Todd Bowles Needed To Be A Head Coach
October 16th, 2022
Needed to override his OC.
At one point early in the fourth quarter on yet another first down run, Joe asked on Twitter, “Isn’t it time for Todd Bowles to get on his headset and order Byron Leftwich to quit running the ball on first down?” It was a legitimate question.
Surely Bowles saw what everyone in the stadium formerly known as Heinz Field saw, and what the television audience throughout Florida, western Pennsylvania and international audiences saw. The Bucs were getting nowhere on the ground, especially on first down.
Yet there was Byron Leftwich calling for Playoff Lenny left and Playoff Lenny up the middle.
Why?
Another question: Why this fetish for running Playoff Lenny left when the strength of your offensive line is on the right side?
Why not run your best back behind your best offensive linemen? Most coaches would kill to be able to run a back behind Shaq Mason and Tristan Wirfs.
Most coaches aren’t Leftwich.
Joe is starting to believe Leftwich can’t recognize mismatches. Joe is absolutely incredulous — about to jump through the press box window at Agriculture (?) Stadium — seeing how the Steelers were left with a glorified USFL secondary due to injuries and Leftwich kept pounding the ball.
Joe has no words for this!
So let Joe get this straight: No T.J. Watt, maybe the best pass rusher in football, no corners other than scrubs, no Minkah Fitzpatrick, perhaps the best safety in football, and you want to run the friggin’ ball? Madness!
Leftwich’s robotic answer to just about every question in his weekly waste of time press conferences are that we “do what we do” to win the game. Joe would argue Leftwich’s “do what we do” today was more likely to throw the game.
Could you imagine what Bill Belicheat with Brady and receivers like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin would have done? He may have had Brady throw 60 times because the mismatches was so one-sided.
Evans was targeted four times — FOUR! — with the Steelers playing a bunch of Pierre Desirs in the secondary. And Evans was only thrown at four times? Mind-boggling. Absolutely mind-boggling.
The Bucs — namely their offensive coordinator — gave this game away today, folks. Simply gave this game away.
Oh yes, we will hear Leftwich say on Thursday “we do what we do” to try to win.
Sure as hell could have conned Joe today you were trying to win, Mr. Leftwich.
October 16th, 2022 at 5:50 pm
GMC93 would be perfect signing for this defense
October 16th, 2022 at 5:51 pm
The guys could probably use some soft serve after such a tough loss
October 16th, 2022 at 5:51 pm
The Bucs may not win another game.
October 16th, 2022 at 5:52 pm
Fire Bowles and Leftwich. Pathetic on both sides.
October 16th, 2022 at 5:52 pm
Howard doesn’t think Suh would play for this team even if they asked him
October 16th, 2022 at 5:52 pm
simple joe…byron was following bowles orders on the prevent game plan to a t. cmon joe ya gotta see it. this is the bowles prevent game plan followed by the staff and players.
October 16th, 2022 at 5:53 pm
The time is now to begin demanding for a change. Promote Leftwich to special adviser for offensive football operations and name BA the OC. Do it now.
October 16th, 2022 at 5:54 pm
Someone needs to start a crowd fund campaign for some billboards around town. Remember the Schiano billboard? Me thinks it’s that time for Leftwich.
October 16th, 2022 at 5:56 pm
Bowles is the second coming of Lovie Smith. Leftwich is clueless and defense is lifeless.
October 16th, 2022 at 5:56 pm
DING DING DING,
The game was “THROWN” and you wonder why these guys are PAID so handsomely.
Follow the MONEY. Its a multi BILLION dollar PER WEEK gambling racket.
The Game as we all came to love it IS DEAD. This is a whos who of WISEGUY circuit/circus now.
October 16th, 2022 at 5:56 pm
hey joe….ya ever imagine bl was actually doing what bowles was calling for…..do not try to let bowles off the hook so easy.
October 16th, 2022 at 5:56 pm
It doesn’t matter. When we did pass we werent attacking the secondary. We were running our same offense and attacking the middle.
It felt like we were pitching around the #9 hitter in NL to get to the top of the order.
