Todd Bowles Doesn’t Dismiss More Changes To Offensive Line
September 8th, 2025
Offensive lines are like forced marriages of sports radio hosts. There’s no telling if there is any chemistry in a combination.
A two-man sports radio show could be excellent, it could be horrible. You may have one superb host but his partner is so bad he drags the whole show down.
It seems Bucs coach Todd Bowles liked the physicality of having Graham Barton at left tackle and Ben Bredeson at center more than he liked having Charlie Heck at left tackle.
The shocking news was broken by Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht on the Buccaneers Radio Network yesterday that Heck was benched (before he even played in a regular season game). The plan for months had been to start Heck at left tackle for rehabbing Tristan Wirfs, and now it was thrown out the window after the Bucs’ final worthless preseason game.
The news shook the ground beneath Joe’s feet.
Bowles today was laughing about the move, almost acting as if the team stumbled across the idea by accident. And Bowles confessed, perhaps in a form of gamesmanship, he doesn’t know if he will use that same combo again next week at Houston.
“We’ll see what it is [next] week,” Bowles said today in his day-after presser. “I thought Graham [Barton], for the first time at tackle, played very well. Bredesen did a very good job at center, especially controlling with blitzes, go with the pickups and everything like that.
“And Michael Jordan played well at guard as well. So they played tough and they battled, you know. For those guys moving around, playing their first game at different positions, I thought you did a good job.
“And going forward, we’ll see.”
Bowles repeated what he said last night. He gave Barton snaps at left tackle as an emergency backup tackle. But Barton did so well, the Bucs gave him more snaps there. After looking at film, Bowles talked to Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard and offensive line coach Kevin Carberry that they may have stumbled onto something very real.
Bowles said when Grizzard and Carberry studied more practice tape of Barton at left tackle, they agreed with Bowles that the Bucs may have something with the combo the Bucs used yesterday.
So the Bucs decided to go with a more physical offensive line. After early struggles, it seemed to work.
Will that continue? “We’ll see,” Bowles said.
If the Bucs really believe that’s the best way to go, why stop now? The more snaps these guys get, the better they should be.
That’s why Joe is bewildered how the Bucs’ coaching staff, including Bowles, didn’t notice this sooner so Barton could have gotten more snaps at left tackle and Bredeson at center.
The Bucs worked with Heck at left tackle for roughly four months and at the last second figured they had to make a move?
That sounds way more dysfunctional than the Bucs normally are.
September 8th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
Waiting for pff grades to come out
September 8th, 2025 at 1:37 pm
Should be no surprise as to why they waited. They waited until July before deciding Wirfs needed surgery, why make a personnel decision early enough to work on the performance of the unit as a team rather than a group of individuals. All the syrup can’t hide the foul taste of the OL performance yesterday, particularly in the run game. It sucked.
September 8th, 2025 at 1:42 pm
the whole wirfs situation has been poorly managed for some time. this is just a continuation.
September 8th, 2025 at 1:43 pm
So much for preaching continuity on the OL.
I mean how bud was Heck that they would take this radical approach in complete secrecy?
September 8th, 2025 at 1:45 pm
Monday Night Football for the world to see, Houston Texans 377 Buccaneers 17, this will be the game the great Baker gets replaced by Teddy “2 Gloves” Bridgewater
September 8th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
Are they going to let their current (until further notice) starting left guard get signed to another teams roster (maybe an upcoming opponent?) or are they going to promote him to active roster? Seems strange your starter is on practice squad. Is Klein just no good? If so why did he make the roster over Jordan? Felt the other wqs less likely to get grabbed?
September 8th, 2025 at 1:48 pm
So when Wirfs comes back they will jumble it up all over again. Continuity matters for OLine, I just hope it stabilizes soon. I looking at this year as a NO EXCUSE YEAR, for anyone.
September 8th, 2025 at 1:50 pm
At the risk of stirring the pot, does this potentially make Wirfs available in a trade? We could likely get at least two very high picks for him. I’m not at all promoting this nor do I hope it happens, but it’s interesting to ponder.
September 8th, 2025 at 1:51 pm
When Wirfs comes back, Barton will kick into LG. He is way stronger and more athletic than Bredeson and can pull. You heard it here first, folks
September 8th, 2025 at 1:55 pm
Well what the Heck! We Eeeked out a win thanks to Koo Koo. Did they dump Heck? TG THIS DIVISION SUX. We may EEEK out a playoff game but it will be Close.
