Cade Otton And Charlie Heck For The Win
September 16th, 2025
All-22 look at Charlie Heck and Cade Otton blowing open a hole for Rachaad White on the game-winning score.
Backup Bucs right tackle Charlie Heck was overmatched in pass protection at right tackle last night and abused even more on social media.
Yeah, he entered the game after a Luke Goedeke injury and was facing a stud Texans edge rusher, but man, Joe saw what Rondé Barber was talking about. Heck’s a dangerous man, in a bad, bad way.
But as expected, Heck was a capable run blocker. And who did playcaller Josh Grizzard call upon for the biggest play of the game? Heck. The handoff for Rachaad White to beat the Texans was designed for White to run between Cade Otton as Heck came off his right tackle spot inside to hold off defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins at the point of attack. You can see it above in the All-22 look above (Heck to the right of White and Otton to the left).
Joe is still praying starting right tackle Goedeke’s foot magically heals in a hurry, but Heck sure wasn’t all bad. He was a big part of a punishing Bucs run game against a strong defense. That’s something.
September 16th, 2025 at 8:53 am
Well you have to give Heck some props. He spends all training camp at left tackle, then gets benched then has to come in at right tackle, a completely different position and take on a really good front four of Houston!!!. So to be involed in a positive way on the biggest play of the game, well give the man his due. Albeit, lets hope we get Godeke back soon!!!. However, with that foot already being a problem, something tells me we could be seeing a lot of Heck for the next few weeks
September 16th, 2025 at 8:54 am
Heck looks fine in his run blocking. However, the reason I did not want Heck starting this season is I was worried that he would get Baker killed on pro pass protect.
Doesn’t that still look like the case?
September 16th, 2025 at 8:59 am
Why do we blame the player not the ones who hired him?
September 16th, 2025 at 9:01 am
Maybe keep Barton at LT & Wirfs at RT (familiar). Or move Barton to RT…..
September 16th, 2025 at 9:05 am
The gaping HOLE at LB, DE and the depth of the O Line is on ‘The Ring of Honor’ (LOL) GM Licht
Instead of overpaying an injured Godwin, it would’ve been nice to address other areas on the defense and team all together. Overpaying and extending underperforming or often injured players is boderline crazy
September 16th, 2025 at 9:08 am
Hard to judge the OLine against a good front 7 but man, they tried to throw that game. Bucky and Rachaad broke a LOT of tackles in the backfield, Chaad played for his job back and Bucky matched it.
Baker had no time in the pocket as soon as Luke went down. For a makeshift OLine they held their own, and like I said about last week, I think this could end up being a huge win looking back at the end of the season. Considering these banged up games away are typically the games we lose in close situations, I’m glad we’re winning them now.
Now Chase is an issue. I hope we bring in someone to at least put the pressure on him in practice. It looks like he has the yips or something though, hanging his head and clearly unhappy with himself on the sideline. I like cheering for him, but no excuse for an NFL kicker to be as unreliable as he has been to start the season.
September 16th, 2025 at 9:11 am
Geno 💯. Heck can run block but he’s on roller skates in pass pro
September 16th, 2025 at 9:12 am
@Smarter than Joe
“The gaping HOLE at LB, DE and the depth of the O Line”
I hear you, I only truly agree with LB, Dennis got burnt a few times, and Vonte went from looking 25->35 throughout the game. But down the stretch, our depth pieces at DLine were making the plays, and OLine held their own against a much more talented Texans front, and actually did well run blocking.
I understand the ‘depth’ concern, but when you’re talking about 3rd string OL playing out of position, of course there’s going to be a massive talent gap with recent first rounders and productive vets.
September 16th, 2025 at 9:16 am
Heck also made a key block on the Emeka td. The ABC talking heads said he tripped his man but it was incidental so i think that us why it was not called.
September 16th, 2025 at 9:24 am
Durham a good seal block on this too. 88 77 and 1 made a big play when needed.
