Left-Handed Byron Leftwich
December 28th, 2022
Bucs OC Byron Leftwich.
This is hardly a new phenomenon but dang if it doesn’t drive Joe wild.
Why in the world does Bucs failing offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich insist on running Playoff Lenny to the left? It fries Joe’s brain. It’s been like this most of the year. It’s often the same with Rachaad White, too.
Maybe someone forgot to tell Leftwich this, but the Bucs were down to their third-string left tackle Sunday in Arizona and at left guard was another backup until about two months ago.
On the right side of the ball is right guard Shaq Mason, a Pro Bowl alternate who is having a really solid year, and All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs.
Yes, Joe knows Wirfs was playing dinged up and he gutted his way through the game. But just about anyone with any common sense knows you try to run behind the strength of your offensive line, unless a defense is so stacked on the other side that there’s a chance to break a long one.
And you can’t tell Joe defenses have stacked so many players on the Bucs’ right side for nearly 75 percent of the plays during each game.
But man, Leftwich sure loves to run behind his offensive line’s weakest area. Why?
Of course, if you ask Leftwich about this, he will either get mad and refuse to answer or just mock your question as “fantasy football.”
On Christmas Night, Playoff Lenny had an ok game rushing, 20 carries for 72 yards. But guess where Leftwich had Playoff Lenny running most of the time?
You guessed it: The left side.
Man, this offense is so poorly coached it is criminal. After the season, Team Glazer’s lawyers ought to look at canning Leftwich for cause. He doesn’t deserve a nickel in compensation for how he has wrecked the Bucs offense.
The ugly chart of how Playoff Lenny was misused on the ground is below for all to see, compliments of NFL’s NextGen Stats.
December 28th, 2022 at 8:10 am
I can only guess it’s been the Offensive Line Coach basically is seeing more consistent play on the left side and maybe because Brady is more comfortable with it too?????
I know….it sounds stupid as Every Bucs fans are feed up with this ridiculous very predictive offense as well.
December 28th, 2022 at 8:12 am
Wirfs has been playing hurt a large part of the season. He couldn’t contain Watts last week because he couldn’t turn fast enough. The guy is playing with a serious injury. And I would guess that running to the right side would be too much for him to deal with.
I don’t care what Leftwurst does, he has not utilized the right offense all season, doesn’t play to our strengths in light of all the injuries, and doesn’t make adjustments until the final minutes of each game. Sad that Brady has to pull his butt out of the fire each week. I expect more of the same this weekend.
December 28th, 2022 at 8:13 am
I pray Joe that we don’t have to endure another season with either of these coaches. We need a fresh start especially if Brady is rolling to SF LV Miami NE or the slimy saints. I can’t take another year of this crao. These guys have wasted whT was supposed to be on of those memorable seasons. Now it is memorable for the wrong reasons. A team badly underachieving dude to awful coaching that is borderline criminal!
December 28th, 2022 at 8:13 am
But then I also think that Lenny part of the problem too cause he has zero explosiveness whenever he runs…..Lenny just plods along bruising people.
I loved watching ROJO run cause he had that explosiveness……but Lenny doesn’t.
TOO BAD ROJO couldn’t pass protect or catch the ball well or else he’d still be here.
December 28th, 2022 at 8:15 am
So sad to see this offense crippled and what made the 2020-2021 team so special was the team chemistry. Both have faded this season. Yes, Leftwich has to be blamed for some of this but clearly Bowels is the culprit to this. It is his team, and it is clearly showing on gameday. He got his second chance and last chance to be a head coach in the NFL and he is going to do it his way. No chance Byron would slow down and completely go away from what has got him to the OC position and that is Arians Offense. It starts at the top and Bowels is at the top. I like Bowels but sometimes people need to know their roles and his is to be a Top 5 DC, not a head coach. Hopefully this week and next week he can change his ways. Prove me wrong coach!
December 28th, 2022 at 8:16 am
Hurt up. Throw to Evans. Hurry up again. Throw to Evans. Hurry up again, play action and throw to Julio.
Or, run to the left, run to the left, run to the left.
