Todd Bowles: Defense Too Young To Understand
February 1st, 2021
Old guys love to sit around and whine about how things aren’t what they used to be and reminisce about times and experiences that weren’t nearly as amazing in real-time as they claim today.
And the media is dominated by mostly out-of-touch old dudes caught up in their memories.
Todd Bowles seems to understand that, so he explained to NBC uber insider and chief pontificator Peter King. The Bucs defensive coordinator said his young secondary and other defensive youngsters don’t view the playoffs with some sort of fear factor or awestruck mindset.
Playing the Packers in historic Lambeau Field for the NFC title game? Pffffft, just another road game in a mostly-empty stadium.
“These guys don’t have much of a history of the game and that’s a good thing,” Bowles said. “Last week, everybody’s talking about the frozen tundra and Lambeau Field. Those guys don’t even know what the frozen tundra is. They don’t know what mystique is. That’s for us old guys to know about! Packers, Cowboys, Ice Bowl, forget it. These guys don’t go as far back as 2015. Everything you think they should be nervous about, they don’t even know about. So I’m not too worried about the big stage.”
Bowles is on the money, and in many ways the Bucs’ youth won’t affect them in the Super Bowl and could be an asset. But it certainly helps that they have the calming influence of a huge, veteran coaching staff and Tom Brady setting the proper tone.
As Brady said so eloquently explained last week, “Experience doesn’t matter.”
And Joe loves that the young defensive backs weren’t broken by the infectious stench of losing that permeated One Buc Palace throughout The Lost Decade. Carlton Davis and Jordan Whitehead did a great job of not inhaling back in 2018.
February 1st, 2021 at 7:47 am
Ah, yes, to be young and invincible.
I had the opportunity to meet with a Vietnam War vet several years ago, who flew AC-130 gunships. He was the copilot on one mission where the pilot/aircraft commander was badly injured. They were missing part of the wing tip and two of the four engines were also shut down due to damage. But the copilot, with help from the crew, managed to get the aircraft back to base and land. When he landed, the crew chiefs there and squadron commander who met the plane asked him “How were you even able to fly this plane back here?” His answer was “Well, noboby told me I couldn’t.”
I commented during last weeks game to my family that “If these guys feel the cold, they sure don’t look like it!”
February 1st, 2021 at 7:48 am
Bucs’ D is not facing Lenny Dawson, Otis Taylor and Mike Garrett. This will be toughest test of year for Bucs’ D, as it should be.
Looking forward to a Great game- Go Bucs!
February 1st, 2021 at 8:13 am
These guys don’t have much of a history of the game and that’s a good thing,” Bowles said. “Last week, everybody’s talking about the frozen tundra and Lambeau Field. Those guys don’t even know what the frozen tundra is. They don’t know what mystique is.
Sounds like the educational system failed them.
February 1st, 2021 at 8:21 am
That whole “Lambeau Mystique” thing is such a load of crap.
The Packers sucked all through the 70s, 80s and into the 90s. Give them bad quarterbacks/supporting players for a few decades or more and there is no talk of some mystical power.
Favre comes in and get things going and all the sudden it’s the “Lambeau Mystique.”
Great players will add to any team’s “mystique” come game day.
February 1st, 2021 at 8:33 am
They are going to have to listen to the veterans that have toiled years in futility to have the opportunity to play in a Super Bowl game in we are going to stand a chance. They can go back to acting fools and young guns after touching the Lombardi !
The DB’s are going to be tested early and often by great offense talent on the field and in the coaching room!
February 1st, 2021 at 8:36 am
Man sunday just can’t get here soon enough, times a dragging, which is unusual for an old man like me, soon to be 58 and as we all know, the older you get the quicker time marches on, except if your a cyborg like tom terrific!!! LFG BUCS yeahhhhhhhhhh
February 1st, 2021 at 8:47 am
Bucs win IF they:
1) Dominate the OL
2) Pressure Mahomes and keep him from breaching the pocket, force throws in <3 seconds
February 1st, 2021 at 8:47 am
I think not having fans in the stands also plays a big part. For example, Lambeau isn’t “Lambaeu” without a packed house of rabid Cheese-heads.
February 1st, 2021 at 8:53 am
Not sure I would say low 30’s high 20’s a good representation of the frozen tundra. The more experienced players would understand better if the temp was 6° with a.wind chill of -15. That’s when you would see the difference. This weekend will be the telling point. If the young guys can avoid being over zealous and focusing on their reads that will be the true test. White is probably the most predictable, he’s just going out to pound the sh@t out of people. The rest need to play smart. It’s like when I used to take my kids to a expensive restaurant, I would say act like you’ve been here before.
February 1st, 2021 at 8:58 am
Winfield’s maturity will ironically hold the DB’s accountable!
February 1st, 2021 at 9:31 am
I think the defense will play hard like they did in Green Bay! The game will come down to which defense makes more plays! I have complete faith that the Bucs defense will get the job done!!!! GO BUCS!!!
February 1st, 2021 at 11:53 am
And Joe loves that the young defensive backs weren’t broken by the infectious stench of losing that permeated One Buc Palace throughout The Lost Decade. Carlton Davis and Jordan Whitehead did a great job of not inhaling back in 2018.
I love that line. Great job Joe!
February 1st, 2021 at 12:18 pm
Outside of Cheetah in the first quarter KC didn’t do much. Even Kelce only had 82 yards
February 1st, 2021 at 12:20 pm
OBF Says:
February 1st, 2021 at 8:58 am
Winfield’s maturity will ironically hold the DB’s accountable!
^^^God I hope Winfield is healthy for the game.