Bucs' Jeff Tedford Learning About NFL As Players Learn His Offense THE LEDGER Rick Brown Published: June 3, 2014 at 11:22 p.m.
Jeff Tedford and wife, Donna.TAMPA | While football on the college and NFL levels are both played on 100-yard fields, with four 15-minute quarters, there are subtle differences between the two to which Tampa Bay Bucs offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford has to adjust.After more than 20 years coaching in college, Tedford is in his first offseason as an NFL coach during the offseason workouts. While the players are learning his system, Tedford is adjusting to things such as a 40-second play clock as well something most people wouldn't even notice — the difference in the hash marks on the field."We've got a lot (of the offense) in," said Tedford in his first public comments since being hired. "I've been impressed the way the guys are doing it. One of the things that has been great about it is the offensive staff. We have a lot of experience on the offensive staff; NFL experience. If I'm not sure about something, we all work together with it."(An example is) field spacing," Tedford explained. "The hash marks are different. When it comes to field spacing, you can't watch tape and learn. So being on the field and learning the intricacies are very important."Meanwhile, the Bucs are winding down their offseason workouts. This is the final week of offseason training activities (OTAs), and the team will hold a mandatory three-day mini-camp starting Tuesday of next week before breaking for the summer. The next time the Bucs meet will be for training camp.Tedford has been impressed with how things have been going.Everything is going great," Tedford said. "We're getting a lot of good work done over the last few sessions of the different (offseason) phases. We've had the opportunity to evaluate some of our guys and it's still an evaluation process to find out who we are. They're working really, really well. I'm very pleased with the work ethic, their enthusiasm, knowledge (and) the want-to to learn the system. It's been great. It really has been enjoyable and I'm excited to get on the field with them."The excitement carried over with the media on Tuesday. When someone asked about the secrecy surrounding Tedford's offense, the offensive coordinator with a poker face and dark shades feigned ignorance."I don't know," he said. "We're just out here working. I think it's evolving all the time."(The players) are still in the process of figuring out the whole thing too," he said of their secrecy. "They've done a great job so far. I'm really impressed with how the coaches have worked with them and how fast they picked up on things. It's been great but the learning process continues each and every day we've been out here."Notes: Several players and coaches, including running back Mike James from Ridge Community, had their heads shaved for the "Cut for the Cure" Challenge. Children who are battling or have battled cancer assisted in the cutting of the hair. The Bucs hoped to raise $20,000 … Cornerback Alterraun Verner did not practice with the team Tuesday.[ Rick Brown may be reached at [email protected]. Follow his Bucs coverage at BucsScene.blogs.theledger.com and on Twitter @LedgeronBucs. ]
