Tristan Wirfs At Left Tackle?
February 6th, 2023
Pro Bowl right tackle Tristan Wirfs.
This has been a subject of debate and disagreement at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters, and it recently was on the mind of a prominent former Buccaneer.
Superstar Bucs right tackle Tristan Wirfs is one of the game’s great players. Many consider him a top-5 offensive lineman regardless of position.
Yeah, he’s that good. Former Bucs guard Ian Beckles (1990-1996) routinely says on his In The Trenches podcast that Wirfs is the best pass blocking right tackle he’s ever seen.
But what about moving Wirfs to left tackle?
Last week, Beckles floated the idea of Wirfs moving there next season, which would trigger the Bucs to launch Donovan Smith and save money. The idea is that replacing a right tackle is easier and cheaper than getting a new left tackle and Wirfs might be even better and more valuable at left tackle.
Wirfs, 24, also might want to play left tackle if it means earning more money. And left tackles generally earn more than right tackles.
One Joe does not like the idea of moving Wirfs; don’t mess with one of the game’s greats at his position.
The Joe typing here thinks there’s no harm in trying to move Wirfs, who likely would transition beautifully. He did play some left tackle in college. What’s the worst that could happen? If Wirfs is not special at left tackle, then Wirfs moves back to right tackle in 2024?
The latter isn’t exactly a bad outcome for a team seeking an early draft pick in 2024.
Bucs rookie Luke Goedeke played right tackle in college and looked good there in Week 18 against Atlanta’s starting lineup. Overall, Joe was impressed with Goedeke in that game after a season training at guard. Goedeke certainly has the size to play right tackle at 6-5, 315 pounds, if the Bucs chose to go in that direction.
Just another thing to consider as the Bucs wait to see who ends up designing and crafting their new offense.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:35 am
Was hoping this plan was implemented last season, can’t happen soon enough.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:37 am
DO IT
February 6th, 2023 at 11:37 am
Wirfs to LT, then flip Goedeke to RT, his natural position.
Who knows? Maybe that was the plan all along?
February 6th, 2023 at 11:40 am
This depends. Do bucs want to tank? Then keep DS. But if they want to actually try and win with Trask or whoever at QB then definitely move Wirfs to LT.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:41 am
I will never understand why the Bucs can’t be a dynasty team. One or two years and BAM back to the gutter. Why cant we be a good team each year?
February 6th, 2023 at 11:44 am
TEST NEW THINGS & DEVELOP
While the Bucs resolve the cap situation, they can test new ideas. Some will fail. Some will flourish. Wirfs at LT and Goedeke at RT is #1. Trask at QB is #2.
The Bucs need to reload with young talent. So, develop your green players (JTS, Hall, and Zyon) and bring in new blood at LG and LB.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:46 am
Can’t be a dynasty team if you have a swinging door at QB. It’s really that simple.
Brady was always going to retire. Getting two years out of him was expected. A third year was a bonus and a Super Bowl was off the charts.
Be thankful and draft a QB.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:47 am
D. Smith to left guard (too much cap hit to cut), Wirfs to left tackle, sign/trade for quality right tackle or guard then use TE, RB and FB to help with right side. This is the least costly and most practical solution to the current situation.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:51 am
We’re gonna have to pay Wirfs like a left tackle anyway.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:55 am
What has been the common denominator all these years? Ownership perhaps? Culverhouse and Glazers?
February 6th, 2023 at 11:56 am
Hard no on Donovan Smith playing guard. He’d be an even worse guard than LT. Just launch him.
February 6th, 2023 at 12:02 pm
Draft the left tackle from north dakota state he looked good at the senior bowl.
February 6th, 2023 at 12:07 pm
D. Smith is never going to be a guard. He’s made his money at LT and if he can get on another team, I imagine he would that instead of taking a “demotion” of switching to guard.
February 6th, 2023 at 12:08 pm
Not as easy as it sounds. A RT tackle is used to pushing off their left leg and stepping or sliding with the left. This would take time, the NFL isn’t sometime in college. Anyone who sprinted in track, try getting out of the blocks switching feet.
