Defense Ranked No. 1
October 20th, 2020
Jamel Dean and The Dean of the Bucs defense
Yes, you can finally wear your Bucs t-shirt to Neighborhood Walmart with immense pride.
No more late-October cradling of a package of paper towels to cover the logo.
Six full NFL weeks are in the books and the Bucs are in first place and the defense is ranked No. 1 in the NFL (using the standard fewest-yards-allowed designation).
Numero Uno.
Yeah, the Bucs are ranked No. 8 overall in points allowed, but that’s quite good and the yards allowed measure is the most common.
Regardless, the defense has faced varied tests through six games, including facing two Hall of Fame quarterbacks, and the ninth-ranked Chargers offense.
Joe will state the obvious, if this continues, the Bucs will win a load of games and Todd Bowles will be a head coach elsewhere next season. Sure, Team Glazer potentially could try to keep Bowles as defensive coordinator with a mountain of cash, but if Bowles wants to be a head coach, he will wave goodbye and pocket that mountain elsewhere.
October 20th, 2020 at 8:36 am
Hopefully………..they can keep it up and not get big headed and give away games again
October 20th, 2020 at 8:41 am
They could pay him and promise to make him Head Coach once Arians retires. He kind of shafted in New York they had a bad team and he got blamed for them not winning but look at them now they are worse than when he was there. Seems like he actually did a decent job.
October 20th, 2020 at 8:47 am
i made a note to self before the packers game…a mental note…
i said if they win the game, i’m officially breaking out my bucs gear once again and starting to rock it hard…
that’s it…time to bust out the bucs gear like back in the late 90s and early 2000s when everyone and every window was dressed in bucs gear in town
October 20th, 2020 at 8:48 am
Hope they pay him.
October 20th, 2020 at 8:53 am
We’re all very excited about our last win Joe but please, pump the brakes on the HC chatter.
You tend to do this on the rare occasions that we play well.
I remember the Sully Scare you warned us about.
I remember this year when Leftwich called a good game……..
Bowles might be happy doing what he’s doing.
Not everyone needs to be the chief.
October 20th, 2020 at 8:53 am
Here we go with the giving our coordinator a head coaching job again. Maybe he doesn’t want to go rebuild some trash team like he tried with the jets. Maybe he knows he has a great defense because he has good players at every level and if he goes to a new team by the time he builds it up he could be fired again. Maybe he knows Arians will retire soon and he can have this job. Why assume he’s in a rush because of money.
October 20th, 2020 at 8:56 am
Adam,
I’ve been sporting my 47 and 20 jerseys from our good years.
Looks good!
October 20th, 2020 at 8:58 am
They are legit, and will only get better. The secondary is still wet behind the ears, and growing by the game. A Rodgers WHO? lol They showed the nation they have what it takes to win it all. Now just keep on building. 0 penalties What? 0 turnovers What? 0 sacks given up What, are you kidding me. I guess all the noise about the coaching staff being a bunch of idiots, twell that noise just became the sound of crickets. Good to Hear Mike Evans being honest and being accountable about the team being undisciplined and it was up to the players to be real about it. GO BUCS!!!!
October 20th, 2020 at 9:05 am
yeah it doesn’t seem much like bowles is into podium play and fielding questions and such…
maybe he likes his role…for now…
a little more behind the scenes…
everyone doesn’t want to be the front man
October 20th, 2020 at 9:06 am
We face another tough test Sunday vs Carr…….we need to have LVD or Devin White dedicated to Josh Jacobs…..stop their run and we can win.
October 20th, 2020 at 9:08 am
I remember clearly, not to long ago….7 days to be more precise, when a lot of people, including some on this site, hardly doubting on Bucs defense and on Bowles too…..We were close to hell 7 days ago….So now we had an extraordinary game and we are back on paradise…….
Really funny sometimes how so call experts try to explain this binary world, politics, economics, and now on sports….. So funny!!!!
October 20th, 2020 at 9:08 am
I had a feeling they were going to throw the ball to Mike Edwards side on the second pick, Winfield Jr was injured that play. Luckily we had some depth, thats 2 picks for Edwards this season.
