Playcaller Overblown Says Bucs WR
September 20th, 2018
Talks about playcalls.
It’s a big buzz around fans of the Bucs that the offense is humming like a brand new BMW flying down the Autobahn.
And many of those same fans credit offensive coordinator Todd Monken who is now calling the plays on offense. Recently while appearing on “Late Hits” with co-hosts Alex Marvez and Bill Polian, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Chris Godwin said Monken calling the plays isn’t that big of a deal.
In fact, Godwin said unless someone told him during the game who was calling plays, he wouldn’t know any better.
“It’s business as usual,” Godwin said. “Regardless of who is calling the plays, we as players have to execute and make them work. You can have the best play call against the perfect defense and if we don’t make it work, then it is for nothing.
“We don’t hear the playcall. It goes into the quarterback and we hear it from him. So we don’t notice that much of a difference.”
Godwin doesn’t believe there has been much of a difference from last year. But why the success? Godwin had a simple answer.
“Plays that we weren’t hitting last year we’ve been hitting all [through training] camp,” Godwin said. “When you have that success through training camp it builds up confidence and that [the quarterback will] know where receivers will exactly be and I think you saw that” in Bucs wins.
This just reminds Joe of what he has typed before. Remember in 2017 training camp, Bucs coach Dirk Koetter often groused about poor practices. Well, they had poor games. It carried over.
This summer, Koetter more than a couple of times praised his team for having a good practice. And look what has happened the first two weeks.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:05 am
Kinda sounds like Godwin is saying that they have a QB who knows which receiver will be open, AND can hit him.
That can make *any* play look good.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:08 am
Nice job Monk
Amazing job Fitz
But solid OLine play is the biggest difference this year…
September 20th, 2018 at 10:09 am
What is pretty cool about training camp is that the defense was actually giving the offense a hard time early on. I remember hearing that “the defense won that practice.”
Apparently, the offense took it personally and worked on their execution and they are killing it, now. This is what a good team looks like: hard practices, better execution and that hard work translating onto the field on gameday!
I absolutely love it!
Hopefully, they are working on some quick plays to get the ball out of Fitzpatrick’s hands in a couple seconds, so that they are ready for Chicago. We want to come home with a healthy QB. But, let’s not look past the Steelers. They don’t like starting the season 0-1-1 and are looking for a way to put us on our heels in this Monday night game. It would be nice to see Big Ben on his a$$ a few times in this game.
#GoBucs
September 20th, 2018 at 10:10 am
It really is about recognizing the one-on-one matchups and a veteran QB like Fitzpatrick and his smarts is doing a good job of letting his athletes make plays.
That being said all 3 QBs were doing a great job of this in pre-season and the Bucs as an organization has turned a corner for sure.
I’m really glad that regardless of who is QB this year, I feel we will continue to have success in the passing game.
Now for our young DBs to step up and our D Line gel.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:10 am
This also is a result of continuity in the coaching staff. It wouldve been totally silly to let Koetter go last year. Continuity makes you better. One of the reasons that the usual top teams in the NFL have the same faces running their program (Pats, Saints, Vikes, Cheifs, Etc). We gotta pick a guy and stick with him through ups and downs, until their is a consistent problem. With Lovie, their was a consistent problem.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:19 am
It doesn’t hurt that Godwin, Howard, and Jackson now have a full season behind them learning the O and working together.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:25 am
I basically agree with Pickgrin. When the OL is playing like it is right now it makes QB’s look great…playcallers become smart…a lot of things start up front.
Having said that I think there is another natural force at play.
Last year we added a lot of excellent new #weaponsforjameis. Two of the best however were rookies…OJ and Godwin…DJAX was a new addition…a lot of new parts to the offense that needed to be turned into a team.
Having that season under their belts led to a good training camp which has led to a good start. Understandably they’re just beginning to jell as a team.
The Defense is close to where the offense was last year. I hope it doesn’t take the entire season to jell. I’m hoping as our three rookie DB’s gain experience…as we get healthier after the bye week with perhaps Vea and Grimes returning…and MAYBE Unrein a few weeks later…this defense could be much better at the end of the season than the beginning much as our offense has improved from last year.
