Dan Orlovsky, Marcus Spears Torch Bucs’ Playcalling
December 25th, 2022
“Dumb as a buffalo.”
Maybe former Bucs backup QB Dan Orlovsky and NFL defensive lineman Marcus Spears didn’t want to embarrass failing offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich any further. Leftwich does a good enough job doing that running the impotent Bucs offense.
Orlovsky and Spears absolutely unloaded on the Bucs’ offense and the offensive coaching staff on ESPN TV, but didn’t name names.
The two cannot figure out why the Bucs are so allergic to running play-action passes because when those plays are called (rarely), the Bucs have tremendous success.
“I can say confidently this is the most hard-headed, defiant unit in the NFL,” Orlovsky said. “This is a much better offense when they live in a play-action passing world.
“They were better in 2020 and they won a Super Bowl. They were better last year and they were a decent team. This year, go back to last week. They did it 11 times in the first half for 115 yards. … Every play they did was a first down. …
“I don’t know why, I can’t figure out why.”
In 2020 the Bucs were No. 7 in scoring and wiped out opponents after the bye week. In 2021 the Bucs were second in the NFL in scoring. So arguing they needed more play-action the past two seasons is basically p!ssing in the wind.
Don’t fix something that’s not broken.
However, this year the Bucs’ offense is a joke! So with play-action (and hurry-up plays) working so well, it is coaching malpractice the Bucs stay away from that.
Orlovsky’s frustration bordering on anger is justified with this year’s offense. Marcus Spears was more blunt regarding why the Bucs don’t use more play-action: “‘Cuz they’re dumb as a buffalo.”
Watch the full video of Orlovsky and Spears indirectly unloading on Leftwich in the BSPN video below.
The NFL Live crew is stumped by the Bucs' stubborn offense š¬
"Cause they're dumb as a buffalo" ā @mspears96 pic.twitter.com/QVG2JHOhWV
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 22, 2022
December 25th, 2022 at 12:12 am
I enjoy Marcus Spears. Donāt always agree with him, but enjoy him even when heās stating positions i disagree with. He is 100% spot on in this one. Although it is unfair to the buffalo.
December 25th, 2022 at 12:35 am
That right there supports why this Bucs OC has gotta go.
This is common sense stuffā¦
Everybody running analytics for Leftwich and telling him what obviously works and yet he doesnāt listen.
We as fans know what works as well AND WE KNOW WHAT DOESNāT WORK.
Dude must have a complex to admit when heās wrongā¦..
Iām SOOOOO DONE with Leftwich š¤¦š»āāļøš¤¦š»āāļøš¤¦š»āāļøā¦
And if Iām wrong and Bowles is the one that is holding back this offensive play calling, then Glazers need clean house PERIOD!!!
December 25th, 2022 at 12:47 am
Tom Brady can fix this himself. I can’t seem to understand why he hasn’t? Leftwich sends in a call, Tom makes a better call in the huddle. As Lovie Smith would say: “Simple as that.”
December 25th, 2022 at 1:08 am
@Bucfan1988
I’d consider letting both of them go after this year anyway. Only way I’d hang onto Bowles is if they just let him run the D again. Bill Parcells is coming out of retirement to become our next coach.
December 25th, 2022 at 1:12 am
BRING BACK CHUCKY!š¤£š¤£š¤£š¤£ They need to see if they can get Sean Payton in there to see if he wants to come back. He said he’d like to coach again.
WHO DAT WHO DAT WHO DAT WE WANT AS A COACH
PAYTON PAYTON PAYTON WE WANT AS A COACH!
December 25th, 2022 at 1:48 am
^ Payton is not coming to Tampa.
December 25th, 2022 at 4:05 am
Sad bigly sad. I was really rooting for this staff but this team is terrible. Im a old school fan so losing is ingrained in my d.n.a. How I wish it wasnt. Thats why I enjoyed thee glorious time we have had recently. This is a very good roster and the coaching has ruined it. I know oh oh a change goin come oh yes it is
December 25th, 2022 at 5:48 am
Saints would never agree to release Payton to the Bucs I don’t care how many number one picks Licht threw at them.
