Competition For An Offensive Coordinator?
December 15th, 2022
“Yes Mr. Glazer, I think Bill O’Brien would prefer working for Todd over Nick Saban.”
Man, Team Glazer will have a tough call on their hands in a few weeks.
“This Joe” is not optimistic about how the Bucs’ season will end the next four games. Only someone who has spent a full afternoon at Big Storm Brewing can talk themselves into thinking the Bucs can beat Joe Burrow and Cincinnati this Sunday.
The only way you can beat Joe Burrow and the Bengals, outside of a rash of Cincinnati turnovers, is to score more than 22 points. The Bucs, behind the guiding, nurturing hand of failing Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, have done that once this season.
Unless the Bucs plan to tank for Caleb Williams next year (#CollapseForCaleb) Joe cannot fathom how the Bucs would allow Leftwich back into One Buc Palace after the season except to clean out his office.
So who would the Bucs get as an offensive coordinator? There may not be a lot of guys beating down the door for the job because if Todd Bowles has another awful season in 2023, if he’s allowed back, it’s out the door for the entire staff after the 2023 season.
How many offensive coordinators (unless you make it worth their while — ahem) want to come to a place where they may only get one year? Not a lot.
Joe has thrown out the name of Jim Caldwell, a veteran offensive coach. In 2012, he took over as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator on Dec. 10. Immediately, Baltimore turned things around and went on Super Bowl-winning run.
Here’s another name: How about Bill O’Brien? The former Texans coach (who developed Deshaun Watson) was once Tom Brady’s offensive coordinator in New England. And Albert Breer of SI.com, a former Belicheats beat guy, thinks it wouldn’t be crazy to see creepy Bob Kraft coax Belicheat to bring O’Brien back to his old job again.
Will Belichick make the staff changes on offense, maybe to bring back Bill O’Brien, without a push? If he doesn’t, will Kraft try to push him to? If there’s an ultimatum delivered, would Belichick consider walking? These are all questions that I’ve considered.
Given how BOB worked with Brady and has shown he can develop quarterbacks (no, Joe doesn’t think BOB groomed Watson how to be handsy with masseuses), Joe thinks the Bucs could do a whole lot worse than having BOB as an offensive coordinator.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:07 am
I definitely think it is the coaching more than the players at fault.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:13 am
I totally agree with the masses that IF Blows remains the HC, 2023 season is already DOOMED no matter the weak schedule, Brady or no Brady, even if BOB is the OC Blows will contaminate the offense somehow…
WHAT free agent would choose this team over others with a dead beat at HC?
December 15th, 2022 at 12:24 am
This is just straight up bad coaching, but let’s face it, Brady doesn’t have the right stuff anymore. Julio and Mike could both have big deep ball numbers and Brady cannot connect when Julio gets down field, and he won’t even give Mike a chance. Could have three more wins without Donovan Smith. Our secondary is so crucial to our defense and once again we are so banged up and got McCollum and Delaney starting. Between those two and Donny it’s a guaranteed L.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:25 am
I keep thinking I’m going to see a post any day now about Left bytch getting rightfully canned.
Glazers can screw up anything it seems:
They have an all star team led by Brady and then they promote BowlesWtch to run the show and predictably the wheels fall off.
The one good thing they did since Gruden was hire Arians…and we saw the results…..of a true CEO style HC……then the Glazers say ” Hey lets make Bowels-Witch the leaders! What could possibly go wrong?”
December 15th, 2022 at 12:26 am
Bowles performance in NY was a a huge clue…….just stupid ownership
December 15th, 2022 at 12:30 am
Didn’t watch debacle last Sunday. Worked and got a lot done. very proud of myself for not wasting my valuable time watching bs and getting angry.
Not going to watch this Sunday. Going to work again.
First time in history I’ve ever done this.
THAT folks, is how BAD things are with this cluster puck of a team
December 15th, 2022 at 12:32 am
Someone ambitious who sees they’ll get 1st crack at the job when Todd is mercifully fired mid-season and they are tabbed interim coach.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:36 am
Try and sell a ticket next year.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:41 am
Hey Vlad how can you extol the virtues of BA & gripe about Byron n Todd (not saying you are wrong) in the same sentence? Do you not realize that those 2 misfits are BA’s personally chosen legacy? If Licht is the architect of this mess, then BA is the contractor behind this house of crap.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:43 am
Let me bring another thing to everyone’s attention. Now, it may not mean a thing, however, does everyone notice that the OC doesn’t cover his mouth when calling in the play. I see every other coach do it when they call their plays. I’ve even seen McVay call a timeout and walk up to the QB and while standing laterally in less than arm’s distance, talk to the QB with the play sheet covering his mouth. Our OC calls the play with the sheet down on his stomach. Maybe, it’s nothing. I’m just saying.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:47 am
Miracles can and have happened, so if Bowles suddenly looks like a competent head coach for our last few remaining games, I guess I’m ok with giving him another shot. If not, any half decent coach would need to be a lunatic to come to our team and work under Bowles. I have forgiven some of our former coaches for losing with a bad team, but losing with a roster full of pro bowl talent and the greatest football player of all time is unforgivable.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:48 am
SOEbuc Says:
December 15th, 2022 at 12:24 am
Julio and Mike could both have big deep ball numbers and Brady cannot connect when Julio gets down field, and he won’t even give Mike a chance. Could have three more wins without Donovan Smith.
