Tristan Wirfs Opens Up
November 1st, 2021
The Bucs talked all week about not having penalties against the Saints and, well, it seems they didn’t listen to themselves.
That was one of the points noted today by beastly Bucs right tackle Tristan Wirfs on Bucs Total Access streaming on the official team website.
Wirfs dropped a handful of nuggets that intrigued Joe. Here they are in no particular order:
*The run game needs cleanup, he said, but overall he thought the offensive line played all right against the Saints.
*Facing Cam Jordan is a huge challenge. “You don’t see guys that big coming off the edge,” Wirfs said of the 290-pound, six-time Pro Bowler. Wirfs said Jordan’s bull rush is so strong there is no relaxation in any way when blocking Jordan. “It’s fun going against him,” he said.
*On New Orleans crowd noise: “I don’t think we had any false starts.” He liked the O-line’s communication and silent-count work.
*Wirfs says he’s grown close to right guard Alex Cappa, noting how helpful Cappa was to him a rookie. Wirfs shared how Cappa would stay late at One Buc Palace with him last year to watch film. He recalled Cappa saying to him, ‘Ask me a question before the snap.’ Wirfs said he was floored. ‘Are you kidding me?’
*Wirfs said this offseason was when he realized how great of a rookie season he had.
*His game mindset is “Protect Tom.”
*Cameron Jordan, Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa and Brian Burns were the guys Wirfs named as his top freak edge-rush challenges to block.
*Consider Wirfs amazed by the amount of “juice” Joe Tryon came into camp with.
*Reserve tackle Josh Wells had structured help sessions with Wirfs last year, and still helps him every game on the sidelines, and in camp.
*On Donovan Smith: “There are some things I’m too scared to do that Donnie does.” That line highlights how Wirfs still has room to grow in his game. He also said Smith has been a big help.
*Rookie O-lineman Robert Hainsey is the lone rookie offensive lineman and takes on a huge burden of making sure the unit’s snacks are well stocked daily.
*Wirfs is stunned by Hainsey’s transition from right tackle to center. “I think that’s crazy.”
Enjoy The Ira Kaufman Podcast
November 1st, 2021 at 7:32 pm
Wirfs is right, there was only one holding call and it wasn’t on an offensive lineman (RoJo). There were two holding calls, the one by Jensen stalled out a fourth quarter drive.
The offensive line is decent at pass protection. While New Orleans did get pressure on Brady, it was the result of good coverage.
The O line was better than usual at run blocking, but overall they’re really nothing special at it. There is definite room for improvement on this front in terms of consistency.
November 1st, 2021 at 7:42 pm
Great stuff Joe
November 1st, 2021 at 7:57 pm
More Mighty Joe Tryon and less JPP
November 1st, 2021 at 7:58 pm
Tristan is one fine dude……and a really good RT……looking forward to him locking that down for the next 10-12 years……great pick, Jason.
Wish we had a player named Brandon…..closest is Bradley Pinion…
LET’S GO BRADLEY!!!
November 1st, 2021 at 7:58 pm
Bucs ran 13 times. Saints 30. Rojo touched the ball 3 times and averaged over 4 yds per touch. 4net 8 times for just over 3 per touch. Gotta use these guys more and have to start giving them a crease. Crazy to put it all on TB every game. Online is great on pass protection but they need to start opening some holes for running backs. Makes the play action more effective and loosens up the coverage. Way past time to get an effective running game going. Go Bucs!
November 1st, 2021 at 8:04 pm
On Donovan Smith: “There are some things I’m too scared to do that Donnie does.”
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Like take plays off?
I hear ya Tristan……
Keep on doing what you’re doing.
November 1st, 2021 at 8:05 pm
Great piece and insight.
November 1st, 2021 at 8:17 pm
Wirfs is a beast. Always locking down his side. I’m not sure if he gave up a sack last game. But either way hes going to be here for years to come.
November 1st, 2021 at 8:20 pm
The OL as a unit played more than well enough to get the win. Sloppy penalties especially on defense, and poor pla calling on both sides of the ball, were the big contributors.
November 1st, 2021 at 8:26 pm
The Rams just added Von Miller. As good as our OL is, if it couldn’t hold down the Saints, it will get absolutely demolished if we see the Rams in the playoffs–assuming we get there.
November 1st, 2021 at 8:29 pm
The Manning brothers commentary on the MNF game is great, until they bring on stupid guests who don’t even talk about the game. I just turn it off once they introduce the first d-bag idiot of the night.
