INTRO: Bucs coaching camp is right here and there have already been so many noteworthy points about Todd Bowles’ crew making ready for the 2024 season. Right here is my perception and evaluation from the beginning of Bucs camp because the crew prepares to don full pads for the primary time on Sunday. Get pleasure from!
FAB 1. Liam Coen’s Offense Is A Big Improve For The Bucs
In just some brief months – and a few coaching camp practices – it’s clear that new offensive coordinator Liam Coen, and the scheme he’s imported from the Los Angeles Rams, is on one other degree than what the Bucs have been accustomed to. Coen’s offense has been giving Todd Bowles’ protection suits – extra usually than the top coach wish to see.
And for a crew that solely scored 21 factors per recreation final yr – that’s a great factor.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles and OC Dave Canales – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
When Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales left Tampa Bay to turn into the top coach in Carolina, Bowles and basic supervisor Jason Licht didn’t simply need Canales’ alternative. They needed an improve.
The Bucs had been basically pressured to rent Canales, who had been a quarterbacks coach and receivers coach in Seattle – however by no means a play-caller – in 2023 as a result of nobody needed the job.
Tom Brady had simply retired, and unproven Kyle Trask was the one quarterback on the Bucs roster final February. Bowles had underwhelmed in his first season as head coach with an 8-9 file regardless of successful the division. And Tampa Bay had been blown out at dwelling within the playoffs by Dallas.
There was little religion across the league that Bowles would nonetheless be the Bucs head coach in 2024 and everybody Tampa Bay supplied the job to, together with Todd Monken who opted for Baltimore and Lamar Jackson as an alternative, turned it down. So Canales, an unproven play-caller, received the job. He was sensible and had been round sensible coaches, and Canales’ uncanny charisma and believability would serve him properly as he realized the ropes of learn how to name performs on the NFL degree – regardless of by no means doing earlier than within the professional or faculty ranks.
The Bucs offense improved because the season went a protracted final yr. After averaging 16.3 factors per recreation within the first seven video games, Tampa Bay’s offense averaged 23.6 factors per recreation over the ultimate eight weeks, together with the 2 playoff video games. Throw out two season-ending offensive clunkers – a 23-13 loss to New Orleans and a 9-0 win at Carolina – and Tampa Bay’s offense really averaged 27.8 factors per recreation.
And that was with little or no movement, little or no shifts and never sufficient working performs within the playbook. Canales’ play-calling wasn’t fairly as predictable as Byron Leftwich’s was, however the restricted variety of performs and formations didn’t give elite defenses like these in Detroit and San Francisco too many issues.
So what does Coen carry to Tampa Bay from Los Angeles – and in addition Kentucky, the place he referred to as performs within the SEC through the 2021 and 2023 seasons? Extra movement, extra shifts and extra working performs designed to maintain defenses guessing and remove predictability.
And guess what? It’s working.
“It’s much more motion so the protection can’t simply sit there and know what we’re doing,” stated Bucs vast receiver Mike Evans. “There might be a number of motion and a number of eye sweet and that’s going to assist me, and our crew loads.”
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs offense received three out of the last-minute collection in Thursday’s observe. Right here is my write-up from Thursday’s Bucs Camp Insider, detailing the success that Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask had in Coen’s offense.
Mayfield executed the two-minute drive to perfection. Needing a landing for the win, Mayfield took the offense previous midfield and located Jalen McMillan for a landing on the ultimate play of the drive, beating defensive again Christian Izien, who had a little bit of a tough observe.
Trask additionally drove the Bucs offense down into the pink zone, however a last-second move was deflected by inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis to get a win for the protection. However out of 4 last-minute tries by the offense, that might be the one drive stymied by Todd Bowles’ unit.
The ultimate collection was the Bucs working close to the 10-yard line trailing by eight factors with 9 seconds left. Mayfield discovered a large open Trey Palmer within the nook of the top zone for a landing. Zyon McCollum was the closest defender and it regarded like a protection bust as both McCollum blew the protection or was anticipated assist that wasn’t there from one other Bucs defender. On the game-tying two-point conversion play, Mayfield was pressured from the pocket, eluded exterior linebacker Anthony Nelson to his proper after which reversed subject and scrambled to his left for the conversion, outracing a Bucs defender to the pylon.
