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Bucs should try changing the script

Posted Dec 18, 2009 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Dec 18, 2009 at 12:56 PM

By IRA KAUFMAN
TAMPA—If it was good enough for Bill Walsh and Mike Holmgren, it should be good enough for Greg Olson.

Olson, the beleaguered offensive coordinator of the Buccaneers, will have plenty of time on that flight to Seattle to script out Tampa Bay’s first 15 or 20 plays heading into Sunday’s matchup at Seattle.

And most of those snaps should be runs.

Granted, an offensive line that was supposed to be a team strength has underperformed through Tampa Bay’s 1-12 start, but Olson has also failed to show enough of a commitment to the ground game, especially considering the Bucs are starting rookie QB Josh Freeman.

In the final three games, Olson has an opportunity to show confidence in his offensive line while trying to incorporate Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham into the offense. Tampa Bay’s backfield depth has not been utilized effectively behind Cadillac Williams this year and Ward and Graham need a reason to feel good about themselves heading into 2010.

Scripting plays is not a revolutionary concept in the NFL and Olson needs to try something different in an effort to energize an offense that hasn’t scored a touchdown in the past nine quarters. Freeman wouldn’t mind handing off instead of trying to cope with all that crowd noise at Qwest Field.

And if the Bucs run often and effectively, there will be opportunities downfield for WR Antonio Bryant.

Olson and head coach Raheem Morris haven’t explained why the Bucs are throwing the ball on 60 percent of their snaps, especially when Morris wanted to forge an identity as a physical, violent football team.

After 13 games, this horror show needs a fresh script.