October 16th, 2022 at 5:56 pm
Tomlin had guys on the street playing like pro bowlers and you know why and it’s not just about coaching, but that man demands respect and accountability!!! Bucs not so much as long as Brady is happy and the Yucs are making money off him
October 16th, 2022 at 5:56 pm
Don’t let Bowles off the hook. Defense played well MOSt of the game (we always start games spotting other team 7 for some reason… We seem to start with prevent). Seemed like a no brainer when everyone is confused to call a timeout but basically led to another 7 for them. Then for some reason too many 4 man rushes that weren’t working against trubisky and for some reason David was on Claypool down the sideline (not a flat). We loved giving up 3rd and longs and weren’t dialing up pressure on any
October 16th, 2022 at 5:57 pm
This is the article. I needed to read. I’d the Joe’s would have tried to suck off the bucs with excuses. I would’ve never came back. This was embarrassing on every level.
Leftwich is a moron. And Lovie… I mean Bowles, Can’t PROVIDE 1, JUST 1 STOP on 3rd and long.
Either the coaches are out right stupid or Vegas has a hand in the NFL.
October 16th, 2022 at 5:57 pm
One of your best post game accessments. Stubborn and obvious plays. Steeler’s and every Buc fan knows what’s being served for the first course, a hand off to Lenny, a stutter side step and a run blitz for no gain or loss.
This kind of offense is of the past.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:00 pm
A boring cautious defensive minded coach with little pizazz isn’t likely to inject himself in anyway to any situation.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:00 pm
It’s a tall order to ask that Joes. Without Arians, Bowels is nether a mediocre defensive coordinator or a lousy head coach.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:01 pm
Fire Leftwich for sure. It wouldn’t be hard for anyone with even a decent grasp of BAs offense to step in and call better plays then Leftwich has consistently called all season. I honestly believe there’s not enough going on up their for him to change. As for Bowles yes he should be fired. However Noone is going to jump in and take over the defense that Bowles has implemented and succeed. And changing the defense at this point of a season isn’t practical and will likely lead to much worse issues. If Leftwich isn’t fired and Bowles isn’t reprimanded, idk what to say. Maybe Joe will actually ask Leftwich the hard questions that need to be asked this week, like I’ve pointed out since the packers game. Plain, predictable, horrible play calling will only continue to lose us even the easiest games.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:02 pm
What about we basically give up the winning TD because we have to substitute defensive players and can’t get it done in time. And, oh by the way, this is the second time this season the too many defensive men on the field penalty. Ya think other coaches have figured out this play against Bowells?
October 16th, 2022 at 6:02 pm
We went after #42 near the endzone in the 3rd Q and he was awful. Gage couldnt make a play and its starting to look like this guy just flat out sucks.
Id like to know why we couldnt put Chris on 42? And Id like to know why that one little set of downs was pretty much the only time we tryed to exposed #42?
October 16th, 2022 at 6:04 pm
Soft and lazy
October 16th, 2022 at 6:05 pm
Watching the Bucs offense used to be exciting, but this season has become dull and frustrating. 🙁
October 16th, 2022 at 6:05 pm
Leftwich was a pretty good OC last year and the year before.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:05 pm
GAbucs. Sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet and take the timeout right? You basically knew before the snap it was gonna end up being a disaster one way or another. Nobody was ready and very likely added points to the board
October 16th, 2022 at 6:07 pm
The difference between last year and this year is GLARING. No risk it no biscuit died and buried somewhere along Dale Mabry highway. Is it because TB12 doesn’t have enough time for plays to develop? BL not having confidence in his O/line? Or did Bowles decide to reduce the high risk plays in favor of conservative game plans? Is it lack of a high caliber TE (Gronk) ? Looking at the schedule we’ll be lucky to go 8-8.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:08 pm
Coburn, you are dead on it. That is on the head coach. Just not prepared.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:08 pm
If Bowles and Leftwich have a shame, I would love for both of them to submit their resignation ASAP!
October 16th, 2022 at 6:09 pm
Looks like we rode the vet bus me year too many…..
Time to blow it up
October 16th, 2022 at 6:09 pm
One more thing, the 2020 and 2021 defense would have feasted on picket and trubisky. This team has lost its swagger.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:11 pm
The game has passed BL by and he likely missed his window to be head coach!..
Bowels Career is in the toilet!
October 16th, 2022 at 6:16 pm
I’ve been telling y’all this since 2019.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:16 pm
Mark my words. Without an OC change or BA stepping in to officially assist, this team will lose at least 6 of the remaining games and miss the playoffs.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:19 pm
Why didn’t TB audible out of all this run nonsense !
