Will You Just Run Play-Action, Please!
January 16th, 2023
Will he finally learn?
Joe has no idea why failing Bucs offensive coordinator hates play-action passes. But he sure does.
Hell, last week Greg Cosell, the X’s and O’s guru of NFL Films, highlighted Tom Brady passes that worked so well for the Bucs and seemingly all were play-action.
Then Joe reads this and it has gotten to the point that Joe just wants to throw his iPhone against the wall. Matt Bowen, who is a co-host with Cosell on NFL Matchup shows, outlines a really frustrating stat.
Brady led all quarterbacks with 154 passing attempts over the final four weeks of the season. Even with the heavy volume, though, Brady attempted only 25 play-action passes during that stretch. In fact, for the season, the Bucs ranked last in the NFL in percentage of plays using a play-fake (15.1%).
This is coaching malpractice, that’s all there is to it. Of course, if you bring this up to Leftwich, he will derisively mock these numbers as “fantasy football.” Right. Facts are fantasy for Leftwich.
(Joe’s not much of a fantasy football guy either. Joe’s idea of fantasy has nothing to do with football and everything to do with Rachel Watson. But Joe is starting to develop a new fantasy: Waiting for the Bucs to deactivate Leftwich’s access card into One Buc Palace.)
Joe really has no idea why Leftwich hates play-actions. He will claim that you have to be able to run the ball first because play-action passes work best that way. But there are all kinds of advanced stats out there demonstrate that to be a wives tale.
Of course, in Leftwich’s world, this would also be fantasy football. So sad how this guy Leftwich has underutilized so much talent.
January 16th, 2023 at 4:35 am
Maybe the explanation is simple. He may not be too bright.
January 16th, 2023 at 5:02 am
I have a theory which I will share at the risk of sounding foolish.
Tom and the coaches knew the state of the O-Line going in.
The Oline has been terrible and has had an unfortunate domino effect on the offense.
Weak Oline = Less time of protection = less WR separation and explosive plays = more short passes.
Weak Oline = more short passes = defences standing closer = weak running game as well.
Knowing this, Tom took a stance that he was going to get rid of the ball quickly the whole season to protect himself from injury knowing his availability is vital for playoffs and only holding on to the ball longer if it means not doing so will risk missing the playoffs.
If you watch the second half of the must win panthers game. Brady held onto the ball for longer, WRs got more separation, more explosive plays and bucs were an entirely different team. Had the panthers adjusted for this and stepped a few yards back, the bucs running game would of become more effective. There were also way more play action plays in that game than probably the entire season.
I suspect that now it is the playoffs, Brady is going to risk getting hit more and hold on to the ball longer, WR’s going to get open, and Bucs are going to explosively get down the field. Defences will adjust and step back and Playoff Lenny is going to come into his own as a result of this.
I also suspect the bucs coaches have been holding back some of their play action plays for the playoffs. Chess not checkers.
What do you think? Any merit?
January 16th, 2023 at 5:45 am
Grover is correct. BL is not very bright. He’s got no business running an NFL offense. Can’t wait till he is relieved of his duties.
January 16th, 2023 at 6:04 am
Bowles allows it and the Glazers allow Bowles to allow it. Why?
January 16th, 2023 at 7:02 am
Question???? Joe maybe you have answer???
Why did the Bucs hire Bowles??? What qualifies did he Show as a head coach???
He has experience BUT that experience was horrible for NY ..
I wonder WHY
January 16th, 2023 at 7:07 am
Agreed!! HC & OC are hard head old school coaches!
January 16th, 2023 at 7:07 am
Someone needs to locate The Gooch and have him come to Tampa and beat up Byron “what you talking bout Willis” Leftwich.
January 16th, 2023 at 7:08 am
Leftwich will fantasize he’s still got a job in football soon.
January 16th, 2023 at 7:24 am
I have a picture of Leftard’s face on my heavy bag.
Run up the gut on 1st down. Out to the garage and smash Byron’s face a few times.
It has kept me (mostly) sane this season.
January 16th, 2023 at 7:29 am
Joe takes Confirmation Bias to a new level.
January 16th, 2023 at 7:35 am
The invincible ignorance fallacy,[1] also known as argument by pigheadedness,[2] is a deductive fallacy of circularity where the person in question simply refuses to believe the argument, ignoring any evidence given
In case you missed it last time.
