Hall Of Fame Breakdown
April 24th, 2020
New Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs.
A couple of weeks ago Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian did a breakdown of new Bucs offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs.
Polian is a big fan but confessed he’s not sure Wirfs is a tackle. But he is sure, whether at tackle or at guard, Wirfs will have a long career in the NFL, as he explained on an edition of “Late Hits,” which he co-hosts with Alex Marvez heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“He put up some surprising numbers [at the combine],” Polian said. “The only knock on him is he didn’t play Ohio State last year so he didn’t play against Chase Young. So what? He did well against everybody he played.
“He is a guy that has got some question about whether he can handle outstanding speed rushers. Does he have enough quickness and enough ability to get back there and be able to handle speed rushers right out of the box?”
Polian added that if Wirfs struggles to handle speed rushers, the solution is simple: Move him to guard where he may be a better fit.
“If he has difficulty with [speed rushers] it will be chronic and he will move to guard, where he will be a sensational guard,” Polian said. “He will be a sensational guard. I see a lot of Ryan Diem in this guy. Ryan Diem played right tackle at a very high level for us in Indianapolis for a long time.”
Diem was a durable 11-year starter for the Colts, eight of those years he started at least 14 games.
“I see a lot of Ryan Diem in this player,” Polian continued. “He mixes it up. He is tough. He is physical. And more importantly, he comes from Iowa.”
For Joe, it’s an impressive evaluation from a guy who has built three teams that have gone to a total of seven Super Bowls.
April 24th, 2020 at 7:52 am
Love the pic
Keep pumping out the articles joes
I think everyone needs this right now
I would guess the ratings for NFL draft highest ever …by a mile
April 24th, 2020 at 7:57 am
Not that it means much but wirfs was the most mock drafted player to the Giants at #4
Like 30 of the 80 drafts was wirfs to Giants.
Kid can play. Sounds like he may be able to transition to left next year and Smith’s high contract gonzo.
April 24th, 2020 at 8:08 am
Joes
Check out steve whites write up about wirfs on _ _ Nation
You know the site. Didnt want to take away from here
It was done before draft
He loves Wirfs. Felt he should be first tackle taken off board
April 24th, 2020 at 8:32 am
So we drafted a guard? Dont we have 2 starters already? I know the plan is to have him play right tackle, but damn son.
April 24th, 2020 at 8:38 am
He can move to guard after ten years of playing tackle. He will be a cornerstone for at least a decade before he needs to move inside.
April 24th, 2020 at 8:41 am
We need a RT.. oh we need a Tackle.. we have to pick a tackle to protect Brady. Licht Picks a guard. Typical.
April 24th, 2020 at 8:45 am
A guy as fast, explosive and athletic as Wirfs should not have any problem with speed rushers any more than a top RT would.
April 24th, 2020 at 9:19 am
Guard or Tackle – in love with the much needed depth on the o-line, and we picked up a potential perennial pro bowler either way. Brady is at his least effective when he is pressured up the middle. Kappa – do we know with full conviction that he will continue to develop? It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if we slid Wirfs over to make the middle of the line that much stronger. Haeg is also an upgrade from Dotson. We have a ton of flexibility on the line fellas and it’s exciting
April 24th, 2020 at 9:36 am
Lol. Licht didnt draft a Guard. Wirfs played RT at Iowa. People like Polian just think he is a OG because he has short arms lol.
Its a great pick. Fills the biggest void on the roster. Whatever they choose to address from here on out, its tough to go wrong.
Hell, I wouldn’t even hate it if they took a CB in the 2nd if Fulton falls to them at 45. Lol.
But on the topic of OL, I really hop that they make an offer to bring back Dotson as depth on the OL. If he wants to come back of course.
April 24th, 2020 at 9:56 am
Joey – Bill Polian has forgotten more about football than you will ever know in your entire life you bumpkin. This gives the Bucs line more flexibility, he can slide to left tackle and play right or can move to guard IF (emphasis on if)he has “chronic issues with speed rushers” – a thing that polian said as well, that you apparently didn’t read
April 24th, 2020 at 10:06 am
He was the fastest O linemen at the combine yet he may have trouble with speed rushers? Somehow that doesn’t add up. Scouts say his outstanding speed, and agility make it easy for him to get to the second level, yet he might have trouble with speed rushers? He was quick enough to be a star wrestler, but Polibrain thinks he’ll have trouble with speed. Doesn’t every tackle struggle with speed rushers? They get paid big money too.
April 24th, 2020 at 10:27 am
confused by polian stating he is a guard. werent previous articles him harping on not switching positions for tackles to guards? does that only apply to certain players. seems odd
April 24th, 2020 at 2:17 pm
Thanks Bird, Great read!
” I ultimately think Wirfs will be the first true tackle taken.”
“If a team in need of a tackle near the top of the draft passes on him, it will probably live to regret it.”
Sure don’t sound like Steve White thinks he is a Guard. After watching this breakdown Wow!
“he turned around and pancaked the dude!” Ready to see this often on Gameday!