September 16th, 2025 at 9:24 am
@Baker Bowl
Bucs knew since what July that Wirfs was gonna be out. You need as a GM to be proactive with your roster. Licht is very reactive and falls in love with resigning his picks. Need a GM that sees the big picture and can make the hard decisions.
Hope the Bucs can whether this injury parade and get Wirfs back, I have little faith in a Godwin return
September 16th, 2025 at 9:38 am
The fact that we never mention Jordan at RG must mean he is doing pretty well,,, what happens when we get our line back ? Is he the man left out
September 16th, 2025 at 9:42 am
Not looking forward to seeing the injury report. Jason better be looking for another DT and an RT/LT.
September 16th, 2025 at 9:45 am
As has been said before, you don’t find good starting tackles in July and August
September 16th, 2025 at 9:48 am
That play was executed perfectly!!! Hats off to Heck, Otton, White, and the entire offense! Great play call!! Great execution!!!! Great game!!!! One game at a time!!!! Next up…the Jets!!!!
September 16th, 2025 at 9:57 am
Our OLine had 4 of 5 guys playing out of position. Almost surely they had never practiced together as a unit. And the Houston defensive line is just loaded with 1st Rnd picks and All-Pros. Guys like Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter, Derek Barnett, Sheldon Rankins for starters.
Putting up 20 points … 3 TDs … against that defense with our makeshift OLine was quite an accomplishment.
September 16th, 2025 at 10:04 am
@Smarter than Joe
Again I hear you, but it’s a cost/benefit situation. Why would we sign an expensive backup, when the staff thinks they have a suitable backup for less money.
I think OL is the most important positions on the field and I think last night proved that, Baker had no time, passing offense looked super stale. But it also proved that Licht made the right decision. We’re scraping the barrel, and winning games.
Curious as to what you think the hard decisions that need to be made are. Injuries happen, it’s not worth over paying a 3rd stringer that may or may play at all (or in Wirfs case, play for a few weeks), in a league and time where every dollar in the cap is so valuable.
Our Bowl window is wide open, spending on known and loyal skill position talent is, in my opinion, more important than deep depth at OL right now.
September 16th, 2025 at 10:10 am
Derrick Barnett is officially a 1st rounder but at this point of his career is a rotational player and really — is he any better than Anthony Nelson?
Rankins looked solid on his push to the QB, but I think it was him getting gashed all night to allow our running game to work.
The other two are all – pros.
September 16th, 2025 at 10:11 am
@Defense Rules
You nailed it bro……That´s exactly right….
I understand all the excitment, because I am too, but when you start to think a little bit deeper, with all OL playing out of position and now that Luke is out for some time,and the substitute of the substitute has to play, is hard for me to be optimistic….
Is imperative to get some bodies back……
September 16th, 2025 at 10:20 am
Smarter than Joe.
Is your glass always empty? With a makeshift OL line against a stout Texan D the guys hung tough.
My biggest concern is my wife’s heart. We went to the ATL game, watched our TX Aggies win at the last second against the Domers Saturday night, and then last night’s cliff hanger. She said, “I’m not going to survive this season.” Just called my insurance agent to increase her life insurance!
September 16th, 2025 at 10:22 am
A lot has been said about Jason Licht and his track record of building a strong offensive starting line. Which he has done by investing premium picks in the draft and some work in free agency. I wonder how Licht rates when it comes to drafting players to eventually start or become strong role players on the OL from later round picks.
September 16th, 2025 at 10:31 am
@Joe did I say something against guidelines to have my comment censored? If so, what was it so I don’t do it again. This is my church, I can’t lose it man.
September 16th, 2025 at 10:35 am
Steve- bc that would make too much sense
September 16th, 2025 at 10:37 am
Baker Bowl I am on the same JBF do not fly list and have no idea why
September 16th, 2025 at 10:37 am
Heck’s trip block, an instant classic
Kudos to Heck
September 16th, 2025 at 10:38 am
Others saying it, but if Goedeke is injured the move is to put Wirfs back at RT and keep Barton at LT
September 16th, 2025 at 10:48 am
Yeah, back in the day they called that block Heck made a whip block. Someone here said it was incidental but it wasn’t. It was intentional as it could be and as illegal as it could be also. I loved it!!
