Liam Coen Is Seeking Trust At No. 3 Receiver
October 18th, 2024
Receiver Sterling Shepard
So Bucs receivers not named Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have combined for 15 catches, 221 yards and 3 touchdowns through six games.
Not good enough, Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen said today.
“We need that Z position to be trusted upon to come in and execute,” Coen said.
“I love Shep,” Coen said, referring to Bucs veteran receiver Sterling Shepard. “His energy. The way he’s in the huddle in the locker room, pregame, on the sidelines — love Shep’s energy. Love being around him, but we do need some more production out of that position. We also need to trust that position in order to throw them the ball and stuff.”
So Shepard had three penalties Sunday in New Orleans: unsportsmanlike conduct, unnecessary roughness and offensive pass interference.
It was embarrassing. However, Joe sure thought one call was complete nonsense. Today, Coen suggested two were “iffy.”
Shepard did have a critical drop in the game, though, which Joe knows most fans forgot about. But the more Joe watches the film, the more obvious it is how important the play was and unacceptable the drop was.
Regardless, Shepard is the Bucs’ best option at No. 3 receiver until someone proves otherwise. And it sure seems like his old college buddy, Baker Mayfield, has complete trust in him.
Trey Palmer is expected to return from a concussion Sunday after missing two games. And rookie Jalen McMillan has been playing like a rookie.
October 18th, 2024 at 1:38 pm
McMillan plays like Kenny Bell minus the hair, unless he’s on punt coverage, where he looks more like Darden.
Very disappointing. Started against the Redskins when he cuffed a wide open TD pass from Baker.
October 18th, 2024 at 1:47 pm
All three have had injuries at different times so no one has grow into the position. Hopefully Trey or J-Mac step it up soon. Even Rakim has got a shot once he’s activated. No one has separated to this point.
October 18th, 2024 at 1:48 pm
Maybe we should run a play or two with Godwin playing Z while White is playing slot.
October 18th, 2024 at 1:53 pm
Commander, you want to move Godwin after the start he has had? That’s heresy my friend. Maybe the other way around. Let RW play the Z.
This is the time for the #3 receiver to breakout, I’m hoping Palmer gets back and shows his speed and is that breakout #3. In the long run JMac will probably be better but rookies gonna rookie.
October 18th, 2024 at 1:53 pm
or target durham and otton more
GO BUCS!!!!
October 18th, 2024 at 1:54 pm
Shepard was not valuable enough to overcome the stupid penalties he caused. One heat of the moment penalty is understandable…but he did again before I got back from grabbing a beverage.
unexcusable. He has to clean up his act!
I really thought they were or should have pulled him and put someone else in. He’s usually hurt anyway.
October 18th, 2024 at 2:02 pm
Exactly what he needs to be seeking from wr3 (and 4)…. Trust! Be where you’re supposed to be, create separation, catch the ball when it’s thrown to you.
Joe had a stat last year re: Palmer creating space with his release being fastest in the league (or something like that). He proposed quick hitters to take advantage of his release and speed. I like that idea. Should make for easier catches and opportunities for yac.
One thing that doesn’t get mentioned much is Baker’s velocity. He throws the ball hard/fast. There are more advantages to this than disadvantages but it is a factor for receivers.
Got to be able to catch fastballs and small window throws to be a real factor for us.
October 18th, 2024 at 2:05 pm
The offensive PI call against Shep was a bad call. I like his energy but he’s got to play better.
Drops are huge momentum killers and a big deal for me. Palmer and Otton aren’t my favorite guys because of drops.
With the OL blocking improving we’re seeing longer runs so the WR blocking down the field is more noticeable and can create TDs for our backs instead of just long runs. Godwins blocking has always been great but the other WRs have a lot of room for improvement.
October 18th, 2024 at 2:14 pm
Moving White to the Z is an interesting idea, he’d have much more downfield routes to run vs screens but it fixes the RB position to get more of that sweet Buck & Tuck.
October 18th, 2024 at 2:16 pm
Need to find out for sure about Palmer. Great speed to stretch defense. He needs to get healthy to see if he could be a Bucs version of Tyreek Hill. Hill hangs on to everything and rarely fumbles.
October 18th, 2024 at 2:29 pm
Hopefully McMillan can find his groove and retake the #3 spot.
October 18th, 2024 at 2:40 pm
I believe they signed Marquez Callaway to the practice squad to compete for WR3. I’m sure they have Zero confidence in the receivers they have fighting for that position…
October 18th, 2024 at 2:46 pm
I think Shephard was unfairly called on those penalties. Palmer gets called sometimes for less.
