Four Games, Six Catches By Tight Ends
September 29th, 2025
While Joe is ignoring the trend that’s seen Bucky Irving’s yards per carry plummet this season to 3.3, Joe can’t write off the Bucs’ bizarre lack of tight end production.
The Bucs threw 40 first-down passes to tight ends last season. This year they’ve thrown just 1. One!
That’s not how things were drawn up in the meetings rooms at One Buc Palace this offseason.
Through four games, Bucs tight ends have combined for six catches.
Bucs officials have repeatedly talked about how Payne Durham is a weapon with a big catch radius yet the Bucs don’t throw him the ball. Tight ends Ko Kieft and Devin Culp have no targets. Cade Otton has all six receptions from the position for a paltry 34 yards.
Yes, Joe is aware the Bucs’ overall crop of tight ends is below average by NFL standards. But there’s talent there the Bucs aren’t using.
Baker Mayfield and new playcaller Josh Grizzard seem distrusting of the position. And if that’s the case, tight ends production may stay very limited until an overhaul comes in March and April.
September 29th, 2025 at 8:00 am
That’s our Genius OC.
Now that he has his brand new Playskool headset everything is great. Let the toddler call the offensive.
I mean he was the best choice, right?
September 29th, 2025 at 8:03 am
They’ve had to do a lot of blocking with all the time Goedeke, and Wirfs have missed. Not even a shovel pass tho, it worked against us. Where was Dennis on that play? Seemed to disappear in the pile.
September 29th, 2025 at 8:10 am
Patiently waiting for Riley Dixon to file for unemployment this afternoon… Please inform us right away.
September 29th, 2025 at 8:10 am
That’s why I said the Bucs Coordinator is Trash!
I called it last week…..but yall don’t want to believe it!!!
September 29th, 2025 at 8:12 am
Any good Offensive Coordinator uses their Tight Ends as relief valves……….this Offensive Coordinator is so bad…..that Tight Ends in this offense is non-existent
September 29th, 2025 at 8:13 am
That’s on the play caller and signal caller, equally.
It’s like running a pick and roll and not dishing to the pick man, we’ve been using both TEs for just blocking and their recieving production shows it.
September 29th, 2025 at 8:15 am
Hum. More penalties from tight ends than catches. Brilliant gamelan
September 29th, 2025 at 8:20 am
I assumed it was because they were helping block
September 29th, 2025 at 8:32 am
Our whole coaching staff is trash.
September 29th, 2025 at 8:37 am
NO LVMYBUCS-YOU ARE TRASH
September 29th, 2025 at 8:38 am
This shows why I’ve always thought Joe has a LOW Football IQ
TE’s help when the Oline is decimated by injuries, who are you going to target more…
Joe’s never written tight ends shouldn’t block. You’re reaching. Joe’s watching the games, watching the film, listening to the coaches, seeing the talent level and the execution, looking at the personnel groupings and matchups.–Joe
Evans or Otton?
Egbuka or Otton?
Godwin or Otton?
Bucky or Otton?
White or Otton?
Evans or Durham?
Egbuka or Durham?
Godwin or Durham?
Bucky or Durham?
White or Durham?
Oh and the Tightends on this team are not very talented, Licht has heavily invested in the WR’s more than TE’s
September 29th, 2025 at 8:39 am
Its funny how Bowles when asked by reporters why we losing he has a answer and a fix but that fix doesn’t ever make it into the game play. Every year the same bad coaching, he keeps trying to win by field goals. I just wish we had a winning coaching staff and not some lame clueless coach. We have so much talent could u imagine what Andy Reid or any winning coach could do with this roster.
September 29th, 2025 at 8:40 am
I was being patient with the OC, knowing they had to use extra personnel to block for our makeshift O-line. Let’s reevaluate in a few weeks.
September 29th, 2025 at 8:41 am
@Todd Says:
Ur momma lol lol lol
September 29th, 2025 at 8:43 am
Meanwhile Jags and Coen are averaging 5.0 yards per rush
Todd Blows defense is struggling (again)
Bucs extended the wrong guy!!!!!!!
September 29th, 2025 at 8:43 am
I don’t think Durham has been targeted. Culp has only been in for special teams.
September 29th, 2025 at 8:52 am
I’m not going to hang the tight end situation on Grizzard until the O Line is back in tact. Or at least Goedeke is back. It always looked like Baker was moving Otton around to support Heck. Understandable.
I am only marginally happy with Grizzards game plans. They seem to lack the creativity Coen had. Definitely need more quick outs to the backs. Definitely need to get to the TEs when they can. Where were the screens yesterday while Phili was blowing up the O Line with overload blitzes? That may be on Baker? And hell, Fangio is no slouch.
Grizzard probably still adapting and finding his footing. But seems below where Coen was at this point last year in scheme.
September 29th, 2025 at 8:56 am
Coen was and is a huge loss!!!
He’s got the jags playing pretty good ball right now.
Think grizz will be ok once he really gets his footing but right now it’s showing a bit
September 29th, 2025 at 9:04 am
Coen found a good defensive coordinator in ONE OFF SEASON
Todd still can’t scheme up pass defense
September 29th, 2025 at 9:17 am
Smarter than Joe as in a cup of coffee?
September 29th, 2025 at 9:51 am
I was thinking about that too.
September 29th, 2025 at 10:29 am
Who cares?? If the Bucs win and continue to win who cares who catches the ball or who blocks its about getting that W…
September 29th, 2025 at 11:09 am
Hasn’t our o line been decimated all year? Aren’t we 3 and 1? Aren’t we on top of our division? Dont we have a brand new OC for the 3rd straight year? STFU you pansies. Keyboard cowboys are fools. Go BUCS!!!!