September 16th, 2025 at 10:52 am
“…Charlie Heck was … abused even more on social media.”
LOL that is not possible Joe. When Luke went out, I focused on the Online, especially poor Heck. WOW, poor Heck was like a middle school player going against college men. Almost laughable, if it weren’t hurting my Bucs so bad.
But to give Grizz credit, he really adjusted well. Went running the ball more and quick, short passes. It was a clinic on how to run an offense against a superior pass rush.
Think about how amazing this is. 4 out of 5 O-Linemen playing out of position and owning a superior defense in that 2 minute drill. F-ing KUDOS to the coaches and players
September 16th, 2025 at 11:03 am
Senor Harry, we did own that tough defense in the 2 minute drill. Give our offensive line and running backs alot of credit for that. That top tier defense was worn out by the end of that game and our offense owned time of possession.
September 16th, 2025 at 11:10 am
Anyone knowing football knows Barton was getting abused at LT, especially in the 2nd half. When Wirfs is back you put him back at LT, Duh. Then put Barton back at C, Mauch and Bredeson at G. You know, their natural positions. And yes, that means you have a corpse at RT, but better one corpse who you know needs help instead of the Big OL Shuffle suddenly creating 5 corpses.
Good grief.
September 16th, 2025 at 11:15 am
Heck was VERY fortunate that they missed the ‘tripping’ no-call on the play. Unfortunately, I would rather just go ahead and ‘bite the bullet’ by sitting Goedeke until he’s mostly, as close to 💯 as possible. I really see no point with continuing to have to deal with this on a ‘week to week’ basis, and have him not healthy or effective for throughout the entire season.
September 16th, 2025 at 11:17 am
They need to get Ben Chukwuma warmed up.
Heck is not any good
Skule who he replaced got thrown around like a rag doll
Licht can get us Great Starting Tackles but we need better backups
September 16th, 2025 at 11:22 am
Heck needs to get into the weight room. He was on skates going backwards the whole night. Barton is not a left tackle either. He was also outmatched.
September 16th, 2025 at 11:23 am
Heck did great as a run blocker so run the ball then give him help in passing downs. Heck is a good replacement. Luke will be out 4 weeks he couldn’t even walk last night
September 16th, 2025 at 11:26 am
that was a great play for the win. troy aikman called it seconds before it happened, the blocks gave rachaad time to build momentum then there was no stopping him, genius call by the rookie play caller
September 16th, 2025 at 11:32 am
Seems-like, I remember Barton being projected by most “experts” as a RT in the NFL, but did have some ‘experience’ playing Center during his freshman season at Duke. Pretty Sure.
September 16th, 2025 at 11:35 am
Aqualung is right about that one.
September 16th, 2025 at 11:36 am
And shouldn’t be long before all 5 are back and where they belong.
September 16th, 2025 at 11:38 am
They need more quick shorter intermediate routes, and more ‘two back’ sets. And, keep it movin. Wear down the defense and keep them from substituting, then CRUSH THEM with that ‘run-game’ late. Let’s GOOOO!!!!
September 16th, 2025 at 11:38 am
JL has been the GM of this team for a long time and they still do not have a capable back-up at Tackle. That doesn’t qualify as an OL genius to me. Stop shuffling players around like a Chinese fire drill. When Wirfs gets back. Put him at LT and get everyone back where they belong and fix the RT problem! Moving people around is completely idiotic.That OL last night was a nightmare.
September 16th, 2025 at 11:51 am
When Wirfs is back everyone goes back to their natural positions on the O-line. Jordon is a nice find, just don’t know if he can play on the right side.
