Will The Bucs Welcome Back The Deep Ball?
September 6th, 2025
The Buccaneers ranked 21st in the NFL last season in completions of 40 yards or more.
MVP Lamar Jackson was No. 1. Baker Mayfield was nestled on the list behind Russell Wilson and just ahead of Joe Flacco, two quarterbacks that combined for the same 17 starts Mayfield had.
On completions of 20 to 39 yards, including yards after catch, Mayfield was special, ranking third overall behind Sam Darnold and Jared Goff.
So what about the home run ball? The deep shot?
Not recently, but new Bucs playcaller Josh Grizzard has spoken freely about wanting to throw deep more than his predecessor, Liam Coen.
Frankly, Joe thinks the Bucs might be crazy to not throw deep more often. Yes, Liam Coen was very successful as more of a dink-and-dunk kind of offensive coordinator, but the Bucs have the horses to break games open. The big-arm quarterback, Mike Evans and Emeka Ebuka, the superior pass-blocking offensive line, a legitimate play-action game, the Bucs have it all.
Mike Evans would love more deep shots. Todd Bowles said they were called last but Mayfield made other choices. Obviously, the play has to be there. Joe’s not knocking Mayfield.
Joe expects the Bucs to take a couple of rips tomorrow in Atlanta, especially to Egubka if he gets man coverage on the outside.
Completing a deep ball tomorrow should help make the Bucs offense more lethal. Defensive coordinators and defensive backs need to be a little more scared this year that the Bucs are going deep.
September 6th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
I welcome the Deep ball. But our defense better show up Todd has a way of throwing away those games
September 6th, 2025 at 4:00 pm
Agee! Defense is the biggest concern?
September 6th, 2025 at 4:00 pm
!!!
September 6th, 2025 at 4:08 pm
Let’s not forget, Bucky was catching deep balls in practice, so there’s a potential wrinkle we might want to see for real.
September 6th, 2025 at 4:14 pm
Offense= score
Defense= 3&out, turnover.
Offense=Score again
Rinse and repeat
September 6th, 2025 at 4:14 pm
I thought we ranked higher in 40 yard plays…….oh wait, that’s defense
September 6th, 2025 at 5:07 pm
The defense is about to cause havoc watch last years players are pissed new guys want to prove themselves Harris will have a pic or fumble recovery or knock out McCollum will have a pic tykee and Winfield will be solid but the defensive line will take off no less than 4 sacks 2maro
September 6th, 2025 at 5:26 pm
Baker seems to overthrow a lot. I. Good with the 20 to 39. That’s deep enough. No need to force anything unless it works
September 6th, 2025 at 5:40 pm
Now that Todd’s got 4 corners with 4.39 or faster speed (catch-up speed) he can afford to play a lot more man and bump and run. Tighter coverage early in receiver routes will make sacks easier and generate more turnovers!
September 6th, 2025 at 5:57 pm
I don’t share Joes obsession with deep balls. I’m obsessed with wins and the offense scoring points.
Joe has no such obsession. Joe would like to see the offense get even more dangerous, though. –Joe
September 6th, 2025 at 6:27 pm
I don’t believe Bowles has ever intentionally thrown a game away. I do believe that he’s made mistakes, just like everyone here has made mistakes in their life, but who’s calling us out? Just because this is a social platform, there’s no excuse for the kind of harsh judgment thats being passed along on one man for his shortcomings. I too have had plenty of harsh judgements about Bowles, but wisdom is a valuable tool we can all benefit from. Again, I am just as guilty as anyone else here, but use that God given wisdom to your benefit, and not to your demise to look foolish.
September 6th, 2025 at 7:50 pm
Baker and the WRs seemed to struggle a bit with the deep passes last year.
But, I agree. We should throw a few more of them this year.
If nothing else, just to keep opposing defenses honest.
September 6th, 2025 at 8:43 pm
I think we should stay mostly dink and dink until our all pro LT is back.
I’m all for taking deep shots, especially at the end of the half. Kinda drives me nuts we don’t try it more… coaches think Evans can’t grab a PI against!? Instant FG range perhaps. I just wanna see guts outta Bowles on the O side.
I don’t want Baker sitting back there loading while Charlie Heck protects his blind side though. First 2 weeks, pound the rock, work the screen game, work short to inter with Mike and Emeka. Then open the offense when we feel better about the pass pro.
September 8th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
Shudn’t u go with what gets u points long balls are like big balls don’t want to have to carry them around with u