Was he too hung over from Kraft’s wedding.
Feel bad for the new Mrs. having to suck that wrinkled sack but perhaps it’s worth all his $$$.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:19 pm
Joe, do you know how many gamblers made a fortune on this game? You think Leftwhich has a gambling problem? That could be the only explanation for the pathetic play calling in this one.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:21 pm
Yall stupid…..just saying….and you couldve sent godwin to the back corner….he had it all the way…yall stupid and wasting time with these ish play calls!!!!!!!!
October 16th, 2022 at 6:22 pm
When the leader of an organization tolerates obvious incompetence, its only a matter of time before the rest of the group loses confidence in him.
Bowles needs to cut Leftwich loose tonight. This is an older, experienced roster and they know what’s what. You are not going to fool anyone with the “we’re working to get better” nonsense.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Have to agree. Fournette missed on some critical situations. You could tell that Brady was antsy in the pocket and often throwing inaccurately from the beginning of the game. Yet rather than giving Brady extra protection from the back or fullback, they went out as safety valves on almost every passing play.
This left Brady to fend for himself against the pass rush and he didn’t involve the WR’s enough with pinpoint passes. Leftowich showed no imagination and was content to let Brady and Fournette lead a repetitive and predictable offense.
I can remember rookie backs couldn’t get on the field if they didn’ t know how to pass protect. It no longer seems to be a requirement.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:37 pm
Until they get rid of fossil, or stick a taser up somewhere on him, offense will not change.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:39 pm
Somehow, I don’t blame Bowles or BL ( as boring as his game plan is). I blame fossil who could have skipped the fancy bash Friday night.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:45 pm
Those of us on this site who BEGGED the Bucs to get a legitimate guard and center after Jensen and Stinnie were injured for the season were laughed at.
We said losing Marpet, Jensen and Stinnie would cause the OLINE to become a weakness with a 45 year old QB to protect.
We were right.
Goedeke is a project who got destroyed today by the Steelers. Aaron Donald will line up right over top of him and own him.
Hainsey needs to look between his legs routinely to locate his target. That’s not a high caliber NFL center.
Aaron Donald will shoot that A gap a destroy Goedeke and Hainsey on his way to burying TB12.
OLINE isn’t as glitzy as Gronk or a high profile WR, but they are more important than Gronk or a WR when it comes to protecting 45 year old TB12 with two unproven players who are clearly not ready.
Do you think this OLINE can block the Rams front, the Eagles front or the 49er’s front?
We’re in trouble. Who’s laughing at us now?
October 16th, 2022 at 6:46 pm
Joe this coaching staff deserves to get lambasted. The offense and defense is broken. And how many times are we gonna see the opponent want the game more than us on the field? Something is broken at 1 Buc Place.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:50 pm
Maybe it’s time for the Glazers to call Licht to call Arians to call Bowles and say “this $#!t is pathetic, and change it right NOW!”
I miss No Risk it, No Biscuit.
If this team lays another egg in Charlotte—and I think they will—the wheels come off and the season falls into disaster.
Licht did not sell out the future salary cap to descend into chaos.
This is not a good team by any measure, and I am rapidly losing faith in players and coaches.
October 16th, 2022 at 6:50 pm
And the worst part is this is not just a one off. This is the new norm.
October 16th, 2022 at 7:32 pm
BucU. Yes it is. This is Bowles ball. No risk it ever.
October 16th, 2022 at 7:39 pm
i am with cobraboy and more no riskit,no biscuit. less 3 yard runs.
October 16th, 2022 at 7:46 pm
“Todd Bowles Needed To Be A Head Coach”
Todd Bowles needs to start practicing “You want fries with that”
October 16th, 2022 at 7:48 pm
The way this DLine is playing I would swear Bowles hired MCCoy as line coach
October 16th, 2022 at 7:50 pm
There’s a reason every team passed on Leftwich, the dude had a top ranked offense yet nobody wanted him in a passing league that craves young offensive minds? He’s terrible, the offense only gets going when we go hurry up and Brady runs the show. Both Leftwich and Bowles got completely out coached by Tomlin who had a depleted defense and rookie QB.
