Reporter Casey Phillips sits down with Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles and Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen after Week 18’s win vs. the New Orleans Saints. They talk about the significance of players’ consistently stepping up to the plate and QB Baker Mayfield’s ability to “ignite” this team.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
What three three.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
He's Buccaneers Total access with head coach Todd Bowles.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Stop the hell of the dub go back back.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Here lay Field dot com. Look looks right now about
to left those Howards left.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Court ball Evans of the fine another three too?
Speaker 3 (00:21):
What touchdouts have a bay?
Speaker 2 (00:23):
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Speaker 4 (00:41):
Fire the cannons.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Now your host Bocks Team reporter Casey Phillips and head
coach Todd Bowles.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
Welcome into the Todd Bowles show Casey Phillips here with
head coach Todd Bowles. First walk, Congratulations on a great
win and NFC South champions four straight years in a
row and now the only NFC team to make the
playoffs in the last five year. Ye So yeah, right,
So there we go. Tell me listening to that and
thinking about this team and it's gone under some changes
even during that or just how proud you are of
(01:08):
this group and the consistency that you guys have had
these last four and five years.
Speaker 5 (01:12):
Really happy with the guys that's been here over that
amount of time and the new guys as well. The
way they've brought them in the building. They've ingratiated them,
the way they've blended in the way they lead them,
the way the coaches have adapted over the years, and
the young guys are playing at a high level, and
that's the credit to coaching the guys that Jason and
(01:32):
them brought in the building. The way the Glaziers run everything.
The organization from top to bottom has been run very well,
and the team between the players and coaches, there's not
a lot of gray area there and everybody gets along
and there's a lot of teaching going on, and we've
developed this mentality of no matter what happens, we'll keep
(01:52):
moving forward. And the way they've brought into that and
show up every week no matter who's down, it has
been great to see.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
And then what were the emotions like for you the
player's coaching staff when you look at the fact that
it's the division on the line, playoffs on the line,
Mike's streak on the line that there felt like a
lot of things happening coming together in this game. And
then it also is against the division rival, So how
did this feel unique or different from just even an
emotional standpoint coming in, Well, we.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Knew it was going to be a dogfight.
Speaker 5 (02:20):
You know, they play us tough all the time, especially
they came up here last year and beat us pretty good.
So being down by ten and then being down by
a little bit double digits in the second half, you
didn't think about the streak at the time. You're trying
to win the ball game. Once you got the ball
game in, you know, the streak immediately came into play.
And I'm just happy we got it for him. So
happy for Mike. He does so many things and has
(02:43):
done so many things for this organization, for guys on
the team that you don't even see or hear about.
And he's just a hell of a guy. He's a
hell of a player. His legacy is just standing for
a long time, and you can't say enough good things
about him.
Speaker 4 (02:57):
That was some of the most emotion I feel like
I've seen out of Mike as well. Is that cool
for you to see how much.
Speaker 5 (03:01):
It's the most excited I have ever seen him, and
I am proud of that.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
I got to see it, yeah, and got to be
a part of it. And so tell me about these
discussions that happened when about getting him the streak, how
all this gets played out of when it comes into play,
how you guys talk about it and the play you
decide to dial up. I mean, take me through all
of that.
Speaker 5 (03:22):
We got down right before Buckie score. We knew we
needed five yards. We thought we get the first.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Down, We didn't know we'd get a touchdown.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
The accidental touchdown.
Speaker 5 (03:31):
Going to get it after that, and then once we
got the touchdown, we didn't know what the clock running out.
Defense finally got off the field and there was some
time left, and then we talked about what kind of
pass we wanted to do to make sure it was
safe enough to where we wouldn't turn it over and.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Mess this thing up.
Speaker 5 (03:48):
But we really wanted him to get that record, and
I definitely didn't want to be the guy that stopped
his streak and going into four eleven years and getting
a thousand yards.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
And you know, Liam drew a good play for him.
Speaker 5 (04:00):
He went in motion and got set and he ran
a quick outcut and he did the rest and the
sideline erupted.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
I mean, everybody was so.
Speaker 5 (04:07):
Happy for him, just happy to see it. Was one
of the greatest things I've seen since I've been coaching.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
And I imagine that the excitement of fans of your
defense getting a stop to let that happen, to get
the ball back, It felt like it was up there
with getting a stop to win the Super Bowl. Of like,
the way that everybody felt in that moment.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
I don't know if they thought we were going to
throw it. I thought everybody thought we were gonna kneel
on it, and we talked about it, and I thought
they were going to double them and triple him and
make sure he didn't get it.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
But he happened to get it, and I was very
grateful that he did.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
And then so tell me just for you guys, especially
even on the defensive side, but overall the adjustments of
like you talked about the first half verst the second
half of that game, on each side of the ball,
what were the biggest things that you guys felt like
you were able to do to have that comeback win
and be in the position you were at the end
to be worried about the streak and winning the game.
Speaker 5 (04:55):
Defense, it was really tackling. It was really tackling and
understanding that they were trying to nickel and dying us
and just sitting down on some routes and playing a
little more aggressively offensively. It was more from a penalty standpoint,
and we kept shooting ourselves in the foot getting holding
penalties starting first and twenty second and fifteen, and we
couldn't get from behind the eight ball. So once we
got that under control, we felt like we had a
(05:17):
good shot to at least come close and hanging the game,
and we did.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
Yeah, the last four games before this one, you guys
had only given up six points total in the second half,
and you held the Saints to just three points even
considered in some three and outs, even with a bosh
pun and interception setting them up for some successful situations there.
What do you feel like has happened in the last
five games that lets you guys make those kind of
adjustments at half that there is such a difference in
(05:41):
that first and second half so many games in a
row now.
Speaker 5 (05:44):
Just the urgency, you know the guys are locked in
when they don't panic like they did in the first
half of the season. They understand adjustments need to be made.
Let's get the adjustments in, let's go out and execute,
and we'll be fine during the game plan. And we
won first down on the second half. We didn't win
it in the first half. We wanted in the second half,
so we got a chance to dial up and get
some pass rushes in the second half. That kind of
(06:05):
put some pressure on the quarterback.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
And let's talk about Baker's game. He finished twenty one
to thirty two to two hundred and twenty one yards,
two touchdowns and an interception, and then of course sixty
eight rushing yards as well. Tell us what stood out
to you about his game and specifically even just the
way he was able to use his legs to impact
it as well.
Speaker 5 (06:22):
The biggest thing where his legs in the second half, obviously,
especially when we were backed up and he got a
big run out of there. He got two more runs
here and there, but he can see the rush, he
understands when it's wide open when he can take off,
and I thought those scrambles were huge.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
We needed every yard. He came up with some big
first downs for us.
Speaker 5 (06:40):
Played a tough played a gritty ball game, played winning football.
I got Mike the record, got us to win. So
he filled out the full gamut. And you know, we
love the place and the mindset he's in right now.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
Yeah, I mean, he joined Tom Brady, is the only
quarterbacks in team history to throw for forty touchdowns in
the season, finished the season establishing new career highs for
himself in completions, completion percentage, passing yards, net yards perpacit, passing, touchdowns,
passer rating. I mean, it's just wild to see what
this season has been like for Baker in his career overall.
And then also just what it means about this offense.
(07:13):
So what are hearing those stats about, you know, him
and Tom Brady, and then what he's done compared to
even the rest of his career. What does that say
to you about him this year and in this offense
and what's worked so well.
Speaker 5 (07:23):
It's great to see him flourishing in this offense. Obviously,
the stats and the numbers are outstanding. I will never
put Baker and Tom. They are two different people, two
different quarterbacks. Everybody compares the numbers we've had Tom. Tom's
been playing, He's played a long time. His longevity will
always stand. But Baker's carved a new area out for himself,
(07:43):
and he has his own lane that he's running in,
and he's not worried about anybody else's lane, and we
love the lane he's running in.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Right there.
Speaker 5 (07:50):
Says a lot about him and Liam being on the
same page. The way he studies, the way he grasps
the game and takes coaching, The way he can get
everybody in the right place and still make plays on
his own and still be a winner, says a lot
about the man.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
You see Phillips here with head coach Todd Bowles. So,
man Bucky eighty nine yards rushing with a touchdown. He
only got five carries in the first half and then
fourteen in the second. What shifted in terms of production
for him? The game plan? I know it is kind
of the chicken rag of the offense not being out
there very much early on, but also part of why
maybe they're not out there as much as what's going
on with Bucky. So what did you see is the
(08:24):
shift in his ability to be so much more a
part of the game plan in the second half.
Speaker 5 (08:29):
We stayed out there longer. Obviously, in the first half.
The defense has to get off the field, but the
offense has to stay on the field as well. I
thought we got started very slowly. I thought in the
second half there was more of a sense of urgency
and we try to buckle down and get some runs
in there.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
Buck he has some tough runs.
Speaker 5 (08:45):
We got established on the ground, so that allowed us
to get some throws down the field.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Yeah, and he has now the second most yards from
scrimmage and second most rushing touchdowns by a rookie running
back in team history, and the team has a new
single season franchise record of rushing yards. To hear that
and to think about where that stat would have been
the last few years, and just what a dramatic turnaround
that is. Explain how hard it is to take any
stack category and have that dramatic of a turnaround, and
(09:11):
what it shows about what this team has been.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
Able to do. That's huge.
Speaker 5 (09:13):
It says a lot about the coaches, said a lot
about the offensive line. You know, the offensive line, and
most of them were here last year as well, so
they've gone through some droughts. So it says a lot
about those guys. Chemistry, It says a lot about the
work they put in. Says a lot about the effort Tristan, Luke,
Cody Van Graham.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
It says a lot.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
About those guys, Schooly, when Luke went out, we had
a lot of guys play. Hainsey played when Barton was out.
So we had a lot of guys that contributed to that.
And that goes to Carbs and Pakoochie along with Liam
that b Max, Skip Peel, all of them. They do
a heck of a job of coaching.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
And then I know Jaylen McMillan now man five catches
for seventy four yards and a touchdown in the game.
That was his seventh touchdown in five games, which is
tied with Mike Evans and Jimmy Giles for the most
in a five game span in team history, and his
five straight games of the receiving touchdown is the second
longest streak by a rookie in NFL history, behind just
Randy Moss. Wow, when you hear those stats, those names,
(10:10):
what does that say to you about his progress? And
then also potential, So.
Speaker 5 (10:15):
There's a lot about his progress coming on the second
half of the season. His potential, the sky's the limit.
He's understanding how to be a pro. He's a very
emotional player, but he's bought into the offense. He knows
he can make plays. He understands his fit within the offense,
and the sky's the limit for him.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
And then I was thinking about how big it was
for him to get that touchdown after even kind of
the tough penalty. And I saw you kind of talking
to him on the sideline right afterward, which first, how
much credit do you give yourself for then him coming
back and scoring? It was whatever you said to him obviously.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Worked, and I'll take all the credits.
Speaker 4 (10:45):
Great, that's no perfect I love it. Why not? And
I just think about how big that was for him
to be able to do that, and as a rookie,
and we talk about the mental side of the game,
to have a big play and then have kind of
that tough penalty and then be able to come back
and make a big play like that. What did those
plays mean at the time of the game, and then
just what it says about his growth mentally as well.
Speaker 5 (11:04):
They both were huge. Getting the first down was huge
for him. Try to explain it to him. I know
he had his fingers taped and what he thought it
was and what they thought it was were two different things.
And I tried to explain that to him, and he
came back and he made the touchdown and made a
huge play. I was so happy for him because it
was a teaching moment for him. But then I expected
to pay dividends that fast. It turned around and he
(11:26):
made it, and you know, that guy's unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
He's unbelievable. He's gonna be a great player.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
And then I know we had Devin Colp and Pain
Durham both stepping up again in the wake of Kate Oughten.
That Devin Colpin's up with a couple more catches for
thirty six yards and a third down conversion, and then
Pain Durham another touchdown. Didn't throw it away this time,
So growth on all fronts to keep a hold of
the football this time. Tell me those two guys what
you've seen from them in these last two games. And
(11:53):
you never want someone to be hurt, But are there
ways that maybe kde being out is actually going to
end up helping them in the depth of the tight
end room overall as you head into playoffs in next year.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
Yeah, it really is.
Speaker 5 (12:03):
I mean, Paine's getting a chance to show what he
can really do. And Devn's just coming on the scene.
Nobody really knew what he could do. He's a very
athletic guy, very athletic tight. Then he waited his turn,
he studied, he goes out. He's made plays two weeks
in a row now, So we're building a lot of
depth right there when k comes back.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
So looking at your defenses that I know, especially early on,
how much was the time of possession a challenge for
the way you were using the defense and trying to
make sure guys stayed fresh going into the game. Knowing
that they were. It's tough to start out a game
having to be on there for so long.
Speaker 5 (12:32):
It wasn't that much of a challenge because they were
nicol and dime plays. It's not like they did a
lot of running. We just had to wrap up tackling
and they had to calm down from a mental standpoint
and get back and doing the basic stuff.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Uh, take me through ya ya and Vita's sacks and
what they aag did well on.
Speaker 5 (12:46):
Those both effor sacks, you know, that's what you like
to see. The coverage was good. Vida got a coverage sack.