But just as this year’s offense has been driven by the OL…the defense needs to get driven by our DL to become truly good.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:25 am
I’ve gotta agree with Pickgrin on this one. I’ve previously said that the common denominator with the success of all 3 QB’s in preseason is the playcalling of Coach Monken. And while I believe that this IS indeed a factor, the play of the O-line cannot be ignored. They have been giving the QB (whomever is behind Center) enough time to make his reads and get the pass out, thus making all of them more successful, and by extension, the offense more successful.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:26 am
Thats why I was jumping for joy when the suspension was anounced.
Any above average QB with an IQ over a donut would kill with these weapons provided they had the time to gel with them.
Winston will not do as well as Fitz simply because he doesn’t have the experience or isn’t as smart.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:27 am
announced
September 20th, 2018 at 10:29 am
Anyone saying the Bucs success through the first two games is due to one thing, is only partially correct. It is a combination of everything: pass protection, qb decision making, receivers getting separation, & the elevated defensive play in practice. I’d like to see the running game improve, & the defense not give up so many easy yards on Sundays.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:31 am
The whole playcalling thing is overblown, & i’m pretty tired of it being rehashed so much. I’m sure it is, & has been, a collaboration of a few coaches, not just one guy.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:35 am
Monken being able to be a very good play caller like Head Coach Koetter is a huge bonus for the team!!!! It just allows for The Head Coach to spread his influence!!!!!!!! But Fitz Magic checking to the winning match ups!!! Throwing extremely accurate catchable balls, and no mistakes for turnovers is the largest difference and improvement from last year!!!!! And the line is pass protecting even better, with everyone having another year of continuity are additional reasons!!!!!
And we should all thank Team Glazaer, who have wanted and stressed for a exciting offense since 2009!!!!!!! And that was the first demand that they made when hiring NFL GM Licht that started in 2014 and is now paying off!!!!!!! Its hard to believe that the so-called fans want to throw it away, wanting to fire coaches!!!!! Hold them accountable INDEED!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 20th, 2018 at 10:36 am
It’s all execution. And speed. Pure speed.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:37 am
I noticed the negativity on these boards has cleared right up.
Good. Keep it that way.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:37 am
Greasy, fast speed!
September 20th, 2018 at 10:40 am
The playcalling is not overblown though. Monken is doing a fantasic job. Koetters play calling last year was vanilla and way too conservative. Its both the players and the playcalling.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:40 am
AKA it’s the quarterback dummies 🙂
September 20th, 2018 at 10:41 am
Winstin pass for over 4,000 yard every year and had to run for his life. Now he have a good O line take a look at pre season he was great.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:41 am
The fleagles blame the loss on the Buccaneer OL. Talking heads up here complaint is how their DL got manhandled by the Bucs. Their DL was supposed to be a major strength and they were embarrassed. Imagine what Jameis could do with that kind of protection. Even our third string QB could beat the fleagles with that much time in the pocket. The Steelers game is winnable if our D can contain Big Ben. GO BUCS
September 20th, 2018 at 10:42 am
I think Bucs need to go after Bell
September 20th, 2018 at 10:45 am
Pickgrin Says
“Nice job Monk…Amazing job Fitz…But solid OLine play is the biggest difference this year…”
Nailed it!!!!
Winston’s sacks have gone up every year. The offensive line was completely blowing it. Licht finally found the right mix there.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:47 am
You are right our line gave the QB to much time, now we are better up front can’t wait for big V to join us. Winston put up the points last year but the D was giving up to many points. I wish we could get Bell from the Steelers, that would make our team one of the best in the NFL.
September 20th, 2018 at 10:50 am
We want Bell
September 20th, 2018 at 10:52 am
tbbucs3 Says:
September 20th, 2018 at 10:10 am
This also is a result of continuity in the coaching staff.
