“Impossible Not To Be Worried”
July 7th, 2023
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
There are storm clouds building over One Buc Palace. And CBS doesn’t believe they are the daily summer afternoon kind.
But with this approaching front, Will Brinson of CBS says Bucs coach Todd Bowles needs to run for cover. A lingering storm through this season may end up costing Bowles.
In ranking teams he believes are headed for stormy seasons, Brinson places the Bucs at No. 2 on the list. So Bowles better prepare accordingly.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs placement on here isn’t an indictment of the long-term health of the organization so much as a snapshot of where Tampa stands right now. The Bucs won a Super Bowl in 2020 after the bold acquisition of Tom Brady — not to mention the rest of the roster being built up nicely by GM Jason Licht — and made the playoffs the last [three] years, even amid a coaching change from Bruce Arians to Todd Bowles.But with Brady retiring this offseason, the bill came due for Tampa’s immediate and possibly long-term future. Baker Mayfield is in town on a one-year deal and the warmth of Bowles seat isn’t being talked about enough. Arians won the Super Bowl; a disastrous season for the long-time defensive coordinator could certainly result in Tampa changing head coaches next offseason (or before).
There is still a lot to like about this roster, particularly on the defensive side and you won’t hear anyone complaining about Tampa’s pass catchers either. But the offense wasn’t the same without Arians and now without Brady pulling the trigger it’s impossible not to be worried about how 2023 plays out for this team.
Brinson is not exactly wrong here. And Joe believes Bowles’ job security comes down to three positions.
Quarterback: If Baker Mayfield plays just average and the Bucs get to the playoffs, Bowles is safe. If Mayfield plays well, Joe wouldn’t be shocked if Dave Canales is a head coach somewhere else this time next year.
Running back: The Bucs took a major gamble here not addressing the worst rushing attack in the league. It’s nice to have confidence in your backs. Confidence is not production. Hope is not a strategy — or shouldn’t be. If Rachaad White breaks out, former offensive coordinator SpongeBob will look even more the fool then what he already appears.
Edge rusher: Joe thinks the Bucs could have a very, very good defense if only someone can snap Joe Tryon-Shoyinka out of his trance, or if YaYa’s Flame Broiled Chicken has a monster rookie season for the ages.
Joe firmly believes Bowles needs solid production from one of these three areas if the Bucs are going to succeed this fall. If all three fail to make an impact, this could be an ugly season but an interesting offseason.
July 7th, 2023 at 8:26 am
…the offense wasn’t the same without Arians…
Blah blah blah
Subtract Marpet, Jensen, Cappa, Gronk and A Brown from Arians’ Bucs teams and the Bucs’ offense would’ve sucked just as much as last year.
July 7th, 2023 at 8:34 am
All the negitive Buc articles are getting old. Keep them coming.
July 7th, 2023 at 9:00 am
The offense would have failed the same with ole Bruce Arians. Arians was carried by overwhelming talent, and when loss of talent from retirement, injuries and loss thru free agents, we got what we saw last year. And it would have happened with or without Arians.
July 7th, 2023 at 9:07 am
The question I have: “Is YaYa’s Flame Broiled Chicken” as good as it used to be? If so, which location?
July 7th, 2023 at 9:13 am
Truth is truth, it can’t be hidden , or censored, sooner or later it will be recognized.
July 7th, 2023 at 9:25 am
Would have been the same with Arians? Are you kidding?
One game (at least) was lost due to Bowled reluctance to take any chances (Browns game). Highly unlikely that Arians takes the same sackess approach.
One game was lost because of (Leftwich presumably) refusing to attack an opponent’s weakness, and instead just ‘do what we do’. (Pittsburgh). Arians would have adjusted. Leftwich just ‘did what he did’.
Hell, this team looked decent until Arians was launched from the sidelines after the Saints game. That is not a coincidence. Not as good as the previous years but it got markedly worse.
And that’s off the top of my head.
July 7th, 2023 at 9:32 am
“In Joe’s eyes the Bucs took a major gamble here not addressing the worst rushing attack in the league.”
