DMN Blog: Byron Leftwich gives Bucs' offense a different dimension

[WoodysGirl]

12:44 PM Tue, Sep 08, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon/Blogger Bio | E-mail | News tips

You can debate whether the Buccaneers upgraded at quarterback after getting rid of Jeff Garcia and bringing in Byron Leftwich, who bounced around the league the last three seasons as a backup.

But the Bucs are definitely a more dangerous vertical passing team with Leftwich's cannon instead of Garcia's dink-and-dunk arm.

"He's a real strong-arm guy," Wade Phillips said of Leftwich. "He makes more down-the-field throws than a lot of the West Coast people. Garcia was the West Coast quarterback - a lot of short, quick routes, which they still do. But (Leftwich will) throw it down the field - deep out, deep in - because he's got such a strong arm."

There's a premium on rushing the passer with Leftwich under center.

Garcia is a tough guy to sack because he's gets rid of the ball quickly and has good mobility. Leftwich, on the other hand, is hard to bring down at 6-5, 250 pounds, but he's Bledsoe-esque in the pocket. He also has a long, winding delivery that makes him prone to fumbles (24 in 40 games his first three seasons in Jacksonville, one reason why he didn't last long as a starter despite being a high first-round pick).

If given time, Leftwich could gash the Cowboys with deep throws to Antonio Bryant and new Tampa Bay TE Kellen Winslow. It's up to DeMarcus Ware and Co. to make sure Leftwich doesn't get the chance to look downfield.

 

[CoCo]

12:44 PM Tue, Sep 08, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon/Blogger Bio | E-mail | News tips

You can debate whether the Buccaneers upgraded at quarterback after getting rid of Jeff Garcia and bringing in Byron Leftwich, who bounced around the league the last three seasons as a backup.

But the Bucs are definitely a more dangerous vertical passing team with Leftwich's cannon instead of Garcia's dink-and-dunk arm.

"He's a real strong-arm guy," Wade Phillips said of Leftwich. "He makes more down-the-field throws than a lot of the West Coast people. Garcia was the West Coast quarterback - a lot of short, quick routes, which they still do. But (Leftwich will) throw it down the field - deep out, deep in - because he's got such a strong arm."

There's a premium on rushing the passer with Leftwich under center.

Garcia is a tough guy to sack because he's gets rid of the ball quickly and has good mobility. Leftwich, on the other hand, is hard to bring down at 6-5, 250 pounds, but he's Bledsoe-esque in the pocket. He also has a long, winding delivery that makes him prone to fumbles (24 in 40 games his first three seasons in Jacksonville, one reason why he didn't last long as a starter despite being a high first-round pick).

If given time, Leftwich could gash the Cowboys with deep throws to Antonio Bryant and new Tampa Bay TE Kellen Winslow. It's up to DeMarcus Ware and Co. to make sure Leftwich doesn't get the chance to look downfield.

Kind of counting on this.

I don't even want to think about what losing to Leftwich would do to this board.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

if we get gashed deep by Antonio Bryant....who is NOT fast and IS banged up....it is going to be a long season?

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Yeah he gives them one awesome different dimension than Garcia did. The ability to be sacked more often. That's an awesome dimension he's adding to the Bucs this year.

 

[Doomsday101]

Key in my view is to shut down the Tampa running game and force Tampa into passing situations. If Tampa can run Leftwich will be able to slow down the pass rush with play action and still has the arm to get it down field and experience. Leftwich will be in trouble though if Dallas can force them into sure passing downs as he has no mobility to escape the rush.

 

[Plumfool]

Just score and make them have to throw the ball. Make them one dimensional and the game is a cakewalk.

 

[Vinnie2u]

We should win this game by 14+...