Obviously he worked two guys, and he worked one guy
and he threw him and he made a sack. And
Yaya came around the corner as well for his and
came through with a chip and then he got a.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Rush on that.
Speaker 5 (13:01):
So he worked through two guys as well, and so
that's a credit to the secondary helping him out up there.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
And then Yavita now has a career high seven sacks
on the season. What would you say is what made
this season his best in that category.
Speaker 5 (13:14):
Started in the off season. Obviously, he was working with Sue.
Sue did a heck of a job helping him train
and get his weight down and get ready to play.
He came in fast, he came in, He used his
hands more this year. He was determined, He stayed healthy
for the most part. He controlled the middle. He played
with energy every single week and that was great to see.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
And he dominated.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
I know, yah Ya not only had the sack, but
also a new career high tackles for loss with four.
He's the first Buck with four more tackles for lost
in a game since twenty twenty. What was he doing
so well to get in the backfield so often this game?
Speaker 5 (13:47):
He was determined, he was determined to play on the
other side of the line of scrimmage. He was setting
an edge well for us. He was dish ragging guys.
He was playing very physical ball.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
I know that learning Jordan was injured how to be
tough from both a football and personal standpoint of just
the way it happened and then it's so late in
the week and the game plan and all of that.
So what was that like for you as a coach
and for the team overall to be dealing with just
the fact that he got injured in the way he
did and the challenges of that just even emotionally, and
then also trying to on a Saturday be putting in
(14:17):
some changes there.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
I mean, that was tough.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
You know, Jordan's usually the guy that helps everybody else
when they're in trouble. So when that happens to a
guy like that, and it happens to all of us,
and seeing how fast things can change from an injury
standpoint or a life standpoint for that matter, you know,
you fail, Your heart goes out to him, your heart
goes out to everybody that's injured right there. But at
the same time, you know, if he was in our position,
(14:41):
he would want to play for everybody that was hurt,
so we wanted to play for him as well. So
it was a big blow, but we talked about it
as a team and those guys went out and they
fought hard for him.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Yeah, what did you see from the play of your
safeties in the game?
Speaker 5 (14:54):
Meriweather was solid for the most part. Mike dropped the interception.
I think he cramped up after that, and that probably
says a lot. But I thought they did a good job,
especially in the second half, communicating and not giving up.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
And he plays down the field, I know.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Zion produced six tackles and a career high tying four
passes defensed. He's the only player in the NFL this
season to record multiple games with four more passes defensed,
and as the first player to have multiple games like
that in the same season for the Bucks since twenty nineteen.
What stood out to you about his game and particularly
in that stack category.
Speaker 5 (15:26):
He played aggressively. You know, he hadn't played aggressively in
a couple of weeks. When he plays aggressively, he gets
his hands on balls. He missed two of them that
he could have had, but he played very aggressively. He
got a lot of hands on balls. He got a
lot of PBUs and he went after the ball and
I was very happy.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
To see that.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
And we saw that Shaq Barrett got some of his
first snaps since he came back. What did you see
from his return debut and kind of the plan for
how you'd wanted to ease him back in.
Speaker 5 (15:51):
I was just hoping he wasn't tired by the time
he got to the huddle, but he went out and
I was just excited to see him out there. When
Shack's out there and he smiled, only you know he's
having fun and you know he can do damage.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
I think he can.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
Help us even more going forward, and as he gets
more into the game plan and everything in the shape,
you'll see him out.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
There more and more.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
And what did you see from the inside linebackers in
the game?
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Levante was the big one.
Speaker 5 (16:15):
He's gonna have all the tackles between kJ and JJ,
they understood their assignments, they knew where to go. We
missed some tackles early on, but they cleaned it up
later in the second half, and then I know.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
Chase mclafflin got his fifteenth field goal of fifty plus
yards since joining the Bucks, which ties with Connor Barth
for the most enfranchise history. What has it been like
for you just this season, watching his effectiveness, efficiency and
especially from long like that in a game like this
last one where man every point was mattering there for
a while.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
Chase has been unbelievable. This year. He's with great. Last year,
he's unbelievable. This year.
Speaker 5 (16:49):
I try to stay away from him and not talk
to him as much, because anytime you talk to a kicker,
that means they're not doing well. So we have this
great distance relationship wave down. We get along and he'll
tell a corny joke here and there, but he's done
a heck of a job this year.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
I'm proud of them.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
Casey Phillips here with head coach Todd Bowles. So, now,
going into your week one of the playoffs, do you
prefer a rematch against someone you already played in the
regular season or a totally new opponent or as a coach,
what are the pros and cons of that?
Speaker 5 (17:18):
You're happy to be in. You don't care who you
prepare for. You get ready to play and it's all
one and done from here and it really doesn't matter.
So to get to where we want to go. We
don't have to play them all anyway, so how you
line them up, it doesn't matter.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
I remember when we played them Week one and one
fairly handily that at the time, at least from a
fan standpoint, I don't know that we knew how much
to appreciate that win, because this turned out to be
a really good Commander's team, where you know, to a
lot of people it's, oh, you got a rookie quarterback
they drafted high last year. Did you know at the
time that that was a pretty impressive win and just
who they had the potential to turn out to be
(17:54):
this season.
Speaker 5 (17:55):
I didn't know who they were, but I didn't know
who we were either at the same time. But I
knew the quarterback was going to be very good. I
knew that going in, and he's proven everything that I
thought going in, and they turned out to have a
heck of a season. We had a pretty good season ourselves,
so it should be a.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
Good ball game.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
Yeah. What have you noticed about Jayden and Daniels both
in that first matchup when we played them, and then
just his growth over the course of the season and
who he is.
Speaker 5 (18:17):
Now, Just his maturity and running the offense and making decisions,
and he can beat you so many ways with the
football in the pocket, out of the pocket, running it, throwing.
Its a very sharp guy. He's a very tough guy.
You can tell he's very mentally tough. To put a
city on his back and take him to the playoffs
like that, that was pretty impressive.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
What stands out about some of their other offensive weapons
of guys like Terry McLaurin, they're running back, sackerts. What
are the things that stand out about each of those groups?
Speaker 5 (18:44):
So Terry's the deep guy. He had a heck of
a year as well, well over a thousand yards, and
Earth can catch everything on the inside. He's done a
great job being outlet for Jaden and not just being
an outlet but catching touchdowns. And he's been doing it
for a while now. And Robinson's a huge back and
they were probably have Eckler back as well, So it's
gonna be a tough game.
Speaker 4 (19:02):
And then how about their offensive line? What stands out
about them?
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Size?
Speaker 5 (19:06):
Plenty of size, obviously, they got a lot of size.
They run the ball, he runs right behind him. They
running back in the quarterback, they have quarterback runs. They
have running back outside runs, so it's gonna be tough
to handle.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
And then how about a guy like Bobby Wagner and
then just the rest of their defensive front.
Speaker 5 (19:21):
Bobby is there, Lavante, he's been doing it for a
lot of years now at a very high level. They
are up there in years, probably the same pretty much.
And he hadn't there's a play, There's not a play
he hadn't seen. He can dissect things very well. Frankie
Louvo is very tough on the inside as well. They
can really rush the passer, so they cause a.
Speaker 3 (19:39):
Lot of problems.
Speaker 4 (19:40):
And then how do you see our team being built
well for the playoffs and what the playoffs require for you.
Speaker 5 (19:45):
Just because of everything we've been through and really for
us to win six out of seven. We've been in
the playoffs for a couple of weeks now, so this
is really no different for us. We're preparing for another game,
but it's still lose.
Speaker 4 (19:56):
And you go home, well, coach, thank you so much,
and again congratulations on get and in the playoffs and win
the division.
Speaker 3 (20:01):
Again, thank you.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Coming up next on Buccaneers, Total Access will have offensive
coordinator Liam Cohen. Brought to you by Aedvon Help. This
is Buccaneers Radio.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
Buccaneers Total Access, brought to you by ad Van Helth.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
Shotgun Look, Jared Goff, Bill High Snapper.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
There comes a pressure, Peace sacked on the back fielding
the thirty one yard line. Levonte David shoots like a
rocket one and got it. Bill High on the rocket.
Now more with Bucks team reporter Casey Phillips.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
Welcome back into Buccaneers Total Access. First half of the
show we had head coach Todd Bowles. Now I'm so
excited to be joined by offensive coordinator Liam Cohen. Liam,
thanks for being with us, Thanks Casey for having me on. Yeah,
and congrats. I mean, what a win for so many reasons.
Tell me what the emotions of that game were like
for you guys. With playoffs on the line, division on
the line, Mike Evans streak on the line, there was
a lot happening.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
There was it was. It was a wild one. I mean,
this was a game you'll probably never forget as a
coach being a part of, especially the ending obviously with
Mike Clinton, the division, the emotions that come with that.
But it was a struggle. It was a struggle for
a while. They had a good defensive plan did some
things that you know, we weren't really prepared for different
things that they had done. We really had to adjust
(21:08):
on the fly within the game, and the guys just
stayed with it. Baker played his tailoff, which he's been
doing for the last few weeks now for us, and
the guys just did a great job. Finished and that
went out.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
Tell me about the discussions around getting Mike his thousand
and like, of course it would have been so convenient
at this game didn't matter at all, or we were
up by fifty. Yeah, to have the season on the
line and something like this on the line. What were
the discussions going into the game, and then in that
moment towards the end of the game, Well.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
Going into it, we knew we were playing this team
for the second time this year. We had a lot
of success the first game. It wasn't going to be
as easy as just, hey, let's take care what we
need to do and get a miss thousand like That's
we knew that wasn't going to be the way the
game was going to go, Although we would have liked
it to happen, it being a little bit more stressful
and anxious for us being at the end. We just
(21:57):
wanted to get it done for him. We really did.
That was I mean, for the last couple of drives,
you're trying to seal the game, We'll also get them
this number. And then to be able to get the
ball back from the defense and have that moment where
we were absolutely going to throw it to him and
not take the knee. That was pretty cool to watch.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
Was that. How much pressure did you feel both in
the idea of just getting him this number, but also
like in that play, what is at stake there of
not kneeling it out?
Speaker 1 (22:24):
Well, what was your heart doing? Yeah, I mean it
wasn't the pressure to get it to him as much
as well, when he's really involved in our offense and
playing well, we're typically having success on offense. So that
was those two things come hand in hand to begin with.
To want to get it for him was just more
of like the person that he is, the guy that
he is, you want to do that for him.
Speaker 4 (22:44):
And yeah, and.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
There's some real real nerves there where you're calling a
pass play in a situation that nobody would if they
were actually really trying to win that football game. You
take a knee in the end. Of the game. But
that wasn't what Coach Bowles wanted to do. That wasn't
what we all wanted to do for for Mike, and
got that one done.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
I love that. And then now also let's talk about
Jayleen McMillan his thirty two and thirty three yard catches
towards the end, they're one for that touchdown. Tell us
a little bit about those plays. What stands out to
you about him and Baker in those two plays and
what they ended up meaning to the game at the time.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
Huge, huge plays for us. I mean j Maxx just
continuously taking the next steps each and every week really since.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
The bye week.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
I mean, this guy's coming to this building in OTA's
mini camp training camp and have made a ton of plays.
Really cool to see him be able to continue to
do this and stay the course. Baker and he have
always had a really good connection, Like from the moment
that Jane Mack came in this building, those two formed
a connection, and it's starting to continue to take on
(23:43):
and in those moments to make those plays on a
fourth and eight critical moment, then get the penalty thereafter
a few plays later, make a tow sideline toe drag
swag catch in a critical moment with an unbelievable play
by Baker. So great for those guys to have that moment,
especially J Mack being a rookie.
Speaker 4 (24:02):
Yeah, that was his seventh touchdown in five games, which
is now tied with Mike Evans and Jimmy Giles for
the most in a five game span in team history.
Five straight games with the receiving touchdown is the second
longest streak by a rookie in NFL history, behind just
Randy Moss. Wow, not too shabby. And then I think
about even the mental side of this, of that penalty
between the place and to be able to gather himself
(24:22):
again and then score. Looking at for how much rookies
mentally becomes part of it. What have you seen in
the growth in that area? Knowing he always had the
physical skills, what have you seen on the mental side?
Speaker 1 (24:32):
Huge growth, huge growth. There was a time there that
J Mack you know, had to look himself in the
mirror a little bit and say, hey, this is how
I want to go with my career and with this
team and for my teammates and coaches and for himself.
And really a ton of credit to J Mack and
for coach b mack continuing staying with him and really
continuing to guide him throughout this process. So to make
(24:54):
those plays in those critical moments to get the penalty,
I mean, Todd just took him aside. I kind of
explained in the situation j McNew. He ran up and
apologized after the play, and a few plays later goes
out and makes a critical catch to really steal the game.
So really fun to watch his development over the last
few weeks.
Speaker 4 (25:15):
And then I know, Pain Durham with another touchdown, Devin
colep a couple big catches. These two guys have just
stepped up in such a big way these last couple
weeks with Kate Oughten being out with the injury. What
do you feel like has let the two of them
be ready in these moments? What had they done to
earn your trust, Baker's trust in these moments.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
Well, Payin specifically has always been one of the guys
in the rooms, in the meeting rooms, at the walkthroughs,
that's extremely diligent, like he wants to do everything right.