November 1st, 2021 at 8:31 pm
…and just as I hit return, they bring on a huge d-bag John Stewart. I bet he looks funny into his crappy webcam and just stares. Oh boy, that gets me every time, pure comedy gold for sure.
November 1st, 2021 at 9:08 pm
Izod i must disagree with you. Our OL gave Brady plenty of time to work yesterday. It was a big test for them and they proved they are elite(again) in my book.
Brady threw 4 TDs and left one on the field when he missed Mike early on. We had chanses to score 30+ on the Saints but Brady turned the ball over……and none of those turnovers were caused by pressure. You could argue the fumble was presuure but Ill say 50/50, gotta but sone on Brady as he eaily could of felt Cam Jordan pushing and stepped up.
But I really dont see whats to complain about with the OL……pretty much all year. Especially pass blocking.
November 1st, 2021 at 9:50 pm
Wirfs is a beast.
Played decent but could’ve done a little better in the run game early on.
On another note… Listening to Manning talk football on Monday night is fantastic.
Watching him squirm and look disgusted at the debacle that was the Giants final minute of the half was pretty funny
November 1st, 2021 at 10:58 pm
Taunting foul just got called and these terrible MNF announcers are actually talking about how Penny should know better. No, the rule is stupid. It’s stupid AF to ruin what the fans enjoy. I don’t get it and somebody please incapacitate Goodell.
November 1st, 2021 at 10:58 pm
Wirfs is All-Pro all amazing.
November 1st, 2021 at 11:03 pm
FYI. If Daniel Jones wasn’t one of the worst QB’s in the NFL missing 2 yard dumpoffs like it’s nobody’s business, the Chiefs would be getting pummeled. The Chiefs better stop worrying about the rematch with us because that team absolutely stinks.
November 1st, 2021 at 11:05 pm
I don’t mind the spirit of the taunting rule.
A receiver making a catch and getting up and standing over the defender and chirping to him
or a defender hitting the guy and then standing over him… That’s a weak.
The problem is they are calling it and some extremely suspect stuff and it shouldn’t be
November 1st, 2021 at 11:07 pm
It’s as if the league has figured out how to cover the receivers for Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes still runs around but half the time he’s throwing it away.
November 1st, 2021 at 11:10 pm
Did they get these refs from yesterday’s game? Looks like the NFL told the officials to make sure the Chiefs win, even if the Chiefs are doing everything possible to lose.
November 1st, 2021 at 11:11 pm
David Says:
November 1st, 2021 at 11:05 pm
I don’t mind the spirit of the taunting rule.
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Are you a woman, or just have low-t?
November 1st, 2021 at 11:14 pm
Chiefs won’t be there for the rematch this year
November 1st, 2021 at 11:16 pm
Buc and roll Says:
November 1st, 2021 at 11:14 pm
Chiefs won’t be there for the rematch this year
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If the refs just make up calls and give them free first downs, take turnovers off the board, it’s easy to win. Just ask the Saints.
November 1st, 2021 at 11:22 pm
Rod. I don’t even think that was an offsides. He flinched but I don’t think he went all the way into the neutral zone before the snap. Home cooking for sure. Mahomie is the NFL’s darling though. They can’t imagine a playoff without him. And I’m serious about D Jones being the worst QB in the NFL. Chiefs barely beat the worst QB in the NFL with zero offensive talent and the entire WR corps hurt. No, that Chiefs team got some Saints calls and survived because of that in combination with Daniel Jones being unable to complete 2 yard passes.
November 1st, 2021 at 11:22 pm
Another disaster of a game decided by the refs. Awful.
November 1st, 2021 at 11:25 pm
cmurda Says:
November 1st, 2021 at 11:22 pm
Rod. I don’t even think that was an offsides.
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Yeah, I agree on the offsides. He jumped, but didn’t appear to move forward, and it was right at the snap as well. So with that they take an INT off the board. Then next play they give 15-yards on a phantom facemask that didn’t happen. Terrible officiating.
I don’t agree at all on Jones however, he’s got some bad coaches, a bad offensive line, and they were missing a bunch of guys on offense. I’m hoping all that is still in place when we play them, since the stupid Giants are a team that always give the Bucs a hard time.
November 2nd, 2021 at 12:13 am
I love these stories, thanks Joe’s.
November 2nd, 2021 at 4:57 am
i want to play the saints in our home turf.