After a season-ending loss to the Lions in the NFC divisional round, there was reason to be optimistic about the Bucks’ offense in 2024. Even if offensive coordinator Dave Canales had interviewed for the head coaching job in Carolina, he probably wouldn’t have gone anywhere, right?
Canales will stay, and the Bucs will sign quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans to new multi-year deals, allowing the offense to soar to new heights in its second year.
That was an exciting thought.
After all, the Bucks were behind offensively in 2023, and a lot of that was due to all the new talent and the fact that Canales was a first-time play-caller. But as the years passed, everything started to fall into place.
Bucks QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The offense scored 27 points against Atlanta, 34 points against Green Bay, and 30 points at home against Jacksonville. Then, after some down performances to close out the regular season, the Bucks’ offense scored 30 points against the Eagles in the first round of the playoffs and 23 points in the season-ending game against the Lions.
Mayfield threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns in both playoff games, getting everyone excited about what’s to come in 2024.
Canales then left. He’s now the Panthers’ new head coach, and suddenly what looked like continuity for the Bucs’ offense has turned into uncertainty.
But just when continuity seemed to be slipping away, general manager Jason Richt, head coach Todd Bowles and the rest of the Bucks’ team may have managed to save it. It’s been a tough week, but New offensive coordinator Liam CohenAfter all, the Bucks’ offense may be able to continue its rise in 2024.
Liam Cohen gives Bucks offense a chance to maintain personnel continuity
Bucks OC Liam Cohen – Photo by Matt Matera/PR
One of the big wins for the Bucs with new offensive coordinator Liam Cohen is the fact that he has worked with Baker Mayfield before.
The two overlapped in Los Angeles during the 2022 season, and early signs seem to point to a reunion in Tampa Bay.quarterback I came to the team’s facility to say hello to Cohen. on tuesday, hot mic We might know which way Mayfield is leaning, and it sounds like the Bucks. Have an “inside track” Re-sign the Pro Bowler in 2023.
Coach Mayfield has also made it clear that he wants Mike Evans back as his No. 1 receiver, and the feeling remains that it would be amazing to see the Buccaneer legend play elsewhere next year. ing.
So the return of Mayfield and Evans, along with Chris Godwin, Rashard White, Tristan Wirfs and other key pieces, would at least ensure continuity on the Bucks’ offensive line. That’s the first part of it.
The philosophy behind the Bucks’ offense remains the same.
The second part of maintaining continuity is that Liam Cohen’s philosophy closely aligns with that of his predecessors and that of Todd Bowles. Both Mr. Cohen and Mr. Bowles said the same thing this week.
“Liam is the best fit for what we want to do offensively,” Bowles said at the new offensive coordinator’s introductory press conference. “There will be some similarities, but there will also be some differences. [He has a] A very bright mind, a very bright young man who understands football inside and out, so we’re really happy to have him.”
Bucks RB Rathard White – Photo courtesy of USA Today
It’s no secret that Dave Canales loved running football and was always trying to establish balance. That reflects what Bowles wants for the offense as well, which will help the defense. It is therefore not surprising that Cohen’s philosophy is along those same lines.
“The blend of run and pass is what we’re looking for,” Cohen said Tuesday. “We’re focusing on balance, but also trying to be explosive on both the run and pass. That’s something I’m honestly very proud of. I’ve learned a lot from Sean. I learned [McVay] In terms of the run game when I first came to LA, we tried to understand and study the defense more than we studied ourselves – gap completeness, fits, fallbacks, to be able to analyze the defense. , and how to understand things of that nature. How can I find better photos?
“Right now, we’re talking, ‘Can we put a little more effort into our players? Put in a little more quarterback, center, and some of those guys so they can change the play. Can’t you do it? [and] Will it really lead us to an advantageous look, achieve better numbers and a prettier look? I think that’s something they’re eager to talk to some people about right now. They want more and that’s our philosophy as well. ”
Viewed through the lens of Bowles’ game, Canales was an obvious fit for Tampa Bay. And the fact that Cohen falls into the same category is another tally in the continuity column. As a result, the Bucks appear ready to enter 2024 with the same players and same philosophy.
A similar scheme should mean a smaller learning curve for Tampa Bay
This last part is the scheme itself and terms therein. And this is the third tally in favor of continuation.
Dave Annales’ offense was largely born out of the Shane Waldron era in Seattle. Of course, Waldron comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree. Except for his time at the University of Kentucky. Liam Cohen spent his NFL days under McVay. In Los Angeles. In other words, The playbook is subject to change, but Some of the buzzwords may be different, but the learning curve for the Bucs offense shouldn’t be too steep.
Bucks QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
“I think it’s actually going to be very similar in terms of some of the terminology,” Cohen said. “I think the run game is very similar in some ways. Formations – some ‘Duffies’ might become ‘Dixies’, some ‘Doubles’ might become ‘Deuces’ – these Some of them may be a little different, but at the end of the day, those guys are [know], “Yes, well, that was all.” They can combine them. I believe that the protection functions are very similar in some ways.
“Dave [Canales] I was with Shane Waldron in Seattle, so there are a lot of similarities. We don’t expect the learning curve to be overly difficult, but understandably we’ll want to be able to put our stamp on things and do things our way. ”
The Bucs offense has leaders and smart football players. Even if there is little learning curve, you should be able to handle it well as your group progresses from Canales to Cohen. Once the initial novelty wears off, the group will very likely pick up where they left off at the end of the 2023 season.
Entering this year with the same personnel, same offensive philosophy and largely similar scheme could return expectations for the Bucks’ offense to where they were right before Canales’ departure. That has to be the hope for Todd Bowles, who now needs a win to improve on his 17-17 regular season record to solidify his spot in Tampa Bay.