December 25th, 2022 at 5:49 am
I am sure Lovie will be available again.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:43 am
Itās the generals
Not the troops
The common thread throughout this in between Super Bowl rentalās
Gruden and Brady
Is the ownership who donāt understand competition, great businessman who donāt understand athletic competition.
The NFL is not a social experiment.
Nothing long term will change with this Glazerās approach.
and Oh !
Tom Brady was envisioning himself playing with the Dolphins this year, if you donāt understand that negative impact on the locker room, replay this season
December 25th, 2022 at 6:54 am
These coaches make me nauseous. They can’t possibly be as stupid as their bone headed play calling…..or are they. Agree we do have aged players and suspect effort from some but the coaching doesn’t help at all. NONE. NADA.
Go Bucs in spite of the Bowles Leftwich cirlce jerk shet show.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:56 am
No reason to be insulting buffalos.
December 25th, 2022 at 7:04 am
Bradyās mind has been distracted all year. Canāt blame him. Serious family issues and Bruce Arians refusing to let him out of playing with the Bucs because thatās ābad businessā. A reluctant Brady comes back but his heart isnāt here in Tampa Bay. Lesson here is never coerce someone to stay where they really donāt want to be. Couple this with highly questionable coaching and you have a very disappointing Bucs season.
December 25th, 2022 at 7:08 am
The reason is easy to understand. The head coach is a dolt. Heās way past being hard headed. The OC is right there with him. The Glazers need to suffer financially for putting out a crappy product. Of course, that wonāt help us anytime soon.
December 25th, 2022 at 7:17 am
Dumb as a Buffaloā¦..Fire Leftwich.
December 25th, 2022 at 7:41 am
Brady can’t change the play if the wrong personnel is in. I have to BELIEVE they all watched last week’s game and saw what was working. If not eff them, loose. The fact that these coaches don’t believe in stats dumb founds me. Totally over their heads.
December 25th, 2022 at 8:12 am
Unbelievable Carolina is still in the hunt. Obviously a coaching staff that knows how to motivate their players. This team needs week 18 off. What happens if Bucs lose today, beat Carolina, Carolina wins week 18 and Bucs lose to Atlanta? Who wins the South?
December 25th, 2022 at 8:55 am
let’s not insult the Buffalo…lol Could have said dumb as a bag of rocks….stubborn as a Buffalo. both are accurate IMO.
December 25th, 2022 at 8:55 am
Panthers coach Wilks has done a good job since taking over- they’re 4-2 in last 6 games,-
But like the Bucs, they are 0-4 vs AFC North.
Bucs making playoffs will depend on being healthy and avoiding mistakes- and they haven’t been able to do either all year.
December 25th, 2022 at 9:01 am
Man watching San Fran and KC yesterday, everything is motion, play action, crossing routes, picks all this team has to do is mimic some of this which would open up the run and get WR’s open. It seems like Bucs Wr’s have to run straight for 7 yards then make a move. SAD waste of talent. Please play Otton over Brate.
December 25th, 2022 at 9:12 am
The only negative about us winning the division is it will almost certainly mean that Bowles will be back next year.
December 25th, 2022 at 9:32 am
You know youāre pretty pretty bad when thereās a good chance you might have one of the best players in all of sports period walk away. There was no reason for them to change anything.
December 25th, 2022 at 9:35 am
There both clueless
December 25th, 2022 at 9:37 am
Probably a good day to lay off the negativity if only for one day.
December 25th, 2022 at 9:54 am
Give me the play sheet on Tuesday. I’ll make the adjustments by Wednesday morning. Then give me a headset on Sunday and I’ll call the plays first half. I’ll adjust in the 2nd half to take advantage, whether we’re up or down, and continue to pile up points regardless of score. Up 17 with three minutes to go? Score again! We need to be aggressive on offense. No risk it, no biscuit won a damn SB! Wtf coaches?
December 25th, 2022 at 10:02 am
Prepare the Bowzo Blunderbuss. This game is perfect for Bowzo Blunders Galore!
