Jeff Tedford’s Offense? “Up Tempo”
March 18th, 2014
“Up tempo” offensive coordinator?
Joe calls it the “Jeff Tedford Mystery.” It’s whatever the Bucs offense will be.
Up until today, we could only guess. Tedford, who has yet to walk the sidelines of an NFL practice as an NFL coach, is Lovie Smith’s offensive coordinator and but for a few brief years in the CFL, has been a college guy.
One could look at his track record as “Cal” head coach and guess what his offense would be, but it would only be a guess. The NFL is not the PAC-12. Lovie talks about running the ball and his history would suggest a run-oriented offense, but general manager Jason Licht seems to be putting all of his chips in the middle of the table with guys (Anthony Collins, Evan Dietrich-Smith and Demar Dotson) who are better known for pass blocking than run blocking.
Last week Joe did his best to try to pry details of the Bucs offense from starting quarterback Josh McCown. He danced around the question, which Joe somewhat expected, and the closest hint he gave was “Chip Kelly,” referring to the offensive-minded coach of the Eagles who tries to run so many plays his players can’t count.
That was a pretty good hint. Today, newly-acquired center Even Dietrich-Smith appeared on “Movin’ the Chains,” co-hosted by Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, and gave a little more detail on what to expect from Tedford.
Pat Kirwan: You referenced Jeff Tedford’s offense. Do you have a sense as to what he is all about as it relates to, a) what you haven’t done in Green Bay; or maybe they did? I am sure your quarterback [Aaron Rodgers] knows it pretty good from his days at Cal. What do you know about the offense, for the Buccaneers fans? They are going to ask us the second you get off. What’s going on with this offense under Tedford? What’s your insight into that?
Evan Dietrich-Smith: I was [understanding] it was an up tempo offense. You are going to see some standard stuff but that is also the trend of the league, you now, the no-huddle stuff. Making the defenses play long [drives] and multiple reps. Get the D-linemen worn out. That [lot of reps] definitely has an effect on the defensive guys. They actually have [to be on the field] longer than the offensive guys a lot of the times. It was sort of like our philosophy up in Green Bay. When I went down there [to Tampa] to talk about it, it’s going to be some of the same. There is going to be some carry-over. Even when you look around the league, a lot teams run the same stuff, they just call it different. The translation of the terms, you just have to learn it. It’s like a new language. The more knowledge you have as a football player it is pretty easy to translate it from coach to coach.
So now a clearer picture is coming into focus, the Chip Kelly, hurry-up offense with running plays. (Yes, Kelly loves to run, too) Joe has to tip his cap. This is a bit innovative and not so much the standard mentality of keep-away, ball control, but wear out the defense with multiple plays.
So McCown was pretty accurate when he invoked Kelly’s name. No wonder Lovie told Joe at the combine he wanted a strong stable of running backs to surround Doug Martin.
March 18th, 2014 at 5:29 pm
Wouldn’t mind johnny running that offense
March 18th, 2014 at 5:29 pm
One can only hope we run an uptempo offense. Fingers are crossed. Please football gods…..no more Buc Ball, no more ball control, no more old school run it down their throat offense.
March 18th, 2014 at 5:29 pm
I’m really excited to see our offense and our Dline.
March 18th, 2014 at 6:07 pm
Up-tempo? Spread? Screens? 2TE 2WR sets?
Finally!
March 18th, 2014 at 6:16 pm
I think Lovie taking a year off, evaluating himself and the league is why he hooked up with Tedford and is taking the chance on a first time NFL OC is for this exact reason as mentioned above. A more modern type of O instead of doing what he has always done. There still gonna try to play ball control on O. Lovie could have had his pick of a lot of expd OC but he personaly picked Tedford. I believe that is exactly why. Plus Tedfords known as a QB guru. Sounds awesome! GO BUCS!!!
March 18th, 2014 at 6:17 pm
The Bucs are not going to draft Johnny Fruitball. Not. Going. To. Happen.
March 18th, 2014 at 6:20 pm
Can’t wait to see our offense!!!!!!!!
March 18th, 2014 at 6:26 pm
Why pound the rock when you can fly over it and run around it?
So tired of run, run, pass, punt!!!
