The Buccaneers ranked 21st in the NFL last season in completions of 40 yards or more.
MVP Lamar Jackson was No. 1. Baker Mayfield was nestled on the list behind Russell Wilson and just ahead of Joe Flacco, two quarterbacks that combined for the same 17 starts Mayfield had.
On completions of 20 to 39 yards, including yards after catch, Mayfield was special, ranking third overall behind Sam Darnold and Jared Goff.
So what about the home run ball? The deep shot?
Not recently, but new Bucs playcaller Josh Grizzard has spoken freely about wanting to throw deep more than his predecessor, Liam Coen.
Frankly, Joe thinks the Bucs might be crazy to not throw deep more often. Yes, Liam Coen was very successful as more of a dink-and-dunk kind of offensive coordinator, but the Bucs have the horses to break games open. The big-arm quarterback, Mike Evans and Emeka Ebuka, the superior pass-blocking offensive line, a legitimate play-action game, the Bucs have it all.
Mike Evans would love more deep shots. Todd Bowles said they were called last but Mayfield made other choices. Obviously, the play has to be there. Joe’s not knocking Mayfield.
Joe expects the Bucs to take a couple of rips tomorrow in Atlanta, especially to Egubka if he gets man coverage on the outside.
Completing a deep ball tomorrow should help make the Bucs offense more lethal. Defensive coordinators and defensive backs need to be a little more scared this year that the Bucs are going deep.