Liam Coen In Impressive Company
December 7th, 2024
Movin’ the chains.
Joe thinks it’s fair to suggest Andy Reid may be the best offensive coach in the NFL.
Not long ago he had one of the most potent offenses in the game.
After attrition, injury and age, Reid and his Chiefs are left with a world-class quarterback, an aging star tight end and not much else, yet Reid and his Chiefs’ offense move the ball. The Chiefs convert 52 percent of their third downs, per Rich Hribar of Sharp Football Analysis. That’s best in the league.
This does not shock Joe one bit. Reid simply knows how to put offenses together and craft gameplans. He will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday. Deservedly.
Well, guess who is No. 2 in the league in converting third downs? That would be Liam Coen and the Bucs. And yes, it surprises Joe — even though their third-down success is mentioned on every broadcast and pregame show.
The Bucs aren’t too far behind, converting 48 percent of their third downs.
Joe would suspect that’s a great look for Baker Mayfield, as well. He’s the one on the field executing the Coen’s plays and audibling out of them when needed.
And, yeah, Mayfield has the third-most touchdown passes in the NFL (25), second-most 300-yard passing games (four) and second-most three-touchdown passing games (five).
Not bad for the 18th-highest-paid quarterback.
And definitely not bad for a first-time NFL playcaller like Coen.
December 7th, 2024 at 10:24 am
Love and appreciate having both Baker and Coen. They’d make a good HC/QB combo. Just got to move on from Todd Blows..
December 7th, 2024 at 10:41 am
He is literally the only reason we are in position to win the division. We added Ben Bredeson. Graham was hurt for the saints game and the run game exploded. He gets the credit for the offense the o line and the running back. Meanwhile on the defensive side of the ball…..
December 7th, 2024 at 10:43 am
Coen and the OL coaches have greatly improved the run game over Canales and Harold Goodwin. Last year, teams ignored our play action game, not so this year. I’m not a big advocate of run/pass balance but more on being unpredictable, and that’s what Coen’s offense is.
December 7th, 2024 at 11:15 am
I’m OK with Bowles returning in 2025 if he fires himself as DC and brings on a new DC who has full control of the defense.
Alternatively, I might be OK with Belichick taking over as HC and running the defense. He can’t be allowed to have control of personnel though as he had with the Patriots.
With Belichick over the defense and Coen staying on as OC that would get fans back in the stands and maybe get us back to the promised land.
I know many want Coen to take over as HC and IF that is the only way to keep him here in Tampa I would agree. But that is risky. A great coordinator isn’t necessarily going to be a good HC.
December 7th, 2024 at 11:25 am
Reid has done it year in and year out, To compare Coen to Reid is as stupid as dismissing the fact that a lot of the Bucs success is due to a foundation that Canales laid in 2023.
Just like Cy Young pitchers the more times thru the lineup the higher the ERA goes the more film on the Bucs that becomes available the easier it will be to shut down the 10 yards of the field that Coen attacks.
Sean McVay is a pretty good judge of talent and Coen’s first attempt at OC in 2022 left so much of an impression that he was not with the Rams in 2023.
Swap the 49er’s, Giants ang Panthers Game Weeks with the Lions, Eagles, and Commanders and the Bucs are probably 3-9 and folks are wanting to put Coen on the same train leaving town with Bowles.
December 7th, 2024 at 11:25 am
We need this offense to carry the defense the remaining games if the Bucs are to make the playoffs. Coen and BM6 were great additions to this team! It’s time for them to really step up!
December 7th, 2024 at 11:36 am
Dan Orlovesky (however you spell his name) did a nice little breakdown on Coen and specifically scheming the run game. D. O. compared it to Green Bay’s and he loves their coach and run game 👍🏼
December 7th, 2024 at 11:51 am
Bowels value/stock is very low if any….
Keep Coen at any cost!
December 7th, 2024 at 11:51 am
Liam and Baker didn’t have their best game last week but they won. A 30 second drive to tie. Everyone here thought it was over when Theilen caught that late touchdown pass in regulation. Admit it. Besides Mahommes and Brady who does that? I think we’ve got as clutch of a QB as anybody in the league right now. Anyone who bets against this team the next five games are losing that bet. And I sure wouldn’t bet against them in the playoffs either. If some of you fans didn’t pay attention in crunch time last year you’re due for an encore. This is gonna be fun!!
