Year 4 Of Tristan Wirfs Envy
November 5th, 2023
More insight here into Bucs general manager Jason Licht crushing the 2020 NFL Draft.
Forget about Licht’s stud second-round-pick safety Antoine Winfield Jr for a minute, Joe is typing about right tackle/left tackle Tristan Wirfs, the first-round pick.
Joe heard quiet rumblings from Bucs staff members soon after Wirfs’ arrival (once he was allowed on the field following “lockdowns”) that he looked incredible.
Who wasn’t gushing like that publicly was players.
Tom Brady had just arrived and the focus was on him. Plus, Wirfs hadn’t played a real snap.
But behind the scenes was a different story. Former Bucs guard Ali Marpet reflected on Wirfs’ arrival recently on the Buccaneers Radio Network. “Are you kidding me?” Marpet said, was his early impression on Wirfs.
In addition to Wirfs’ physical power, Marpet said he quickly marveled — and was “jealous” — at Wirfs’ pass protection setup and his raw talent.
Marpet called it “frustrating but fun to watch” because he was envious.
New Bucs right tackle Luke Goedeke went on to call Wirfs an “alien” and “pound for pound” the most athletic person he’s ever known.
Joe loves all the Wirfs love. It makes it all the more amazing that for two years in a row the Bucs can’t figure out how to run behind the guy for four yards per carry.
November 5th, 2023 at 3:50 am
No question Wirfs is a special player that can improve the run game. Goedecki also has imposing size and strength at the other tackle. Strengthen the middle of the line with the best available fit. We also need to develop a swing tackle so our
run game isn’t so one dimensional.
November 5th, 2023 at 4:08 am
Canales has not developed a consistent run or passing game to date. Might be time to split responsibilities so he can concentrate on improving the passing game. Let the run game coordinator fix the run game coordinator work on fixing the run plays.
November 5th, 2023 at 6:15 am
What a shame he’s on the worst running team in the nfl the past two years
November 5th, 2023 at 6:59 am
Consistently good, doesn’t take plays off. A few of his teammates could learn from him.
November 5th, 2023 at 7:11 am
You know who else has “Year 4 of envy”? The rest of the NFL; especially the teams that chose a tackle while Mr. Wirf’s was still on the board. I’m looking at you J.E.T.S. Jets Jets Jets!
November 5th, 2023 at 8:30 am
This run game problem will be solved in the next draft. There are a lot of HUGE, athletic OL in this draft. I expect a new LG in R2-3.
Taliese Fuaga – 6’5 330 – Oregon State
November 5th, 2023 at 9:03 am
We had some good runs against the Bills behind Wirfs and Stinnie. The Bills’ run defense isn’t great, so it’s hard for me to tell if Stinnie was the difference or just the Bills’ run defense.
I’m going to be watching Wirfs and Stinnie in the run game against the Texans. I’m hopeful our left side will be ballin’ against the Texans.
November 5th, 2023 at 9:19 am
More insight here into Bucs general manager Jason Licht crushing the 2020 NFL Draft…..Joe
Wirfs was certainly a diamond draft pick. However, Licht should not claim responsibility. As I recall it, their were 4 or 5 premium OLs in the draft. All but Wirfs were picked BEFORE our turn. Wirfs was the only one left and 49rs wanted him one pick after us. We got him and 49rs took the edge rusher that was predicted for us That DL has been a disappointment and would have added to the same list that JTS and Logan Hall (who?) are on.
Licht was lucky with Wirfs.
November 5th, 2023 at 9:44 am
Great article, Joe 🙂
November 5th, 2023 at 9:45 am
BucsfaninOregon.
You forget what was happening in April 2020 and before that.
It was actually 2019, all the posters were suggesting that the Bucs should take an offensive tackle. So many bucs fans wanted us to take Jonah Williams in the 1st round. We drafted no OT in 2019. That was a GM with knowledge that the 2019 OT class was poor.
Then in 2020 when we picked Wirfs, Miami and Tennessee took OTs in the 1st round after us. Picking either OT Austin Jackson or Isiah Wilson would have been accepted by the NFL community.
Both guys who busted.
So, it appears Licht knew something about the value and market in both 2019 and 2020 and made the right choice.
November 5th, 2023 at 10:46 am
My coworker is a competitive powerlifter, 6”6 370 lbs…its normal now, but kind of wild at first being around someone that big. Ive heard about Wirfs and Vea when they hit the weight room…they said they lift everything lol
November 5th, 2023 at 11:26 am
Everyone acts like Licht crushed it with the Wirf pick. The Bucs needed a tackle that draft. Their were four premiere tackles in the draft that year. Wirf was the last of the four off the board. He fell into the Bucs’ lap. Fortunately, he ended up being the best of the four. More of a testament to how poor the other GM’s ahead of the Bucs judged talent.
November 5th, 2023 at 11:42 am
That was a great draft pick…over 3 years ago. How have all the other draft classes since then looked?
I just don’t understand why JoeBucs are willing to call out every other underperforming member of this organization, yet refuse to say a single bad thing about Jason Licht. He’s had so many terrible draft selections recently (in his entire tenure, too) which is a huge reason this team looks so terrible.
There doesn’t seem to be a single draft pick in 3 years that looks like true difference maker. Yet you’ll never hear a thing about all those swings and misses on this site.
November 5th, 2023 at 12:43 pm
Sometimes luck is better than skill.
IMO, it was pure luck that Wirfs dropped to the Bucs. It would have been GM malpractice to *not* take Wirfs.
I had him, by far, the #1 OL in the draft, the best OL since Nelson, Nelson’s equal at either tackle spot, a generational talent…