Trask ended observe on a excessive word. In the identical situation, trailing by eight factors with 9 seconds left, he discovered Sterling Shepard open in the long run zone for the landing. Shepard, who beat rookie security Rashad Knowledge, scored proper in entrance of his household and he ran over and acquired a kiss on his helmet from his little lady. Then on the two-point conversion, Trask threw a brief dart to rookie working again Bucky Irving for the game-tying rating to the ultimate play of observe.
Bucs OC Liam Coen – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The expectation is that the Bucs can go from averaging 21.2 factors per recreation in 2023, which ranked 18th within the league, to scoring 24 factors per recreation this season, which is a subject aim extra, Tampa Bay can degree up from a nine-win crew into double-digit victories taking part in reverse a stingy Bowles protection and make the playoffs for a fifth straight yr. By comparability, the McVay-led Rams offense averaged 23.7 factors per recreation final yr, which ranked ninth within the NFL. The Eagles, whom the Bucs spanked within the playoffs, averaged 24.6 factors per recreation and ranked seventh.
That’s the place Coen and Tampa Bay wish to be ranked – contained in the Prime 10.
And with the likes of Mayfield, who has the total reins to make audibles on the line of scrimmage this yr, Evans, Chris Godwin, Rachaad White, Cade Otton, Trey Palmer and newcomers Jalen McMillan and Bucky Irving – each of scored within the waning minutes of Thursday’s observe – that actually appears doable.
FAB 2. Bucs Had To Modernize Their Offense
All good issues should come to an finish in life – and within the NFL.
Maybe no skilled sport is extra evolutionary than the sport of soccer.
In faculty soccer – and particularly within the NFL – it’s a yearly observe to adapt or die.
Ex-Bucs coach Lovie Smith – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Lengthy-time Bucs followers keep in mind when Monte Kiffin’s Tampa Bay 2 protection took the league by storm and helped propel turning the franchise from the Yuccaneers to the Buccaneers below Tony Dungy within the late Nineties, after which spearheading the crew’s first-ever Tremendous Bowl look and victory in 2002.
The Tampa 2 protection was stylish on the time, and in a copycat league, former Bucs defensive assistants like Herman Edwards, Lovie Smith, Mike Tomlin, Rod Marinelli and Raheem Morris all received head teaching jobs because of this. However when Smith, a former Bucs linebackers coach below Dungy and Kiffin, returned to Tampa Bay as head coach in 2014, he was nonetheless working a Cowl 2 as his base protection.
Offenses across the league had caught on to the Cowl 2 scheme by then and developed a number of 2-beater performs and Smith’s protection was shredded because of this. With out the likes of Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch and Ronde Barber being round anymore, Smith’s protection was outdated and antiquated, and proved to be his undoing as he was fired after simply two years.
When Bruce Arians took over as head coach in 2019, he introduced an offense that received a Tremendous Bowl in Pittsburgh and almost took Arizona to the Tremendous Bowl as properly. NFL defenses had been catching on to Arians’ scheme, however with the legendary Tom Brady on the helm, together with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and future Corridor of Fame tight finish Rob Gronkowski, the Bucs had been averaging 25 factors per recreation by way of the primary seven weeks of the 2020 season.
Bucs WRs Mike Evans and Antonio Brown – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
That common elevated to 30 factors per recreation from Week 8 by way of Tremendous Bowl LV, which the Bucs received, 31-9, with the addition of vast receiver Antonio Brown. With a star-studded arsenal of weapons, it was simply as a lot expertise because it was Arians’ scheme or Byron Leftwich’s play-calling that made Tampa Bay’s offense so potent.
That’s why the Bucs offense struggled mightily when Brown stop on the crew close to the top of the 2021 season and Gronkowski retired. Tampa Bay not had 4 harmful weapons within the passing recreation to confound defenses. It simply had two in Evans and Godwin, which made the Bucs offense simpler to defend attributable to double-teams. The Bucs scoring output dropped from 30 factors per recreation in 2021 to simply 18 factors per recreation in 2022 because of this.
Dave Canales changed Leftwich and introduced Seattle’s offense to Tampa Bay. However counting on 12 personnel units (one again, two tight ends, two receivers) 25% of the time when the Bucs didn’t even have two high quality tight ends, performed a component in stymying the manufacturing on offense. Plus Canales didn’t use a lot movement or shifts to confuse opposing defenses, which made it simpler to close down Tampa Bay’s offense.
