Charlie Heck Spin
August 12th, 2025
Questioning Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht on an offensive line evaluation is the equivalent of doubting Rondé Barber’s knowledge of defensive back play.
Yeah, nobody’s perfect, but these aren’t people to doubt in their area of expertise.
And Licht certainly has proven to be an offensive line whisperer.
Enter Charlie Heck, the handpicked backup for Tristan Wirfs at left tackle. Heck is sure to start at least the first two games of this season as Wirfs recovers from knee surgery. He was signed quickly by the Bucs when the free agency dinner bell rang in March.
A CBS Sports HQ panel dove into the Heck situation in Tampa and concern was shared.
Mike Renner noted Heck has nearly all his career experience at right tackle and that on 72 pass blocking snaps at left last year with the 49ers, Heck allowed 8 pressures. “It was not pretty,” Renner said.
Fellow CBS analyst Ryan Wilson watched all 10 Heck snaps in his preseason debut on Saturday and said everything looked easy for Heck. Wilson sarcastically suggested if Heck faced the Titans in every game, then he might be an All-Pro.
Joe has to note Heck started in Weeks 17 and 18 last season. That’s it. He hadn’t played in weeks and it’s not easy to jump in with a team that’s struggling and shake off rust in a hurry.
Joe really isn’t worried about Heck. He won’t be confused with a Pro Bowl talent, but he looks serviceable, and he should be more than ready after months preparing with the first-team line.
And Joe agrees with Wilson. Heck did his job Saturday night. It’s a start.
August 12th, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Calling it now. Heck is gonna make Wirfs Wally Pip.
August 12th, 2025 at 7:44 pm
That is definitely not going to happen ☝️
August 12th, 2025 at 7:46 pm
I don’t know why Charlie Heck isn’t a dominant OT
He got the size, the reach, weight, good footwork
And his father is a former Pro Bowl OL, O-LINE coach
August 12th, 2025 at 7:48 pm
Sometimes it takes the right team/coach to click with a player and then they shine.
August 12th, 2025 at 7:52 pm
My mistake, Andy Heck never made the Pro Bowl
But he was a solid offensive lineman
And a 3 time Super Bowl O-Line coach
August 12th, 2025 at 7:58 pm
Oh Heck. He will do Ok.
August 12th, 2025 at 8:00 pm
Gotta work on that versatility, Charlie. Get some snaps in at center and guard, and line up at Nose Tackle so Vita can drop. Gotta be a Jack of all trades and master of none to play for this coach.
August 12th, 2025 at 8:12 pm
“Wilson sarcastically suggested if Heck faced the Titans in every game, then he might be an All-Pro.”
So Heck did everything that was asked of him. Yes it was against the Titans but it’s still a good way to begin building some confidence. Let’s see how he handles the Steelers DL.
August 12th, 2025 at 8:15 pm
I believe in our OL Coach, Carberry!
August 12th, 2025 at 8:20 pm
At least he’s getting first team reps in practice
August 12th, 2025 at 8:43 pm
Plan A is to assume Heck will get toasted like Skule in Detroit so give Heck lots of help starting with the first snap. Maybe he will be Ok and not need help, but let him show it in the game.
August 12th, 2025 at 8:59 pm
I really hope our raw but freakishly talented UDFA LT can play.
I’ve said for years to invest a high draft pick on a legit swing tackle.
We beat the Chiefs easily because they started two backup tackles.
LT and RT are extremely important positions.
We need to invest a 3rd round pick in an amazing young swing tackle.
Imagine losing Wirfs or Goedeke in the playoffs?
Bye bye Super Bowl!
We should have signed Skule to be backup LT and Heck as backup RT.
I want 8 legit starters on ganedays!
August 12th, 2025 at 9:01 pm
Comparing any LT, and especially a backup, to Tristan is just patently unfair.
For that matter, comparing the vast majority of the other 31 starting LTs to Tristan is pretty unfair, too.
