Bowles saying the Bucs went BPA
“We don’t go for luxury picks, we go for picks of good football players and we try to play them,” Bowles said.
“Jason [Licht] and the scouting staff and the coaching staff do a very good job. The draft fell as such to where we could take a receiver right there and it fell the right way in that sense.
“We had about three or four guys we were interested in, and he was at the top of that list at the time.”
Would be interesting to identify that posters who are BOTH spokespeople for BPA and who were upset with the pick. Even more interesting the subset of that same group who DOWNPLAYED significance of defensive injuries in 2024 (thought the Bucs should go all defense).
I'll say this. And I wasn't on here much last season. But I would tell anyone who would listen, if we were healthy last year, we win the super bowl. I feel the same way this year.
Tampa had more significant injuries than the Eagles did and Tampa smoked the fucking Eagles last season. I expect more of the same when we play them this season.
“I mean, like a day like today where Mike is not practicing, you can put Emeka in anywhere,” Mayfield said on Thursday. “It really is the truth. It is fun to be able to have a guy like that, who is that intelligent, does not act like the rookie. His head is not spinning. He’s able to do it and handle it the right way. It raises the standard for everybody else. When you have a rookie coming in, learning the offense for the first time, and pushes everybody else around. So, it’s great to have somebody like that.”
Film from the first few days of camp show Egbuka is an elite route runner.
Dude is gonna be special.
I do not think people understand what adding Egbuka does for this offense when it is already elite. This is going to be fun to watch this offense.
I'm excited about Egbuka. Defenses will have to put pressure on Baker quickly to make him get rid of the ball. Otherwise he's going to have a smorgasbord of options. If the O-line can give Baker time watch out.I do not think people understand what adding Egbuka does for this offense when it is already elite. This is going to be fun to watch this offense.
Film from the first few days of camp show Egbuka is an elite route runner.
Dude is gonna be special.
I'll die on the hill of him being a great pick
Defenses will have to put pressure on Baker quickly to make him get rid of the ball.
At least on paper the Bucs have a running game and multiple YAC receivers so that might not work
Of course forcing 3rd and longs and making the QB get rid of the ball is something all defenses want to do all the time. But what will defenses try to do to stop the Bucs?Defenses will have to put pressure on Baker quickly to make him get rid of the ball.
At least on paper the Bucs have a running game and multiple YAC receivers so that might not work
Lets look at 3rd downs. First of all, they were only 18th in the league in 3rd downs attempted, which means they got a lot of first downs without ever getting to 3rd down. Last year they were the best in the league at 3rd down conversions at 51%. They were good on all aspects. They broke the team record with 137 rushing 1st downs, 8 per game. They converted 45% off passing 3rd downs, better than the Brady led 2021 Bucs. They were the best in the NFL at intermediate range (4-6 yards) 3rd down conversions at 63%. 37% 3rd and long. They even converted 31 first downs at 11 to 20 yards. Baker had a higher passer rating on 3rd down than on other downs.
IMO teams will have to get pressure on Baker and force turnovers and win that way. Baker fumbled 16 times. He only lost two of those fumbles - a statistic not likely to be repeated. He threw 16 INTs, tied for the most in the league. With Wirfs out and possibly not at 100% after that, teams will want to knock Baker around and force mistakes. Even at 3rd and long, Baker is going to kill you. This Bucs offense could be a juggernaut if they can keep up the success from last year, but Baker got lucky only losing two of those fumbles. Teams will want to win the turnover battle, put the pressure on the Bucs defense on a short field and run up some points.
Lets look at 3rd downs. First of all, they were only 18th in the league in 3rd downs attempted, which means they got a lot of first downs without ever getting to 3rd down. Last year they were the best in the league at 3rd down conversions at 51%. They were good on all aspects. They broke the team record with 137 rushing 1st downs, 8 per game. They converted 45% off passing 3rd downs, better than the Brady led 2021 Bucs. They were the best in the NFL at intermediate range (4-6 yards) 3rd down conversions at 63%. 37% 3rd and long. They even converted 31 first downs at 11 to 20 yards. Baker had a higher passer rating on 3rd down than on other downs.
I think the Bucs went from something like 3.4 yds per carry on 1st down in 2023 to 5.4 in 2024. Better line play, for sure, BUT some of that success is because they also passed on first down. They were not crazy passers on first down, just more BALANCED. And that is really the key. Under Coen a formation that the other defense studied on film as a RUN became a pass . . and then a pass or a run . . and then a pass or a run from two different runners. TOUGH. A run that the opposing MLB saw on film requiring him to fill a certain gap, became a set up to draw that MLB into the gap.
Coen's offense was no joke. and its PRIMARY weapon was BALANCE. Think about the offense struggling most when it doid not score early or was forced to pass. Think about the Saints defense literally quitting because they had no answer.
Thats what Grizz needs to carry forward.
The point though is that ONE reason the 2024 offense was so successful on 3rd down is because they often (not always) did a good job ON FIRST DOWN. They stayed on schedule. They kept tdefenses off balance with a strong and creative rushing game and short passing as an extension of the rushing game. Both Irving and White . . good caching out of the backfield, Godwin (when healthy) is OTHER WORLDLY in this part of the game. If you add in Egbuka (either a a replacement of a supplement) and maybe someone like Tez Johnson, the Bucs SHOULD (emphasis) have a deadly first down offense again and that includes a deadly short passing game.
Which, by the way, SHOULD translate to more opportunities over the top to Evans and probably Egbuka and even McMillan.
Still have to execute on the field. No Wirfs early and new play caller . .
Starting to think Egbuka is a good bet for rookie of the year. I haven't heard this much hype out of a rookie receiver since Moss.
Stoked!!!
Starting to think Egbuka is a good bet for rookie of the year. I haven't heard this much hype out of a rookie receiver since Moss.
Stoked!!!
we went from having a crowded WR room to looking like he will be our #2 guy to start the year
McMillian likely an after thought now if he is to miss half the year, by the time of his return, likely will have Edbuka in full force with Evans and Godwins in the fold too.