See an optometrist a-sap
“Joe thinks the Bucs could have a very, very good defense if only someone can snap Joe Tryon-Shoyinka out of his trance”
So the success of our entire defense and Bowles job security rests on how well we play at 2 of 11 positions on the defense? Can’t buy that one and all 3 failing would mean the team either totally collapsed or got abducted by extraterrestrials lol
July 7th, 2023 at 9:35 am
I’m guessing the QB and the RB will work out okay, I have doubts about edge
July 7th, 2023 at 9:36 am
Stormy, you make several valid observations!! There is a reason BA was added to the Buc’s “Ring of Honor!!!
July 7th, 2023 at 9:43 am
Joe, you might want to add a 4th worry… the o-line. If the right side sucks or injuries haunt again, we’re in for another long season!
July 7th, 2023 at 9:47 am
‘In ranking teams that he believes are headed for stormy seasons, Brinson believes the Bucs are No. 2 on the list.’
Taken at face value, that’s a very damning analysis. Sure would make it easy for any fan (or coach?) to take a ‘woe is us’ view of where we’re headed. And in Todd’s case, the ‘Mayfield Option’ appears to be eerily similar to the ‘Fitzpatrick card’ that he played (successfully) in 2015 when he took over as Jets’ HC (going 10-6). Then it blew up in his face in 2016 (face-plant to 5-11 with the same Fitzy with newly-drafted Geno Smith hovering?). Can’t help but wonder if Yogi Berra’s ‘deja vu all over again’ might be running through Todd’s mind.
July 7th, 2023 at 9:58 am
His band with the Jets, was the offense or the defense the bigger problem?
July 7th, 2023 at 10:03 am
I definitely think this team will have a chip on their shoulder with all the down rankings and glad to ne rid of the brady drama and everyone saying he saved them.
I’m sure they come out swinging, but I do not see any team that could overcome the ineptitude that is toilet bowel. once that bag of rocks is again put on their backs they will again stumble and fall.
tb’s lack of game planning, management and overall lack of emotion will stifle any team under his management.
July 7th, 2023 at 10:34 am
Our first two games will tell us what kind of team this is – if we can’t beat the Vikings and Bears at home we will be circling the toilet rather quickly…
The next two games are against the Eagles and Saints. If the Bucs are 0-2 we will probably be 0-4 before the week 5 bye.
“Hope is not a strategy” – I agree.
July 7th, 2023 at 10:42 am
Joe says:
Joe wouldn’t be shocked if Dave Canales is a head coach somewhere else this time next year.
**************************************************************
Ya might want to lay off the ‘hopeium’ a little bit there Joe.
While I ‘hope’ that Canales gives a strong showing in his ‘rookie’ year as an OC, at this point, aside from perceived comparisons, he is almost a complete unknown. Granted, this may actually help in the beginning of the season as opposing DC’s have no film to prepare for tendencies.
Just saying… It’s way too early to be considering his “rocket’ trajectory into HC status.
July 7th, 2023 at 10:55 am
JD Still Says:
July 7th, 2023 at 9:13 am
…deep thoughts… 🤣
July 7th, 2023 at 10:57 am
Why does everyone think Bowles should be on the hot? After winning a Super Bowl this roster has lost many key players and a Hall of Fame QB. As Bill Parcells has said many times (It’s about the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s)and we have lost a lot of them. We are young and very inexperienced and no cap space. If he has a winning record this year he should be coach of the year. We have paid the price to win a SB and have to start the rebuild. We are going to have to be patient and see where we are in a couple years.
July 7th, 2023 at 11:16 am
@DR
Geno Smith(got drafted in 2013 and was starter his first 2 years) was going into his 3rd year when Bowles was hired in 2015. The QBs he had there were Fitz, McCown, Bryce Petty, Hackenburg and eventually Sam Darnold.
July 7th, 2023 at 11:36 am
Why is anyone expecting Bowles to miraculously turn into a winning HC
He has one winning season his first (possibly because inherited team)
Has a losing record the last 5 seasons
Made the playoffs with a losing record
BUT we expect He will somehow change
INSANE
July 7th, 2023 at 11:46 am
Bruce Arians took a star-less Browns team to the playoffs in 2002 and would have gone deeper if the Browns had a receiver that could catch a perfect throw on third & 10 – up by two scores with 5 mintes left to play. in Pittsburg. No one seems to doubt his ability except the same clueless guys that already hate Baker. nuff said.
