Good Job Looks Better Now
May 4th, 2023
Looking better all the time.
Here is something to think about.
Is Bucs tackle Tristan Wirfs the best player drafted in team history? Early returns suggest he’s in the running.
When Wirfs was drafted, the world was locked down in a pandemic. And the lockdown showed in the NFL draft.
It was learned this week that of the 32 first-round draft picks that year, 2020, only 12 had their fifth-year option exercised. Wirfs was one of them.
Ornery former Bears scouting director Greg Gabriel cited several reasons. No pro days. Only Zoom meetings for official visits. No private workouts.
It seemed the pandemic really screwed up NFL scouting, but not in Tampa.
In the same draft Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht also selected Antoine Winfield in the second round.
Back to Wirfs. On a recent edition of his podcast “In the Trenches,” former Bucs guard Ian Beckles claimed Wirfs is the best draft pick the Bucs ever had. He makes a good point.
When have the Bucs ever had a rookie that dominated right away and never let up?
Lee Roy Selmon may be the other. The difference between Selmon and Wirfs? In Selmon’s first year, the Bucs went 0-14. Wirfs and the Bucs won the Super Bowl.
Only 12 1st round picks from 2020 had their 5th year options picked up. Why? Covid had a lot to do with it. No Pro Days, private workouts, 30 visits etc. clubs had far less info than usual and mistakes were mad. Don’t be surprised in ‘21 is similar
— Greg Gabriel (@ggabefootball) May 4, 2023
May 4th, 2023 at 3:57 am
There is no question about this topic, it’s Sapp
May 4th, 2023 at 3:59 am
Nope. He wasn’t even a full-time player when he was a rookie.
May 4th, 2023 at 4:04 am
Best player? Lee Roy
Most talented? Bo
If Tristan can seamlessly move over to LT, he arguably replaces both in the conversation. Regardless, a fantastic player picked up during Covid. The other two picks were the top picks in their draft. The Bucs could choose anyone. Wirfs wasn’t. The Bucs had to wait. Doesn’t that already put him in the conversation for best pick?
May 4th, 2023 at 4:05 am
Nope. He wasn’t even a full-time player when he was a rookie.
Sapp did what he did with Sam Wyche as Head Coach, think about that.
May 4th, 2023 at 5:09 am
Fun article, Joe, and the pic is wild!
May 4th, 2023 at 5:13 am
Ian Beckles on a recent edition of his podcast “In the Trenches” claims Wirfs is the best draft pick the Bucs ever had. He makes a good point.What ???????
When I last checked…
Franchise Retired Numbers
• #63 Lee Roy Salmon
• #99 Warren Sapp
• #55 Derrick Brooks
The kid’s only played three season – so lets pump breaks on the best draft pick ever talk.
May 4th, 2023 at 5:14 am
When I last checked…
Franchise Retired Numbers
• #63 Lee Roy Selmon
• #99 Warren Sapp
• #55 Derrick Brooks
The kid’s only played three season – so lets pump breaks on the best draft pick ever talk.
May 4th, 2023 at 5:14 am
…
May 4th, 2023 at 5:35 am
Those 2 (Selmon and Wirfs) I think would be neck and neck for the best pick ever.
May 4th, 2023 at 5:36 am
As much as I love Tristan ‘Wonder Kid’ Wirfs. I would have to limit the debate to the only 2 Bucs to make the NFL 100 Team.
Lee Roy Selmon
Mr. Derrick Brooks
Let’s let Tristan make an all decade team before we start throwing his name in the discussion. Remember Sapp made an all decade team, is a HOF and still didn’t make the NFL 100.
It’s a sexy talking point, but nothing more IMHO.
May 4th, 2023 at 6:14 am
In Sapp’s rookie year he didn’t even beat out Santana Dotson for the starting job.
May 4th, 2023 at 6:43 am
Selmon, without question. You see, this is why I sometimes wonder what games Beckles is watching.
For second best you’d also have to think about Paul Gruber, still the team’s best LT ever. But Wirfs is in the conversation. Sad that no one else is.
