Tough-Guy Praise For Tristan Wirfs
December 4th, 2024
This was uplifting and discouraging all at the same time.
So Tristan Wirfs returned Sunday after missing a game with a sprained knee, one that also had a bye week’s worth of extra time to heal.
Wirfs played well. Head coach Todd Bowles even noted that he graded will internally yesterday on the Buccaneers Radio Network. But today Bowles didn’t sound like he was talking about a healthy player.
Bowles praised Wirfs for being exceptionally tough and gutting through the game. What he didn’t say was that Wirfs feels great and is in fine shape. Bowles did say Wirfs is better “on one leg” than many left tackles on two.
That’s a nice sound bite, but it didn’t make Joe feel great about Wirfs’ playing like All-Pro on Sunday against beastly edge rusher Maxx Crosby and the Raiders.
Joe sure hopes the Bucs can not only make the playoffs but clinch a game early so Wirfs can get a Week 18 break like he did two seasons ago.
December 4th, 2024 at 1:43 pm
Bucs played the worst defensive line in the NFL in carolina…. he should have taken the week off to heal more.
December 4th, 2024 at 1:43 pm
Clinch early would be nice but TBBF will be at that Saints game and doesn’t want to watch Trask’s first and last game as a Buc.
December 4th, 2024 at 2:13 pm
Skule has played well enough recently that the smart play may be to play each in alternate drives. If Skule can’t hold up against a particular team, keep Worth in. If you have a two score lead, keep Skule in. No one knows what the perfect plan would be for each game. Maybe one game the Bucs get a couple of takeaways early and run away with it – rest Wirth early. Maybe one game, it is a dog fight with pressure that Skule just cannot handle – if it is that kind of pressure, you probably want to scheme extra help just to protect Wirth if you keep him in the game.
December 4th, 2024 at 2:24 pm
Have no qualms this year with the Bucs OL. Led by Wirfs this is our best ground game in damn near forever. Of course Bucky helps make them look good by often getting something from nothing.
Interesting stat between the Bucs and Atlanta. Despite identical records, the Bucs are +39 in overall points this year while Atlanta is an unbelievable -34. I use the term “unbelievable” because it seems near impossible to win six games with that large of scoring difference.
Although they blew it last week, Atlanta’s record reeks with a string of good luck outcomes in close games.
If the Bucs defense could remotely guard pass receivers they could go somewhere, but game after game we are treated to opposing receivers so wide open the DB is seldom in the TV picture when the pass is caught.
Bowles is not a good head coach, and his defensive cover schemes are maddening.
December 4th, 2024 at 2:32 pm
Wirfs first team AP, Goedeke 2nd team AP
December 4th, 2024 at 2:50 pm
The Achilles heal is the soft as Dairy Queen defense Bowles’ fields every week.
December 4th, 2024 at 3:26 pm
On the tunnel screen last game, the replay showed Wirfs flying through the air to make a block! Crazy! I’m glad he wasn’t flying at me!
December 4th, 2024 at 3:34 pm
Kid is a stud. Plain and simple. Glad he fell to us
December 4th, 2024 at 3:37 pm
Well, it sure would be nice if the Bucs could go one week with their 1st string Defensive players healthy and participating. When is the last time that happened this season? Plus, guys like CG14 not getting targeted by dirty hits. Bucs are lucky they are 6-6. They’ll win this weekend, too. Bucs will finish the year with a winning record, at least 9-8. Go Bucs!! At least, the Hurricane season is behind us for now.
December 4th, 2024 at 3:40 pm
I think it’s hilarious anyone even thinks Week 18 could be a meaningless-to-a-playoff-clinched-team game for a team that’s currently 6-6.
December 4th, 2024 at 3:51 pm
Say there, this Crosby fella looks like a nice contributor. Any idea when he becomes free to associate with a different group of fine young men to play sports?
December 4th, 2024 at 3:53 pm
JC, good point. I believe it is mathematically impossible for the Bucs to have a meaningless until next season.
December 4th, 2024 at 4:06 pm
Mathematic impossibility? We would have to gain 2 more games on ATL in the next 5 ,, Heck we Should be (doesn’t always happen) the outright leader by a game after this week,,, The wild card might be tougher to find the math ,, you would most likely need to play and beat Saints as it’s an NFC game with count more… But the way Atlanta has been playing ,, it’s not impossible
December 4th, 2024 at 4:21 pm
Mike and Bucky didn’t practice. Mike got a new calf injury on top of the hamstring. They list Bucky with a hip/back injury.
December 4th, 2024 at 4:36 pm
A Bucs Fan: I agree totally with you. It’s like Bowles is oblivious to the schedule and personnel.
December 4th, 2024 at 4:36 pm
A Bucs Fan: I agree totally with you. It’s like Bowles is oblivious to the schedule and personnel.
December 4th, 2024 at 5:36 pm
I want to see a lot of Pony (Irvin and White, same time) with Mike and Cade, and Hainsey as a 6th OL to help neutralize Crosby. Wouldn’t hurt for the running game either. The other skill players are next to unproductive anyway so not like we’d be missing much. Better put another 40 burger on them, Baker.
Everybody except team roses and cotton candy knows that O’Connell is having a career day and throwing for 400 yards against the Todd.
December 4th, 2024 at 7:00 pm
I hope the Bucs make the playoffs but clinch a game early so that they are not forced to beat New Orleans week 18. That game scares me more than any of the remaining schedule, including the Chargers who have only beaten one team with a winning record (the Broncos).
The Bucs rarely beat the Saints twice the same season. Maybe the loss of Taysom Hill will be the difference this year.
December 5th, 2024 at 10:03 am
@Tampa BayBucfan ; Clinch???? loll, the only thing we’ll be clinching from now til the very end is our butt cheeks during every nerve racking game where we might be able to afford to lose 1 and that’s only if Atlanta loses 2.