Bucs Will Go “Heavy”
January 23rd, 2021
Bill O’Brien, the ousted Texans coach and one of Tom Brady’s former offensive coordinators with the Belicheats, was talking Bucs-Packers this week.
Nothing screams “we’re running the ball” quite like when the Bucs bring in reserve offensive lineman Joe Haeg as an eligible tight end. He is there to block, not catch. On SiriusXM NFL Radio this week, former Bucs scout and Jets personnel chief Pat Kirwan noted the Bucs’ extensive use of Haeg in the “heavy package” against the Saints last Sunday — and the Bucs’ success running out of that front.
Kirwan asked O’Brien on the air about the Bucs’ “heavy” set and what he thinks of it.
O’Brien dove into the Xs and Os, saying once you play-action out of that set and use it as often as the Bucs do, then teams will disrespect the presence of Haeg and blitz whoever would be covering him if he were a receiving threat.
Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is the kind of guy that will aggressively counter the heavy package with blitzing, O’Brien said, and the Bucs will need to be mindful of that.
Regardless, O’Brien said he expects the Bucs to continue with the “heavy package” because they’re running successfully from it and the line is blocking well overall.
Bucco Bruce Arians repeatedly has praised Haeg in that role and Joe certainly expects it to continue.
Hey, it’s working. No defense wants to see a 6-6, 310-pound lineman with fresh legs checking in when the Bucs still have an arsenal of weapons on the field.
As strongly as the Bucs’ starting receivers block, lining up with Haeg and Rob Gronkowski in that “heavy package” should net at least five yards per carry rather consistently.
Derrick Brooks Looks At The NFC Heavyweight Title Bout
TAMPA TWO is back with Bucs legend Derrick Brooks and Sage JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman diving into Sunday’s NFC Championship game. More fun from The Identity Tampa Bay and Joe.
January 23rd, 2021 at 8:30 pm
Run and short passing game. Should see lots of screens with the occasional big play. Kinda like last week. Go Bucs! I have respect for our defense and I believe they again will be the difference in the game. Go Bucs!
January 23rd, 2021 at 8:32 pm
They better use the running game or I’m gonna sh!t. RoJo killed em 23 carries 117 yards and two TD. Playoff Lenny has been hot.
January 23rd, 2021 at 8:55 pm
We may get lucky with the weather. Doesn’t look too bad. Forecast is 29 degrees and only a light wind. Snow in the morning, but only 5% chance of snow at kickoff.
January 23rd, 2021 at 8:58 pm
The Packers have beat only 3 winning teams so, what we saw in week 6 was not a fluke. They don’t match up well against us.
January 23rd, 2021 at 9:07 pm
packers division has been about as good this year as the patriots divison has traditionally been when brady was there…
one good team…and 3 average teams to crappy teams…
January 23rd, 2021 at 9:10 pm
^^^^^
from the above pic, stinnie is looking all brolic
January 23rd, 2021 at 9:18 pm
I hope all the pre game analysts pick the Packers….
Please. Please. Please.
January 23rd, 2021 at 9:37 pm
Heavy- yes well run and pound all day! Scottie and Cam the xfactors
January 23rd, 2021 at 10:05 pm
I’d LOVE to see Joe catch at least ONE pass. He can’t be worse at it than RoJo
January 23rd, 2021 at 10:08 pm
Send in the Clydesdales!
January 23rd, 2021 at 10:13 pm
WTF Ira is picking the Packers to win against Brooks! Trader! Why is he even on this site? Go to ESPN or some YouTube sh*t with that noise Ira! They have Rodgers? Better in cold weather? We have MF Brady and you really think some chill in the air is gonna slow us down Ira? Im sorry but I just think we’re hungrier, more motivated than the Packers and all these ancillary things people keep throwing out is just BS. Wow lost some respect right there Ira.
January 23rd, 2021 at 10:28 pm
Run,run,run. Sets up play action,keeps A Rod off the field, our D stays rested and kills the clock. Our backs are fresh and running good.
January 23rd, 2021 at 10:34 pm
A 12 minute drive to start the game.. ending in a touchdown for our Bucs would be great.
January 23rd, 2021 at 10:49 pm
Scotty Miller, getting AB’s snaps will open up the field and will burn them twice this game, one for TD. Bucs 34-21
January 23rd, 2021 at 11:12 pm
Joe. Do you know what color uniforms we are wearing tomorrow?
January 23rd, 2021 at 11:13 pm
That’s how you win in the post-season. Control the line of scrimmage, protect the football, and lean on the run. I think we will see a balanced attack. And if we run well, the big play will be there. But just be smart and wait for it. Don’t force it. Let the running game set it up.
The Saints were able to limit our downfield passing attack largely because they kept their safeties back the whole game. If GB tries that same strategy, we are going to murder them with the run. So there will be some favorable match-ups downfield if we set it up right with the run and play-action.
January 23rd, 2021 at 11:14 pm
I scared bc of the bucs slow starts and bc i saw the last time BA was n the title game
January 23rd, 2021 at 11:14 pm
I will never pick against my Bucs. I believe it’s our time do you? Go Bucs! Feel the game time air suck it into your blood and release rage against your enemy and conquer the giant. We have been walked on, laughed at for years. Now is our time.
January 23rd, 2021 at 11:15 pm
Just found it finally. We are wearing white jersey with pewter pants. Like it
January 23rd, 2021 at 11:19 pm
That color scheme worked well in 2002 nfc championship game.
January 24th, 2021 at 12:04 am
we’ve got “the gravediggers” in the secondary too
January 24th, 2021 at 1:18 am
Pound the rock!!
January 24th, 2021 at 2:43 am
I don’t understand why Ira keeps betting against the Bucs. Last week he was going Saints, got stumped. This week he’s going Packers. Wtf!…. I thought he knew something about football. Even a blind can see that the Bucs are the most dangerous team on this year contest.
January 24th, 2021 at 7:39 am
With him around to fight for us it’s no wonder none of our guys get voted into the ball of fame!
January 24th, 2021 at 7:48 am
Keep the run game going we ran all over then last time um sure they will try to have a plan to stop it….always have a backup plan LFGO TAMPA BAY ALL THE WAY
January 24th, 2021 at 9:35 am
Pulling for Tampa and Tom Brady. He’s never had these kind of weapons looks like a kid in a candy shop go Bucks.
January 24th, 2021 at 9:54 am
Yes pound that rock !!!!!
January 24th, 2021 at 10:34 am
Maybe Ira is doing what I like to do. Pick the other team so I turn out to be wrong. I thought the Bucs would win last week, but dared not pick them. Same this week. I call it my reverse jinx.
January 24th, 2021 at 11:34 am
I believe GB airs it out. No reason to run against Bucs when DB’S are so weak and banged up. I don’t see a ground and pound game the key to a successful w this week. I do believe Brady can win a shoot out if allowed to. If BA is stubborn it could be too late once Brady over rules. Watch #83 on GB deep threat for deep pass as quick if not quicker than Scotty. I say coaching loses this one. BA, BL & Bowles a call out to prove me wrong.
January 24th, 2021 at 1:29 pm
This is the Original Buc Fan 1976. I’m in with tired 87, it’s will be special to get back to the Battle of The Bays. However, pounding the Rock together with a short passing attack will help propel the Team into history, therefore it’s not All A Bout Da 12’s. Make No Mistake, just as last week in Nnn