Bucs’ Bigger Starting O-Line Begins To Take Shape

The Bucs’ starting offensive line for 2023 is starting to take shape as the team is finishing up the second week of the Phase Two session of the offseason. That’s when the coaches can work with their players on the field without helmets or any offense vs. defense competitiveness.

But for new offensive coordinator Dave Canales, run game coordinator Harold Goodwin and offensive line coach Joe Gilbert, the vision of the Bucs’ starting five linemen is starting to shape up.

Gone are starting left tackle Donovan Smith and starting right guard Shaq Mason. The newcomers in Tampa Bay are veteran guard Matt Feiler and rookie lineman Cody Mauch, who will start his Bucs career at guard. The players who are making position switches are two-time Pro Bowler Tristan Wirfs, who moves from right tackle left tackle to replace Smith, and Luke Goedeke, who moves from left guard to right tackle in his second year with the Bucs.

On the chalkboard right now is this ideal starting five linemen in Tampa Bay for the 2023 season:

LT Tristan Wirfs – former first-rounder
LG Matt Feiler – new free agent
C Ryan Jensen – former free agent
RG Cody Mauch – new second-rounder
RT Luke Goedeke – former second-rounder

Bucs Coaches Love The Size Along The Offensive Line

Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales is thrilled with the new additions to the offensive line room this offseason. This year’s version of the line is bigger – and hopefully better, as the Bucs had the worst-ranked rushing attack in 2023, averaging just 75 yards per game.

Left tackle Tristan Wirfs is 6-foot-5, 345 pounds, while Matt Feiler, who is getting his first look at left guard, is 6-foot-6, 330 pounds. Center Ryan Jensen is 6-foot-4, 319 pounds. Rookie Cody Mauch, who is 6-foot-5, 302 pounds, is slated to replace 6-foot-1, 300-pound Shaq Mason, while Luke Goedeke stands 6-foot-5, and weighs 312 pounds.

“I’m excited about it,” Canales said. “Adding Matt Feiler, when you see Tristan and Matt lined up on the left side and when Jensen was here – those three guys next to each other? It’s pretty impressive.

“And then the depth of guys who had to play. You had Hainsey, who had to play. You had Nick Leverett who has played as a starter for us. We have so much depth and experience. Luke getting a shot to get back at right tackle. It’s early to make any decisions on what all is going to happen, but I feel really encouraged with the guys we have. And of course I haven’t even mentioned Cody Mauch, and just the athleticism and explosiveness he has when he gets in there, too.”

Canales’ offensive attack will feature a more balanced attack that calls for a commitment to the run. That’s music to the ears of the offensive linemen and Harold Goodwin, the team’s run game coordinator.

“I’m a fat guy by nature, I want to run the ball,” Goodwin said. “I’m just glad to have big guys – guys that eat up space and look great getting off the bus,” Goodwin said. “I think of the good ol’ days of Ali and Cap, big dudes along with Ryan and Donnie – just having big guys that can move the front. I’m excited about those days again.”

Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke Making Progress With Position Switches

The key to the Bucs’ revamped offensive line having success in 2023 will be how well the tackles perform. Tristan Wirfs has the athleticism to play left tackle and started on that side for three games during his final year at Iowa. Luke Goedeke will transition from left guard to right tackle, which is where he played for two years at Central Michigan, in addition to Week 18 at Atlanta.

“Right now, he’s trending towards right tackle,” Bucs run game coordinator Harold Goodwin said of Goedeke. “I think Dave has already told you guys that Tristan and Matt are on the left and now he’s penciled in on the right. So far, so good.

“He felt more comfortable – that’s what he played in college. He’s right-hand dominant. So far, so good, knock on wood he’s being good outside on grass. I’m excited about him, especially in the run game coming off the ball. He’s a physical player. Sometimes he gets overanxious. He just needs to relax and stay on his targets in pass pro. Other than that, he’s fine.”

Bucs offensive line coach Joe Gilbert echoed Goodwin’s sentiments about the progress of the two tackles this offseason.

“We’ve got Luke out at tackle right now,” Gilbert said. “Kind of like we ended up in Atlanta with him out there. So far he’s looked really good. Looks comfortable.

“We’ve moved Tristan over to left, and so far he’s had an unbelievable attitude about it. Every day looks better and better and more comfortable. Obviously that’s going to be a process, but I think so far it’s coming along very well. Again, it’s muscle-memory. He’s had a million and five reps over on the right side and now he’s trying to do the same over there on the left. You put him [at left tackle] and Matt Feiler over at left guard and when you put those guys up with [center Ryan] Jensen, it looks pretty good. It’s the way it’s supposed to look, that’s for sure.”

Bucs’ Interior O-Line Features Newcomers In Matt Feiler, Cody Mauch At Guard

The Bucs coaches are excited about the return to action of Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen, who missed the entire regular season due to a serious knee injury. Jensen returned for the playoff loss to Dallas and is continuing his recovery this offseason. Staying healthy up front remains key for the offensive line, especially as it looks to impose its will on defensive linemen with an improved ground game.

“Knock on wood we can stay healthy because we have some bodies – some able bodies with Ryan coming back,” Bucs run game coordinator Harold Goodwin said. “Hopefully he’s good and ready to go, and enthusiastic about playing again. He’s always enthusiastic about trying to hurt somebody on the grass. Matt has come in and looks great so far on the grass. Luke has always been physical. He’s gotten better in pass pro.”

Jensen will have a new starter to each side of him with veteran Matt Feiler penciled in at left guard and rookie Cody Mauch penciled in at right guard.

“Matt has been in this system before in San Diego, so there is some carryover there,” Bucs offensive line coach Joe Gilbert said. “He’s strong, he’s athletic. He’s a man of few words, but he goes on his work ethic.”

The Bucs are excited about the athleticism and attitude Mauch will bring to the offensive line, especially in the rushing attack.

“You turn on Cody’s tape in college and he’s sitting there pancaking, he’s throwing people,” Goodwin said. “It’s real violent and it’s real nasty. You think about the level of competition – and no knock on the league he played in, but you go watch the Senior Bowl practices and you go watch the Senior Bowl game and he’s bouncing around the offensive line against the SEC- and the ACC-type players and he’s kicking (ass). You get impressed. He’s a guy that can legit play five spots.

“Him and Ryan next together and along with Matt, and next to Luke – whew! I’m excited. A lot of guys are going to get mashed into the ground. … We draft him and I literally get a text five minutes from Ryan, and Ryan goes, ‘Am I going to like this guy?’ Goodwin said. “I said, ‘Yeah.’ So I guess he saw some of the clips from the draft and he goes, ‘Me, him and Matt are going to [expletive] some people up.’ So that right there gets me excited.”