September 8th, 2025 at 1:56 pm
Trading Wirfs???????????
That has to be a joke. A very bad joke. A highly ill informed premise. Ignant, actually.
September 8th, 2025 at 1:57 pm
Brian in FL what the hell are you talking buddy? My goodness some of you people on this forum are very slow
September 8th, 2025 at 2:03 pm
THREE OBSERVATIONS:
1. DUH! Barton would start at OT for 20-25 teams in the NFL. We just happen to have the best OT in the game. GB was first team All ACC at Tackle. He’s 6’5, 313, athletic AF, and smart as hell (not Heck).
2. BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION! He did great and he’ll get better. I for one am no longer worried about LT. He’ll hold down the position until Wirfs returns. Plus, now we have a legit backup for Wirfs if he gets hurt again.
3. BOWLES EVOLVING? Historically, Bowles has been loyal and tunnel vision to a fault. Pulling the plug on Heck for a better solution shows growth.
September 8th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Could Heck be a good center?
September 8th, 2025 at 2:09 pm
It sounds like Barton and Bredeson may permanently switch positions. Barton next to Wirf on the left side may be a better combo for pass protection and run blocking.
September 8th, 2025 at 2:21 pm
Barton is so much more than just a center. Glad they figured that out.
September 8th, 2025 at 2:22 pm
Aqualung Says:
September 8th, 2025 at 1:37 pm
Should be no surprise as to why they waited. They waited until July before deciding Wirfs needed surgery, why make a personnel decision early enough to work on the performance of the unit as a team rather than a group of individuals. All the syrup can’t hide the foul taste of the OL performance yesterday, particularly in the run game. It sucked.
^^^^^^^^^
Thanks, Little Miss Positive! Did the Bucs lose 800 to 4?
September 8th, 2025 at 2:23 pm
Rastafarian I was thinking the same thing, Barton at guard? Possibly. Listen, sometimes things just happen and/or someone gets a quirky idea and say’s lets try it and it pans out, no big mystery or conspiracy. The Bucs were looking to put the best line together in Wirfs absence and maybe stumbled onto something, who knows, but if it’s a happy accident lets roll with it.
September 8th, 2025 at 2:24 pm
And I think Jordon is a nice find.
September 8th, 2025 at 2:25 pm
I was impressed with that O Line. It’s tough when your stud is out of the lineup and these guys were playing positions they aren’t accustomed to. Very proud of the big boys up front.
September 8th, 2025 at 2:27 pm
This is more concerning for the long term picture for Wirfs imo.
If they believed they would have Wirfs for 3-5 more years, why have Barton play there? Keep him at guard or tackle for continuity. Unless you are thinking Wirfs may not be around much longer due to age or health and you are building Barton as his replacement potentially.
September 8th, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Rastafarian I was thinking the same thing when Wirfs gets back, Barton at guard?
Listen, sometimes someone will get a quirky idea and it pans out. The Bucs were trying to put together the best line possible in Wirfs absence. No big mystery or conspiracy but maybe a happy accident? If so let’s just roll with it.
September 8th, 2025 at 2:30 pm
Grover. Dude. It’s been one game. You already are determining the strength of the division and mapping the division winner, determining how average we are and how far we will go in the playoffs. All of which are very speculative takes. None of which I believe will go down like you think. We are better than an eek it out team.
September 8th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
Maybe reading a little too deep in the tea leaves here,I’m hoping this move wasn’t predicated on the Bucs knowing Tristan Wirfs injury could be long term.
September 8th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
Center is at least as important as guard. It’s the lineman that allows your QB to step forward into his passes.
September 8th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
cmurda….Eeeek is one of the best draft picks ever. Get it….Eeeeked out a win???
September 8th, 2025 at 2:50 pm
Jordan was not too bad….
September 8th, 2025 at 2:52 pm
Anything to stop Texans form taking out starting guard? Should we expect a promotion announcement coming? Or is it too late with the 6 day period?
September 8th, 2025 at 2:55 pm
I also believe Barton kicks inside to LG when TW comes back and Brenson stays at center…
Great job by the coaching staff
GO BUCS
September 8th, 2025 at 2:59 pm
Great OT play, Heck will go on p/s or get cut!! open up a spot for a middle defender…. Go Bucs
September 8th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
Upstate I think we may need a spot for Jordan. As far as I know anyone (including our next opponent) could sign him
September 8th, 2025 at 3:30 pm
I’m guessing Heck started to look dissapointting once the pads came on. Maybe he’s an underwear warrior O-lineman lol? I didn’t really key on him during preseason
September 8th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
They were doing thi long time ago
They kept quiet from the media dummies
September 8th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
No, Jordan is on the active squad roster after being elevated. As a vested veteran he is handled differently, and if returned to the practice squad he has to pass thru waivers. I would say Jason plans on keeping him, as he played great. Maybe they send Klein to the practice squad.
