Wirfs’ Resume Made Him Valuable
April 24th, 2020
Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians.
Two summers ago then-retired NFL coach Bruce Arians did a sitdown with Barstool Sports where he made waves within the NFL world and got backlash from fans.
Arian said in the interview he didn’t believe in drafting offensive linemen high because of the current college football atmosphere. The key line was when Arians said, “If you draft an offensive lineman high, you’re drafting him for the next coach.”
While Joe thought Arians made all the sense in the world, it sure did rile up plenty of Bucs fans.
Arians’ point was the spread-option is virtually taking over all of college football (and high school football), so blocking schemes and responsibilities in the spread are foreign to the NFL and it often takes a rookie years to learn blocking.
If they ever learn.
So what changed with Arians now that he signed off on drafting new Bucs right tackle Tristan Wirfs?
In so many words, it’s where he played and who he played for: Kirk Ferentz at the University of Iowa.
A former offensive line coach for Bill Belicheat at Cleveland, Ferentz has built a strong reputation among NFL folks of churning out ready-to-play offensive linemen on the NFL level.
It also doesn’t hurt that Ferentz works deep in the heart of the Midwest where offensive linemen are grown — the Cornfeds.
“He’s coming from a program that is so similar to what we do, set-wise and pass protections and run game-wise,” Arians said of Wirfs and Iowa. “He’s extremely well-coached. So I think he is ahead of the curve that way and should allow us to put him in the lineup when he is ready.
“We’re not going to throw him out there until he is ready.”
Who knows when that may be. Wirfs is entering the NFL in the oddest of seasons. There are no OTAs or minicamps and who knows if there will be training camps because of the lockdown for The Sickness.
“One thing is not to force it,” Arians said of developing Wirfs, especially with no OTAs and training camp in jeopardy due to The Sickness. “Let him come along at his pace.”
April 24th, 2020 at 9:01 am
State Champion wrestler…is a huge plus speaking to his quickness,agility and balance
April 24th, 2020 at 9:06 am
I’m sure he can pick up a system about as quickly as anyone. A starter. Great Pick.
April 24th, 2020 at 9:07 am
Thought he’d be gone by Pick 4. Needs a little work on Pass Pro but he’s an upgrade for sure. MIght not start at RT right away due to the missed camps etc. I like him. Solid pick.
April 24th, 2020 at 9:10 am
Love the pick
Hoping (praying) for Antoine Winfield Jr. That’s my guy in this draft.
But I’ll take a RB to compliment RoJo as well.
April 24th, 2020 at 9:11 am
hopefully hes ready before this 2 year window is shut…….
April 24th, 2020 at 9:11 am
Brady must be making the picks. I hope Brady wants Swift next.
April 24th, 2020 at 9:14 am
Next up- RB
Swift
Akers
Dobbins
Taylor
April 24th, 2020 at 9:22 am
I couldn’t believe Wirfs was still available at 13! Glad Licht pulled the trigger.
April 24th, 2020 at 9:23 am
Rojo must be VERY happy!!!!!
now DL, QB and we gotta find a way to shore up the back end (S) and get another WR
we have OJ (who I hope they can tweek the play book to use even if at WR) and Dotson and some hail mary draft picks deep to shop for projects/prospects.
April 24th, 2020 at 9:23 am
Bucs must be licking our chops with 4/5 of the top RB’s still on the board….
But I think there will be a run on RB’s early in the 2nd and we might need to use and our 2nd Rd pick to move up to get one of them, though…
Which I would be fine with, since OJ wants out anyway…
And BTW, Wirfs is a Great pick. Lucky to get him where we got him…
April 24th, 2020 at 9:25 am
*I meant to say that we might need to use OJ Howard in combination with our 2nd round pick to trade up again to draft one of the big 4 RB’s still left on the board
April 24th, 2020 at 9:43 am
If the bucs have a back in mind, they might need to trade up and grab him.
I think they like Jonathan Taylor. Need more talent in the backfield. Look at what KC did, they grabbed Clyde Helaire, and they have decent backs already.
Need talent on the field
April 24th, 2020 at 9:44 am
Wirf is extremely athletic at his size. He reminds me of the Freak just in a different body type.
April 24th, 2020 at 9:58 am
I love the pick, best thing they could have done! I do not agree about the running back in the 2nd don’t like that at all! We need sue’s replacement, maybe one of the Davises or Jordan Elliott!! Because we need the cap space for Godwin! 3rd round zack moss!
April 24th, 2020 at 10:10 am
Wirf beat Jeudy in the vertical jump and broad jump and posted the fastest 40 time of any 320 pound player. The guy is a total freak and More ready to start in the NFL than Thomas or Becton. Tom picks a top RB in the second.
April 24th, 2020 at 10:12 am
Word is several teams were trying to get in to 13 from outside to get Wirfs, and GM John Lynch did the Bucs a SOLID by letting us know, and getting us in there with a FAIR trade. TY Lynch!
RB is the next pick for sure. Sometimes drafting by need, when it matches best available, can be a good thing. Wirfs is the guy I wanted… keep in mind this is a RIGHT tackle were talking about. Not a left which is a franchise type player. He is Pro Ready coming from IOWA and his coach, he has good pass protecting skills already.
April 24th, 2020 at 10:14 am
Wirfs is a more talented version of Tyron Smith of the Cowboys. He could be an All Pro at 3 or 4 line positions. I expect him to catch some TDs on trick plays. Absolute theft.
April 24th, 2020 at 10:14 am
biggest upgrade over Demar Dotson is Wirfs run blocking equals his pass blocking skillset. For a couple years now, the Bucs can only run left to Smith/Marpet side.
April 24th, 2020 at 10:25 am
Agree with Josh. RoJo can pair with a later back. I’d love to see Bucs be aggressive to get Ross Blacklock to replace Suh next year. Also some really good safeties out there, maybe we can pair OK with our 3rd to move up and get Winfield Jr. Or Delpit. Would be amazing. Even if we don’t draft RB and sign Dwvante Freeman I’m OK with that. Capologist has their work cut out for them here.
April 24th, 2020 at 10:31 am
The season will start on time…. More and more is coming out and it’s looking like this kills at a rate of about .02 … That is NOTHING!! It’s time to get this country moving again and stop hiding from something that’s not even as deadly as the flu!!!!
April 24th, 2020 at 12:13 pm
Honestly–I’d rather have Wirfs then Mecki Becton. Florida is probably too hot for Becton and his motivation was questionable, I mean if you cannot even stay clean for combine! Wirfs is a quality pick–better to come away with a few quality picks then a shopping cart full of junk.
April 24th, 2020 at 12:14 pm
Sorryjackchuckiesback Says:
April 24th, 2020 at 10:31 am
The season will start on time…. More and more is coming out and it’s looking like this kills at a rate of about .02 … That is NOTHING!! It’s time to get this country moving again and stop hiding from something that’s not even as deadly as the flu!!!!
could not agree more!
April 24th, 2020 at 3:23 pm
This is crazy talk. ^^^ Still comparing CVirus to the flu in a public forum is reckless and irresponsible.