“We Hit The Lotto On That One”
October 30th, 2020
Imagine if somehow at the end of the season, Buccaneers took home awards for offensive rookie of the year, defensive rookie of the year, MVP of the league, coach of the year, assistant coach of the year and executive of the year.
After seven games of the Tom Brady era, it all seems possible.
Fun times. Joe loves this alternate Bucs universe.
Yesterday, Joe asked Buccaneers head coach/run game coordinator/offensive line coach Harold Goodwin to reflect on his 16 years of coaching NFL offensive linemen and talk about what rookie right tackle Tristan Wirfs has accomplished and where he ranks as a rookie.
There was no hesitation to put Wirfs atop the ladder.
“I would think he’s a legitimate probably Pro Bowl type player,” Goodwin said. “I don’t know what else is out there because I don’t watch all the rest of the teams. But, you know, he’s been phenomenal. I don’t remember a rookie having such an impact on an offensive line, probably since Maurkice Pouncey back in Pittsburgh.”
Goodwin coached on that 2010 Steelers team with Pouncey and Bucco Bruce Arians. Pouncey was a rookie Pro Bowler at center and Goodwin knows what kind of jackpot that represents.
“We hit the lotto on that, as far as our organization getting [Wirfs] in the draft,” Goodwin added. “Jason did a great job. [Bruce Arians] did a great job, and ownership allowing us to trade up to get him, that was as huge, huge move for our team.”
What makes the Wirfs pick even more fun is that he’s the brightest light among the “Big 4” in the first-round of the 2020 draft.
Nailing a first-round pick that performs from Day 1. Yes, that’s definitely a Lotto ticket in the NFL. Not since Mike Evans have the Bucs pulled that off.
October 30th, 2020 at 6:52 am
Licht drafts linemen, WRs, TEs, LBs pretty well……QBs, RBs, secondary….has been inconsistent.
October 30th, 2020 at 7:08 am
Wirfs has been impressive. Especially with minimal pre-season training.
October 30th, 2020 at 7:08 am
Hidden in there, “ and ownership allowed us to trade up to get him”
This one wasn’t exactly a major, controversial trade. Seems the Glazers are a bit more heavy handed than I figured.
October 30th, 2020 at 7:10 am
Wonder if he will be moving to left tackle next year ?
Donovan smith has been fine. He has been ok.
Yet he has no Salary cap hit next year if released. and if he stays its a big chunk especially as cap likely to go down next year. A lot of guys to sign for bucs next year
October 30th, 2020 at 7:14 am
Rt solved for the next Decade. J Licht nailed it. GO BUCS!!!!!
October 30th, 2020 at 7:40 am
As much as I would love to see the Bucs take home all those awards I doubt they would get more then MVP for Brady. We’re still talking about the Bucs here. Last year they had the leader in sacks and he didn’t come close to defensive player of the year, he didn’t even make first team all pro honors. Until I see it with my own 2 eyes, I’m not betting anything on Buc players getting awards at the end of the year.
October 30th, 2020 at 7:48 am
Awesome pick so far and the list of excellent offensive linemen that we have drafted is damn short so this is a rare feat for us. Licht nailed it.
October 30th, 2020 at 7:58 am
Bucfanforever.
I thought the same thing.
October 30th, 2020 at 8:06 am
“alternate bucs universe”😂🤣😂 Well said! Yeah I can’t believe wirfs was last of the big 4 off the board. San Fran is kicking themselves right now. Trent Williams is good but Wirfs is too and he’s gonna be for another 10 years barring injury.
October 30th, 2020 at 8:16 am
Has anyone else noticed how much our Draft has improved since Arians and his team arrived here in Tampa ?
Wirfs was a total no brainer when he fell to us.
At the draft party, most of us could not believe he was still there, when we picked.
October 30th, 2020 at 8:26 am
Hey JOE-
What ERA is it?
The GOAT era JOE!!
Show some Respect and Class.
October 30th, 2020 at 8:53 am
Joe, don’t forget…TB12 Super Bowl MVP!!
October 30th, 2020 at 9:23 am
all of of sudden dopey, kicker loving Licht looks like Bill Polian in his prime.
October 30th, 2020 at 9:28 am
either wirfs shouldve been drafted in the top3 or goodwin just knows how to develop linemen…
im guessing a little bit of both…
GO BUCS!!!!
October 30th, 2020 at 9:35 am
Whats lucky about this pick is he was the only top tackle left, because I think he probably would have been Lichts last choice at tackle if he would have traded up higher in the draft
October 30th, 2020 at 9:58 am
Wills- the LT the Browns picked just ahead of the Bucs has also played real well and at harder position! I think Wirfs and Wills were definitely the two best tackles in the draft and glad the Giants and Jets left one of these two for the Bucs!
October 30th, 2020 at 10:07 am
imagine the kid develops a frothy mean streak in the future…
he’s a rook and knows his place…
look back at his days in iowa for how his true personality was in his latter seasons…
a meaner and matured wirfs would be no joke down the line…
#WirfsHasntComeIntoHisOwnYet
October 30th, 2020 at 10:09 am
wirfs can’t sell tix so no OROTY for him…
herbert and burrow bring revenue to the league as a whole so one will prolly get OROTY…
wirfs is right there tho…as bucs fans, we know
October 30th, 2020 at 10:40 am
Wirfs should have been a top 5 pick for sure.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:44 am
BucTastic
October 30th, 2020 at 12:31 pm
The Bucs will be competitive for a long time if they manage the cap and keep their talent. You’ll see DL addressed next draft. After that, who’s the QB?
October 30th, 2020 at 1:45 pm
Paul:
Another poster pointed out you’re probably new here. I wonder if you’re from here or even live in Tampa or even in Florida. You need to take a derp breath and relax. We’re having fun here.
October 30th, 2020 at 2:41 pm
I’ve been critical of Licht but I have to give him lots of credit. Trading up, and then taking a guard, and he ends up being a Pro Bowler (possibly) in his rookie year…. that means you knew what you wanted, and were brave enough to get it done.
It’s the kind of move you’d do if you had a crystal ball. That’s good work by a GM.
October 30th, 2020 at 3:45 pm
I still can not believe that he was still on the board when we picked. Our 2nd round Winfield is a stud as well… I have been a Bucs Fan forever & this year
(so far) has been a dream come true… What A year for both draft picks & free agency…
October 30th, 2020 at 7:51 pm
@Bucfanforever,
Trading up one spot was a huge deal. Most of us initially were like wtf. But, if the 49ers are to be believed, there were other suitors looking to move up for Wirfs. We made the right decision, but it definitely was unorthodox.
Ownership is ultimately held responsible for moves that back fire, so I’m not surprised their consent was needed. If you’re an owner, you should, at the very least be, involved in money matters and draft capital. The GM has to be held accountable to someone.
October 30th, 2020 at 10:58 pm
The Pouncy twins, two if the many fine footballers out of Lakeland FL. Bilal Powell, A Blanton/Taylor, Chris Rainey, Ahmad Black, and some others I’m forgetting all playing at the same time.