Buccaneers Offensive Lineman Speaks About Significant Position Change

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are taking a small gamble by moving all-pro caliber right tackle Tristan Wirfs to the left side, but head coach Todd Bowles says it's going well for the time being.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers moving offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs from the right to the left side was one of the more anticipated moves this offseason. 

And it turns out the Buccaneers were looking at it as a possibility before most in the public space had the light bulb go off themselves. 

"The day after the season ended, when I had my meeting with coach Bowles," Wirfs said when asked about a timeframe for when he started preparing for the move. "He said this is probably what we're going to do, so that's kind of when I started thinking about it."

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Of course, thinking about it is different from preparing for it, and even that isn't as challenging as finally getting practice reps at left tackle. 

But Wirfs and his head coach both say it's going well so far. 

"He's adjusting, so far, pretty (well)," Bowles said. "We're out of pads -- you've got to get in pads so he can get the feel for it. His footwork is good. We like what we see over there thus far."

That footwork is a big part of this transition. Wirfs is used to his right leg being his outside leg, but now it's literally the complete opposite. 

Still, Wirfs is happy with his progress.

"I'm just taking every day as an opportunity to keep getting better," Wirfs said. "To keep building that muscle memory over there."

Fortunately, past performance can be a great platform to build future success upon, and for the Bucs tackle this actually isn't the first time in his football life he's played on the left side. 

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"It's slowly coming back," Wirfs - who got left tackle reps at Iowa before arriving to the NFL - says. "At first, it felt so weird, but then I'm like okay it's starting to get better. It's like one thing at a time is getting more comfortable. My set was good, now I've got to work on my vertical set and getting that back. I think the biggest thing is going to be my hands because my right hand was my bread and butter and (my left hand) just kind of sat here. Now, I've got to wake it up and get it to do something."

That right-to-left move isn't just about where Wirfs lines up on Tampa Bay's offensive line.

It's about leg kicks, footwork, strong side, and weak side. 

Best we can tell, it's a full body and mind transition most in the NFL don't experience. Especially in a season full of doubt and with the team's future in the balance. 

Wirfs feels he's up for the challenge though, and Bowles seems to feel confident he's well on his way to maintaining his status as a critical piece of this Buccaneers squad.

Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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