September 29th, 2025 at 11:15 am
Who cares? Its Grizz’s offense now. As long as we are scoring points and winning, who cares? We are on pace for a very solid offensive season and we have a lot of mouths to feed. I could care less if Otton or Durham make an impact as long as SOMEONE is getting in the end zone. Bakers numbers are comparable through four games and we have cut down on turnovers across the board. When everyone is back healthy the full playback can open up.
September 29th, 2025 at 11:34 am
The league is/has been showing for years that a good TE is invaluable. The always are open in a good scheme and a good TE. My other team (49rs) have lost George Kittle for a while and their offense has lost a huge cog.
We saw what a great TE could do with Gronk. We need to draft one 1st or 2nd next year.
The first half last game was one of the worse I’ve seen here, and that’s saying a lot.
September 29th, 2025 at 11:34 am
Anybody tracking Liam and the Jags. Great hire for Jax.
September 29th, 2025 at 11:39 am
TE s havent gotten any separation lol…
the last thing we want baker to do is force a pass….
like he did to Godwin a couple times sunday, 1 leading to a INT…
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 29th, 2025 at 11:53 am
I think the tight ends are busy blocking most of the time.
September 29th, 2025 at 11:58 am
“TE s havent gotten any separation lol…“
The goto excuse for our QB not feeding a particular set of recieving targets, before this season it was pretty much anybody but Mike & Chris couldn’t get separation. Instead of saying what’s closer to the truth that this QB has never been all that good passing the ball around the yard. For all the comps to Jameis, that’s a QB who could pass to anybody with a jersey on for better and much, much worse lol
September 29th, 2025 at 12:13 pm
If defenses are ignoring or keying on Otton and company I think that hurts the rest of the offense. Including Baker and yes even Bucky. Not smart football and a major change from last years very productive group. White and his catches have also dropped considerably it seems to me.
So much for not changing Coen’s offense.
Go Bucs!
September 29th, 2025 at 12:21 pm
Bad look for the new OC!
September 29th, 2025 at 12:35 pm
LOL at these comments. Have y’all not noticed our offensive line has been in SHAMBLES to start this season? You really think that doesn’t matter? The first three games our guys were completely out of position. Then we lost our star RT with our star LT out. We got our LT back but the right side of the line is still backups, not to mention now missing our star WR. It has impacted our running game and making Baker have to really get rid of it quickly. We have needed the tight ends to block or we would really be screwed. Everyone here can shut the hell up. Grizz has done a great job with what he’s got, especially facing a very tough Eagles defense. Have some faith y’all.
September 29th, 2025 at 12:48 pm
Last year we did not have Oline injuries like this year.
Patience Bucs fans. Protecting Baker is the main issue. Once Goedeke is back we will see the offense open up. Meanwhile backups are getting their feet wet. Come the game playoffs we will be ready.
And please take it easy on Joe. He is just doing his job.
Go Bucs!!!!
September 29th, 2025 at 12:50 pm
Jeebs I’m right with you!!!
September 29th, 2025 at 1:02 pm
I’m embarrassed for any so called fan still sucking Coens ginger balls.
September 29th, 2025 at 1:13 pm
I was never a hater or fan of Otton. I think he’s a click above average and that’s it. If some think we need talent at TE, I suspect Njoku is available. I know he hasn’t lived up to his potential, but he’s had a sorry *** supporting cast.
Change of scenery can do wonders. Hes a better receiving option and better in the open field than Otton.
September 29th, 2025 at 1:27 pm
WBL
Otton couldnt get any seperation from cooper dejean lol…thats not an excuse thats a fact…#33 played lights out….
when dejean had to cover Otton, Durham and even shep they had no separation from him…
you want baker to start forcing throw to targets that are covered?
GO BUCS!!!!
September 29th, 2025 at 2:48 pm
This was addressed last week but not totally the cause in my humble opinion. The TE position has been largely helping out the backup tackles with chips on the ends. Yes that makes sense but can’t completely count out Otton. The fact is, our tight end room is absolutely lacking a clear and obvious weapon. We would be wise to draft one in the draft (rounds 3-5) next year.
September 29th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
We are desperate to protect our QB, have very capable receivers and need the TE’s to do what their primary mission is-block. ST’s is the issue this morning, not asking run of the mill tight end room to be heavily involved in the passing game.
September 29th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
Seems obvious to me they have needed Otton to help block with the make shift O-Line here in the early going.
September 29th, 2025 at 3:41 pm
NOT SOLD ON GIZ .DONT SEE GREAT PLAY CALLS .WERE ARE TIGHT ENDS ? WHY ALWAYS RUN BUCKY IN THE MIDDLE AND SIDE . WERE ARE THE WHITE PLAYS ,WERE ARE THE TIGHT END PLAYS ,WERE IS TUCKER ? I SMELL TOD BOWLES TELLING GIZ WHAT HE WANTS . I THOUGHT I WAS WATCHING BYREN LEFTWITH OFFENCE ! SOMETHING STINKS !
September 29th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
“Otton couldnt get any seperation from cooper dejean lol…thats not an excuse thats a fact…#33 played lights out….”
DeJean is a nickel back, wtf are you must mean Blankenship, still no excuse it’s not like he’s running deep outs, everything was shallow and that’s how Philly kept it lol still no excuse to basically not use your TEs
September 29th, 2025 at 5:51 pm
This will be a game worth watching/listening to. TR78 and ungodly CG14 are getting their football feet under them. If Bozo Rookie OC Grizzard wakes up, we will win the game. Thank god it is a 4 pm kickoff. I can listen to it.
September 29th, 2025 at 5:59 pm
Otton has run 83 routes in 4 games, targeted very few of those, caught slightly more than half his targets
September 29th, 2025 at 6:02 pm
Yeah Griz is great