CBS: Byron Leftwich “Trending Down”
October 19th, 2022
Called out by NFL broadcast partner.
This is interesting.
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports has a “Who’s Hot/Who’s Not” meter when it comes to NFL coaches. He updates that regularly as the winds shift.
In the trending down category, Benjamin lists Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.
Todd Bowles is the head man running the show, so he deserves just as much blame. But Leftwich somehow manages to escape much national attention as a culprit for their sluggish performance despite employing the greatest QB of all time. Yes, injuries have taken a massive toll on Brady’s supporting cast, but Leftwich has also put more on Brady’s shoulders by following the Zac Taylor blueprint of predictable, conservative play-calling on early downs. Where’s Bruce Arians when you need him?
Joe doesn’t think it is fair to Zac Taylor to compare Leftwich to him.
People are freaking out about the Bucs’ offensive line. It’s not as good as it has been the last several years, true. But dang it, the Bengals last year had an atrocious offensive line and they were one play from winning the Super Bowl.
So please don’t come at Joe saying the offensive line is dragging the team down when last year Taylor found a way for his offense to get around his sieve line and damn near win it all.
Remember last year when Tristan Wirfs went down and the line in the first half against the Rams was getting blasted? Someone with the Bucs (Leftwich?, Bruce Arians, Joe Gilbert) made adjustments, used more max-protect, and damn near pulled out a win.
So the Bucs have one guy who might not be carrying his weight. Find a way to help him out, Byron. Scheme plays so that he doesn’t hurt you. You are the offensive coordinator, aren’t you?
As for Leftwich being a head coach next year, Joe will just repeat a question Joe put on Twitter in the third quarter on Sunday: If an NFL owner saw Leftwich couldn’t find a way to attack a secondary of a one-win team decimated by injuries, despite his offense having Tom Brady, Leonard Fournette, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, why would anyone think Leftwich would have answers for a team with less talent?
October 19th, 2022 at 10:35 am
Brady can’t endure the beating Burrow took the last few years. Burrow is heading for a 5 year career if it continues
October 19th, 2022 at 10:36 am
Do a poll on confidence of Leftwich. I have zero.
October 19th, 2022 at 10:42 am
lefty is executing bowles game plans to a t
October 19th, 2022 at 10:43 am
I agree HC.
October 19th, 2022 at 10:45 am
There were ZERO adjustments and all of us watching from our couches new what was coming EVERY single drive! He shouldn’t have been a candidate last year and sure as hell shouldn’t be one this year. We all know that BA ran that show and it shows this year with our putrid play calling!
October 19th, 2022 at 10:48 am
More red pens!
October 19th, 2022 at 10:54 am
what if:
we have just hit a speed bump and need to bounce back…
i mean heck, we were like 29-5 or something like that before these struggles…
what if we reel off like 8 in a row, in classic tom brady fashion, and look back at this speed bump and laugh…
it is possible to right the ship
October 19th, 2022 at 10:55 am
Competent OCs scheme around their weaknesses, in this case the Bucs oline.
The Patriots always start rookie olinemen and seems to win games.
October 19th, 2022 at 10:59 am
Well we all know now the mastermind of the offense the past several seasons has been Bruce Arians. I think they canned him to an office at one But because Brady wanted to run his own stuff with leftwhich and now the offense sucks. Everything is damn dink and dunk and they can’t score in the red zone. I want Bruce back and the no risk no biscuit offense we had before. The long deep ball plays we used to have and for everyone that goes oh we can’t do that because the offensive line sucks. Well that was Jasons job to have people that can actually play and start and 2 why don’t they go max protect and throw a damn deep ball every now and then.
October 19th, 2022 at 11:02 am
Panhandle Buc: Leftwich only got consideration from certain teams and an interview as a way for them to satisfy part of the Rooney rule. The only team that seriously considered Leftwich were the Jags as they made Leftwich a finalist for the position once occupied by Rural Meyer, too bad BL did not land that job; then we might have someone a bit less predictable calling the plays for the offense.
October 19th, 2022 at 11:05 am
Piss poor play design and 0.0 imagination
October 19th, 2022 at 11:05 am
If we dont go at least 2-1 with these next three, and the same run up the gut putrid play calling, not using Evans more, not adjusting scheme at half time….then BL needs to go and I guess let BA be our interim OC until we can get another one.
At least BA is smart and knows what he’s doing (yeah he’s got a temper, but I like that fire)….maybe thats why he stayed around, he could see it coming. Then he can go back into whatever role he’s playing next year when we get another OC.
