There’s No Excuse For Such A Short Passing Game
December 27th, 2025
No more dink-and-dunk, please.
Man, the Bucs throw the ball like it weighs 30 pounds.
On a team with a future Hall of Famer receiver, a Pro Bowl receiver, a guy still in the running for Rookie of the Year and a productive receiver in his second year, all healthy, there is no reason to constantly throw screen passes to the left and four-yard dinks and dunks.
Talk about wasting superior talent! Hell, even Bucs coach Todd Bowles has twice stated the Bucs need to throw downfield more.
Does Bowles’ headset work on Sundays? Or is it picking up Apple TV?
When Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard was hired in January, he said he wanted to keep Liam Coen’s offense in tact, only throw the ball downfield more.
What the hell happened?
The Bucs completed just one pass in the loss to Carolina past 13 yards. One! With all of those (healthy) receivers, that’s simply obscene.
Even Rich Hribar of Sharp Football Analysis ran the numbers to document Grizzard apparently has forgotten he is allowed to throw 10 yards past the line of scrimmage.
Tampa Bay has gained 10 or more yards on 21.3% of their passing plays (past 9 games), 30th in the league.
Now Joe can understand when both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were lost to injury. Defenses simply took Emeka Egbuka out of games. Any defensive coordinator with a piece of a brain would do that.
So what was Grizzard’s answer? Throw constantly east and west parallel to the line of scrimmage for maybe a three-yard gain. Shameful.
If Grizzard learns (?) to throw downfield more, you know, like he did against the Dixie Chicks two weeks ago, the Bucs ought to beat the Dolphins.
If Grizzard trots out the same gameplan used at Carolina, that’s a recipe for failure.
And don’t give Joe this teams-are-getting-pressure-up-the-middle stuff. Is there an NFL bylaw that Joe is unaware of, whereby Baker Mayfield is prohibited from using a moving pocket and throwing outside the tackles box?
Mayfield is allowed to throw out of rollouts, right?
December 27th, 2025 at 12:16 am
Pass protection sucks. Only so much OC and Mayfield can do when the oline is getting their aases kicked all game long.
Blame Licht. He is overrated and the main reason this team is underachieving this season.
December 27th, 2025 at 12:22 am
They target Evans, Egbuka, Godwin, McMillan a total of 26 times against the Falcons
They made plays, and got a ton of defensive pass interference calls
And they still lost the game
They are making too many mental errors
Seems like they can’t get out of their own way
But the season isn’t lost, they can still win the division
And maybe win a few playoff games
December 27th, 2025 at 12:41 am
The team may as well wear the creamsicle uniforms every game from here on out because that’s what this team feels like. As a season ticket holder 87-91, it’s burned into my soul, I should know.
December 27th, 2025 at 12:59 am
Both guards are trash. You can’t run a boot every play, and you’ll still get killed. You want better results? Get good, healthy guards on the field.
December 27th, 2025 at 1:01 am
Cleanhouse, I was in the stands during those Perkins years and at least those Bucs could beat the other bottom feeders of their division, Green Bay and Detroit, at the Sombrero and occasionally got the sweep. This team just let the Aints and ATL get Ws at RJS. Perkins had a cheapskate owner. Bowles does not have that excuse. Fire him, fire him, fire him….
December 27th, 2025 at 1:46 am
The man pictured above has no idea what he’s doing.
December 27th, 2025 at 1:57 am
Guard play, and a lack of roll outs and boot legs.
December 27th, 2025 at 2:23 am
“We just gotta get better”….. getting late for that Todd….YOU need to get better!
December 27th, 2025 at 3:19 am
Wow 4 years of season tickets 30 years ago, clean house you are so awesome!…………………………
December 27th, 2025 at 3:44 am
Mike C Says:
December 27th, 2025 at 3:19 am
Wow 4 years of season tickets 30 years ago, clean house you are so awesome!…………………………
Thanks Mike C, but it’s not about my awesomeness. It’s about me seeing dreadful football up close and personal. This season is reminiscent of those former years. The orange uniforms make me cringe. I think they’re bad luck.
December 27th, 2025 at 3:45 am
Also fair point by Fort Meyers Dave!