He's very detail oriented. I've always enjoyed the way that
he plays the game. He has a love for it,
he plays hard, he's a big target that can catch
the football. So him stepping up is really not a
(25:54):
ton of a surprise for us because the way he's
prepared and way coach Justin Peel's worked with him with
getting extra reps. And then Devin, it's taken a little
bit a little bit longer, but as a rookie, you
never know when your time's going to come, and that
time has come, and he has stepped up to the
plate and made some huge plays for our offense over
the last few weeks, and you just hope to see
his development continue to do this and the future's bright
(26:18):
for him.
Speaker 4 (26:18):
And then we're talking to offensive coordinator Liam Cohen, So
Bucky eighty nine yards rushing with a touchdown, I know,
definitely first half to second half, big difference in just
I mean, hey, how long y'all were out there in
the opportunities, But what did you see it halftime and
how were you guys able to really shift that game
plan get him so much more involved?
Speaker 1 (26:35):
Yeah, I think in the first half, I think we
had three possessions, one of those being a three and out,
I believe, and we just couldn't get in and going
really in the first half, they were credited to New Orleans.
They did some good things. We weren't playing at our
highest level. Knew that when we went in at the half.
There was no panic, there was no flinch. We just
kind of got together as a group. Baker really came
out in the second half and let us down the
(26:56):
field and had a good drive, getting everybody involved. And
you know when Bucky touches the ball, we typically know
good things happened. They got us on a few screens
where we had him involved and we just had you
missed the block or two and things didn't go our way.
But really credit to those guys stay in the course
and especially another rookie like Bucky continuing to make plays
for our offense.
Speaker 4 (27:16):
Yeah, I mean he now has the second most yards
from scrimmage and second most rushing touchdowns by a rookie
running back in team history. And in this stat man,
the team now has a new single season franchise record
rushing yards. And you weren't here before this year. That
was not the stat We were not number one in
a lot of rushing categories. Explain how hard it is
(27:37):
to make that big of a leap in any particular area.
Of a game and why you feel like you guys,
your scheme, your coaching staff, these players, Why was this
the group that could make that kind of a stat possible.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
I think you look at the NFL in general, and
I think these guys know that you do have to
run the football to win. You've got to be able
to run the ball at least some to be able
to win games, especially when you get into the playoffs,
you get into December football in the National Football League,
it's hard, it's tough sledding. If you've become a little
bit one dimensional. And so I think that that's what
(28:10):
these guys understood, that they were good and they could
take this thing from maybe good to great if we
really dove into the process of it, everybody being all
in all eleven involved in the run game, how much
more we've put on these guys plates from a mental standpoint,
they've all taken it on and you can see the results,
which is pretty cool to see.
Speaker 4 (28:30):
Did you know when you guys were scouting and looking
for the draft and bringing in these guys, did you
know or when did you know Bucky had the chance
to be this special?
Speaker 1 (28:41):
You talked to his coaches at Oregon. I got close
with his offensive coordinator there, and man, everybody just said
phenomenal things about him. So you knew, or at least
you had a thought process that, Okay, he can make
people missing space, he's got a burst, he's got good hands,
and he's a great kid that's going to come in
and do everything that you ask him to do well
fast forward. You don't really get a great look at
(29:03):
that in the spring because we're playing touch football.
Speaker 4 (29:05):
Yeah, every runs a touchdowns every run.
Speaker 1 (29:07):
Right, So you just don't have that feel until probably
Cincinnati the first preseason game where we go right down
the field on the second drive of the game and
he runs, has a great run, a couple of good ones,
and you could see the burst and the acceleration. And
through training camp he was making some plays and as
the thing went he continued to get better.
Speaker 4 (29:27):
What are the things that separate him because every running
back is trying to make people miss every running back
is trying to have the good vision, Like, what is
it that he does that you're like this? This is
why he's the special guy.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
He's got very good contact balance first, first of all,
and the way he moves, he's a he's so good.
He's such a good lateral mover because he's always under control.
He may be looking appearing that he's running his fastest
at all times, but he's not. He plays the game
I would say, at about like eighty five ninety percent
speed and then when he needs to go, he can go.
(29:59):
And he just has that misability factor that a lot
of guys do want in their game, but he has it.
And he's here at five o'clock every morning. He's one
of the guy last guys to leave the building every day,
so he's put the time in and obviously has really
really high talent level to be able to do those
things as well.
Speaker 4 (30:17):
Yeah, that's got to be also pretty rare to have
a rookie come in that is the guy that's first in,
last out and that does seem to know how to
do things the right way. How big of a difference
does that make even for you knowing as the coordinator
that here this running back is like he is putting
in those hours and doing that. How interesting is that
for you? From even just a game plan standpoint.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
It's great he's around, he's asking questions about the plan.
I mean, really, the whole room is very involved and
extremely detail oriented, but having a rookie be able to
have those conversations some of the ownership that he's had
to take at times this season as well in some
poor moments, and you look back at Atlanta on the fumble
(30:57):
and some of those other times that he feels like
he could to help us win and we didn't. To
have that accountability and ability to look in the mirror
and criticize yourself in moments that are hard, that's not
easy to do either, especially for a rookie so extremely
mature beyond his years and talented as well.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
And then how do he and Rashad make a good
tandem and a good team. What are the ways that
having those two guys with unique different skill sets set
you up for success to Yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:24):
I think both different in their own ways like you mentioned,
but also similar where you can throw them the ball,
they can make people miss in space. Rashad was unbelievable
in pass protection yesterday. He had some big time pickups
for us. Yes, it doesn't show up in the stack column,
but he did some great things for us yesterday, as
he has throughout the entire year. And then Sean Tucker
(31:44):
comes in has some good runs for us as well.
But it's a good room. It's a competitive room, and
those guys are trying to continue to get better each
and every week. And if one's not really doing it,
the other guy had things he can go do it.
So that's what you want, competition.
Speaker 4 (32:00):
And then of course neither of them could do anything
without that offensive line, and those guys have just been
incredible this season. Tell us what stands out to you
about that group, both run game pass pro and just
what they've enabled you to do as well.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
They're really proud of that group. Great great coaches with
Kevin Carbs and Brian Pacuci in that room, they've done
a really nice job of the details, the fundamentals, the techniques.
I started when we first got here. Those guys bought in,
I thought fairly quickly up front. And they're just the
best guys. You know, those are the most accountable. They
(32:33):
do things right all the time. They care about it,
you know, probably most more than most, and they don't
get a lot of recognition for it, and that's.
Speaker 3 (32:41):
Just the job.
Speaker 1 (32:42):
That's who they are. But our guys kind of embody
that and that's what's really cool about that group because
they know it takes all eleven, but we go as
they go, and when we're playing really well up front,
typically we're having success on offense.
Speaker 4 (32:54):
All right, we're gonna take a quick break here on
Buccaneers Total Access. We're gonna have more with offensive coordinator
Liam Cohen brought to you Avan Health. This is Buccaneers Radio.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
You were listening to Buccaneers Total Access with head coach
Todd Bowles and Bucks team reporter Casey Phillips, brought to
you by ad Van Health.
Speaker 4 (33:11):
Welcome back into Buccaneers Total Access. We've got offensive coordinator
Liam Cohen here with us. All right, So I'm gonna
throw some stats at you here. You guys have set
the single season franchise record in completion percentage, passer rating,
yards per rush, rushing first downs, rushing yards, third down
conversion rate, and third down conversions all of those. This season,
the Bucks became the first team in NFL history to
(33:32):
complete seventy percent of their passes and average over five
yards per carry throughout the course of an entire season.
How does it feel to hear those numbers? I had
you on Week one with this show. Yeah, and now
here we are after the last regular season game. Your
first year's coordinator here to hear those numbers. What does
that feel like?
Speaker 1 (33:51):
Uh, you're proud of the of the way Because we
first got here, we talked about our tape as our resume,
and that's what we are and that's what we're going
to put on tape is truly who we are this
season and through ups and downs, and it wasn't always
perfect by any means, which is why you coach, That's
why you want to keep doing. Yes, you can win,
(34:12):
but it's process over results in a lot of ways
and how do we continue to improve week out? I
thought our guys did a phenomenal job with that. These
guys bought in pretty quickly when we first got here
as the staff, and credit to them. They're the ones
doing it, the other ones playing, the other ones putting
this thing on tape. And it's been a great year
with a great staff and got to keep rolling man.
Speaker 4 (34:32):
Man Baker a definitely big part of that, and now
he has joined Tom Brady is the only quarterbacks and
team has Trey to throw for forty touchdowns in a season,
and Baker finished the season establishing new career highs for
himself in completions, completion percentage, passing yards and net yards
per pass attempt, passing, touchdowns, passer rating, Like it's just
unbelievable even not just look at this offense here for us,
but even Baker's career of what this season has been
(34:55):
for him. So for you when you hear that, what
do those stats tell you about well, Baker and what
he's meant to this team and the relationship you guys
have and what you've been able to build.
Speaker 1 (35:04):
Well, obviously extremely talented human being, right, I mean, he's gifted.
He can throw the football, he can play the game
of football. He's an unbelievable leader. But you know, when
we got hired here and we dove into this system
and we explained how much more is going to be
on his plate from a mental standpoint moving forward for
this operation to really go where we wanted to go.
And he took that head on and has studied his
(35:27):
tail off weekend and week out to put our team
in a position to be successful every week. And you know,
really cool to see his growth in terms of just
on and off the field, becoming a father, becoming a
true franchise quarterback again, and having a city really buy
into the type of person that he is. That's everything
that you want to see from one of your players.
Speaker 4 (35:47):
Yeah, and let's talk about the type of person and
player he is that if you look at just the
way he plays the game, how have you seen that
impact the offense? I mean even the defensive team as
a whole of just the way he goes about it.
I thought about how after the game I saw there,
you know, was taking pictures in the locker room with
the NFC South championshirts on, and the O line's taking
a picture and of course Baker like they're all getting
Biker to dive in there, and it just felt like
(36:09):
that was so appropriate. He feels like an extension of
an offensive lineman he is.
Speaker 1 (36:14):
I mean, that's those are his best friends. I've said
this before. He's an igniter and that's just the way
he plays the game, the way he competes, the way
he leads those guys want to follow him. And when
he slid on the ground the other day and things
got a little messy, I'm assuming that it was probably
a little purpose there, you know, to get things moving
a little bit. And he knows his guys, he knows
(36:36):
what makes people tick. He's a people person. He understands
how to get people to get the most out of him,
and that's what the great ones do. So he's a
football player, man, that's what's really cool about him.
Speaker 4 (36:48):
Yeah, And then thinking about that of just the way
he plays and that I would love to hear for you,
how you view balancing his style of play with maybe
a little safety thrown in there. How do you keep
him being his crazy Baker self who wants to lower
the shoulder and act like he's you know, Dereck Henry
running people over over here, but then also making sure
(37:11):
like he didn't try to do too much of where
there's interceptions or there's certain plays like that's got to
be a kind of a challenge on here. It is.
Speaker 1 (37:17):
I mean, he's the modern day breat Far which was his.
Speaker 4 (37:19):
Dream all the time, right, So he did it.
Speaker 1 (37:21):
He's accomplished that, and as a coach you have to
lean into that and understand that that's who he is,
that's how he plays, and that gives us a really
good chance to win most games. Okay, how do you
harness it and how do you try to get him
to play the game at his highest level the way
he wants to play? Because your truest self comes out
on the field, and that's what you want for these guys.
(37:43):
But ultimately, okay, how do we protect ourselves from our
you know, from us Sometimes us as coaches have to
look into that. And for the most part, yeah, we've
had some ups and downs with some of those things,
with the turnovers, but his production, the way he willed
us to that game. You know yesterday rushing for sixty
eight yards that none of those really designed one was,
(38:04):
but it was the worst call togame.
Speaker 4 (38:07):
Well, I know we talk a lot about the idea
of chemistry with maybe like fellow offensive linemen or dbs
or things like that, but I'm sure chemistry between a
quarterback and the coordinator is also very important. How did
you feel like you guys grew in that area and
when did you feel like you two were really able
to be on that same page when it comes to
the playbook and predicting what each other wants and needs.
Speaker 1 (38:28):
Yeah, I think, I mean it takes a village, really
with coaching the quarterback. It takes a village. And you
look at Thad Lewis, Shash Brazar, Jordan Somerville, Tom Moore, myself,
we're all involved in that process. And so if I'm
not having dialogue with Baker, well then you know that
is and then grizz is and coach more is and
so constantly being coached at all times. But our relationship
(38:51):
we had a prior one and we did work well
together for those those weeks in La. Coming here early
on this past winner, it was, hey, how can we
be honest about how we can improve? Like do you
want to hear it for real or do you want
to hear the sugar coated version? And he dive into it.
He dove into how to improve and take this thing
(39:13):
to the next level. And you see some of the
stats that he's had this year. I'm not really one
and he neither is he to really dive into those things,
but he's in some pretty elite company in some of
those areas.