December 7th, 2024 at 12:07 pm
VERY impressive Baker Mayfield numbers considering all of the injuries.
December 7th, 2024 at 12:19 pm
You have to give Coach Bowles credit for hiring Liam Coen. After losing Dave Canales things could have really gone south without the right OC. I agree with Kenton Smith, this is a fun team to watch! The Bucs offense flashes with Brady to Evans passes and long runs by Irving and White !! Great teams find a way to win and the Bucs did that last week against the Panthers !! Hopefully they will stay in control of their own destiny by defeating the Raiders. My family and I will be watching!!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Raiders !!
December 7th, 2024 at 12:39 pm
Be really interested in Liam’s strategy this week. Will it be pound it with an occasional throw downfield? Will we get our short pass game and screens clicking? Tucker touches? Pony packages?
Thx 👍🏼
@Kenton Smith
@ Bartow Buc
December 7th, 2024 at 12:45 pm
Want to see Bucs play to win the next 5, rather than play to not lose. This means not letting up on offense, making every drive count, and not settling for field goals inside the opponent’s 30 yard line. If Bucs play with this offense mentality, they will be fine and should win at least 4 of the next 5. Of course, taking all 5 would be nice and would almost assure another division title. The downside for most on this website is that Todd Bowles will stay. Glazer’s will not fire a guy who wins the division crown 3 years in a row.
December 7th, 2024 at 12:51 pm
Thanks for clarifying our situation,BucsFanSince1996. Making Coen our next HC is a big risk, a roll of the dice. We have to get it right or our chances of going to the big dance in the near term will be gone. Most fans here do not have faith in Bowles.
Go Bucs!!
December 7th, 2024 at 1:00 pm
Like you, Kenton, I simply love my Bucs. Watching our games with other fans is a pleasure irregardless of some outcomes.
Go Bucs!
December 7th, 2024 at 1:01 pm
Pffft. QBR
December 7th, 2024 at 1:01 pm
Agree with the rest of the post, but this
Joe wrote:
“The Chiefs convert 52 percent of their third downs, per Rich Hribar of Sharp Football Analysis. That’s best in the league.
This does not shock Joe one bit. Reid simply knows how to put offenses together and craft gameplans. He will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday. Deservedly.”
You really think so?
This is kind of a “pet peeve” thing. Can’t count the number of times that the Chiefs’ opposition defense fight hard to keep it to “3rd n’ long,” and the on 3rd down, Mahomes rolls-out and literally jogs
Past the sticks and out of bounds for an easy 1st down.
Huh?! Usually with zero coverage by the opponents, or if there is a rare chase-down, that defender will appear to be scared s#!tless
to even touch Mahomes; it’s like a “tag rush” game when you were a kid; and they’re visibly hyper-aware of not touching Mahomes after crossing the chalk.
Reid knows how to “craft game plans? That’s one play all the other coaches would luv! to be able to get away with.
And the Buccaneers are 2nd in 3d downs. Ya., with great plays from Baker to Chris, hard earned.
December 7th, 2024 at 1:04 pm
The Glazers will have to step up and give Coen head coach money as a OC to keep him. They could also fire Bowles and promote Coen depending on how the season turns out.
December 7th, 2024 at 1:12 pm
Sorry, off topic, but this kid cam Skattebo is something else, rb for az st.
I know we need to draft D first 2-3 rounds, but if we lose Tucker or White, we need to draft this cat. Hes predicted as a 4th right now. Just imagine a Bucky but with about 25 more pounds….man would that be a two headed monster lol.
December 7th, 2024 at 1:19 pm
It’s too bad he’s going elsewhere as HC.
December 7th, 2024 at 1:23 pm
Wagering with Buddha YTD: 24-22-0
Carolina +13.5 Showed grit and determination. That’s a lot of points.
Browns +6.5 Just a question of how many points Browns will give away
Falcons +6 Playing for pride and to stay in the race for the playoffs
Jets +6 Don’t count Rodgers out. Miami not a good team either.