December 27th, 2025 at 4:45 am
For every problem, there is a solution. unfortunately, the solution can only come through the draft or free agency. These aren’t second-string Guards, they are third-string and wouldn’t be starting for most (any) teams. Mayfield has to get the ball out in 2 seconds or less. Now Wirfs is out? How far downfield can a WR get in less than two seconds? There seems to be your answer!
December 27th, 2025 at 5:37 am
In fairness, when you have a 6′ tall QB, the guard positions are infinitely more important. Not making an excuse for Grizzard because he’s been as bad as advertised, but its still a major factor.
I dont know if I’ve ever seen an offensive line with this many injuries in a season. Its been insane.
December 27th, 2025 at 6:05 am
The game before we ran it 27 times in a row at the goal line, The Grizz got called out for not sticking with the run. He hasn’t been the same since. Just saying.
December 27th, 2025 at 6:30 am
Baker’s got to be hurt, did you see that 3rd down pass that hit the dirt to CG? that was a pass TB nails 10 out of 10 times and now Baker is missing on many of his passes which means more ints. so the reason they are running and throwing short is they know Baker is in major danger of throwing interceptions. You can go a whole game w/o offense and as long as you dont turn the ball over you wll have a chnce in the 4th. they used to chain up Trent Dilfer just to have a chnce at the end, gotta be the reason Bake is not getting it done
December 27th, 2025 at 7:01 am
Let’s not place blame on guards. This coaches failed to adapt to the opponents style of play. Baker’s height has nothing to do with us losing. A failure to adjust does, that’s on poor coaching. Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Jalen Hurts, n Brock Purdy are all 6’1 n don’t have as many balls batted down as Baker, heck, Bryce Young is actually 5’11. Great coaching is coaching players up to use their vertical leap n arms to bat balls down from especially short qbs. Why aren’t we coaching our defense to do that. Why aren’t we rolling Baker out to avoid batted passes? Nelly is 6’7, n Logan Hall 6’6 so you would think both are coached up to bat down passes. I watched Eagles n Lions defense n their linemen specialize in batting down passes, example of great coaching. One thing I notice about Baker is his mindset of trying to desperately force passes through the arms of 6’6 linemen that get batted down n his inaccuracy on deep throws. He tends to overthrow, underthrow, or throw pass on opposite side of receiver’s body. We need to make adjustments n we don’t. Again, just like 2018 team, problem wasn’t players, but bad coaching n management.
December 27th, 2025 at 7:05 am
Joe again, you’re over rating our talent. Evans has been out more than he’s played. J Mac is just coming back getting his feet wet, Egbuka has hit the rookie wall, and Godwin is a shell of his former self. Then there’s Baker. Playing like he has most of his career, up, and down at about a .500 level. He’s a great guy with a lot of moxie, but he’s not elite, not even close. We’re just not as talented as you, and the rest of the Tampa media has been making us out to be. Licht hasn’t drafted nearly as well as pundits say he has. Look at all the holes in this roster. Be fine with a .500 record, we’re really not built for anything more.
December 27th, 2025 at 7:33 am
Can’t blame it all on Grizzard.
He often calls the play before he sees the defensive front. Coen had the ability to better predict his opponent’s defensive scheme based on down, distance and time on the clock. Grizz just calls plays … it would appear. And it’s why many think he is in over his head.
Baker’s been around long enough to be able to check out of a call. Yet when we at home see a 7 man front we know they’re coming. I know it, you on your couch know it and the coaching staff sure as hell should know it. And that’s the time for Baker to check into one of Grizz’s short pass plays just over the blitz.
What do we see, however?
If a deep pass is called, Baker sticks with it and he gets sacked due to the lack of time for the play to develop. And don’t tell me our OL should be able to pick up the blitz. That ability-ship has sailed.
Unlike some fans profess to be, I’m no NFL QB or coach.
But I see what I see. If Baker is as smart as many think, he should start using those brains to override some of Grizz’s calls.
December 27th, 2025 at 7:48 am
There are plenty of reasons for the short passing game.
Up and down OL play
Bad playcalling
Inaccurate QB
That’s it. That’s why during the off-season when Grizz said he wanted a downfield passing I knew it happen with Baker because thats not his skillset. He’s short and intermediate passing qb.
Baker throwing 30+ times a game (downfield) isn’t the answer as it will lead to more turnovers. As many have said play-action and rollouts are needed to take pressure of Baker and give him clear passing lanes.
