Jon Gruden: O-Line Coach Is More Important Than Playcaller
February 9th, 2025
Bucs OL coach Kevin Carberry got a promotion.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles delivered one of the all-time great lines nearly two years ago following the decision to retain his offensive line coaches seven weeks after finishing last in the NFL in yards per carry.
“They were worth salvaging,” Bowles said, after noting that Harold Goodwin and Joe Gilbert might have been replaced if he could have found better.
It was a stunningly weak endorsement.
A year later, the Bucs again had the worst yards-per-carry in the NFL. Gilbert and Goodwin left for Carolina with Dave Canales and in came their replacements, Kevin Carberry and Brian Picucci.
Suddenly, the Bucs could run the ball and became a dominant rushing team.
If you listen to Bucs Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden, Carberry and Picucci were critical cogs.
“That position, I don’t care who calls the plays,” Gruden ranted on Barstool Sports last week. “You can bring Bill Walsh back; Joe Gibbs could walk in here. The offensive line coach is the most important hire you’re going to make as a head coach.”
Joe might call that a hot take by Chucky, but he was so passionate about it, and one could argue the best offensive line coaches are represented in today’s Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl.
Joe suspects Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht might agree with Gruden to a degree. There’s massive respect for Carberry and Picucci at One Buc Palace. And that was made evident last week.
Picucci was promoted to offensive line coach from “assistant” O-line coach, and Carberry added run game coordinator to his title of offensive line coach.
The Bucs had those guys under contract and didn’t have to serve up a promotion that surely came with extra Team Glazer loot.
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February 9th, 2025 at 1:36 pm
A bit of a no-brainer but wise decision by the FO. Can see Picucci eventually joining Coen at some point in the future, but hoping Carberry extends his stay for awhile.
February 9th, 2025 at 1:44 pm
BUT…we were also blessed with the talent….without that, we’re struggling.
Wirfs to LT, Luke killing it at RT (was a very nice surprise) and of course Barton and Bucky…69…he knows and is growing…we got something brewing here 🙂
February 9th, 2025 at 1:46 pm
Any rumblings of any other staff changes on D, or have the rest of those coaches with underperforming units proved to be “worth salvaging” too in Todd’s eyes lol? He may be considered a players coach, but he’s not doing their careers any favors by not trying to get them the best coaching possible. Imagine it’s probaly a combination of him only planning to coach a couple more years as well as not wanting to deal with acclimating a few new coaches to his way of doing things.
February 9th, 2025 at 1:48 pm
Yeah don’t want to lose any of these guys. I like where our offense is at. Just re sign Godwin and focus on the defense. If Bowles can’t get it done this season with the D then we must move on and find a coach and defensive coordinator. Would imagine we would be the top choice of any potential HC candidate next season.
February 9th, 2025 at 1:58 pm
The best thing I’ve seen on this weeks Super Bowl game has been Jameis Winston’s reporting.
February 9th, 2025 at 2:24 pm
Gruden is as crazy as a loon and I wouldn’t give two cents for his current head coaching skills. But the man did win a SB and does know football. Interesting comment, not sure I’ve heard that specific kind of heavy praise on the value of a quality OL coach(es). Carberry & Picucci sounds like an upscale financial firm. The Glazers made a wise investment.
February 9th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Curious to know who most Bucs fans are rooting for in the superbowl…..I know lots of the bandwagon Brady fan boys are going to want the Cheifs to lose to prevent Mahomes from another SB.
I personally couldn’t care less about Bradys legacy.
February 9th, 2025 at 3:55 pm
Being a Bucs fan , I’m usually dead set against the Eagles.
Gonna make an exception this time, just can’t do any more Mahomes.
February 9th, 2025 at 4:02 pm
T want the Eagles to win simply because I’m tired of them getting all the blatant blown calls.
February 9th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
I’m pulling for the Eagles. All those skin-of-the-teeth Chiefs wins felt like they weren’t bothering to give their best effort during the regular season. Maybe that’s unfair, but it’s not what I like to see in a champion.
February 9th, 2025 at 4:25 pm
I don’t think Carberry has the title of OL coach anymore. He’s been promoted to run game coordinator. Picucci took Carberry’s old position and title. Picucci is now the OL coach.
February 9th, 2025 at 5:14 pm
I am about over the NFL….)h well….
February 9th, 2025 at 5:24 pm
It’s amazing how a really good running back can make an offensive line look that much better. Bucky Irving is that good. The line will tend to hold that block just a little longer when blocking for a top notch back.
February 9th, 2025 at 5:51 pm
This Super Bowl means nothing to me.
When it’s not the Bucs playing in a given game I want the team with the “best” fan base to win. In my mind good fan bases are more deserving of a big win.
Philly’s fans suck out loud! That fan base is probably the worst in the league.
K.C.’s fans are either 12 y/o girls that love Taylor Swift or they were Pat’s fans a few years ago.
