The hype surrounding new offensive coordinator Liam Coen as a protege of Sean McVay is evident, highlighting McVay’s impressive postseason success with two different quarterbacks in his tenure with the Rams. McVay’s track record surpasses that of established coaches like Tony Dungy, Sean Payton, and Mike Tomlin, despite his relatively short time in the league.
Coen, having spent four seasons under McVay’s tutelage, may bring a McVay tradition to Tampa: resting starters and key players during preseason games to mitigate injury risks. McVay’s belief in prioritizing player health over preseason reps has been a cornerstone of his coaching philosophy, and many hope Coen will advocate for a similar approach in Tampa Bay.
Players like Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke, Mike Evans, Cade Otton, and Chris Godwin arguably don’t need extensive preseason playing time, and there’s a sentiment to extend this cautious approach to other key players, potentially including the starting quarterback.
While the Rams have historically focused on intense practices and joint sessions for preseason preparation, the Buccaneers have ample opportunities for controlled scrimmages and joint practices with teams like the Jaguars and Dolphins. This alternative approach could provide sufficient preparation while minimizing injury risks for key players.
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