Tristan Wirfs Not Fully Comfortable At Left Tackle
December 28th, 2023
Still learning.
The Bucs offense has come a long way. And Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs admitted yesterday he’s not yet at home at left tackle.
Joe has been asking various offensive players if they have the offense down yet. Mike Evans told Joe after the Green Bay win that he’s still learning Dave Canales’ offense.
Off the record, players all agreed with Evans. For Wirfs, it’s not just the new offense, it’s his new position.
Wirfs was asked yesterday if he feels at home yet at left tackle now that he has 15 games under his belt.
Wirfs candidly replied.
“I think I’m still getting there,” Wirfs said. “Some days where you feel great, and some days you’re like, ‘What am I doing?’
“I’m definitely more comfortable than I was to start the season, and it’s fun to look back and see. Like I was watching film this morning from the first [New Orleans] Saints game, and you’re just like, ‘What am I doing?’ Then I watch tape from this past weekend, and just comparing those two, [and to see] the strides that I have taken makes you very happy.
“[I] feel more comfortable than I did, but I think I still have a lot of room to grow.”
Well, if Wirfs can help the Bucs win Sunday, what a way to still learn by winning the NFC South? Imagine what it might be like when Wirfs does feel fully comfortable?
It would be so cool if the Bucs can close out the regular season with two wins and the starting left tackle still says he is learning while the team wins a division title and has double-digit wins.
Joe would find comfort in that.
December 28th, 2023 at 9:07 am
The entire O-line seems to be getting better.
December 28th, 2023 at 9:09 am
He’ll be back to his all pro self next year! Still a beast while learning LT this year on a bum ankle!
December 28th, 2023 at 9:09 am
TWO FOR ONE
A 50% Wirfs is better than a 100% Smith. Wirfs at LT allowed the Bucs to discover their RT and RG for the next 5-8 years. Goedeke and Mauch are killing it. Add a stud Center in the draft and next year our OL will a top unit in the NFL.
December 28th, 2023 at 9:12 am
He is getting better, but muscle memory is a funny thing. Think he still struggles, but is doing ok and will be all pro next season. Also think Godeke is doing a lot better. Center and LG are still an issue in the run game.
December 28th, 2023 at 9:14 am
@statistically insignificant reader
Yes. The entire line is better. Wirfs is more comfortable. Mauch is stronger and smarter. Hainsey and Goedeke are making less mistakes. Stinnie is doing his job. I would add Canales is using better schemes. When white runs the ball it’s better but could definitely improve. Mayfield is better. They all have room to improve and if they keep doing that these last two games then they can do well in playoffs.
December 28th, 2023 at 9:37 am
Watch out Joe, you are being a little too positive, the #positivitypolice might get you…… haven’t seen too many of those snarky comments lately 🤔…….
December 28th, 2023 at 9:51 am
Hope the Bucs take care of business this weekend and give the big man a week to rest before the playoffs.
I also hope underneath it all he doesn’t care that he’s been switched to LT and bolt to another team since he was on a HOF trajectory at RT.
December 28th, 2023 at 9:54 am
All Pro!!
December 28th, 2023 at 9:59 am
With their first round pick, the Bucs should draft a LT or RT. With a LT, they can move Wirfs back to RT. Move Goedeke to RG and Mauch to LG. I would find a C in Free agency or the draft. I’m more comfortable with Hainsey and Levertt as backups.
December 28th, 2023 at 10:33 am
Rob… we have an excellent LT and RT. What sane person would want to draft one of those and put the other back in a position he struggled… we have far greater needs that can needs that can be taken care of in round one.
December 28th, 2023 at 10:52 am
Rob: I was thinking of a RT in the 2nd Round, Goedeke to RG, Mauch to Center. Hire Ryan Jensen as full time Coach for Mauch. Mauch is the new Jensen, Goedeke is at a better position (shorter arms), and the Bucs have a big, long armed beast at RT for years to come, and Licht will find the perfect big ugly in the draft.
December 28th, 2023 at 11:00 am
Everytime you move them a half/full season is lost
December 28th, 2023 at 11:05 am
Wirfs and Goedeke: Bookend tackles for the foreseeable future. Awesome!
December 28th, 2023 at 11:14 am
Yes, just leave everything as it is. In your world, Demar Dotson would still be your starting Right Tackle. 🙄
December 28th, 2023 at 11:23 am
Wirfs will get it done. We are just becoming aware of how hard it is to learn systems. I hope all of the team is comfortable now. BTW, Goedeke is doing really well. He was a bear in the Jags game, for sure.