May 4th, 2023 at 7:02 am
Way to soon. He could be the most talented, I just need to see more of it. Let’s talk about it 6 years from now.
May 4th, 2023 at 7:44 am
You gotta put Gruber right up there with Wirfs, he dominated from day 1.
He was generally on such bad teams never got the national recognition.
But Wirfs has a chance to be better if he keeps going at this high level.
May 4th, 2023 at 7:45 am
Beckles is a horse abuser. And was a journeyman. No one liked him then or now.
Get someone different to play off of, Joey.
May 4th, 2023 at 8:08 am
“Scubog Says:
May 4th, 2023 at 6:14 am
In Sapp’s rookie year he didn’t even beat out Santana Dotson for the starting job”
And, Sapp was pretty much done by the age of 30
May 4th, 2023 at 8:26 am
Derrick Brooks
May 4th, 2023 at 8:26 am
LUV- Preach!
I mean, I get it. He’s a great player. If he can have some longevity and continue to play at a high level, we might retire his number someday too.
May 4th, 2023 at 8:29 am
It may very well be true but to defend mike evans I had over a thousand yards his rookie season and I think mccown was throwing him the ball
May 4th, 2023 at 8:32 am
The only other player that could be mentioned with Wirfs and Selmon is Paul Gruber. He played on some crappy Hugh Culverhouse teams along with Lee Roy. Wirfs had a really good team around him and was a plug and play addition. Gruber and Selmon were great players on crappy teams. I’m not saying Wirfs isn’t, but there are different circumstances.
May 4th, 2023 at 8:49 am
OHH MYYY GODD!
Love me some Wirfs but joe you are just stirring !@#$ up!
May 4th, 2023 at 8:56 am
Many people never saw Selmon play! So their opinions on the matter are void. Thus its a pointless endeavor.
Best O-lineman maybe but only three years in the league. Come on Joe! Still gotta go some to beat Gruber!
May 4th, 2023 at 9:12 am
JOE what about Mike evans ? Never had a season in his career without a 1000 yards. He put up a 1000 yards with mclown n glennon at QB. he should deff be in the conversation at least. Wifs ME13 Selmon brooks sapp lynch Winston wait did I say Winston haha just kidding 😂
May 4th, 2023 at 9:19 am
I’ll just say Mike Evans and drop the mic
May 4th, 2023 at 9:35 am
Evans has been a stud from day 1. Gotta be mentioned
May 4th, 2023 at 9:37 am
There’s a huge, massive difference between “best rookie performance” and “best draft picks ever”.
Wirfs is a phenomenal player and of to a heck of a start. But this franchise has multiple players that are currently enshrined in the hall of fame and by default would have to be considered better draft picks.
Beckles gonna Beckle.
May 4th, 2023 at 10:06 am
He hasn’t played long enough. Otherwise, you could make the same case for Cadillac Williams.
But until someone new opens up a wildly successful barbecue chain, takes the Bucs from new franchise to NFC title game, has a major crosstown expressway named after him, and then leads the athletic department at the local university to previously unknown heights, the top draft pick in Bucs history is going to be Leroy Selmon.
May 4th, 2023 at 10:13 am
My list would be:
Warren Sapp
Derrick Brooks
Lee Roy Selmon
Ronde Barber
Lavonte David
Mike Evans
John Lynch
Mike Alstott
Doug Williams
Hardy Nickerson
Gerald McCoy
Paul Gruber
Warrick Dunn
James Wilder
I wanted it to be Selmon at the top – love the person, could have put Brooks at top because of length of time but felt that when Sapp was at his best, the Bucs defense was the best it was more because of him than anyone else. Just my opinion.
By the end of his career, my guess is that Wirfs will be under the top 3 but ultimately, I am hoping that I am wrong.
May 4th, 2023 at 10:17 am
Anyone who is knocking Sapp is just plain stupid.
May 4th, 2023 at 10:20 am
If Wirfs = Gruber, he’s an excellent pick for years to come.
Because Gruber is up there with Selmon, Brooks, Lynch, Barber and Alstott as “best-ever” picks.