December 25th, 2022 at 10:11 am
Iām telling you right now, if the Bucs arenāt taking a long look at Minshew then that would be highly irresponsible. Can still get him while heās relatively cheap, and he can spin the hell out of it. Guy would be massively popular here in Tampa to which you canāt put a price on. Bucs need to start looking at future. Period. Weāre becoming old, slow and yesterdays news very quickly. Some of you canāt accept it, and itās kinda driving me crazy
December 25th, 2022 at 10:19 am
The play-action argument has existed since Brady’s first season here, still can’t make sense of it
December 25th, 2022 at 10:51 am
I don’t know but I think the Buffalo are smarter than Todd Bowles & Byron Leftwich.
It’s owner malpractice if at the end of this season they give either Bowles or Leftwich another season. They need to move on & bring in an offensive Head coach that is young and up to date with the NFL today. Someone like a Shane Steichen the OC with the Eagles or Brian Callahan the OC in Cincinnati. Bowles is completely over his head as a Head Coach, a great DC but not a HC. Sad to lose him as a DC but for the greater good of the team it’s time to start over.
December 25th, 2022 at 11:01 am
āThatās all STATS and fantasy football. We donāt do that here. We gonna do what we doā
December 25th, 2022 at 11:03 am
I suspect Brady pushed BA out so that he can run his version of the offense. Why BA said BL has been strong armed. Brady doesnāt like motion and he doesnāt like turning his back to the defense for play action.
December 25th, 2022 at 11:13 am
Fire Leftwich and Bowles.
December 25th, 2022 at 11:14 am
Minshew? Starting for 16 games will be a turnover machine. Throws half his balls off his back foot doesnāt see the field. Tampa fans wouldnāt last eight games without burning his shirt. Heās a career back up.
December 25th, 2022 at 11:14 am
Impotent? Not sure that is the best description.
Flaccid is more like it.
December 25th, 2022 at 11:25 am
The Bucs switched from an offensive minded head coach to a defensive minded head coach and defensive minded head coaches teams are BORING and not exciting to watch. They should have made Leftwich the head coach because offenses usually go down the toilet when you have a defensive minded head coach
December 25th, 2022 at 11:38 am
The most mind numbing example was in the browns game. Cleveland was biting on every run action, and flowing to the football. If just a few of those are play action, they win that game. BL doesn’t get it. He’s calling plays like they still have Gronk, AB and a 100% Godwin. They have tried to push the ball down field. Going into the Bengals game, Brady ranked 5th in deep ball attempts with 60. Brady isn’t coming back here. The only situation where that’s possible, is if he can’t get a job with a bonafide contender, or they fire the entire staff, and he gets to pick his coach. If SF wins the superbowl, I think they’re out. That leaves Miami. With the bucs current cap situation, I find it hard to believe they can get discernibly bette.
December 25th, 2022 at 12:01 pm
Almost like it is SABOTAGE… MERRY CHRISTMAS BUC FANS
December 25th, 2022 at 12:04 pm
@Redeemer:
BL doesnāt get it. Heās calling plays like they still have Gronk, AB and a 100% Godwin. Brady isnāt coming back here. The only situation where thatās possible, is if he canāt get a job with a bonafide contender, or they fire the entire staff, and he gets to pick his coach. If SF wins the superbowl, I think theyāre out.
Totally agree with you 100%. The 49ers would be a Super Bowl team if they had Tom Brady and at this point that’s all Tom Brady is playing for
December 25th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
@ Jack Clark, Bill Belichick is a defensive minded coach. How.has.he done in the past? To your point, Reid, Shanahan, Peterson, McVay, Lafleur, Miami McDaniels all offensive HC’s.
December 25th, 2022 at 12:41 pm
Jack, they may win it all with Mr. Irrelevant. That defense is as scary as it gets. Their head coach is a brilliant play caller. As long as Purdy doesn’t throw backbreaking ints in the playoffs, I think SF wins it all.
December 25th, 2022 at 12:50 pm
Agree, Redeemer, as usual. Same wavelength bro.
