New Run Focus Should Develop Tristan Wirfs
June 29th, 2023
Intriguing take from Tristan Wirfs himself: the Bucs passed the ball so darn much with Tom Brady that Wirfs’ game at right tackle transformed.
His Iowa Hawkeyes ran more than they passed, so Wirfs saw himself more as a run blocker as a Bucs rookie. That’s changed.
“I feel like I’m a much better pass protector than I am a run blocker, just simply because of the fact that we did it twice as much,” Wirfs told the Vikes Verified podcast. “But it’s been really cool to kind of see my pass protection evolve. All these defensive ends have a plan, and you can throw a wrench in their plan with the smallest thing. And it’s cool to figure out those little tricks of the trade almost. I try to be a technician, as much of a technician as I can.”
Wirfs added that he tries to be high-effort player and a good finisher.
So now the Bucs will run a lot more in the Dave Canales/Todd Bowles offense, probably at least another 100 attempts more than last season.
Joe wonders if that reality will further develop Wirfs’ game and make him more of an all-around terror. Joe’s not saying Wirfs was subpar as a run blocker, but did the Bucs really have any mauling O-linemen last season?
June 29th, 2023 at 10:02 am
It’s almost impossible to maul when you are broadcasting when and where you are going to run. Everybody will be better if we have the slightest bit of imagination with the play calling and sequencing.
June 29th, 2023 at 10:17 am
Wirfs has HOF written all over him, a technician of that size and ability, best all around tackle in the league IMO… Huge, strong, agile, diagnostic, technical, and just a great dude.. I bet we have a really good formidable line this year… with weapons, and great defense, I’m sure baker will play beyond well enough for us to make the playoffs.. im pumped
June 29th, 2023 at 10:22 am
The torch has been passed and Tristan Wirfs has officially stepped up as the next leader for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense. It’s great to see this from him. He seems to have tremendous leadership potential.
Now, I think it’s safe to say that King Lavonte David still holds the torch on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense. But for how long and to whom will this pass when he officially hangs up his cleats? It’s concerning to see and hear what we’ve seen and heard from Devin White. Perhaps we drafted our next defensive leader in this year’s class, but perhaps not. I can’t envision Jamel Dean, Carlton Davis, Shaq Barrett, or any other holdovers from our recent glory days as leaders of the next Bucs paradigm.
June 29th, 2023 at 10:23 am
I hope we build up something like the hogs used to do with that famous counter tray with Russ Grimm and Joe Jacoby, with Riggins plowing through
June 29th, 2023 at 10:25 am
I would be remiss if I also didn’t include Vita Vea in that mix of holdovers. Does he have what it takes to lead, though? I’m torn on that answer.
June 29th, 2023 at 10:29 am
The new Safety will lead the Defense.
June 29th, 2023 at 10:58 am
If Fournette actually trains this off-season, instead of playing video games and eating all night.
As he admitted to doing every off-season.
I would love to bring him back at least for a work out.
He came in overweight and slow last off-season.
And we had the worst offensive line in the history of the NFL.
Fix the offensive line.
And.
Pound the rock!
June 29th, 2023 at 10:59 am
Tristan Wirfs has some huge tree trunks for legs!
June 29th, 2023 at 11:10 am
I have zero doubt that Wirfs will be an excellent run blocker in the new scheme.
June 29th, 2023 at 11:11 am
As for who will take the torch from LVD…damn good question.
June 29th, 2023 at 11:21 am
Jensen will be the weak link in the run blocking department, especially after a couple of games in when swelling and inflammation will be an issue.
June 29th, 2023 at 11:48 am
“did the Bucs really have any mauling O-linemen last season?”
NO!!! After Jensen went down the OL might have been technically sound? but they certainly weren’t mean nasties without Jensen’s read headed fire.
This is a major reason I’m jacked about our OL this season. As pointed out Wirfs will do fine at LT…next to him however is Feiler a beastly man himself who is no softie then it’s the red headed terror Jensen and perhaps Mauch another red headed meanie. Jensen already announced that he and Mauch are going to eff some people up. The line will be much meaner and is ideal for Canalas running game.
I never really tire of smash mouth football…IF it succeeds and the right players are in place to make it happen.
June 29th, 2023 at 11:54 am
We got someone special.
June 29th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
Def one of my top 5 fav Bucs of all time. We were so blessed to get him.
June 29th, 2023 at 12:56 pm
We’ve talked about Wirfs nearly every week since he’s been drafted.
He’s so good that a community talks about an OL and doesn’t even think twice.
June 29th, 2023 at 12:59 pm
Wirfs is a wrecking ball. If Jensen is healthy and the new left guard is decent the weak side will be on the right. Ko may be a factor to help. We need a downhill Fullback like Alstott.
June 29th, 2023 at 1:23 pm
Make Ko the Fullback and run a 2 back offense.
June 29th, 2023 at 1:27 pm
Wirfs makes Jenson look like a fullback… Jenson is 6’4″ – 325… lol
June 29th, 2023 at 1:57 pm
Why are you trying to tie Coach Bowles to the Offense, this Offense will be on new Coach Dave Canales!
June 29th, 2023 at 2:51 pm
Our Oline will be our best group and we will win a lot of games next year!
June 29th, 2023 at 3:27 pm
Yes, they had Wirfs mauling everyone in his path.
June 29th, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Marine Buc … Looking at that photo, it’s hard to believe that the Bucs list Jensen at 6’4″ & 319 lbs, and Wirfs at 6’5″ & 320 lbs. What a difference 1 lb makes apparently.
June 29th, 2023 at 4:40 pm
As I gaze into my crystal balls. I see the Bucs running to the left very effectively!! LFG!!
June 29th, 2023 at 5:02 pm
@ DR
LOL…
Maybe it’s an optical illusion – but I believe Wirfs is at least 2″ taller and about 40 pounds bigger than Jenson.
Do my eyes deceive me?
June 29th, 2023 at 6:37 pm
A technician… who can also jump straight out of pool and onto his feet. LOVE IT.
1000%
June 29th, 2023 at 7:29 pm
Teacherman… Fournette came in slow last season. The same way he’s come into every season. Dude averaged less than FOUR yards a carry in all but two seasons of his career. He’s always been overrated as a runner.
As for.the line being the worst in history.
They gave up a league best 2.9% sacks on the season despite throwing close to 50 passes more than the next highest throwing team.
Worst line in history… Zero credibility for you.
June 29th, 2023 at 8:05 pm
Great lineman are not scheme dependent.
June 30th, 2023 at 2:13 am
That bodes well.
Now on the blind side with another very large man next to him we should see the best of both worlds.
Go Bucs!
June 30th, 2023 at 2:17 am
May just be a long lens effect but he dwarfs the big man Jensen in that pic
LOL
Go Bucs