2-Point Conversion: Baker Mayfield, Liam Coen Are A Powerful 1-2 Punch

It’s time for PewterReport.com’s 2-Level Conversion post-game column, which options two statements, two questions and two predictions primarily based on the newest Bucs sport. Tampa Bay began the 2024 season with a commanding efficiency in a 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders. The Bucs suffered some unlucky accidents at cornerback, however Baker Mayfield threw 4 touchdowns – together with a pair to Mike Evans – as Liam Coen’s offense transformed practically 70% of its third downs to assist Tampa Bay begin the yr 1-0.

2 BIG STATEMENTS

STATEMENT 1. Baker Mayfield, Liam Coen Workforce Up To Throttle The Commanders

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Picture by: USA Right now

Re-signing quarterback Baker Mayfield this offseason to a three-year, $100 million contract extension proved to be an awesome funding for the Bucs. Tampa Bay bought a direct return on its funding with 4 landing passes and 289 yards from Mayfield in a commanding efficiency over the Commanders in a 37-20 opening day win.

“I assumed Baker did a heck of a job,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles stated. “He was good together with his throws. He was good together with his reads, together with his checks. All the pieces was on level. He was excited. He ran when he needed to. Made some performs together with his toes. He performed an excellent total sport.”

Re-signing broad receiver Mike Evans additionally proved to be a sound funding technique. Evans kicked off Mayfield’s huge day, hauling in his first landing of the yr – regardless of being mauled by cornerback Benjamin St. Juste – and ending with a pair of scores. Evans, who signed a two-year, $41 million contract extension this offseason, completed with 5 catches for 61 yards.

Getting Mayfield and Evans – and others like kicker Chase “Cash” McLaughlin, who was excellent with three discipline targets and 4 additional factors – again within the fold was large for Tampa Bay in what was a busy offseason for normal supervisor Jason Licht and Bowles. However when it’s all stated and completed, one of many greatest offseason signings will transform offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who orchestrated an offense that scored on six of eight possessions towards Washington.

It was simple to see throughout coaching camp that the Bucs offense was going to stage up this yr with Coen taking up for final yr’s offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who had no play-calling expertise previous to his arrival in Tampa Bay in 2023. I even wrote about it previous to the beginning of camp on July 26 in an SR’s Fab 5 column titled “Liam Coen’s Offense Is A Large Improve For Bucs.”

Bucs OC Liam Coen and HC Todd Bowles – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

Coen spent two years calling performs at Kentucky in 2021 and 2023 in what I name “NFL Jr.” – in any other case referred to as the SEC. These two seasons of scheming towards robust, proficient defenses like Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Tennessee – all of which have loads of NFL-caliber gamers – ready him for Sunday towards the Commanders. That have, plus the handful of video games he spent calling performs of the Rams late within the 2022 season, allowed Coen to be far more ready than Canales was for his NFL debut as a play-caller.

Mayfield was in L.A. for a few of these video games with Coen on the finish of the Rams’ 2022 season, which additionally helped kick-start their relationship.

Jake Camarda solely punted as soon as on Sunday on the Bucs’ lone three-and-out, which occurred within the third quarter when Tampa Bay was up comfortably, 23-7. Coen’s offense amassed 392 yards and transformed an astonishing 9-of-13 third downs (69.2%).

“That’s a fairly scorching first begin, proper?” Bucs broad receiver Chris Godwin stated of Coen’s debut in Tampa Bay. “And once more, we left some meat on the bone on the market. There have been some performs that we may have executed lots higher on, however I feel for our first sport, I feel Liam would in all probability say that he’s fairly pleased with how he was calling issues, and I feel as gamers we’re completely happy as effectively. You already know we bought to unfold it round a bunch, a whole lot of guys bought concerned –bought a pleasant mixture of run-pass, screens, and clearly it helps when you have got 6 (Mayfield) on the market operating the present.”

Whereas it wasn’t at all times excellent, and it wasn’t at all times fairly, the Bucs really ran the ball for 112 yards, which was nice contemplating the crew averaged 88.8 yards per sport, rating useless final within the NFL a yr in the past.

Bucs OC Liam Coen and QB Baker Mayfield – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I assumed Liam did an awesome job popping out,” Bowles stated. “I imply, you place up 37 factors, there are some issues we will be higher at – that we are able to get higher at – within the first sport. Completely satisfied to win. Completely satisfied to attain 37 factors. We’ll transfer on from there.”

