Deep Threat Bucky Irving; A Josh Grizzard Wrinkle?
August 16th, 2025
How bout that deep shot tonight to running back Bucky Irving, a sweet touch pass from Teddy Bridgewater and touchdown catch in the end zone by the Bucs’ No. 1 running back.
Joe sees Josh Grizzard working. The new Bucs playcaller promised fresh wrinkles in his offense and he expressed a desire to throw deep more often.
Joe is not ready to call Irving a deep threat, but now defensive coordinators across the NFL will be thinking about Irving in that role. That’s what happens when you produce film like that. (See video below.) Keep in mind Irving did not catch a touchdown pass last season.
Also, Irving was working on deep shots through training camp, and the Bucs’ social media team — and fans in the training camp stands — shared video of a diving Irving grab down the left sideline. Today’s TD catch was down the right sideline.
After tonight’s TD, Irving was quickly on the sidelines with running backs coach Skip Peete reviewing film on a tablet. That’s Bucky’s work ethic.
The Bucs’ dangerous first-team offense was on display tonight — with a fun new twist.
Teddy Bridgewater with a DIME to Bucky Irving 🎯
📺: #TBvsPIT on WFLA pic.twitter.com/dOFWaWIDrZ
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 16, 2025
Bucky Irving studying film on a tablet moments after his stunning TD grab tonight.
August 16th, 2025 at 8:37 pm
Teddy looked good … better than Trask so far but looks like Trask was only playing with backups. Doesn’t seem like an apples to apples comp to me.
That said… I think I would be fine if Teddy was QB2. We’ve done pretty well with QBs with the initials TB.
August 16th, 2025 at 8:37 pm
Thanks for showing it to us Joe! I am on diagram footbaall on espn all I got as I forgot to pay for NFL+
August 16th, 2025 at 8:45 pm
What I like about Grizz is that he figured out the run blocking wasn’t working VERY EARLY and switched to quick passes, which opened things up and then went back to the run once it did. That’s heady, open minded damn good coaching able to see that and adjust quickly. Also Braswell looking very good tonight.
August 16th, 2025 at 8:48 pm
Ben you pointed out the significance of the initial TB to Tampa Bay with Tom Brady and zTeddy Bridgewater.
I like that!!!
August 16th, 2025 at 10:12 pm
The catch looked a lot more impressive from the ground level, a really good catch by Bucky (and yes, the pass was also good, but the catch was really good).
August 16th, 2025 at 10:23 pm
Bucky can do it all.
August 16th, 2025 at 10:32 pm
TB2 climbs out of bed and plays NFL football. The definition of a backup QB. Maybe he joins coaching staff next year.
August 16th, 2025 at 10:49 pm
Love the wheel route but touch passes aren’t a strength of Bake. The best part of the play was Bucky’s reaction.
August 17th, 2025 at 4:18 am
The left side of line is weak. Bredeson and Heck can’t move people.
I still hope we draft an elite LG to play alongside Wirfs: the best LT in the NFL.
It wouid be a crime to waste Wirf’s career by not giving him an elite LG to play next to him.
August 17th, 2025 at 4:18 am
Teddy did well. Noticed Bucky and Teddy on the sidelines too. Great relationship going on there too. Bucky is something else!
August 17th, 2025 at 7:06 am
Makes since, RB is likely gonna be covered by a linebacker
August 17th, 2025 at 8:29 am
BI showed he’s a RB with good hands and smart. Right up there with White. Grizzard and the QBs know it. Excellent read and catch. Oline was very not-with-it last night. Wonder why?