Jordan started for Carolina when Baker was there, and has I believe 40 starts. He’s no slouch.
September 8th, 2025 at 3:49 pm
I stand corrected Grover. Well done with the eek! Stud Eek
September 8th, 2025 at 3:54 pm
“That sounds way more dysfunctional than the Bucs normally are.“
Bowles watched tape of practice, saw Barton was doing pretty well, communicated that to his OC & OL coach, they concurred. We tried it out, it started off rocky, but it worked to a degree.
No bad snaps.
No free rushers.
Baker was sacked what? Once?
And this Joe is trying to make it out like it should’ve happened sooner and the fact that it happened at all is dysfunction? Smh don’t appreciate preseason, why expect evaluation and a trial run to be appreciated here
September 8th, 2025 at 3:54 pm
Jcs if Jordan stays on the active roster then who was waived to make room?
September 8th, 2025 at 3:55 pm
The biggest setback for the Bucs is the head coach. They were fortunate to pull the win from the Falcons. He may be a nice person, but needs to be replaced as a head coach..
September 8th, 2025 at 3:55 pm
I guess there is a grace period before next game?
September 8th, 2025 at 4:01 pm
Don’t know. Should be on Bucs website somewhere.
Since he was on the active roster Week 1 his salary is now fully guarenteed. He started for the Bengals, Panthers, and Patriots.
September 8th, 2025 at 4:03 pm
Dysfunctional Joe really. How about smart!!! Where always talking about taking a player out of position that he excels in and puts him somewhere else. Bucs interior line is elite and is a good reason we ran the ball so well. Why mess with that? Well if Charlie isn’t getting the job done and you have a player who was a left tackle in college smart and more athletic then you make the switch and appeared to be the right decision. This wasn’t a matter of dysfunction this was a matter of necessity which is exactly what it was. If Wirfs goes down again or doesn’t come back soon the Bucs know they have a better option than Charlie. Thank God for Barton and his versatility!!!
September 8th, 2025 at 4:04 pm
The most important thing is that they recognized a mistake and fixed it before the games started.
Bad coaching would’ve doubled-down on Heck starting instead of admitting they’d screwed up.
September 8th, 2025 at 4:04 pm
Barton is a beast, just like Wirfs….i pushed for both. But now we’re weak at Center till Tristan comes back. But you never know, Bredeson could grow there, then we have Bakers blindside completely locked down with Barton playing LG beside Wirfs. Not ideal of course, but sometimes my brain goes in weird directions.
September 8th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
This was probably in the works for a while. The Falcons came out thinking they would overload the right side, then here comes Barton. Would have loved to see the look on their faces. I’m sure they were practicing schemes for months, thinking they were facing Heck. Great game plan!
September 8th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
rewatched game looking specifically at GB#62 at LT and he was solid. He did get away with holding a couple times after getting bull rushed, but he definitely moves well as expected he would. They can do more offensively with his mobility.
Mon night against the Texans will be more difficult due to their solid pass rush, not rookies playing their first game + Floyd.
I’ll be at that game, with some Tums; hopefully not having to use the entire package as I did when I saw GB#62 at LT for the first series in ATL.
September 8th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
where’s the run game? i hope it gets better before wirfs comes back, liam was better than canales at running traps and stunts and pulling gb which he was really good at last year leading the way
early line: bucs can beat texans if they keep making plays like they did yesterday
September 8th, 2025 at 5:06 pm
Temper the enthusiasm… Bucs were playing against the worst pass rush in pro football. That changes a week from tonight when we go against Houston. Regardless Bucs were missing our best player and I actually thought we didn’t play well at all and still got the W. Actually that was a huge win so I’ll take it. Need TW back so we can get that run game rolling again. Find the best 5 and play em.
September 8th, 2025 at 5:08 pm
Legitimate question.
Why was Heck taking all the reps at LT during trainng camp ?
Did they not realize it was not working ?
They decided only a few days before the fist game he is not good ?