October 19th, 2022 at 11:15 am
Body language says a lot.
BL’s body language says he’s a total dumb***!
October 19th, 2022 at 11:18 am
BL was successful because you had another offensive minded coach to design the scheme. BL just had to call the plays. He’s been exposed this year. Now, it’s just a matter of how long does it take to remove him.
October 19th, 2022 at 11:18 am
I agree with the above. The best thing for the Bucs would have been if Byron landed a HC job after the season. I know he has ties in Pittsburgh and I know it isn’t the case but one could argue that BL threw the game on Sunday. Is he in trouble with his bookie? I truly can’t remember when I saw a game plan that bad with the vast amount of inept play calls. Nothing about the Bucs’ season to this point makes sense. Todd Bowles needs to change it up and take charge of this mess.
October 19th, 2022 at 11:21 am
Can’t tel me Atlanta has a better roster or even close to ours but we are tied 3-3. Todd Bowles nah you don’t have to make any changes, hopefully glazers will be smart enough to do it for you. The team is clearly trending down with the same freaking weapons.
If we should lay off our rookie guard and our second year center is doing a good job so they say it leaves the play caller who is at fault
October 19th, 2022 at 11:23 am
If Arians is done coaching, The Bucs are in desperate need of several coaching changes… Especially HC and OC!
October 19th, 2022 at 11:25 am
BL is a classic “Peter Principle” guy. Drowning doesn’t know what to do. If I were in his shoes I’d be living in BA’s office
October 19th, 2022 at 11:45 am
I really wanted Leftwich to get a head coaching job last off-season so we’d have a fresh OC come in.
October 19th, 2022 at 11:49 am
Byron Leftwich “It’s the game of football, so what I do is put football players in a position to win football games”
And from a correct English standpoint, I’m being very forgiving of Byron.
October 19th, 2022 at 11:52 am
Call Bruce Arians please.
Let BA call the plays the rest of the way and demote leftwit.
October 19th, 2022 at 11:55 am
You know I’ve been thinking. The Bucs when out and got Julio Jones and Russell Gage. They also kept Mike, chris, scotty, Darren, and perriman. That’s 7 wrs, yes? That with three RBs. Two that actually play. To turn around and say we need balance and need to establish the run. Does that make sense? That’s like picking up 3 new DBs to add to 5 other DBs and saying we are going to stop the run. Wait?
October 19th, 2022 at 11:56 am
This offense hasn’t been the same since both Gronk and AB went down with injuries early last season… Then Godwin went down and AB quit. Gronk returned but wasn’t the same.
We never replaced Gronk’s production (especially in the redzone) – and we never replaced AB’s big play ability and production.
Then we lost three starting offensive lineman (2 All Pro and one very solid).
Go back and watch the film when we had Gronk, AB, Godwin and Evans all healthy. This offense was unstoppable…
You can’t lose quality players like Gronk, AB, Jenson, Marpet and Cappa and expect things to be the same.
October 19th, 2022 at 12:01 pm
Watching the Eagles game Sunday night and their HC/OC was innovative. Like the Chiefs and Andy Reid, Bienemy is not the OC, it seems that Leftwich might have been OC in name only. HOW TF…do you not throw ANY fades to ME13 when you are down near the goalline. ME13 was going up against a practice squad dude; ME is a HOFer…throw it up to him do it until they cannot stop it…..also maybe throw a screen or draw to stop that pass rush from bulling up field
October 19th, 2022 at 12:02 pm
OFF-TOPIC
There is a report out there right now that the BUCS may be hopeful of a Ryan Jensen return in fricking NOVEMBER… and that he has been season without a leg brace recently.
THAT would be MASSIVE.
**Ryan frikkin Jensen
October 19th, 2022 at 12:02 pm
Wow Joes, ya’ll hate me dont you lol.
October 19th, 2022 at 12:02 pm
(been SEEN recently without a leg brace)
October 19th, 2022 at 12:03 pm
I think Cole Beasley says everything you need to know. Came for two weeks and said, nah I’m good!
October 19th, 2022 at 12:07 pm
Uncle Urk, all respect, I think Cole Beasley just discovered that he unfortunately sucks now.
October 19th, 2022 at 12:14 pm
Uncle Urk..lol that was funny..cause you might be right.
October 19th, 2022 at 12:42 pm
The last game exposed a poorly coached team. On all levels.
