Bryon Leftwich Gets In-house Praise For Simplifying Offense
March 10th, 2021
During the Bucs’ glorious eight-game winning streak to close the 2020 season, Tampa Bay averaged 106.5 rushing yards per game.
That was a heck of a lot of balance for arguably the NFC’s most dangerous passing attack.
But the Bucs weren’t committed to the run early in the season like they were in those final eight games.
That fact wasn’t lost on starting stud left guard Ali Marpet.
He talked to WDAE radio this week and praised offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich for listening to some players and making offensive life less complex — versus putting more attention into maximizing Tampa Bay’s plethora of dangerous weapons.
“I think when you sort of simply it, which [Leftwich] did, which is just run the ball and then, you know, make it work after that, I think it makes things a lot easier,” Marpet said. “And I’m glad we were able to find that rhythm.
“Obviously, there was a lot of guys that were pounding the table to run the ball. And I’m glad we were able to get to that later in the season, obviously.”
Very interesting to hear Marpet speak of players yearning to run more. That may be a familiar and annual refrain from offensive linemen, but it sounds like it might have been something more last season, especially considering the Bucs’ quality running backs and blockers.
March 10th, 2021 at 8:05 pm
Yes, thank you Tom Brady for fixing our predictable offense.
March 10th, 2021 at 8:25 pm
LOL!!! C’mon bro…do we really expect Marpet to give all the credit to Brady? Byrons playcalling was a complete disastert to start the season and Brady let him know mid way it needed to change. He didnt simplify anything, in fact it became more complex. But yeah…way to go Byron!!! lol
March 10th, 2021 at 8:59 pm
So many fans with so much insight on what goes on behind closed doors at one Buc palace. Amazing.
March 10th, 2021 at 9:26 pm
Brady overhauled the offense. It emphasized a horizontal attack with lots of pre-snap motion versus the vertical concepts we saw somewhat past the midpoint the season when the offense kept getting bogged down. It was really just modifying the offense to something that efficiently moves the sticks. Vertical attacks are used sparingly and they’re more effective as it catches the defense off guard.
Leftwich and Arians had to approve it so give them credit for being flexible. I’m sure they tweaked it along as well.
March 10th, 2021 at 10:00 pm
Passing Thru,
That’s probably a pretty accurate observation.
I take issue with the “BL was the mastermind” accolades.
I wonder why they keep pushing the narrative that he’s such a special OC?
It’s a real mystery……
March 10th, 2021 at 10:07 pm
DoooshLaRue, maybe they want the Glazers to think that BL was the brains behind it so he can be hired to replace Arians? Let’s face it, if the Bucs defense plays next year like the playoffs? Bowles will be gone somewhere.
March 10th, 2021 at 10:26 pm
Bowles not getting some looks from teams as HC was a bit of a surprise to me. I get that he didn’t work out well with the Jets or better yet that’s an awful franchise that continually provided Bowles with zero talent. He’s an even keel dude and a darn good coach. Other teams loss is our gain. The article was really about BL and while I think BL is definitely on a fast moving upswing, it’s going to take more than 1 year for the Byron buy-in from around the NFL. As unfair as it may be, BL gets the short end of the stick as Brady is often credited with the success rather than BL. Both should be.
March 10th, 2021 at 10:56 pm
Jets situation is Bowles boo-boo for getting looks from other teams in 2021. And his bland personality, which is be BS – see Belichick. Bland works….
Wondering which coordinator Glazers consider to take over as HC when BA retires – BL or Bowles?
March 10th, 2021 at 11:11 pm
DOOSHLARUE- starting us right off with an ignorant comment. Way to go, appropriately named.
You are basically implying BL and Bruce don’t know what they’re doing and have nothing to do with the offense, it only works because of Brady. That’s so simple minded.
Can everyone get over the finger pointing to try to give one person credit or to blame one person and realize it’s actually a bunch of adults in a room and they worked TOGETHER to get to the point where they won a Super Bowl.
March 10th, 2021 at 11:12 pm
I’ll take Bowles over BL any day.
March 10th, 2021 at 11:15 pm
I think our run attempts simply became less predictable in the latter part of the season
March 10th, 2021 at 11:27 pm
I think our run attempts simply became less predictable in the latter part of the season
—
This!
Also, more presnap motion (takes advantage of brady’s ability to read defense) and play action.
Also I hate how lazy analysts and even players misrepresent running stats.. ofcourse you run more when your winning because when your up big you want to run the clock out!! Correlation is not causation
March 11th, 2021 at 7:35 am
Proofread Joe… Has to be 2nd or 3rd time this week it has happened within a quote.
Quote is clear. This is exactly what Marpet said. You complain consistently. Why continue to return?–Joe
March 11th, 2021 at 7:36 am
How many playoff assistants got jobs elsewhere? How many whose teams went deep into the playoffs got jobs elsewhere?
That is a factor on Bowles being the Buc’s DC right now.
I read the league has floated “no interviews of coaches until a week before SB,” and for coaches on playoff teams, that’s a good idea.
March 11th, 2021 at 9:22 am
Bryon is good that way. So is Byron.
March 11th, 2021 at 1:50 pm
Colonel – as much as I am a stickler for proper grammar, Joe kicks a$$ and doesn’t need to hear your complaints. Lame
March 11th, 2021 at 8:06 pm
Leftwich is a good coach the only time he gets the blame is if Brady throws a int . But when the offense plays good then it’s all Brady and not Leftwich . Lol 😆 🤣 😂!!