Wirfs Shined In Pukefest
November 15th, 2020
Dominant rookie season.
Some NFL observers don’t think it is insane to call Bucs rookie Tristan Wirfs the best right tackle in the game.
Can you think of a bad game he’s had?
Sure, Wirfs had a few bad plays against Khalil Mack in Chicago. One was when he got Hulk Hoganed by Mack and bodyslammed to the turf, all caught on national TV.
And yes, in that horrible game, the Saints Seal-Clubbing, Wirfs was bull-rushed by Cam Jordan on the opening snap and Jordan got a hand in Brady’s face to force an incompletion. But Brandon Thorn, a man who studies offensive line play for various websites, believes Wirfs had an otherwise strong game all but owning Jordan after the first play. Joe
The way Wirfs is playing, he may be Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht’s best draft pick. That’s saying a lot considering Licht drafted Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and Antoine Winfield. Wirfs is really that good.
This is why Joe is hesitant to even think about moving Wirfs to left tackle next year. The dude is getting the job done at right tackle. Why f’ with his head by moving him? Joe doesn’t believe in fixing anything that is not broken.
Sometimes the best move is to leave well enough alone. Wirfs is better than well enough.
Wirfs was outstanding again in Week 9 and built on his first career game vs. Jordan where he was also very good. You would be hard-pressed to find another tackle take on Jordan’s power & deliver blows back like this. pic.twitter.com/CROfoLSaLs
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) November 13, 2020
November 15th, 2020 at 7:43 am
TW’s learning curve is very steep, no doubt, especially with three games of a very good pass rush with NO and CHI. Time will tell. But it is nice to see him live up to the 1st round pick name.
November 15th, 2020 at 7:47 am
They are going to need a new tackle next year. Do you want a rookie to play LT?
November 15th, 2020 at 7:50 am
Leave the man where he is and draft a solid left tackle. Enough of moving players to positions they aren’t used to playing.
November 15th, 2020 at 7:53 am
How do we know that moving Wirfs to LT would “f” with his head?
He just may like it….it surely would set him up for a bigger contract later.
We need to draft a tackle to replace Smith…& his $14.2 mil salary….
I’d rather have the rookie at RT….
Yes….we could go into FA for a LT……but how has FA worked for us in the past……iffy, iffy….
November 15th, 2020 at 8:06 am
I don’t think he’d have a problem switching to LT, but I understand Joe’s point especially after the Dirk musical chairs OL experiment.
At any rate I think we need to draft another OT and a C next year along with a QB.
November 15th, 2020 at 8:13 am
Wirfs played four games filling in at LT in college and did very well.
His coach Kirk Ferentz said, “I would play him at left tackle if I was still in the NFL.”
Wirfs himself said, “When I first started flipping back and forth I think I was trying to look for a big difference. Honestly, the only thing different is you got your other hand down.”
Despite Joe’s worries it sounds like he would be totally fine at LT if the Bucs decided to go that direction.
November 15th, 2020 at 8:17 am
Ok Joe, so after watching that short video, my question for you is not “do you move Wirfs to LT”, but instead, how do you NOT move him to LT?
Clearly Wirfs is more athletic (moves his feet) than Smith, and must be very coachable considering his progress. So I think he would be fine moving
November 15th, 2020 at 8:24 am
I believe Wirfs played some LT in college…..at school that produces NFL ready linemen. I dont believe the transition would be too much IF he has an entire offseason/training camp to prepare. Frankly his floor would likely be Smith’s present ceiling so we would have the same caliber of play for $10 million less per year. With the cap dropping, some tough decisions lie ahead……Smith seems like the easiest of those decisions at this time. Maybe he tightens up for the 2nd half of the season but IMO he simply doesn’t seem interested in being out there which connects back to his comments on not playing this year. He seems like he’s checked out, just out there collecting a check.
November 15th, 2020 at 8:28 am
Flboyndallas – great comment. Kirk Ferentz, at the best offensive line school in the nation alongside Wisconsin and Notre Dame – built this man. And if he says he’d play him at left tackle in the NFL then that makes me feel comfortable.
As far as the other comments sucks as “time will tell.” Ya – time was already told my guy. He’s gone up against the most premier edge rushers in the game and he’s won them ALL. He’s got plenty of tape with live bullets. I don’t think Wirks needs to worry about playing for another few years to validate his ability with coaches and his gm because some random jabroni on JBF isn’t 100% convinced yet
November 15th, 2020 at 8:39 am
He’ll be moved to LT.
November 15th, 2020 at 8:41 am
Wait a second……
Wirfs said he’d play LT?
Donovan said he wouldn’t play RT.
I’d switch them right now and make DS pissed off……
Maybe he’d finally play with some fire.
…..and then I would cut him in the off-season.
November 15th, 2020 at 8:42 am
Reoccurring theme of that clip was Wirfs did great, everyone else got pushed around by a four man rush.
November 15th, 2020 at 9:06 am
Whatever position he plays on the line, that position is solved for the next decade. The video of him jumping out of a swimming pool showed great athleticism for big man. Maybe the Bucs use the pool jump to find their next LT or RT, lol Great pick. He could end up being a Perennial ALL PRO. GO BUCS!!!!!
November 15th, 2020 at 9:21 am
I’m pretty sure we could switch Smith and wirfs right now and be a better line, other than the fact that Smith seems like the type of guy that would pout over it, and take even more plays off than he already does
November 15th, 2020 at 12:00 pm
I think you might be right .
Wirf’s is Licht’s best pick ever.
November 15th, 2020 at 12:04 pm
This kid is going to be a monster for years to come.
November 15th, 2020 at 12:10 pm
Monster. He makes it look so easy. All the great ones do.
November 15th, 2020 at 12:44 pm
Get the matching piece for Wirfs at LT in the first round of next year’s draft…get the top LT!!! With an OL like that we’d have several years to make QB ‘s and RB’s look good.
It all starts up front.