Tristan Wirfs
Life has many great mysteries, such as global temperatures, UFOs and why Pollo Tropical grilled chicken tastes so good.
But perhaps there is no greater mystery than the Bucs being unable to consistently run successfully behind left tackle Tristan Wirfs.
Everyone one at One Buc Palace would be quick to tell you Wirfs is a superstar, nearly a living legend on a Pro Football Hall of Fame path.
Still, when the Bucs absolutely need a yard or two on the ground, they can’t find ways to get them consistently behind Wirfs.
Scheme it up!
Against the slimy Saints 11 days ago, Bucs fans watched the Tampa Bay offense at or inside the Saints’ 1 yard line eight times. On attempt No. 8, the Bucs round the end zone with a Sean Tucker run behind fill-in right guard Dan Feeney.
Rookie playcaller Josh Grizzard addressed the stunning impotence today.
“When it comes to that, when you get the ball at the half-yard line, you need to be able to score,” Grizzard said. “And generally running it in. The good teams run it in; they’re able to pound people. And so when it comes to that, it comes down to the fundamentals and techniques and pad level and how we’re hitting blocks. But then also opening it up a little bit, where if it’s not working, you might need to throw it. That way you can keep these guys honest. It comes down to pad level and the want-to when it comes to that — because if you get it down there that low, you gotta be able to punch that thing in.”
Joe was wondering whether Grizzard would fall on his sword and take blame for the Bucs’ goal line failures. Joe can’t say Grizzard did, and that’s ok.
Still, the question remains why Wirfs isn’t having more of an impact in the running game. Yes, Joe realizes Wirfs was playing when the Bucs offense ranked last in rushing in 2022 and 2023.
In the short video below, center Graham Barton addressed local media yesterday on those 1-yard-line blues. Barton says the Bucs are good down there and just had a crappy day.
What was up with the Bucs goal line offense vs the Saints Graham Barton? pic.twitter.com/zE5bcOpgCh
— rock riley (@realrockriley) November 6, 2025