——————————–
Very important point. Just ask vets like GMC and LVD. Thanks for the reminder.
September 20th, 2018 at 11:06 am
Godwin is spot on the money. Players make plays.. not the coaches. You can call the best play ever know. Don’t mean nothin unless its executed. Bucs offense is executing very well thus far. Keep it up. No Letdowns. Winning is all that matters.
By any means necessary. NO EXCUSES.
September 20th, 2018 at 11:11 am
Personally, I believe the difference is Fitz doesn’t lock in on ME13. I’m not down on Jameis because we might need him down the road but Fitz does a better job of spreading the ball around.
September 20th, 2018 at 11:24 am
It all goes to show that with sufficient time any of our quarterbacks can produce. the rebuilt o line is allowing the plays to develop. Props go out to George Warhop, as his players are producing! This is fun to watch …aint it!
September 20th, 2018 at 11:25 am
I am a want Jameis back someday supporter, but I have to say that at least 2 of the recent touchdown passes were the direct result of Fitz changing the called play!
On one, he caught the other team in a blitz, and knew our receivers were gonna be one on one.
That said, I can see a difference with Monken calling the plays, but whatever it is that is working, don’t change it!
I so want to see us crush the Steelers, and all the terrible towels sure to be at Tampa Stadium Monday night.
It is quite sad to realize most of these Steeler Fans are Florida residents, and not Fans who fly here to Tampa, to support their Steelers. Most come to our Stadium to see their Steelers massacre the Bucs.
I just can’t wait to see them humiliated, on National TV!
September 20th, 2018 at 11:35 am
“Please,Please do stop the nonesense”
this is from a philly site
PFF tabbed quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick with 66% throws being released in under 2.5 seconds. Through my own charting, I found that he released the ball within one hitch of his final drop step 71% of the time.
Let’s compare time-to-throw with Nick Foles, who held on to the bar far too long either through fault of his own or due to the lack of separation from his receivers (both are true). Foles released the ball at an average of 2.92 seconds. Fitzpatrick blurs past that with a lightning quick 2.21. The living conditions were quite different, but the contrast is still stark.
Getting rid of the ball fast is all gum drops and lollipops but what impact did it have? First, it negated a pass rush for the Eagles that performed well.
**Fitz is throwing the ball out in little over 2 seconds on 3 step drop routes 70%
**the opponents pass rush cant get Fitz in 2 seconds….this make the oline 10x better than to blocking 7 step drop long deep routes that BOTH Fitz and JW had to throw under Koetters playcalling
**Holding the ball for only little more than 2 seconds and 3 step drops helps in the QBs from fumbling and turning the ball over
ITS ALL BLACK AND WHITE
Its all about math and stats
The new NFL offense doesnt need a great offensive line and a great running game…
“For 3 years Kobe demanded and pleaded for a new playcaller …Im still waiting for my apologies”
Kobe Faker
September 20th, 2018 at 11:47 am
Sure it’s a lot of factors. Better QB play with a faster release and veteran experience to process faster, play more decisively, improved OL play, improved overall WR and TE play, another year in the same system, more aggressive and creative playcalling, better Camp, good vibes, confidence etc. But Godwin, although young, is a very mature guy by all accounts. He’d never say “ah yeah. We have a better QB and better play caller this year”. A pro will put it on himself and his fellow players “we’ve been executing”
September 20th, 2018 at 11:50 am
Kobe
Think a pretty big group of people here were frustrated with the playcalling / offensive designs Koetter had – primarily the deep drop long developing type plays which were even worse when run in the red zone.
Props for that tho.
Also so much for Barnett. Don’t even remember hearing his name in the game (?).
Also so much for Peyton Barber so far – although I am starting him in fantasy this week because it’s probably his best match up and he’s just due and I’m a homer.