February 6th, 2023 at 12:08 pm
Yea, no on moving Donnie to LG or cutting him outright which leaves a hole at RT if Wirfs slides down to the left side, BUT we should restructure Smiths’ contract and put some pressure on him w/a rookie swing tackle/OLmen to let him know the leash will be shorter in 2023.
February 6th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
The reason the Bucs can’t be a dynasty is twofold: 1. because they only started playing dynastically with a quarterback in his mid 40s … and 2. The salary cap makes suck-cycles part of the NFL’s “circle of life”
February 6th, 2023 at 12:28 pm
It might could work. Smith has become a liability. Can we trade him for a pick, any pick? Even the Mr Irrelevant pick would be a good trade at this point.
February 6th, 2023 at 12:28 pm
Dooley … I keep asking myself why the Bucs didn’t restructure Smith’s contract last year when they desperately needed the $$$. I suspect the answer is one of 2 possibilities. Option A is that Donnie may not have wanted his contract to be restructured. He’s a FA next year, and maybe he either wants to retire (like his buddy Marpet?) or move to another team (where he might make more $$$ since experienced LTs are hard to find). Option B is that the Bucs had seen enough and are ready to move on by 2024 at the latest (maybe even 2023), so they chose not to restructure.
Restructuring generally means more money for the player, and/or a longer contract. It is a business after all, and to the players I’m sure there’s an element of ‘What’s in it for me?’
February 6th, 2023 at 12:31 pm
We all know which joe is against this. WHat is the harm if the coaches think he can do it? they know more about football x and o than we do.
February 6th, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Wirfs hates the idea of playing LT. I guess x2 his pay would change his mind.
I would rather have the best RT than a middle of the road LT.
February 6th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
He’ll be great wherever he lines up. If they somehow have a left handed QB next year then he’s gota stay. Smith should be out either way
February 6th, 2023 at 12:37 pm
Successful Transitions of Players Selected to Pro Bowl or First-Team AP All-Pro from Right Tackle to Left Tackle:
* Orlando Brown Jr. – Pro Bowls: 4; First-Team AP All-Pro: 0
* Joe Staley – Pro Bowls: 6; First-Team AP All-Pro: 1
* Tyron Smith – Pro Bowls: 7; First-Team AP All-Pro: 2
* Jammal Brown – Pro Bowls: 2; First-Team AP All-Pro: 1
* Jordan Gross – Pro Bowls: 2; First-Team AP All-Pro: 1
* Willie Roaf – Pro Bowls: 11; First-Team AP All-Pro: 6
* Bruce Armstrong – Pro Bowls: 6; First-Team AP All-Pro: 1
Successful Transitions of Players Selected to Pro Bowl or First-Team AP All-Pro from Guard to Left Tackle:
* Jonathan Ogden – Pro Bowls: 11; First-Team AP All-Pro: 4
* Tarik Glenn – Pro Bowls: 3; First-Team AP All-Pro: 1
* Laremy Tunsil – Pro Bowls: 2; First-Team AP All-Pro: 0
* Flozell Adams – Pro Bowls: 5; First-Team AP All-Pro: 0
* Chris Hinton – Pro Bowls: 7; First-Team AP All-Pro: 0
* Lincoln Kennedy – Pro Bowls: 3; First-Team AP All-Pro: 0
February 6th, 2023 at 12:38 pm
@TDTB,
Hardly any dead-cap hit if he’s designated a post June-1st trade or release. Something like $2.5M in ’23 and $5M in ’24 I believe. Easy to check on OTC.
February 6th, 2023 at 12:41 pm
Trade Donovan Smith for a Late 3rd or 4th round pick.
February 6th, 2023 at 12:56 pm
FlBoy84 Says:
February 6th, 2023 at 12:38 pm
@TDTB,
Hardly any dead-cap hit if he’s designated a post June-1st trade or release. Something like $2.5M in ’23 and $5M in ’24 I believe. Easy to check on OTC.
^^^^^^^^^
Yes, this is what I saw, too. So a $10 million savings before June 1st, about $15 million after.