In my perfect world, they both lose.
I’ll be watching Key West Waterman videos on YT tonight.
Go BUCS!
February 9th, 2025 at 6:08 pm
White averaged 3.7 yds with Goodwin and jumped to 4.3 with Carbs and Pic. So a nice bump. But Licht picking up Bucky helped a lot too.
February 9th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
GO DODO BIRDS!!!!!@
February 9th, 2025 at 7:21 pm
One thing about watching this SB, if we don’t get a couple of good edge rushers we are never getting back to the big game.
February 9th, 2025 at 7:26 pm
That pick that Hurts just threw — THAT was the result of pressure
February 9th, 2025 at 7:45 pm
Baker choking and fumbling the ball vs the Redskins really screwed up the entire playoffs.
If Baker doesn’t blow the game, the Bucs win.
If the Bucs win, they go to Philly where Bowles owns Hurts and the Bucs win.
Then they likely face the Rams at home – and if they can pull out a win the Bucs are going to the SB vs the Chiefs and I can say with certainty this isn’t a 17-0 game right now.
February 9th, 2025 at 7:46 pm
With all that said – I can’t wait until the Chiefs win the game on the final drive. Nothing is better than Philly trash getting their hopes up, only to be crushed in the end.
February 9th, 2025 at 7:58 pm
“Philly trash.” Anger issues much? Sheesh.
February 9th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
GoĘ» birds…im loving it
February 9th, 2025 at 8:06 pm
Mahomes is either getting sacked or throwing an interception.
February 9th, 2025 at 8:08 pm
JustVisiting Says:
February 9th, 2025 at 7:58 pm
“Philly trash.” Anger issues much? Sheesh.
———
Gee, let me guess where you’re from.
February 9th, 2025 at 8:17 pm
Was USAID funding the Chiefs too?
February 9th, 2025 at 8:23 pm
MaHomes looks pretty ordinary. Amazing what QB pressure will do for a defense.
Go get Garrett.
February 9th, 2025 at 8:29 pm
Chicagoland, actually, but it was a reasonable guess.
February 9th, 2025 at 8:38 pm
Come on Rod, our season has been over along time now. Here’s Hurts tossing interceptions in the red zone and Mahomes throwing 2 picks. All in the first half. Let’s get a more optimistic outlook on this season. If there’s anything obvious to me watching this game is that we have a better team than either one I’m watching.
February 9th, 2025 at 8:48 pm
Kenton Smith – I know, which is why it stinks that Baker choked in the 4th quarter and lost the game.
February 9th, 2025 at 9:13 pm
Kenton Smith,
Leave Munchenstein alone. He had a bad potty training and is still in recovery.
February 9th, 2025 at 9:14 pm
15 for 18 for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns. 0 picks. He was alot better than either of these quarterbacks tonight. Our departed OC who you worshipped Rod forgot that our pass sets up our run. Good Riddance to Liam. Our new running game coordinator will make sure our running game stays strong. He was our OLine coach. Our third down guy and passing game wizard was promoted to our OC for a reason. I promise if we are in the playoffs next year we won’t run the ball one time if we’re averaging 10 plus yards per pass attempt. Any blame for that loss goes to Liam Coen. And I like the guy. But we’re lucky the way it’s turned out!
February 9th, 2025 at 9:17 pm
Kenton Smith – Maybe Coen watched the film from last year’s playoff game vs the Lions and saw Baker choke and throw an INT with 2 minutes left and the game on the line and thought he’d run it instead – only for Baker to still screw it up.
February 9th, 2025 at 9:24 pm
KC is as dead as a door nail. Eagles defense has destroyed Mahomes. Hope the Bucs owners and Jason are scheming to get some decent Free Agent rushers.
February 9th, 2025 at 9:26 pm
Gipper during said “potty training” somehow some stinking number 2 was injected into old Rods brain hence the term “shi. for brains”.
February 9th, 2025 at 9:28 pm
Gonna go out on a limb and say that the Bucs were not gonna beat the Eagles in the NFC championship game…
Still would’ve been nice to have the opportunity though….could’ve gotten there if Coen didnt call an atrocious game.
February 9th, 2025 at 9:32 pm
Still not over that “genius” Liam Clown trying to draw the Redskins offsides on 3rd and inches when it backfired and only confused us….made us have to kick a FG.
Also the brilliant jet sweep call to a rookie WR on our own 10 yard line.
February 9th, 2025 at 9:35 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
February 9th, 2025 at 9:28 pm
Gonna go out on a limb and say that the Bucs were not gonna beat the Eagles in the NFC championship game…
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Yeah, I agree.
They would have beat them the round before that when they would have played.
February 9th, 2025 at 9:40 pm
Rod thinks that QB’s win or lose games alone. Football IQ of -60
February 9th, 2025 at 9:46 pm
No elite pass rush is necessary though, exotic blitzes are just as effective as rushing four players and generating consistent pressure—obviously, this is why Philadelphia has looked so amazing on defense all night, leading them to win the Super Bowl.
