Welcome to SR’s Fab 5 – my weekly insider column on the Bucs that features five things that are on my mind. SR’s Fab 5 is now a quicker read, but still packs a punch. Enjoy!

FAB 1. The Play Of RT Luke Goedeke Has Been A Pleasant Surprise So Far

There have been some surprises to start the Bucs’ 2023 season.

Getting two sacks out of edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka already is one of them.

Undrafted free agent rookie Christian Izien leading the Bucs with two interceptions is another. More on him later.

Tampa Bay committing just two turnovers in three games during the team’s 2-1 start is also a surprise.

So is the pass protection from the Bucs’ revamped offensive line, only giving up three sacks in three games.

Bucs RT Luke Goedeke – photo by Cliff Welch P/R

But perhaps the biggest surprise in Tampa Bay is just how well Luke Goedeke is playing at right tackle. Goedeke has a 71.3 grade from Pro Football Focus, and he has shown that he is equally adept at pass protection (71.3) and run blocking (71.4).

Pro Football Focus has Goedeke as the 17th-best offensive tackle in the league entering Week 4. Not the 17th-best right tackle. The 17th-best offensive tackle – period.

Not bad for a guy who was supposedly going to be the weak link of the offensive line, and a tackle with 32-inch arms, which are shorter than ideal and were supposedly going to be a liability.

But the move from left guard — where he struggled as a rookie last year — back to right tackle where he started for his final two seasons at Central Michigan has gone smoothly. Goedeke feels at home at right tackle, as the Bucs hoped he would.

“I feel comfortable, I feel athletic, and I feel like I move well,” Goedeke said. “I feel powerful out there, it has been going really well so far. To be honest with you, I feel like last year as the year went on I was really able to grow overall as a football player and able to immerse myself into what it takes to be an NFL player more. I felt like I really grew towards the end of the year, that’s why I excelled at right tackle that second-to-last game [against the Falcons last year] and at left guard that last game [against the Cowboys].

“I would say – even that transition from the left side to the right side in one week – I still felt comfortable out there. I feel like it’s kind of like riding a bike. There were some hiccups in the beginning during OTAs and everything. But just getting that timing down again, throwing the right hand and everything. It took me a few weeks, but it’s been going good for the most part. Obviously, there’s still stuff I need to improve on and everything, but I’m just continuing to work hard every day and continuing to get better.”

Goedeke has given up just three pressures and one sack through the first three games of the season, and the sack he surrendered in Week 1 at Minnesota was because Baker Mayfield backed into Danielle Hunter, who was being blocked on the play.

In last week’s game against Philadelphia, he handled two speed rushers with ease. Rookie Nolan Smith had one quarterback hit and Haason Reddick had one pressure against Goedeke. Veteran Brandon Graham was essentially erased by Tampa Bay’s second-year lineman.

Bucs RT Luke Goedeke – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“No one talked about it, but he shut down Haason Reddick,” Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs said of Goedeke. “Haason Reddick had [16] sacks last year as a Pro Bowler. He shut him down, he didn’t do anything last week. Luke’s incredible, he is one of my best friends. I’m so happy for him and so proud of him because I know the work we’ve put in this offseason. He helped me transition to the left and I helped him with the right side.

“I know what I’m talking about over there, in camp with the rookies too. I’m telling them – ‘Okay, this is how I do it.’ I felt bad because I was still trying to figure out how to do it on the left but I know how to do it. I’m still learning how to do it, you know what I’m saying? With him, I’m like, ‘This is what I did.’ He’s athletic enough to make shit work, and if he gets out of position, he’s athletic enough to get back in a good position. I’m not surprised by his success, I think he’s doing great.”

Goedeke has faced a pair of Pro Bowlers in Hunter and Reddick and a fast, first-round pick in Smith and more than held his own, which has only made his confidence grow even more early in the season.

“Absolutely, the league as a whole is full of elite rushers so, I mean, I’ve already seen some of the best in the league already,” Goedeke said. “Just looking to continue to grow throughout the season as it goes along.”

