Return celebrated.
Part of the buzz around One Buc Palace was about guys enjoying a week-long breather, recharging their batteries and not worrying about football for a change.
And while a return to football was on everyone’s mind after last week’s bye, another return seemed to energize the locker room.
Bucs starting right tackle Luke Goedeke practiced for the first time since leaving the Week 2 game against Houston with a foot injury. ]
Baker Mayfield was stoked to have Goedeke back on the practice field, though he’s still on the injured reserve list.
“He’s definitely a tone-setter with the way he prepares and the way he practices,” Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard said. “Anytime you can get someone back – no matter what position it is – in terms of a starter, it’s always going to elevate you with the communication levels with those guys, the comfortability with them being able to play together, know exactly what they’re thinking, and, like you said, then his personality as well.”
Goedeke certainly has a big personality, one that endears him to teammates but irritates the daylights out of opposing defenders.
Grizzard referred to Goedeke’s personality: “tone-setter, being a little bit of a meathead and going out there and be able to pound people.”
Goedeke certainly adds physicality to the Bucs’ front line. Even left tackle Tristan Wirfs was pumped.
“‘The Enforcer’ is back,” Wirfs said. “It is great seeing him back out there practicing. Being who he is, chirping people — already on his second day of practice for him and he is chirping guys.
“Having him back is awesome. That is our guy, however it shakes out this week, we will be ready to go.”
Mayfield and Wirfs made it clear they like Charlie Heck, who has started in place of Goedeke. They praised Heck for the job he’s done but acknowledged the fourth-year man from Central Michigan, Goedeke, adds spice and physicality to the Bucs’ offensive line.
“Charlie [Heck] has done an amazing job this year,” Wirfs said. “If we can get Luke [Goedeke] back, great, if not, then Charlie is ready to go.”
Maybe, just maybe, the Bucs’ offensive line will be the healthiest it has been all season on Sunday. That’s not a bad thing.