Bucs vs. Broncos Tape Notes: Offense

• 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

• 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

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

• His blocking hurt multiple outcomes on runs