🤦♂️
December 28th, 2022 at 8:28 am
He has to be in a left alignment for pass protection, that’s why all the runs are to the left.
Brady knows where the pressure is going to come from and he isn’t about to take a kill shot this year. He’s a free agent at the end of this season. It’s about survival for him at this point.
December 28th, 2022 at 8:36 am
Byron is the only play caller in the league that doesn’t even care about matchups
Look back thru the season, as soon as Delaney goes in on D, the other team immediately attacks him with their best player
Byron ignores all and runs right at Bosa, refuses to throw when the other team is on their fifth team CB, rarely games anyone open, and relies on the bubble screen 9 times a game because he has no idea how to slow down the rush
Criminal is putting it lightly – he is a complete and total waste of time and I bet Brady can’t wait to get away from him
December 28th, 2022 at 8:46 am
Surprisingly, I believe our two longest runs (both by R. White) were to the left this year, right? Seattle and AZ? Can’t recall if they both BEGAN to the left, but do remember the stiff arm on Seattle was him running on the left and the 19yd against AZ to the left. Don’t get me wrong, logic would be that you run behind Shaq and Wirfs, especially in short yardage (typically don’t like pitches on short yardage) with Nick L pulling that way – seems to have worked when tried.
Who knows, perhaps the direction of the run is being changed at the LOS based on defensive alignment which is dictating a left-handed Bucs run O. Or perhaps since most teams best pass rusher is on the D right side/Offensive LT, we’re running AT them to try and negate the rush later. Who knows.
December 28th, 2022 at 8:50 am
Helluva point.
December 28th, 2022 at 8:53 am
It’s in his name, and maybe DNA Joe. There are times when they run left Mason pulls, so one of your best run blockers is being used. So does it matter what side you run to if your best blockers are pulling to that side? Don’t let it drive you crazy Joe, there are more things going on with the Bucs you can go mental thinking about.
December 28th, 2022 at 8:54 am
@ ClwJB
You make alota great points……as I for one is sick of all the bubble screens and running on 1st downs up the gut!!!!
It’s awful.
December 28th, 2022 at 8:57 am
The offense should put him on their shoulders and carry him out of OBF…
If you understand the reference 😎
December 28th, 2022 at 9:00 am
As far as taking advantage of matchups, this O can’t do the basics first! Can’t explore matchup advantages when you can’t keep a defender out of TB12’s face for 2 sec. We are playing dominant DLines w/ super sub-par/inexperienced Olinemen. I watch Hainsey (although doing a helluva fill-in job) get dominated on a at least 3 plays each game that disrupt Offensive rhythm. BL does himself no favors; but the 2020-21 playbook is not a viable option. Seriously been scratching my head on what we CAN do w/o a semi-mobile QB who can move the pocket.
Seriously, when’s the last time we did a bootleg on short yardage to get 1-2 yds. NEVER. 75% of the league have this as an option. Hell, AZ QB moved around and even Sam Darnold scored on a QB designed run last week.
December 28th, 2022 at 9:02 am
Take away the 3 carries for no gain when the Bucs had 2nd and 1 and couldn’t convert, Fournette actually averaged over 4 yards per carry.
The banged up OLine is the weakness of the offense and no amount of blaming the coaches is going to fix that. Bucs are using some creativity in their running game with Kieft and Otton .
The valid criticism could be choosing to run Fournette 3 straight times with no gain and waiting until the end of the game to use the hurry up.
December 28th, 2022 at 9:12 am
ClwJB:
The perfect example of your issue with Leftwich was the Pittsburgh game. Steelers basically had practice squad dudes in the secondary starting and what did Leftwich do? Tried to run the ball on a team that eats running backs alive for lunch.
December 28th, 2022 at 9:17 am
Why haven’t we seen a pic of Brady and lefty sitting on bench,hats down over eyes,head down starring at those tablets. Off the field first thing they do race to bench and sit. Never looked up once.
I thought they were on the subway.
December 28th, 2022 at 9:18 am
Well don’t worry this season will be over a week from Sunday.
December 28th, 2022 at 9:18 am
@Alan and at least 2 of those runs were to the right side…..directly into JJ Watt playing like a man possessed (2014-15 Watt) that failed miserably.
