By ditching star-dependent schemes for a versatile spread attack, Zac Robinson aims to weaponize Tampa Bay’s depth and transform Baker Mayfield’s unit into an unpredictable postseason threat.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense fell off a cliff last season without Liam Coen as the offensive coordinator, but newly hired Zac Robinson has a plan to revitalize it by running a spread offense.
A spread offense maximizes the space on the field, using multiple positions to stretch the defense thin. There is an emphasis on featuring multiple players instead of a game-changing star.
It fits an offense that lost wide receiver Mike Evans to a $60 million payday to the San Francisco 49ers, and Baker Mayfield, who prioritizes passing to open receivers.
Robinson will have multiple options to work with in Tampa Bay: wide receivers Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan and Chris Godwin Jr., running backs Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell and Sean Tucker and tight ends Cade Otton and Bauer Sharp.
The versatile offensive unit is similar to the one he coordinated with the Atlanta Falcons.
"In Atlanta, Robinson had a Pro Bowl running back in Bijan Robinson and a thousand-yard star receiver in Drake London, a big 6'4, 215-pound target in the passing game," Scott Reynolds said in Saturday's "Pewter Pulse" YouTube episode. "Those were the Falcons' two featured weapons, with tight end Kyle Pitts and backup running back Tyler Allegier usually playing supporting roles to those star performers."
The Falcons were 14th in total yards per game (333) and eighth in rushing yards per game (125.8). Atlanta ranked 19th in passing yards per game (207.2) despite Pitts Sr., London and Robinson combining for 2,667 yards.
A wide receiver, tight end and running back finishing top three in receiving yards highlights the impact of having multiple weapons. Tampa Bay has a deep receiving core, multiple tight ends and running backs, which could make a spread offense difficult for defenses to plan against.
"One game, McMillan might be the Y in the slot," Reynolds said. "The next game, he could be the Z at flanker. And the same thing with the others, depending on the game and the matchups that Robinson wants to create. It makes it so much harder for opposing defensive coordinators to game plan for such an attack."
Egbuka led the Buccaneers in receiving yards at 938 on 63 receptions and 127 targets, followed by Otton with 572 on 59 receptions and 81 targets. The spread offense could see a decrease in targets for Egbuka and an increase in targets for other receivers.
A target decrease for a star receiver would affect their stats, but boost the team efficiency when there are multiple threats the defense must consider.
Reynolds said he believes Robinson running a spread offense would make the team less predictable and more effective, with the number of players involved.
"While the spread offense approach may wreak havoc on your fantasy football team, it should help the Bucs offense get back to being an elite unit this year and ultimately help Tampa Bay get back to the playoffs," Reynolds said.
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