No one in this team makes adjustments. Baker doesn’t adjust the play at the line. Grizz doesn’t adjust his gameplan during the game. And we know Bowles changes nothing for the better.
If Coen couldn’t stretch the field with Baker then Grizz certainly won’t be able to.
December 27th, 2025 at 8:02 am
This has got Nowles written all over it….eat clock…..keep our defense off the field and avoid interceptions…..
You can’t deny the protection breaks down
December 27th, 2025 at 8:18 am
At this point, why just take Otton off the field and go to 4 WR as your base? NO team has the DB talent to cover all 4 top of our top WR. At least one will be open every play. Take the easy completions. That will pull the safeties and linebackers back and then you can run draw plays to White and Irving through the huge rush lanes that will open up. When they crowd the line to stop that, then play-action and go deep on them… The old Houston Oilers ran that offense in the early 90s when they had 4 top-tier WR and no one ever really stopped it.
December 27th, 2025 at 8:26 am
17th in pass attempts per game
26th in yards per attempt(6.5yds)
19th yards per completion(9.9yds)
23rd in completion %
17th in completions per game(20)
22nd pass yards per game
17th passing TD per game(1.5)
22nd passing 1st downs per game(9.9)
15th sacks per game(2.2)
17th pass play frequency(55.9%)
Looks like a Corvette in terms of potential, but it runs like a ‘92 Geo Prizim
We have an economy offense, with exotic parts
December 27th, 2025 at 8:32 am
We have no OC, DC or ST coach. Other than that we are good to go!
7-10 is coming.
December 27th, 2025 at 9:19 am
I’ve been screaming about lack of rollouts and nonexistent play action all year!
We need more hitch and slant plays too.
This HS play calling is totally predictable. Has been since the third point of our season.
December 27th, 2025 at 9:42 am
The height thing with Baker is,a bit ridiculous. There are many Starting QBs shorter v than Baker now including the,Panthers guy who just beat the Bucs. to quote cool hand Luke “what we have here is a failure to communicate”. Evans is rusty and out of game time action for a while. Plus Griz is just plain green and not experienced.
December 27th, 2025 at 9:57 am
To expect this offense to kick it into high gear at this point in the season is like expecting the defense to turn into the 85 Bears. Even if they do win this one does anyone believe they can beat the Panthers next week?
December 27th, 2025 at 10:30 am
Todd Bowles needs to let him loose and not demand 30 runs because it worked last year. Still, he’s not a great play caller.
December 27th, 2025 at 10:40 am
Haven’t you been watching the games? Mayfield ranks dead last in catchable ball accuracy since the bye week. They are not throwing long to cover up for his recent deficiencies.
December 27th, 2025 at 10:40 am
Terrible playcalling
Poor blocking
Boneheaded penalties
Happy feet in the pocket
Offense sucks. Defense sucks. Special teams belongs in a special ed class.
That’s your current 2025 Bucs
December 27th, 2025 at 10:50 am
It’s incompetence at galactic proportions. Doesn’t Grizz have film of Coen’s plays and game plans from last year? Wasn’t he on the practice fields and sidelines? Why did he eliminate most of the motion and play action? Where is Bowles to make him implement last year’s offensive plays and strategy? Did all the brain cells leave to go to Jax? Where is the continuity promised from hiring Grizz in the first place? Was it just a smoke screen to get a Bowles lackey in place instead of competence to challenge turtle mode. Now we incompetence across the board. Fool on ST, ignorant rookie OC, antiquated DC, stubborn, uninspiring washed up HC. When will the Glazers come to their senses. They wouldn’t allow this business model elsewhere. Fire Bowles now.
December 27th, 2025 at 11:16 am
CyberDilemnma. Care to back that up? It’s not that I’m calling you a liar. It’s that you are one.
December 27th, 2025 at 11:16 am
Fire Todd
December 27th, 2025 at 11:21 am
No Minkah is nice. I think Evans and Egbuka are about to eat well tomorrow.
Speaking of the interior line situation, I thought the Bucs could develop OL and liked to cross train them?
Jordan and Feeney basically pulled off the street and are starting. Meanwhile, guys in the system for multiple years (Klein and Metz) are holding clipboards? Might as well cut them loose and restock the cupboards if they can’t be out Dan Feeney.
