Tristan Wirfs Doesn’t Beat The Bucs
August 3rd, 2024
Near perfect.
Some folks think left tackle Tristan Wirfs got one over on the Bucs this week becoming the highest-paid offensive lineman (for now).
That title may not last long with Trent Williams of the 49ers wanting a new deal.
Joe got a text from a hardcore Steelers fan this week who seemed rather surprised Wirfs got paid that much. Yeah, you could argue (Joe won’t!) that Wirfs isn’t the best blocker in the league. But he’s damn sure in the top-three, no doubt about it.
Wirfs got the big contract based on several factors. His play is the most important, clearly. Then there is Wirfs the person. A better teammate you will not find. And he just makes everyone around him a better player. Complete pro.
That is surely worth something as well.
Joe likes to bring up Bucco Bruce Arians’ first year with the Bucs. Tampa Bay that season led the NFL with 133 penalties. “Bucs beating Bucs,” Arians used to growl and grumble. He wasn’t wrong.
The Bucs the next season cut that down to 88 penalties. One reason for was Wirfs. Yes, even as a rookie.
Per The 33rd Team, Wirfs simply doesn’t beat the Bucs. Wirfs has logged 4,286 snaps in his four seasons. Take a guess how many holding calls Wirfs has been flagged for out of those snaps?
Simply put, Wirfs doesn’t beat the Bucs.
With the Bucs narrowly winning the NFC South the past two seasons, you don’t think Wirfs rarely being penalized may have been the difference in a playoff berth or watching the playoffs from home?
Little things add up to big things. And when you are dealing with Wirfs, he’s very much a very big thing.
August 3rd, 2024 at 12:30 am
@Joe —
We keep reading about Wirf’s contract — how much money, how long, how important the 5th year is. But I haven’t seen anyone break down how this contract affects the team this year. How much cap room does it free up now? Does it give the Bucs flexibility to sign players Jason is eyeing now? How does it hurt — or help — with free agents down the road?
Inquiring minds want to know.
August 3rd, 2024 at 12:34 am
A sure sign of an equitable contract is when both sides are happy. This was an astute contract crafted by JL and his highly capable team. Wirfs got a his well deserved all-world money deal now and in return Bucs fans get the benefit of Wirfs all-world services through 2029. Bucs fans agree that is a win-win deal.
August 3rd, 2024 at 2:41 am
Trust me. Every other team that whiffed on Wirfs is kinda mad.
August 3rd, 2024 at 3:21 am
76 used to get 4 penalties in one possession!!! 🤣🤣🤣
August 3rd, 2024 at 3:47 am
Tell me, exactly how much are you supposed to pay the best player in the National Football League?
August 3rd, 2024 at 5:08 am
He’s worth every penny, don’t care what anyone else thinks. I have to say tho it’s getting tiresome that all sports media talk player contracts as much as they do about what happens on the field.
August 3rd, 2024 at 6:10 am
Right on, Hodad and others! Wirf is worthy of every single penny.
August 3rd, 2024 at 8:25 am
There were 3 teams that took OTs before Wirfs that I recall. The Jets immediately come to mind as a team that should have regrets. The OT they took spends more time with the trainer than with his teammates. No doubt the Jets have regrets, but that is why they are the J.E.T.S.
August 3rd, 2024 at 8:42 am
+1 SB
August 3rd, 2024 at 9:03 am
Just shows how good our scouts are. Licht “swears” Wirfs was the target for that draft.
Go Bucs!!
August 3rd, 2024 at 9:47 am
Only four holds is incredible. Thanks, Joe!
August 3rd, 2024 at 11:36 am
Good point Bojim… do Williams or Sewell or Tunsil have a SB ring? Didn’t think so. I have only seen people praising the signing though, and rightfully so.
August 3rd, 2024 at 3:42 pm
Wirfs was “the target” that draft where we were picking, etc. He was projected to be the last one of the so-called “can’t miss” OTs that could be there for us & thank God he was… Cause, I was afraid we were going to end up missing out on one & might need to trade-up to guarantee that we did. I just wish we had with Linderbaum (traded up), instead of watching the Ravens snag him up, & then us immediately trading back right after they did… Taking Logan Hall, then Cade Otton (with our pick gained). Just think of what the future of our O-Line would look like with those THREE… Wirfs/Linderbaum/Barton!!!! Now, it’s only just a dream.
August 3rd, 2024 at 3:52 pm
It’s the most important non-qb position in football (Joe thinks it’s Edge Rusher), but it’s a premium. The Bucs have a homegrown 25 year old Pro Bowl left tackle. You need to lock him up for the long term. Teams that don’t have a good LT wish they had one like TW. We are lucky, another great pick by Licht
August 3rd, 2024 at 7:22 pm
Lou. 18 million this season, but less than half a million in 25 & 26.
August 4th, 2024 at 2:19 am
I have his jersey so I’m biased. He helped win a SB his rookie season. The whole team loves him. He moves to LT and still dominates. I just have one gripe about him and he is my favorite Buc – he’s iffy at run blocking. I’ve watched tape and that’s suspect though it may be because the rest of the o line is weak. Now with Ghram he might shine at that. But him and Vita are my favs, super glad he got his money.
August 4th, 2024 at 7:34 am
I remember Wirf’s draft and those 5 can’t miss lineman, everything I read had Wirfs as the best prospect of all of them and for once “they” were right. They had Thomas going to us, the Georgia tackle with the Giants. It took him time to develop but it doesn’t surprise me that the Bucs had Wirfs as their top prospect. I think the front office is the MVP of this team so far and from the sounds of the players the Bucs are one of the best if not THE best NFL team to play with. THE Tampa Bay Bucs….
August 4th, 2024 at 7:37 am
That video of him jumping out of the shallow end of the pool onto the deck still amazes me. I was a pretty good athlete when I was younger but I don’t think I could have done that, LOL. And Wirfs is huge…