September 20th, 2018 at 11:51 am
The transitional difference is the exact same thing that occurred last year with LA Rams when Mcvay changed the playcalling and scheme from Jeff fisher
September 20th, 2018 at 11:53 am
Fitzpatrick is making Monken look like a genius completing all those deep throws. If Winston was in the game there is NO guarantee he would be completing those passes. Different down and distance make a huge difference. I am tired of hearing everyone say JW would be playing just as good as Fitz, you don’t know that. JW will get his chance to prove himself and we will see just how good he is this year. Why can’t we just enjoy the wins? Everyone has to stick up for Jameis like he is the next Dan Marino or something. Can’t wait to see if he is any better this year but am happy watching Fitzy play lights out. Enjoy the ride because there is NO guarantee Winston will win when he comes back. #FearTheBeard #GoBucs
September 20th, 2018 at 11:57 am
Not so fast Kobe. Fitz is throwing the intermediate passes (2-2.5 sec) because he recognizes that it’s what the defense is giving him. A different QB might try to wait for the homerun throw, and get sacked, stripped, or be throwing into double/triple coverage. Other than win/loss, stats are the comfort food for losers.
September 20th, 2018 at 11:58 am
“But solid OLine play is the biggest difference this year…” – pickgrin
100% correct
September 20th, 2018 at 11:59 am
What Big Stinky said. Hey we’re all fans and love this team. Let’s enjoy it and give credit where credit is due.
September 20th, 2018 at 12:00 pm
Lord C- Don’t discount Barber yet. In the Eagles game, against a stout defense, it was as much about the THREAT of the run as the run itself. Barber himself had like 16 carries, as a team it was probably 20-25. Though we definitely racked up the passing yards, Fitz threw less than 35 times.
I think Barber will have more success as teams start keying on the passing attack.
September 20th, 2018 at 12:00 pm
LC i think Barber is going BIG time vs Pitt
Peyton Manning made his left tackle all pros where ever he went. the Olines job of sustaining blocks for over 2 seconds vs 5 seconds is dramatic
the short passing game is very probable with a high completion rate…in the new NFL offense, it is an extension of the run
Fitz is very profiecient in this type of (west coast) offense
2014 he had his career year as a jet 31 tds 15 ints 3900 yards
September 20th, 2018 at 12:01 pm
Godwin is simply communicating what athletes know vs. those that think they know from playing video games. For example, in basketball I can run the pick and roll every play, even if you know its coming, it we execute correctly.
Play calling can certainly help but i see way too many people on this site thinking its the be all end all. I guarantee 99% of the people on this site could not tell the difference between a Monken called game vs a Dirk called game.
September 20th, 2018 at 12:18 pm
@ Pickgrin…. I’ve been saying that all week. O-line is playing at a high level these first two weeks! That is the difference period!
September 20th, 2018 at 12:18 pm
Would love to see Barber run for a 100+, believe it’s gonna take something close to that to win.
Also would love to see a fake punt or FG at just the right time….
September 20th, 2018 at 12:32 pm
Kobe,
This reminds me of an old TV show called Lost In Space. When the young Will Robinson was doing something he shoudn’t., there was always this message. Danger Will Robinson ,
Danger.
So Jameis needs a little warning in his head ,Danger JW, you are holding the ball too long. Danger
Ronde Barber said as much when he called one of our games. Or to paraphrase Kenny Rogers You got to when to hold it and when to throw it.
September 20th, 2018 at 1:16 pm
Gawd I hate pounding the same message but the difference between this season from last season through training camp, the preseason, and the last two games is our QB play. Simple as that.
September 20th, 2018 at 1:46 pm
Uh…. no. I watched Dirk for 2 years be super conservative and super predictable and just run right up the gut when the other team would have 11 men in the box. This offense being called right now is nothing like what we saw in 2016 and 2017 after Dirk became head coach and didn’t put in nearly the amount of prep work and would just call the same plays over and over and over again.
September 20th, 2018 at 1:56 pm
See, Rod Munch doesn’t get it. It’s the exact same offense
September 20th, 2018 at 1:57 pm
Pickgrin Says:
September 20th, 2018 at 10:08 am
Nice job Monk
Amazing job Fitz
But solid OLine play is the biggest difference this year…
___________________________________________
DING DING DING! This is the biggest factor by far, which allows everyone else to execute their assignments!
