Luke Kuechly Lauds Bucs For Genius Playcall Of The Week
September 17th, 2024
Joe loved the reasoning behind this, especially coming from a former star linebacker.
Buccaners offensive coordinator Liam Coen didn’t have a day for the ages on Sunday, but there was a hearty amount of creativity and smarts on display.
In fact, when asked to name his “smartest play” of Week 2 during an interview on FanDuel TV, Luke Kuechly went to the designed quarterback run the Bucs used to score their game-winning (and final) touchdown.
It came with about 35 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Baker Mayfield had just run for his life effectively on 3rd-and-4 for a first down. The Bucs now had the ball on the Lions’ 11 yard line.
So what might be the smartest and least expected next play possible? Per Kuechly, it was the designed QB run from the shotgun formation.
Kuechly said his former teammate Cam Newton after a quarterback run was so jacked up with energy, the best thing for him to do was run again on the next play. And Kuechly suspects the same is true for Mayfield. Plus, per Kuechly, the defense was extra tired after the prior extended play. So that’s a winning combination, he said, when you have a center like Graham Barton that can get up on the “mike” linebacker successfully.
Bucs fans witnessed a little brilliance on that call — and a playcaller with the balls to call it.
September 17th, 2024 at 8:36 am
That was a great play and I certainly didn’t expect it but the touchdown to Godwin was my favorite. That was a Coen special and we haven’t seen something like that here in a long time if ever.
September 17th, 2024 at 8:36 am
Its on film now and will be on Teams minds and will be useful to hold those LBs just a tik from now on!!
September 17th, 2024 at 8:39 am
that was a great call along with the CG14 play
GO BUCS!!!!
September 17th, 2024 at 8:40 am
Real recognizes real!
September 17th, 2024 at 8:41 am
I knew this was the play just reading the headline. That play fired me up man.
The defense look like they were frozen. Such killer instinct from the Mayfield/OC combo
September 17th, 2024 at 8:53 am
I would like to know how much control Coen was given regarding line personnel and jumbo packages, etc. We make a lot of assumptions and we’re putting a lot on Coen. Mind you, adding a 6th lineman takes an offensive weapon off the field, perhaps he didn’t want to give up that advantage.
Perhaps it’s because we got the win, but I like Coen, and I like some of the plays I saw yesterday. I didn’t see the week 1 Rams game, but it was relatively low scoring, and McVay’s offense wasn’t blowing up the score board. Point is, Lions defense is solid and will be a problem for most NFL teams. Coen’s offense did enough. Not sure how much more creative he could have gotten when our line struggle for most of the day.
Again, no excuse for White, he should have run for 120 yards on the ground, with or without a good line.
September 17th, 2024 at 9:15 am
That’s a very interesting observation Kuechly made about Cam Newton being jacked up. I know BM was fired up. That’s was probably his kryptonite against 5 sacks. Brilliant call and execution by Coen, Mayfield and the entire Bucs offense. Major kudos to all concerned. Now, just how good is Denver (seriously)?
September 17th, 2024 at 9:26 am
Every play is on film. Just like the fake punt is now on film. Teams will be ready for that when the Detroit really needs it.
September 17th, 2024 at 9:40 am
cmon zoo. why in hell should white have run for 120 you just got done saying the Lions defense is solid. the run will look much better when we face mediocre fronts, these last 2 teams are tough in that regard
September 17th, 2024 at 9:43 am
It makes me smile to see that the first “$100M” linebacker was a healthy scratch last night. He’ll have plenty of time to ride his horses next year. Maybe he will breed a new foal and name it “Humility”.
September 17th, 2024 at 9:48 am
The run by Mayfield for a TD was smart and it worked. My knee jerk reaction after reading just the head line for this post was the smartest play call was the TD pass to Godwin along the left sideline. Seems it was a version of a pick play that left Godwin all alone. He jogs in for the TD.
September 17th, 2024 at 9:55 am
We can’t just celebrate a win without someone throwing in a jab.The whole moral of Baker Mayfield could have been in shambles after being stacked five times, instead he pulls off a win with a qb rushing TD. Thanks Baker and the defense putting something impressive on paper. No matter what. Payback must be killing them. Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
September 17th, 2024 at 10:31 am
How many dozens of times have we run on 1st down in the red zone only to get stuffed for a wasted play….so why not give Baker a shot？
September 17th, 2024 at 11:00 am
After he had just scrambled no one would expect him to run twice in a row.
September 17th, 2024 at 11:20 am
I love it when Baker runs as it gets him fired up (his team mates too) and he tends to play well when fired up. If Baker runs or scrambles more often, he needs to avoid hits. I’m not a fan of the feet first slide and like the dive to finish the run.
September 17th, 2024 at 11:39 am
And we pulled it off without our strongest Olineman.
Speaking of, is there any word on Goedeke’s return?
I’m very concerned about a big tough dude like him having a concussion.
I sure hope is not a career-ending kind of injury…
Joe?
September 17th, 2024 at 12:19 pm
Nothing perfect, but i do love the creativity Coen has shown and i look forward to how we keep growing as season goes on…
with that said, anyone feel Dave Canales makes it a full season in Carolina?
September 17th, 2024 at 12:28 pm
That call and the execution on Godwins fake screen wheel were awesome! I get the feeling that Coen has a deep bag and we will continue to see some refreshing concepts.
September 17th, 2024 at 12:30 pm
Was also pleased with the aggressive play on the last drive, tried to win the game, instead of turtling.
September 17th, 2024 at 1:29 pm
Great analysis and reasoning. I know that call surprised the hell out of me.
September 17th, 2024 at 1:30 pm
hope we can keep Coen for more than a season….
September 18th, 2024 at 5:25 am
Liam actually said he was hesitant to call that play thinking Baker might have been gassed on the previous run. But, if you ask me, after a successful play before, your adrenaline is peaking and you want nothing more than to run again knowing the defense will least expect it. That’s exactly what happened and I’m glad Liam didn’t second guess himself.
September 18th, 2024 at 12:58 pm
To be honest. What everyone was expecting was a few run plays from white or Irving. That’s typically what the Bucs do on 1st down and short yardage. Gutsy great play!