The Tampa Bay Buccaneers practiced Thursday during training camp with a reworked offense that includes more wide zone runs, pre-snap motion, condensed formations and varied personnel groupings. The system is designed to present run and pass concepts from similar core plays while changing the motion and alignment. Wide zone runs use horizontal movement to create cutback lanes for the running back, while gap and duo runs remain part of the offense.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive line has the athleticism to support the wide zone scheme. Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell are identified as running backs whose processing skills complement the system. Guard Ben Bredeson said he was encouraged by the increased use of wide zone concepts.
“Very impressed with it,” said guard Ben Bredeson on Robinson’s offense. “A little bit more wide zone stuff and it is something that I feel can work and it has obviously worked with Atlanta and his previous stops before that so I am excited for it.”
Movement Challenges Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense
Zac Robinson’s system has created challenges for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense during training camp. The movement and personnel groupings can make it difficult for defenders to anticipate the look they will receive. Zyon McCollum said the offense has presented multiple looks while requiring the defense to communicate and remain aligned.
“I think it is real situational,” stated Zyon McCollum. “They have a real situational awareness and getting everybody on the same page, they are communicating well. There is a lot of movement and a lot of moving parts and the personnel groupings have been confusing from a defensive standpoint so being able to lock in and kind of understand that they are going to give us every look, every personnel grouping and we don’t know what is coming. It is fun to go against now and it is really preparing the defense for the future and for the season and it will be exciting to see our offense go against other defenses.”
Emeka Egbuka Scores During Red Zone Work
Emeka Egbuka caught a touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield during Thursday’s 7-on-7 red zone period. Egbuka scored on a post route, catching Mayfield’s pass near the back of the end zone. He has worked as the “Z” receiver while also being used at different spots in the formation.
Chris Godwin Jr. said Egbuka’s understanding of coverages, leverage and route concepts stood out when he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The source describes Egbuka as continuing to develop in his second year as a professional. “Mek is an incredible talent but he is also a great student of the game and I think when he first got here, that was probably the first thing that really stood out to a lot of us was how he sees the game as a receiver is almost like a quarterback in his understanding of coverages and understanding of how to use leverage and keys,” said fellow wideout Chris Godwin Jr. “From Year One to Year Two, your comfort level jumps dramatically. Everything is not flying around as fast and you know what is expected of you, and you know how to practice, and he just continues to take steps further and further.”
Source: Original report