TAMPA Although Baker Mayfield still has a grudge, the quarterback is showing “calm confidence” in his summer exercises, according to new offensive coordinator Liam Coen of the Bucs, who made the announcement on Monday.
Coen wants the players to set the tone in the locker rooms as he implements Tampa Bay’s third offensive system in as many seasons. Mayfield, who is in his second season with the Bucs, is the first player to take the field.
Coen remarked, “Yes, we are implementing and training a new offense, but Mayfield is already familiar with many of these concepts.” “He has listened to them. He has backed them up. He’s basically taking over, and he’s done a terrific job approaching some of the guys in the conference room and saying things like, “Hey, man, make sure you’re here.”
That’s what we’re aiming to accomplish, and so far, I believe the football throwing confidence has been outstanding. He’s throwing it with a lot of confidence right now, even if we haven’t seen a lot of balls touch the ground.
Liam Coen, the new offensive coordinator for the Bucs, talks to media during a press conference in Tampa in February to announce his employment. [TIMES | JEFFEREE WOO]
When Dave Canales resigned to take a head coaching position with the Carolina Panthers in February, Coen, the former offensive coordinator for the Rams and Kentucky, was brought in. Having worked with Mayfield for approximately five weeks following the quarterback’s Rams claim at the end of the 2022 season, he was fortunate.
According to Coen, the Bucs’ offseason program has seen a good turnout of veterans, one of whom was receiver Mike Evans, who was present throughout the first week.
He referred to the players as “pros’ pros” and lauded the culture that head coach Todd Bowles and former head coach Bruce Arians had created over the previous few seasons.
“This group is productive; they show up for work on time, and they’re sitting up straight in their chairs,” Coen remarked. They focus. They provide you with constructive criticism both orally and nonverbally. I believe that our staff has done an excellent job of getting to know these guys and putting their boots on the ground.
“Since the staff returned, we have really worked to get to know them and develop relationships. These guys start working as soon as they go onto the turf and the whistle blows. They enjoy themselves. It’s a playful manner. However, there’s a genuine sense that these individuals want to improve. We’re attempting to offer them more right now because that’s what they want.
There’s no denying where the Bucs need to improve. They had won three NFC South titles and qualified for the playoffs the previous four seasons, but in the last two seasons, they have finished bottom in the NFL in terms of running average.
The only thing that has been communicated to us is how to improve. How can we go from being good to being great? stated Coen. “Then, it goes without saying, improving and repairing the run game comes first.”
That’s why the Bucs selected offensive lineman Graham Barton from Duke with their 26th overall first-round choice. Barton will start competing against Robert Hainsey at center, according to Coen.
“We will undoubtedly begin with him at center and observe his handling of everything,” Coen stated. “The quarterback and the rest of the team communicate a lot, and a lot of things may happen. We’ll watch how that conversation plays out, but we have no doubt that he will be able to do some of those tasks. If not, though, we’ll move him over to guard and give him another chance there.
Changes to the schematic will also occur. Although Canales’ system will be partially utilized, Coen stated he intends to employ a variety of pre-snap moves and shifts to assist in identifying defensive looks.
Mayfield will also have extra responsibility since, depending on the defensive alignment, he may have three plays to choose from prior to each snap.
Quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis stated, “As an offensive coordinator, you’re going to put more on their plate than they can handle to see what they can handle.” When you realize what needs to be done, you’ll pull back a little bit. I believe that people underestimate his ability.
“He’s very intelligent and cerebral, so it will require teamwork to put the film together for him with a specific cadence to exit plays and figure out what the cues are and tell us when the pressure is about to get us out of plays.” We want to put him in a position where he’s making more good judgments than poor ones, but ultimately, we’re going to give him the pen last.
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