October 20th, 2020 at 9:13 am
nice DooshLaRue nice !
i actually have a lynch and barber too 🙂
i’m feeling the new pewter jerseys…i’m thinking to go with a jpp if i decide to grab one…
no brady or gronk…everyone will have one…
a big #50 jersey would be hot too…
or a marpet or wirfs !
roll right past the skill position jerseys and get a burly lineman’s jersey…lol
October 20th, 2020 at 9:18 am
Yeah, the new pewter jerseys are nice.
Solid choices man….
My choices would be Godwin, White and Winfield.
Hell…. maybe add Succop too!
Go Bucs!
October 20th, 2020 at 9:18 am
This is their rightful place. Home to one of the greatest defenses in the history of the league. They have a very high bar to achieve but if you’re in Tampa, you have to have a great defense.
October 20th, 2020 at 9:28 am
time to cut the giddy green bay garbage out and get focused on the raiders…
if we whoop some raider azz, and then do a mop job on the giants in new york, we are for real at 6-2…
then coming home for the showdown with the saints
October 20th, 2020 at 9:29 am
Pay him to replace Arians since Arians doesn’t call the offensive plays. This is a lay up for him. Get paid to live in beautiful Tampa with the tax free benefits.
October 20th, 2020 at 9:29 am
Bucs “defense is ranked No. 1 in the NFL (using the standard fewest-yards-allowed designation).” But oh ya, “Bucs are ranked No. 8 overall in points allowed”.
POINTS ALLOWED is the ONLY one that counts Joe. Last year the Bucs’ defense ranked #15 in Total Yardage Allowed, but #29 in Points Allowed. Now granted a LOT of those points should’ve been charged against the Bucs’ offense, but the end result was a 7-9 record and a significant team makeover (on the offense mostly).
The Bucs ‘standard’ IMO is our 2002 defense. #1 in Points Allowed AND #1 in Total Yards Allowed. Result: Super Bowl Champions.
October 20th, 2020 at 9:30 am
When the last great Bucs defense became great, fans were worried Kiffin would get a coaching job elsewhere. It took a few years for it to sink in that he really didn’t want to be a head coach.
Bowles had his chance. I’m sure he’ll be asked to interview, but he learned that the situation he could go into has to be perfect, or he’ll fail again.
There are not many situations like that, and what he has here is great, at least until Suh and JPP are gone. The stars aligned here.
Meanwhile, we have Byron, who I think is far more likely to leave. He’s younger and he wants a shot at head coach. He has not learned the same lessons. He’ll leave in a heartbeat.
So who do we promise a head coaching job to?
Joe, I have a problem…
I will be on vacation when the Bucs are on ESPN, and I don’t know if where I stay will have it. I have Spectrum at home, and I frequently use the app, but I don’t have espn because…well, it sucks.
What network will it air on locally besides espn? I’m hoping I will be able to watch it on my app on whatever network that is.
Otherwise, I need another plan 🙁
October 20th, 2020 at 9:37 am
@bonzai just watch it on the nfl fantasy APP on your phone
October 20th, 2020 at 9:41 am
It was the Jets, but Bowels was embarrassed big time. He’s an amazing DC, doesn’t seem amazing HC. If Bucs can make it to at least round two of the playoffs, I think BA, Licht, and Brady can get him to stick around one more year. It’s not like he doesn’t have the credentials that are going to go away. He’s not old and overweight. He has plenty of time. He seems more humble but hopefully he doesn’t run off to big money if we have a good year.
October 20th, 2020 at 9:47 am
I guess it is a new world of gigantic money in the NFL, but Monte Kiffen ran those amazing defenses for years as Bucs DC.
October 20th, 2020 at 9:57 am
I suspect reality has shown Bowles the grass is not always greener for someone wanting to be a HC.
I suspect an early dealio is for Bowles to take over from Arians, who may get kicked upstairs in some capacity…when he wants.
October 20th, 2020 at 10:07 am
The Defense wants to play for a “Winner” Npup
Not for a guy who throws a pick right after they get their helmets off and they can’t even get some Gatorade before they take the field again.
October 20th, 2020 at 10:09 am
what if:
after we win the superbowl in 2021…tom brady retires, and bruce arians retires…
then:
tom brady decides to become a head coach…lol…
do we hire tom brady as the next head coach of the buccaneers?…
imagine that…
what if ???
ps ronde will be pissed
October 20th, 2020 at 10:11 am
Of note is the conspicuous absence of the ONLY Smitty apologist on JBF.