February 6th, 2023 at 12:58 pm
This is equivalent to a Biden fedderman 2024 ticket: it’s a no brainer.
February 6th, 2023 at 12:58 pm
this would save money and our line could be better for it. Goedeke could easily be the RT and he showed in the last game of the season he is confident there not like at guard. Plus with jensen back and the options we already have at LG our oline could be decent again. Just need an OC to put them in positions to excel.
February 6th, 2023 at 1:05 pm
The last thing they need is a disgruntled lineman, their best at that. I’m sure he’d be able to do it, but I seriously doubt they’ll just gift him more money for switching positions. Patriots tried it this season with Trent brown. He wasn’t happy playing LT on RT money.
February 6th, 2023 at 1:11 pm
Defense Rules, iirc Smith just underwent surgery on that elbow shortly after our season ended. The thing is, it’s a contract year for Donnie, and I’m guessing instead of opening up a hole on the roster for the sake of clearing cap is riskier than retaining him for 2023 and potentially paying him according to his 2023 performance in ’24 or letting him walk in a years time. My guess is Donnie banked on himself last offseason, got hurt, and went on to have one of his worst seasons since being drafted. We restructured Shaw Mason last season after dealing for him to get more wiggle room under the cap which might have factored in to not reworking Smiths’ deal as well. Also, the random “trade him for this” is all dependent on the other team that may want his services, and there’s enough ’22 film on smith to get lowballed by any GM that wants to play suitor.
February 6th, 2023 at 1:15 pm
If Wirfs is moved from right to left, he will go from being the best RT in the NFL to the best LT in the NFL. Which would you rather have? (Please forgive the rhetorical question).
February 6th, 2023 at 1:16 pm
I said this when we first drafted Wirf. Try him at LT and move Smith to RT but Joe chastised me over it. Joe adamantly said Smith wouldn’t move to RT. Funny how everything changes.
February 6th, 2023 at 1:18 pm
Although it seems like just yesterday, it was in a bygone era.
Some of the greats thrived at multiple positions across the offensive line.
The Great Bruce Matthews
* 4 Pro Bowls & 4 All-Pro’s @Right Guard
* 5 Pro Bowls & 1 All -Pro @Center
* 6 Pro Bowls & 4 All-Pro’s@Left Guard
Chris Hinton
* 1 Pro Bowls @Left Guard
* 1 All-Pro’s @Right Guard
* 5 Pro Bowls & 2x 2nd Team All-Pro @Left Tackle
* 1 Pro Bowl @Right Tackle
February 6th, 2023 at 1:20 pm
I think its a no-brainer move. He’s the best T on the team therefore he should be playing LT.
February 6th, 2023 at 1:21 pm
He has been mostly a right tackle but played four or five games at Iowa as a left tackle and was a stud in all those games as well.
I think it is likely he can make the change if that is the way the Bucs want to go.
I will leave it to the OL coaches though to decide.
February 6th, 2023 at 1:21 pm
Correction
Chris Hinton
* 1 Pro Bowl @Left Guard
* 1 All-Pro @Right Guard
* 5 Pro Bowls & 2x 2nd Team All-Pro @Left Tackle
* 1 Pro Bowl @Right Tackle
February 6th, 2023 at 1:23 pm
Being a superior wrestler, he is likely well balanced with respect to a rusher from either his left or his right. As he pretty much has shown us in his three seasons as a Buc.
February 6th, 2023 at 1:24 pm
Good research Lovemybucs.
I would be ok with the transition if the team thinks he can do it.
February 6th, 2023 at 1:24 pm
Tristan Wirfs > Orlando Brown Jr.
February 6th, 2023 at 1:24 pm
@ geno711
Respect
February 6th, 2023 at 1:27 pm
Anything to launch Donnie
February 6th, 2023 at 1:31 pm
Sounds good. Then promote Johnson from Practice Squad to R Tackle. Heck fire the old pro’s and promote the whole practice squad would be even better.