What happened
Go Bucs
September 8th, 2025 at 5:14 pm
Hope the new O line gels this week. Bucs need a lot more production from the run game. Don’t want Baker to be the Bucs leading rusher again next week.
September 8th, 2025 at 5:21 pm
Christos What was about just as confusing is that they cut the guy who started at LG. That’s why he was elevated off practice squad..despite some of speculation the entire thing obviously wasn’t planned out
September 8th, 2025 at 5:43 pm
Houston has a much much better defense, so I hope the reps are going to lead to a better performance. Also, I have no idea what the advantage was of not playing the line in the preseason to ‘surprise’ the Falcons, who weren’t confused and didn’t care, and in fact I’m pretty sure they loved the idea that the Bucs made a huge change to their line.
September 8th, 2025 at 5:53 pm
Can someone enlighten me on this “been planning on playing Charlie Heck for four months” thing? I don’t remember any mention of it in early May.
September 8th, 2025 at 6:11 pm
THIS could be the start of something AWEsome!
Every Friday before final walkthrough, all 5 linemen pull a name out of a hat … “Goedeke, you’re center! Wirfs, right guard!….Mauch ……”
September 8th, 2025 at 6:59 pm
Barton should move to LG when Wirfs comes back if Brederson can hold up at center.
September 8th, 2025 at 8:04 pm
Folks – the run game was reminiscent of Boron Leftwurst. Maybe this OL and the brand new OC can figure it all out, but Thems a lot of variables and unknowns suddenly thrown into the math all at once.
Joe in Mich – I’ve actually been very positive about the win. I’m highlighting an obvious under-performance in the run game. Baker was our leading rusher. That isn’t sustainable obviously. Gotta get the run game fixed, OL personnel, blocking schemes and gel time I guess. And I agree with much of what you post. Cheers.
September 8th, 2025 at 8:25 pm
Here’s what we should do… for this next game, lets move Cody to LT, Barton to RT, Luke to LG. The Texans will never see it coming, giving the Bucs a huge advantage.
September 8th, 2025 at 9:01 pm
It was always a mistake playing Barton at Center.
He would be a monster at LG, when Wirfs returns.
And while Bredesen is the weak link at guard- He’s an above average center, where his lack of arm length aren’t as much of a factor.
Hopefully, they free Barton up from Center. Let him play Left Guard, unless we need him at either tackle spot.
September 8th, 2025 at 9:07 pm
It was a plan for awhile, they just didn’t let (all?)the media in on it.
They devised the best plan they could with the talent they had, and it worked against ATL… every game till we get Tristan back is going to be a little weird, but we’re trying to steal a few possessions, and maybe it will result in another win.
September 8th, 2025 at 10:03 pm
Son of Trask changed names. Still wants anyone except Baker. Sorry Son. Trask is gone. Unemployed by any team. Maybe a team from the UFL will pick him up. I doubt it.
September 8th, 2025 at 10:57 pm
White tiger some of it may have been planned but definitely not Jordan at LG or he wouldn’t have been cut and allowed to essentially sign with anyone else
September 8th, 2025 at 11:27 pm
They’re going to have the same 5 out there. He’s only saying that because he doesn’t want to let Houston know their lineup. No way they change it again. The earliest Wirfs will return is week 3.
September 8th, 2025 at 11:38 pm
Bowles = garbage defense. Fire this man.
September 8th, 2025 at 11:52 pm
So much for the long arm length of NFL Offensive Lineman in the NFL.
Most tackles like Charlie Heck have over 34 inch arms.
Most guards actually have over 33 inch arms.
Yesterday the Bucs started:
Luke Goedeke (RT): 32 1/4 inches
Graham Barton (LT): 32 7/8 inches
They’ve got a line of T-Rexes. A bunch of guys with little arms. It’s beautiful! The scouts are looking at their arms, measuring them like they’re buying a suit, while these guys are just getting in there and kicking ass.
September 8th, 2025 at 11:58 pm
Will Wirfs be back this Year ?? I mean I sure hope so but his knee situation smells a lil worse than the Bucs are willing to share
September 9th, 2025 at 2:45 am
Aqualung: I was dreading the thought of Heck at LT, and thought the O-Line (while nothing to brag about) did okay.
September 9th, 2025 at 7:36 am
Jack me off ,shut up & go away! Buc in Alabama. You may be on to something thats not a terrible idea.GO BUCS!!!
September 9th, 2025 at 7:36 am
Jack me off ,shut up & go away! Buc in Alabama. You may be on to something thats not a terrible idea.GO BUCS!!!