“That One Stung”
April 17th, 2023
It seems All-Pro Bucs right (?) tackle Tristan Wirfs saw the same things on film as former Bucs right guard Ian Beckles.
Beckles lauded the guy who played his old position last season, veteran right guard Shaq Mason. Today at One Buc Palace, Wirfs lamented the loss of Mason, who was traded to the Texans for a seventh-round pick — aka he was a salary cap casualty.
“Obviously, I miss Shaq. That one stung,” Wirfs said. “I was hoping to play next to Shaq for like three years. But, you know, that’s part of it.
“But [Robert] Hainsey, Luke [Goedeke], [Aaron] Stinnie, Nick [Leverett] they’re all great players. I have 100 percent trust in them and I love them to death. All of us showed up first day of OTAs, so that was really good to see, even [Ryan] Jensen was here.”
Joe had no issue with Mason, but reality says the Bucs offense was hot garbage last season averaging 18 points per game with no running game.
Mason doesn’t deserve blame for the entire mess, but changes needed to be made.
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April 17th, 2023 at 1:43 pm
You can’t have a good run team without being able to move people, and Mason was not a people mover. I think Goedeke could be in time, but we will see.
April 17th, 2023 at 1:47 pm
The most poignant quote from Wirfs was about the SB win being a gift & curse, because it brought some guys together and created individuals. Don’t need Scooby Doo & the gang to figure out whom he’s talking about.
April 17th, 2023 at 2:52 pm
Wirfs is a genius.
We have a plethora of below average guards.
Hainsey, Goedeke, Leverette and Stinnie are backup guards in the NFL.
I am not excited about our run game next year.
Jensen is a God but he looked like he was playing on 1 leg in the playoffs.
We are screwed on the O-Line.
April 17th, 2023 at 2:53 pm
If not for the cap situation, Mason would probably still be here. When you have to dump players, you look at maximum cap savings + minimal performance loss + age. Mason was in the crosshairs on that set of criteria.
April 17th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
I hate the fact they didn’t keep Shaq, he was a perfectly fine starter, and the team shouldn’t take that for granted. Also they could have just redone his team and brought down his hit for this year to keep him. I’m not a fan of shipping off solid starters for nothing, unless you were doing a full rebuild, when it would have made sense. But not doing a rebuild AND shipping off a guy like that, I don’t get it.
But Licht certainly knows more about the offensive line than I do, so I’m sure it will turn out fine.
April 17th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
I HAVE FAITH WE ARE GOING TO PUT A SOLID O-LINE ON THE FIELD THIS SEASON (BY FREE AGENCY & THE DRAFT)…BUT SINCE THE FINEST ROOKIE QB (ANTHONY RICHARDSON) WILL BE OUT OF OUR REACH..RB-BIJAN ROBINSON SHOULD BE ( BY TRADING UP SOMEHOW ) PERHAPS RICHARDSON COULD BE HAD WITH THE CARDINALS #3 PICK ( FRANCHISE QB SALARIES ARE ONLY GETTING LARGER WHEN THEY REACH THAT 5TH YEAR )..(ANTHONY RICHARDSON IS A VERY SPECIAL QUARTERBACK)..BUT TRADING FOR THE 7TH PICK OR HIGHER COULD LAND RARE RB IN BIJAN ROBINSON..ONE OF THESE TWO SHOULD BE OUR 1ST PICK IN THIS DRAFT..ROBINSON FOR THE NOW, RICHARDSON FOR NEXT YEAR IF NOT EARLIER..
April 17th, 2023 at 2:55 pm
@tm777,
The guys you’re talking about are young and still developing. Given a more stable situation and coherent plan to run the ball, expectations for improvement are reasonable. Pessimism is unwarranted.
April 17th, 2023 at 3:13 pm
“All of us showed up first day of OTAs, so that was really good to see“
Was this a shot at Brady for missing most of training camp last season? Hmmm…
April 17th, 2023 at 3:28 pm
Can someone turn off the effing caps lock?!
April 17th, 2023 at 3:34 pm
This is a player that should be extended as soon as fiscally feasible and locked up as a Buc for life. What a dude. I need to get a Wirfs jersey to go along with my ME13 jersey.
April 17th, 2023 at 4:31 pm
@TimboSlice. No it wasn’t a shot. Stop projecting your feelings onto Wirfs. Folks, this was a voluntary workout. Mike wasn’t present, and I don’t believe he’s been to voluntary workouts. Godwin wasn’t there as well. Wirfs was happy that the OL was present. He specifically said the OL. He did take a jab at Jensen by saying even Jensen showed up. You didn’t bring that up. I guess that doesn’t fit your narrative
April 17th, 2023 at 5:18 pm
I think the O line knows they MUST step up. No more TB12 to lean on. Step up or next year Licht will have you get to stepping out of one Buc place for good
April 17th, 2023 at 8:27 pm
Goedeke should be plug and play this year at guard or tackle. He is very strong and just needed to get a season under his belt. Leverett should be good too. I wonder about Walton and if he couldn’t be our RT. If so we could draft an edge rusher and an inside linebacker and make this defense nasty again.
April 17th, 2023 at 8:37 pm
Yes, changes needed to be made. But was this one of them?
April 17th, 2023 at 10:44 pm
Last year w bottom tier offensive line play and worst running game in league , mediocre defense, TB dragged team to playoffs. Mayfield won’t be able to do that. Need new coach now.
April 17th, 2023 at 10:50 pm
How would we know, they never ran behind him, to the right….
April 17th, 2023 at 10:59 pm
Buccos, in what way do you think that Goedonkey is strong? Weight room? Ok? Maybe.
I’ve never seen a guard since O’Neil’s Cousin get runned over so thoroughly as Goedonkey. Speed and application of football strength aren’t really things that can be taught. He’s just not a trenches sort of guy. Depth OT/Jumbo TE? Maybe? Not a guard.