September 20th, 2018 at 2:38 pm
Rod Munch is 100 % correct
Totally different playcalling and scheme
*The offensive line doesnt need to hold their blocks as long. The ball is out quickly before the pass rush
Monken has decided that OJ and Godwin will get more targets than Brate and Little Hump
*Kobe believes that Fitz cant throw the seam pattern to Brate nearly as wekk as JW and Monken has clearly removed that small window pass pattern from the playsheet
September 20th, 2018 at 3:51 pm
For those taking the opportunity to imply JW was at fault, that is not what he is saying. JW and FitzPatrick played all preseason and both were hitting everybody and looked awesome.
Last year mostly JW, but both quarterbacks, as well as many other teammates, we’re out of sync.
September 20th, 2018 at 4:42 pm
Dave: very well said.
September 20th, 2018 at 5:59 pm
I have posted on multiple occasions that Jameis is a better “pitcher” than a “quarterback”. What I mean by that is that Jameis is great throwing “fastballs” to a spot, so that curls and comebacks are great routes for him, however he seems relatively poor at throwing to a moving target, especially one moving directly away from him, such as fly or go routes, or a wheel route by an RB. To me, the ability to hit a stationary target is best for a pitcher, however to hit a moving target is best served by a quarterback. Again these are relative differences, because even a blind squirrel finds a nut, so please don’t tell me about the pass to Godwin last year. I believe that Fitz is much better at hitting MOVING targets than Jameis.
For example:
ME13 2017: 136 targets 71 receptions for 52.2% catch percentage and 5 TDs.
2018: 19 targets 17 receptions for 89.5% catch percentage and 2 TDs.
1001 yards in 2017, but already 230 yards in 2018, with improved YAC.
DJax 2017: 90 targets 50 receptions for 55.6% catch percentage and 3 TDs.
2018: 9 targets 9 receptions for 100% catch percentage and 2 TDs.
668 yards in 2017, but already 275 yards in 2018, with improved YAC.
BTW, 2 of his 3 TDs in 2017 were………………… Fitz to DJax. Go figure?
Exit questions: If the difference this year is mostly due to the offensive line play, and not to the QB play, why have the RBs only gained 76 and then 43 yards in the two games thus far? If Fitzpatrick has had all day to throw, why did he rush 12 times in the first game, knowing that his backup in that game has never taken a regular season snap?
tickrdr
September 20th, 2018 at 6:54 pm
Agree 100% how this blocking is #1 for why we are connecting with all our weapons.
That’s why these ppl talking so much sh!t about Jameis are idiots. Jameis might not be smart off the field, whatever your opinion, but he is very smart on the football field. True freshman national championship and heisman. Record back to back 4,000+ yards season in NFL and certainly didn’t have the blockers we’re doing so well with right now. He has never had a line that gave him tons of time in the pocket and that results in picks and fumbles and shoulder injuries.
September 20th, 2018 at 7:25 pm
With the loss of the steel and associated industries Pittsburgh and surrounding cities lost population sending former Steelers fans and families across this country. That’s why they are at every game everywhere. Send them home locally as sourpusses Bucs.
September 20th, 2018 at 8:23 pm
Way to keep it real Tickrdr
September 20th, 2018 at 9:19 pm
JabooBuc – I literally said “This offense being called right now is nothing like what we saw in 2016 and 2017” – you see dope, that means the plays being called are different. You can run the same offense but call different plays and it makes a huge difference. In fact most teams have well over 100 plays in their playbook, yet might only run like 60 plays, including a bunch of plays you run multiple times. The person making the calls, the person saying hey, let’s open with a PA pass instead of running it up the gut like we’ve done for the past 30 games to open the game, let’s mix it up, that makes a big difference.
September 21st, 2018 at 4:26 am
I never imagined that I will write one day “Kobe, you’re 100 % right an on the money.” But I have to!
Sharp, very good, pinpoint accurate analysis! Thank you for this one.