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To be fair, he’s hit Mike for a few deep passes and touchdowns that have been called back from penalties (Donovan Smith shoutout #2). Plus Mike had that terrible TD drop at Carolina.
Brady has declined a bit, but IMO it’s not his physical abilities as much as that he is processing things a tenth of a second or two slower than he used to. Combine that with an o-line that he clearly doesn’t trust, and we’re seeing a few rushed and/or off target throws, especially the last few weeks. He’s still the GOAT like 85% of the time though. Maybe we shouldn’t be asking him to throw 50+ times a game either…
December 15th, 2022 at 12:53 am
Todd Monken.
December 15th, 2022 at 1:18 am
Toddler. I don’t think it is just the OC. I mean have you listened to the HC? He says the dumbest things, I swear.
December 15th, 2022 at 1:19 am
@ChiBuc
Are you just trying to het me to post?
The answer is obvious.
You can be a great CEO style HC and have failed proteges. It happens all the time. Look at all the successful professionals with failure ofspring. Lefty was a decent assistant coach. I think Arians really wanted him to succeed but the reality is far different.
You can be a GREAT head coach and easily overestimate your proteges. It happens on business. It happens in politics. And it obviously happens in pro sports.
Furthermore, look at the records: BA is a winner everywhere he goes. Bowles is a loser everywhere he goes. Leftwich was a bad QB and now he’s a horrific OC…..but he was fine when he got coffee for Arians
December 15th, 2022 at 1:24 am
If brady has his way it will be BOB and they had a great relationship in Foxboro
December 15th, 2022 at 1:51 am
What If the glazers are fine with a doomed season next year?
Aren’t we in cap hell anyway?
Maybe this Coaching staff is the right (and cheap) choice to get through the year, and get a nice draft Position for a new start after that…
December 15th, 2022 at 2:50 am
Interesting to speculate, but too many variables between now and whenever. We don’t know how the rest of this season will end. We don’t know what Brady will do, and he will keep everyone in the dark about what he wants.
But as long as Bowles is the head coach, and most of the regime remains in place, it is a losing culture and a lost locker room, a leaderless limbo. It wouldn’t matter if you hire the greatest offensive coordinator who ever lived.
The only way to reset and clear out the malaise is a complete change from the head coach on down. Veteran dead wood needs to go as well, including the big names who mentally quit.
Drastic? Yes. I’m not sure if the Glazers have the balls to do it.
December 15th, 2022 at 3:57 am
The “pitch” will be to someone who is capable of taking over, possibly grooming a young QB. “BOB” makes a lot of sense.
December 15th, 2022 at 4:18 am
Best chance we have for a decent O-coordinator is if Brady stays… if he does not, Bowles will have to rely on someone who’s a loyal soldier or a first timer eager for the promotion, even if it means going down after only 1 season. Outside shot they promote Thaddeus Lewis and have Tom Moore and Clyde lend their experience.
December 15th, 2022 at 4:35 am
ChiBuc … ‘If Licht is the architect of this mess, then BA is the contractor behind this house of crap.’
I like the way you think.
BA passing the reins at the very end of March in the way that he did pretty much tied the hands of the owners. Not the time to be doing a head coaching search. BA’s a highly experienced coach who knew these coordinators better than anyone, even the Glazers. IMO he had to know what the Dazzling Duo was capable of. (Maybe should make that Teetering Trio and add Armstrong?).
BTW for all those bemoaning Bowles’ years as the Jets HC, spend a little time looking at what transpired during those years (2015-2018). Jets went 10-6 in Bowles 1st year (2015) with Fitz as their QB (Chan Gailey as OC). Offense & defense did quite well. Bottom fell out … of BOTH … in 2016 & Jets fell to 5-11 (Chaney was replaced as OC by John Morton after the season, and Fitz was replaced by Josh McCown). Jets struggled to the same 5-11 record in 2017 (Morton was replaced by Jeremy Bates after the season, and McCown was replaced by Sam Darnold). Jets fell even further that year to 4-12. Bowles & his whole staff (AND the GM Maccagnan) was replaced by Adam Gase (team improved to 7-9 for 1 year, then fell down the well to 2-12 in 2020). Gase was replaced by … thus the sage continued.
So 3 different starting QBs, and 3 different OCs. After Year 1 the results were stunningly bad. Yet that whole time he had Kacy Rodgers as his DC, Mike Caldwell as his Assistant HC/linebackers coach, and Mike Maccagnan as his GM. Interestingly, the defense was just as bad as the offense after their 1st year there.