October 16th, 2022 at 8:08 pm
They are doing EXACTLY what Bowles wants. Run the ball and play defense. Bowles doesn’t want to throw the ball. He is too old school to be a head coach.
October 16th, 2022 at 8:18 pm
I wonder if Raheem Morris is available?
October 16th, 2022 at 8:31 pm
BelleGladeBuc … ‘Goedeke is a project who got destroyed today by the Steelers.’
Nice to see that someone is looking past the ‘Fire Bowles, fire Leftwich’ solution. I keyed on Hainsey & Goedeke for a lot of our plays today. Both of them got bitch-slapped & owned by the Steelers DLine on a number of plays. We should have been going deep on a lot of plays, but the OLine wasn’t providing Brady with adequate protection given his immobility. He ended up with a LOT of checkdowns that accomplished diddly.
Leftwich play-calling is obviously a major problem, but Bowles is doing EXACTLY what Joe & many many others insisted on when preseason began: STAY AWAY FROM THE OFFENSE. Well, Todd’s done that, and NOW those same critics are bitchin and screaming “Isn’t it time for Todd Bowles to get on his headset and order Byron Leftwich to quit running the ball on first down?” You got exactly what you asked for, and the result is an offense that’s scored 19, 20, 12, 31, 21 and 18 points on the way to a 3-3 record.
Beyond the OLine & OC play-calling deficiencies, Tom Brady isn’t helping the cause any right now. His completion percentage (68%) is fine, but he’s not making the 3rd down throws like he’s historically done. LOTS of checkdowns are being completed, but those aren’t putting points on the board. And chewing out his OLine on national TV, throwing tablets & more are not effective leadership techniques.
Reality IMO is that this team isn’t as talented as our previous 2020 & 2021 teams. Too many weak links. That’s on our GM far as I’m concerned for not plugging the holes in the dike. We lack quality DEPTH in a number of position groups. We’ve got some good young talent, just not enough of it right now with all the injuries.
October 16th, 2022 at 8:39 pm
Wow — here is what a team leader thinks of Bowles
“I don’t think we’re living off the Super Bowl, but we’ve just gotta be better all-around,” inside linebacker Devin White said. “But it is what it is. He’s got his opinion and we’ve got ours”
HE’S GOT HIS OPINION AND WE’VE GOT OURS
Bowles commands zero respect in the room
October 16th, 2022 at 9:06 pm
BelleGladeBuc is right, and many of us have been for months about this OL.
As for BL insisting on trying to impose the run, there is nothing wrong with that, if you have a great OL. This one isn’t. Making it worse, both coaching staff and players drinking their own Kool-Aid about how great they are at run blocking, and how Lenny is a top 3 running back. They didn’t even do it this week against one of the more vulnerable defenses. “Keep doing it until we get it right” is what you do in practice. Not in games, which should be won with creativity and smarts.
October 16th, 2022 at 9:58 pm
They need to stop insisting on someone that doesn’t work.
This the perpetual problem. They are trying to not be overshadowed by Brady.
And that Leftwich trying to claim a system.
It will not end well if they keep this up
October 16th, 2022 at 11:41 pm
This team has been trending down the last several weeks, and to be honest, has underperformed even in victories.
Losing to one of the worst teams in the NFL from beginning to end is the current low point in the season, and unless something is done QUICKLY it will not be the lowest.
October 17th, 2022 at 1:11 am
This was our 1st team on offense today–we had Brady , Evans ,Godwin , Gage ,Lenny—and we could not score a TD from the red zone 4 times !!!
I just wonder how much longer the Glazers are going to let this performance continue?? Do both Bowles & Leftwich survive the season ??
October 17th, 2022 at 1:44 am
Given the obvious difference in offensive production between the last two year’s teams and this one, you would assume the front office would recognize the coaching deficits and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT NOW! But they won’t. They’re just going to give away TB’s last year here. Shameful.
October 17th, 2022 at 11:51 am
I think the front office can quickly find the remedy , they can re position Bruce Arians as head coach and get the Tampa Bay Bucs back on track, that is the solution , Bowles don’t have a clue with the offence line and the front office can right the ship, before they lose their spot for a playoff run…look the Steelers loss speaks volume
October 17th, 2022 at 12:15 pm
Hate to say it we need BA, something needs to change fast