February 6th, 2023 at 1:34 pm
“You’re either born a willow – or your born an oak. That’s all there is to it.”
February 6th, 2023 at 1:41 pm
That would be a good plan, and a good O line. Make to much sense for the Bucs to do that.
February 6th, 2023 at 1:51 pm
I’ve been advocating this since last year, as a possible salary cap move this year to keep Brady. Also, you’re going to have to pay Wirfs an insane salary anyways, but top RT money is good discount over top LT money.
Now, with that said, any move depends on what QB you have, and if they’re left or right handed.
In any case the idea all along was that Licht keeps drafting college tackles (Marpet, Cappa, Hainsey, Luke) and likes to move them around and have guys that can play multiple positions. So use that to your advantage.
But obviously, if Wirfs struggled in any way and wasn’t a top flight LT, then you move him right back. Sort of like how the dummies tried to make Marpet into a center. That move I always thought was stupid since it’s just flipping left and right, but is literally an entirely new position that he had never played.
February 6th, 2023 at 1:53 pm
Could look at the move. But I still believe we go OT in first round. Let’s build the top O line in the league.
February 6th, 2023 at 2:02 pm
Potential Line Up
LT Tristan Wirfs | Brandon Walton
LG Nick Leverett | Luke Goedeke
C Ryan Jensen | Robert Hainsey
RG O’Cyrus Torrence | John Molchon
RT Dawand Jones | Justin Skule
February 6th, 2023 at 2:02 pm
test
February 6th, 2023 at 2:04 pm
Stanglassman Says:
February 6th, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Wirfs hates the idea of playing LT. I guess x2 his pay would change his mind.
I would rather have the best RT than a middle of the road LT.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Do you have the link of Wirfs saying he hates the idea of LT? That’s the first I’ve heard of that.
February 6th, 2023 at 2:04 pm
Just draft Duncan or Skoronski for LT…
February 6th, 2023 at 2:05 pm
*Draft O’Cyrus Torrence
*Draft Dawand Jones
*Restructure Ryan Jensen
LT Tristan Wirfs | Brandon Walton
LG Nick Leverett | Luke Goedeke
C Ryan Jensen | Robert Hainsey
RG *O’Cyrus Torrence | John Molchon
RT *Dawand Jones | Justin Skule
February 6th, 2023 at 2:13 pm
Draft
– RG O’Cyrus Torrence
– RT Dawand Jones
February 6th, 2023 at 2:21 pm
Thinking exactly the same thing pyrda. Big Donnie is done with us. Just showed us all what an incredible guard Marpet really was
February 6th, 2023 at 2:23 pm
Wirfs: “I feel most comfortable at right tackle, but I’ve played both,” Wirfs told 850 ESPN Cleveland earlier this week. “It doesn’t really matter to me. Coach Ferentz, he always says he doesn’t see a big difference between right and left. He says tackles are at a premium. People are always looking for tackles. I’ll play wherever the team wants me to. I’ll play safety if they need me to.”
February 6th, 2023 at 2:25 pm
I would like to see Luke try his hand at RT. Hopefully we found some depth this year with all the injuries. Hopefully Bob can be a starter inside next to Jensen. As I see it the O line & D line is what wins in this league. Sure up the lines and let’s move on with a classic offense and a solid D
February 6th, 2023 at 3:05 pm
Joe in Michigan
Watch the PR interview (3 months ago titled touchback Tuesdays w/JC Allen)on YouTube. It wasn’t the first time I’ve heard him say that he didn’t want to change sides. He talks about the difficulty of switching sides and the learning curve. He usually goes on to say he will do whatever the teams wants. Go listen to that interview and tell me he doesn’t leave you with the impression he doesn’t want to switch positions.
February 6th, 2023 at 3:38 pm
Nope. Nope. Nope. Get a new LT. keep the best RT in the NFL at his natural position.
February 6th, 2023 at 3:55 pm
Thanks Stanglassman, I’ll have to check that out.