Rams +3.5 Huge game for the Rams.
December 7th, 2024 at 1:28 pm
solid picks
December 7th, 2024 at 1:51 pm
MadMax you’re right. The kid is a dawg! I’d give away a defender for this guy right now. But I don’t think he’s lasting till the 3rd round. He’s a football player.
December 7th, 2024 at 1:55 pm
Hey Joe!! Great positive article. Thanks!
BucsFan1996…. you’re right. Keep Bowles as HC. He’s great with personel. Promote Coen to assistant HC to keep him around. Encourage Bowles to swallow his pride and hire a DC. We have the talent. They’re just used wrong.
December 7th, 2024 at 2:09 pm
The offense keeps us in games.
Bowles keeps opponents in games.
I’ll keep it going, a loss and it should be bye bye Bowles.
The NFL wants high Scoring games with lots of offensive excitement.
Baker and Liam make that happen. It’s too easy to make the switch.
December 7th, 2024 at 2:18 pm
Bucs need to keep Liam. Period. Throw the man some extra bonus cash for remaining at least 1 more year and let’s see what we can do next year w/ a better D. Glazers….do the right thing, make it where Liam can’t afford to leave…”show him the money!!!”
December 7th, 2024 at 3:13 pm
BucsBeast Says: “The offense keeps us in games.
Bowles keeps opponents in games.”
BB, I see you have been paying attention! I’m pushing for a
December 7th, 2024 at 3:13 pm
Change
December 7th, 2024 at 3:47 pm
Liam should be picky on where he might go , Canales jumped at a chance to head coach and he’s stuck now ,,, there are also others that have gotten experience and are ready to jump to HC ,, Johnson and Glenn to name 2 , Belichick and Vrable are out there too ,, Bears is great landing spot for any coach,, Dallas maybe ,,Jax could be ok ,, beyond that ,, will there be any other good openings ?? Think Liam needs another year of seasoning
December 7th, 2024 at 4:12 pm
If the Bucs don’t make him head coach next year then he is gone because some other team will take a gamble on him as head coach after what he has been able to do with this offense. Sure hope the Bucs find a way to keep him.
December 7th, 2024 at 4:33 pm
Coen and Bowles will be here next year. Go Bucs!
December 7th, 2024 at 7:41 pm
BartowBuc
“You have to give Coach Bowles credit’ You can get lynched here for saying that!
There’s now a solid cadre of Bowles haters who are just triggered by his name now.
Much as I am by Bill freaking Belichik!!! He’s over the hill and was a LOSING HC without Brady. Look it up!!! If you subtract the years when BB didn’t have Brady, that’s five in Cleveland and 5 or six in Boston, ten or more without Brady BB’s record win % is almost identical to Bowles within a few % points I do not remember which way.
I tend as usual to agree with orlbucfan. It’s not as simple as just running Todd and moving Coen up. The ENTIRE effing franchise starts at scratch once again on defense! So do people think Coen is studly enough to guarantee the right DC? Is whomever followed Bowles going to be able to keep the injuries away or is that not just part of the luck of the game.
At the end of the day, Que Sera Sera.
December 7th, 2024 at 8:38 pm
St Pete, it’s okay, I really think Todd Bowles is a good HC. That’s just my opinion.I still think hiring Liam Coen was one of the best moves Coach Bowles has made to date. Retaining Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans were two more great moves. I could list many others.
I also agree with many on this site that Coach Bowles should hire a DC if he’s still here next year !! I believe that would help him be a more effective head coach !!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Raiders !!
December 7th, 2024 at 8:46 pm
Bartow Buc,
You are a man of great reasonableness. Such reasonableness is rarely seen on this blog. If Bucs win division, Bowles stays and hiring a new DC should be his next move. Hoping the Glazers insist on it.
December 8th, 2024 at 2:36 am
Im with that….i said it last year, get a DC and just focus on HC….but still, he’s made some crazy decisions….love him as a person though.
December 8th, 2024 at 9:14 am
MadMax…..That Skattebo is a freak! Watching his highlights, he’s an Alstott & Dunn in one body. Irving and this kid would be a sight to behold.