One area where Goedeke grew in the offseason was his strength. Nicknamed “Luke the Lifter,” Goedeke and Wirfs went at it in the weight room on a regular basis. Despite being slightly smaller than the 6-foot-5, 345-pound Wirfs, Goedeke, who weighs close to 320 pounds, can go toe-to-toe with Wirfs in most lift categories.

“I’m here because I trained my tail off,” Goedeke said. “That’s one of the reasons I got here and I’m never going to change that. Continuing that in the offseason, trying to be the best version of myself on and off the field has always been key to me. With that being said, getting stronger and stuff, – bigger – it definitely helps. It makes my job easier so, all around it’s been a good offseason.”

Goedeke knew he was stepping into some big shoes at right tackle with Wirfs moving to the left side to replace Donovan Smith. Since entering the league as a rookie in 2020, Wirfs has set the standard for right tackle play.

Bucs OTs Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“At the end of the day, I am my own player,” Goedeke said. “Tristan’s Tristan and I’m Luke. Obviously, he set a very high standard at right tackle and now at left tackle as well. I just hope to uphold that standard at the end of the day. If not, maybe just go a step above him even [laughs].”

The fact that the two are such close friends helped Goedeke’s transition to right tackle. He had the ultimate tutor this offseason. Wirfs sees how comfortable Goedeke has become back at right tackle.

“That’s where he came from (right tackle), I know he’s comfortable there and we’ve been working together all offseason,” Wirfs said. “We were lifting together, we were running together, we were doing drills together. I know how he was looking, as smooth as he was looking, as athletic as he is, as strong as he is. I was never worried about it.

“I think the thing that he needed was to just go have success. He says his confidence never wavered, Luke’s a f*cking tough dude. Getting that little bit of success really helps you in any aspect. This is what it feels like to go do it well.”

FAB 2. Now Comes An Even Bigger Test For Luke Goedeke – Cam Jordan

Luke Goedeke has gone up against some credible pass rushers already in Minnesota’s Danielle Hunter, Chicago’s Yannick Ngakoue and Philadelphia’s trio of Brandon Graham, Haason Reddick and Nolan Smith. But Goedeke’s biggest test awaits this week in New Orleans – Cameron Jordan.

All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler Tristan Wirfs has only given up seven sacks as he’s starting his fourth season in the league. But two of them have come against Jordan, an eight-time Pro Bowler who has recorded 116 sacks and 15 forced fumbles in his 13-year NFL career. At age 34, the 6-foot-4, 287-pound Jordan is still going strong.

Saints DE Cameron Jordan and ex-Bucs RB Leonard Fournette – Photo by: USA Today

“Cam still has all of his power,” Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales noted this week. “He has great hands.”

Luckily for Goedeke, Wirfs, his best friend, has faced Jordan seven times since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2020. If anyone can give Goedeke pointers about how to shut down the Saints’ all-time leading sacker, it’s Wirfs.

“Oh yeah, Tristan and I were just talking about it during practice – about some of his moves and stuff like that,” Goedeke said. “Tristan has always shut him down year after year, [so I’m just] trying to get a gameplan on how to attack him.

“He’s a big power guy, so being able to anchor is going to be key.”

While Wirfs will have to worry about Carl Granderson, who is the Saints’ leading sacker this year with 2.5 sacks, he’s also helped Goedeke with the intel on Jordan.

“I told him a couple of things,” Wirfs said. “He’s got that big cross-chop move. I’m like, ‘Just throw your hand, he’s going to get your outside hand. You have to bring that inside one because he leaves his chest open when he does it. You’re going to get in a funky position, just stay with him.’

“Then in the run game, I told him he’s going to bait you into stuff. He’s going to act like he’s setting the edge, and then kind of give you an ole move. Just stay under control, you don’t have to blow him off the ball, covering him up is a win in this offense now.”

Goedeke is off to a good start this season at right tackle, but a wily veteran like Jordan who is such a powerful rusher with a multitude of moves will prove to be a big challenge. Even Wirfs has not totally shut Jordan down every time he’s faced him.