July 7th, 2023 at 11:50 am
“ former offensive coordinator SpongeBob” 😂😂
July 7th, 2023 at 12:07 pm
Putting QB aside the offense SHOULD be better. White gets ripped here but look at the OL he ran behind! The only holdovers to play were both tackles. The entire interior of the OL was gutted! Marpet retires, Cappa is traded, and Jensen goes down with the knee. That’s just too much! It has been rectified this year.
Similar problems with the pass rush without Shaq and as Joe likes to point out JTS dissappearance and Vea’s limited number of snaps. I think the draft will juice up the Bucs D.
I’ve seen predictions here that I tend to agree with…The Bucs could go 11-6 or 6-11. There is plenty of potential and the TEAM looks far better on paper than the national scribes report but potential and “on paper” don’t actually lineup on Sunday…players have to “live up” to their potential.
July 7th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
LOL There’s still a couple in the Tampa Bay area.
July 7th, 2023 at 12:25 pm
You have to think the Bucs leadership believes White would be an effective back with a decent system and a decent line, both of which we should have this year
July 7th, 2023 at 12:54 pm
I’m very interested to see the development this year of those 3 positions.
QB – Will it be Baker? Or Kyle? I think we all see which way the wind is blowing here – and if I was in Todd’s shoes – I would want the guy with multiple years of starter experience in there as well. But Trask does have a legit chance to take the job – he’s just going to have to light it up and clearly outplay Baker to earn it.
Either way – its hard to expect either of these guys to be a “difference maker” – but perhaps a solid game manager that can make a couple/few big plays per game will do for now…
RB – High probability IMO that Rachaad White WILL “break out”. To the tune of about 1400-1500 combined yards. And its past time for Sneak to get legit touches as well. Yea – Yea both are “unproven” – But both these backs are about to bust a move in 2023. you’ll see…
Edge rusher – No idea what Shaq Barrett will look like – and Shaq is obviously the key to how good we are overall off the Edge. If Shaq is solid to good – then I love the chances of this group doing well.
JTS we’ll see about I guess –
Nelson is fairly solid and if he can continue to improve he might have been one of JLs best signings this year.
I LOVE our 2 newly drafted rookies though. Love their potential that is – both of them. Ramirez might have to work behind the scenes for a year or two – but Ya Ya will get his chances early I think. Especially if JTS continues to struggle finishing plays… If JTS can put things together AND Ya Ya can make some plays as a rookie- then we’ll be cooking with gas!
July 7th, 2023 at 1:34 pm
but hey we broke the bank for cornerbacks!
July 7th, 2023 at 1:39 pm
Look, its real simple….we have our backup QB (Baker) and 3rd stringer who may or may not pan out (Trask) in place….some great rooks that Licht hopefully did a great job with along with the scouts…used this draft to put some key pieces in place, especially Kancey and LB. Give those guys a year and watch out.
At this point, I dont care much about the QB situation, even though its not great. We’re probably going to be picking top 5 next draft. Trade up (probably with Arizona) and grab Caleb….then we’ll be on our way to picking 28th or later the next 5 drafts.
July 7th, 2023 at 1:59 pm
If Arizona is in position to take Caleb Williams, they’ll take him. It would mean that Murray stunk again and its time to move on. They won’t trade it.
July 7th, 2023 at 2:11 pm
Trask will win the job Joe.
July 7th, 2023 at 2:21 pm
It all comes down to the QB, and for the 100th time, it’s impossible not to overlook the fact that Mayfield was LITERALLY the worst QB in football over the last 2 seasons, and is on his 4th team in just over a year.
That is not confidence building in the least.
But if Mayfield plays well, things won’t be that dire and they could be a playoff team in a very weak NFC South. They’d still get bounced in the 1st round, but at least they’d get there.
But to do that they have to overcome the cowardly coaching of Bowles who literally lost the Bucs games last year. Why would that change?