Either he ran out of exclamation points or is “tending” his sheep!
If you can’t tell the difference over the last year and change, you’re not paying attention. This is a MUCH better defense.
October 20th, 2020 at 10:11 am
bonzai:
joe is not your therapist or your cable man 🙂
October 20th, 2020 at 10:12 am
BA needs to retire it looks like Bowles and Brady are doing all the coaching.
October 20th, 2020 at 10:16 am
The Bucs are +55 points, that’s a good number!
October 20th, 2020 at 10:26 am
Joe- if this continues, the Bucs will win a load of games and Todd Bowles will be a head coach elsewhere next season.
Let’s tap the brakes-
Last week it was thought -if the Bucs fall to 3-3, the season could go in the tank…
One opponent at a time, enjoy watching this talented team evolve, pray for no more injuries , and play winning football- no penalties, no turnovers.
October 20th, 2020 at 10:35 am
Todd bowels for head coach!! This team is good because of.its defense
October 20th, 2020 at 10:41 am
Bowles isn’t going anywhere until this ride is over!!! He knows he’s next in line to coach this team and why leave a team that is in the cusp of greatness to go be average again…. Everyone said the same thing about Josh McDaniels and you can see he knew the right move!! Bowles isn’t stupid he knows a few years of this and he can be coach of a team HE helped design for years before he actually had to be accountable for it!!! He’ll be our next coach not next year but the year after that…. BL will be his O.C. and bowels will still call the defense!! Just like new York!!!
October 20th, 2020 at 10:43 am
The whole success of the future of this team will be based on who they get for QB in this years draft!! I would trade whatever I had to to move up and get a top QB!! A lot of teams this year in the top will not be QB needy teams
October 20th, 2020 at 10:45 am
realist
#1 defense!!!!!!!
smittys defense has him coaching PAL football right now!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!!
October 20th, 2020 at 10:47 am
Coach Bowles has an opportunity to be mentioned as one of the best defensive coordinators of all-time.
• Bill Arnsparger
• Bud Carson
• George Seifert
• Bill Belichick
• Dick LeBeau/Tom Capers
• Vic Fangio
• Wade Phillips
• Monte Kiffin
• Jim Johnson
October 20th, 2020 at 10:47 am
test
October 20th, 2020 at 10:54 am
AwShbucs Says:
“Funny how you never see Realist or Ndog at times like these.”
I told Realist he’s not allowed to post anything this week. Ha!
October 20th, 2020 at 10:57 am
Buccaneer Bonzai
firstrowsports.tv streams all the games you just need internet
October 20th, 2020 at 11:00 am
You said the same thing about Mike Smith, then one year later everyone was calling for his head.
Where is that dude now?
October 20th, 2020 at 11:05 am
Defense Rules – The 2002 Defence gave up less than 200 points for the season. That is flat out awesome. GO BUCS!!!!
October 20th, 2020 at 11:12 am
WARNING: If you haven’t been wearing your old Bucs gear than …
KEEP IT IN THE CLOSET.
You’ll take it out and all the bad vibes will come with it. Brady will start eating W’s, throwing pick-6s, and stealing crab legs.
BUY SOMETHING NEW.
October 20th, 2020 at 11:16 am
Yes! @ Defense Rules I totally agree. Points allowed will tell you what level your defense is at. The game is won and lost with points.
And I have to throw this in there…..Where ya at buco and ndog?! This website is for Bucs fans so keep your mouths shut.
PMA Go Bucs!
October 20th, 2020 at 11:21 am
Maybe Bowles doesn’t want to be a HC again? Has anyone asked him?
October 20th, 2020 at 11:26 am
If the Bucs win the Super bowl, BA will retire. If so, Bowles becomes the new head coach.
October 20th, 2020 at 11:35 am
Lol Joe please say you didnt warn us we might lose Sully to an HC gig????
October 20th, 2020 at 11:35 am
Is he even coaching in the NFL anymore????
October 20th, 2020 at 11:38 am
Don’t forget we said the same thing about “Welcome back” Koetter. Everybody was so scared he was going to go somewhere else and jumped the gun and made him our coach, look what happened. Don’t panic and see how the season pans out.