“I told him, ‘Just stay in front of him, dude, that’s what I told myself my rookie year,’” Wirfs said. “Stay in front of him, stay in front of everybody. I told him to go out there and ball out like he has been. He’s got all the tools in the world, all the measurables – everything. Just go play.”

Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs and Saints DE Cameron Jordan – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Cameron Jordan only has half a sack in three games and is probably unhappy about his slow start. He’ll be coming for Goedeke to change that and will serve as a big test on Sunday.

In New Orleans, Goedeke’s good start to the season won’t matter. This entire SR’s Fab 5 column becomes meaningless if Jordan abuses Goedeke.

The only thing that matters is the 60-minute slugfest in the dark, dimly-lit dungeon that is the Superdome.

“Only the survivors get out,” Goedeke said. “I just go in thinking, ‘Alright, we’re on a business trip. It’s time to take care of business.’ That’s all it comes down to.”

Then it’s another test to prove his good start isn’t a fluke. In two weeks, he’ll face Detroit’s 6-foot-7, 268-pound Aidan Hutchinson, who has 3.5 sacks in the last two games along with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Let’s see if Goedeke can keep surprising us as his matchups get more difficult each week.

FAB 3. Surprise! Luke Goedeke Is Helping To Mentor Cody Mauch

Can’t believe that Luke Goedeke is playing credible ball at right tackle?

It might be more difficult to imagine Goedeke playing mentor to anyone with just 14 NFL games under his belt, including 11 starts. But that is the case.

The Bucs are starting a rookie, Cody Mauch, next to Goedeke at right guard. So even though he has yet to play a full season’s worth of games in the league, Goedeke is being called on to help Mauch and show him the way.

Bucs RT Luke Goedeke and RG Cody Mauch – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

And in some ways, Goedeke is the perfect role model for Mauch, who is moving from left tackle at North Dakota State to right guard in the NFL. Last year, Tampa Bay tried Goedeke, who was a right tackle at Central Michigan, at left guard. The results weren’t good, but Goedeke is helping make sure Mauch’s transition – from small school to the NFL, from the left side to the right side, and from playing tackle to guard – goes smoother.

“Oh yeah, that’s no easy task switching sides and let alone switching from a tackle to a guard position and on top of that going against the best of the best athletes in the world,” Goedeke said. “That’s no easy task. At the end of the day, we’re all going to get beat here and there, we’re all just trying to do our job out there. He’s done a great job so far and were just looking to continue to grow.

“This offense is new for both of us. Just always having key communication is number one I’d say. Cody and I have really worked on developing that throughout OTAs and training camp. Starting off with that was really key, and just continuing to grow from there and getting each other’s movements down. Passing off twists and everything, fitting it up correctly, and working on double teams together correctly.”

It’s been just three games playing alongside the long-haired ginger rookie, but he’s seen some real progress.

“I’d say communication and pass game, he’s continuing to improve there,” Goedeke said. “With passing off twists and everything, he’s really continuing to grow at that and I’m looking forward to seeing how he looks at the end of this year.”

Bucs RG Cody Mauch – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales has been pleased with the progress of the extremely young right side of the offensive line so far.

“[I am] encouraged by Cody’s flexibility and his athleticism,” Canales said. “Even if he gets in a bad spot, he can recover. That’s been really encouraging there. Luke – just the power that he brings on that side. From a pass protection standpoint, they’ve done a fantastic job. Our sacks aren’t very high. Baker [Mayfield] is making some plays in the pocket – which all quarterbacks do, playing against NFL rushes – but I’m really encouraged by that side and just kind of the growth of it.

“Cody has a long way to go fundamentally. You watch him and he’s a crazy man out there sometimes. He’s so aggressive and he’s got all this ability that he’s relied on in the past. Now, it’s time to just refine my hand placement, my base and all of those things to settle down and know you’re a big, strong athlete, you’ll be okay if you just trust your fundamentals.”