Speaker 4 (39:24):
I'm talking an offensive coordinator, Liam Cohen. So early in
the season you were just a blessed and highly favored
man with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and then you
lost both of them. Tell me a just what the
offense was like and the ways that you felt really
good about the ways you were employing those guys, and
then what it meant for you to have to pivot
hardcore after that too account for them being gone.
Speaker 1 (39:47):
That was we were really kind of hitting our stride
actually at that time, where you look at the New
Orleans game, we'd come back the Baltimore game, even though
we ended up losing, well, we lost our two best guys,
and we were starting to really kind of go where
we wanted to go, and we were hitting a rhythm.
We really we were building an identity. Well, things changed
(40:08):
and we did have to pivot a little bit as
a staff and as a group got to a little
bit more twenty one pony, a little bit more twelve
and bigger personnel groupings to try to offset some of
the depth at wide receiver. And then some of those
wide receivers stepped up and made some big plays for
us and some critical moments. So kind of a combination
of different ways to pivot, but a lot of guys
stepped up and made plays for us.
Speaker 4 (40:30):
How do you feel like losing them challenged you and
maybe made you better as an offensive coordinator?
Speaker 1 (40:36):
Well, yeah, yeah, it made us become a little bit
more creative. We could just call some you know, I
don't want to say vanilla plays but just more core
philosophy installed day one through three plays with Chris and
Mike and the way things were moving, because well, man,
they have to defend those guys, and it's more about, hey,
how do we keep it simple for us but difficult
(40:57):
on the defense. When we lost those guys, we did
have to pivot that way and maybe get a little
bit more creative in the run game and a little
bit more gap schemes and different ways to kind of
attack the defense. And we got through some of those
tough times.
Speaker 4 (41:11):
And then what was it about the way you were
using Chris Godwin that you think was I mean, he
was basically having his best season in his career to
this point. What do you feel like you guys were
doing well together and the way you.
Speaker 1 (41:21):
Used him, I think moving him, you know, naturally back
to the slot and him having just confidence from that
alone and being in this system that does a lot
of times run through the F and a lot of
targets go to the F, a lot of production goes
through the F and he was big in the run
game and the screens and he was so impactful to
our offense that we lost a huge player in that game.
(41:47):
And so having him maybe play a little bit less
eleven and do more twelve, twenty one, thirteen. But Chris
is he can run the choice routes, He can make
decisions in routes, the option routes, the blocking and the
run game. He was just a huge part of that
puzzle and where it was going. And look forward to
seeing him again.
Speaker 4 (42:06):
And then Mike Evans at this point in his career,
at this age, explain to us how incredible is what
he's doing and some of the things that lets you
do and dial up and call even after coming off
a hamstring injury. Just the level of play he's at
this show.
Speaker 1 (42:20):
He dictates so much coverage. I mean, he has seen
so many different coverages. He understands it, but he also
dictates it. And you can have a feel for what
teams are going to do, maybe just based on Mike
Evans alone, and that helps you dictate the terms a
little bit more offensively, and so you can know that
he's going to be in a position to make plays
(42:40):
when he does get one on one opportunity throws and
the way that he's blocked though, the way that he's
been a teammate the competitor to see that happen obviously
was pretty special. But he's earned that. I mean, he's
totally earned that. He really played in thirteen games this
year if you really think about it, he missed three
and he got hurt in the first or early set
quarter of the Ravens game. Yeah, so he's missed some
(43:02):
significant time and still was pretty productive for us.
Speaker 2 (43:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (43:06):
Absolutely, all right, We're going to take another break here
on Buccaneers Total Access. We'll be back with more with
offensive coordinator Liam Cohen. Brought to you by Avan Help.
This is Buccaneers Radio.
Speaker 2 (43:14):
Buccaneers Total Access with head coach Todd Bowles. Now continues
brought to you by ad Van Help.
Speaker 4 (43:21):
Welcome back into Buccaneers Total Access. We have offensive coordinator
Liam Cohen here. Let's talk a little bit more about
that offensive line. We know they deserve all the credits,
so let's break down the individual guys here. So Graham
Barton coming in as a rookie and having to move
positions to a particularly challenging one.
Speaker 1 (43:36):
Another guy that's just mature beyond his years, similar to
Bucky and those guys that way, and came into this
position like he's like I'm going to play center. That's
that's what he wanted to do. There was no really
thoughts of doing otherwise. And that's coming from a guy
that had not, like you said, played a lot of
center in his college career as a tackle, started snapping
again at Pro Day and at the combine things like that.
(43:57):
He came in here and again took this thing head on.
I mean, that's not easy to play center in this
in this offense, in this league, especially at that at
that age, it's really like having a rookie quarterback in
some ways because of the amount that really they have
to process and be able to spit out live in
a full, full speed moment. He's done a really nice
job for us this year and excited about his future.
Speaker 4 (44:19):
And I know Cody Malk I've heard coach Boles say
he feels like he might be one of the most
improved players. And I've heard this from a few other
people as well. That just his growth from last year
to this year.
Speaker 1 (44:29):
Yeah, I think Cody, you know, did some nice things
last year as well, like you guys mentioned, and you
did see some improvement this year, a nice improvement where
really credit to Cody because we did challenge him some
this this past offseason. With with really trying to trust
and dive into the fundamentals and techniques in which we
were trying to get kind of put across. And he
(44:50):
was able to those guys that are able to kind
of say, Okay, this is best for me, this is
best for me to be able to maybe do some
different techniques and fundamentals and able to be vulnerable to
able to take that coaching. And he was able to
do that, and he had a really nice year protecting
the quarterback and then the run.
Speaker 4 (45:06):
Blocking, and then Luke another one that has been mentioned
is potentially one of the more improved guys on the
roster as well. And thinking about similar to Graham, of
having to move positions and already just as if the
adjustment to the NFL isn't enough, then we're moving him here,
there and everywhere. And it just feels like a different
version of him this year. What are some of the
things that he does that we don't even always know
to appreciate?
Speaker 1 (45:26):
Man, He's he's been a mainstay over there for us.
I mean obviously was injured for a couple of weeks
there where we didn't have him four or five weeks
and comes back and just right away playing at a
high level, and he hated to miss that time because
there's not many guys that love football more than him.
And really the whole process that goes into it, with
the weightlifting, the heating, the film room to study all
(45:49):
that stuff. The kind of guy that he is, he's
just a football player, and those are the kind of
guys you want protecting your quarterback. And he's done a
really nice job this year with it.
Speaker 4 (45:58):
Yeah, when he's complaining that one hundred and fifty pound
dumbbells aren't enough in the weight room, I feel like
that's the kind of guy you want. Ben Brettison. I
feel like he's a guy that has we talked about
the offensive line not getting a lot of attention. I
feel like of the offensive line, he's really been the
guy you don't hear as much about, but has been
sort of an unsung hero in that way. What is
he added to that left side of the.
Speaker 1 (46:17):
Line, A ton of experience, veteran, the way that he
approaches the game, the way that he prepares, having a
rookie center in there and being kind of put in
between you know, Cody and Ben and those guys have
really been able to help him out as well and
make some calls with him and give him some tips
and reminders because Ben's played the position. He played center
(46:37):
as well, so has done a great job for us
this year. Has really been a pleasure to coach somebody
that's just level steady like this all the time, doesn't
flyintch doesn't blink, and he plays his tailoff.
Speaker 4 (46:50):
We're talking to offensive coordinator Liam Cohen. Let's talk a
little bit more aboutkatat and we mentioned the idea of
what guys like Pain and you know them have done
Devin Colt in his absence, but prior to his absence,
it's just amazing how many snaps he plays, how much
he does that there are teams that have tight ends
that are a little bit more one trick pony for
him to be out there as much as he is,
explaining the role he's been able to play in your offense.
(47:11):
And then especially when Mike and Chris down went down,
what he meant.
Speaker 1 (47:14):
Yeah, kid, coming off a year, as you mentioned, playing
ninety eight percent of the snaps last year, we did
want to supplement him some, but then we saw why
they didn't, you know, take him off the field much
because he's really a dark good player, and I thought
he did a great job justin Peel doing a great
job taking him this year and really getting the run
game going and getting him blocking in the run game.
He did a nice job. And then he already had
(47:36):
the pass catching skills. You know, JVD worked with him
last year and did a great job understand the past
concepts and that continued on into this year and see
him have one of the best years I think of
his career receiving and he took on that role. He
took on that role when Chris and Mike went down
and it was third and seven, you know, we're going
to throw the ball the kid, and he stepped up
made some big time plays for us. So really hoping
(47:58):
we can get him back.
Speaker 4 (48:00):
And then I know some of your other wide receivers
you got Stirling Shepherd, Raheem, Jarrett, Brian Miller, Trey Palmer
that because of injuries, because of a lot of different situations,
each of them has been asked to step in to
some pretty big moments. What have they added to this
team and some of the ways that you've tried to
find ways to use them in part of what you
talked about having to be more creative.
Speaker 1 (48:18):
A tough group. I mean a tough, resilient group that
talked about a lot of guys in that room that
weren't getting opportunities maybe in the last few years to
play as much as they would have liked. They're earning
opportunities through being undrafted and coming in playing special teams
and now getting an opportunity to go play and be
you know, make impactful plays for us this season. Really
(48:38):
all of them have stepped up in different ways and
made huge plays for us to be in the position
that we're in right now. Brian mcclennon has done a
phenomenal job with that group and getting them on the
right page and really coaching them the hardest I've ever
seen a receiver coach coach. So he's done a phenomenal
job of that Group's really stayed the course, been fun
to watch.
Speaker 4 (48:59):
Now we are hopefully playing football for a long time now.
But now we're at the end of the regular season.
Figure to do a little reflection with you your first
year here, tell me what the biggest lessons you've learned
as an offensive coordinator this year have been.
Speaker 1 (49:11):
You know, I think when when you're allowed, when you
allow yourself to be your most genuine self when you
go into an atmosphere like this and an opportunity like
this and you just be yourself and you allow yourself
to fully dive into the process and work well with
people and open it up to where this is truly hey,
(49:33):
collaborative effort. How can we do this together and not
just put it on all your own shoulders and take that.
I think we've done a great job as a staff,
you know, being collaborative and coming together with a game
plan each and every week, and you learn a lot,
you learn, You learn so many different things each and
every week, and uh, but you really learn like this
is a group effort. And the more you can do
(49:54):
it with, you know, with the guys on staff and
with these players, the better off It's going to be.
Speaker 4 (49:59):
What do you think you did best? If you're kind
of thinking about the things you're most proud of yourself for,
and what would that be?
Speaker 3 (50:05):
Balance?
Speaker 1 (50:06):
I would think, you know, being pretty balanced with both
the run in the past. I think that ultimately we
were able to, like you said, the statistic about five
yards per you know, carrying seventy percent completion. You're talking
about being efficient and with the quarterback throwing the ball
like that and completing balls at that level and then
be able to run the football at that success rate
(50:27):
you're typically going to get and keep people off balanced.
So I think our guys did a great job, players
and coaches alike, at creating well rounded game plans to
put as much stress on the defense as we could.
Speaker 4 (50:39):
And then what would you say are the hardest parts
of the job that the fans at home don't know
to even appreciate or understand of how challenging it is.
Speaker 1 (50:48):
Yes, some defenses will say this is what we do,
this is how we do it, but most defenses change,
right they have gaming. Yeah, it's unbelievable, but it's game
plan specific. You don't always know what you're going to
walk into on the first snap of a game that
you're playing. Can adjust and change really quickly, and we've
got to be able to do that as a staff
(51:09):
and kind of foresee maybe some of the issues that
could arise and be able to adjust on the fly.
Not everybody plays the same and so that's something that's
a little bit more more, probably more of a challenge
than people think. They're not truly just chess pieces. You
do have to really kind of control them and move them.
So I think that's probably something that maybe gets taken
(51:30):
for granted a little bit.
Speaker 4 (51:31):
So you're saying the Commanders aren't going to do exactly
what they did week one against us, imagine. So yeah,
So tell me what did we learn from that first
matchup and then watching them over the course of the
season and their growth and Jane Daniel's growth of maybe
what's what could be similar, what could be different now?
Speaker 1 (51:44):
Well, A ton of respect for their for their team obviously,
you know Bobby Wagner leading that group. I worked with
him in Los Angeles and have a ton of respect
for that group as a as a whole. And we
played well the first time we played them. We didn't
run it great. They kind of controlled the line of
script image a little bit more with us. We didn't
have a true identity yet in the running game at
that time. I thought we pass protected really well at
(52:07):
the beginning of the season in that game, and I
thought we did a nice job kind of working on
third downs and scoring some points in the red zone.
So this is a salty group. They're playing hard on defense,
and we're gonna have to play really well well coach.
Speaker 4 (52:20):
Thank you so much for taking out some time to
talk to us. I know you are very busy game planning,
so we really do appreciate it. And congratulations on a
division win and going into the playoffs here. Thanks Casey,
I appreciate it all right. That's going to do it
for us. In Buccaneers Total Access, brought to you by
Avan Health. This is Buccaneers Radio.
What three three.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
He's Buccaneers Total access with head coach Todd Bowles.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Stop the hell of the dub go back back.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Here lay Field dot com. Look looks right now about
to left those Howards left.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Court ball Evans of the fine another three too?
