Improvement?
Last year the Bucs ranked third in average yards per game at 400 yards (399.6 to be precise). Pretty impressive.
But not impressive enough for Ben Bredeson?
The Tampa Bay left guard, seeing the Bucs will return all 11 starters from that same offense (provided Chris Godwin is healthy), can envision the offense taking a step forward.
> “Personally, it’s something I’ve never experienced – having the entire offensive line return let alone the entire offense return,” Bredeson said yesterday. “It’s very exciting. We’re going to have to build this thing back up again – it’s not just going to pick up right where we left off.
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> “We have to build this back up through OTA’s and training camp. With that continuity between the running backs, O-line, \[wide\] receivers, quarterback, we can really make some strides and hopefully streamline that growing process a little bit faster.”
This sounds great and Joe’s not trying to throw cold water on the idea. But remember that new Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard has never called plays before.
Yeah, Joe gets it, he was on Liam Coen’s staff last year. That alone should help Grizzard quite a bit. He knows what and who he’s working with, knows each player’s strengths and weaknesses.
Still, Joe thinks that’s putting a lot of undue pressure on a first-time offensive coordinator. It seems unreasonable for Grizzard to guide the Bucs’ offense to a top-two unit.
Could the offense be that good? Sure. Remember, the Bucs had three rookie starters last season. Just having experience in the NFL, all three (Bucky Irving, Graham Barton and Jalen McMillan) should be better.
If Grizzard does get the offense to improve, it’s a safe bet head coach Todd Bowles will once again be looking for another offensive coordinator next winter.