Quick Throws Needed Early In Season
August 8th, 2025
Blindside protection.
Last year former Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen had the Bucs offense rolling.
One reason was Coen insisted on Baker Mayfield getting the ball out of his hands quickly.
Coen’s successor, Josh Grizzard, may want to continue to emphasize quick throws. At least early on in the season.
As Dan Graziano of ESPN points out, the Bucs may be without the league’s top pass blocker? That’s Tristan Wirfs — for a while — as he recovers from knee surgery.
So with his blind side vulnerable, Mayfield getting the ball out of his hand quickly will be very critical.
…The Bucs signed veteran Charlie Heck as a swing tackle, but so far he has had to work as the starting left tackle in camp. The team is using these practices to evaluate Heck and determine what kind of help and how much they may need to give him.
“It sucks,” Mayfield said. “Any time you lose an All-Pro left tackle, it’s not ideal. At least right now we know Tristan’s going to be out. So we’re prepping. Charlie’s getting a ton of reps with those guys, and the more they can communicate and work together, the better. So right now, I think we’ll be just fine.”
Since the Bucs offense worked so well in 2024, in part because Mayfield unloaded the ball so quickly, Joe is confident that can continue.
Joe’s fingers are crossed that Wirfs can return by the home opener against the Jets in Week 3.
August 8th, 2025 at 10:33 am
What a great pick Tristan was that year! He should of been long gone with the other offensive tackles that have underperformed him. I was shouting his name when our pick came up.
August 8th, 2025 at 10:41 am
I believe the Bucs offense will be fine. They’ve had plenty of time to make any necessary adjustments and determine how to handle the situation. If needed they’ll deploy an extra O-lineman or a TE to help Heck. As Baker said, “it sucks!”, but the team has so much talent they’ll figure out how to get 25 or 30 points without Wirfs.
August 8th, 2025 at 10:48 am
How do we win without Wirfs? Run Bucky Run! Screens, slants, dink and dunk – just don’t sit in pocket hoping for the homerun ball.
August 8th, 2025 at 10:54 am
@74 Bucs Fan:
I believe they’ll still take some occasional deep shots down the field. They’ll just give Heck some extra help.
August 8th, 2025 at 11:03 am
Canales and Coen ran their offense with the same principles and calling cards. Why? well when you give two different chefs the same ingredients it’s very likely they’ll create the same meal.
That’s the case with our OCs the last few years and what I’m expecting from Grizzard. Could be the guy that likes a little pecorino on his chicken parm, who knows?
August 8th, 2025 at 11:50 am
Lucky for us Baker isn’t exactly a statue back there. He’s a hell of a scrambler, and our receivers are good blockers down field.
August 8th, 2025 at 12:07 pm
August 25th is roster cut day. The 2nd string of the Bucs is a liability. I expect 2 new vet OL will make their way onto the team.
August 8th, 2025 at 12:26 pm
They better get the ball out real quick. Let Bucky run wild in game 1. I have no faith in Charlie slowing down Hunter or Anderson.
August 8th, 2025 at 12:54 pm
No deep ball nonsense. Screens, slants and quick throws all day.
August 8th, 2025 at 1:15 pm
If they get through the first four games at 3-1, they will win 12+ and be well on their way.
August 8th, 2025 at 1:55 pm
Domination is Un Likely our first few games without Wirfs. And YOU BETTER BELIEVE that opposition KNOWS IT! And WILL THROW THE KITCHEN SINK!
I don’t have a good feeling with “part time, discount guy” Wells protecting OUR GREATEST ASSET FROM HARM! This is a mistake. That was the best Licht could do? Licht Certainly ISN’T shooting for a Super Bowl run!
What’s NOT SO FUNNY is “THIS” WAS Licht’s way of thinking the last year Brady was here. WHAT A JOKE from the O line “guru” to put out there to protect Brady and NOW he “Dollar Stores” for Mayfield!
I CAN’T help but to ask myself, W, T, ACTUAL F! ! ! It’s NOT like we’re broke and can’t afford better! Don’t bet the farm on a 3 and 0 start with under skilled and under trained, part time help as your go to! It wouldn’t be wise…..
August 8th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
The RBs are going to be a big part of the game plan early in the season.
25-30 runs per game….
lots of screens, quick throws to the flat and short check downs over the middle to Bucky and Raschaad.
White especially will be used on called longer pass plays as an additional blocker for Baker in the backfield.
Tucker will get some snaps in a ‘change of pace’ type roll – but Tuck still needs to improve his blocking skills based on a couple things I’ve read from Joe’s practice notes….. Bucky also needs to improve in this area…..
White is a stud at pass protection and still one of the better receiving backs in the league – which will get him quite a few snaps this season.
August 8th, 2025 at 2:24 pm
This is an oddity for me. I won’t read the article. I don’t care to. I won’t read my friends comments. well most of you are friends. The bucs will win 11 games at least. I’ll deal with the playoffs after Christmas. I think we contend. If you insist on arguing, do it in January.
August 8th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
Let’s see what Heck can do on Saturday. Hope he can get his footwork down.
August 8th, 2025 at 3:14 pm
Last year, in the short passing game, Baker excelled – and when he played poorly, it was almost always when he was trying to go deep and would hold the ball forever and get himself in trouble – or was just flat out inaccurate. While you need to take some deep shots to keep defenses honest, the Bucs should continue being mainly a short passing team until defenses can stop it.
August 8th, 2025 at 3:22 pm
The answer to what the Bucs will do without Wirfs is contained in last year’s Giants game he missed.
Mayfield was 24-30 for 294. 40% of the targets went to backs and TE’s. A significant number of throws were WR screens and quick hitters as well. All told I think Mayfield attempted 1 pass further than 20 yards past the LOS.
The Bucs ran it 32 times for 157, and a large chunk of that was on a single Bucky breakaway for 56 yards.
There’s the blueprint. Defenses will prepare to see the Bucs do it, and the outcome will be based on who prepares for it better.
August 8th, 2025 at 3:24 pm
i need to see a prediction list, now that camp is winding down, of our 7 receivers getting roster spots…
we know the top 5…with 5 being sterling…
but who is #6 and #7…
miller
palmer
jarrett
tez
kam
or and odd extra tall camp guy like with ME13 height:
jacob harris
jaden smith
August 8th, 2025 at 3:29 pm
If Tucker is running he doesn’t have to worry about pass pro.
August 8th, 2025 at 3:57 pm
Adam,
We should 100% hold onto Jaden Smith, for a guy as tall as he is he moves likes he’s about 6’1 in terms of fluidity. Let him marinate on the PS, see what he’s got next offseason. Hopefully we’re not working on OC #5, that would suck.
August 8th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Doom and gloom without Tristan is kinda ridiculous. They will have a plan in place and I trust Carberry will have Heck and everyone else ready. KNow how to beat a speedy edge guy? Run at him. Put the big guys and TE’s on him, wear him down and out and then shock em with the long ball but if they’re running well then wear them all out. That will open the long ball up.
August 8th, 2025 at 8:03 pm
Article title.
No kidding.