October 20th, 2020 at 11:41 am
Dean should start at corner and shadow the other team’s number 1 WR. Keep SMB at Slot and Davis covering WR2. Blitz D White almost on every play because covering isn’t his strong suit. Still waiting for Barrett to show up…
October 20th, 2020 at 11:51 am
@SlyPirate
I dropped 60lbs this year, and started wearing my red #99 Sapp jersey again. First year I could fit into it since… 2003?
October 20th, 2020 at 11:54 am
IF…IF the Bucs win the SB BA moves up to Director of Football operations…Bowles becomes HC.
BL is the question mark for me. I’m not like many here who loathe his play calling but I’m not exactly impressed either. At the end of the day BL is in a no win situation…no matter how successful the offense the lion share of the credit (perhaps deservedly so?) will go to Brady. I think Bowles is ahead of BL on the Bucs HC list…so BL may have to pay a year or two more dues with the Bucs.
October 20th, 2020 at 12:02 pm
I’ve got a Sapp jersey too.
It’s actually my favorite out of the 6-7 jersey’s I’ve got.
Yes he’s an ahole but he’s our ahole and my favorite Buc of all time.
I’ve got #’s 40,99,47,55, Drug Martin’s (x-mas present)Winston’s #3 that i got from a poster named Erik on this site in a bet. That of course is no good anymore.
Oh and my cousin’s #66 Ryan Benjamin LS for the SB Champion Bucs!
Yes once again….I got to wear the SB ring. Ha!
October 20th, 2020 at 12:03 pm
“Kobe Faker proudly wore his #82 Kellen Winslow Jr team jersey to the Lakeland walmart
3 elderly senior citizen ladies smacked me across my face and hit Kobe in the raisins with their cane”
Kobe Faker
October 20th, 2020 at 12:14 pm
I personally don’t see Bowles leaving next season. Either BA steps down and Bowles takes over or they have a handshake agreement for him to take over the following season.
October 20th, 2020 at 1:11 pm
Didn’t get too low after the bears game. Don’t get too high after this one. 10 wins left to fight for.
October 20th, 2020 at 1:39 pm
Assistant’s getting head coach interviews means you had a good season. Have to take the good with the bad.
The Glazers are haunted by the ghost of Mike Tomlin. They view him as the one that got away. Thus, they hired Raheem Morris and Dirk Koetter. Neither of those moves panned out, so what they would do now would be interesting. I’m sure Bowles would be given assurances that he is the head coach in waiting.
This seems like a good problem to have.
October 20th, 2020 at 2:18 pm
Joe do you think theres a chance Bowles and the Glazers have a gentlemans agreement that he would take over for Bruce upon retirement? Safe to say if thats the case it could change your equation.
Of course theres always the possibility things go south and both Brice and Bowles get fired……Either way I really dont care right now. 4-2 in first place. Just keep winning!!
October 20th, 2020 at 2:24 pm
Jimmy:
Joe has stated all along he’s confident Arians took the job, in part, to set up one of his buddies to succeed him. No clue if it is Bowles or Leftwich… or Armstrong.
October 20th, 2020 at 2:27 pm
Next year hire Todd Bowles as co-head coach with Bruce Arians. Just a thought.
October 20th, 2020 at 2:58 pm
Kobe Faker…. 🤣🤣🤣
October 20th, 2020 at 3:44 pm
No comment section is complete without a Winston dig …
Last year the Bucs D inherited the worst starting field position. This year th3 offense helps the defense simply by not turning the ball over on the wrong side of the 50 yard line.
October 20th, 2020 at 9:34 pm
“Ninth ranked Chargers offense” Is this the same Chargers you said was a bad team? Bucs are looking good. So far. A lot of games left. I’ve seen this tease too many times. Go Bucs.
October 21st, 2020 at 9:46 am
It is funny now were the greatest thing as I said chicago was a fluke and we would beat greenbay! Now on to vegas we need to keep up that intensity keep pressure on carr play man coverage on defense for sure ..our cb can cover anyone …take away waller also …we can shut down anyones run game ..thats there two weapoms right there ..also look at the pats -vegas game and see how they shut them down completely..let rojo work this game thier run d sucks and let brady be methodical picking thier coverage apart…exploit thier weaknesses and take away thier strengths lets get it no more losses !!!!! Go bucs!!!!!