December 27th, 2025 at 11:25 am
Kenton Smith;
Baker Mayfield from Week 7 on, per @FantasyPtsData
+ 5.69 yards per attempt (33rd of 33 QBs)
+ 4.17 ANY/A (32nd)
+ -5.6% CPOE (32nd)
+ 22.3% off target throw rate (33rd)
December 27th, 2025 at 11:38 am
CyberDilemnma, first off I owe you an apology. I thought it was bad, bottom 10% bad even, but I’m glad you set me straight. I needed that.
December 27th, 2025 at 11:44 am
Wirfs out, making 3 starters down on oline. Mayfield will have happy feet all day.
December 27th, 2025 at 11:50 am
Kenton Smith is too dumb to be a troll, he can’t “carry” the other trolls’ jocks, and needs to be set straight!
CyberDilemnma Says:
December 27th, 2025 at 10:40 am
Haven’t you been watching the games? Mayfield ranks dead last in catchable ball accuracy since the bye week. They are not throwing long to cover up for his recent deficiencies.
Kenton Smith Says:
December 27th, 2025 at 11:16 am
CyberDilemnma. Care to back that up? It’s not that I’m calling you a liar. It’s that you are one.
CyberDilemnma Says:
December 27th, 2025 at 11:25 am
Kenton Smith;
Baker Mayfield from Week 7 on, per @FantasyPtsData
+ 5.69 yards per attempt (33rd of 33 QBs)
+ 4.17 ANY/A (32nd)
+ -5.6% CPOE (32nd)
+ 22.3% off target throw rate (33rd)
Kenton Smith Says:
December 27th, 2025 at 11:38 am
CyberDilemnma, first off I owe you an apology. I thought it was bad, bottom 10% bad even, but I’m glad you set me straight. I needed that.
December 27th, 2025 at 12:05 pm
Cleanhouse, fair enough. CyberDilemnma, I was dead wrong. Sorry.
December 27th, 2025 at 12:29 pm
WBL…..perfect!! Economy offense with exotic parts. Funny but too true.
December 27th, 2025 at 1:03 pm
Funny how that cheesy Coen Duval battle cry is all but 4gotten now
December 27th, 2025 at 1:43 pm
Is it grizzard or baker or the oline? Passing routes include downfield options. Bake isn’t utilizing them or receivers aren’t getting open fast enough bc our oline isn’t providing enough protection.
December 27th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
First off, I’m a Mayfield supporter but his game has been totally off since the bye week. I don’t know how much of it is Grizzard’s play calling but the eye test tells me he has the jitters back there to the point that he is indecisive and off target with his throws. Looks very much like a rookie out there at times.
December 27th, 2025 at 2:45 pm
Bowles has been taking all the heat and much of it justifiably so but the Bucs are 7-1 when Mayfield has not throw an interception this season and 0-7 when he has thrown an interception. Coincidence?
December 27th, 2025 at 2:52 pm
GenocideD:
PFF suprisingly has the Bucs pass blocking grade ranked 2nd only behind the Eagles.
December 27th, 2025 at 3:07 pm
“Looks very much like a rookie out there at times.”
Mind you, this man has started >100 NFL games; and fwiw his pocket presence doesn’t cut the OL any slack on any level and sometimes makes their jobs harder cause when he steps up he shortens rush angles at times. Don’t get me started on that pump fake that always feels like force of habit than it does coverage manipulation.
December 27th, 2025 at 3:27 pm
Possible thoughts circulating in Baker’s mind :
What if Bowles and Grizz both stay ?
What if Bowles stays and Grizz goes ?
What if they both go ?
What if I ask for a trade ?
December 27th, 2025 at 4:00 pm
If we had ham, we could have a ham sandwich, if we had bread.
December 27th, 2025 at 4:41 pm
There is no excuse for most of this team from coaches to roster.
December 27th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
How on earth could we beat the Texans, the Seahawks and the 49ers when we barely had a healthy offense and now that we’re back to being healthy, we can’t beat the worst teams in the league??!!! only thing that makes sense is our offensive coordinator has regressed…
December 27th, 2025 at 6:24 pm
Baker is injured and it’s painful to throw long passes. He is wearing some heavy support equipment on his left side !!
Go Bucs !!
December 27th, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Can’t throw the ball down the field when the o-line can’t protect for more than .5 seconds. There’s just no time for it. Too many injuries this year.