Licht better better light a fire under these clowns
October 19th, 2022 at 12:51 pm
Anyone who has followed the Bucs since February knows that there is almost zero chance that BA would come back to coach. He is happily retired and I just hope he still has some input with the team. As far as Leftwich being hired as a HC somewhere, I highly doubt it. His English is so poor that he would have to be a genius at play-calling for anyone to even consider that he is capable of command at anything. I have never heard ANY head coach who speaks as uneducated as BL. Let me know if any of you disagree.
October 19th, 2022 at 12:54 pm
Thanks! 🙂
October 19th, 2022 at 1:00 pm
I had hoped with Arains gone maybe Lefty would put his own stamp on the playbook, and we’d see things we never saw before with this offense taking it to a new level. NOPE! Nothing new to see here folks. If anything the offense looks more predictable then ever. If Lefty gets a HC interview after this season it’s to satisfy the Rooney rule. Leftwich will be with the Bucs two more years tops until the Glazers finally pull the plug on Bowles, and the total house cleaning begins.
October 19th, 2022 at 1:06 pm
BL should be fired immediately. It’s not like we could do any worse! A 13 year old calling plays would beat him 8 out of 10 times.
October 19th, 2022 at 1:10 pm
Earlier comments from HC Grover and Kentucky Buc deserve some consideration. I’ve thought BL was inept ever since he landed with the team. But this year it just boggles the mind how he could be so incompetent. So with that level of extreme, maybe there’s something more to it. Is he just following orders from someone else. I cringe to ask that since I think he should be canned anyway, but I have to wonder.
October 19th, 2022 at 1:26 pm
yes there is time to right the ship. BUT not with Bowles as the captain. There are people that are put into a position that DO NOT LIKE advice or suggestions. Bowles is the perfect example. The bad part is he will sacrifice the entire organization. Step down Todd. we all know you don’t know your arse from a hole in the ground. Wanna know another person? Caramel Harris. she’s been the border czar for 2 yrs and hasn’t even been there hahahhaah, and Joey got 80 million votes
October 19th, 2022 at 1:27 pm
THE “2nd and 9” MASTERMIND!
Nobody wastes 1st downs like Leftwich.
October 19th, 2022 at 1:28 pm
Where the hell has 813 BucBoi been?
He loves him some Leftwich.
October 19th, 2022 at 1:39 pm
It’ll be too late to fire BL after Brady retires for good. Cut your loses. Fire him.
October 19th, 2022 at 1:42 pm
I’m not a MAGA clown whatsoever but we all know there is one reason Brains Leftout is mentioned as a head coach prospect, and it ain’t his coaching ability.
October 19th, 2022 at 1:43 pm
Leftwich needs to go!!!!
October 19th, 2022 at 1:44 pm
Fire Leftwich or Demote him to ball boy.
October 19th, 2022 at 1:45 pm
A predictable running game without Jim Brown is a terrible running ggame!!!!!!!!
October 19th, 2022 at 1:46 pm
Everyone in the league knows Leftwich is mediocre…..Cardinals got a good look at him and passed, going with a rookie college coach instead. Bucs needed a replacement for Arians….they went with Bowles. Jags interviewed him…also passed. For a guy with top ranked offenses, in a pass happy league, it’s telling nobody but his good ole boys want him. Leftwich’s value is he’s a known commodity with this staff. Bowles gets fired, Leftwich is toast.
October 19th, 2022 at 1:54 pm
Joe’s,
Ask Uncle Ira to some lyrics to the song Pancho and Lefty
But
Use Nacho and Lefty
Best,
Tiny Dungy
October 19th, 2022 at 2:01 pm
“All the Federales know,
First down Lefty run, not throw,
On 2nd, not to Evans go
And 3rd and long to Gage”
“Punt the ball it’s 3 and out,
Bucs very fans at the screen will shout,
Nacho takes the field in doubt,
While Vea runs away”
With apologies to Willie Nelson and Bucs fans everywhere.
Best,
Tiny Dungy
October 19th, 2022 at 2:04 pm
When leftwich was interviewed by other teams, their very first question was, You have a Goat as QB, you have Evans, Godwin for Wide receivers and Fournette as your Running back, can you create a scheme that will put 7 on the board ASAP. Leftwich response, easy, hand the ball to Fournette and have him run through the gut, for second down, throw the ball to Evans on the flank, thrid down, hail mary pass to Godwin…. sounds good….. GM’s response, we’ll keep in touch…. hahahahaha
October 19th, 2022 at 2:06 pm
Sometimes I think the play calls were made to lose the game willingly
October 19th, 2022 at 2:12 pm
@Marine Buc, true; it’s not the same explosive offense . The OC, needs to make adjustments for those losses, and he’s not stepping up to the plate to make them happen.
