The Bucks ran six plays with 21 personnel in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Giants. Also known as the “pony” package in Tampa Bay, the use of 21 personnel refers to a position group on offense that includes two running backs and one tight end. This would add five offensive linemen and two receivers to each play at quarterback, in addition to the traditional six players.
Those six plays accounted for more than 15% of the team’s first half offensive snaps. With the exception of the second half, when the Bucs led by three points throughout, adjusting the offensive approach to a more routine and traditional approach resulted in a significant increase in Tampa Bay’s usage of the “pony” package.
More and more bucks are riding ponies
Bucks RB Bucky Irving – Photo courtesy of USA Today
around sumer sports, The Bucks have run only 32 of 621 plays this year with 21 players entering Week 12. This equates to just 5.2% of the snaps. This increase is almost three times.
And it makes sense.
documented About a month ago, how successful was this package for the team? And when the Bucks commit to this unique and quirky package, they continue to find success. Let’s take a closer look at the numbers.
By my count, through Week 12, the Bucks had used 21 players 43 times during the season. One play was never started as a pre-snap penalty was called. The other person called back because the call was on hold. Throw them away.
Of the remaining 42 plays, two were made by 31 players: three running backs, one tight end, and one wide receiver.
- The Bucs average 8.71 yards per play.
- Success rate, defined as gaining 50% of the yards needed for a first down or touchdown, 70% for a second down, and 100% for a third or fourth down, is 61.9%.
- Their explosive play rate, defined as pass plays of 20 yards or more or run plays of 15 yards or more, is 9.5%.
- The Bucs get a first down or a touchdown 1 in 3 of the time.
- TD rate 4.76%
- 0.54 EPA/play
It’s incredibly efficient. And the Bucks appear to be leaning toward this approach, as these plays are tied for season highs despite shutting down their creativity in the second half of games.
Liam Cohen gets even brazen
I have yet to see Liam Cohen take on the idea I proposed earlier this season, but ((Liam, feel free to use it, I don’t mind) He is still becoming more adventurous with each passing week. At the beginning of the season, Cohen was running 21 in double sidecar shotgun, running second in a single back, and usually running some kind of sweep or snap motion throughout the formation.
The Bucks have been experimenting with the “pony” package through the first two weeks of the season. Most of the time, they had Bucky Irving move from outside wide into the backfield at the snap. Often this leads to an end-around/jet sweep, or a “pop” pass like here. pic.twitter.com/JZCaUymhxA
— Joshua Quaipo (@josh_queipo) September 18, 2024
And they still do it well.
Wherever Liam Cohen coaches next, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the team invest in two talented running backs.
This year’s pony personnel were great.
This is a picture from Sunday. Rathard in the backfield. Bucky’s full field motion. screen. 4 defenders and 4 blockers. pic.twitter.com/wjrI2Hdu1i
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) November 26, 2024
But what’s so unique is that Cohen and the Baxes eschew the best elements of “pony.” The whole premise of this package is that having two quality pass-catching backs creates multiple options with the duality of being able to both run and catch the ball. With one player moving across the formation and the other back in the backfield, defenses will have to consider multiple running options. on top Threat of losing up to 5 eligibles during route progress. But Mr. Cohen has shelved making the full details of 21 such cases public.
Bucks RB Rathard White – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The Bucks are running 21 against the static spread and have no threat of giving up runs. All you have to do is line up your back two wide and say, “This is how we can win in the air.” pic.twitter.com/01E8zbWKv5
— Joshua Quaipo (@josh_queipo) November 26, 2024
What’s interesting here is that on a macro level, the Bucks haven’t really created a man advantage in ’21. The Giants played the game with nickel personnel. In theory, that would mean one of the two running backs Bucky Irving and Rashard White, or tight end Cade Otton, would be a linebacker. It’s a great matchup, but not an overwhelming mismatch.
However, the Bucks were able to create a decisive advantage by adjusting their formation.
In the play above, the Giants lined up their perimeter corners on top of the Tampa Bays, with nickel corner Drew Phillips sending slot receiver Jalen McMillan down the field. This left the Bucs’ best receiver and future Hall of Famer, No. 2 Mike Evans, on the perimeter alongside linebacker Micah McFadden.
Advantage Bucks.
With a third of the season remaining, how far will the Bucks lean into this highly effective talent group, and how will Liam Cohen continue to evolve his use of the Bucks’ signature “pony” group? It will be interesting to see.