Speaker 3 (00:21):
What touchdouts have a bay?
Speaker 2 (00:23):
There you go, Fire the cannons, Mike Havits. Brought to
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Speaker 4 (00:41):
Fire the cannons.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Now your host Bocks Team reporter Casey Phillips and head
coach Todd Bowles.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
Welcome into the Todd Bowles show Casey Phillips here with
head coach Todd Bowles. First walk, Congratulations on a great
win and NFC South champions four straight years in a
row and now the only NFC team to make the
playoffs in the last five year. Ye So yeah, right,
So there we go. Tell me listening to that and
thinking about this team and it's gone under some changes
even during that or just how proud you are of
(01:08):
this group and the consistency that you guys have had
these last four and five years.
Speaker 5 (01:12):
Really happy with the guys that's been here over that
amount of time and the new guys as well. The
way they've brought them in the building. They've ingratiated them,
the way they've blended in the way they lead them,
the way the coaches have adapted over the years, and
the young guys are playing at a high level, and
that's the credit to coaching the guys that Jason and
(01:32):
them brought in the building. The way the Glaziers run everything.
The organization from top to bottom has been run very well,
and the team between the players and coaches, there's not
a lot of gray area there and everybody gets along
and there's a lot of teaching going on, and we've
developed this mentality of no matter what happens, we'll keep
(01:52):
moving forward. And the way they've brought into that and
show up every week no matter who's down, it has
been great to see.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
And then what were the emotions like for you the
player's coaching staff when you look at the fact that
it's the division on the line, playoffs on the line,
Mike's streak on the line that there felt like a
lot of things happening coming together in this game. And
then it also is against the division rival, So how
did this feel unique or different from just even an
emotional standpoint coming in, Well, we.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Knew it was going to be a dogfight.
Speaker 5 (02:20):
You know, they play us tough all the time, especially
they came up here last year and beat us pretty good.
So being down by ten and then being down by
a little bit double digits in the second half, you
didn't think about the streak at the time. You're trying
to win the ball game. Once you got the ball
game in, you know, the streak immediately came into play.
And I'm just happy we got it for him. So
happy for Mike. He does so many things and has
(02:43):
done so many things for this organization, for guys on
the team that you don't even see or hear about.
And he's just a hell of a guy. He's a
hell of a player. His legacy is just standing for
a long time, and you can't say enough good things
about him.
Speaker 4 (02:57):
That was some of the most emotion I feel like
I've seen out of Mike as well. Is that cool
for you to see how much.
Speaker 5 (03:01):
It's the most excited I have ever seen him, and
I am proud of that.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
I got to see it, yeah, and got to be
a part of it. And so tell me about these
discussions that happened when about getting him the streak, how
all this gets played out of when it comes into play,
how you guys talk about it and the play you
decide to dial up. I mean, take me through all
of that.
Speaker 5 (03:22):
We got down right before Buckie score. We knew we
needed five yards. We thought we get the first.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Down, We didn't know we'd get a touchdown.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
The accidental touchdown.
Speaker 5 (03:31):
Going to get it after that, and then once we
got the touchdown, we didn't know what the clock running out.
Defense finally got off the field and there was some
time left, and then we talked about what kind of
pass we wanted to do to make sure it was
safe enough to where we wouldn't turn it over and.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Mess this thing up.
Speaker 5 (03:48):
But we really wanted him to get that record, and
I definitely didn't want to be the guy that stopped
his streak and going into four eleven years and getting
a thousand yards.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
And you know, Liam drew a good play for him.
Speaker 5 (04:00):
He went in motion and got set and he ran
a quick outcut and he did the rest and the
sideline erupted.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
I mean, everybody was so.
Speaker 5 (04:07):
Happy for him, just happy to see it. Was one
of the greatest things I've seen since I've been coaching.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
And I imagine that the excitement of fans of your
defense getting a stop to let that happen, to get
the ball back, It felt like it was up there
with getting a stop to win the Super Bowl. Of like,
the way that everybody felt in that moment.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
I don't know if they thought we were going to
throw it. I thought everybody thought we were gonna kneel
on it, and we talked about it, and I thought
they were going to double them and triple him and
make sure he didn't get it.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
But he happened to get it, and I was very
grateful that he did.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
And then so tell me just for you guys, especially
even on the defensive side, but overall the adjustments of
like you talked about the first half verst the second
half of that game, on each side of the ball,
what were the biggest things that you guys felt like
you were able to do to have that comeback win
and be in the position you were at the end
to be worried about the streak and winning the game.
Speaker 5 (04:55):
Defense, it was really tackling. It was really tackling and
understanding that they were trying to nickel and dying us
and just sitting down on some routes and playing a
little more aggressively offensively. It was more from a penalty standpoint,
and we kept shooting ourselves in the foot getting holding
penalties starting first and twenty second and fifteen, and we
couldn't get from behind the eight ball. So once we
got that under control, we felt like we had a
(05:17):
good shot to at least come close and hanging the game,
and we did.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
Yeah, the last four games before this one, you guys
had only given up six points total in the second half,
and you held the Saints to just three points even
considered in some three and outs, even with a bosh
pun and interception setting them up for some successful situations there.
What do you feel like has happened in the last
five games that lets you guys make those kind of
adjustments at half that there is such a difference in
(05:41):
that first and second half so many games in a
row now.
Speaker 5 (05:44):
Just the urgency, you know the guys are locked in
when they don't panic like they did in the first
half of the season. They understand adjustments need to be made.
Let's get the adjustments in, let's go out and execute,
and we'll be fine during the game plan. And we
won first down on the second half. We didn't win
it in the first half. We wanted in the second half,
so we got a chance to dial up and get
some pass rushes in the second half. That kind of
(06:05):
put some pressure on the quarterback.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
And let's talk about Baker's game. He finished twenty one
to thirty two to two hundred and twenty one yards,
two touchdowns and an interception, and then of course sixty
eight rushing yards as well. Tell us what stood out
to you about his game and specifically even just the
way he was able to use his legs to impact
it as well.
Speaker 5 (06:22):
The biggest thing where his legs in the second half, obviously,
especially when we were backed up and he got a
big run out of there. He got two more runs
here and there, but he can see the rush, he
understands when it's wide open when he can take off,
and I thought those scrambles were huge.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
We needed every yard. He came up with some big
first downs for us.
Speaker 5 (06:40):
Played a tough played a gritty ball game, played winning football.
I got Mike the record, got us to win. So
he filled out the full gamut. And you know, we
love the place and the mindset he's in right now.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
Yeah, I mean, he joined Tom Brady, is the only
quarterbacks in team history to throw for forty touchdowns in
the season, finished the season establishing new career highs for
himself in completions, completion percentage, passing yards, net yards perpacit, passing, touchdowns,
passer rating. I mean, it's just wild to see what
this season has been like for Baker in his career overall.
And then also just what it means about this offense.
(07:13):
So what are hearing those stats about, you know, him
and Tom Brady, and then what he's done compared to
even the rest of his career. What does that say
to you about him this year and in this offense
and what's worked so well.
Speaker 5 (07:23):
It's great to see him flourishing in this offense. Obviously,
the stats and the numbers are outstanding. I will never
put Baker and Tom. They are two different people, two
different quarterbacks. Everybody compares the numbers we've had Tom. Tom's
been playing, He's played a long time. His longevity will
always stand. But Baker's carved a new area out for himself,
(07:43):
and he has his own lane that he's running in,
and he's not worried about anybody else's lane, and we
love the lane he's running in.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Right there.
Speaker 5 (07:50):
Says a lot about him and Liam being on the
same page. The way he studies, the way he grasps
the game and takes coaching, The way he can get
everybody in the right place and still make plays on
his own and still be a winner, says a lot
about the man.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
You see Phillips here with head coach Todd Bowles. So,
man Bucky eighty nine yards rushing with a touchdown. He
only got five carries in the first half and then
fourteen in the second. What shifted in terms of production
for him? The game plan? I know it is kind
of the chicken rag of the offense not being out
there very much early on, but also part of why
maybe they're not out there as much as what's going
on with Bucky. So what did you see is the
(08:24):
shift in his ability to be so much more a
part of the game plan in the second half.
Speaker 5 (08:29):
We stayed out there longer. Obviously, in the first half.
The defense has to get off the field, but the
offense has to stay on the field as well. I
thought we got started very slowly. I thought in the
second half there was more of a sense of urgency
and we try to buckle down and get some runs
in there.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
Buck he has some tough runs.
Speaker 5 (08:45):
We got established on the ground, so that allowed us
to get some throws down the field.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Yeah, and he has now the second most yards from
scrimmage and second most rushing touchdowns by a rookie running
back in team history, and the team has a new
single season franchise record of rushing yards. To hear that
and to think about where that stat would have been
the last few years, and just what a dramatic turnaround
that is. Explain how hard it is to take any
stack category and have that dramatic of a turnaround, and
(09:11):
what it shows about what this team has been.
Speaker 3 (09:12):
Able to do. That's huge.
Speaker 5 (09:13):
It says a lot about the coaches, said a lot
about the offensive line. You know, the offensive line, and
most of them were here last year as well, so
they've gone through some droughts. So it says a lot
about those guys. Chemistry, It says a lot about the
work they put in. Says a lot about the effort Tristan, Luke,
Cody Van Graham.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
It says a lot.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
About those guys, Schooly, when Luke went out, we had
a lot of guys play. Hainsey played when Barton was out.
So we had a lot of guys that contributed to that.
And that goes to Carbs and Pakoochie along with Liam
that b Max, Skip Peel, all of them. They do
a heck of a job of coaching.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
And then I know Jaylen McMillan now man five catches
for seventy four yards and a touchdown in the game.
That was his seventh touchdown in five games, which is
tied with Mike Evans and Jimmy Giles for the most
in a five game span in team history, and his
five straight games of the receiving touchdown is the second
longest streak by a rookie in NFL history, behind just
Randy Moss. Wow, when you hear those stats, those names,
(10:10):
what does that say to you about his progress? And
then also potential, So.
Speaker 5 (10:15):
There's a lot about his progress coming on the second
half of the season. His potential, the sky's the limit.
He's understanding how to be a pro. He's a very
emotional player, but he's bought into the offense. He knows
he can make plays. He understands his fit within the offense,
and the sky's the limit for him.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
And then I was thinking about how big it was
for him to get that touchdown after even kind of
the tough penalty. And I saw you kind of talking
to him on the sideline right afterward, which first, how
much credit do you give yourself for then him coming
back and scoring? It was whatever you said to him obviously.
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Worked, and I'll take all the credits.
Speaker 4 (10:45):
Great, that's no perfect I love it. Why not? And
I just think about how big that was for him
to be able to do that, and as a rookie,
and we talk about the mental side of the game,
to have a big play and then have kind of
that tough penalty and then be able to come back
and make a big play like that. What did those
plays mean at the time of the game, and then
just what it says about his growth mentally as well.
Speaker 5 (11:04):
They both were huge. Getting the first down was huge
for him. Try to explain it to him. I know
he had his fingers taped and what he thought it
was and what they thought it was were two different things.
And I tried to explain that to him, and he
came back and he made the touchdown and made a
huge play. I was so happy for him because it
was a teaching moment for him. But then I expected
to pay dividends that fast. It turned around and he
(11:26):
made it, and you know, that guy's unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
He's unbelievable. He's gonna be a great player.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
And then I know we had Devin Colp and Pain
Durham both stepping up again in the wake of Kate Oughten.
That Devin Colpin's up with a couple more catches for
thirty six yards and a third down conversion, and then
Pain Durham another touchdown. Didn't throw it away this time,
So growth on all fronts to keep a hold of
the football this time. Tell me those two guys what
you've seen from them in these last two games. And
(11:53):
you never want someone to be hurt, But are there
ways that maybe kde being out is actually going to
end up helping them in the depth of the tight
end room overall as you head into playoffs in next year.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
Yeah, it really is.
Speaker 5 (12:03):
I mean, Paine's getting a chance to show what he
can really do. And Devn's just coming on the scene.
Nobody really knew what he could do. He's a very
athletic guy, very athletic tight. Then he waited his turn,
he studied, he goes out. He's made plays two weeks
in a row now, So we're building a lot of
depth right there when k comes back.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
So looking at your defenses that I know, especially early on,
how much was the time of possession a challenge for
the way you were using the defense and trying to
make sure guys stayed fresh going into the game. Knowing
that they were. It's tough to start out a game
having to be on there for so long.
Speaker 5 (12:32):
It wasn't that much of a challenge because they were
nicol and dime plays. It's not like they did a
lot of running. We just had to wrap up tackling
and they had to calm down from a mental standpoint
and get back and doing the basic stuff.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Uh, take me through ya ya and Vita's sacks and
what they aag did well on.
Speaker 5 (12:46):
Those both effor sacks, you know, that's what you like
to see. The coverage was good. Vida got a coverage sack.
Obviously he worked two guys, and he worked one guy
and he threw him and he made a sack. And
Yaya came around the corner as well for his and
came through with a chip and then he got a.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Rush on that.
