TAMPA BAY — The Buccaneers are installing a redesigned offensive system under new coordinator Zac Robinson, featuring wide zone rushing concepts and pre-snap motion that has already created confusion for Tampa Bay’s own defense during training camp.
The scheme, rooted in Robinson’s time under the Sean McVay coaching tree with the Los Angeles Rams, emphasizes horizontal stretches along the line of scrimmage rather than traditional double teams, forcing defenders into disadvantageous positions and opening cutback lanes for running backs Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell. Guard Ben Bredeson said the transition has been smooth. “Very impressed with it,” Bredeson said. “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.”
Robinson is the fifth offensive play-caller in Tampa Bay since 2022, following Byron Leftwich, Dave Canales, Liam Coen and Josh Grizzard. His system incorporates condensed formations, various personnel groupings and mirrored run-pass concepts out of identical core plays with differing motions and alignments. Cornerback Zyon McCollum said the defense is getting a thorough test. “I think it is real situational,” McCollum said. “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.”
Second-year receiver Emeka Egbuka provided a highlight Thursday during a 7-on-7 red zone period, hauling in a touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield on a post route along the back of the end zone. Egbuka has been working primarily as the ‘Z’ receiver but is being deployed across the formation in Robinson’s system. Wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. said Egbuka’s football intelligence sets him apart. “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,” Godwin said. “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.”
The wide zone concepts mirror systems run by coaches Kyle Shanahan and Mike McDaniel, who have added spread and speed elements with RPOs and pre-snap motion. Tampa Bay’s offensive line has the athleticism to execute the lateral movement the scheme demands, and both Irving and Gainwell possess the processing skills to read defensive flow and find cutback lanes.
The Buccaneers will continue training camp practices in Tampa Bay as the team prepares for its preseason schedule.