Josh Grizzard: Defense Helped Mold Bucs’ Fourth Quarter Offense
September 15th, 2025
Preparation enables clutch plays.
That was so cool to see last week. On the road. Less than a minute left. Bucs need a touchdown to take the lead.
And that’s just what the got when Baker Mayfield connected with Emeka Egbuka for the game-winning score, 23-20. That delivered a Week 1 win over the Dixie Chicks.
Last week, speaking with the local pen and mic club, Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard said the Bucs were ready to score late because the Bucs’ defense molded the offense.
Grizzard said the offense would always go up against the first-team defense in two-minute drills in practice. That conditioned the offense to score late.
“We work those situations so much out [on the practice field], especially in training camp versus our own defense,” Grizzard said.
And because of that, the Bucs’ offense, Grizzard said, had confidence.
“Just the belief that we’re all connected, we know what plays we’re going to get to, we know what we’re trying to attack, we have the belief [that] the O-line is going to hold up in protection,” Grizzard said. “We need protection fixes from the back to be able to hold up, to be able to ultimately get first downs and right there be able to get points to win the game, which was huge and great to see.
“Everybody was just calm – we’ve done this a bunch of times. Let’s put together some completions, get on the ball, and go from there.”
If the Bucs defense gave the offense confidence and the necessary edge, what happened to the defense when the Dixie Chicks got the ball back after Egbuka’s touchdown catch?
If not for a fantastic play by Antoine Winfield, who knows how that game turns out?
Let’s hope the Bucs can get a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter tonight, where neither the offense nor the defense will be forced to rely on heroics to win.
September 15th, 2025 at 4:02 am
If the Bucs defense gave the Bucs’ offense confidence and the needed edge to get the job done, what happened to the defense when the Dixie Chicks got the ball back after Egbuka’s touchdown catch?
If not for a fantastic play by Antoine Winfield, who knows how that game turns out?
In the IMMORTAL WORDS OF WARREN SAPP
” If it’s and buts we’re candy and nuts. Then every day would be Christmas!”
September 15th, 2025 at 5:43 am
Falcons looked damn good on the road last night.
Made my +190 ML quite easily thank you.
September 15th, 2025 at 6:04 am
I don’t think it’s just that the Falcons looked good as much as the Vikings looked bad. Kirk knows everything about the Vikings too, their weak spots and they were determined to show the Vikings up. It’s one game. Not reading too much into yet.
September 15th, 2025 at 6:28 am
I dont see how some people say the Bucs did great. I think they have a lot of room to improve. Maybe it’s just me.
September 15th, 2025 at 8:34 am
By the way. Was anyone else here as tickled as I was watching Canales and Coen go down yesterday? With Tampa they were rising stars. Now they are coming to grips with reality. What Licht and Bowles are doing here hasn’t happened overnight. Patience is hard earned. Nothing worthwhile easy. Dave and Liam, I’m afraid you guys chose organizations that thinks they can take shortcuts. That’s not how you build a team. I’m not a builder but even I know that.
September 15th, 2025 at 8:57 am
Yes, they have room to improve. Just so happens we get Tristan Wirfs next week and Godwin Jr. the week after that. Once that happens, LOOK OUT!
September 15th, 2025 at 9:07 am
I have this horrible feeling it will be a nail biter tonight. I have this horrible feeling one side of the ball will do well while the other side struggles.
I hope I am completely wrong and the Bucs come out firing on all cylinders.
September 15th, 2025 at 9:53 am
“If the Bucs defense gave the offense confidence and the necessary edge, what happened to the defense when the Dixie Chicks got the ball back after Egbuka’s touchdown catch?”
They returned the favor for our offense being stuck in the mud the entire 1st quarter, struggling to score 23 points, and missing a PT to make the math at the end of the game something to actually defend.
September 15th, 2025 at 10:01 am
Last year and this year, I’ve felt the offense has done well in the last 5 minutes.
The defense has looked bad in the last 5 minutes:
no pass rush from the front four and few blitzes
soft ‘prevent’ coverage
PASSIVE DEFENSE trying to avoid big plays but giving up chunks
In the preseason, Todd had his assistants calling plays in the first couple of games and I felt they did better than Todd. Todd needs to immediately meet with his assistants and change the play calling for end of game scenarios.
September 15th, 2025 at 10:20 am
Two things.
Griz and Genius – maybe run more two minute offense, like, to start the game, or even in the middle of the second quarter. The defense plays ball control, letting the opponent possess the ball for 12 minutes a drive anyway, so scoring quick won’t matter to that side of the ball. Speaking of that side of the ball….
Genius – when you tighten up the defense and find success for two quarters, maybe leave it tight at the ends of games, especially if you only have a 3 point lead because your kicker has blown a brain gasket.
I know. Crazy talk.
Can’t wait to see CJ Stroud throw for 350 and scramble for another hundred tonight because Genius will be doing all kinds of off ball exotic things.