Falcons Memories Driving Josh Grizzard
June 22nd, 2025
Rookie Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard.
New Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard was the architect of the team’s elite third-down conversion rate last season.
Yeah, Liam Coen called the plays and had Grizzard’s current job, but Grizzard’s responsibility leading up to games was crafting third downs.
And by that metric, Grizzard was highly successful. The Bucs led the NFL in third-down conversion (51.1 percent), including winning at better than a 50 percent rate against Atlanta in two tough losses.
Those soul-sucking defeats to the Falcons didn’t just gut fans and sour players’ minds, they also found their way to Grizzard’s head. He told Sports Day Tampa Bay the losses to Atlanta are enough fuel to get him through the spring and summer
“Really from how we look at it, we know we got Atlanta Week 1, and as a division [rival], they beat us twice [last year]. That’s enough motivation to get through the whole offseason and be ready for that,” Grizzard said when talking about motivation and expectations.
“And then just keep playing — hopefully set a standard for playing — good football and continue that and see where it goes.”
That’s not the first time Joe has heard a Bucs player or official reference greater 2025 motivation coming from losing to Atlanta than against Washington in the playoffs.
It’s an interesting but understandable phenomenon.
Regardless, Joe likes hearing Grizzard sounding like a guy well connected to his emotions and to how players feel. He easily could have talked about how last season is ancient history and an afterthought.
June 22nd, 2025 at 5:43 pm
Hopefully Grizzard had no part of the code turtle in game 1 vs Atlanta. Was the 2nd down or 3rd down play the screen pass that went no where while Evans jogged to the endzone by himself?
Anyway, I am very encouraged by all these guys wanting to get back at Atlanta for last season.
Seems like the Bucs usually treat division games as just another game and they are not! Panthers, Falcons, Saints don’t ever seem to treat the games like that. We get their best punch and it’s time the Bucs started delivering their best, before it’s a dogfight in the 4th quarter.
June 22nd, 2025 at 6:11 pm
I was throwing around a bunch of 4 letter words after the Falcons loses, but sour wasn’t one of them. Still doesn’t sit right with me!
June 22nd, 2025 at 6:39 pm
We beat Atlanta twice this year. Big time.
June 22nd, 2025 at 6:47 pm
Need to get to the QB and quit playing a soft zone. The Bucs got picked apart and couldn’t stop Atl on third down. Not worried about Grizzard, worried about Bowles and his defensive play calling.
June 22nd, 2025 at 7:25 pm
I hard to go around saying your the best in the NFCS when you got swept by a division rival. He’s right going 6-2 or better in this division should be expected.
June 22nd, 2025 at 7:31 pm
There are 17 games and every single one of them should show the attitude to stomp the s*** out of each opponent. I don’t care between Atlanta, Philly, Saints or anyone else the attitude must be the same for every game. I hope the Bucs are pissed at themselves,{as they say they are} for losing to an inferior team or keeping one in the game. You can’t play well against better teams and then crappy against weaker teams.
June 22nd, 2025 at 7:47 pm
All three of those losses (Atl, Wash) were heartbreakers.
Sounds like Grizz has the right attitude and approach.
He’s not forgetting the sour taste the Atl games left in his mouth and is using it as a motivator for this year.
Sounds good to me.
Go Bucs!!!
June 22nd, 2025 at 8:29 pm
buc4evr – copy that. Todd managed to make Cousins look like Dan Marino. The rest of the league made him look like Dan Orlovsky.
June 22nd, 2025 at 8:58 pm
I think Grizzard is watching the game films from 2024. He’ll be ready for what The Falcons defense will throw at him.
June 22nd, 2025 at 9:29 pm
I’d be worried if they weren’t pissed by those losses. I know I was. Let’s open with a road win in Atlanta.
June 23rd, 2025 at 12:08 am
When you compare rosters and then listen to the Buccaneers players this off-season… I think they’re going to come out of the gates beating the Falcons a$$.
June 23rd, 2025 at 4:20 am
Atlana losses were inexplicable to me. Hurt on a personal level.
Comanders beat a team that was down some key dudes with others banged up. They played and coached a very good game. We did not have our best. Still damn near won. I can live with that.