Speaker 5 (13:01):
So he worked through two guys as well, and so
that's a credit to the secondary helping him out up there.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
And then Yavita now has a career high seven sacks
on the season. What would you say is what made
this season his best in that category.
Speaker 5 (13:14):
Started in the off season. Obviously, he was working with Sue.
Sue did a heck of a job helping him train
and get his weight down and get ready to play.
He came in fast, he came in, He used his
hands more this year. He was determined, He stayed healthy
for the most part. He controlled the middle. He played
with energy every single week and that was great to see.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
And he dominated.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
I know, yah Ya not only had the sack, but
also a new career high tackles for loss with four.
He's the first Buck with four more tackles for lost
in a game since twenty twenty. What was he doing
so well to get in the backfield so often this game?
Speaker 5 (13:47):
He was determined, he was determined to play on the
other side of the line of scrimmage. He was setting
an edge well for us. He was dish ragging guys.
He was playing very physical ball.
Speaker 4 (13:56):
I know that learning Jordan was injured how to be
tough from both a football and personal standpoint of just
the way it happened and then it's so late in
the week and the game plan and all of that.
So what was that like for you as a coach
and for the team overall to be dealing with just
the fact that he got injured in the way he
did and the challenges of that just even emotionally, and
then also trying to on a Saturday be putting in
(14:17):
some changes there.
Speaker 3 (14:18):
I mean, that was tough.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
You know, Jordan's usually the guy that helps everybody else
when they're in trouble. So when that happens to a
guy like that, and it happens to all of us,
and seeing how fast things can change from an injury
standpoint or a life standpoint for that matter, you know,
you fail, Your heart goes out to him, your heart
goes out to everybody that's injured right there. But at
the same time, you know, if he was in our position,
(14:41):
he would want to play for everybody that was hurt,
so we wanted to play for him as well. So
it was a big blow, but we talked about it
as a team and those guys went out and they
fought hard for him.
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Yeah, what did you see from the play of your
safeties in the game?
Speaker 5 (14:54):
Meriweather was solid for the most part. Mike dropped the interception.
I think he cramped up after that, and that probably
says a lot. But I thought they did a good job,
especially in the second half, communicating and not giving up.
Speaker 3 (15:05):
And he plays down the field, I know.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Zion produced six tackles and a career high tying four
passes defensed. He's the only player in the NFL this
season to record multiple games with four more passes defensed,
and as the first player to have multiple games like
that in the same season for the Bucks since twenty nineteen.
What stood out to you about his game and particularly
in that stack category.
Speaker 5 (15:26):
He played aggressively. You know, he hadn't played aggressively in
a couple of weeks. When he plays aggressively, he gets
his hands on balls. He missed two of them that
he could have had, but he played very aggressively. He
got a lot of hands on balls. He got a
lot of PBUs and he went after the ball and
I was very happy.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
To see that.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
And we saw that Shaq Barrett got some of his
first snaps since he came back. What did you see
from his return debut and kind of the plan for
how you'd wanted to ease him back in.
Speaker 5 (15:51):
I was just hoping he wasn't tired by the time
he got to the huddle, but he went out and
I was just excited to see him out there. When
Shack's out there and he smiled, only you know he's
having fun and you know he can do damage.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
I think he can.
Speaker 5 (16:03):
Help us even more going forward, and as he gets
more into the game plan and everything in the shape,
you'll see him out.
Speaker 3 (16:09):
There more and more.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
And what did you see from the inside linebackers in
the game?
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Levante was the big one.
Speaker 5 (16:15):
He's gonna have all the tackles between kJ and JJ,
they understood their assignments, they knew where to go. We
missed some tackles early on, but they cleaned it up
later in the second half, and then I know.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
Chase mclafflin got his fifteenth field goal of fifty plus
yards since joining the Bucks, which ties with Connor Barth
for the most enfranchise history. What has it been like
for you just this season, watching his effectiveness, efficiency and
especially from long like that in a game like this
last one where man every point was mattering there for
a while.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
Chase has been unbelievable. This year. He's with great. Last year,
he's unbelievable. This year.
Speaker 5 (16:49):
I try to stay away from him and not talk
to him as much, because anytime you talk to a kicker,
that means they're not doing well. So we have this
great distance relationship wave down. We get along and he'll
tell a corny joke here and there, but he's done
a heck of a job this year.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
I'm proud of them.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
Casey Phillips here with head coach Todd Bowles. So, now,
going into your week one of the playoffs, do you
prefer a rematch against someone you already played in the
regular season or a totally new opponent or as a coach,
what are the pros and cons of that?
Speaker 5 (17:18):
You're happy to be in. You don't care who you
prepare for. You get ready to play and it's all
one and done from here and it really doesn't matter.
So to get to where we want to go. We
don't have to play them all anyway, so how you
line them up, it doesn't matter.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
I remember when we played them Week one and one
fairly handily that at the time, at least from a
fan standpoint, I don't know that we knew how much
to appreciate that win, because this turned out to be
a really good Commander's team, where you know, to a
lot of people it's, oh, you got a rookie quarterback
they drafted high last year. Did you know at the
time that that was a pretty impressive win and just
who they had the potential to turn out to be
(17:54):
this season.
Speaker 5 (17:55):
I didn't know who they were, but I didn't know
who we were either at the same time. But I
knew the quarterback was going to be very good. I
knew that going in, and he's proven everything that I
thought going in, and they turned out to have a
heck of a season. We had a pretty good season ourselves,
so it should be a.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
Good ball game.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
Yeah. What have you noticed about Jayden and Daniels both
in that first matchup when we played them, and then
just his growth over the course of the season and
who he is.
Speaker 5 (18:17):
Now, Just his maturity and running the offense and making decisions,
and he can beat you so many ways with the
football in the pocket, out of the pocket, running it, throwing.
Its a very sharp guy. He's a very tough guy.
You can tell he's very mentally tough. To put a
city on his back and take him to the playoffs
like that, that was pretty impressive.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
What stands out about some of their other offensive weapons
of guys like Terry McLaurin, they're running back, sackerts. What
are the things that stand out about each of those groups?
Speaker 5 (18:44):
So Terry's the deep guy. He had a heck of
a year as well, well over a thousand yards, and
Earth can catch everything on the inside. He's done a
great job being outlet for Jaden and not just being
an outlet but catching touchdowns. And he's been doing it
for a while now. And Robinson's a huge back and
they were probably have Eckler back as well, So it's
gonna be a tough game.
Speaker 4 (19:02):
And then how about their offensive line? What stands out
about them?
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Size?
Speaker 5 (19:06):
Plenty of size, obviously, they got a lot of size.
They run the ball, he runs right behind him. They
running back in the quarterback, they have quarterback runs. They
have running back outside runs, so it's gonna be tough
to handle.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
And then how about a guy like Bobby Wagner and
then just the rest of their defensive front.
Speaker 5 (19:21):
Bobby is there, Lavante, he's been doing it for a
lot of years now at a very high level. They
are up there in years, probably the same pretty much.
And he hadn't there's a play, There's not a play
he hadn't seen. He can dissect things very well. Frankie
Louvo is very tough on the inside as well. They
can really rush the passer, so they cause a.
Speaker 3 (19:39):
Lot of problems.
Speaker 4 (19:40):
And then how do you see our team being built
well for the playoffs and what the playoffs require for you.
Speaker 5 (19:45):
Just because of everything we've been through and really for
us to win six out of seven. We've been in
the playoffs for a couple of weeks now, so this
is really no different for us. We're preparing for another game,
but it's still lose.
Speaker 4 (19:56):
And you go home, well, coach, thank you so much,
and again congratulations on get and in the playoffs and win
the division.
Speaker 3 (20:01):
Again, thank you.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Coming up next on Buccaneers, Total Access will have offensive
coordinator Liam Cohen. Brought to you by Aedvon Help. This
is Buccaneers Radio.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
Buccaneers Total Access, brought to you by ad Van Helth.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
Shotgun Look, Jared Goff, Bill High Snapper.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
There comes a pressure, Peace sacked on the back fielding
the thirty one yard line. Levonte David shoots like a
rocket one and got it. Bill High on the rocket.
Now more with Bucks team reporter Casey Phillips.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
Welcome back into Buccaneers Total Access. First half of the
show we had head coach Todd Bowles. Now I'm so
excited to be joined by offensive coordinator Liam Cohen. Liam,
thanks for being with us, Thanks Casey for having me on. Yeah,
and congrats. I mean, what a win for so many reasons.
Tell me what the emotions of that game were like
for you guys. With playoffs on the line, division on
the line, Mike Evans streak on the line, there was
a lot happening.
Speaker 1 (20:46):
There was it was. It was a wild one. I mean,
this was a game you'll probably never forget as a
coach being a part of, especially the ending obviously with
Mike Clinton, the division, the emotions that come with that.
But it was a struggle. It was a struggle for
a while. They had a good defensive plan did some
things that you know, we weren't really prepared for different
things that they had done. We really had to adjust
(21:08):
on the fly within the game, and the guys just
stayed with it. Baker played his tailoff, which he's been
doing for the last few weeks now for us, and
the guys just did a great job. Finished and that
went out.
Speaker 4 (21:19):
Tell me about the discussions around getting Mike his thousand
and like, of course it would have been so convenient
at this game didn't matter at all, or we were
up by fifty. Yeah, to have the season on the
line and something like this on the line. What were
the discussions going into the game, and then in that
moment towards the end of the game, Well.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
Going into it, we knew we were playing this team
for the second time this year. We had a lot
of success the first game. It wasn't going to be
as easy as just, hey, let's take care what we
need to do and get a miss thousand like That's
we knew that wasn't going to be the way the
game was going to go, Although we would have liked
it to happen, it being a little bit more stressful
and anxious for us being at the end. We just
(21:57):
wanted to get it done for him. We really did.
That was I mean, for the last couple of drives,
you're trying to seal the game, We'll also get them
this number. And then to be able to get the
ball back from the defense and have that moment where
we were absolutely going to throw it to him and
not take the knee. That was pretty cool to watch.
Speaker 4 (22:14):
Was that. How much pressure did you feel both in
the idea of just getting him this number, but also
like in that play, what is at stake there of
not kneeling it out?
Speaker 1 (22:24):
Well, what was your heart doing? Yeah, I mean it
wasn't the pressure to get it to him as much
as well, when he's really involved in our offense and
playing well, we're typically having success on offense. So that
was those two things come hand in hand to begin with.
To want to get it for him was just more
of like the person that he is, the guy that
he is, you want to do that for him.
Speaker 4 (22:44):
And yeah, and.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
There's some real real nerves there where you're calling a
pass play in a situation that nobody would if they
were actually really trying to win that football game. You
take a knee in the end. Of the game. But
that wasn't what Coach Bowles wanted to do. That wasn't
what we all wanted to do for for Mike, and
got that one done.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
I love that. And then now also let's talk about
Jayleen McMillan his thirty two and thirty three yard catches
towards the end, they're one for that touchdown. Tell us
a little bit about those plays. What stands out to
you about him and Baker in those two plays and
what they ended up meaning to the game at the time.
Speaker 1 (23:15):
Huge, huge plays for us. I mean j Maxx just
continuously taking the next steps each and every week really since.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
The bye week.
Speaker 1 (23:22):
I mean, this guy's coming to this building in OTA's
mini camp training camp and have made a ton of plays.
Really cool to see him be able to continue to
do this and stay the course. Baker and he have
always had a really good connection, Like from the moment
that Jane Mack came in this building, those two formed
a connection, and it's starting to continue to take on
(23:43):
and in those moments to make those plays on a
fourth and eight critical moment, then get the penalty thereafter
a few plays later, make a tow sideline toe drag
swag catch in a critical moment with an unbelievable play
by Baker. So great for those guys to have that moment,
especially J Mack being a rookie.
Speaker 4 (24:02):
Yeah, that was his seventh touchdown in five games, which
is now tied with Mike Evans and Jimmy Giles for
the most in a five game span in team history.
Five straight games with the receiving touchdown is the second
longest streak by a rookie in NFL history, behind just
Randy Moss. Wow, not too shabby. And then I think
about even the mental side of this, of that penalty
between the place and to be able to gather himself
(24:22):
again and then score. Looking at for how much rookies
mentally becomes part of it. What have you seen in
the growth in that area? Knowing he always had the
physical skills, what have you seen on the mental side?
Speaker 1 (24:32):
Huge growth, huge growth. There was a time there that
J Mack you know, had to look himself in the
mirror a little bit and say, hey, this is how
I want to go with my career and with this
team and for my teammates and coaches and for himself.
And really a ton of credit to J Mack and
for coach b mack continuing staying with him and really
continuing to guide him throughout this process. So to make
(24:54):
those plays in those critical moments to get the penalty,
I mean, Todd just took him aside. I kind of
explained in the situation j McNew. He ran up and
apologized after the play, and a few plays later goes
out and makes a critical catch to really steal the game.
So really fun to watch his development over the last
few weeks.
Speaker 4 (25:15):
And then I know, Pain Durham with another touchdown, Devin
colep a couple big catches. These two guys have just
stepped up in such a big way these last couple
weeks with Kate Oughten being out with the injury. What
do you feel like has let the two of them
be ready in these moments? What had they done to
earn your trust, Baker's trust in these moments.
