Bucs OC Leftwich Tired Of “The Dirt”

During Thursday’s media availability, Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich took a swipe at the “haters” for the constant criticism the team has faced this season. Leftwich remarked at one point during his press conference that “everybody is always trying to throw dirt on the Bucs.”

And it is understandable why Leftwich came off as defensive with his insinuation. He has been the target of quite a bit of criticism this year as the architect of an offense that is currently 24th in the NFL in points per game (18.5). Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds has gone as far as to call for Leftwich’s firing following the Bucs loss to Panthers in Week 7.

But it is natural for fans and analysts alike to question why the Bucs offense has regressed this year. That 24th ranking in points? It does not compare well to last year’s second-place ranking of 29.9 or 2020’s second-place of 30.8.

This isn’t people throwing “dirt” on the Bucs.

Bucs OC Byron Leftwich and QB Tom Brady – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

This is people having eyes and the ability to compare things. This is basic logic.

People may differ in what they feel the cause for the depressed scoring is. Some may say the personnel changes were more than the Bucs offense could sustain. After all the 2022 version of the offense features new starters at five key positions and 60% of the offensive line. Others may point to a regression in the play of the team’s 45-year-old quarterback.

Some will say that it is the offensive philosophy that has been there all along being exposed by a lower level of execution. But the truth remains that the offense is worse than in years prior. That’s not throwing dirt. That’s being honest about a fact and asking questions to try and find the root cause.

Bucs Near Top Of The League In Yards – Not Points

Leftwich himself noted during his press conference that the offense is the 12th best offense in the league. I assume he was referencing yards per game with that assertation, in which case they are actually 11th.

It was a curious designation as he is on record as saying that the goal is to score more points than the other team. That is something that his offense has failed to do in half of their attempts this year. And they currently sport a negative 32-point differential. So, for the season they have failed at that particular goal. But even if we were to accept the medium for judging the offense, last year the team was second by that metric, and they were seventh in 2020.

The criticism is warranted because there has been a negative development that has not improved consistently over 20 weeks now (including the preseason). The criticism is warranted because unlike in years past there has not been a noticeable, prolonged change in process. The criticism is warranted because despite being presented with evidence of how his strategy as a play caller tends to have him lean towards the things the team struggles at and away from the things the team does well.

Bucs RB Leonard Fournette and OC Byron Leftwich – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

And perhaps if Leftwich were to entertain those questions with even a modicum of respect and clarity in response the criticism would dampen down. But the disdain with which Leftwich responds to those questions with generalities, straw men arguments, and downright contempt invites even more criticism.

No Byron, people are not throwing dirt on the Bucs.

People are asking questions about the areas the Bucs struggle in.

Unfortunately for Leftwich and the offense they have been the struggling unit for most of the season. When you add the context of the success they have had on that side of the ball since 2019 and you have the recipe for questions. And since Leftwich won’t provide anything coming close to a reasonably detailed explanation, instead falling back on things like “I see things that no one else sees” or “that’s a fantasy football question,” others will attempt to tell the story of the Bucs offense’s struggles.

Assuming I did this right…
1st down pass rate outside of the last two minutes of each half where neither team has a 75% chance to win or better:
Bucs are 23rd in neutral 1st down Pass Rate (42.42%) https://t.co/3MsiIbXe1V

— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) January 7, 2023

If Leftwich is concerned about “the dirt” people are trying to throw on the Bucs, he can certainly grab a metaphorical shovel and try to dig them out. And that shovel can come in many different forms.

It can start with him providing well-reasoned answers to legitimate questions about specific areas the offense is struggling in. But it should end with him making the necessary adjustments and changes to help the offense perform better.