December 15th, 2022 at 4:38 am
BTW, EVERY LEVEL in this organization needs to be under scrutiny because they’ve ALL contributed to this poor performance. Bowles INHERITED a coaching staff, one that was loyal to BA (and he was loyal to them). Todd made NO CHANGES when he assumed HC command, yet expected the same or better results. Ya, good luck with that. He showed in NY that he was not an offensive guru. The Bucs’ hierarchy knew that, so they saddled him with BL to work that part of the team? (Watch Bowles during games, he’s not involved at all with the offense; it’s BL’s show). Why would folks think that practice is any different?
December 15th, 2022 at 4:44 am
Sasquatch … I still can’t see Brady signing on for another year of abuse in Tampa Bay … at age 46. He’ll recognize the ship has sailed. Bowles obviously needs a new OC, but he needs more than that. ASSUMING that he’s retained (I don’t look at that as a sure thing anymore), he needs to relook at EVERY POSITION ON THIS STAFF and make it his own. What he’s got right now clearly isn’t working.
December 15th, 2022 at 5:42 am
Wonder what the over/under is on Lefty getting the ax on Monday after the season.
December 15th, 2022 at 6:19 am
Sad to say that (due solely to current circumstances), the best plan is to ride out the contracts of this coaching crew. Nobody worth a damn is going to come to town to work for Bowles who is a dead man walking. They need to let Brady leave, cut all the old wood (Rudolph, Jones, David) or allow them to leave then trade who ever they can that has been in the league more than 3 years or (if more than 3 years) on anything other than something close to a league minimum salary. Goal young. Ride this staff until the salary cap he’ll has cleared. The league has proven that mediocrity leads to more mediocrity. The only way to get good is to get back to the top of the draft to replenish. Hire a new staff once the team is re-stocked. Teams in the middle of the draft order rarely make it to the Super Bowl. What we don’t want to see is a decade of muddling in the middle.
December 15th, 2022 at 6:45 am
Fire every single coach 5 minutes after our last game.
We have become a zombie football team. No life. No energy. No quickness. No nothing.
This team is broken. Amateur coaching has destroyed what used to be an elite organization for a couple yrs.
I despise Todd bowles and his minions for ruining what was built here. F them.
December 15th, 2022 at 6:50 am
Bobby M … ‘“BOB” makes a lot of sense.’
Bama’s my college team & I’ve watched Bill O’Brien coach the Bama offense for 2 years now. Doesn’t look to me like Bama has the talent they’ve had for several previous years, but it also doesn’t look like O’Brien is consistently maximizing what he does have. This was a tough year for us Alabama fans (I mean TWO losses & not playing for the national championship?), but at least we got past Auburn. First game I made it to this year & it was electric. So at least it ended on a positive note.
December 15th, 2022 at 6:50 am
Todd Monken
December 15th, 2022 at 7:35 am
DR, the HC of the Jets which was Bowles is INVOLVED in all coaching and QB changes on the team. From what you wrote you confirmed he killed that team as predicted.
FYI folks, BOB is.not coaching in the NFL unless he is a HC. Make him HC and bring in a qualified DC. Then all the Trask groupies can see if he is the real deal, no excuses then.
December 15th, 2022 at 7:42 am
It’s too late. It’s just too late. The Glazers did good trying to be hands off. But in this case, they were just East of the extreme where people were walking around with canes and dark black glasses tapping around the floor. It was obvious weeks ago that the last straw was already wearing spurs and riding the camel’s hump. BL had to be shown the door or shoved aside, and now Bowles is the one in need of booting, considering it appears he’s guilty of conspiring to cook up this game plan and keep all the chefs on that pot of stew. 😕
December 15th, 2022 at 8:48 am
If Bowles brings in a new OC, its going to be one of his friends, which is likely not what this team is looking for. He is not going to bring in someone that has the chance to be successful, because if they do succeed, Bowles knows ownership will roll with that guy once he struggles again. BOB is an ok OC, but a horrible HC. This team needs an offensive minded head coach to take advantage of the talent they have on that side of the ball. The games are much easier to watch when they score points win or lose. Dungyball is a relic of the past. Bowles has to go as well. Remember, he was ok with Lefty as the OC. He is likely to pick someone even lamer this time around. Get rid of all of them now and move on.
December 15th, 2022 at 10:17 am
Todd Bowles has already eluded this is the style he wants, don’t expect much difference even with a better O coordinator, when is the last time you saw a Bucs team with less enthusiasm on Sundays??? And this is with Tom Fing Brady at QB
December 15th, 2022 at 5:34 pm
People don’t think about the the fact that how bad this defense was until Todd Bowles took over so it’s one half there’s some quality OCS that may be available Frank Wright college coach our state Hamilton that very well may be let go by Houston you give this defense a better than decent offense and it’s shown it can get you to where you want to
December 16th, 2022 at 12:13 pm
The NFL sucks it’s about to get worse their talking about ejecting players because of quarterbacks sacks. That’s why ain’t none of these quarterbacks are better than the quarterbacks from the 80s and 90s.