks that’s been affecting Baker Mayfield.
“I don’t think he’s played his best football yet, and I also don’t blame him because he’s been under duress,” Long said.
“I’m interested to see what this group looks like with a right tackle that’s functional out there.”
Those who follow famous stats nerds online know those guys think Heck has performed poorly, though he was better in his last game.
Joe can’t say Heck has dragged the offense down as far as Long seems to think. He’s had solid stretches, but Joe also wouldn’t wager a nickel the Bucs try to re-sign Heck after the season.
November 7th, 2025 at 12:59 pm
Heck’s his problem?!…lol…
i dont think Heck has played poorly….but he hasnt played at a ALL PRO level either….he’s been ok…he definitely fights and hustles every single play…
IMO, its been our LG, C, RG that have been giving us issues….i think the switch for Barton and Bredenson really screwed up their technique, footwork and fundamentals….they’re thinking too much imo and not playing fast or with power…zero explosion when they come off the ball…
hopefully the bye week gave the oline coach, grizz and bowles time to pin point the issue, address the issue with the players and get to work on correcting it…
GO BUCS!!!!
November 7th, 2025 at 12:59 pm
I think Long’s more right that you assume Joe, due to the fact that the RG is also a 2nd/3rd/4th string depending on the week.
Goedeke can offer help and confidence to a backup, whereas Heck needs all the help he can get. Heck is likely making any hole a RG worse along with his regular being worse than Goedeke. Wel will find out Sunday how much it really matters
November 7th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
If Goedeke is actually healthy, and I hope he is truly close to 100% if we are playing him, this changes our entire offense.
November 7th, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Delson Says:
November 7th, 2025 at 1:08 pm
I don’t think we can judge our post season success until we get there. We’re still a partial team. We can look very different given the offensive injuries. Heck keeping hutchinson at zero sacks was due 2 Baker anticipating that pressure. Expecting n feeling it more. I don’t think he is reliable at tackle. Don’t kno what kind of shape physically Godeoke will be in or what rust he has. We gotta free up emeka with tez n shepard. 1 thing I won’t do is doubt this team. IMHO our defense is stepping up early n showing signs of shutdown capability. Consistency would be nice but this end of the season experience is valuable. Offense will click we’ve seen it all last year. Special teams is clicking. Defense like I said is getting there. Sko Bucs
November 7th, 2025 at 1:17 pm
I know Licht has forgotten more about OLine play than I will ever know, but I’d really love it if we could start playing guys at the position they’ve played their entire pre-NFL careers. I know we badly need a center, but am I the only one that thinks Barton plays better at G?
November 7th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
21 I was thinking about that same ish🤙🏾👊🏾 also thought Jordan played better LG.
November 7th, 2025 at 1:32 pm
I mean, pretty much nobody has a super stout swing tackle…that’s why he’s a backup. A lot of teams don’t even have two functional starting tackles. I think we’re being a little rough on Heck here.
November 7th, 2025 at 1:42 pm
Simple Jack says, “!!!! YAY !!! Charlie is fine!!” Meanwhile Chris Long disagrees. Of course.
November 7th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
I wonder how much Justin would want to come back here as a backup only
November 7th, 2025 at 1:59 pm
Really miss Liam’s O line protection mastery. Sad they let him walk.
November 7th, 2025 at 1:59 pm
You really want to know the problem?
Calling 4 idiotic run plays up the gut in a row…
Our OC should be shackled and beaten to a pulp the next time he does this.
STUPID!
November 7th, 2025 at 2:00 pm
21
Barton played G this year?
but as you mentioned, i hate when we draft a Tackle and try to convert him to Guard…or draft a 43 DE and try to convert him to a 34LB….
GO BUCS!!!!
November 7th, 2025 at 2:28 pm
Saw a stat just recently that Heck has given up more pressures than any other Tackle in the league….
November 7th, 2025 at 2:30 pm
Heck is Skule.
November 7th, 2025 at 2:32 pm
Charlie Heck is as smooth as Tennessee Whiskey
November 7th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Heck isn’t a starter for a reason and I don’t think he has played all that well either despite what this joe thinks. I really think Luke brings confidence to Baker knowing he doesn’t have to keep an eye on the right side constantly will do wonders for the pass game.
November 7th, 2025 at 3:08 pm
Also, let’s please hope that whatever was going on with Wirfs was an aberration.
Chase fargin Young. smh
November 7th, 2025 at 5:44 pm
Watch Tez’s TD catch, and run at Detroit. Heck pancakes his man, Tez doesn’t score without that block. Right guard, and Barton have been the problem. Heck isn’t great, but he isn’t terrible, and hasn’t been the O lines weakest link.
November 7th, 2025 at 6:11 pm
If Goedeke is back, I would like to see Heck tried in the rolls Kieft filled as fullback and as a TE in motion or pulling to block at the point of attack.
November 7th, 2025 at 6:12 pm
And, why haven’t the Bucs brought in someone to fill Kieft’s role?