For years, Sean McVay’s offense had given Todd Bowles’ protection suits. The Bucs beat the Rams in Los Angeles in 2019, however solely after placing up 55 factors and withstanding 40 factors from McVay’s assault, which featured Jared Goff finishing 45-of-68 passes for 517 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions that day. Goff and the Rams had gotten the higher of the Bucs once more in 2020 with a 27-24 win at Tampa Bay.
Rams WR Cooper Kupp and Bucs S Antoine Winfield, Jr. – Photograph by: USA At the moment
After which it was Matthew Stafford and the Rams beating Bowles and the Bucs in a 30-27, heartbreaker within the 2021 NFC Divisional playoffs.
What’s the outdated adage – for those who can’t beat ‘em, be a part of ‘em?
Credit score Bowles for leaning into an offensive scheme that has given his protection suits over time with the hiring of latest offensive coordinator Liam Coen. This represents bringing the Bucs offense into the twenty first century with the remainder of the league as many groups are working a model of the McVay assault.
Mix Coen’s expertise as a play-caller, and his imported scheme, which can characteristic loads of motions, shifts, three-receiver units and a extra numerous working recreation, together with the expertise on offense that Jason Licht and his employees have assembled, and Tampa Bay’s offense ought to undoubtedly degree up this yr.
FAB 3. New Bucs Offense Is Additionally Serving to Tampa Bay’s Protection
Bucs OC Liam Coen and QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
A part of the issue with the Bucs hiring Dave Canales final yr was the truth that he was an unproven play-caller. Consequently, head coach Todd Bowles needed to put together him for the season by instituting “call-it” durations throughout most OTA and coaching camp practices.
As an alternative of scripting performs to offer the offense and protection sure seems to observe towards, it was Canales and Bowles having free rein to name no matter performs they needed. Consequently, every observe was extra like a recreation atmosphere as a result of neither Canales nor Bowles knew what was coming.
Whereas the benefit of that observe helped Canales study the ropes of play-to-play play-calling, the Bucs protection didn’t get sufficient of sure seems in coaching camp to adequately put together for the season. With out a lot movement or shifting, Tampa Bay’s offense was extra remedial and elementary.
And Tampa Bay’s protection wouldn’t be fairly as prepared for extra superior offenses on recreation days because of this.
“They offer us a number of completely different seems and I really feel that’s good for us as a result of they’re giving us seems that a number of groups within the league do,” stated Bucs All-Professional security Antoine Winfield Jr. when requested concerning the distinction on offense with Liam Coen’s scheme this yr. “So with the ability to observe that now in coaching camp helps us out as a lot as we’re figuring out for them. So I really feel like that may be a good factor for us – to see completely different seems.”
That’s simply one other profit to having Coen and his scheme in Tampa Bay this yr. Not solely ought to the Bucs offense be higher and fewer predictable, Bowles’ facet of the ball must be extra ready when going through comparable offenses like Atlanta’s and San Francisco, and extra numerous assaults like those in Detroit, Kansas Metropolis and Baltimore.
FAB 4. This Bucs Group Feels Like A Tremendous Bowl Contender Already
Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
In my most up-to-date Pewter Pulse video, I’ve gone on file saying that the Bucs’ Tremendous Bowl window is open proper now. The crew ought to put up double-digit wins if it will possibly keep moderately wholesome, however I feel Tampa Bay’s greatest shot at a Tremendous Bowl is available in 2025. That’s when the Bucs could have extra flexibility with the wage cap to make some daring strikes, and the crew’s younger expertise could have one more yr of expertise and seasoning.
I went into Wednesday’s opening of coaching camp anticipating the primary three days of observe, which aren’t in full pads, to be one other spherical of OTAs. Simply three extra days of basically flag soccer.
However that’s not the case.
Regardless of not having pads on till Sunday, the Bucs’ depth has ramped up huge time within the first two coaching camp practices. Either side of the ball are taking part in quicker, extra purposeful and extra competitively than what we noticed within the obligatory mini-camp again in June. I can solely think about how intense Sunday’s observe might be when the Bucs lastly don full pads.