I think the 4 teams most likely are Niners, Bills, Bengals, Dolphins. Can’t count out the Chiefs or Vikes either.
I have little confidence in the Bucs even making the playoffs this year. I realize anything can happen and any team can flip that magic switch and suddenly become good – it’s happened. Just not much confidence in Bucs based on what they’ve done all year.
I’ll say it again, it would be akin to a football miracle for the Bucs to win SB this year. I’d be super stoked if they could elevate, find SOME identity, and win just 1 playoff game, although very unlikely at this point. The ceiling of this team is a shocking playoff win as underdogs.
December 25th, 2022 at 12:57 pm
NE, how’s Bill done without the goat? You know as well as I do that the offense under McDaniels was basically autonomous. Now, he’s turned the offense over to a defensive coordinator, and a special teams coach. Why would you change an offense that Jones thrived in his first year? Had they kept things the same, the Patriots are in the playoffs. I don’t think Bill is interested in superbowls anymore. He’s said he only wants guys he likes to coach, and has diminished his legacy by choosing nepotism and continuity over winning at all costs. I had as much respect for the man as anyone. But it’s clear to me he’s only interest is getting past Shula. I don’t get it. As to wether defensive minded head coaching can still win in this league, it’s almost impossible without an elite play caller on offense.
December 25th, 2022 at 1:05 pm
Brother D-Rok, I’m truly heartbroken over this season. I actually thought Bowles would be better than BA. I did think they needed to run more and convert to a more high percentage passing game. It’s been an epic failure by any measure. BL only knows one way. It’s been square peg round hole all year. You are as optimistic as it gets around here. If we’ve lost D-Rok, it’s all over but the crying.
December 25th, 2022 at 1:13 pm
Thats why bowles ansd leftwich shouldnt be coaching. Great coaches admit when they have made mistakes and fix them right away. They need to go with what works, like i seriously dont think they even want to win
December 25th, 2022 at 1:25 pm
@SOGGY
Gisele paid Bowles & Leftwich to sabotage the season.š¤£
December 25th, 2022 at 1:28 pm
FACT: Leftwich has no experience other than getting coffee for Arians
FACT: Leftwich failed as a quarterback
FACT: Bucs current offense is a pariah like Andy
CONCLUSION: Bucs will lose to Carolina
December 25th, 2022 at 2:07 pm
I want yall to try something in the spirit of Christmas. Be positive. Understand it’s a difficult job, and there’s ups and downs. The year we won the SB (’02 and ’20) there were many moments during the season that made fans want to check into an asylum for peace of mind. It happens. Yeah, might be hard to keep faith that we’ll get our ish together for playoff time, but the time to vent and panic is the off season. Not after a loss. Not after getting hit in the mouth. You take it on the chin, keep fighting. If you expect that from the players, hold yourself to that as a fan. BTW, Leftwich was a piece of one of the greatest moment in college football history. This man broke his ankle at Marshall and was carried by his teammates to the LOS and he led them to victory. It’s not easy to replace 2 of your best OL (Jensen and Marpet). It’s not easy keeping grown ass man-children motivated and grinding to be better. The problem, imo, this year our team is giving up too often.. zebras been pretty one sided and seems like when things don’t go our way or the refs start to screw us, our team is like “here we go again” and fold. Across the board the entire organization knows it can be better, do better, and until the off season comes along, I’m going to believe that they will be better or get better. We need to win out, stay healthy, and the best part about this season is that of we creep into the playoffs, we really can sneak into the superbowl if we elevate our play. Most teams haven’t seen the best of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year. Remember, family, friends, and even players check these boards. Stop calling for the heads of the coaches and ownership. There’s no need to hit the panic button after every bump in the road. I’m not unrealistically optimistic, the mediocre Giants w/ Eli and Tom Coughlin won the SB twice against the best team in the NFL. If they can do it, we can do it. Until we don’t, stop batching! Play like a champion. No excuses. If you need to vent (we all do after this season lol) do it privately amongst your social circle. Don’t lash out on social media. To Bucs fan base, I sincerely ask you all to Buc the F up and finish the season with your heads held high – win, lose, or draw.
