McCown likes Tedford’s fresh ideas for Bucs’ offense
Bucs QB Josh McCown says the offense is making a lot of big plays during offseason workouts, and he credits offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford’s willingness to try something different. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS By Roy Cummings | Tribune Staff Published: June 11, 2014
Jeff Tedford TAMPA — There is still a lot we don’t know about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense. That, of course, is by design. The Bucs are hoping to keep the scheme concocted by first-year NFL coordinator Jeff Tedford under wraps until the season begins.It’s quite possible, though, that even after it’s unveiled, there will be aspects of the attack that appear foreign to many longstanding NFL observers. One says he’s already seeing things he’s never seen before. Even better, he says, they’re working.“There have been a lot of big plays that we’ve made here this spring that point straight back to things (Tedford) has brought here that are new, that I haven’t done in the NFL,’’ said 34-year Bucs quarterback Josh McCown, a 12-year NFL veteran. “It’s exciting to think about what might unfold during the regular season.’’Whatever it is Tedford has brought, it has almost certainly come from the college ranks. That’s where the 52-year-old Tedford, who last worked as the head coach at the University of California, has been working since 1992.Prior to that, he spent three years working as an offensive assistant with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. It’s possible parts of his scheme are rooted there, as well.No matter the source, McCown likes the fresh set of ideas Tedford is presenting as well as his willingness to try something different in a league that has been slow to adopt successful college principles.“The open-mindedness to kind of push the envelope and do different things is part of it,’’ McCown said. “Jeff has great ideas. That’s the cool thing. He’s always coming and showing me things and asking, ‘What do you think about this?’ ‘What do you think about that?’ And I appreciate that.’’ [email protected](813) 259-7979Twitter: @RcummingsTBO