December 28th, 2023 at 11:31 am
I’m really glad that I can say to the fake fans, I Told You So! It’s been said for years that the OLine takes the most time to jell as a part of the team. The one position Licht needs to look at with the coaches is the center. He needs to reward both LVD and ME13, and resign as many as the Cap allows. He is an excellent GM, and the Glazers struck gold when they took a chance on him. Go Bucs!!
December 28th, 2023 at 12:14 pm
Right shoe on left foot. Brilliant.
December 28th, 2023 at 12:17 pm
We’re set at both tackle positions for years to come need a little beef at center and they’ll be fine
December 28th, 2023 at 12:35 pm
orlbucfan…who on this site is a “fake fan”?
December 28th, 2023 at 12:52 pm
HC,
“Right shoe on left foot. Brilliant.”
Yet it still is better than a barefoot holding call we have recently had.
Wirfs is going to be a solid LT for us, I like what I see and have recently heard being miked-up from Goedeke. Mauch is a rookie doing well. I agree we need a better C. I like the thoughts on bringing Jensen in as a coach.
Bring on the Saints, they are the next ship on our horizon.
GO!!!!!BUCS!!!!!
December 28th, 2023 at 12:58 pm
Anybody else notice how much Chiefs nation is grumbling about the play of their tackles?
December 28th, 2023 at 1:28 pm
TOTal coincidence
December 28th, 2023 at 1:33 pm
Does THIS sound familiar?
“Throughout the season, we’ve shown during drives that we can be a high-powered offense if we don’t hurt ourselves with penalties, if we’re not playing first-and-f—ing-20,” Kelce said. “Every other drive or every other set of first downs just hasn’t been a well-oiled machine like we’ve been in the past, and we just got to get everybody on the same f—ing page.”
December 28th, 2023 at 1:39 pm
Just checked what’s he’s on about–Donnie (LT) 9 penalties, 2 sacks. Jawaan Taylor (RT) 20 penalties, 5 sacks. Dude makes $20 mil. Donnie a relative bargain at $9 mil
December 28th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
I’ve mentioned several times during the Season, that Wirfs has struggled this year. Got attacked by the”Wirfs is God” fanatics everytime.
News flash- Left tackle is a lot harder to play than Right tackle.
You face the very best pass rushers in the league. Right tackles ussually face run stoppers.
Most teams run to the right. That means the RT frequently has the tight lined up beside him.
Left tackles are frequently alone.
Wirfs was a great right tackle. Fantastic even.
Big deal. The greatest Right tackle in history, was only playing right tackle because he wasnt good enough to play left tackle.
Thats why Left Tackles get drafted in the top ten. Its why they make twice as much money- or more, for the great ones.
Wirfs has struggled this year. He isnt a great left tackle.
But I think he will be.
If he becomes a great Left tackle- then we are set at the hardest line position to fill, for years to come.
Our needs are a Left guard and a Center. We can get both of those in the first 3 rounds of the draft. Especially since Licht has a real talent for Offensive linemen
We take care of those two spots- suddenly white becomes a great RB, and we become a balanced team.
And Mayfield will run the NFC South for years to come.
If we can keep Mayfield
December 28th, 2023 at 3:03 pm
Has Wirfs had penalties at critical moments that cost the Bucs the game? No. Has he been playing hurt? Yes. He’ll be fine.
December 28th, 2023 at 3:47 pm
@rob
Love you bro.
But we have our tackle situation set, God wiling for 5 years. Barring an injury.
Goedeke is a killer. A psycho. DE’s are tired of his punches by the 4th quarter.
Wirfs will be the best LT in the NFL next season.
Why mess with that? Goedeke is happy and hurting people.
We only need a center. 1st round or 2nd round.
Hainsey can be a career backup.
Stinnie is fine. Extend him on the cheap for 2 more years.
But we need Jensen 2.0 at center.
December 28th, 2023 at 5:04 pm
@1987: figure it out. Plenty of fakers on here. You one of them? I should call myself Buc1979. Sound familiar? Nope, I am an Orlando Tampa Bay Bucs Fan. It’s called shorthand. Look it up.
December 28th, 2023 at 10:26 pm
Watching this jets game and I am sooooooo glad we got Wirfs instead of Bechton. He’s hot garbage.