I’m not saying the Bucs are going to attain 37 factors per week and even common 30 factors per sport. Subsequent week’s sport towards a troublesome, stingy Lions protection in Detroit can be a much better problem than a Commanders protection in the midst of a rebuild. However in Tampa Bay’s Week 1 win, we noticed what is feasible in Coen’s system and together with his play-calling.

We additionally know what occurs when the Bucs do common 30 factors per sport. Look no additional than the 2020 season and a Tremendous Bowl LV championship and a franchise-record 13 wins within the 2021 common season.

Good issues are in retailer this yr with the Mayfield-Coen duo on offense.

STATEMENT 2. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Stay Bucs’ Dynamic Duo

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

Broad receiver Chris Godwin watched as Mike Evans, the best offensive weapon in Tampa Bay historical past and a future Corridor of Famer, needed to stay affected person final season and play out his contract yr at age 30 with out the crew even providing him a brand new deal. Godwin noticed Evans ball out with a tenth straight 1,000-yard season, tie for the league lead in landing catches with 13 and earn his fifth Professional Bowl berth.

Evans, who simply turned 31 in August, was in a position to parlay that success right into a profitable, two-year, $41 million extension this offseason. On Sunday, he rewarded the crew with 5 catches for 61 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Tampa Bay’s 37-20 opening day win towards Washington.

“I don’t understand how he does it, man,” Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield stated of Evans’ first rating with Commanders cornerback Benjamin St. Juste draped throughout him. “[I’m] simply attempting to place the ball in his neighborhood. The primary one – I don’t understand how he bought round him and put his paws on it however by some means he did, and that’s what he does. I imply, that second landing to him was probably not an excellent throw in any respect. He made an unbelievable play once more. One-on-one protection with Mike – these aren’t 50/50 balls  – it’s leaning in direction of Mr. Evans.”

Now it’s Godwin flip, as he’s in his personal contract yr.

What helps the 28-year previous Godwin is that he’s again within the slot, the place he’s essentially the most comfy and has completed essentially the most harm all through his profession. Dave Canales performed Godwin outdoors because the Z receiver about two thirds of the time final yr. He nonetheless managed to get 1,000 yards in 2023, however he simply wasn’t as impactful.

Effectively, Godwin made an affect on Sunday, catching all eight of his targets for 83 yards and a landing towards the Commanders. That rating was huge, as Godwin had simply two receiving touchdowns final yr and simply three the yr prior. If he desires an enormous contract extension within the vary of his present deal, which is $20 million per yr, Godwin must turn into extra of some extent producer for the offense.

“I feel I’d agree with that,” Godwin stated. “Simply again doing a whole lot of issues that I’m accustomed to doing during the last 4 or 5 years or so. It was a whole lot of enjoyable, it felt good being in a whole lot of these robust positions. Clearly when you’re within the slot, it’s a bit bit simpler to disguise if you’ll be run blocking or operating a route – going inside, going outdoors, it provides you a whole lot of flexibility.”

Sunday was an enormous step in that course with a Week 1 landing.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Chris feels actually good proper now,” Mayfield stated. “I feel he’ll let you know guys that bodily he feels good, and you realize, this offense performs to his strengths. He’s at all times been a wise soccer participant. He’s prepared to do regardless of the coaches are going to ask, however that is now his alternative to actually shine [and] get again to that, at the least. He’s at all times been a stud, however yeah, Chris appears actually good and the extra ‘JMac’ (Jalen McMillan) can come alongside, and a few of these youthful receivers, the higher it’s going to be for Mike and Chris as effectively.”

Godwin and Evans mixed for 13 catches for 144 yards and three TDs. With the Bucs being banged up on protection, they’ll must have an identical sort of efficiency and have the offense carry the protection in Week 2 in a rematch sport towards the Lions in Detroit.

“I feel so,” Godwin stated. “I feel that you simply notice that when guys are down on protection – you solely carry 46 [players] lively. There are a restricted quantity of fellows. If the protection is down on numbers, they’ll solely accomplish that a lot.

“So, as an offense, you’re taking the duty of attempting to increase your drives. One, since you’re attempting to attain, however two you don’t wish to put your protection in a nasty spot to be on the sphere for extra performs than they should as a result of that places them at an obstacle. I feel each time you’ll be able to play complementary soccer, that’s when you’re at your greatest. So, we’re at all times attempting to do this.”