February 9th, 2025 at 9:47 pm
The bucs pass rush would look a lot better if the secondary could cover. I’m not sure why this concept is missed by so many. The secondary and front 7 are symbiotic.
February 9th, 2025 at 9:48 pm
yeah no blitz’s today by Philly. Just 4 strong D lineman putting pressure on Mahomes.
February 9th, 2025 at 9:51 pm
Need pass rushers to compete for a superbowl…
JTS and Yaya Diaby aint gonna cut it. Trade for Garrett.
February 9th, 2025 at 10:02 pm
Mahomes has been pressure more often tonight then when we beat them in the SB, and that’s been without a single blitz…
Pay attention Licht and Bowles!
#BuildTheTrenches
February 9th, 2025 at 10:04 pm
These refs have it out for KC, it’s ridiculous.
February 9th, 2025 at 10:06 pm
We beat this team 33 to 16. There is hope.
February 9th, 2025 at 10:14 pm
HA! Bucs beat the Chiefs worse than the Eagles due to that garbage time score!
February 9th, 2025 at 10:17 pm
Watching the Super Bowl tonight and I’m glad to see the Eagles win it. But, neither offense in this Super Bowl could compare to the Bucs offense. Bucs are so much more explosive !!
Go Bucs 2025 !!
February 9th, 2025 at 10:24 pm
Makes me sad that Philly trash finally get to know what Bucs fans felt like years ago when Tampa won their second SB.
Still, the one positive we can take away from this is that Eagles fans will hopefully burn down Philadelphia tonight, which can only make it better.
February 9th, 2025 at 10:51 pm
Bucs didn’t give up a TD
February 9th, 2025 at 10:55 pm
Mike C Says:
February 9th, 2025 at 10:51 pm
Bucs didn’t give up a TD
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Yeah, the bum Eagles defense gave up 3 second half TDs.
That Eagles defense will never be great, and Mahomes will never be the GOAT.
February 9th, 2025 at 10:58 pm
Draft secondary Dejean and Q transformed that defense. Philly front 4 was great too but they are able to trust the corners.
February 9th, 2025 at 11:06 pm
Josh Sweat robbed for MVP just like Dwight Smith was robbed in 2002.
February 9th, 2025 at 11:17 pm
One more time—sign LB Zack Baun! Then grab another linebacker in the late rounds—Schwesinger or Jay Higgins.
February 9th, 2025 at 11:23 pm
Baun had a great season but he is going to get paid likely overpaid by a bad team. That front 4 does not come with him.
February 9th, 2025 at 11:25 pm
Devin white gets a ring for being part of the team during season. Sad for him he couldn’t put the ego to the side.
February 9th, 2025 at 11:36 pm
Superstar LB and ex-Buc who left for a big payday, former Bucs defensive captain Devin White just propelled another team to a big Super Bowl victory. Funny, I didn’t see him show up on the stat sheet or even standing on the sidelines.
Was he on the ineligible to play list?
February 9th, 2025 at 11:43 pm
@LUV, Schwesinger wont be a late…a 2nd round at most
February 10th, 2025 at 12:00 am
Man, what a beautiful game…of course i was pulling for the birds…NFC, im in my roots…stick with my hood…funny thing, i was surrounded by bird fans and as soon as i said Im a Buccaneer but im pulling for you guys, that two second look on their faces was golden, but then they said ok…and that hot chic on the right side of me at the bar was a beautiful Latina….my goodness…if i was just 20 years younger lol
February 10th, 2025 at 12:11 am
Baun would be just as good—if not better—wearing Pewter.
Defensive Line
*Vita Vea: 7.0 sacks (career-high)
*Calijah Kancey: 7.5 sacks in 12 games
*Logan Hall: 5.5 sacks in 16 games
Total Sacks By Team: 2024
*Bucs: Ranked 4th | 46 Sacks
*Eagles: Ranked 14th | 41 sacks
Against the Run: 2024
*Bucs: Ranked 4th | 1,663Â APG: 97:8
*Eagles: Ranked 2nd | 1,357 APG: 79.8
February 10th, 2025 at 12:11 am
I know its early….but make it work Jason
Emmanwori
Schwesinger
Revel
Skattebo
Debo Williams
we’re not just cooking, we’re on high temperature
February 10th, 2025 at 12:18 am
@MadMax
There’s a lot to like about Jihaad Campbell’s game, but the more I watch Schwesinger’s tape, the more I appreciate the little things he does so well. Despite both having limited experience at inside linebacker, Schwesinger trusts his eyes and reacts decisively—when he sees it, he triggers—no hesitation, all gas.
February 10th, 2025 at 1:15 am
Thats right LUV….you know me, i know how…its the little things lol