FAB 4. Continuity Up Front Has Helped The Bucs Offensive Line

Tampa Bay’s running game is not where the team wants it to be or needs it to be through the first three games of the season. Poor and inconsistent blocking up front has been the culprit in the run game.

“I think it’s just sustaining our blocks longer,” Bucs right tackle Luke Goedeke said. “That’s the main thing. Even if one guy just loses his block a little too early that guy can easily make the play. Just sustaining our blocks longer and finishing.”

Bucs RG Cody Mauch and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Yet in pass protection, the unit has been a bit better than expected. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has only been sacked three times in three games. Some of that has been Mayfield’s knack for escaping would-be sacks. Some of it has been on the offensive line doing a good job of forming a clean pocket.

Either way, the New Orleans offensive line has to be jealous. The Saints have surrendered 12 sacks in three games, and have already seen Derek Carr go down with an injured shoulder as a result of usually reliable right tackle Ryan Ramcyzk giving up a pair of sacks to Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary. The second of which hurt Carr last Sunday.

So before criticizing the Bucs offensive line play too much, know that it could be worse.

The Bucs’ O-line has a long way to go in terms of developing the cohesion and chemistry needed to really open up things in the run game. But Goedeke credits the organization’s decision to identify which five linemen would be the starters and start that unit together dating back to OTAs.

With Tristan Wirfs moving from right tackle to left tackle to replace Donovan Smith, and Goedeke moving to right tackle to replace Wirfs, it would have been easy for the Bucs to have open auditions for both guard spots during training camp and the preseason.

But instead of a revolving door that could have included backups Nick Leverett and Aaron Stinnie, the coaches and personnel department agreed that Matt Feiler and rookie Cody Mauch, the team’s second-round pick, were more talented and would be penciled in as starters at guard. That decision allowed the offensive line to have hundreds of reps together in the OTAs, mini-camp, training camp and the preseason to learn a new offense together and develop on-field chemistry.

“I would say that’s really a game-changer,” Goedeke said. “Everyone in the NFL is good – no matter who you plug in – they’re all going to be good. It really comes down to trust in the guy next to you and feeling how they play as well. You’re able to play a lot faster and quicker knowing how their movements are going to be and what you expect of them. Building that continuity early is really key to be able to play fast out there.”

Bucs RT Luke Goedeke and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Tampa Bay’s offensive line is far from a finished product. That’s obvious. But just imagine how behind the unit would be if the front five wasn’t set during the offseason?

After struggling to run the ball against the Eagles’ vaunted defensive front and top-ranked run defense, the Bucs offensive line is ready to make amends in New Orleans this week against a revamped Saints defensive line that features three new starters.

“Really excited,” Goedeke said. “Obviously, the Eagles game didn’t go the way we wanted it to or expected. We just missed out on opportunities there – and against a team that good – you can’t have that. Getting back to the Saints, it’ll be good. Being able to run the ball, getting down early against the Eagles, you kind of have to stay away from the run game as much and try and get more in the pass game. Going on to the Saints, we’re all really looking forward to running the ball.

“This is a division rivalry. We’re all fired up.”

FAB 5. Christian Izien Has A Big Assignment This Week

Okay, enough from Luke Godeke. Let’s finish up with the Bucs’ other big surprise this season.

Rookie nickelback Christian Izien. The undrafted free agent from Rutgers was supposed to be the weak link of the defense this year.

Bucs NCB Christian Izien – Photo by: USA Today

Obviously, Izien didn’t get the memo.

All he’s done so far is make plays, leading the Bucs with two interceptions in three games, and certainly not look like a rookie defending the slot.

“As soon as he stepped foot on campus, he’s been serious,” said Bucs co-defensive coordinator Larry Foote. “You can tell he’s a pro. He likes ball, he’s very serious in between the lines and he’s been like that since day one. He’s aggressive. He’s a tough kid and I’m surprised he was there as a free agent.

