The Bucs offensive line endured growing pains early in the season, but the group has found its footing in recent weeks, paving the way for what has become the league’s most productive rushing attacks.

That doesn’t erase Tampa Bay’s early-season struggles or its disappointing 3-5 record. But while the Bucs still have plenty of ground to make up, their offensive line is starting to look like a strength rather than a weakness.

Right tackle Luke Goedeke wants to make sure that doesn’t go unnoticed.

After the Bucs’ Week 8 win over the Falcons, a fired-up Goedeke discussed how far the offensive line has come – and why the big guys deserve more credit for their recent play.

Luke Goedeke Sets The Record Straight About Bucs O-Line Performance

Through the first few games of the season, the Bucs offensive line struggled keeping quarterback Baker Mayfield upright, while the running game was not providing enough of a balance to counter defensive gameplans. The blame was pointed at everyone from offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to Mayfield to the guys tasked with being frontline protectors.

It was easy to point fingers following a 0-4 start.

With the offensive script flipped to being run-heavy, the offensive line has responded by dominating upfront. Luke Goedeke heard “all the crap” about how they played early on, but he doesn’t want to hear it now.

He made sure that message was clear.

“I would love for someone to put on the tape and tell me how we’re a bad O-line – pass blocking or run blocking,” Goedeke said after Sunday’s win.

Goedeke had every reason to be fired up after the day Tampa Bay had on the ground. 324 rushing yards is nothing to scoff at, and the fifth-year right tackle played a major part in establishing the run. After missing out on rushing for 258 yards at Carolina due to a calf injury, Goedeke returned to action on Sunday and was one of the happiest players in the locker room after the game.

“I don’t mean to toot our own horns, but we set a franchise record for rushing [yards], so I’m feeling on top of the world right now,” Goedeke said.

The numbers back up just how elite Goedeke was in his return to action after missing the previous game. Pro Football Focus credited him with being the offense’s highest-grade player with an 88.4 overall grade. Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo put together a highlight reel of some of the biggest impact plays “Luke the Lifter” had.

Bucs Offensive Line Prefers To Run, Let Baker Mayfield Hand Off “A Mean Ball”

Baker Mayfield has returned as the starting quarterback, although that doesn’t necessarily mean he is fully recovered from the dislocated right thumb injury that kept him out for three games. Mayfield would never say it, but he also fights through any injury to play. With that in mind, Zac Robinson has completely altered the Bucs’ offensive approach, much to the delight of Luke Goedeke and the rest of the O-line.

Bucs offensive line – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

“I mean I think I can speak for all five of us – we prefer to run the ball, so we’re begging for those runs,” Goedeke said. “I mean obviously we’re in the position where we can run the ball. It’s not like we’re chasing or anything like that, but we really like to put the guys on our shoulders and really showcase what we can do and everything. I mean I’ll die on the hill that we’re the best O-line in the country.”

Robinson has found what has worked with the run concepts he called throughout Sunday’s game. The phrase “imposing your will” is often bandied about for how teams set the tempo but look no further than what Tampa Bay has done controlling the line of scrimmage and creating daylight for running backs Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell, even in the bleakest of conditions.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Goedeke mentioned to me in late September that he wanted the run game to be implemented more, and he has clearly gotten his wish.

Mayfield only had to attempt three passes, leaving Goedeke to joke about how impressive his handoffs were.

“Yeah, I mean it’s great,” Goedeke said about not even needing to throw it. “It’s just a testament [to] the offense, the O-line, the tight ends, the wide receivers, running backs – it’s just everyone doing their job. And ‘Bake,’ he hands off a mean ball, so really hats off to him, as well [laughs].”

Tampa Bay’s veteran signal-caller knew the gameplan called for a heavy dose of run calls, but he didn’t mind. Mayfield was happier than anyone after watching the offensive line’s performance.

“Incredible,” Mayfield said. “I mean, a rushing record in a single game record for the Bucs franchise – that’s incredible. So, to do that… like I said earlier, when the team knows that you’re going to be running the ball, that’s imposing your will on somebody, and that’s awesome to see, and [I’m] happy for those guys. Two weeks in a row of big-time ball.”