January 16th, 2023 at 7:45 am
Right on, Joe! Derelict in Duty! This ONE simple adjustment would make the offense more potent immediately because, every defensive player would have to pause for just a moment! They don’t even have to add any new plays!? Mind boggling, the ignorance!
Oddball for the win!
January 16th, 2023 at 7:50 am
You don’t have to be able to run to have play action…..you have to make defenses think you’re going to run…..and defenses always are thinking we are going to run because we do.
Run up the middle for no gain.
Pass in the flat for 6 yards.
Empty backfield launch downfield
Punt
Repeat
January 16th, 2023 at 8:00 am
We be what we be, those stats not be for us it be for fantasy football. Play action be fantasy football to. Shanahan not be very smart if he run fantasy football plays. How does Brady put up with this guy? Bowels must really have his foot on his throat. He had to tell Brady behave and do what we say or I’ll sit you, that’s the only kryptonite for Brady.
January 16th, 2023 at 8:43 am
Fired!!! Arrogant Byron Leftwich will be fired. This coach actually game plans to enhance his offense weaknesses and enhance the opposing team’s strengths. Wasn’t it the Steelers game where Leftwich actually kept calling plays that were doing the exact opposite what he should have been doing to win the game. I mean was he trying to lose that game on purpose lol. Well get ready this game against Cowgirls tonight is going to be another loss and the dagger into Bucs and Brady tenure of this team’s history, wish that wasn’t the case. But and arrogant coaches are the reason the Bucs will not rausing the Lombardi trophy at end of these playoffs.
January 16th, 2023 at 9:12 am
I can’t believe Brady is standing by and not throwing shade at Leftwich, he can’t play forever, it’s put up or shut up time
January 16th, 2023 at 9:27 am
“He will claim that you have to be able to run the ball first because play-action passes work best that way.” Yet Lefty runs way more than is responsible and in the predictable ways and situations.
January 16th, 2023 at 9:32 am
I mentioned this 6 or 7 games ago. In his infinite wisdom( or lack thereof), Leftwich thinks he is outsmarting his opponents by not using play action, or motion, and by running on 1st down 80 to 90 % of the time!! He is so gone after the playoffs end!! Good riddens.
January 16th, 2023 at 9:37 am
Agree, Michael Nolan – your ideas have merit, and you might be right about Brady holding the ball longer since it’s now the playoffs (including the Carolina game).
January 16th, 2023 at 9:38 am
Joe, Yes play action! If Brady has been getting rid of the ball in under 2 seconds. Imagine what he could do if he had ONE extra sec!! 2.8 secs instead of 1.8. And not just the RB’s..how bout MOTION, fake end-around (or REAL end-arounds)? Anything to give a D line pause!
January 16th, 2023 at 9:45 am
So maybe some of us should help BL with his next career!! You know…suggestions please…(Leftwich surely is washed up in the NFL). He can’t be an OC anymore, or running back coach. Maybe a qb coach for a high school team? Any suggestions?
January 16th, 2023 at 9:46 am
Idiot drools as moron babbles.
What are this bazoon’s plans immediately following his coaching career?
January 16th, 2023 at 9:56 am
I can’t wait for the game but I fear the play calling will leave me feeling sick again. I wonder how many Bucs fans feel this way?
January 16th, 2023 at 9:57 am
Here’s a play I’ve been dreaming about all season: Scotty Miller (remember him) split out left flying down the left side line; Devin Tompkins on the right flying down the right side line; Mike Evans in the right slot running a post over the middle; Max protect with extra lineman, Plus Lenny in the backfield to help. Would look like a running play. Tell me that wouldn’t “stress” the DB’s! 1 of those 3 receivers would come wide open!! We’ve used a similar alignment in the past, but we always run straight up the middle for 1 yard. Imagine if for once we didn’t do a handoff, and went deep? DB’s would be freaked out – long completion or pass interference to save a TD.
January 16th, 2023 at 10:09 am
Good coaches get the best out of all the players on the team even the backups. Just take a look at Miami and 49ers both of those head coaches are using 3rd string QB and have great play calling. Hell Miami almost beat the 2nd seed Bills with a third string QB had only started 1 game. When is the last time we could say any of this with Tampa coaches. This coaching staff sucks and they all need replaced win or lose.