March 18th, 2014 at 6:27 pm
That may even suite Glennon too. He did pretty good in the no huddle offense last year be Schiano pulled a Schiano and stopped running it. I was hoping Tedford was going to bring something unique.
I have to admit, Joe’s boy Johnny would be nice in an offense like that.
Dang draft feels like it is miles away…. smdh
March 18th, 2014 at 6:28 pm
Eagles shopping Desean. Reportedly for 3rd rounder. Shouldn’t we be interested?
March 18th, 2014 at 6:28 pm
This sounds like we might actually practice the two minute drill under these coaches. Imagine that!
March 18th, 2014 at 6:34 pm
Run, Run, Pass, Punt
March 18th, 2014 at 6:39 pm
Did anyone watch the Superbowl this year? The up-tempo highpowered offense got smoked by the ball control pound the rock team.
March 18th, 2014 at 6:50 pm
If true, that’s great news. That sounds like its fun for the fans to watch and a winning strategy. Thank god for no more dink and dunk.
March 18th, 2014 at 6:51 pm
StAugBuc,
Desean Jackson has a prohibitive contract that only a ready-now team would be willing to take on. Jackson is due $10.5 million in 2014, and $9.75 million each of the next two seasons.
March 18th, 2014 at 6:54 pm
Macabee Says:
March 18th, 2014 at 6:51 pm
StAugBuc,
Desean Jackson has a prohibitive contract that only a ready-now team would be willing to take on. Jackson is due $10.5 million in 2014, and $9.75 million each of the next two seasons.
__________________________________________________________________
He’s a Game breaker, which we don’t have. Maybe Williams, 2 Queen sized mattresses and a 5th would work?
March 18th, 2014 at 6:57 pm
Up tempo offense with the Tampa 2 defense. All we need is Hester, 2 speedy receivers & Johnny!
March 18th, 2014 at 7:07 pm
The up tempo style could be why there getting athletic, smaller offensive linemen and getting rid of the big power linemen we had. Probably going to zone block more I’m guessing.
March 18th, 2014 at 7:21 pm
LOL…not even the long snapper is safe.
March 18th, 2014 at 7:36 pm
We nd speed sure like to hv Jackson
March 18th, 2014 at 7:39 pm
As a defensive minded HC Lovie is not going to want anything up tempo that doesn’t work extremely well because that means his defense will be on the field a lot more.
Also, me thinks Lovie would trade back if Manziel is there at 7 because they would prefer a Carr, McCarron, Garrapolo type in the 2nd or 3rd.
Oh yeah, Desean Jackson is well worth a 3rd if we could work a new contract with him. Proven commodity on the right side of his career.
March 18th, 2014 at 7:48 pm
We’re listening to offer for zuttah and eagles listening for Jackson. Makes some sense
March 18th, 2014 at 7:58 pm
Teddy Bridgewater in round 1 or Brett Smith in round 3… not much interest in the two.
March 18th, 2014 at 8:00 pm
it has nothing to do with our offense, but we could eventually think about getting the QB.. well the Mike for our defense, but wait – not CJ Mosley, but ANTHONY BARR.
He is such a great rusher (bears loved to blitz with the Mike)
He is very good in coverage and has sideline to sideline speed.
Only mock is, he played OLB and MLB might take a little to adjust (its just different)
But with good coaching and some time to adjust he might get it done and do it quite well. He certainly has the tools.
Nickerson could teach him well and maybe Urlacher says hello to share some insights..
So many great great options for Bucs at the 7th – and Mack isn´t one of them – he may be a good player but not an 7th round pick… overhyped
March 18th, 2014 at 8:04 pm
If true, we should entertain a 3rd for Desean Jackson. Seems like perfect timing. Tedford has to be pleading for management to make this happen.
March 18th, 2014 at 8:23 pm
Who was thriving under no huddle when Schaino was coach and hadn’t practiced it?
March 18th, 2014 at 8:28 pm
I like Greg’s suggestion. Zuttah for DeSean. But be on notice, yes, he is as great receiver, but a MAJOR head case. He is ALL about Desean.
As to Tedford, it is great to point at the success of Chip Kelly and hope that is a sign of things to come for the Bucs, but you will have to prove it to me. Bringing a college coach to the NFL has met with more failure than success. I am hopeful, I am excited, but I will believe it when I see it.