2 PROBING QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1: How Dangerous Are The Bucs’ Accidents On Protection?

Bucs CB Bryce Corridor – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

Fairly dangerous, particularly at cornerback. Tampa Bay misplaced CB3 Bryce Corridor for the season with a dislocated ankle and a fractured fibula within the second half. And Corridor had changed starter Zyon McCollum, who suffered a concussion within the first half and left the sport.

When fourth-string cornerback Josh Hayes suffered an ankle sprain and was unavailable, head coach Todd Bowles and cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross turned to order defensive again Christian Izien to play outdoors cornerback within the second half. That’s one thing Izien hadn’t completed since his sophomore yr – of highschool.

With completely zero reps of observe or taking part in expertise at outdoors cornerback at both Rutgers or in Tampa Bay, Izien performed 31 snaps at cornerback and had a pair of tackles, pressured a fumble and had a cross breakup on third down.

“He has not lined up at nook someday in coaching camp, however he performs nickel,” Bowles stated of Izien, who was the crew’s beginning nickelback final yr as a rookie. “So, nickel and nook have the identical job on sure issues. Simply listening to it from a unique angle and the safeties helped out lots. The coaches, the DB coaches, did an excellent job getting him prepared. He did an excellent job.

“He hadn’t performed outdoors. However he’s good sufficient and he’s feisty sufficient and hard although that in the event you put him on the market, he’ll make some performs.”

The Bucs can be putting Corridor on injured reserve and the provision of McCollum and Hayes received’t be recognized till later this week. So Tampa Bay might want to signal at the least one cornerback in free company. Rookie Tyrek Funderburk was inactive on Sunday, however will costume in Week 2 in Detroit. The Bucs don’t at the moment have a cornerback on the observe squad.

Bucs DB Christian Izien – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

The excellent news is that Tampa Bay has $11.6 million in wage cap room, in keeping with OverTheCap.com. To allow them to afford to buying at extra than simply the low cost retailer for cornerback assist.

Tampa Bay would like to see defensive sort out Calijah Kancey’s calf damage enhance sufficient to play in Detroit. Kancey’s first NFL sack got here towards Lions quarterback Jared Goff in Week 6 final yr when he returned to motion from his earlier calf damage. He additionally sacked Goff in Detroit within the playoffs, however the crew received’t know his standing – or the standing of Logan Corridor, who missed the Commanders sport with an injured foot – till later within the week.

The Bucs began Greg Gaines at defensive sort out subsequent to Vita Vea on Sunday with Will Gholston and observe squanders C.J. Brewer and Mike Greene as reserves. Newly signed Ben Stille was additionally lively and performed two snaps on Sunday regardless of solely working towards with the crew on Friday.

Throw in the truth that All-Professional security Antoine Winfield Jr. was seen leaving the locker room in a boot, and that was a bitter finish to an in any other case nice Sunday in Tampa Bay.

Not nice information taking part in towards a potent Lions offense up subsequent.

QUESTION 2: Ought to We Be Involved With The Bucs’ Cross Rush?

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels and Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

Probably not. On paper it appears dangerous that rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels scrambled for 88 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. However take note three issues earlier than leaping to conclusions about Tampa Bay’s cross rush because it pertained to its lack of ability to sack Daniels extra than simply twice.

First, Daniels is an uber athlete. His pace is on par with Lamar Jackson – and Daniels could even be quicker. Jackson ran a 4.34 at his Louisville professional day, whereas Daniels ran a 4.32 at his professional day at LSU.

Daniels was simply the quickest participant on the sphere for both crew, and dodged sack makes an attempt from a blitzing Okay.J. Britt, in addition to Vita Vea and Yaya Diaby, who missed two sacks at shut vary. Diaby, who runs a 4.51 at 270 kilos, stated Daniels’ pace was unreal.

“It’s approach completely different – the dude has bought some wheels,” Diaby stated. “I advised him after the sport, ‘I virtually bought you, man.’ However transferring ahead I really feel nice about our D-line.”

The Bucs used observe squad quarterback Michael Pratt, who was fairly cell at Tulane and rushed for 28 profession touchdowns, to attempt to simulate Daniels in observe, however nothing may have ready the protection for the blur that’s the newest Heisman Trophy winner.

“Pratt, the child from Tulane, he’s good, however he’s not that quick,” stated Bucs inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis, who recorded one of many two sacks on Daniels on Sunday. “No person is, actually. It was laborious to simulate that sort of pace. There was no one to simulate his pace. We did an excellent job of making ready towards him, however his pace is simply unmatched.”

