Baker Mayfield isn’t the only one that’s getting an award this week. After the Bucs routed the Chargers 40-17 and played their best game of the season considering the quality of opponent and timing of the year, it was bound to get everyone talking about this team. Tampa Bay not only scored 40 points on the road, they did it against a Chargers defensive unit that was the top scoring defense in the league.
When it came to praising the job well done by Tampa Bay, it wasn’t just one person that was given a shoutout nationally. It was a whole bunch of Bucs that were given accolades and praise in one fashion or another.
Liam Coen Is Quickly Moving Up The Ranks
Bucs OC Liam Coen – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR
If offensive coordinator Liam Coen was already considered a high level candidate to become a head coach next season to a team with an opening he is now. Each week, Good Morning Football’s Peter Schrager has an award for his Coach of the Week. This time around it was Coen that was given the recognition.
“A guy who really made his NFL resume bolstered for years in Los Angeles under Sean McVay, came back home at absolutely lit up the L.A. Chargers. Our Coach of the Week is Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen,” Schrager said. “The Bucs offense scored 40 points, did not punt once and racked up 506 yards of offense on Jesse Minter’s vaunted Chargers D. Bucky Irving had 117 yards, the Bucs ran for 223 yards and they went nine of 15 on third down.
“Baker Mayfield only had five incomplete passes and the team, again, did not punt! Remember, Dave Canales was the OC last year, he gets a head coaching job with Carolina, they hire Liam Coen as the OC. Liam Coen, get to know his name well, it is going to pop up in a lot of head coaching conversations over the next several weeks.”
Mike Evans Wins FedEx Air & Ground Player Of The Week
Bucs WR Mike Evans Photo by: USA Today
Outside of Baker Mayfield balling out, it was wide receiver Mike Evans that was arguably most impressive for Tampa Bay. He proved that he still can dominate a game as he recorded nine receptions for 156 yards and two receiving touchdowns in the win. Evans was voted the FedEx Air & Ground Player Of The Week because of his performance.
It was a very special game as well since Evans accomplished a couple of more milestones. He became the fifth player to have over 50 catches in their first 11 seasons, joining Larry Fitzgerald, Tory Holt, Marvin Harrison and Anquan Boldin. His seventh career game of over 150 receiving yards puts him at third all time in recording this feat, tying Jerry Rice and being just one behind Tyreek Hill at eight. Evans moved into 24th on the NFL’s all time receiving yards list surpassing Jimmy Smith, Antonio Brown and Brandon Marshall in the game.
Along with all of that, Evans was named by his former teammate Tom Brady as one of his three stars of the week.
Lavonte David Was Vintage Again
Bucs ILB Lavonte David and DT Logan Hall – Photo by: USA Today
Former Bucs Super Bowl winning coach Jon Gruden has ramped up his social media presence since joining Barstool Sports and starting a show on their platform. While Baker Mayfield was one of the quarterbacks that had him feeling “nicey” this week, it was veteran inside linebacker Lavonte David that was listed second in the top five of his “Gruden Grinders” a well known segment that Gruden started as the color commentator on Monday night football.
David looked like he was in his prime leading the Bucs with 12 tackles, eight solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss and three quarterback hits. David put on a fantastic display of football
“The heart and soul of the Buccaneers defense, and he’s been doing it for years,” Gruden said of David. “Lavonte David, number 54. He went to L.A. to play the Chargers and came home with 12 tackles, eight solos and (two) sacks. The man has 104 tackles. He’s been grinding forever here in Tampa, the man’s forced out 31 fumbles in his career. I love Lavonte David.”
Every Bucs fan feels the same way about Gruden’s last line about him.