December 25th, 2022 at 2:10 pm
Yea roof cleaner lets root against the bucs and Brady just so we can get a new coach and probably a new QB. I am a Bucs fan I am not rooting against the Bucs ever.
December 25th, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Redeemer Says:
December 25th, 2022 at 12:41 pm
Jack, they may win it all with Mr. Irrelevant. That defense is as scary as it gets. Their head coach is a brilliant play caller. As long as Purdy doesnāt throw backbreaking ints in the playoffs, I think SF wins it all.
“Totally agree with you 100%” LOL
December 25th, 2022 at 2:27 pm
NEfan Says:
December 25th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
@ Jack Clark, Bill Belichick is a defensive minded coach. How.has.he done in the past? To your point, Reid, Shanahan, Peterson, McVay, Lafleur, Miami McDaniels all offensive HCās.
What did Bill Belichick accomplish without the greatest offensive NFL player off all time i.e. Tom Brady?
December 25th, 2022 at 2:28 pm
Dwight Schrute Says:
December 25th, 2022 at 1:28 pm
FACT: Leftwich has no experience other than getting coffee for Arians
FACT: Leftwich failed as a quarterback
FACT: Bucs current offense is a pariah like Andy
CONCLUSION: Bucs will lose to Carolina
FACT: Leftwich is a Super Bowl winning offensive coordinator. Does that FACT make you angry?
December 25th, 2022 at 2:38 pm
LOL so you’re happy with Lefty?
Do you watch the games?
Lefty helping Arians win the SB fills me with Christmas cheer.
Lefty running the offense like a bad high school coach makes me very sad.
I guess multiple screen names are good for trolling.
I’m assuming you are trolling because if you’re happy
with Leftys performance then you’re either a friend or
family member blindly defending the hideous performance
December 25th, 2022 at 2:40 pm
weren’t you Winny Testaverde yesterday?
Have some pride LOL.
Multiple screen name trolling is dated and ineffective
December 25th, 2022 at 2:44 pm
Jack Clark Says:
December 25th, 2022 at 11:25 am
They should have made Leftwich the head coach
_______________________________________
You are dangerously mentally ill
December 25th, 2022 at 2:53 pm
Evans will have 2 TDs every game for the remainder of the regular season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Bucs fans!
December 25th, 2022 at 3:23 pm
Dwight Schrute Says:
December 25th, 2022 at 2:44 pm
So this FACT: “Leftwich is a Super Bowl winning offensive coordinator” does make you angry! LOL
December 25th, 2022 at 3:28 pm
You argue like a 6 year old
Surrender noted
December 25th, 2022 at 3:47 pm
Dwight, it’s Christmas. Be nice. BL is running the offense his moronic head coach wants. While I’d agree BL is a poor play caller, bowles has a headset and can certainly suggest run or pass. The problem is, it’s an antiquated, simplistic offense. The system has been exposed, because the talent is much weaker than they’ve had the past two years. All BL knows is the BA system. Any dope could’ve called plays with the roster they had in 2020 and 21.
December 25th, 2022 at 4:28 pm
If we go by past Bowles will get a second year regretfully. Pretty much full rebuild mode with the salary cap issues . Gonna have to let a few players walk and get younger due to the cap alone and I’d start with Smith right after the coaches . We need to draft lineman on both sides of the ball , JTS could turn the corner but Hall is missing in action. There are some coaches on the hotnseat that are actually decent coaches and I wouldn’t mind a few of them here.
December 25th, 2022 at 5:06 pm
Dan Oāā¦seems to know Xās & Oās but sure talks like he was once an all star baller. If not for Mark Sanchez letting him off the hook with the butt-fumbleā¦his tip toeing thru tulips and out the back of the end zone would remain a top blooper.
December 25th, 2022 at 5:08 pm
Waitā¦I see I was called out by Rainn Wilson aka Dwight Schrute aka Vlad The Inhaler. Thereās only one Winny Testaverdeā¦of course merging two names of iconic Buc QBās.