“Place The Load On Us”
Set to pave the way.
Hand those running backs the ball already.
Tampa Bay’s All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs did not literally demand that yesterday at One Buc Place. He did tell the local media that he wants the Buccaneers to rely on the offensive line to control games through the rushing attack.
The Bucs aired it out 50 times last weekend. That essentially left the linemen exposed, as Wirfs detailed.
“You never want to get backed up like that and then have it turn into a game where you are just throwing and they are coming full speed,” Wirfs said. “That is never enjoyable.
“We all definitely felt that the next morning. Yeah, that was rough.”
Wirfs believes the fix is straightforward. Lean on the linemen to establish a run-first approach.
“We have to do everything possible to spark the run so we don’t end up tossing it 50 times,” Wirfs said. “The line can make life easier for everyone.
“Let us carry the load.”
Joe also wishes that when Tampa Bay commits to the ground game, they choose Wirfs’ side. Revisit the road victory in Seattle. The Buccaneers sent Rachaad White behind Wirfs and the Iowa product steamrolled defenders at every layer of the defense.
On one White score, he followed Wirfs while the All-Pro wiped out three different defenders, at the line, at the second tier, and deep down the field.
That is true road paving.
It baffles Joe why Tampa Bay has not run right behind Wirfs more frequently. Put that monster left tackle to work.