October 19th, 2022 at 2:34 pm
Bowles needs to get supply of red pens
October 19th, 2022 at 2:37 pm
Glazers need to lite a fire under LICHT……
October 19th, 2022 at 2:45 pm
@Uncle
Yup. Cole took one long look at how massively dysfunctional the BUCs are and said: I’m outta here. This is a circus and these guys are the clowns.
October 19th, 2022 at 3:14 pm
Lacks creativity and timing in the game.
You have to game plan the other teams weaknesses.
This is a offense with a bad identity right now.
I expected this because of the oline weak points and lack of leadership there buttttttt…
Let’s no pile it on a bunch a rookie linemen..
The fact Mikey not getting enough targets is a huge head scratcher.
Is that Brady fault? Leftwich?
I feel like every receiver has got more targets then he has…including Scotty miller..
Leonard has been the only player straping it on every game.
Godwin and gage have been playing beat up..I respect the effort.
Let’s just be 100 you gave Brady no safety valve…he has no tight end to throw too that he can trust.
Just that simple…
The bucs should be trying to trade for a good to great te with any team willing to listen to an offer.
He needs valves he’s got 2 good rb…
October 19th, 2022 at 4:48 pm
@ Faspro
You are correct. A truly gifted coach is able to make adjustments and fit their scheme to the players that are available… I don’t see those adjustments happening right now.
I see a team struggling for an identity on offense.
October 19th, 2022 at 5:53 pm
There is no rhythm to his play calling, crazy predictable with his formations and sets
Rarely adjusts to what the D is taking away and tries to force the issue
And has Brady forgotten how to check out of bad run plays or is he not allowed to???
At least 3 times Sunday we all knew they were stacked against the run and TB12 just ran the play anyway….why? Isn’t this the NFL? Do we not have hot checks?
Evans got zero opps in 3rd n short or the red zone
It’s disgusting at best
Dude needs to be canned asap
October 19th, 2022 at 6:49 pm
two words….goodbye leftwich
October 19th, 2022 at 11:07 pm
This is why the NFL only has 3 black head coaches because they are always the scapegoats for a team facts!!!
October 19th, 2022 at 11:34 pm
Stupid is as Stupid does
October 20th, 2022 at 8:40 am
Oneilsuckyall, this is a pure case of forcing diversity down a teams throat. Hire the most qualified right person for the job no matter what their race, gender or preference. These coaches are clearly NOT qualified. FYI diverse means more than one color, Rivera and Saleb are diverse dip shat! Say it with me, I Hate the White Man!!!
October 20th, 2022 at 12:54 pm
Oneil always gotta be playing that race card…..well, welcome to our mediocre team since you really want to go there….thats some low IQ logic, but carry on….its quite entertaining to see from you.
October 20th, 2022 at 1:25 pm
Joe…I agree with you probably 90 percent of the time, but not on BL.
Re: Leftwich.
Not going to mince words.
1. His play calling is beyond predictable, especially on 1st downs, and down on our goal line.
2. He speaks of players who are “coachable”….yet he seems immune to thoughtful criticism coming for nearly all quarters that he makes some necessary changes. His intransigence is mind boggling as is HIS lack of coachability.
3. He is calling plays for the GOAT who has bailed him out of mind-numbing play calls that many a quarterback would be unable to salvage, suggesting that his results would be even worse with another qb.
4. How often this year have we seen little separation between our WR’s and their defenders. Part of effective play calling, is identifying the right matchups and routes that allow for our recievers to separate and get open.
5. He frequently fails to learn from his mistakes. When was the last time you remembered a game announcer comment that BL had made some positive change in play calling at half time…a notable change that produced significantly better results after halftime?
October 20th, 2022 at 5:28 pm
Leftwich’s golf handicap will also be trending down.
At least Clyde Cristensen’s offense had Kiff to bail him out. Mymoron has Toad’s Bowel and his Supercray defense that no one can understand and communicate other than Logan Ryan.
This is putrid. Even with mediocrity this team is 5-1.
Defense fails when they are needed to make a stop.
Toad?
October 21st, 2022 at 12:29 am
I’ve been saying for 3 years that Leftwhich sucks at play calling. It’s clear as day when the offense started looking different in games it was Bruce taking over.