Luke Goedeke Talks Change To Offensive Line Tactics
August 2nd, 2026
Explains wide zone.
So this summer, Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is trying to install something that Liam Coen used with the same group of Bucs offensive linemen.
That would be a “wide zone” blocking scheme. This is when all linemen (and tight ends and receivers) block laterally in unison. This is supposed to open cutback lanes for running backs to exploit.
In other words, it is a blocking scheme Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell should be able to take advantage of because it suits their skills.
Coen incorporated this and Robinson hopes the second time is as much of a charm as when Coen adapted it.
Joe talked to right tackle Luke Goedeke about this last week. He admitted wide zone blocking is a challenge.
“It’s definitely difficult,” Goedeke said, adding that everyone must identify their blocking landmark targets for the scheme to work effectively. “Tight ends have to hit their blocks right as the o-line does. Wide receivers as well.
“It gives the defense something else to prepare for. Get them moving sideways, and then we hit them downhill. I don’t think it is any surprise how good we are at gap schemes. I think it will only play to our benefit.
“Guys will have to anticipate running laterally and getting knocked over,” Goedeke said. “It’s taking time [to learn].”
Cody Mauch added he thinks the Bucs’ offensive line as a whole is athletic enough to pull it off.
Just like the Bucs did with Coen as the offensive coordinator, Goedeke noted, the Bucs will not use a wide zone blocking scheme all the time and might not use it as a primary blocking scheme. Instead, Goedeke said, Robinson plans to use occasionally, not unlike Coen — just to mix things up and catch defenses off guard.
“We are definitely mixing it up,” Goedeke said, “Obviously it is in Zac’s hands. Whatever he sees fit. He has our full trust.”
The Bucs might not reach peak performance with this blocking for a few weeks into the season. They’ll need reps.
“Sure, it is a new kind of wrinkle we are learning in a way,” Goedeke said. “[But] 100 percent its repitiations. We haven’t even had pads on yet. But repetition is huge. You can’t run wide zone on all our plays. Yeah, repetition will be key.”
And success, of course.
August 2nd, 2026 at 12:04 am
Just waiting for the responses from those that have no idea how run blocking works
August 2nd, 2026 at 12:18 am
Godwin is the perfect blocking wide receiver for this scheme.
August 2nd, 2026 at 4:02 am
This isn’t new to the Bucs Oline; yet , #67 talks like it is. Let’s hope they get it installed and perfected. They will need to score early and often to make up for a pourous defense.
August 2nd, 2026 at 4:18 am
CrazyHorse54 … ‘They will need to score early and often to make up for a pourous defense.’
If you were talking about the 2025 Bucs’ defense, I’d agree with you. But not the 2026 defense … as long as Vea stays a Buc. He’s the engine that makes this thing work. Trade him & we’d have major problems (which is why we won’t trade him).
I’m convinced that pass rush will be our strength this year, especially the pass rush from our interior DLine. MAJOR changes there with the addition of Robinson, RNR & Capehart (all beefy & aggressive) AND the return (hopefully?) of Kancey. IF those guys perform as I expect they will, our OLBs & blitzers should feast and our Run Defense should be back in the Top-5.
August 2nd, 2026 at 7:14 am
The scheme also gets linebackers caught up in traffic while trying to make a play. It’s an effective blocking scheme that requires athletic linemen. It’s a great scheme for Mauch.
August 2nd, 2026 at 7:47 am
I was thinking the same thing. If you did this under Coen, why is it so new? We don’t know what the defense will look like this season. If this years class, with Trotter, and Bain, turn out like Sapp, and Brooks? What could be, right? For as much sh%t as I give Bowles, a lot depends on the Jimmys and Joes. Reddick, Dennis two players we were counting on turned out to be complete garbage. The rest were their average selves. Coaching the same. We’ll see what this year brings. Right out of the gate we compare Baker to who he wants to be paid like Burrow. Speaking of Joe, will he have time to pick us apart, or will our defense show they can rush the passer, and cover? Prove it year, in a prove it league. Looking forward to the season. Go Bucs.
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:00 am
Going to have to agree with Defense Rules. A lot of 2026 defensive line rankings have the Bucs in the top 5. If the Bucs can stay healthy on BOTH of their lines, (and extend Vea) then they can compete with anyone.
August 2nd, 2026 at 8:28 am
It’s going to take some time, but wide zone fits our guys’ talent but we also need to keep some gap concepts to keep defensive fronts thinking which is WHY Coens’ backfield was so explosive. Liam started with us running wide zone, somewhere around the Falcons game last year he started calling more downhill, gap orientated schemes. Gap is a bit simpler to pull off and doesn’t deviate too much play to play on getting our OL moving laterally.
Both are feasible ways to prop up a run game, but both are also contingent on your OL being able to execute cleanly and efficiently.
August 2nd, 2026 at 9:21 am
Like @Warren says, I recall some wide zone early in the season with Coen but Carbs and Coen agreed the gap game was working better.
After brutal injuries to the OL last year, I’m not sure I like the idea of wide zone as it might be riskier than gap. Wide zone I could see defenders falling down on the backs of lineman’s legs. Hopefully the Bucs will look at injury risk as well as success rate.
August 2nd, 2026 at 9:36 am
DR says…
He’s (Vea) the engine that makes this thing work.
Really? So how well did did that thing (Bucs defense) work in 2025? And if he is that critical to the defense then why isn’t he playing more downs?
August 2nd, 2026 at 10:38 am
Sorry Luke. Not till I see a big jump in yards per carry sir. Hope we can pull it off but judging by Coen scrapping it? Skepical.
Of couse part of the issue may have been that White liked to dance to much behind the LOS. So I could be way off.
Go Bucs
August 2nd, 2026 at 1:07 pm
Could be more well suited to Tucker actually.
August 2nd, 2026 at 1:11 pm
The Buc’s probably couldn’t use the wide zone scheme this past season because of all the different line combinations that had to be used. Sounds good to me. Seeing is believing!
August 2nd, 2026 at 1:53 pm
Probably hard to teach and install with only walk-through practices.
August 2nd, 2026 at 2:29 pm
Bosch … ‘Really? So how well did did that thing (Bucs defense) work in 2025? And if he is that critical to the defense then why isn’t he playing more downs?’
Playing more downs? Vea’s been here for 8 years now and last season he gave us 763 def snaps (73% availability) … the MOST snaps he’s gotten in any of those 8 seasons.
Vita’s still just 1 cog in the wheel, although I consider him to be the most important cog. The amount of attention he commands in double-teams kinda indicates that opponents game-plan against him. That’s a pretty good measure of importance.