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Bucs right tackle Luke Goedeke has been one of the better – and most surprising – stories so far during Tampa Bay’s 3-1 start. Since moving from left guard back to his more natural position of where he started for two years at Central Michigan, Goedeke has played well – between credible and incredible at times.
Although he allowed one sack against Minnesota’s Pro Bowl pass rusher Danielle Hunter in Week 1, that was more on Baker Mayfield, who backed into Hunter on the play. Since then, Goedeke has not allowed a sack this season, shutting down the likes of Philadelphia pass rushers Haason Reddick and Nolan Smith, in addition to keeping noted Buc-killer Cam Jordan noticeably quiet in Tampa Bay’s big 26-9 win at New Orleans.
Next up will be a bigger change in Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson – literally and figuratively. At 6-foot-7, 268 pounds, the second overall pick last year has Hunter’s length combined with Jordan’s power. Hutchinson was the runner-up behind Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year last season after registering 52 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and three interceptions.
This season, Hutchinson has 15 tackles, 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception to help the Lions start off 4-1. The Michigan product also leads the NFL with 35 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
Goedeke has been impressed by what he’s seen so far on Hutchinson’s tape.
“It’s definitely his athleticism, speed. He’s got a great motor,” Goedeke said. “I think that’s what kind of sets him apart, too.”
Luke Goedeke Is Ready For Aidan Hutchinson, But Says He’s Faced Better
Yet despite the fact that Hutchinson had eight pressures, a sack and an incredible pick at the line of scrimmage in the Lions’ 42-24 win over the Panthers on Sunday, the Bucs right tackle isn’t ready to say that Hutchinson will be his biggest challenge to date.
“I mean, there’s elite pass rushers all over this league,” Goedeke said. “I’ve already faced Danielle Hunter, and I would put him above Aidan Hutchinson, to be honest, and Cam Jordan.”
That’s no disrespect to Hutchinson, who has a 91.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, including a 90.6 pass rush grade.
“No, not at all,” Goedeke said. “He’s just a phenomenal player, but that’s just the way it is. The way I see it.”
By comparison, Hunter has six sacks on the season, along with 17 pressures. But Hutchinson’s a more well-rounded player, evidenced by four career interceptions in just 22 games.
“Yeah, that’s quite the stat that he has,” Goedeke said. “Just hat’s off to him; he definitely works his tail off.”
Aidan Hutchinson Is Already One Of The NFL’s Most Dominant Pass Rushers
Aidan Hutchinson has clearly been a steal for the Lions, who saw the in-state product slip to them at No. 2 in the draft last season. The Jaguars opted to select Georgia’s Travon Walker No. 1 overall last year and he had a modest four-sack rookie season and has just two QB captures this year.
Hutchinson has been the more dynamic and impactful player so far, and we’ll find out on Sunday if Goedeke can fare against him the way he’s handled the likes of Hunter, Reddick and Jordan so far. Goedeke and the Bucs’ revamped offensive line will face a Lions front that is nearly as big and physical as the Eagles defense that manhandled Tampa Bay in the trenches in a 25-11 loss back in Week 3.
“Confidence is one thing to never waver,” Goedeke said. “No matter how the game goes, move on to the next one. One game doesn’t decide your season. We need more consistency. That’s a really big emphasis we’re trying to harp on and really take it upon ourselves on the O-line and everything to really get that going at a more consistent pace.
“At the end of the day, it’s all 11 of us doing our job. If one of us doesn’t sustain our block for long enough, that’s unfortunately who makes the plays a lot of time.’’
More must-reads:
- Extension for Jared Goff could set the Lions up for major failure
- Roman Wilson hopes to become Steelers' next 'great' WR
- The 'NFL MVP runners-up' quiz
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