Luke Goedeke isn’t the slightest bit fazed by the prospects of chilly and windy weather in Buffalo this Sunday. On the contrary, the native of Wisconsin who attended college at Central Michigan couldn’t be happier about the forecast. It feels just like home.
“That's phenomenal,” he said. “I saw that and I was like, 'Music to my ears.' I cannot ask for nicer weather to play a game.”
The fact is, the Tampa Bay Bucs offensive guard is thrilled to be playing, period. After injuring his foot in the second week of the season – soon after signing a four-year, $90 million contract extension – Goedeke was sidelined until his much-anticipated return to the field last week. And it was no coincidence that his presence contributed to the Bucs’ ground game amassing 113 yards – the most against the top-ranked run defense of the New England Patriots this season.
Despite the 28-23 loss, simply resuming his job in the trenches felt rejuvenating for the 6-5, 312-pounder. “To be honest with you, it felt great,” he said. “I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. Anytime I am away from the game I miss it. I miss being out there with the guys. You don't get the same kind of camaraderie when you're not out there practicing (and) when you're not out there playing, it's just really not the same. It really sucks, but it is what it is and it's part of the game."
Unfortunately for the 6-3 Bucs, injuries have been a big part of the game this season – including Friday’s news that playmaking tailback Bucky Irvin (shoulder) has once again been ruled out of action, along with veteran wide receiver Chris Godwin (fibula), linebacker Haason Reddick (knee and ankle) and guard Ben Bredeson (hamstring). That won't make life any easier as the face a 6-3 Buffalo team eager to get back on track after being routed by Miami last week.
Irving practiced this week at One Buc Place, had not yet taken any hits on his injured shoulder – and the team is erring on the side of caution for both him and Godwin.
“I feel very good about them,” head coach Todd Bowles said Friday. “We'll see next week. There's a process they (have_ to go through, but they’re out running around well and they (are) moving well. We'll go through the process to make sure they are 100% before they get out there. (It’s) not this week, but we'll see how it goes next week."
Like Goedeke, Bowles isn’t concerned about the weather conditions awaiting in northern New York. “It's the same – everybody has to go out there and do the same thing,” he said. “If you have the wind, you (have) to be able to throw it; if it's against the wind, you (have) to throw it short; and you (have) to be able to run."
The Bucs hope to continue their recent success in the running game Sunday with Rachaad White and Sean Tucker once again splitting carries. They will be without backup running back Josh White, who was suspended earlier this week for six weeks without pay for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy. In his place, they signed former Baltimore Ravens tailback Owen Wright to the active roster on Friday.
The good news is that Buffalo’s run defense is ranked 30th, yielding an average of 147.6 yards per game. But that doesn’t mean the task will be easy, especially for Goedeke, who will line up at right guard against standout Bills defensive Joey Bosa.
Goedeke is braced for an all-out battle.
“(Bosa) presents speed and power,” he said. “He has a lot of tools at his disposal. He has a good get-off, good bend, good hand usage and then he can also bring speed and power. He kind of has the best of both worlds where he comes as a complete pass rusher. He isn’t just a speed guy or a power guy. He has a good feel for plays running at him and plays running away from him. I tip my hat to him; he's a seasoned vet. I played him last year against the Chargers, he was great then and I expect a great fight this Sunday."
Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, meanwhile, is simply happy to have Goedeke in the mix in time for this one.
“Yeah, it never hurts to get a starter back,” he said. “So, having him out there and a little bit like we talked about last week – being a tone-setter and the way he practices and communicates – was huge. And then, I thought we did a better job, as well, of getting a hat on a hat and committing to that on some of the runs (that) might have been five or six yards and now … I think we had a couple that were 11 yards. Luke is a huge part of that – getting him back or any starter is always going to elevate you. That was great to see from the run game side of it and to get him back on the field.”
Tampa Bay’s All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs couldn’t agree more.
“The Enforcer is back … It's just nice having him out there and just hearing him,” Wirfs said. “Knowing my guy is back out there, balling, throwing us bones. I think for everybody, knowing No. 67 is back out there, it's pretty sweet."