May 4th, 2023 at 10:36 am
Best Bucs Rookie Season …
Cadillac Williams
May 4th, 2023 at 10:37 am
BA’s Red Pen … No one is knocking Sapp. He just didn’t do much as a rookie.
May 4th, 2023 at 11:12 am
MIKE EVANS…????
May 4th, 2023 at 11:21 am
Brooks. Mr. Buccaneer. He stayed and played a long time. Evans will be 2nd when all is said and done, but Mr. Derrick Brooks is currently the title holder of Best Buccaneer Draft Pick, and Player. Selmon was phenomenal, but that team made the leap after Doug Williams came on board. Brooks & Co. kept Tampa in so many games it isn’t funny. Sapp had better quotes but Brooks was the better player. Remember, we jettisoned Sapp and Lynch but kept Brooks. That should say something.
May 4th, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Sapp.
May 4th, 2023 at 1:03 pm
Hey Joe!
My Momma wants to know what Paul Gruber’s stats were in his first 3 years.
Did he have a season where he only allowed just a couple sacks?
Thanks! My Momma appreciates all you do!
May 4th, 2023 at 2:04 pm
Joe Says:
May 4th, 2023 at 3:59 am
There is no question about this topic, it’s Sapp
Nope. He wasn’t even a full-time player when he was a rookie.
———–
Who judges a ‘best draft pick ever’ off their rookie season and not their entire career?
Brooks, Sapp, Selmon, Barber and Lynch are all better picks right now. I think Wirfs is amazing and will one day be a HOFer, but let’s wait a bit before proclaiming a kid coming off his 3rd year as the best ever.
Also, to me, it would be impossible for any offensive lineman to ever be the best pick, just because of the position importance. To me, Sapp is the best pick ever, because he’s THE guy who defined the position, who made everything work, and the guy who actually made TV execs put the Bucs in prime-time games (no, Trent Dilfer wasn’t on the face of the MNF ads). Obviously you can make the case for Brooks as well, and it’d be hard to argue with. The only issue with Selmon is that he had a fairly short career due to injury, and to a lesser extent the lack of a Super Bowl (I don’t think this is a valid argument, but some do).
May 4th, 2023 at 5:59 pm
The GM has some major props coming in about 10-15 years when Mike, Chris, Tristan, Antoine are all headed for Canton
May 4th, 2023 at 6:20 pm
Doug Williams sucked. He shouldn’t even be in the conversation. F him and his curse on the team.
May 4th, 2023 at 7:15 pm
Does the player even have to have a good rookie year to say he’s the best ever. Because if you ask me up in New England I’m sure those guys would say TB12 is the best player drafted by their team and he didn’t even touch the field his rookie year. But who am I to judge. I personally would suggest that #99 is our best draftee ever
May 4th, 2023 at 8:35 pm
I’d say Evans but he had drops/fumbles/sliding issues to start. Monken elevated his career to where it’s at. But he had to grow more than Wirfs did
May 4th, 2023 at 9:31 pm
Wirfs so far has only played Right tackle.
Right tackles dont face great pass rushers. They mainly play against run stoppers.
And as most teams are right handed, he usually has a TE beside him.
Being a great Right tackle, is like being an Ok LT.
Let Wirfs play against the NFLs array of great pass rushers, on an island, guarding Mayfields back
I dont think a Right tackle can be a great player- because they dont play against the Best.
Comparing him To Sapp, Brooks, or the Great Lee Roy Selmon is insanity.
Hes a great Right Tackle.
So what.
Hes too good to waste on the right side.
Plus he should be getting that big left tackle money.
Keep telling him how great he is. Then offer him Right tackle money! Lol!
Our best lineman should face the best defensive lineman.
Thats what left Tackles do.
Hes not Great- until he can play the most important job on the line.
May 5th, 2023 at 5:31 am
@ Bucsfanman
Lol right on Bruh!
Now if he can maintain a high level of performance over a long period of time, it definitely merits consideration for retiring their number. But we ain’t just gonna hand it to him.
May 6th, 2023 at 10:59 am
For me as Tackles go he’s on of the best that ever played. Time Will tell if he’s a legend like Sapp and other great Bucs player! I just feel you can compare different positions to one another.