Bucs are struggling in the run game but rank first in pass protection
TAMPA — Say this for the Bucs offensive line: It knows how to protect quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Tampa Bay is tied with Kansas City and Miami for fewest sacks allowed in the NFL, permitting only one per game.
Given how the Bucs shuffled the deck moving Tristan Wirfs from right to left tackle and left guard Luke Goedeke to right tackle it’s been a bright spot in an otherwise inconsistent offense that is averaging 18 points per game under first-year offensive coordinator Dave Canales.
“I think us up front, pass protection-wise, was pretty damn good,” Wirfs said following Sunday’s 20-6 loss to Detroit. “You know, 67 [Goedeke] down there, you guys have to start giving him his flowers. He’s balling. So I don’t necessarily think it’s us not measuring up.
“We did some stupid stuff in both those games [losses to the Lions and the Eagles]. Get those fixed. It sounds just like, ‘Oh, what if we did this? What if we did that?’ That’s the hard part. Hindsight is always 20-20, but I think [if ] we fix some stuff, we are right there with them.”
A year ago, the Bucs allowed just 22 sacks, fewest in the NFL. But much of that was the result of Tom Brady getting rid of the football more quickly than any quarterback in the league.
This season Mayfield has contributed by escaping the pocket and avoiding the rush. He is the club’s second-leading rusher with 67 yards.
“Baker has something to do with that, too, obviously,” coach Todd Bowles said. “I like the way Luke is pass-protecting. Our tackles have done a very good job there. We’ve been OK in the interior, and when we haven’t Baker has been nimble enough to move out of the way and get out of some sacks.
“So it’s good to have an elusive quarterback that way. But protecting the passer — as long as he’s not taking the hits, it’s a good thing. But the production, like we had last week [206 yards, no touchdowns], has got to be better in the passing game.”
Not only is Goedeke back at the position he played at Central Michigan, he is being mentored by Wirfs, who was an All-Pro at right tackle before switching sides this offseason after the Bucs released left tackle Donovan Smith.
“I think with [Goedeke] and Tristan working out during the offseason together and him going back to tackle where he’s comfortable, playing in the system we’re playing has helped him a great deal,” Bowles said. “His confidence has skyrocketed that way.
“He’s always been a tough player. He’s a very tough player. He’s becoming a technician, and that’s a great thing for him because he’s always been a mauler. He’s getting a lot of technique down, and he’s had some success, and he’s just growing to become a better player, and we like where he’s at.”
Where the Bucs need to improve is running the football, where they are tied with the Raiders for last in the NFL with a 3.0 yard-per-carry average.
Wirfs says Goedeke has not only taken his game to another level, he’s one of the nastiest players on the Bucs line.
“I love him to death, but he’s always had that edge,” Wirfs said. “Coming from where he did to where he is now always gave him that chip on his shoulder. But definitely, Luke, I think he’s even toned it down from what he can be. We’ll probably see it more in a couple weeks. He’s the one that always gets that last shove in. He’s not one to take it. It’s fun to see. Hopefully, it will rub off to all of us.”