Bucks RT Luke Godeke – Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The accumulation for the Bucks this season is lots of questions There are not many answers yet. Those are coming, but the biggest stories include who will be the team’s quarterback, the future treatment of linebackers who want big deals, new offensive coordinators, the future of head coaches, but there are other interesting stories. There are many. point.
One of them is the offensive line shuffle. Rachard White is looking to have a breakthrough season in his second year, and will try to do so behind an attacking line that looks very different from position to position. Both guard positions are looking inside, but the Bucks have mostly locked tackles on both unless something unexpected happens.
Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke of Bucs OT – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
Left tackle Tristan Wirfs and right tackle Luke Gödeke.
As OTAs and mandatory minicamps have come and gone, each has worked to adapt to its new post. While we have little concern about moving Wirfs to the blindside based on his track record, the same cannot be said for Gödeke.
There’s no hiding that he struggled as a left guard for much of last season. His overall regular-season record there was 46.7, placing him 70th out of 77 guards, according to Pro Football Focus. He ended up sitting on the bench mid-year in favor of Nick Leverett.
Amidst the struggles, there were some positive moments for him, especially in the last two games to close out the season. In Week 18 against the Falcons, He returned a strong game with a right tackle.
Against the Cowboys in the playoffs, he again appeared at left guard and looked more comfortable. It was the PFF’s highest-rated match at the age of 67.
So what does all of this mean for Luke Goedeke?
Since donning the Bucks uniform for the first time, he has shown signs of progress and improvement, something both Wirfs and head coach Todd Bowles have seen in recent weeks.
Bucks coach Todd Bowles thinks Luke Godeke is doing well
Todd Bowles, entering his second season as Bucks head coach, is getting back to what’s more natural for him in his second season and is realizing he’s grown from Luke Guedeke.
Bucks Head Coach Todd Bowles – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
“He played in college. He was the right tackle,” Bowles said during the OTA. “It doesn’t make him uncomfortable. I can’t let you, but the progress and intelligence has been great.”
Bowles added during minicamp a week later that the former Central Michigan tackle looks comfortable on the right flank.
“I think Luke did a great job,” he said. “He’s always here. He’s learning mentally. He feels comfortable and looks comfortable on the outside. We’re just waiting for him to get better.” Of course Pad will say a lot, but he’s doing well.”
This could be seen as positive support, but Goedeke will have to wear pads due next month. That will determine whether he really looks like a starting right tackle in the NFL.
Luke Guedeke has a friend named Tristan Wirfs
During Goedeke’s rookie year, his play came under a lot of criticism. But there was always someone in his corner to protect Tristan Wirfs. During the OTA, Mr. Wirfs shared that they were playing together and building friendships while setting each other up.
“Luke is doing very well,” Wirfs said. “We used to play together a lot, just work together and talk. He wants to be the best he can be. I want him to be the best he can be.” I told him I know what I’m talking about there, he was great, [offensive line coach] Joe [Gilbert] It was just great for both of us, [his] It’s best to come prepared for us. He still has a long way to go, but he’s doing very well. He loves throwing with his outside hand, so he looks very good. ”
Bucks LT Tristan Wirfs and OL Brandon Walton – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
Wirfs’ influence on and off the field helps Goedeke a lot, as both are tasked with seamless transitions on the line.
“Tristan is probably the guy I’m closest to on the team,” Guedeke said. on the Pewter Report podcast earlier this month. “I consider him one of my best friends. That being said, we attack OTAs every day trying to improve.
“We talk about different techniques, what he uses, what our coaches want and everything else, what we see and what we continue to work on every day. Trying to improve five or six different things every day can be really overwhelming, so just choose one or two things a day.
“We got really serious about those little things that allowed us to go back and forth between each other’s ideas. it’s nice to have people [things] He’s a great friend both football-wise. We spend time away from football and doing fun things like fishing. ”
Some of my friends go to movies and ball games. But what if you’re trying to catch a big fish? These fishing trips are what Wilfs and Goedeke are working on away from football. In doing so, it also became a way to measure each other’s strength.
“I grew up fishing. Tristan grew up fishing,” Goedeke said. “Freedom from football is just mentally exhausting when you’re focused on it all the time. It’s hard to have that kind of freedom to go fishing or relax. , is very important to everything and how peaceful and beautiful it is out on the water.To be able to do that with my teammates is huge.”
Luke Goedeke has a chip on his shoulder
Along the way, Goedeke had to overcome numerous injuries and work hard to make a name for himself in DI college football. The NFL faces a new challenge of dealing with the noise that comes from rookie starters not finding immediate success. None of these obstacles deterred him in the slightest. It just means more adversity to overcome.
Bucs RT Luke Goedeke – Photo Credit: USA Today
“If it weren’t for my drive and determination, I would never be here. Ultimately, I believe hard work beats talent. I have talent, but I’m determined to surpass you.” I’m here I can beat anyone when it comes down to it I’m just playing with a chip on my shoulder I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin and I’ve had setbacks in my life I’ve also faced adversity I’ve been
“I know how to overcome it, so when I faced some things last year, I realized yes, I need to improve more. I need to come back stronger, I need to regain my confidence in many ways and I feel like at the end of the season I really showed that I can overcome adversity.”
He’s self-motivated, but he also understands that he can’t please everyone.
“I don’t need noise to be motivated. I know what I have to do to get better. I definitely have enough motivation inside of me to motivate myself. Shut down Twitter.” I lost [last season]; I’m not on Twitter yet. You can play at the All-Pro level, but someone is talking bad about you on social media. Half-heartedly, everyone has something to say, but at the end of the day, they’re sitting on the couch and we’re playing outside… it doesn’t make much sense to me. ”
It’s his journey so far that has made a difference for him, and becoming a proper tackle for the Bucks is the next step.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without that trip, so I’m very grateful and give God all my glory for that trip,” Guedeke said. “It was crazy, to say the least.”
