In a new weekly installment, I will download my notes from re-watching the All-22 tape the day after games. This will present more bullet-style in form and less literary. It will usually come out as two articles. One for the offense and one for the defense.

With all of that said here are my notes for the offense for week three against the Broncos.

Bucs Offense First Half

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

• Offensive coordinator Liam Coen made some clear adjustments after watching the Week 2 tape against Detroit
  • Offensive philosophy was heavy quick game and play-action
    • 29% of Baker Mayfield’s first half drop backs were play-action
    • 64% of Mayfield’s 1st half drop backs can be classified as quick game (WR screens, quick slants, speed outs, arrow routes)
• Bucs only took two deep shots in first half. Both in curious spots
  • Second drive – third-and-4 – corner route hole shot to Mike Evans for INT
  • Fifth drive – fourth-and-2 – out and up to Chris Godwin falls incomplete when Mayfield’s hand gets hit by Nik Bonnito on release (Tristan Wirfs allowed)
• Bucs were not very successful on first down throughout first half. Much of this was due to their run/pass ratio and lack of success in run game
  • Seven runs for 49 yards – 7.0 avg – 28.6% success rate (one 32-yard run skews results, 2.83 avg outside of that)
  • One pass for 7 yds – 7.0 avg – 100% success rate
• Offensive line was largely successful, in part due to gameplan to minimize their impact
  • Just three pressures and one sack allowed
    • Two pressures and one sack were on Mayfield running into pressure
• Run game continues to be much more effective running gap than zone
  • Gap – four carries, 49 yards – 12.25 avg
  • Zone – five carries, 17 yards – 3.4 avg

Bucs Offense Second Half/Game Overall

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield- Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

• Liam Coen made an effort to change up Mike Evans’ usage to get him more involved in the passing game. Instead of having him ISO’d as the boundary receiver in 3×1’s, Evans was often a part of the concept side with Cade Otton or Chris Godwin as the boundary receiver
• Bad performance by Mayfield overall
  • Bad throw on poor decision led to interception
  • Often ran into pressure/sacks
  • Dropped his eyes and bailed pocket (often when clean)
  • Failed to reset his feet and find a receiver, opting to try to scramble for positive plays
• First drive of second half was a horrendous showing for RG Cody Mauch
  • After first two plays of drive go for 13 yards each put the Bucs on the Broncos 44, and with the game still in reach (down 20-7 with over 13 minutes left in 3rd quarter) he gives up a sack on first down for a 7-yard loss
  • Following play gives up pressure leading to incomplete pass putting team in third-and-17 and eventually forcing a punt
  • Other than that drive Mauch was solid for most of the game
• Rookie center Graham Barton continues to improve and develop – strength and movement skills are above average
• Biggest issue is his eyes are still getting used to the speed and requirements of playing center at NFL-level
  • Issues with eyes causes him to be late to adjust to loops and stop defenders from crossing his face
• Final count on pressures/sacks allowed
  • LT Tristan Wirfs – two pressures allowed
  • LG Ben Bredeson – five pressures allowed; one sack allowed
  • C Graham Barton – three pressures allowed; one sack allowed
  • RG Cody Mauch – five pressures allowed; one sack allowed
  • RT Justin Skule – four pressures allowed
  • QB Baker Mayfield – four pressures run into; three sacks run into
  • Other – three pressures allowed, one sack
  • Sacks/pressures will not align with box scores because some plays had two or more drivers
• Once game was out of hand and Bucs were forced into pass-obvious situations, line started to allow more pressure as Broncos dialed up more exotic pressures
• Second half route combinations were lackluster
  • Broncos played a lot of man coverage, but Bucs did not run much mesh/switch/pick routes
• Bucs receivers struggled to gain separation as Broncos secondary had tight coverage all day
• 

  Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

  Despite preseason hype Jalen McMillan has not shown to be a plus WR3

  • His blocking hurt multiple outcomes on runs
• Coen is super creative from 21 personnel (two running backs, one tight end, two wide receivers)
  • Best runs came from this grouping as well as a 12-yard screen to Godwin
• Final zone vs gap tally
  • Zone – eight carries, 31 yards – 3.9 avg
  • Gap – eight carries, 60 yards – 7.5 avg
  • Bucky Irving got two zone runs and seven gap runs
  • White got six zone carries and no gap runs