Josh Grizzard On Emeka Egbuka’s Called Shot
September 13th, 2025
Details game-winner at Atlanta.
For those who regularly listen to the “Ira Kaufman Podcast,” Joe spoke this week about being so how happy for Bucs fans on Sunday.
Sure, it was great to start the season with a win, but fans finally got to see a full-game edition of what Joe witnessed virtually every day in training camp. Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka may just be the real deal.
Every day in camp (and Joe saw every practice) Egbuka made a couple of plays.
Then when Mike Evans told Joe that Egbuka called his own shot on his game-winning touchdown catch to give the Bucs a 23-20 win. Talk about a legend being born!
Yesterday, Josh Grizzard was asked for his view of Egbuka’s called shot. The rookie offensive coordinator was like Joe.
“It was cool for everybody to see it on game day, live, what he can do and what he brings to the team,” Grizzard said. “[Egbuka’s game-winning catch] was really the third time that we had ran that play.
“We had an unfortunate incompletion to Cade [Otton] on one of them and then Mike [Evans] caught one of them, and rightfully so understood that [Jessie] Bates was going to try to play him because it’s Mike Evans. And I think that’s one of the best examples when people say, ‘Oh, Mike Evans dictates coverage.’ Mike Evans dictates coverage.
“So, on that one, you’re able to see, hey, I got this shot at this play if we get back to it. Then, fortunately for the … way the game was going, we were able to get back to [the play in question] at that point as a huddle call.”
Grizzard said the play was just about perfect all around. Solid protection for Baker Mayfield, fantastic Mayfield throw and a really good route and an even better catch.
Or, as Grizzard described the play, “just [an] unbelievable route and catch.”
One thing Bucs types have been leaking to so many people over the past few months after they draftong Egbuka is how professional and polished he already is as a rookie.
Egbuka seing an opening and lobb toying get the ball in crunch time of a one-score game just underscores what the Bucs discovered.
September 13th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
I’ve seen Egbuka many times playing for the Buckeyes. Thrilled when he was drafted and couldn’t ask for a better start. We will enjoy watching a three headed receiving beast this year. Time will tell later on but let’s enjoy this year, right here, right now.
September 13th, 2025 at 12:29 pm
Okay, the play has come and gone.
What’s Grizz going to do to get our ground game establish?
What’s he going to do to negate the ball hawks Stingley, Gardner-Johnson, Bullock & Lassiter? And the pass rush for that matter.
Also, does Baker have a chip on shoulder about CJGJ tossing him the ball back after intercepting him in our playoff matchup Detroit? Is he going to exhibit that moxie and fire I keep hearing about?
Can we get some more Sean Tucker?
Can we score some damn points in the 1st quarter? Or more than 13 points in the half? Can we control the clock under he & Mayfields’ leadership?
These are things I want to know.
September 13th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
Agreed, Warren.
September 13th, 2025 at 12:42 pm
Can we get rid of W.B.L 👆.
September 13th, 2025 at 12:42 pm
EE should be around for a long time. Many more great catches to follow!
September 13th, 2025 at 12:49 pm
“lob toying” = “lobbying”
Very excited for EE. We both have the same initials too, so that’s cool.
September 13th, 2025 at 12:50 pm
Anyhony, I wish you much success and joy for all your days, but I ain’t going anywhere dude lol
September 13th, 2025 at 1:20 pm
Can we PLEASE drop this ‘called his own shot’ nonsense?
EVERY wide receiver who ever played the game comes back to the huddle after EVERY play saying “hey, I was wide open on that”. I have never met a wide receiver yet who believes he was covered, on any play….
Anyone who’s played or coached knows this to be a fundamental truth.
September 13th, 2025 at 1:32 pm
“we were able to get back to [the play in question] at that point as a huddle call.”i
Isn’t that code word for _ Baker made the call? Not taking anything away from Egbuka making the suggestion but the call is the Qb’s.
September 13th, 2025 at 2:29 pm
The pass Baker threw to EE2 to win the game should be required viewing in all classes on learning football offense. It was so perfect, it was nuts. The Falcon DB couldn’t play it any tighter; we’re talking DPI if he did. Bucs still are not at full strength coming into Houston. Hopefully, Grizzard is shaking off some rookie OC rust.
September 13th, 2025 at 2:30 pm
We don’t need to embellish it like a hack fisherman does with his (or her) catch. Nor should we discount what EE said to Joe on the other hand. “Solid protection for Baker Mayfield, fantastic Mayfield throw and a really good route and an even better catch.” sums it up for me.
Go Bucs!
September 13th, 2025 at 2:31 pm
Thanks Joe and Prost! Wonder who we’d have taken if it wasn’t for you and your insistence we take this stud with our first pick? Astute followers know that you called it just like Emeka called his number on the game winner. Did your clairvoyance also include that game one performance? It did, didn’t it? So what you thinking on next years draft? Come on Joe, don’t make us wait.