Modest Pressure On Tristan Wirfs
July 26th, 2020
Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs
Joe is going to type this post under the premise that Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith will not opt out for the 2020 pandemic-tainted season.
Therefore, rookie first-round draft pick Tristan Wirfs will be the anchor at right tackle.
Now Wirfs currently isn’t in the best position to shine. Thanks to “The Sickness,” Wirfs has had virtually no offseason to try to get acclimated to the NFL or his own team.
No OTAs for Wirfs, no rookie minicamp, no regular minicamp and training camp is scheduled to be softer than a powder puff practice.
Wirfs’ first snap wearing a (new) Bucs uniform? It will come at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Welcome to the NFL, kid.
But jet-flyin’, kiss–stealin‘, data-analyzin’, Bucs-film-studyin’, limousine-ridin’ Thomas Bassinger of the Tampa Bay Times, typing for Football Outsiders 2020 Almanac, thinks Wirfs might luck out. In short, Bassinger, per his research, doesn’t believe Wirfs has to be perfect at right tackle for park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Bucs quarterback Tom Brady to succeed.
Tom Brady can overcome edge pressure; it’s the pressure up the middle that frustrates him the most. With left guard Ali Marpet and center Ryan Jensen anchoring the interior, that shouldn’t be an issue.
It is interesting to Joe that Brady struggles little with edge rushers bearing down on him. Is that because he has such a quick release and unloads the ball before he can get blasted and live to throw on another down?
July 26th, 2020 at 8:06 am
To answer the question: Yes. That’s my take. Brady is also a proven superior decision maker under pressure. He does an excellent job learning and knowing where his receievers will be. If anything, it’s been tirades from the sideline when receivers were out of position. That is, I have never heard anyone on a sports cast or otherwise talk about Brady “fixating” on a receiver, “staring his receiver down,” or having “trouble making good decisions.” We can expect Brady to do his part to learn and know the Bucs playbook, and hopefully he’s getting timing down with his receivers. The latter is my only worry. But there is no other QB in the NFL that any reasonable fan would prefer over TB12 to start Game 1 under these circumstances.
July 26th, 2020 at 8:41 am
park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Bucs quarterback Tom Brady.
Amateur writing. Where’s the mention of Super Bowls won or MVP’s or Pro Bowls? NFLPA-ignoring? He’s the only one doing it? Short sighted
July 26th, 2020 at 8:47 am
Well put Roy.
I think the WRs will enjoy not being laid out by I’ll-timed passes too.
July 26th, 2020 at 9:53 am
DoooshBag/ What is an I’ll timed pass but I know what you mean, no QB is perfect, d
July 26th, 2020 at 9:54 am
Because of the lack of practices, Wirfs my not start the season at RT. May have to wait a few games. I think the backup OTs aren’t too shabby though. Still optimistic.
July 26th, 2020 at 10:46 am
“Is that because he has such a quick release and unloads the ball before he can get blasted and live to throw on another down?” Yes..
Also – who else steps up better in the pocket to avoid edge pressure and usually finds the open man than TB12.
Crickets….
July 26th, 2020 at 11:26 am
@Casual Observer…I could agree with you completely were we talking about a position like CB, S, LB, or QB. I’m not saying RT is a lessor position, but it is certainly one of the positions where physical strength can overcome much of the other factors, like experience, and with likely no REAL fan noise, he should be able to get plenty of concentration and callouts during the line up and snap count. Add to that he’s lining up every day in practice against a pretty good defense (Suh, JPP, Vea, even Ghoulston, not to mention D. White and L. David). So, you may be right–he may not start, but I think he’s got a better chance of starting…than not given he’s a 1st round pick and all of the above.
July 26th, 2020 at 11:28 am
Doosh…oh yeah, I think we’re going to be a big difference with Brady throwing over the last mistake. I’ll bet YAC also increases for both Evans and Godwin. They don’t have to fight gophers and airliners for the ball.
July 26th, 2020 at 12:21 pm
RTB – Can’t disagree. Wirfs seems to have all the tools. Is well-schooled from the Iowa program. Is smart. Should contribute quickly.
July 26th, 2020 at 1:02 pm
Aint not way in hell Wirfs isnt starting
July 26th, 2020 at 2:33 pm
The Bucs are no worse than the other NFL teams. The players are professional and know wh a ts expected. If their not in shape and ready to play, they shouldn’t be allowed in the building.
July 26th, 2020 at 3:12 pm
An alert to “you people” …YAC will not go up…NE12 will throw to many short passes and yes receivers will continue to get blasted going over the middle and “you people” know he will not come close to putting up 5,000 yardss
July 26th, 2020 at 3:17 pm
Roy T. Buford Says:
July 26th, 2020 at 8:06 am
To answer the question: Yes. That’s my take. Brady is also a proven superior decision maker under pressure. He does an excellent job learning and knowing where his receievers will be. If anything, it’s been tirades from the sideline when receivers were out of position. That is, I have never heard anyone on a sports cast or otherwise talk about Brady “fixating” on a receiver, “staring his receiver down,” or having “trouble making good decisions.” We can expect Brady to do his part to learn and know the Bucs playbook, and hopefully he’s getting timing down with his receivers. The latter is my only worry. But there is no other QB in the NFL that any reasonable fan would prefer over TB12 to start Game 1 under these circumstances.
Um, the QB with the lowest completion% when under pressure in the NFL last year was Tom Brady at 36%. In fact he was THE ONLY ONE under 40%. Just over 40% were the immortal Jacoby Brissett, Josh Allen, Gardner Minshew and Kyle Allen.
July 26th, 2020 at 3:18 pm
Just need to keep Brady upright. A lot more quick slant routes and dump offs to the running backs this season! Keep Brady healthy!!
July 26th, 2020 at 3:30 pm
He will be fine he was switching back and forth from right tackle to left tackle at Iowa because Jackson was always going out for something.
July 26th, 2020 at 6:19 pm
Big hog is a hater hahaha
July 26th, 2020 at 6:43 pm
Even if Haeg should start in New Orleans (along with Smith) that won’t tell us how the season will unfold.
I am not too worried.
In BA I trust.
July 26th, 2020 at 6:46 pm
Ndog, do you think there was a measurable difference between Brady’s receivers last year and Jay Miss’s receivers? If so, do you think that figures into the equation?
July 26th, 2020 at 7:11 pm
I would have been worried if Tristan Wirfs was a third or later round pick. There was a reason he was drafted so high. He is both physically strong and fast for his size and can overcome a lot of rookie mistakes with his physical tools alone. He lead all linemen in the 40, vertical jump and broad jump, plus he has incredible balance being a state champion wrestler. In fact, Wills, Becton and Wirfs were the best three most physical right tackles to come out in years. All three will dominate. Becton is a monster with an incredible reach and weight but he does not have the balance and speed as Wirfs. Jedrick Wills had a better skill set than Wirfs but his ceiling is not as high as Wirfs. Yes, there will be rookie mistakes with Wirfs but he’ll dominate at the next level. Too much of a physical talent and skill set to fail. I predict he’ll make the pro-bowl by the second year.
July 26th, 2020 at 10:05 pm
Just don’t start him at left tackle. Way to much pressure for a rookie.
July 27th, 2020 at 1:35 am
Vita Vea rookie season without the injury.
#VeaWirfsEyeForm!
GO BUCS!!!
July 27th, 2020 at 2:10 pm
Wirfs has the luxury of 2 of the best blocking tight ends in the game to help him. The tight end help will make up for any rookie mistakes he makes. Day one starter. Go Bucs!!!