January 16th, 2023 at 10:10 am
“Michael Nolan Says:
January 16th, 2023 at 5:02 am
I have a theory…”
I think you are 100% right. O-line was horrible compared to last year and preserving TB12’s health was the priority.
January 16th, 2023 at 10:11 am
The last two years when they won the Super Bowl and went to the NFC championship game all we heard was how he is the greatest play action quarterback NFL has ever seen…. blah blah blah blah blah, blah blah,
and then the coaches do this?!?!?!
At a minimum BL needs to be fired the moment the season is over. I don’t give a &&$@ if they win the Super Bowl, he needs to be gone. Most of the rest of the coaches are fine, they’re the same ones that went to the Super Bowl.
Bowles take some responsibility because he’s the head coach and should have demanded more but I don’t want him gone because I think the defense will take a big hit if he leaves.
January 16th, 2023 at 10:12 am
Simple square head no brain
January 16th, 2023 at 10:58 am
Well said, Michael Nolan!
January 16th, 2023 at 11:42 am
LEFTWICH SUCKS!!!!
But we’ve known that for a while.
January 16th, 2023 at 12:09 pm
It’s so insanely frustrating to think that the Bucs success in the post season is immediately handicapped by this idiot. Can’t wait for him to be fired.
January 16th, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Not every team that is competitive has an elite oline that’s where coaching and adjustments are key but bucs don’t have it in leftwich his playcalling is too repetitive and predictable putting the team in obvious situations.
January 16th, 2023 at 1:14 pm
If he blows it with the play calling tonight, yes his access card should be deactivated, but we will also lose the GOAT. Brady will retire or sign elsewhere if this children’s party clown is retained. I have faith in the Glasers that they will be reviewing resumes right after the game. This is the biggest and most amplified downfall of this team this year, being able to string together some kind, any kind of logic on offense.
January 16th, 2023 at 1:59 pm
After the non-stop games Saturday and Sunday, we saw some terrific coaching and players making fantastic plays. It was vintage playoff football. The Seahawks were the only team that got blown out and they were simply overpowered by the Niner offense.
Yet Miami and Baltimore, heavy underdogs, almost won away games. They were well coached up and fired up. The Jags and Giants, both lesser teams than the Chargers and Vikes, both outright won because they played from start to finish, exceptional football.
That brings us to our Bucs tonight. Unlike Peterson, the Jaguar coach who made adjustments in second half and the Dolphin coaches whose defenses made Josh Allen look almost human, can Bowles and Leftwich do something to help this team get on the winning side?
I have more faith in the players than the coaches. Its up to them because Bowles and Leftwich don’t know what they are doing, especially Leftwich.
Head coaches have to earn players trust. Giants WR drops a crucial pass that would have ended the game and downridden goes to the bench but Giants coach made a point to go over to him and let him know he was still behind him.
I don’t believe I have ever seen Todd Bowles sit down with either the offense or defense on the sidelines and strategize or go over the Google images. He is just like an observer. What is going on? All these over guys like Peterson and McDaniel stay invoiced in everything that goes on. Why do our coaches appear as spectators rather than being involved with the players?
January 16th, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Leftwich is going to prove us all wrong by fitting the square peg in the round hole.
January 16th, 2023 at 2:35 pm
Todd Bowles is committing coaching malpractice by letting Leftwich get away with this.
January 16th, 2023 at 3:46 pm
Ed, BL gets worked up, every once and a while I can see the drool glitter on Brady’s shoulder. Bowels is a stoic piece of dog dung. It sure seems like he could give a shat about the players, he is the coach so he is ABOVE them.
January 16th, 2023 at 3:58 pm
After watching all the games this weekend, Oh how I long for a OC who can create plays that get WR, TE, RB open in space.
Maybe Our OC remembers his slow as molasses in January release, where if he was to run play action he would get sacked before he could get his slow release of the ball in action.
BRADYS RELEASE HE NEVER WAS CLOSE TO . EVER.
January 16th, 2023 at 5:39 pm
^^^could you please confirm how many qb’s of non color has a Brady type release !?