As for Canales, he’s done nothing but spewed nonsense since he hired. I want to actually see something good from him. But, again, it’s impossible to overlook the fact he was what, the 11th OC interview, and probably the 1st to actually accept the job. He’s a guy that was buried on the Seahawks coaching depth chart and got demoted before last season as he had been the QB coach for many years, then got promoted to passing game coordinator, then lost that job. Additionally since he’s been hired, he just speaks a bunch of positivity nonsense that makes me nauseous, it’s the kind of wording that people who have no understanding of what they’re talking about use because they think it means other can criticism them because they’re being positive, yet everyone else is rolling their eyes at the generic nonsense. But, he does have one huge thing going for him, all he has to do is be better than Leftwich, which is as low of a bar as there is.
July 7th, 2023 at 2:24 pm
@Stormy: it was BA who gave us both Flat Brim and Bowles.
I appreciate Arians, but am angry he gave us those two bad coaches (To clarify: Bowles as HC, and not DC. He’s in his element as DC.).
July 7th, 2023 at 2:32 pm
Cobraboy – Well Bowles as a DC, as you said, was a good coach. Leftwich, however, I’m still convinced, and said this for years, that Arians was trying to pull off the greatest scam in NFL history by getting Leftwich a HC job. If it wasn’t a scam, it must have been like the $1 bet in Trading Places.
But what Arians didn’t realize is how truly stupid Leftwich is – and Arians got him the job in Jacksonville, only to have dummy Leftwich turn it down because he demanded his own handpicked GM. To think the Bucs could have been done with Leftwich last year AND got a 3rd round pick out of it, but Leftwich was so stupid he thought he could just turn that offer down and have his pick of any headcoaching job this offseason.
July 7th, 2023 at 2:33 pm
All of the people talking about it would have been the same with Arians. No it would not. This team took a downhill slide the second Bowles took over. He did what he does. Changes the staff, players and everything to his liking as quick as he can and more he changes the worse it will get. The man is a loser as a head coach. No ifs ands or buts. Full blown failure as a head coach. Even if Baker balls out and the D is good, this team will be a loser with Bowles. Simple fact proven out by his past and time here as well.
July 7th, 2023 at 2:41 pm
Sorry, but BA ~HAD~ to know what a mental Mo Ron Flat Hat was.
I will never forgive BA for forcing Flat Hat on us.
July 7th, 2023 at 2:42 pm
Bucs look just like the cardinals under Arians did. They over spend and have a two year window, then implodes.
July 7th, 2023 at 2:44 pm
“it’s the kind of wording that people who have no understanding of what they’re talking about use because they think it means other can criticism them because they’re being positive, yet everyone else is rolling their eyes at the generic nonsense.”
Ironic, because that’s what I did reading your comment and it’s got a tragically pessimistic tone to it. The experience of a QB coach, WR coach, & pass game coordinator all in 1 employee. You realize most businesses in the business of making money would usually see a hire like that as a good get? The way I cackled reading “demotion” lol the age of spin
July 7th, 2023 at 2:58 pm
Dooley … I should’ve known better; Geno Smith did manage to get into 1 game in 2015 when Bowles became Jets’ HC and so I assumed that he was a rookie (duh). ‘Newly-drafted Geno Smith’ was yet another brain fart.
July 7th, 2023 at 3:09 pm
Baby grace asks. ” Why does everyone think Bowles should be on the hot?”
Bg, did you watch any of the Bucs’ games last season? The head coach did absolutely nothing, all season to address, any of the team’s problems!!!!!!! Absolutely nothing!!!!! During games, not once did he approach his qb to encourage or motivate him! Not once! Or insist the game plans and play calling be altered! Not even in the playoff game! Oh ya, he did toss out excused week after week!
July 7th, 2023 at 3:16 pm
I’m sure Todd Bowles has his family on standby with bags packed. He knows..Both he and his OC will probably be gone after next season.
July 7th, 2023 at 3:57 pm
God, Rod, I thought Canales spoke incredibly well. He KNOWS every one of his players and has tips to make them better. He intends to be on the sidelines, totally involved. He is getting invaluable experience due to the way Bowles set up practices. You need to take off your black ear muffs and re-listen to that interview. Wow.
July 7th, 2023 at 5:14 pm
Cobraboy, I too will never forgive Arians for forcing Bowles on us, or Jason Licht for approving it, and rewarding him with a 5 year contract!
