Earlier than offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard takes the Bucs’ offense “to the next level,” he should be taught the ropes of NFL playcalling.
Doing so will imply being examined by head coach Todd Bowles extensively earlier than the season throughout call-it durations the place he could have the prospect to scheme his gamers in opposition to Bowles’ blitz-heavy seems to be throughout practices earlier than the season.
After it helped Dave Canales get adjusted to calling performs in 2023 as a first-time offensive coordinator, Grizzard is wanting ahead to the problem of studying the ropes from dealing with no matter seems to be the veteran defensive thoughts throws his means.
Josh Grizzard Making ready For Dealing with Todd Bowles’ Protection In Name-It Durations
Bucs OC Josh Grizzard – Photograph by: Adam Slivon/PR
Whereas the largest piece of locking in Josh Grizzard as offensive coordinator is ready, different items should come into place earlier than he directs the Bucs’ offense. Grizzard might be spending the following couple of months adjusting and revamping the scheme to accommodate varied offseason additions and gamers already on the roster. Then, he should decide whether or not or to not name performs down on the sideline or up from the field.
He has frolicked watching the sport from every perspective, and it’s one thing he’ll resolve over the approaching months.
“It’s a good question,” Grizzard mentioned on Thursday afternoon. “As of right now, I’m not positive on that. We’re going to work through the spring and the training camp to determine what’s the best way to go about that. For now, I couldn’t say either one. I’ve been on the field coaching the receivers [with the Dolphins] and handling the substitutions. I’ve been in the box helping Liam [Coen] last year communicate coverages and things of that nature. We’ll just see how it goes, I’ve been talking to [head] coach [Todd] Bowles about having more opportunities in practice to call plays live in the spring as well as the fall to try and get as many reps as possible before we get into the season.”
Grizzard then went on to share extra about how these call-it-periods might be invaluable. It was one thing that he talked with Bowles about throughout his interview.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
“Not one of the first things, but we did discuss it in terms of ways to allow practice to feel like a game,” Grizzard mentioned. “We always talk about it with the players. For the first time, being in that position to call plays, the amount of reps like anything, any walk of life is invaluable so I look forward to that because I have a lot of friends who say that is the most fun thing in the world.”
Whereas it is going to be a enjoyable problem, the veteran head coach is not going to make it straightforward for him. He ought to anticipate each unique blitz conceivable because the kitchen sink is thrown at him.
In the long run, it’ll put together him for an extended season.
“It’ll prepare myself as well as the coaching staff a lot like he did last year on – ‘What are the answers to picking up these blitzes?’” Grizzard mentioned when speaking with the media after his press convention. “‘What are the best things that we can do to try to handle that?’ Then, it really helps the players because now they’ve seen all these blitzes. We’ve gone through months and months of having these blitzes so when you play someone in Week 5, it might be, ‘Hey, here’s the blitz that our defense brought in training camp. This is how we picked it up, and this is how we plan to pick it up again.’”
Josh Grizzard: “I’m Confident In My Ability” After Being A Half Of Bucs’ Offensive Gameplan In 2024
Bucs OC Josh Grizzard – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Josh Grizzard was not answerable for a particular place group in 2024, however he was a giant a part of the dialogue when it got here to Liam Coen’s offense. It has been well-stated thus far that Grizzard was the third-down “Wizzard” final yr which led to the Bucs having the very best third-down offense within the NFL, however he did a lot extra behind the scenes.
He shared his involvement in play sequencing and evolving his mindset into somebody who can take over playcalling duties.
“As a coach, when you first get into this thing, all you’re doing is breaking down tape, running the scout team,” Grizzard mentioned. “Then once you’re teaching a place group, you’re working the room and also you’re not enthusiastic about any of that. During the last I’d say two to 3 years, I’ve began to consider that – ‘What would I call here?’ Or should you’re designing a play, you higher be assured in calling the play as a result of you possibly can’t simply, ‘Hey, it was a good play to run and not call it in the game.’ That has advanced in my thoughts, after which this previous season took that to a different degree.
Bucs RB Bucky Irving and OC Josh Grizzard – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
“Going from a receivers coach to a [quality control coach], to being in this game pass coordinator role. When we built the plays, it was something I had constant dialogue with Liam. ‘Here is the sequence of plays, here are probably the best plays to start the series with.’ That’s the entire coaching staff as well, it’s not just us two. It can be anybody.”
Grizzard then talked about what modifications with the window of calling performs on third down and the way he’s assured the added playcalling reps will serve him properly.
“To your point on the third downs, because you’re breaking it up in certain windows,” Grizzard went on to say. “The gamers have a good suggestion, a minimum of Baker has a good suggestion once you’re entering into that third down window, ‘This is what we’re anticipating out of this.’ Now they hit us with this protection, “How are we going to fight that subsequent time?’
“I was able to do that last year and I’m confident in my ability to prepare that way. That way, it gives me as many reps as possible to be able to score some points for these guys.”
Josh Grizzard has loads on his plate, however what is going to enable him to develop into changing into a profitable offensive coordinator will begin with how he learns and adjusts on the fly to the best way Todd Bowles will scheme up methods to cease him. It’s going to solely be then that he can perceive what he’s up in opposition to in 2025.
Watch Pewter Report’s Response To Josh Grizzard’s Press Convention On The PewterReportTV YouTube Channel
There was a lot to get into after listening to Josh Grizzard’s first press convention because the Bucs offensive coordinator. You’ll want to take a look at Pewter Report’s ideas on our newest Pewter Report Podcast.