Speaker 1 (25:32):
Well, Payin specifically has always been one of the guys
in the rooms, in the meeting rooms, at the walkthroughs,
that's extremely diligent, like he wants to do everything right.
He's very detail oriented. I've always enjoyed the way that
he plays the game. He has a love for it,
he plays hard, he's a big target that can catch
the football. So him stepping up is really not a
(25:54):
ton of a surprise for us because the way he's
prepared and way coach Justin Peel's worked with him with
getting extra reps. And then Devin, it's taken a little
bit a little bit longer, but as a rookie, you
never know when your time's going to come, and that
time has come, and he has stepped up to the
plate and made some huge plays for our offense over
the last few weeks, and you just hope to see
his development continue to do this and the future's bright
(26:18):
for him.
Speaker 4 (26:18):
And then we're talking to offensive coordinator Liam Cohen, So
Bucky eighty nine yards rushing with a touchdown, I know,
definitely first half to second half, big difference in just
I mean, hey, how long y'all were out there in
the opportunities, But what did you see it halftime and
how were you guys able to really shift that game
plan get him so much more involved?
Speaker 1 (26:35):
Yeah, I think in the first half, I think we
had three possessions, one of those being a three and out,
I believe, and we just couldn't get in and going
really in the first half, they were credited to New Orleans.
They did some good things. We weren't playing at our
highest level. Knew that when we went in at the half.
There was no panic, there was no flinch. We just
kind of got together as a group. Baker really came
out in the second half and let us down the
(26:56):
field and had a good drive, getting everybody involved. And
you know when Bucky touches the ball, we typically know
good things happened. They got us on a few screens
where we had him involved and we just had you
missed the block or two and things didn't go our way.
But really credit to those guys stay in the course
and especially another rookie like Bucky continuing to make plays
for our offense.
Speaker 4 (27:16):
Yeah, I mean he now has the second most yards
from scrimmage and second most rushing touchdowns by a rookie
running back in team history. And in this stat man,
the team now has a new single season franchise record
rushing yards. And you weren't here before this year. That
was not the stat We were not number one in
a lot of rushing categories. Explain how hard it is
(27:37):
to make that big of a leap in any particular area.
Of a game and why you feel like you guys,
your scheme, your coaching staff, these players, Why was this
the group that could make that kind of a stat possible.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
I think you look at the NFL in general, and
I think these guys know that you do have to
run the football to win. You've got to be able
to run the ball at least some to be able
to win games, especially when you get into the playoffs,
you get into December football in the National Football League,
it's hard, it's tough sledding. If you've become a little
bit one dimensional. And so I think that that's what
(28:10):
these guys understood, that they were good and they could
take this thing from maybe good to great if we
really dove into the process of it, everybody being all
in all eleven involved in the run game, how much
more we've put on these guys plates from a mental standpoint,
they've all taken it on and you can see the results,
which is pretty cool to see.
Speaker 4 (28:30):
Did you know when you guys were scouting and looking
for the draft and bringing in these guys, did you
know or when did you know Bucky had the chance
to be this special?
Speaker 1 (28:41):
You talked to his coaches at Oregon. I got close
with his offensive coordinator there, and man, everybody just said
phenomenal things about him. So you knew, or at least
you had a thought process that, Okay, he can make
people missing space, he's got a burst, he's got good hands,
and he's a great kid that's going to come in
and do everything that you ask him to do well
fast forward. You don't really get a great look at
(29:03):
that in the spring because we're playing touch football.
Speaker 4 (29:05):
Yeah, every runs a touchdowns every run.
Speaker 1 (29:07):
Right, So you just don't have that feel until probably
Cincinnati the first preseason game where we go right down
the field on the second drive of the game and
he runs, has a great run, a couple of good ones,
and you could see the burst and the acceleration. And
through training camp he was making some plays and as
the thing went he continued to get better.
Speaker 4 (29:27):
What are the things that separate him because every running
back is trying to make people miss every running back
is trying to have the good vision, Like, what is
it that he does that you're like this? This is
why he's the special guy.
Speaker 1 (29:38):
He's got very good contact balance first, first of all,
and the way he moves, he's a he's so good.
He's such a good lateral mover because he's always under control.
He may be looking appearing that he's running his fastest
at all times, but he's not. He plays the game
I would say, at about like eighty five ninety percent
speed and then when he needs to go, he can go.
(29:59):
And he just has that misability factor that a lot
of guys do want in their game, but he has it.
And he's here at five o'clock every morning. He's one
of the guy last guys to leave the building every day,
so he's put the time in and obviously has really
really high talent level to be able to do those
things as well.
Speaker 4 (30:17):
Yeah, that's got to be also pretty rare to have
a rookie come in that is the guy that's first in,
last out and that does seem to know how to
do things the right way. How big of a difference
does that make even for you knowing as the coordinator
that here this running back is like he is putting
in those hours and doing that. How interesting is that
for you? From even just a game plan standpoint.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
It's great he's around, he's asking questions about the plan.
I mean, really, the whole room is very involved and
extremely detail oriented, but having a rookie be able to
have those conversations some of the ownership that he's had
to take at times this season as well in some
poor moments, and you look back at Atlanta on the fumble
(30:57):
and some of those other times that he feels like
he could to help us win and we didn't. To
have that accountability and ability to look in the mirror
and criticize yourself in moments that are hard, that's not
easy to do either, especially for a rookie so extremely
mature beyond his years and talented as well.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
And then how do he and Rashad make a good
tandem and a good team. What are the ways that
having those two guys with unique different skill sets set
you up for success to Yeah.
Speaker 1 (31:24):
I think both different in their own ways like you mentioned,
but also similar where you can throw them the ball,
they can make people miss in space. Rashad was unbelievable
in pass protection yesterday. He had some big time pickups
for us. Yes, it doesn't show up in the stack column,
but he did some great things for us yesterday, as
he has throughout the entire year. And then Sean Tucker
(31:44):
comes in has some good runs for us as well.
But it's a good room. It's a competitive room, and
those guys are trying to continue to get better each
and every week. And if one's not really doing it,
the other guy had things he can go do it.
So that's what you want, competition.
Speaker 4 (32:00):
And then of course neither of them could do anything
without that offensive line, and those guys have just been
incredible this season. Tell us what stands out to you
about that group, both run game pass pro and just
what they've enabled you to do as well.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
They're really proud of that group. Great great coaches with
Kevin Carbs and Brian Pacuci in that room, they've done
a really nice job of the details, the fundamentals, the techniques.
I started when we first got here. Those guys bought in,
I thought fairly quickly up front. And they're just the
best guys. You know, those are the most accountable. They
(32:33):
do things right all the time. They care about it,
you know, probably most more than most, and they don't
get a lot of recognition for it, and that's.
Speaker 3 (32:41):
Just the job.
Speaker 1 (32:42):
That's who they are. But our guys kind of embody
that and that's what's really cool about that group because
they know it takes all eleven, but we go as
they go, and when we're playing really well up front,
typically we're having success on offense.
Speaker 4 (32:54):
All right, we're gonna take a quick break here on
Buccaneers Total Access. We're gonna have more with offensive coordinator
Liam Cohen brought to you Avan Health. This is Buccaneers Radio.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
You were listening to Buccaneers Total Access with head coach
Todd Bowles and Bucks team reporter Casey Phillips, brought to
you by ad Van Health.
Speaker 4 (33:11):
Welcome back into Buccaneers Total Access. We've got offensive coordinator
Liam Cohen here with us. All right, So I'm gonna
throw some stats at you here. You guys have set
the single season franchise record in completion percentage, passer rating,
yards per rush, rushing first downs, rushing yards, third down
conversion rate, and third down conversions all of those. This season,
the Bucks became the first team in NFL history to
(33:32):
complete seventy percent of their passes and average over five
yards per carry throughout the course of an entire season.
How does it feel to hear those numbers? I had
you on Week one with this show. Yeah, and now
here we are after the last regular season game. Your
first year's coordinator here to hear those numbers. What does
that feel like?
Speaker 1 (33:51):
Uh, you're proud of the of the way Because we
first got here, we talked about our tape as our resume,
and that's what we are and that's what we're going
to put on tape is truly who we are this
season and through ups and downs, and it wasn't always
perfect by any means, which is why you coach, That's
why you want to keep doing. Yes, you can win,
(34:12):
but it's process over results in a lot of ways
and how do we continue to improve week out? I
thought our guys did a phenomenal job with that. These
guys bought in pretty quickly when we first got here
as the staff, and credit to them. They're the ones
doing it, the other ones playing, the other ones putting
this thing on tape. And it's been a great year
with a great staff and got to keep rolling man.
Speaker 4 (34:32):
Man Baker a definitely big part of that, and now
he has joined Tom Brady is the only quarterbacks and
team has Trey to throw for forty touchdowns in a season,
and Baker finished the season establishing new career highs for
himself in completions, completion percentage, passing yards and net yards
per pass attempt, passing, touchdowns, passer rating, Like it's just
unbelievable even not just look at this offense here for us,
but even Baker's career of what this season has been
(34:55):
for him. So for you when you hear that, what
do those stats tell you about well, Baker and what
he's meant to this team and the relationship you guys
have and what you've been able to build.
Speaker 1 (35:04):
Well, obviously extremely talented human being, right, I mean, he's gifted.
He can throw the football, he can play the game
of football. He's an unbelievable leader. But you know, when
we got hired here and we dove into this system
and we explained how much more is going to be
on his plate from a mental standpoint moving forward for
this operation to really go where we wanted to go.
And he took that head on and has studied his
(35:27):
tail off weekend and week out to put our team
in a position to be successful every week. And you know,
really cool to see his growth in terms of just
on and off the field, becoming a father, becoming a
true franchise quarterback again, and having a city really buy
into the type of person that he is. That's everything
that you want to see from one of your players.
Speaker 4 (35:47):
Yeah, and let's talk about the type of person and
player he is that if you look at just the
way he plays the game, how have you seen that
impact the offense? I mean even the defensive team as
a whole of just the way he goes about it.
I thought about how after the game I saw there,
you know, was taking pictures in the locker room with
the NFC South championshirts on, and the O line's taking
a picture and of course Baker like they're all getting
Biker to dive in there, and it just felt like
(36:09):
that was so appropriate. He feels like an extension of
an offensive lineman he is.
Speaker 1 (36:14):
I mean, that's those are his best friends. I've said
this before. He's an igniter and that's just the way
he plays the game, the way he competes, the way
he leads those guys want to follow him. And when
he slid on the ground the other day and things
got a little messy, I'm assuming that it was probably
a little purpose there, you know, to get things moving
a little bit. And he knows his guys, he knows
(36:36):
what makes people tick. He's a people person. He understands
how to get people to get the most out of him,
and that's what the great ones do. So he's a
football player, man, that's what's really cool about him.
Speaker 4 (36:48):
Yeah, And then thinking about that of just the way
he plays and that I would love to hear for you,
how you view balancing his style of play with maybe
a little safety thrown in there. How do you keep
him being his crazy Baker self who wants to lower
the shoulder and act like he's you know, Dereck Henry
running people over over here, but then also making sure
(37:11):
like he didn't try to do too much of where
there's interceptions or there's certain plays like that's got to
be a kind of a challenge on here. It is.
Speaker 1 (37:17):
I mean, he's the modern day breat Far which was his.
Speaker 4 (37:19):
Dream all the time, right, So he did it.
Speaker 1 (37:21):
He's accomplished that, and as a coach you have to
lean into that and understand that that's who he is,
that's how he plays, and that gives us a really
good chance to win most games. Okay, how do you
harness it and how do you try to get him
to play the game at his highest level the way
he wants to play? Because your truest self comes out
on the field, and that's what you want for these guys.
(37:43):
But ultimately, okay, how do we protect ourselves from our
you know, from us Sometimes us as coaches have to
look into that. And for the most part, yeah, we've
had some ups and downs with some of those things,
with the turnovers, but his production, the way he willed
us to that game. You know yesterday rushing for sixty
eight yards that none of those really designed one was,
(38:04):
but it was the worst call togame.
Speaker 4 (38:07):
Well, I know we talk a lot about the idea
of chemistry with maybe like fellow offensive linemen or dbs
or things like that, but I'm sure chemistry between a
quarterback and the coordinator is also very important. How did
you feel like you guys grew in that area and
when did you feel like you two were really able
to be on that same page when it comes to
the playbook and predicting what each other wants and needs.
Speaker 1 (38:28):
Yeah, I think, I mean it takes a village, really
with coaching the quarterback. It takes a village. And you
look at Thad Lewis, Shash Brazar, Jordan Somerville, Tom Moore, myself,
we're all involved in that process. And so if I'm
not having dialogue with Baker, well then you know that
is and then grizz is and coach more is and
so constantly being coached at all times. But our relationship
(38:51):
we had a prior one and we did work well
together for those those weeks in La. Coming here early
on this past winner, it was, hey, how can we
be honest about how we can improve? Like do you
want to hear it for real or do you want
to hear the sugar coated version? And he dive into it.
He dove into how to improve and take this thing
(39:13):
to the next level. And you see some of the
stats that he's had this year. I'm not really one
and he neither is he to really dive into those things,
but he's in some pretty elite company in some of
those areas.
