“Trending In The Right Direction”
September 17th, 2026
Right tackle Luke Goedeke discusses offense.
The vibe Joe got in the Bucs’ locker room, and from talking to a few players, was that Sunday’s outcome is a fish let off the hook.
Not one player suggested Cincinnati isn’t a good team. Center Graham Barton told Joe the defensive line of Cincinnati may be one of the best the Bucs will face this season.
But the players Joe spoke to and observed showed the Bucs believed they dug their own grave Sunday afternoon.
Right tackle Luke Goedeke talked to Joe yesterday. He wasn’t about to put a happy face on a loss. But he admitted, yeah, there were encouraging signs on offense.
“You take away half the turnovers, I don’t want to speak in uncertainties, but I think we walk away with a win,” Goedeke said, almost clearly pained to discuss a loss in a positive manner.
A lot of folks are pointing out how the Bucs never punted on Sunday. Yeah, they made sure on four possessions they didn’t have to punt by playing Santa Claus.
Per the football data site SumerSports, the Bucs had the fifth-highest success rate on offense Week 1. And, the Bucs were the only team with a top-five success rate in Week 1 to lose.
In fact, the Bucs had a better success rate than the Bears, who hung 59 on the Stinking Panthers. But, it’s all about the fumbles.
“No. 1, we have to take care of the ball,” Goedeke said. “That’s first and foremost. Four turnovers, I don’t care who you are, it’s tough to win any game.
“For what we did so far, I wouldn’t say ‘happy.’ [More like] trending in the right direction. You can’t be too happy after a loss.
“Offensively, yeah, there are some silver linings for sure.”
For an offense to be able to move the ball the way the Bucs did in the first game out of the chute with a new offensive coordinator, imagine what this offense could be if it stays healthy and gets a few games under its belt.
🪓 THE CHOP.
Violent hands. Perfect timing. Finish the rep.#nfl #inthetrenches #buccaneers #tampa #movethepile @lukethelifter @Buccaneers https://t.co/PluneTWdQd pic.twitter.com/MUcua0C2ju
— AQ Shipley (@aqshipley) September 15, 2026
September 17th, 2026 at 7:11 am
Well Luke WAS the only lineman who didn’t suck Sunday
September 17th, 2026 at 7:38 am
That is a 100% failure on the coaches part
September 17th, 2026 at 7:48 am
Joe … ‘The vibe Joe got in the locker room, and from talking to a few players, was that the belief about Sunday’s outcome was that a fish was let off the hook.’
When you’re down 21-3 in the 2nd qtr after fumbling 3 times, I wouldn’t exactly gloat that ‘hey guys, we’ve got ’em right where we want them now’.
Bucs didn’t let any fish off the hook. The only way they were gonna recover at the end was to (1) stop that last drive quickly; then (2) score a TD quickly. The only thing we did ‘quickly’ Sunday was fumble.
September 17th, 2026 at 7:53 am
Barton had a good game as well.
Can I take a second to read between the lines of what Luke said about the turnovers? I know Baker gets a lot of grief (won’t say hate, pretty sure 99% of the Baker critics here would devour some crow to see Baker hoist a Lombardi) and even Baker Bois like me say he deserves every bit of it this week.
But it is nice to know that as a leader on the team he has a good enough relationship with the others that we don’t even think twice about Luke making comments that pretty much call out his qb.
Could you imagine a OT saying something like this when Aaron Rodgers has a 3 INT game?
September 17th, 2026 at 7:57 am
The fumbles were caused by the better, more physical team kicking our arse. Sugar coat it any way you want, but that’s what really happened.
September 17th, 2026 at 8:02 am
This Sunday will let us know how the season will play out. Will this team come out and dominate (14 point victory at least) or will there be more excuses next week. Good teams lay eggs occasionally but are quick to right the ship. They should be absolutely p!ssed off and absolutely crush the Browns. Time will tell what this team is made of
September 17th, 2026 at 8:05 am
You have almost zero chance against bad teams to win when you have 4 turnovers. If you turn it over 4 times, on the road, against a really good offense, no chance at all.
