3 Buccaneers that could save the team’s playoff hopes
By Rob Leeds
Byron Leftwich
Byron, for the love of all that is good, please quit running Ronald Jones up the middle on first down. Please. We are begging you here.
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The Buccaneer offense has dismantled several mediocre to below-average defenses so far this season, but it struggles when the competition reaches a certain point. Leftwich has shown flashes that he can be a great offensive coordinator, but the past few weeks have not been the best showing.
Tampa Bay’s offense has grown stale and predictable, and the decisions from the top lead many to believe that Leftwich’s seat could heat up during the offseason.
If Leftwich could just tweak his play-calling a little bit to fit the modern era, the Bucs could have one of the best offensive units in the NFL. If he is so dead-set on running on first down, run off the tackles, or anywhere other than the A gap.
Leftwich has to diversify the plays and get the offense out of the rut it has fallen into. Ronald Jones needs the majority of the touches, not Leonard Fournette when Jones is on a tear. Leftwich also can’t script every play on the first drive to Jones. There is a balance that exists, and Leftwich has to find it quickly if the Bucs have any hope of winning this weekend.