February 6th, 2023 at 3:57 pm
A great athlete is a great athlete at anything he or she attempts to do 1. A great athlete is more gifted-both physically and mentally. A great athlete is more of a workaholic to learn anything new due to being a perfectionist. A great athlete just wants it more than the other guy-period. Wirfs is a great athlete and will be a great LT.
February 6th, 2023 at 3:58 pm
Who’s to say Wirfs wont be one the best LT in the game?
Much easier to find a good RT to replace him.
The Bucs should know if he can do it by now
February 6th, 2023 at 4:07 pm
Yeah cuz any teams going to give a 3rd or let alone 4th for d smith that’s fantasy land won’t happen
February 6th, 2023 at 4:34 pm
You’ve trained Goedeke all season on the left site as the LG. Just move Goedeke to LT. That way you keep Wirfs at RT. Draft another LT and dump Smith.
February 6th, 2023 at 4:52 pm
Smith isn’t going anywhere. LTis a hard position to replace and he played hurt last year . He’ll be fine this season
February 6th, 2023 at 6:07 pm
I have brought this up in posts in this forum, although for some reason were never officially posted, now I know why. I think it makes senze to try him at LT because from a business perspective, Wirfs is going to command top dollar, so why not at LT rather than paying potentially twl tackles big money. Secondly, Smith has underperformed and lets be honest aside from 1 season where he was decent, once Marpet retired he has proven that he isnt capable of anchoring the left side without a solid blocker beside him. Running to the left was terrible this season. With cap issues, I cant see the Bucs wanting to pay him for sub par performance.
February 6th, 2023 at 6:44 pm
IE Buc Says:
February 6th, 2023 at 4:34 pm
You’ve trained Goedeke all season on the left site as the LG. Just move Goedeke to LT. That way you keep Wirfs at RT. Draft another LT and dump Smith.
^^^^^^^
You seem to be forgetting that Goedeke looked like the second coming of Caleb Benenoch last year. I hope the kid improves, but I trust Goedeke as far as I can throw him, and I have a torn rotator cuff.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:41 pm
Joe MI.
He doesn’t literally say ‘I hate LT’ from what I remember he just elaborated a bit more on his comfort on the right side. But I agree that the Bucs are going to have to move him over in order to get their cap down. Cutting Smith is the obvious move. Wirf will switch sides because he’s a team player. It may take some games for him to get used to it. He’ll be a great LT he has the length and foot speed to play there. I believe he compared it to wiping his butt with his other hand. It feels weird at first but you get used to it.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:42 pm
Well, we got the worst production at left tackle last year that we could have possibly gotten. Smith’s elbow may have been injured, but that has nothing to do with having the most sloppy unbalanced pass pro set in the league. Goedeke didn’t stand a chance playing left guard next to that embarrassment.
Wirfs has to get moved to the left side, and they need to do it this year. He’s not going to want to do it on his 5th year option season.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:58 pm
I’d be surprised if they hasn’t tried him there at some point in a practice, regardless sure let him try it a bit in camp or whatever. Should be able to find out pretty quickly if it looks like it’s working or not. Don’t have to say day 1 you will play here and only herr the rest of the year. I think we should be open to experimenting a little this coming year. anytime that’s in rebuild mode should be. Doesn’t mean you’re married to it
February 6th, 2023 at 10:05 pm
Anyone have a PFF+ membership that can see how Goedeke was graded when he played RT?
I like the idea of it. I would keep Mason and then figure out who the other guard is going to be. Stinnie played well before the injury. Then our starters are settled.
February 7th, 2023 at 5:09 am
Agreed, Stanglassman.
Usfbuc: Goedeke played Right Tackle against the Falcons. The Falcons had 21 sacks for the 2022 season.
February 7th, 2023 at 11:21 am
Nope. Keep Wirfs at RT. Move Goedeke to RG. Trade Mason. Draft two LT and rebuild the offensive line. Plenty of them to pick from in the 2nd-4th rounds (Duncan, Wright, and/or Bergeron) can play LT and LG. Hainsey can be the backup G/C.
February 7th, 2023 at 6:09 pm
Donovan Smith to RT for this year and draft Bijan Robinson and mammoth Dawan Jones.