September 16th, 2025 at 11:57 am
Up and down game for Heck but he did have some nice run blocks. The pass pro is the concern. Perhaps need a rb or TE to chip.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:01 pm
Hey Aqualung, it’s Barton’s 2nd season. Give him a break. This patched up OLine did one heckuva job against an All-Pro talented, and expensive DL. TexasBuc 1776, not sure when you all came onboard our Bucs fan train, but I’ve been on it for decades. Please heed my warning: the Bucs’ nickname is Cardiac Bucs. I’m thinking of you and your wife. This team has been called it for decades. I’m glad I have genetic low BP. 🙂
September 16th, 2025 at 12:05 pm
Great blocking by both TEs on this play. Durham had a great block as well
September 16th, 2025 at 12:09 pm
@Durango
“That OL last night was a nightmare.”
I mean yeah, it was a tough watch, but I will continue to do as I have done all morning on this thread… THAT OLine against THAT DLine is an unbelievable win. Yes, it was Bucky and Chaad toting the rock and finding space, but they held long enough.
The backups did EXACTLY what they needed to do and that’s why they are backups and not starters.
Now last year I was extremely harsh on Skule and thought he operated like a saloon door, the OLine play was similar to that. The difference is that they were virtually all out of position. Both outstanding tackles were out of the game, our promising rookie center was playing the hardest position on the line, and the rest of the crew filled in.
While I understand the judgement passed onto Licht for the subpar talent individually across the line, but I actually think this was a testament to not only the depth he brought in, but also the trust of Carberry to throw together a rag tag of average Joes.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:10 pm
Hey Aqualung, it’s Barton’s 2nd season. Give him a break. This patched up OLine did one heckuva job against an All-Pro talented, and expensive DL. TexasBuc 1776, not sure when you all came onboard our Bucs fan train, but I’ve been on it for decades. Please heed my warning: the Bucs’ nickname is Cardiac Bucs. I’m thinking of you and your wife. This team has been called it for decades. I’m glad I have genetic low BP.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:11 pm
TexasBuc 1776, not sure when you all came onboard our Bucs fan train, but I’ve been on it for decades. Please heed my warning: the Bucs’ nickname is Cardiac Bucs. I’m thinking of you and your wife. This team has been called it for decades. I’m glad I have genetic low BP.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:25 pm
That play was well blocked. If you look at the film Ko Kieft came in motion to the play side and threw a heck of a block as well.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:53 pm
Baker Bowl
I am not criticizing the effort of the players on the line last night. In fact considering they were put in such a stupid situation they preformed pretty well in the run game. Not surprisingly pass protection nearly got Baker killed. It’s a fools errand when you start moving multiple players around due to injury at one position. You don’t move three guys because of an injury at one position. Shown clearly last night and last week.
What I want to know. Why in heck do JL and/or TB have Heck on this team?? They won’t have him at LT and he can only be effective in the run game at RT. Why is he on this team?? They knew what they had when the season started with this guy. Yet they did nothing.. I’m mad as all hell about this. There’s no excuse to have allowed this to happen.There’s a lot of guys on this team that have invested blood, sweat and tears to try and win a Super Bowl. I’m looking at Jason Licht and I want to know why he allowed this to happen . There is no excuse for this. At all. None.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:59 pm
Durango
Alright, you got me. Heck probably shouldn’t be on the roster, but I’m no OLine scout so I have no idea if that’s an accurate statement.
My optimism says that the injuries just happened at terrible positions, which I guess would support your roster building frustrations. Can’t have your starting guard be a backup center and backup left tackle be the starting center (who’s also a rookie)
Gonna give the benefit of the doubt to the coaches for now (which doesn’t happen often, probably because we won), but I would like to see some roster movement or at least give a look to the practice squad.
All in all, I can’t wait for week 4 and Wirfs to be back. Goedeke looks a lot better than I give him credit for, and it was so clear last night. I want to watch our bookend tackles block for our MVP calibre quarterback, throwing to our future HOF and All-Pro recieving core.
This offense is going to be so fun if we’re putting up 20+ no where near full strength.