March 18th, 2014 at 8:40 pm
Great, so now if we run, run, pass, punt… We’ll only be taking 30 seconds off the clock instead of a minute and a half….
March 18th, 2014 at 8:45 pm
DeSean is to sporadic. One good game and three sh*tty ones. He doesn’t fit Lovie’s team first mentality. Can’t wait to see an up tempo offense. Throw the rock!
March 18th, 2014 at 9:15 pm
Hey Joe!! Raiders picked up Penn! The dream is slipping away! Oh Johnny boy!
March 18th, 2014 at 9:32 pm
I love how you guys love to have little fantasies about players coming here. DeSean Jackson. Now that’s a good one. Makes more money than we can fit under our cap now. Me first guy (not likely Lovie’s type). Compensation would require draft picks, not Zuttah. Not. Gonna. Happen. Might be a good idea to have some realistic expectations.
March 18th, 2014 at 10:03 pm
Joe – wow, you gotta do a story about the revelation Ron & Ian dropped this morning about Josh Freeman! MIA 1 hour before the Jets game, Bucs officials go to his house and find him disorientated and not knowing where he is. The confusion on the opening drive is totally understandable now. The truth is finally starting to come out about Freeman last year.
March 18th, 2014 at 10:11 pm
@kH. Wow for real?!
March 18th, 2014 at 10:21 pm
Getting rid of Zuttah would be a mistake.
March 18th, 2014 at 10:24 pm
Miles Austin, Sidney Rice, and Santonio Holmes are still available. In 2012, Austin caught over 60 passes for almost 1,000 yards from Romo. He wouldn’t be a bad pickup, but I’d prefer Watkins, Evans, or that guy from Vandy in the 2nd.
Some interesting remaining FA are Vick, Freeman, Allen, and Alex Mack. Not as Bucs pickups. Just interesting nobody has signed these guys.
March 18th, 2014 at 10:55 pm
Let’s not forget the probability that Houston will cut Matt Schaub in June…
March 18th, 2014 at 10:59 pm
Captain Stagger, you took the words out of my mouth. No more buc ball. Please football gods!
March 18th, 2014 at 11:00 pm
Keep this in mind, Tedford has zero experience calling a NFL game. Smith hired a OC with zero experience calling a NFL game. Don’t expect too much. Run Run Pass sounds about right.
March 18th, 2014 at 11:08 pm
The ghost of Father Dungy’s offense returns to Tampa in the form of L.Smith.
Sincerely,
We just weren’t in sync.
March 18th, 2014 at 11:16 pm
@bucamania – yes, goto the podcasts on 620wdae and click the one that says Irsay Freeman issues. About 2/3rds of the way through.
This is massive news.
March 18th, 2014 at 11:23 pm
Interesting article on Collins
http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/1994994-understanding-the-context-of-anthony-collins-success-for-the-cincinnati-bengals
March 19th, 2014 at 12:02 am
Go watch 04-08 Cal offense football highlight.
.. Jeff Tedford ‘s offense….
March 19th, 2014 at 7:59 am
Tedford: terrible choice. Bucs have a history of hiring the worst OC available.
March 19th, 2014 at 11:56 am
@KH,
How did Freeman get from his house to Met Life Stadium in an hour for that opening drive? I can definitely understand some first drive confusion if that’s the case… Supersonic travel will do that to a guy…
All jokes aside, there’s a reason these WRs are on the market still. They are done, kaput, finito. As for D. Jackson, he’s had a significant dropoff in the last two years (of course this is just my casual NFL fan standpoint, I’m sure someone with nothing to do will pull some useless stats and condescend the s**t out of me). This is also the deepest drafts for skill positions in a while, I have a feeling the Bucs will spend most picks shoring these up. Good nucleus of young playmakers to go along with the veteran workhorses. JOHNNY MANZIEL NOT INCLUDED!
March 19th, 2014 at 12:37 pm
ok, the offense plans to run plays – lots of them – ideally getting the ball in the hands of playmakers, gaining lots of yards and scoring points. so, yeah. mystery solved.
March 19th, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Nic you stole my thunder.
Good call, though.
March 19th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
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