Yes, Bucs fans, that was a screen pass you saw

Yes, Bucs fans, that was a screen pass you sawBy Ira Kaufman | Tribune Staff Published: September 24, 2015TAMPA — Pardon some Buccaneers fans if they did a double-take early in Sunday’s game at New Orleans.Facing third-and-7 from the Saints 37-yard line, rookie quarterback Jameis Winston flipped a well-designed screen pass to running back Charles Sims, who dashed 12 yards for an apparent first down in the opening quarter.Although tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins was penalized for holding, costing the Bucs 10 yards, the play call by new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter was a stunner for a franchise that has rarely utilized the screen.“Screens are an offensive lineman’s best friend,’’ Bucs center Joe Hawley said. “It slows down the pass rush and keeps defenses off balance. When you do them right, they can be explosive plays, and it looks like coach Koetter is a fan. He knows how hard it is to sit back there and try to pass block all day.’’Effective screens rely on proper timing between the quarterback, the intended target and an offensive line that lures pass rushers into the backfield before using their aggressiveness against them.At the last instant, a running back or wide receiver moves to a designated spot and turns toward the quarterback to receive a short pass. Generally led by the two guards, a wall of blockers heads downfield while defensive linemen are trapped going the wrong way.“If they’re executed right, screens can be very harmful to a defense,’’ said Bucs running back Doug Martin, who took a fourth-quarter screen pass 16 yards on third-and-20, only to see Hawley penalized for tripping. “With good pressure teams, you invite them in and, at the last second, the ball’s popping out to a running back with a whole bunch of guys ahead of him.’’Timing and deception are the keys.The running back, Martin said, must act like he is pass protecting before releasing in synchronization with the guards.“Right before you release, you’re scanning the defense so that when you turn your back to the field to catch the ball. you have an idea where everyone is,’’ Martin said. “If you practice it enough, it becomes second nature.’’Right now, the Bucs need more practice.“We had no reason to be holding,’’ said Koetter, who described Hawley’s trip as a “hustle penalty.”The execution of a screen pass requires a high degree of coordination, starting with the guard tandem. It’s new territory for Tampa Bay’s rookie right guard Ali Marpet, who played tackle at Division III Hobart.“We didn’t do a lot of screens at Hobart,’’ he said. “It comes with repetition and I think I’m developing a feel for it. The big thing for a guard is being patient. If you’re overly anxious to release, the defense will be able to read it and adjust. Your first job is to make it look like a normal set. Screens are a great weapon to have and coach Koetter dialed them up at the right time Sunday. ...We just have to stay away from the penalties.’’Teams such as Green Bay and New England traditionally excel at screen passes, exploiting the natural tendency of defensive linemen to surge upfield, particularly in obvious passing situations.Over the years, the Bucs haven’t incorporated screens as a basic weapon to combat an aggressive pass rush.“I’m a fan of all plays that work,’’ Bucs coach Lovie Smith said Thursday. ”A screen is a tough play to deal with, a big part of every game plan. I think we can be a good screen team. You want to get your running backs and wide receivers in the open field. It’s a killer play — if you let it be.’’[email protected]Twitter: @IKaufmanTBO