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Bucs Attack Frantically Effective

Tribune photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Brian Griese dives for a 1st down against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium.

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By ROY CUMMINGS

rcummings@tampatrib.com

Published: October 5, 2008

DENVER - From the top of the stadium, it looks like one of those old electronic football games with the players buzzing all around, frantically running out of one play and into another.

Organized chaos is what it is. It works, though.

The Bucs have run 12 plays out of their frenetic no-huddle offense this year, all of them passes. Seven were completions as the Bucs produced 69 yards and two critical scores off the scheme.

"I usually don't like it, because it usually means you're playing from behind," Bucs quarterback Brian Griese said. "But it does give you a chance to move the ball quickly, and it's exciting because it's usually win or lose."

Griese's execution of the no-huddle attack late in the fourth quarter and in overtime had everyone buzzing after Tampa Bay's 27-24 win at Chicago two weeks ago. His ability to quickly read the defense and figure out which play will work is one reason it was so effective, according to Bucs coach Jon Gruden.

The real key to success in the no-huddle, though, is planning and communication. It starts before the series begins, with the coach giving the quarterback a package of plays to choose from depending on the down and distance after each play.

On average, the Bucs snap the ball every 26 seconds in the no-huddle, so there's no time to bark out a 14-word play. The quarterback communicates the play to his teammates by shouting code words, such as Superman or Cindy Crawford, or making a few hand signals.

"We do practice it a lot," Griese said. "It's a matter of simplifying things. You can't run your entire offense in that situation, so you just try to simplify things."

No matter how simple they try to make it, there's always chaos. While the quarterback is calling out a play to the backs and receivers, the center is shouting out a protection change to his linemates.

On the other side of the line, the same thing is happening, only with greater confusion. Players are running all over the field trying to get into position for the snap.

"It's a good tool," center Jeff Faine said. "It's not something you want to live on, but there's an opportunity there to keep the same defense on the field for six, seven, eight plays in a row. That's where the advantage comes from."

The defense's tendency to wear down after a few plays is a base element of the no-huddle attack. It's also why most teams wait until late in the game to unleash it.

"It's tough on you," said Bucs defensive tackle Jimmy Wilkerson, who saw plenty of no-huddle while with the Chiefs the past five years. "If it's late in a game you get gassed pretty quickly out there.

"And if the offense gets into a six-, eight- or 10-play drive, it can really be tough. Four- and five-play drives are all right. But anything longer than that and they can really get you, because you can't really rotate."

Rotation has become a big part of football, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Teams lean on certain players with certain skills for certain situations. That's what the no-huddle is designed to combat.

The hope is to trap a defense that has, say, its rush personnel in the game by throwing the ball all over the field. That's what the Bucs have been able to do this year.

Against the Bears two weeks ago, they began with a personnel group that suggested run and opened the drive by throwing a short pass to running back Warrick Dunn. Before the Bears could adjust defensively, the Bucs were back at the line of scrimmage, snapping the ball.

Each of their next four plays - including three run without a huddle - the Bucs threw downfield to receivers.

After six more plays, including three run without a huddle, Matt Bryant kicked the 35-yard field goal that launched the Bucs' comeback from a 10-point deficit.

"It's a good change-up," said Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who is sure to see the Bucs run at least one series out of their no-huddle attack today at Invesco Field. "It can really keep a defense off-balance."

It works so well that many wonder why it isn't used more often.

The answer is really kind of simple. Think of those little plastic players buzzing around on that metal football field. Now, imagine they're real football players constantly running around on a real football field.

"You get gassed out there pretty quickly in the no-huddle," Bucs receiver Ike Hilliard said. "I mean, I like it and all. I think it's great. But we get tired."

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979.

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