We’ve all seen the vast improvement to the Buccaneers offensive line since the drafting of Tristan Wirfs. His ability to step in as a rookie and dominate from day one was impressive. Shortly after Wirfs was drafted by the Buccaneers the social media newsfeeds were flooded with the video of Wirfs jumping out of a pool. The explosiveness was impressive – if not jaw dropping.
Heading into his sixth NFL season, tackle Donovan Smith was still a bit of a question mark. Yes he had recently signed a contract extension, yes he appeared to have all the metrics to be successful, and yes, he had shown signs of why the Buccaneers believed in him so much, there was just something missing from his game. Maybe it was camaraderie with one of the “New Kids on the Block”?
They definitely seem to be “NSYNC”.
Synchronized backflips featuring @TristanWirfs74 & @DSmith_76 🤯
(Via @LIL_STINNIE) pic.twitter.com/eClDhHmGs9
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) June 11, 2021
Approximately midway through last season something clicked for Smith. He was flat-out dominant over the final eight weeks of the year. Per Pro Football Focus, Smith was the only tackle to allow zero pressures out of true pass sets among all tackles with at least 154 pass blocking snaps through weeks 12-17. He allowed three throughout the entirety of the playoffs.
Was it the “Brady Factor” or just him coming into his own? Or maybe it was him finding a connection with Wirfs?
Not sure what’s more impressive, Wirfs jumping out of the pool? Smith and Wirfs doing backflips into a pool? Or Smith’s mid-season epiphany? Three great questions no doubt!
Now, has anyone pointed out that this could be another Buccaneers response to Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill’s backflip? If so, the backflip video is not only impressive physically, but also legendary on the troll scale!