I spoke with long-time defensive deal with Will Gholston after Tuesday’s observe. He’s been on dangerous Bucs groups in addition to a member of the Tremendous Bowl LV squad throughout his time in Tampa Bay. He informed me that this yr’s protection is quicker than the Tremendous Bowl crew, and that everyone means enterprise.
The Bucs merely aren’t settling for a fifth straight playoff look and a fourth straight NFC South title.
Been there and finished that.
This group is taking Bowles’ phrases to coronary heart. The Bucs are embarking on a Tremendous Bowl season. That’s the mindset and you may see it in observe. It simply feels completely different this yr, like a change has been flipped.
We’ll see if the Bucs can in the end flip their united aim right into a actuality come January, however they’re off to the precise begin for positive.
FAB 5. SR’s Week 1 Standouts In Bucs Camp
Bucs WR Jalen McMillan – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Within the two practices I’ve watched previous to Friday’s SR’s Fab 5 column, there have been a handful of standout gamers to this point. Let’s begin on offense.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans have picked up proper the place they’ve left off from a yr in the past. Mayfield has been razor sharp to begin camp, and Evans is an ageless marvel at vast receiver. He dominated in camp a yr in the past, and is beginning off that manner once more.
Rookie vast receiver Jalen McMillan seems just like the second coming of Chris Godwin. Clean, sudden, clutch arms and a exact route-runner. With Trey Palmer fighting catching a couple of passes towards air within the particular person interval on Thursday, McMillan’s consistency and knack for making performs has him within the driver’s seat for the No. 3 receiver function.
New receiver Sterling Shepard struggled initially on Wednesday, however had an enormous, bounce-back observe on Thursday. I’ve beforehand stated that the 30-year outdated Shepard may not make the crew over youthful, quicker expertise like Rakim Jarrett and Kameron Johnson. However Jarrett has but to make a giant play in camp and is perhaps probably the most susceptible. As we beforehand reported, Johnson has been the camp sleeper at receiver and has made some dazzling catches and touchdowns which have showcased his velocity.
Tight finish Payne Durham nonetheless struggles to separate from protection and had a couple of drops on Thursday. With Cade Otton the clear-cut starter, the battle for the No. 2 tight finish is vast open. Rookie Devin Culp is making a powerful preliminary impression as a receiver, particularly as a pink zone risk, getting open and scoring touchdowns.
It’s too early to make impressions concerning the offensive line on condition that they don’t have pads on, however Ben Bredeson, who has been beginning at left guard subsequent to rookie middle Graham Barton, is noticeably greater than Sua Opeta, who’s working with the second string subsequent to middle Robert Hainsey. Bredeson is 6-foot-5, 315 kilos, whereas Opeta is 6-foot-4, 305 kilos.
I’ve seen Opeta get rocked again extra in move professional and pushed again into the lap of the quarterback, whereas Bredeson appears to anchor higher. Once more, we’ll discover out extra when the pads come on.
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
On protection, exterior linebacker Yaya Diaby has been the star. He’s been unblockable and is taking part in at a special degree. His inside rushes have given proper deal with Luke Goedeke suits and he’s racking up would-be sacks. Diaby must be a monster as soon as the pads come on.
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is the present starter reverse Diaby and nobody else has finished something to alter that. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless early in camp and there’s an opportunity that Chris Braswell, Markees Watts and even Jose Ramirez makes a run up the depth chart as soon as the pads come on. Braswell is at the moment engaged on the second string reverse Anthony Nelson.
Calijah Kancey’s quickness has taken Barton to highschool loads of instances already. And Vita Vea is noticeably faster as properly now that he’s slimmed down.
Within the secondary, Tykee Smith has proven a knack as a blitzer coming from the slot. He seems polished and hasn’t made the protection errors that Christian Izien has made to this point. The coaches rave about Smith’s excessive soccer I.Q.
Zyon McCollum seems prepared to interrupt out this season. He’s been shadowing Evans in observe and had back-to-back break-ups towards No. 13 in the long run zone and on the aim line on Thursday’s observe. McCollum’s elite athleticism is on show and his confidence is hovering.
I can’t wait to see this crew in pads on Sunday. The competitiveness is already off the charts, which has been a pleasing shock to this point in Bucs coaching camp.