Speaker 4 (39:24):
I'm talking an offensive coordinator, Liam Cohen. So early in
the season you were just a blessed and highly favored
man with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and then you
lost both of them. Tell me a just what the
offense was like and the ways that you felt really
good about the ways you were employing those guys, and
then what it meant for you to have to pivot
hardcore after that too account for them being gone.
Speaker 1 (39:47):
That was we were really kind of hitting our stride
actually at that time, where you look at the New
Orleans game, we'd come back the Baltimore game, even though
we ended up losing, well, we lost our two best guys,
and we were starting to really kind of go where
we wanted to go, and we were hitting a rhythm.
We really we were building an identity. Well, things changed
(40:08):
and we did have to pivot a little bit as
a staff and as a group got to a little
bit more twenty one pony, a little bit more twelve
and bigger personnel groupings to try to offset some of
the depth at wide receiver. And then some of those
wide receivers stepped up and made some big plays for
us and some critical moments. So kind of a combination
of different ways to pivot, but a lot of guys
stepped up and made plays for us.
Speaker 4 (40:30):
How do you feel like losing them challenged you and
maybe made you better as an offensive coordinator?
Speaker 1 (40:36):
Well, yeah, yeah, it made us become a little bit
more creative. We could just call some you know, I
don't want to say vanilla plays but just more core
philosophy installed day one through three plays with Chris and
Mike and the way things were moving, because well, man,
they have to defend those guys, and it's more about, hey,
how do we keep it simple for us but difficult
(40:57):
on the defense. When we lost those guys, we did
have to pivot that way and maybe get a little
bit more creative in the run game and a little
bit more gap schemes and different ways to kind of
attack the defense. And we got through some of those
tough times.
Speaker 4 (41:11):
And then what was it about the way you were
using Chris Godwin that you think was I mean, he
was basically having his best season in his career to
this point. What do you feel like you guys were
doing well together and the way you.
Speaker 1 (41:21):
Used him, I think moving him, you know, naturally back
to the slot and him having just confidence from that
alone and being in this system that does a lot
of times run through the F and a lot of
targets go to the F, a lot of production goes
through the F and he was big in the run
game and the screens and he was so impactful to
our offense that we lost a huge player in that game.
(41:47):
And so having him maybe play a little bit less
eleven and do more twelve, twenty one, thirteen. But Chris
is he can run the choice routes, He can make
decisions in routes, the option routes, the blocking and the
run game. He was just a huge part of that
puzzle and where it was going. And look forward to
seeing him again.
Speaker 4 (42:06):
And then Mike Evans at this point in his career,
at this age, explain to us how incredible is what
he's doing and some of the things that lets you
do and dial up and call even after coming off
a hamstring injury. Just the level of play he's at
this show.
Speaker 1 (42:20):
He dictates so much coverage. I mean, he has seen
so many different coverages. He understands it, but he also
dictates it. And you can have a feel for what
teams are going to do, maybe just based on Mike
Evans alone, and that helps you dictate the terms a
little bit more offensively, and so you can know that
he's going to be in a position to make plays
(42:40):
when he does get one on one opportunity throws and
the way that he's blocked though, the way that he's
been a teammate the competitor to see that happen obviously
was pretty special. But he's earned that. I mean, he's
totally earned that. He really played in thirteen games this
year if you really think about it, he missed three
and he got hurt in the first or early set
quarter of the Ravens game. Yeah, so he's missed some
(43:02):
significant time and still was pretty productive for us.
Speaker 2 (43:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (43:06):
Absolutely, all right, We're going to take another break here
on Buccaneers Total Access. We'll be back with more with
offensive coordinator Liam Cohen. Brought to you by Avan Help.
This is Buccaneers Radio.
Speaker 2 (43:14):
Buccaneers Total Access with head coach Todd Bowles. Now continues
brought to you by ad Van Help.
Speaker 4 (43:21):
Welcome back into Buccaneers Total Access. We have offensive coordinator
Liam Cohen here. Let's talk a little bit more about
that offensive line. We know they deserve all the credits,
so let's break down the individual guys here. So Graham
Barton coming in as a rookie and having to move
positions to a particularly challenging one.
Speaker 1 (43:36):
Another guy that's just mature beyond his years, similar to
Bucky and those guys that way, and came into this
position like he's like I'm going to play center. That's
that's what he wanted to do. There was no really
thoughts of doing otherwise. And that's coming from a guy
that had not, like you said, played a lot of
center in his college career as a tackle, started snapping
again at Pro Day and at the combine things like that.
(43:57):
He came in here and again took this thing head on.
I mean, that's not easy to play center in this
in this offense, in this league, especially at that at
that age, it's really like having a rookie quarterback in
some ways because of the amount that really they have
to process and be able to spit out live in
a full, full speed moment. He's done a really nice
job for us this year and excited about his future.
Speaker 4 (44:19):
And I know Cody Malk I've heard coach Boles say
he feels like he might be one of the most
improved players. And I've heard this from a few other
people as well. That just his growth from last year
to this year.
Speaker 1 (44:29):
Yeah, I think Cody, you know, did some nice things
last year as well, like you guys mentioned, and you
did see some improvement this year, a nice improvement where
really credit to Cody because we did challenge him some
this this past offseason. With with really trying to trust
and dive into the fundamentals and techniques in which we
were trying to get kind of put across. And he
(44:50):
was able to those guys that are able to kind
of say, Okay, this is best for me, this is
best for me to be able to maybe do some
different techniques and fundamentals and able to be vulnerable to
able to take that coaching. And he was able to
do that, and he had a really nice year protecting
the quarterback and then the run.
Speaker 4 (45:06):
Blocking, and then Luke another one that has been mentioned
is potentially one of the more improved guys on the
roster as well. And thinking about similar to Graham, of
having to move positions and already just as if the
adjustment to the NFL isn't enough, then we're moving him here,
there and everywhere. And it just feels like a different
version of him this year. What are some of the
things that he does that we don't even always know
to appreciate?
Speaker 1 (45:26):
Man, He's he's been a mainstay over there for us.
I mean obviously was injured for a couple of weeks
there where we didn't have him four or five weeks
and comes back and just right away playing at a
high level, and he hated to miss that time because
there's not many guys that love football more than him.
And really the whole process that goes into it, with
the weightlifting, the heating, the film room to study all
(45:49):
that stuff. The kind of guy that he is, he's
just a football player, and those are the kind of
guys you want protecting your quarterback. And he's done a
really nice job this year with it.
Speaker 4 (45:58):
Yeah, when he's complaining that one hundred and fifty pound
dumbbells aren't enough in the weight room, I feel like
that's the kind of guy you want. Ben Brettison. I
feel like he's a guy that has we talked about
the offensive line not getting a lot of attention. I
feel like of the offensive line, he's really been the
guy you don't hear as much about, but has been
sort of an unsung hero in that way. What is
he added to that left side of the.
Speaker 1 (46:17):
Line, A ton of experience, veteran, the way that he
approaches the game, the way that he prepares, having a
rookie center in there and being kind of put in
between you know, Cody and Ben and those guys have
really been able to help him out as well and
make some calls with him and give him some tips
and reminders because Ben's played the position. He played center
(46:37):
as well, so has done a great job for us
this year. Has really been a pleasure to coach somebody
that's just level steady like this all the time, doesn't
flyintch doesn't blink, and he plays his tailoff.
Speaker 4 (46:50):
We're talking to offensive coordinator Liam Cohen. Let's talk a
little bit more aboutkatat and we mentioned the idea of
what guys like Pain and you know them have done
Devin Colt in his absence, but prior to his absence,
it's just amazing how many snaps he plays, how much
he does that there are teams that have tight ends
that are a little bit more one trick pony for
him to be out there as much as he is,
explaining the role he's been able to play in your offense.
(47:11):
And then especially when Mike and Chris down went down,
what he meant.
Speaker 1 (47:14):
Yeah, kid, coming off a year, as you mentioned, playing
ninety eight percent of the snaps last year, we did
want to supplement him some, but then we saw why
they didn't, you know, take him off the field much
because he's really a dark good player, and I thought
he did a great job justin Peel doing a great
job taking him this year and really getting the run
game going and getting him blocking in the run game.
He did a nice job. And then he already had
(47:36):
the pass catching skills. You know, JVD worked with him
last year and did a great job understand the past
concepts and that continued on into this year and see
him have one of the best years I think of
his career receiving and he took on that role. He
took on that role when Chris and Mike went down
and it was third and seven, you know, we're going
to throw the ball the kid, and he stepped up
made some big time plays for us. So really hoping
(47:58):
we can get him back.
Speaker 4 (48:00):
And then I know some of your other wide receivers
you got Stirling Shepherd, Raheem, Jarrett, Brian Miller, Trey Palmer
that because of injuries, because of a lot of different situations,
each of them has been asked to step in to
some pretty big moments. What have they added to this
team and some of the ways that you've tried to
find ways to use them in part of what you
talked about having to be more creative.
Speaker 1 (48:18):
A tough group. I mean a tough, resilient group that
talked about a lot of guys in that room that
weren't getting opportunities maybe in the last few years to
play as much as they would have liked. They're earning
opportunities through being undrafted and coming in playing special teams
and now getting an opportunity to go play and be
you know, make impactful plays for us this season. Really
(48:38):
all of them have stepped up in different ways and
made huge plays for us to be in the position
that we're in right now. Brian mcclennon has done a
phenomenal job with that group and getting them on the
right page and really coaching them the hardest I've ever
seen a receiver coach coach. So he's done a phenomenal
job of that Group's really stayed the course, been fun
to watch.
Speaker 4 (48:59):
Now we are hopefully playing football for a long time now.
But now we're at the end of the regular season.
Figure to do a little reflection with you your first
year here, tell me what the biggest lessons you've learned
as an offensive coordinator this year have been.
Speaker 1 (49:11):
You know, I think when when you're allowed, when you
allow yourself to be your most genuine self when you
go into an atmosphere like this and an opportunity like
this and you just be yourself and you allow yourself
to fully dive into the process and work well with
people and open it up to where this is truly hey,
(49:33):
collaborative effort. How can we do this together and not
just put it on all your own shoulders and take that.
I think we've done a great job as a staff,
you know, being collaborative and coming together with a game
plan each and every week, and you learn a lot,
you learn, You learn so many different things each and
every week, and uh, but you really learn like this
is a group effort. And the more you can do
(49:54):
it with, you know, with the guys on staff and
with these players, the better off It's going to be.
Speaker 4 (49:59):
What do you think you did best? If you're kind
of thinking about the things you're most proud of yourself for,
and what would that be?
Speaker 3 (50:05):
Balance?
Speaker 1 (50:06):
I would think, you know, being pretty balanced with both
the run in the past. I think that ultimately we
were able to, like you said, the statistic about five
yards per you know, carrying seventy percent completion. You're talking
about being efficient and with the quarterback throwing the ball
like that and completing balls at that level and then
be able to run the football at that success rate
(50:27):
you're typically going to get and keep people off balanced.
So I think our guys did a great job, players
and coaches alike, at creating well rounded game plans to
put as much stress on the defense as we could.
Speaker 4 (50:39):
And then what would you say are the hardest parts
of the job that the fans at home don't know
to even appreciate or understand of how challenging it is.
Speaker 1 (50:48):
Yes, some defenses will say this is what we do,
this is how we do it, but most defenses change,
right they have gaming. Yeah, it's unbelievable, but it's game
plan specific. You don't always know what you're going to
walk into on the first snap of a game that
you're playing. Can adjust and change really quickly, and we've
got to be able to do that as a staff
(51:09):
and kind of foresee maybe some of the issues that
could arise and be able to adjust on the fly.
Not everybody plays the same and so that's something that's
a little bit more more, probably more of a challenge
than people think. They're not truly just chess pieces. You
do have to really kind of control them and move them.
So I think that's probably something that maybe gets taken
(51:30):
for granted a little bit.
Speaker 4 (51:31):
So you're saying the Commanders aren't going to do exactly
what they did week one against us, imagine. So yeah,
So tell me what did we learn from that first
matchup and then watching them over the course of the
season and their growth and Jane Daniel's growth of maybe
what's what could be similar, what could be different now?
Speaker 1 (51:44):
Well, A ton of respect for their for their team obviously,
you know Bobby Wagner leading that group. I worked with
him in Los Angeles and have a ton of respect
for that group as a as a whole. And we
played well the first time we played them. We didn't
run it great. They kind of controlled the line of
script image a little bit more with us. We didn't
have a true identity yet in the running game at
that time. I thought we pass protected really well at
(52:07):
the beginning of the season in that game, and I
thought we did a nice job kind of working on
third downs and scoring some points in the red zone.
So this is a salty group. They're playing hard on defense,
and we're gonna have to play really well well coach.
Speaker 4 (52:20):
Thank you so much for taking out some time to
talk to us. I know you are very busy game planning,
so we really do appreciate it. And congratulations on a
division win and going into the playoffs here. Thanks Casey,
I appreciate it all right. That's going to do it
for us. In Buccaneers Total Access, brought to you by
Avan Health. This is Buccaneers Radio.
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