The Pewter Plank
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3 bye week changes Tampa Bay Buccaneers should make

By Cory Kinnan

Jameis Winston, Bruce Arians, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Jameis Winston, Bruce Arians, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 06: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass during the first half of a NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 06: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass during the first half of a NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on October 06, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Simplify the offense

Last week against the Panthers, Winston was sacked seven times and picked off five times; he rarely had time to see the field and find the right read. This is on coaching to improve and simplify to cater around the needs of their current personnel.

Because of their poor pass blocking, they have been forced to misuse the talents of tight end O.J. Howard by keeping him in as an extra blocker, and have been running the second most 12 personnel in the league (one running back, two tight end formations). It is up to offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and Arians to figure out how to make the offense more suitable for their struggling offensive line and for Winston.

For starters, scrap the long developing routes and five step drops as Winston rarely has time to let these routes develop down the field. Quick slants, run-pass options, and screen passes will go a long way to improve this offense and help to mask the struggles of the offensive line. When ran this season, screen plays have been effective for the Bucs, and allows the offensive line to be on the move rather than have to hold their place.

Next. Comparing Jameis Winston’s numbers first 6 games throughout career. dark

Leftwich must also help Winston to simplify what he is seeing on the defensive side of the ball. Rollouts are an effective way for the Bucs to cut the field in half and reduce the amount of reads necessary for Winston to make. Given the trouble that both the offensive line and Winston have shown over the past two weeks, it is time to take a deep breath and dial back the play calling a bit.

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