Josh Grizzard Wants To Use Screens But He Won’t Force Them
September 14th, 2025
When to call screen passes.
Joe found this refreshing.
Last year the Bucs were really good running screen passes. So with pretty much the same offensive players, mostly the same coaches and the same scheme, fans can expect screens each week, right?
Not really, said Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard.
Oh, Grizzard likes to use screens. But the trick is calling a screen at the right time. Grizzard said Friday the opposing defense will dictate whether the Bucs run screens or not.
“It’s something we look at each week as we game plan,” Grizzard said. “‘Is it the best concept for that week? Can we get to it that week?’
“And it’s really on a week-to-week basis. You might see more one week, less [another] week. [It’s] really just [dictated by] what the defense does.”
Common sense. Why force a play when the defense appears ready for it? Worse, why use a screen when the defense could get a pick?
The old saying “Take what the defense gives you” is as true today as it was decades ago when someone hatched it. Don’t force plays. That usually leads to bad mistakes.
September 14th, 2025 at 9:45 am
Hopefully, not a bunch of WR-screens in the very early part of games. That was the one thing that worried me about Cohen, being born a Kentucky Fan. But, he did a much better job with that in Tampa Bay. Also, no ‘up the gut’ RUNS early in games, especially on 1st-Downs. Please.
September 14th, 2025 at 9:47 am
YES. I just read the article. He is 💯 correct on that, and that was exactly where I was going with that (and had meant to add before losing interest LoL). You have to pick your spots, at the right times.
September 14th, 2025 at 9:49 am
I mean the OL was totally different, than last years. C playing LT, LG playing C, Mike Jordan at LG with Wirfs out.
It’s probably got as much to do with that than what the defense knows, because they knew last year and we still ran them. Big difference in OCs is difference in mindset and application of their relative schemes.
Most defense have some idea of what you can do, they still have to stop it once the ball snaps. Maybe this is just another difference between Coen & Grizz, but there are other areas of the offense we can succeed to open up our screen game
September 14th, 2025 at 10:04 am
RB screens in particular are not very effective vs man coverage and our primary WRs are zone killers so teams will probably run a lot man coverage covering the top over Evans with a safety.
September 14th, 2025 at 10:50 am
It might also be a function of deciding it’s genius to have 3 or 4 dudes play out of position instead of just 1 replacement on the OL. C’mon Griz.
Starting to remind me of the offensive version of Todd. Can’t be known as a genius if you don’t try wacky outrageous stuff.
September 14th, 2025 at 11:29 am
Nothing better than 2 back set for running screens. Would love to see Bucky and White with extra tight end, fake screen left and go right when all the blocking is left. Guaranteed big gainer and/or TD.
September 14th, 2025 at 11:34 am
Gipper — more multiple back sets absolutely. It was criminal how little Rachaad was used in a game that saw Bucky average 2.5ypc and Baker lead the team in rushing. That was weak in Atlanta.
September 14th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
Joe… I actually set an alarm to make sure I didn’t miss the noon show! Now I refresh it and it was on at 11:00?! Come on man.
September 14th, 2025 at 12:47 pm
Screen passes? I don’t know. We had 0 completions to tight ends. 4 passes to Bucky for 10 yards and none to any other running backs. Our offensive rythm seemed nonexistent. I’m not worried a bit, I’ve seen that before with offenses early in the season. Our second and third games last year our offense wasn’t too good. Screen passes and draw plays are timing plays, rhythm plays, they require lineman being timed up. We aren’t there yet for whatever reason. Be glad when Tristan gets back. Defense holds the Texans to 20 I think we’ll have a good chance tomorrow. A season is always about how you finish. Let the grind sort the also rans out. We’re learning to embrace that grind. Find a way. We’re a good football team. We may not win them all but we’ll win most of them. One at a time.
September 14th, 2025 at 12:59 pm
Coen was so much more ‘strategic and surgical’ when calling WR-screens last season with the Bucs, than what he was when at UK. He didn’t call anywhere near as many, either. It got SO old at Kentucky, watching him call an unsuccessful, predetermined ‘blind’ WR-screen out to the flats, every other play, in the early parts of games. Especially, on 1st/2nd and 10+’s, He was just hell-bent on having the QB take the snap (outta the shotgun) and just turning and slinging-it over there, all in one motion and without even looking. It was STUPID. Seriously, it’s no different than just running-it ‘up the gut’ every time, on first-down. It’s a WASTED play, and just prevents you from getting into ANY kind of rhythm, at all. And, it’s a lot more dangerous even, than a run up-the-middle. IF, it’s not ‘picked-off’ I mean, what’s the very BEST your gettin’ 90%+ of the time… 1-YARD, MAYBE!? Every. Single. Time. The Defense is just sitting back and waiting on it! They’ve practiced it and seen it (on film and in-person) just SO MAMY times by now, that they are totally prepared for it, while just licking their chops. They can ‘see-it’ coming from a mile away (and you can too, just sitting at home), just by the formation and motion. I don’t even see very many college teams running it anymore, like you used to. It’s because, It. Doesn’t. WORK. I was SO sick of it at Kentucky… It was all we had besides our run-game. We’d start-off EVERY drive with a 2&11 or 2/12, IF it hadn’t been batted down (by our receiver LoL). I was SO GLAD how he approached it and utilized it with the Bucs, though! I was really worried. I SCREAMED-IT on here everyday LoL, for almost the entire off/pre-season last year. So maybe, he heard me Hahah. I was pleasantly surprised.
September 14th, 2025 at 1:05 pm
YES, Kenton 💯. That is WHEN you run those plays. Quick-hitting screens and run-plays up the gut… ONLY, when in rhythm. Keep-it MOVIN. Let’s Goooo!!!!