October 18th, 2024 at 3:01 pm
Just getting Palmer’s speed on the field might help. A couple attempted bombs each game could do wonders.
October 18th, 2024 at 3:19 pm
Palmer still has a concussion if he shows up to play Sunday lol
October 18th, 2024 at 3:20 pm
I feel comfortable with Shep. Those penalties were largely bogus, understandable though because the Refs know the history of bad blood between the Bucs and Saints and seemed to be working overtime to keep things under control.
Thankfully for the Bucs one of the penalities the Zebras missed was a questionable hit by McCollum who clearly put Olave out of the game with a helmet to helmet hit. As a Bucs fan I love McCollums fearless hitting but I held my breath on that one.
October 18th, 2024 at 3:33 pm
e’rybody saying bogus calls
It doesn’t matter what we think-it matters what was called. and yeah, the guge was jacked wayyyy too much and starting $hit.
do your job and let the play speak for itself…vs. penalties, losing yards, stalled momentum and limited production.
It’s one thing if he trades the van for a mini-bike and TOTALLY REDEEMS himself….
he did look sharp on routes and such, but not that noticeable as the penalties and antics for a borderline #3….
he needs to check himself, leave the emotion at the door and go to work. THAT i DO like about ME. He checks his emotions at the door, as does CG
October 18th, 2024 at 3:45 pm
@Esteban85,
I didn’t say move Godwin to Z full time. I specifically said one or two plays. To keep defenses guessing.
October 18th, 2024 at 3:49 pm
Unreal stat for CG14
Chris Godwin has not dropped a 4th quarter target since Week 1 of 2021 (105 straight targets) 🤯
October 18th, 2024 at 4:25 pm
Shep has the skills and experience….he also has Baker…..
October 18th, 2024 at 4:39 pm
Coen is right that 2 of those flags were iffy (translation: bullspit).
As for all the people who keep calling for White in the slot, replacing Chris Godwin, who may be off to his best start as a pro… let’s just say there’s a reason you’re not running an NFL team.
October 18th, 2024 at 6:53 pm
If baker is happy with Shepard that’s all that matters
October 18th, 2024 at 7:06 pm
we’re perfectly fine with shep as the 3rd receiver for now…
he’s a vet and i’m sure he realizes he needs to bring it down a couple of notches during games to avoid madness and penalties…
it’s great to see him so frenetic out there and all, but there’s just a tipping point with it that brings penalties…
i’m sure he’ll reel it in…he’s might also just be super excited to be getting more snaps and field time too…
until palmer comes back, who can’t seem to turn the corner…
and injured, wet mcmillan who can’t get into a groove…
shep is the perfect guy to slot in for now…
and maybe even give jarrett some run soon…and isn’t kam johnson available or back soon too ?
October 18th, 2024 at 7:19 pm
the thing i’ve noticed about good nfl receivers is…
usually the moment they come into the league they start to impress…like right away…they appear to belong…godwin was like that…they impress right off the bat…
yet their production is still minimal due to a limited work load…
then as they get more substantial field time the numbers increase…
these receivers who come in and look like sh!t early on, and everyone’s saying “give him a little time, he’s adjusting to the league and stuff”, they never really make it…
it’s very rare one of those types wakes up one morning and just get’s it…
that’s a reason to begin to worry about mcmillan…just saying…
and you can probably forget about palmer and jarrett ever being more than they already are…
they aren’t who we thought they were…..lol…………denny
October 18th, 2024 at 7:20 pm
and that’s more the reason than ever to resign CG14
October 18th, 2024 at 7:49 pm
Palmer is a dud. He’s nothing remotely close to being in the level of Tyreek Hill. Palmer plays scared, runs outta bounds, n has history of the dropsies. Jaylen McMillan balked out preseason but hasn’t done anything lately but dropped a key pass.
October 18th, 2024 at 11:11 pm
I say they give Godwin a new contract today!;
October 19th, 2024 at 12:57 am
Put Miller out there and get him the ball Liam!
The dude has caught eveything thrown near him and he blocks better than our TE!
Go Bucs!
October 19th, 2024 at 2:00 am
White in the Z spot leaving Godwin in the slot. Now that’s an idea I like. You generally run the jet sweep from the Z so……
October 19th, 2024 at 4:56 am
Shep looked the part. Other guys do something that makes you think they are the guy then go on the milk carton most of the season
October 19th, 2024 at 9:28 am
It might be Miller time. The other four not number one or two guys have been plagued by drops, penalties, and wrong routes.