Tristan Wirfs: “Frustrating” For Run Game Not To Click
October 25th, 2023
Offers his take on run game.
Every Bucs fan wants to know why the Bucs can’t run the dang ball.
The Bucs have been miserable in the ground game since last year and they’re even worse this year. Last in yards per carry in each season.
So yesterday Bucs All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs was asked why the run game cannot get on track. Wirfs said when it comes to the offense line, everyone has to take some blame.
“It’s a lot of things,” Wirfs said. “I kind of said it a little bit ago, everyone just taking a turn at messing something up.
“The frustrating part is how hard we work on it. How much time and effort we put into it, so for it not to go [well] is really frustrating.
“It’s just about getting back to the details, the fundamentals, the little things, and being as crisp as we can through all of that.”
The way Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield spoke yesterday, it seems the Bucs are going to pull back from the heavy workload on the ground. They almost have to.
If the Bucs wanted to continue to run to nowhere, that’s just where it will take them. The Bucs still are very much in a playoff race but cannot afford to lose too many more games.
Besides, the way the offense has been sputtering, it’s reaching the point where running to nowhere might cost someone or some people their jobs.
Yes, the run game is that bad.
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October 25th, 2023 at 4:09 pm
Perhaps our run game coordinator and/or offensive line coaches could ya know, coach these guys up?
Maybe no one has told them that on run plays, they’re allowed to actually push forward and move defenders backwards?
October 25th, 2023 at 4:24 pm
It’s not on you, big man. You’re arguably a top 5 LT in the game.
October 25th, 2023 at 4:27 pm
If I have to hear one more Buccaneer say “we just have to get back to fundamentals”… Ugh. Their press conferences are as uncreative as their playbook.
October 25th, 2023 at 4:48 pm
“ The way Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield spoke yesterday, it seems the Bucs are going to pull back from the heavy workload on the ground.”
What heavy workload on the ground? We have more passing attempts (205) than rushing attempts (153), and we pass the ball 34% more than we run. Every top scoring offense in the NFL has an effective running game and most of the running backs on those offenses are not household names. So all evidence points to our sorry as run blocking being the root cause of us losing games.
October 25th, 2023 at 4:49 pm
Stinnie is replacing Felier at LG. The Bucs should also replace Cody Mauch with Nick Leverett and see if anything improves with the run game.
I’m not calling Mauch a bust but he needs to make some improvements during the off-season. Goedeke was just as bad last season and he is playing very well so far this year.
I believe Mauch will be our starting Center in 2024…
October 25th, 2023 at 4:56 pm
I think Jerome Ford could be had if they dangle Trask in front of Andrew Berry’s face. Upgrade from PJ Walker, gives DeShame more time for shoulder massages
October 25th, 2023 at 5:18 pm
Mildly related: did you see Baldy’s breakdown film on Mauch? He completely ripped a dude’s helmet off and through it away, it was hilarious
October 25th, 2023 at 6:05 pm
@ Beej
I didn’t see that but I like Cody Mauch. I still think he will continue to develop and his RAS is through the roof. But he is struggling out there (43.4 PFF grade) and it is hurting our offense.
Nick Leverett would be an upgrade.
October 25th, 2023 at 6:07 pm
@ Buckeye
Ford is interesting and the trade for Trask is also interesting given their current mess at QB.
October 25th, 2023 at 6:35 pm
Copy and paste old articles or exact paragraphs much?
October 25th, 2023 at 7:05 pm
@Marine
Mauch just needs pro-diet and exercise program. Read he can’t handle the bull rush, no surprise given the jump from small school to pros. Agree on moving him to center, let Hainsey be what he’s meant to be, a versatile 6th man
October 25th, 2023 at 8:14 pm
We have the 30th ranked center. 54th and 75th ranked guards according to PFF then of course we can’t run the ball!
October 26th, 2023 at 3:20 am
@scott
Exactly.
Worst center in the NFL. A career backup.
And Mauch is a 300 pound, skinny guard. So of course he’s getting blown up.
He needed a red-shirt year to put on 10-20 pounds.