December 28th, 2022 at 9:22 am
I think I finally solved the big secret… ByRUN(totheleft) also writes the gameplans with his left hand and crayons. They are illegible and that’s why the offense is having a hard time. LOL
December 28th, 2022 at 9:22 am
Alan, 3 times Lenny couldn’t get a yard, he’s 250lbs. I saw one run he didn’t stutter step and hit the hole dead on for decent yards. A top back no matter what the line does can find a yard. Brady did.
December 28th, 2022 at 9:23 am
I dunno. Maybe Lenny’s Liz Frank injury makes it hard for him to plant when running right when he sees a hole? I mean, where does White run? If thats balanced and Lenny isnt Id say its the injury. But its Bye Ron. So who knows? Still, maybe a reason.
December 28th, 2022 at 9:23 am
Only the left side of his brain functions.
December 28th, 2022 at 9:26 am
Anybody who understands football can see we are bleeding badly on the O line. Wirfs is giving it his all. But he is not even close to 100%. He turns super slow on one of those ankles. Even at their best, this O line is about 75%. Brady knows it. Our D line though had better bump it up come Sunday. Carolina’s Offense has been running the ball right down opponents throats. Opening huge holes.
December 28th, 2022 at 9:50 am
It’s simple. Bowles has told Leftwich to be a power-running team. Power running teams usually just run straight at you, matchups be darned. See the Titans.
That’s what’s happening here, but it shouldn’t be. I mean, the duo scheme is the most basic, plain, and vanilla running scheme ever devised. It’s too simple! All the D has to do to disrupt it is penetrate, and that’s why we have so many runs blown up for TFL’s – penetration.
December 28th, 2022 at 9:55 am
The fact that he continues to be allowed to run the offense is the bigger crime.
December 28th, 2022 at 10:10 am
“gotbbucs Says:
December 28th, 2022 at 8:28 am
He has to be in a left alignment for pass protection, that’s why all the runs are to the left.
Brady knows where the pressure is going to come from and he isn’t about to take a kill shot this year. He’s a free agent at the end of this season. It’s about survival for him at this point.”
That’s a good point, if most of the runs go through there, it will naturally delay the pass rush for a moment without having to do a play action
December 28th, 2022 at 10:10 am
I did see Shaq Mason pull all the way to the left on one play. It was a Rachaad White run and got close to ten yards.
I think it is the first time I saw a real stunt by the line to support the run.
It is not so much that the runs go left as the hand off the ball and hope a hole happens mentality.
The linemen block forward and that is all. It is Leftie can’t decide where the ball is going and count the linemen at the same time. It is almost as bad as him not being able to remember more than 14 names at any one time.
December 28th, 2022 at 10:11 am
Kind of hard to tell from your spaghetti graph but it sure looks like the ONLY times Fournette was stopped for a loss is when he ran right.
December 28th, 2022 at 10:17 am
Byron be don’t.
December 28th, 2022 at 10:21 am
It’s become clear that Lefty wasn’t really the OC the last 2 years. He was just Arians assistant. He got to hold the clipboard and go rah rah with Brady but Arians was the man. Arians would have been a lock for the HOF with another SB. He is a football genius they called the QB Whisperer. He was hoping that some of that would rub off on Lefty but it didn’t.
December 28th, 2022 at 10:21 am
It seems BA
Left us with not ready for prime time
Despite his repeated endorsements
This team needs a spark and
Loveable Lumbering Gronk might just be worth a try
Never thought I’d post this but
Desperate times require desperate measures
December 28th, 2022 at 10:29 am
If his name was Byron Rightwich would he still run left so much?
December 28th, 2022 at 10:47 am
If only Lefty was left out. Brady has somehow remained patient ( for him…with Microsoft Surface Tablets taking the brunt ). Brady will go to more of the hurry up sooner rather than later vs The Panthers…loser basically goes home/Brady’s Buccaneer career comes to a close ( anywhere but New Orleans, Tom ).