Break down all the players who had dud games..AW jr, Vita, Anzalone, Baker, Bain and with FOUR turnovers… it’s crazy that they were a stop and score away from pulling it off
On to Cleveland…
Bucs 34 Browns 17
I expect MUCH better games from Baker, Bain, Vita and Anzalone.
September 17th, 2026 at 8:12 am
hodad
i agree
GO BUCS!!!!
September 17th, 2026 at 8:19 am
If only we had a way to prepare for the first game!
September 17th, 2026 at 8:41 am
“ They should be absolutely p!ssed off and absolutely crush the Browns. Time will tell what this team is made of”
This team doesn’t get pissed off. They just cross their arms and give a thousand yard stare…
Like Captain Kit Kat.
September 17th, 2026 at 8:53 am
They are setting themselves up for another loss due to over confidence. They are still in the midst of last season’s second half collapse losing repeatedly to inferior teams.
Is this something Bowles can identify and address before Sunday’s game? Sure. And an Arctic cold front will pass through Tampa prior to kick off, too.
September 17th, 2026 at 8:53 am
Its basically impossible to stay in the game turning the ball over 4 times.. They’re only gonna get better …Wk2
September 17th, 2026 at 8:54 am
This offensive line biggest problem was the team QB
A QB can help the offensive line or hurt the line
Our QB is killing the offensive line
And l really don’t understand why he’s holding the ball so long
We knew Jameis Winston was killing the offensive line
Jameis was always buying time for his receivers to get deep
But Mayfield is not a deep ball thrower, he throws deep once or twice a game
I can’t figure this out, the reason for holding the ball so long
September 17th, 2026 at 8:54 am
Please put Brederson at center and Barton at LG.
Bredeson is even a better snapper.
Barton can pull better than Bredeson.
Licht is being stubborn again.
Like when he put Ali Marpet at Center.
Or tried to make Goedeke a LG (after playing RT in college)
We also need to consider letting Bredeson go next season. And draft an elite LG in rounds 1 or 2.
September 17th, 2026 at 8:55 am
Going start Baker on my fake football team v the Browns. I don’t think he “spits the bit” for a second week in a row. I will however be available Monday morning to accept condolences if necessary.
September 17th, 2026 at 8:57 am
Man, if that’s the right direction I’d hate to know where you think you’re going.
September 17th, 2026 at 8:59 am
more loser talk from the losers. you dont know what else happens even if you have no turnovers. just admit you got beat. this constant oh we gave it away, we beat ourselves, we made it close blah blah blah.
“oh we played the best offensive line and (almost) won.”
“oh we played the best receivers and (almost) won”
on and on and on.
the bucs have to stop taking solace with almost. there is a win column, a loss column, even a tie column. there is no effing ALMOST column.
September 17th, 2026 at 9:55 am
This is what I’ve been saying to people worried about Zac Robinsons offense. He had a good game plan against Cincinnati and was taking what they gave us. Our offense was working, despite average to below average pass blocking. Turnovers buried us. If we can get the pass rush going this could be a really good team.
September 17th, 2026 at 10:40 am
If they move Barton to guard, it’ll make Licht look like the fool he is. Only a idiot would use a 1st round pick on a center who isn’t a center. Licht thinks he can draft tackles, and make guards, and centers out of them.
September 17th, 2026 at 10:40 am
Last Sunday it was all of the turnovers. This Sunday it will be a lack of overall energy as they sleepwalk their way to an 0-2 start since they are being picked to win by everyone. That is sadly not a frustrated fan opinion but something we have already witnessed out of this club in the past seasons.
September 17th, 2026 at 10:44 am
Is there a ” joe chargers fan” blog?? Im wondering if the chargers fans are big sissys like these so called Bucs fans!! Im sure it’s gloom and doom after losing to Arizona lol!!