Dennis’ sack of Daniels was his first NFL sack and he notched six tackles whereas splitting time with Britt subsequent to Lavonte David. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka bought the opposite Tampa Bay sack.

Bucs OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Commanders QB Jayden Daniels – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I feel having [Daniels’] legs attempt to beat us was sort of key, I assume,” Dennis stated. “You already know you by no means desire a quarterback to have his arm beat you. He was operating for his life more often than not, which was good. Guys off the sting, guys up the center – simply flushing him out and seeing what he can do. He’s a younger man. Guys did what they may do to include him, although it may fairly laborious containing him. We bought the win and that’s all that issues.”

The second consider not having the ability to generate extra sacks was not having high pass-rushing defensive sort out Calijah Kancey on the market. Kancey suffered a calf damage late within the week and was inactive towards Washington.

“That performed an enormous half,” Diaby stated. “I used to be so tremendous unhappy when Calijah went down as a result of we work so good off one another. Not having him on the market, we sort of weren’t on the identical web page. We’ll attempt to get on the identical web page transferring ahead.”

And third, Diaby missed the entire preseason with an ankle damage, so his timing was off throughout his rushes, together with the truth that Greg Gaines, who’s extra of a run stuffer than a cross rusher, was changing Kancey within the lineup. Tampa Bay’s cross rush didn’t have the continuity it can often have when Diaby shakes off his rust and Kancey returns to motion.

“We have been speeding, however we simply weren’t on the identical web page,” Diaby stated. “We tried to maintain him within the pocket, however the dude is quick. Coming into this sport we talked about protecting him within the pocket, however he escaped a few occasions. Shifting ahead we’ve bought one other cell quarterback like Lamar developing and play higher subsequent time.”

Daniels solely accomplished 17-of-24 passes for 184 yards and Washington solely scored 20 factors towards Tampa Bay’s protection with a ultimate TD approaching a 1-yard QB sneak with 1:12 remaining and the sport effectively in hand.

2 BOLD PREDICTIONS

PREDICTION 1: Bucky Irving Could Turn out to be RB1 At Some Level This Season

Bucs RB Bucky Irving and TE Payne Durham – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

If you happen to have been on the sport on Sunday, you in all probability heard the Bucs crowd erupt with chants of “Bucky! Bucky! Bucky!” within the second half after rookie operating again Bucky Irving ripped off a 31-yard achieve en path to a 62-yard day on simply 9 carries (6.9 avg.). That lone run matched Rachaad White’s speeding complete of 31 yards on 15 carries (2.1 avg.). Almost half of White’s speeding manufacturing got here on a 15-yard run. That implies that he ran for simply 16 yards on 14 different carries.

To be honest, White was tackled a couple of occasions within the backfield simply after taking the handoff because of poor run blocking up entrance on a few performs. And White was an efficient receiver with six catches for 75 yards, together with a 32-yard reception on a display. However Irving, who had two catches for 14 yards, hits the opening with extra suddenness and an urgency that White simply doesn’t run with. If this continues, don’t be stunned if Irving ultimately turns into RB1 later this yr with White taking over extra of as a pass-catching function and being extra of a complementary runner behind the hard-charging Irving.

PREDICTION 2: Bucs Will Lose To The Lions – Once more

Bucs CB Jamel Dean and Lions TE Sam LaPorta – Picture by: USA Right now

Until the Bucs can muster up 37 factors once more, which I don’t see occurring towards a troublesome and proficient Lions protection, count on Tampa Bay to lose to Detroit for a 3rd straight time over the previous two seasons. You don’t wish to hear that, and the Bucs don’t wish to hear it, both. And I don’t essentially wish to say that, however with the cornerback place wanting like a M*A*S*H unit after Week 1 and Calijah Kancey’s calf damage weakening the defensive sort out place, I don’t like Tampa Bay’s probabilities of lastly determining learn how to beat Jared Goff and the Lions offense.

Along with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams at broad receiver, the Lions have the most effective tight ends within the league in Sam LaPorta and a pair of harmful operating backs in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. That’s a handful towards a wholesome Bucs protection. However a banged up one? Effectively, that’s not best. I’m not saying the revenge-minded Bucs can’t win subsequent Sunday, however it could be fairly an upset contemplating the accidents they’re at the moment coping with.