July 7th, 2023 at 5:40 pm
I’m a major doubting Thomas with this franchise but I’m oddly optimistic. I’m never optimistic. Lol.
I don’t know. If Todd Bowles can stay out of his own way this team could be good to very good.
July 7th, 2023 at 5:51 pm
Bucs 2019
No Wirfs, no Gronk, no AB, no Fournette, no Brady
Arians was head coach…7-9.
July 7th, 2023 at 5:55 pm
MadMax Says:
July 7th, 2023 at 1:39 pm
Look, its real simple….we have our backup QB (Baker) and 3rd stringer who may or may not pan out (Trask) in place….some great rooks that Licht hopefully did a great job with along with the scouts…used this draft to put some key pieces in place, especially Kancey and LB. Give those guys a year and watch out.
At this point, I dont care much about the QB situation, even though its not great. We’re probably going to be picking top 5 next draft. Trade up (probably with Arizona) and grab Caleb….then we’ll be on our way to picking 28th or later the next 5 drafts.
^^^^^^^^
Where is the “Top 5” crap coming from? Are there any dominant teams in the NFC South? There are 6 winnable games right there. There’s a better chance of the Bucs making the playoffs again than there is of them having a top 5 pick.
July 7th, 2023 at 6:58 pm
Why are people acting like “Caleb” is some kind of sure thing? Even QB’s picked #1 overall in the draft can disappoint! Do we not remember Fameis or the guy who would have been #1 if not for JW…Marcus Mariota. How many playoff appearances do these two guys put together have?
If you’re gambler who likes to play %’s it doesn’t get that much better.
#1 overall picks have lasted LESS than 5 years 17% of the time…that means theres a 1 in 5 chance Caleb is a bust. It also shows the pressure on Mayfield to perform…it’s now or never.
QB’s picked in the top 10 fail even more frequently…30% don’t make it past five years..
QB’s picked in the first round? 45%,,,that’s basically half who do not make it!!!
Caleb might be the real deal but why the obsessing. Why not open our minds to perhaps another reality. NEITHER Buc QB SB winners were drafted by the Bucs.
We could tell stories about Rich Gannon…Trent Dilfer and many other successful QB’s who didn’t find success with their first team. So the SF niners had 3 QBs their savior Trey…their seasoned vet Garropolos…and the new kid in town Brock Purdy. Just sayin there is more than one way to get the job done.
July 7th, 2023 at 7:32 pm
All good points, SPBF.
July 7th, 2023 at 7:58 pm
Bowles earned that ranking because of his coaching performance last year AND with the Jets. He has proven he is not HC material and his coaching “ceiling” is at a Defensive coordinator level. I don’t have anything personal against him, he is just in a position past his skill set. He will be gone and I prefer we have a season similar to the “suck for Luck” type days but we do have too much talent to get Williams from USC. I am optimistic and predicting 5-12 and a LOCK for a franchise QB in a loaded QB draft next year!
July 7th, 2023 at 8:56 pm
Whatever happened with Bowles in NY (NJ actually) has NOTHING to do with his job as HC in Tampa Bay.
It drives me crazy how everyone wants to talk about how terrible Bowles was as Jets HC and that he now has 4 straight losing seasons as a HC….
Newsflash – the Jets have been a complete dumpsterfire literally since Parcells left in the late 90s…. (only recently have they started to turn things around). The GM while Bowles was there couldn’t draft his way out of a paper bag…..
No coach could have ‘succeeded’ as HC of the Jets during the time Bowles was there.
Its fair to judge coach Bowles on his actions as HC last year of course – but STOP tying his time to the Jets (which ended 5 years ago) with his tenure as HC here in Tampa Bay.
July 7th, 2023 at 11:38 pm
Dooley – I have no real confidence in Canales, but I’m also not rooting against him, I just don’t understand people talking about how he’s a future head coach. Based on what, exactly? The guy was just demoted a year ago – and he was the Bucs 11th OC pick. The reason he has the job is because he was the only guy willing to take the job. Everyone knows Bowles is almost certainly going to get fired after this season, and he’ll take down everyone else with him.
But hey, if he can prove me wrong, and the team isn’t generic and ultra boring, then I’ll be happy to take the verbal beating from all you guys who are putting him into the HOF already.
