If You Didn’t Win, Then It Was A Failed Gameplan
December 26th, 2025
Misused last week?
Yes, Joe last week encouraged the Bucs to run behind Bucky Irving because last year in both wins over the Stinking Panthers, Bucky went bananas.
But Joe didn’t expect the Bucs to lean on their run game to an extreme.
And let’s be real: If you didn’t win, then the gameplan failed, yes?
What was appalling to Joe is that the Bucs didn’t mix in the pass more now that the Bucs receivers were all healthy and in the loss to the Dixie Chicks, showed they could take over the game.
For example, last week Emeka Egbuka was targeted just two times. His lone catch was the lone catch for over 13 yards the Bucs had all game. Outrageous!
Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard sort of suggested that Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield didn’t target Egbuka much because he didn’t need to.
“It wasn’t necessarily what they were doing as much as if the first read was open and it didn’t get to [Egbuka’s] side of the field,” Grizzard said. “On that particular play [Egbuka’s 40-yard catch], he was really the third read in the way they played the coverage.
“Mike [Evans] was covered, Chris [Godwin Jr.] was covered, and the coverage structure allowed ‘Mek’ (Emeka Egbuka) to get behind them.
“It wasn’t necessarily as much of a double-team element to it like we’ve seen from some teams in the past, but we’ve definitely got to try to get the ball to ‘Mek’ earlier in the game and keep him involved.”
Well, when Emeka set the NFL on fire and appeared a slam dunk for Rookie of the Year, it was because teams were worried about Mike Evans. When Egbuka’s production fell off the map, it was when both Evans and Godwin were hobbled and not available and teams simply took Egbuka out of the game.
Teams can’t afford to squeeze Egbuka any longer with Jalen McMillan, Evans and Godwin all healthy and available now.
If the Bucs don’t take advantage of the Dolphins’ sorry pass defense, then the Bucs have very serious problems.
December 26th, 2025 at 4:13 am
One thing is, if we somehow get to win the next 2 games and get to the playoffs, we won’t have to worry about resting our guys. They’ve been resting since the off week 2 months ago.
December 26th, 2025 at 4:47 am
Gonna be very interesting to see what gameplan they use. Since the bye the gameplanning and execution in all 3 phases has been bad. If the Bucs win the turnover battle they should win the game.
December 26th, 2025 at 5:41 am
Agree with Joe and everyone so far.
Hoping for strong plays and no fancy crap. Also, when we get to the red zone we need to score a TD. Glad the Bucs rested and enjoyed Christmas off. Now it’s time to come back ready for the next games. Gotta win. Go Bucs!
December 26th, 2025 at 6:44 am
go ahead throw it to him, he’ll just drop the ball
December 26th, 2025 at 6:59 am
This All falls on Baker, he’s just not good enough, everyone on this site, talks about our last OC’s, and how good they are doing now! Maybe they knew something about Baker that we don’t and wanted to leave because of his poor play, what’s the difference now for the OC’s? they both have Good QB’s leading their Teams! Let’s Go Bucs! We need a new GM, HC, and OC and DC……..
December 26th, 2025 at 7:13 am
HeavyE, No offence, but the Bucs ran the Ball 35 times last week. Was anyone on the team really targeted? Pi$$ poor game plan when you have 4 excellent receivers on the team. I’ll give Mayfield some blame, but between two third string guards and a terrible game plan, the blame goes all over the place.
December 26th, 2025 at 7:24 am
Canalas, and Coen carried Bowles water when they were here. Grizzard isn’t up for the task. Maybe if the injuries didn’t hit so bad, and if he had a good defense Grizz would’ve had a shot. Now Todd is putting his two cents in with the offense even though he can’t fix his own defense. We need someone new to fix this whole mess.
December 26th, 2025 at 7:39 am
@bucnjim, no offense taken, but I don’t understand why Baker never audibles, if he knows the play isn’t going to work change it… how many times do we see quick slants to our Wr’s??? How many times do we see two Wr’s in the same area??? I understand the level concept of passing the ball, and throwing to windows, but come on…..why are we always in a tight bunch set as well, I just think that there is something else wrong, with are QB! It’s not all of his fault, but he has to take his fair share….. Let’s Go Bucs!!!!