December 28th, 2022 at 10:48 am
The good news is there will be only a couple more games with these coaches!! They all will be gone next season!!!!!! Between BLs bad play calling and “play it so safe that we probably lose the game” Bowles we’re lucky to have even had a chance to make the playoffs this year! Most fans will be surprised if these two idiots can coach up the team to win the next game!!!! We’ll see!!!
December 28th, 2022 at 10:53 am
It’s because TB12 is right handed.
Running to the left means TB12 hands the ball off with his right hand. This also sets up the play action by keeping the ball in his throwing hand. Running right, TB12 would have to switch to his left hand.
This is important when fractions of a second count.
December 28th, 2022 at 11:21 am
He can mock us all he likes. That’s what I’m doing, mocking him. A drunkard on his couch can call a better game. Fantasy football or not. This dudes at most 3 weeks from D2 college ball. Don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya Byron. You won’t be missed. By anyone.
December 28th, 2022 at 11:29 am
By design…thats the only explanation I can figure.
December 28th, 2022 at 11:45 am
what if:
leftwich is offered the now vacant denver broncos HC job…
and he’s supposed to resurrect their offense and fix russell wilson?
can you just imagine………..?
December 28th, 2022 at 11:51 am
One thing for consideration: Defender responsibility. In the NFL, you lose vs DE when you allow them to focus solely on pass rush. You have to make them play run responsibility. Running left makes sense because that’s where we’re significantly outmatched vs pass rushers…teams know it, put their best over there and try to beat us with mismatches. But if we can make them have to play run gaps/edge, we at least keep them busy and second guessing.
That and Leverette and Wells/Smith are actually good run blockers. Their weak spots this year have been in poor pass sets and hands in pass pro.
I’m not pleased with how little we’re dictating to defenses. I am one of those hollering for more PA and more hurry-up — both of which negate pass rush. That said, Byron and Tom are out there having to use quick game and screen game to counter for an OL that truly cannot handle any NFL team’s 4 man pass rush. Nobody is blitzing us because they know they don’t need to. Tom’s quick throws and our lack of straight drop, downfield passing is all due to the fact that we have the least skilled pass blocking OL in the league. The loss of Marpet and Cappa was going to be offset by acquiring Shaq Mason, and there was promise in Stinnie and Hainsey at LG.
Jensen’s injury, then Stinnie’s, coupled with Donovan Smith playing poorly really threw out of wack any chance for a dominant downfield offense to emerge. Now, with no Wells, a hurt Wirfs, a Smith who is a big WTF…and even rookie TEs who are being asked to chip and help in pass pro, and you’ve got a recipe for an itchy-trigger fingered Tom.
PS That’s also why Lenny is playing more than White (who is clearly fresher and provides opportunities for chunk runs). But Lenny is the veteran pass pro back, and right now that’s more urgent.
December 28th, 2022 at 1:17 pm
KnoxvilleBuc Says:
December 28th, 2022 at 8:15 am
So sad to see this offense crippled and what made the 2020-2021 team so special was the team chemistry. Both have faded this season. Yes, Leftwich has to be blamed for some of this but clearly Bowels is the culprit to this. It is his team, and it is clearly showing on gameday. He got his second chance and last chance to be a head coach in the NFL and he is going to do it his way. No chance Byron would slow down and completely go away from what has got him to the OC position and that is Arians Offense. It starts at the top and Bowels is at the top. I like Bowels but sometimes people need to know their roles and his is to be a Top 5 DC, not a head coach. Hopefully this week and next week he can change his ways. Prove me wrong coach!
__
Well said! Leftwich is a puppet, and a bad one at that. This is all on Bowles. This is the Bowles way and he’s too stubborn to see it’s garbage.
December 28th, 2022 at 3:40 pm
ClwJB Says:
December 28th, 2022 at 8:36 am
Byron is the only play caller in the league that doesn’t even care about matchups
_____________________________________________________
This x1000!!!! I’ve been screaming about it all season long!
Look no further than the Pittsburg game: Steelers are down top-3 cornerbacks, all-pro safety, and future HOFer TJ Watt. AKA, super vulnerable to a passing attack. So what does Moyron Leftwich do? Tries to run into their giant DTs all game long…
He’s a stubborn buffoon who can’t be fired soon enough.