July 7th, 2023 at 11:43 pm
Alanbucsfan Says:
July 7th, 2023 at 5:51 pm
Bucs 2019
No Wirfs, no Gronk, no AB, no Fournette, no Brady
Arians was head coach…7-9.
———–
If Matt Gay doesn’t personally lose two games all by themselves, they’re 9-7, and that’s in a 1st year with a totally new coaching staff, new scheme, and with the worst defense in team history through week 8.
So yeah, with everything going wrong Arians had a 7-9 record that year, but make Bowles the headcoach of that team, and they’re 3-13.
Sort of like last year, if Arians was headcoach, that team is 13-4, not 8-9.
I didn’t go into last year being a Bowles basher, I didn’t think he’d be good, but all he had to do was just leave everything on autopilot. But that Cleveland game, when he’s taking the ball out of Brady’s hands at the end of the game, it’s one of the all-time dumbest moves I’ve ever seen in all of sports. This year, we’re going to see even more of that.
July 8th, 2023 at 2:47 am
@Joeinmich, you missed me the other day….who was the LSU cb i was pushing for us to draft 1st round that you called me out on….i still cant remember…why? because i never did that, but since you have a love affair with my posts, then at least respond back after ive responded to you for some clarification…or you’re just trolloing
Look, anyways, we’ll win some lose some….hope we’ll win them all but then reality sets in after game 1….we’ll win that one…maybe 2 more…all good!
July 8th, 2023 at 3:00 am
Haha, ya’ll funny, whatever ….go ahead and mod this too Joes
July 8th, 2023 at 3:04 am
They were going to take Jack Campbell, who was another I was pushing, if Kancey wasnt there…..but i dont know what im doing….pushed a 1st rd pick cb from lsu or something…and thats a lie!
July 8th, 2023 at 4:29 am
An accurate take Joe.
Pass rush would put the defense over the top and actually help the QB.
Better field position and more possessions. Giving the QB a better chance to do what Canales says he wants as in a no turnovers/game manager type QB.
Since we really had no running attack last year I think the scheme and the hopefully improved O-line will take care of the run game. White can play and so too can Vaughn. If White stops the fumbles we should be fine. Is he gonna be the next Barry Sanders? No. Serviceable Yes.
QB…who really knows. taking care of the football is paramount. We won’t be winning any games if we are minus in the turnover department.
July 8th, 2023 at 10:30 am
MadMax: I didn’t say 1st Round for the LSU bum. Who is lying?
July 8th, 2023 at 10:33 am
MadMax: You were pumping up Georgia’s backup TE, Darnell Washington, who was a 3rd Round pick, as he should’ve been, and was. I know you’re gonna push this “Top 5” crap all year, until you’re proven wrong, again.
July 8th, 2023 at 1:02 pm
Yeah, D Washington had a knee medical issue that wasnt disclosed by him during interviews…word got around about that and scared people away, and i understand. As long as his knee is good, trust me, he’ll be a beast.
And my bad, you made it sound like I was pushing a 1st or 2nd rd grade on, i remember now, Mekhi Garner…i had to dig through my memory…i said 4th or 5th, so he went undrafted, cool, they got a great deal, unless once again, something was discovered while the teams were digging deep.
But all the picks Ive been right on, you completely ignore….whatever, stay in love with me all you want lol
Here’s a wrong I’ll predict on you…you said since the nfc south sucks, we have 6 wins coming up, just against our rivals….hahaha, yeah thats some comedy there.
Im not pushing for us to have a top 5 pick all year. I hope Baker succeeds, Wirfs makes a smooth transition into LT (he will) our RT Goedeke holds it down, and White has a much improved running game….and our new rooks show promise.
Those 5 things alone are going to be our biggest hurdles to jump. If we succeed there and everything else runs normal, yeah, we could be in the playoffs. I really hope thats how it plays out. But we have a lot of new guys in new positions that need the grind and failure to learn them….new OC (first time OC) and the same HC that those in the know champion his removal. So theres A LOT going on there pal that I think you’re dismissing. But ive been wrong before, RIGHT MORE THAN WRONG, but nobody is perfect. At least im out here caring, working two jobs and barely making it by…all good