At least Charlie’s been getting a lot of practice in with the first team O-line.
The question in my mind is whether, and how quickly, Grizz will adapt the scheme to give Charlie some help if he needs it.
Baker getting blindsided on his blindside would not be good.
August 12th, 2025 at 11:06 pm
I think Jason Licht, for all his excellent work, over estimates his ability to judge
O-linemen.
Lichts huge over confidence in this linemen caused Tom Brady to have his only losing season. That was a lost season strictly because of the O- line.
Now losing Jensen and Marpet in one off season was a big obstacle to overcome.
But letting Cappa walk really crippled the Super Bowl team, and not replacing Marpet/Jensen adequately, cost us another really good shot at a Super Bowl repeat.
Heck looks like a weak link. Worse, he’s lined up next to Bredeson- by far our worse rated and worse performing linemen from last year.
Bredeson is ok next to Wirfs. Hes gonna struggle next to Heck.
Sounds like Wirfs is gonna miss 4 weeks. Mayfield behind those 2 makes me really nervous. I’d like to see another vet LT get signed.
August 12th, 2025 at 11:22 pm
“It was Not Pretty Renner said”….
Here we go again at the dollar store AND we buy the Exact Wrong item. W. T. F. with the switching right tackles to left tackles in a MONTH and 1/2!
As I recall it was SO STRESSFUL and CHALLENGING for possibly the current greatest O lineman on the Planet that that Super Star ended up in THERAPY crying on the couch!
WHY? Why didn’t Licht At The Least, pick up a left tackle to TRY TO train in 6 weeks to Protect our Greatest Asset?
Licht “has become” pretty great at “drafting” But he IS NOT CLUTCH in choosing O line replacements! He SCREWED IT UP with Brady and now he is making a Bad Decision for Mayfield! Heck is “ok” at best But HE’S NOT A PROPER LEFT TACKLE TO PROTECT OUR GREATEST ASSET WITH A MENIAL 6 WEEKS OF TRAINING! IN FACT HE HAS TO LEARN TO “RETHINK” EVERYTHING HE KNOWS! Just like Wirfs had to do BUT with HALF the capability OR talent to work with!
Quote…. “It Was Not Pretty” Renner proclaimed… What is Licht doing?
August 13th, 2025 at 12:50 am
teacherman Says:
August 12th, 2025 at 8:59 pm
———
I agree with you 1,000%
August 13th, 2025 at 4:17 am
Saying ‘We should have signed Skule to be backup LT‘ sounds great but it’s hard to convince someone to choose to resign with your team when another team is offering you a clear path to start games. The Bucs couldn’t do that at the time. Skule wouldn’t have signed with the Bucs even if they offered more money.
August 13th, 2025 at 5:20 am
NFL left tackles are a very sought-after commodity. Sounds like at least a few fans think there are several out there hanging out waiting to be signed. Unfortunately, there isn’t! We have what Licht figures to be the best option, and I trust his opinion.
August 13th, 2025 at 5:38 am
@thank you
Homer Simpson rocks
August 13th, 2025 at 6:04 am
We have Carberry working with him. Add a TE next to him and Baker will. Other blindsided.
RELAX!!!!!
August 13th, 2025 at 6:05 am
Will not be blindsided. ^
August 13th, 2025 at 6:58 am
Running the ball well sure does make pass blocking easier.
August 13th, 2025 at 7:17 am
Most of the starting LT’s in the NFL are Heck type talent.
He’ll be just fine!
August 13th, 2025 at 7:35 am
Chukuma looked good his first time out. No false starts, one holding penalty wasn’t bad. If he got beat bad I didn’t notice. Thought he held up well. Could be the future swing.
August 13th, 2025 at 9:13 am
Not a Heck fan. But I did not try to watch his 10 snaps either.
August 13th, 2025 at 12:10 pm
Is it me or does Heck look weak? He gets pushed around too easily for such a big guy.