September 14th, 2025 at 1:26 pm
Meanwhile El Serpiente so far is carving up the Bengals defense (sigh).
September 14th, 2025 at 1:26 pm
Does anybody know if Geodeke is confirmed to play tomorrow?
September 14th, 2025 at 1:33 pm
It’s weird but the ONLY people referring to Todd as a “genius” are the critics/trolls…. His supporters think he’s a good coach or a very good coach but no more.
Straw man arguments
September 14th, 2025 at 1:41 pm
Aqualung Says:
September 14th, 2025 at 10:50 am
It might also be a function of deciding it’s genius to have 3 or 4 dudes play out of position instead of just 1 replacement on the OL. C’mon Griz.
——–
Yes, I made this exact point last week before kick off when the announcement was made. Why shakeup three positions when just one position substitution would cover it. Of course it says a lot about how much the team thinks of Heck.
In fairness to Grizzard it can’t be easy to start out as new OC with that kind of baggage. Yes, there was a noticeable drop-off from last year’s Liam Coen run offense which was the best offense in the history of this franchise. I have seen them all. All of them. So, Im giving Grizz plenty of slack before I start critiquing his production. Few things in the league are more beautiful than a well executed screen play. A team like the Packers have traditionally been a team that always seems to run screens so well. Take what the defense gives you but at the same time, all plays are designed to score TD’s. And if properly executed they would. Last year’s Bucs offense was a thing of beauty. Grizz has a very tough act to follow. He’s been thrown a curve right from the jump. Nothing wrong with copying something that works. In this sport there are no new ideas. Just old ideas run and executed at the right time. Therein lies the rub.
September 14th, 2025 at 3:12 pm
Your welcome Jags fans. It’s our coaches over there turning that organization around.
September 14th, 2025 at 3:54 pm
Looking at this Browns game and this is why I say you don’t snig these old quarterbacks . The Browns are wasting their time with Flaco this coach deserve to be fired after the game.
September 14th, 2025 at 3:57 pm
If I’m Shadure Sanders I will demand a trade this coaching staff rather lose than play Shadure Sanders.
September 14th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Guess not…
September 14th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Guess not… meaning if we’re missing Geodeke for this game against the Texans D line, then probably it’ll be fair to say, the Run Game isn’t going to be very pretty from our running backs BUT Bakers run game maybe the Busiest running going on! “Head On A Swivel”!
Last I heard Luke sat for two practices in a row (bad foot) and NOT A WORD since…
It’s got me stressing just a BIT…
For me, I’m crossing fingers that Geodeke is good to go because if not…. OUCH!
Unless someone has info that can ease my fears.
September 14th, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Obvious one. I am paraphrasing one of the Joes.
He was at the practice facility and saw Goedeke.
Goedeke was not using a walking aid — was not in any sort of brace.
Was walking in bear feet.
Joe thought or heard that someone stomped on the top of his foot.
Sounds like a bad bruise to me. Sounds like something that the pain can be numbed before Monday night. I am 99 percent thinking he is starting.
September 14th, 2025 at 5:59 pm
The Panthers look like they have taken a big step backwards since ending last year looking better. But Tetairoa McMillan does look very good so far, like the only NFL caliber WR they have on that team. It’s really amazing after giving up so much for Young they’ve done so little to give him weapons – you need to go out and sign or trade for a #1 in addition to drafting a guy.
September 14th, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Thanks geno, I feel a little better and they are keeping it quiet so maybe it’s nothing. Then again it’s some type of foot injury (supposedly) so he may still be able to walk around fairly decently but if his foot won’t fit in his shoe ..
It’s just too many key guys on the o line at the same time to feel confident until they release the last injury report. “DON’T place any bets on this game yet” is pretty good advice until he’s confirmed all good to go
September 14th, 2025 at 6:33 pm
NFC South looks like trash no reason for the Bucs not to repeat
September 14th, 2025 at 6:42 pm
BucsFan81 Says:
September 14th, 2025 at 6:33 pm
NFC South looks like trash no reason for the Bucs not to repeat
——
It’s week 2, and the Falcons have a really good QB, which means they’re always going to have a chance.
Maybe try not spiking the ball when you’re at your own 6 yard line.
September 14th, 2025 at 7:22 pm
The Panthers… LOL! Refs did everything they could to give them the W, and on 4th and long, they don’t even get the ball off. Pretty hilarious ending.
September 14th, 2025 at 8:32 pm
Rod. This is why I say NFC Championship or bust because winning a trash division shouldn’t be that impressive any more if you seaking Superbowls.
September 14th, 2025 at 9:14 pm
LOL, Sucke once again showing up big time on national TV!
September 14th, 2025 at 10:34 pm
game can’t come soon enough…
suffering with no bucs game on a sunday is enough…
LFG…!
these texans ain’t sheet…
beat these texans and whoop the jet’s at home and we could be 3-0 going into a big philly game…
i’m getting waaaay ahead, but a win on monday night can realistically lead to 3-0……the jets suck
#SizzleToTheGrizzle
September 14th, 2025 at 10:40 pm
minnesota needs kirk cousins back…
jj mccarthy ain’t gonna cut it
September 14th, 2025 at 10:45 pm
This is one of the most boring SNF games I can remember, just awful and uninteresting. Hopefully the fix is in and the Vikings have a big ending, but I don’t see that happening.
September 15th, 2025 at 5:58 am
Not sure how you force a screen. It was a big part of our offense last year.
If they are set to stop screen passes? That should open up some stuff I am thinking. That’s just me though. I would love an X and O explanation of that one.
Regardless, we need to get the ball to White in the passing game more often than zero.
Go Bucs!