Tristan Wirfs No. 53
July 2nd, 2026
Human snowplow.
Tristian Wirfs is Joe’s favorite player. Love everything about him. He’s building a Hall of Fame career.
But there is one thing that irks Joe when it comes to Wirfs. And it’s nothing against Wirfs in any way.
To set this up, Zachary Pereles of CBS typed a column where he had the 100 most important players in the NFL. Pereles has Wirfs at No. 53. But what irks Joe is a claim by Pereles that the Bucs make sure to run behind Wirfs.
Wirfs is one of the standard bearers when it comes to blind-side protectors, and he’s a dominant force in the run game as well. The Buccaneers will look to him to lead the charge after their offensive line dealt with a bevy of injuries last year; Wirfs himself only played in 12 games.
The thing is, the Bucs don’t run behind Wirfs enough, in Joe’s mind. Joe remembers Dave Canales rarely ran behind Wirfs. Canales loved to run the ball but he mostly ran the ball up the middle to either side of Robert Hainsey.
Why Canales rarely ran behind Wirfs bothered Joe.
Even last year, the Bucs didn’t run behind Wirfs enough. But when they did, it was a beautiful thing to see.
Joe will never forget the win over Seattle. That was the Bucs’ best game of the year, beating Seattle in a shootout on the road against the eventual Super Bowl champion.
The Bucs took a 13-0 lead on a seven-yard run by Rachaad White. But it was all Wirfs on the play.
White ran behind Wirfs, who took out his man at the line. Wirfs wasted no time disengaging and splashed a Seahawks linebacker on the second level. Then, Wirfs zeroed in on a Seattle corner on the goal line and positively bulldozed him as White fell across the goal line at Wirfs’ feet.
Wirfs single-handedly almost took out half the Seattle defense on one play. It was absolutely beautiful. Joe damn near stood at full attention.
If Wirfs makes it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, any network covering the event must replay that highlight. Wirfs has some great plays but that play where he snowplowed a defender on each level of the defense to pave a path for White to score was something else, man.
If Joe was a Bucs offensive coordinator, he’d keep running behind Wirfs until a defense proved that they can absorb a block from Wirfs and make a play.
July 2nd, 2026 at 12:33 am
Full Attention lol
July 2nd, 2026 at 12:55 am
With the line at full health there is so much you can do running the ball with our personnel, pony package, motions, counters, jet sweeps… aside from Coens year we have seen next to no creativity with it.
As Joe said, we barely even run behind our best offensive lineman.
Pitch the ball to the left and pull Barton to get him and Wirfs moving out front in space… super dangerous.
July 2nd, 2026 at 1:12 am
Good article here Joe, love this, love the way you write. Anyway, as soon as I get a chance I will pull that game up and relive that play again–thanks Joe! good stuff!
July 2nd, 2026 at 1:46 am
Mauch is our best run blocker – and Bredeson our worst – so favoring runs to the right is to be expected since Goedeke is also a very good run blocker….
July 2nd, 2026 at 1:50 am
Joe, I’ve been saying this for a while…
If you’ve got the best left tackle in football, why treat him like a luxury item? Make him your identity. If defenses know it’s coming and still can’t stop it, keep running behind No.78 until they prove they can.
With Graham Barton entering Year 3, Cody Mauch now healthy, 78 anchoring the left side, this offensive line has the potential to be one of the most physical units in football. Running behind Wirfs also creates a domino effect. Defenses begin sliding linebackers and safeties toward his side, which opens cutback lanes and gives Bake cleaner play action opportunities. Let Bake work off play action, let the running backs eat behind that line, and wear defenses down for 4 quarters!!
And let’s be honest… if I’m an opposing linebacker and I see Wirfs climbing to the second level, I’m suddenly remembering I left the stove on at home. The Seattle “human snowplow” play should be required viewing for every offensive lineman in America.
For the doom and gloom that will soon say we have no RB’s:
We don’t need a 2,000-yard superstar. We need consistent 4-6 yard gains that keep Baker ahead of the chains, and control time of possession.That’s how you keep your defense fresh and close out games.
This team has all the ingredients to bully people at the line of scrimmage. If the Bucs commit to running behind Wirfs more often, they’ll control the clock, keep the defense fresh, and make life a whole lot easier for Baker. That’s championship football.
LFG 🏴☠️
Ring ME
July 2nd, 2026 at 3:02 am
Last year, Robinson crafted a great running game on the shoulders of Bijan. Imagine what he can do with our Hulk!!
July 2nd, 2026 at 5:11 am
BoriMex, good post. I’m pretty sure this is what the Bucs had in mind when they hired Robinson. Look for the Bucs to go back to not only the running game but short passing game. Mayfield is way more accurate in the short to medium range pass. Plus, the fact that ball control keeps the defense off the field. We’ll see if it works, but I’m pretty sure that’s the plan for this season. The Gainwell Irving combo will also be key.