“Since he got on campus, he doesn’t move like a free agent, he moves like a draft pick. Rutgers did a good job with him. As soon as he came here – this guy loves ball, he’s serious and being an old guy like I am, I look for guys who love ball and are true professionals. So, I’m not surprised by his success.”

Izien has a big challenge this week in New Orleans. But who will he face in the slot?

Will it be 1,000-yard receiver and emerging star Chris Olave? Will it be the physical, chain-moving veteran Michael Thomas? Or will it be the second-year speedster Rashid Shaheed, who may be the fastest player on either team on Sunday?

The answer? All three.

The Saints rotate all three receivers in the slot, looking for the best matchup.

Bucs CB Carlton Davis III and Saints WR Michael Thomas – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“A lot of different guys with a lot of different skill sets and strengths and weaknesses,” Izien said. “So it’s just being able to know and to have awareness of who is in the slot, who I’m guarding, and to be able to prepare for that person or play that person depending on their speed or their strength, or their size.”

The 6-foot-3, 213-pound Thomas will present a challenge from a physical standpoint. He knows how to box out and use his size to his advantage catching slant passes on third down.

“Yeah, the film shows that he’s a physical guy,” Izien said. “I don’t see him as much of a downfield threat as he used to be, but like chain-mover, great route runner. He’s a reception catcher – you know he’s still the number one target for them I believe – him and Chris Olave.”

Olave is as smooth as they come. Smooth in his release, smooth in his breaks and smooth hands when he makes difficult catches. Izien has squared off against Olave when the first-round pick played at Ohio State. But the toughest challenge might come from the least heralded receiver in Shaheed, who averages nearly 18 yards per catch and had a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown at Green Bay last week.

“He definitely presents a challenge in the way he stretches the field,” Izien said. “He has ability to stretch the defense and keep us on our heels. At the end of the day, it’s about having awareness of where he is on the field, knowing how to play him. We kind of have an idea and know about his weaknesses and know how to attack him. So I think we have a pretty good game plan about how to attack those guys.”

Thomas and Olave are the headliners, but sometimes it’s the relatively unknown opening act – in this case Shaheed – who winds up stealing the show. The Bucs found that out on Monday night when it wasn’t just AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith whom Tampa Bay had to account for.

It was the Eagles’ third receiver, Olamide Zaccheus, who had two catches for 58 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown. He proved to be more deadly than Smith, who was held to four catches for 28 yards.

“We were looking at him in in the run game – he’s the jet sweep guy, he’s the reverse guy and when he lines up out there, he’s going deep,” Bucs co-defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said about Shaheed. “He’s a problem. With what they’ve accumulated together, they [are] a very, very formidable opponent.”

Saints WR-PR Rashid Shaheed – Photo by: USA Today

Shaheed’s speed has definitely caught Izien’s attention.

“Definitely watching more film on him, you can tell by his speed how threatening it is immediately, as soon as you turn the film on – whether it’s at receiver or as a punt returner on special teams,” Izien said. “He’s definitely a guy to keep your eye on. Don’t underestimate his speed and let him run down the field because if he gets over the top they’re going to throw him the ball, especially with Jameis Winston in there at quarterback.”

Winston, who threw three interceptions to the Bucs in the fourth quarter of Tampa Bay’s 20-10 win in Week 2 last year in New Orleans, has a penchant for throwing interceptions under duress. With the Saints offensive line allowing 12 sacks through three games, Izien knows that if the Bucs can pressure Winston there will be opportunities for him.

“Just hearing Coach say this O-line has given up 12 sacks, which is kind of unusual for them, and knowing they are kind of banged up a little bit, we have to try to get after them and find different ways to manipulate them and confuse their eyes to get to the quarterback,” Izien said.

Who knows? It could be Izien pressuring Winston on Sunday, as Bucs head coach Todd Bowles likes to blitz his defensive backs from the slot. Izien is itching to get his first career sack.

“Yeah, I am,” Izien said. “I try to keep it in my mind when I’m going into a game, trying to get a sack or an interception. Just find a way to impact the game as much as I can. So definitely looking forward to my first sack this week if possible.”