When Liam Cohen was hired by the Bucs as offensive coordinator this season, there was speculation that Cohen would fill some of the offensive coaching vacancies with familiar faces from his time with the Rams and Kentucky. was. That was exactly the case when Tampa Bay hired Kevin Carberry as offensive line coach, as Carberry held the same role in Los Angeles in 2022 when Cohen was offensive coordinator.
That continued with the next hire. The Bucs have hired Brian Picucci as an assistant offensive line coach, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.Mr. Picucci served as a quality control coach with Mr. Cohen. kentucky wildcats Picucci also has experience coaching at the NFL level last season, but this time he will be bringing in another coach he has worked with previously at the college level. Picucci and Cohen’s history goes beyond just their seasons at Kentucky.
Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Cohen, who left Kentucky for Tampa Bay, has contacted the school to hire senior analyst Brian Picucci as the Buccaneers’ assistant offensive line coach.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 17, 2024
Bucks OC Cohen and Picucci know each other well.
Bucks OC Liam Cohen – Photo by Matt Matera/PR
Picucci has been coaching soccer in some capacity for more than 28 years. Most of his tenure there was at the University of Massachusetts, where he was from 1998 and 1999, and from 2004 until 2012. He started as his run game coordinator and his offensive line coach and was eventually promoted to his offensive coordinator.
While at the University of Massachusetts, Cohen was the team’s quarterback from 2005 to 2008. After his first season, Picucci became offensive coordinator.
Other stops on the way to Picucci include Southern Connecticut, Northeastern Connecticut, Central Connecticut, Widener University, Becker College of Maine, the Detroit Lions, and the NFL Alumni Academy. Picucci has held various roles and positions over the years.
He served as an offensive assistant/assistant tight ends coach during his time with the Lions, so he is familiar with almost every group on the offense.
The Bucs have pieces that can play on the offensive line.
It will be up to Cohen, Carberry and Picucci to get the most out of Tampa Bay’s offensive line. The Bucs ranked last in the NFL in rushing yards per game the past two seasons, so the top priority will be improving the running game as a whole.
The positive side of this is that the Bucks’ line does a solid job at pass blocking and has a core of guys that can work together and excel for several years. Everyone knows about Tristan Wirfs. He’s one of the best left tackles in the game. His good buddy Luke Goedeke at right tackle has taken a nice step and looks like an anchor on that side.
Bucs RT Luke Godeke and RG Cody Mauch – Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s the inside offensive line that needs work done, starting at center. A lot of people are obsessed with Oregon draft prospect Jackson Powers-Johnson, so don’t be surprised if there’s an elevation at that position. Robert Hainsey has had his ups and downs and is pretty average as a center, but it’s certainly a position the Bucks would like to upgrade.
There are a lot of expectations placed on right guard Cody Mauf, who is expected to make a big step forward next season. Mauch had already played better as a rookie than Goedeke as a guard the year before. So if he can develop as much as Goedeke did from Year 1 to Year 2, Mauch could truly become a force on the Bucs’ offensive line. Mauch could be considered at center.
Left guard Matt Fieler was eventually replaced by Aaron Stinney, who started when the Bucs won Super Bowl LV, midway through the playoffs, of course. Feiler likely won’t return, and Stinney is an unrestricted free agent this season, but he doesn’t have the biggest market. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have Stinney back on the team to compete for a starting role, but finding another free agent or draft pick to fill that role would also suffice.
Let’s take a look at how they can look different in order to achieve their goals of improving their running and playing a more physical brand of soccer. I hope these coaches can accomplish that.
