Todd Bowles Declares “A Clunker”
October 16th, 2023
The film review is in!
Some good things on the field for Tampa Bay in the Bucs’ whimpering, 20-6 loss to the Lions yesterday.
Todd Bowles had plenty of love for his edge rushers, Shaq Barrett and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. There were other positives, too, but overall Bowles twice said at his Monday news conferenc that the Bucs “had a clunker yesterday.”
First, “clunker” was in reference to the Tampa Bay offense and then it was about the overall result.
As a student of Bowles-speak, Joe gets a feeling that Bowles was not terribly upset by yesterday’s game, and that he will extra quickly move on to the Falcons clash on Sunday. The Bucs’ play in the trenches versus a physical Lions team was rather strong overall, Joe believes. If it had crumbled, then Joe thinks Bowles would have been far more upset than he is today.
Bowles’ quarterback dropped a clunker, as did his No. 1 receiver. As a whole, the defense was strong holding the Lions to far below their season scoring average, despite being on the field too long because the offense was impotent.
Joe won’t mention the Bucs’ sad running game here because “clunker” is the norm for that group.
October 16th, 2023 at 1:19 pm
glad I could not watch. listening was bad enough.
Trask time…and bench ME
problem solved.
October 16th, 2023 at 1:21 pm
Sign playoff Lenny back. He is clearly needed to help our run game. He knows the team, the locker room, and more.
October 16th, 2023 at 1:22 pm
That’s Bowles’ problem. He’s not upset over this hideous performance. I want a coach who doesn’t accept mediocrity if not downright sucking.
He probably didn’t lose a minute of sleep over it.
Pathetic all around.
October 16th, 2023 at 1:25 pm
“He is clearly needed to help our run game”
Reminder that the Bucs had the worst run game in the NFL last year.
October 16th, 2023 at 1:27 pm
If that ball doesn’t get tipped for the early pick with a wide open ME or Baker hits one of those two shots to Palmer then this game would have felt completely different. It truly is a game of inches. Hope we destroy the dirty birds.
Can Mike please have one of his dominant games? Sick of his drops in critical early game moments this year.
October 16th, 2023 at 1:29 pm
The Bucs offensive effort in the trenches certainly cannot be described as “rather strong overall” since they could not run block for sheet and seemed to get blown backwards every time a run play was called. It is amazing how much this team is held back because they don’t have the ability to run the football. It’s a personnel problem which in turn means it is a General Manager problem.
It is almost revolting watching them even try to run the football.
October 16th, 2023 at 1:29 pm
Did Leftwich design the game plan?
October 16th, 2023 at 1:29 pm
Bowles was a clunking.
Canales was a clunking.
Neal was a clunking.
White and running game was a clunking.
Evans was a clunking.
Mayfield was a clunking.
Wide open spaces for the opponent to throw to was a clunking.
Tired of typing.
WTF!!!!!
October 16th, 2023 at 1:32 pm
Lenny ain’t gonna help. White is not a great back by any means, but he had 7 carries 26 yards. Almost a 4.0 ypc Vaughn was bad. And ultimately, backs are getting hit at or behind the line all too often. Lenny would do about the same as white. Heck I think just about every back (except maybe derrick Henry or achane) would do about the same.
October 16th, 2023 at 1:44 pm
“Joe won’t mention the Bucs’ sad running game here because “clunker” is the norm for that group.”
Run blocking from the offensive line stunk up Raymond James Stadium again
“Todd Bowles had plenty of love for his edge rushers, Shaq Barrett and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.”
Our defensive line was getting decent penetration all game long, especially against the run. Our secondary got torched, especially Ryan Neal
October 16th, 2023 at 1:47 pm
KYLE TRASK NOW
October 16th, 2023 at 1:50 pm
Prediction: Bucs lose to Atl next week.
October 16th, 2023 at 1:51 pm
Started with missing Evans alone with that throw that go batted downhill from there
October 16th, 2023 at 1:51 pm
“Oh no this is just a bad game. Throw this one out.”
No this is who Baker Mayfield is.
October 16th, 2023 at 1:54 pm
Mike S Says:
October 16th, 2023 at 1:47 pm
KYLE TRASK NOW
LOL Kyle Trask is gonna go out there and throw 3 interceptions then fans will be demanding to put Baker Mayfield back in. Baker Mayfield is a more stable quarterback than Kyle Trask so we should keep playing him until he totally collapses.
October 16th, 2023 at 1:55 pm
This team would be 1-4 with Trask.
Go back to Gainesville.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Like I said last week – I won’t get too excited about this team until they can beat another team that doesn’t suck…
Two games against two good teams and the Bucs got whipped in both games.
Our interior O-line sucks and our running backs suck.
I can’t believe Jason Licht’s only moves to address the RB position was to add a mediocre always injured RB who has missed more games on IR than he has played – and added an UDFA with a heart issue.
Our GM sucks at picking running backs. The Bucs need to hire a running game consultant or something.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:09 pm
How about D 3rd down ineptitude? Isn’t that a clunker?Did he recognize the coaching was a clunker? His ability to lack emotion after losses blows me away, his lack of adjustments led this team to a 8-10 season last year. Clunker-adj- a failure to achieve one’s goals- a junk car- a Todd Bowles run football team. Ckunker-verb- to drop a turd while playing the Detriot Lions.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Trade Evans and get maulers, picks or an RB in return. Bowles is a clunker and Bucs will never be anything special while he’s the HC.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:10 pm
They played like the orange cream dream team.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:14 pm
Please shop Evans, pretty please.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:17 pm
Weebs10 ~ “It truly is a game of inches.”
It is, and Mayfield ain’t got enough of ’em.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:18 pm
Bowles was like as long as we get first in this crap division and we make the playoffs by default of this cakewalk division then I still have a job. So everything is good here nothing to see just a clunker.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:19 pm
Bowles should be embarrassed!
October 16th, 2023 at 2:19 pm
Mike has had a number of big drops to fill a full season already and he wants elite money….. sorry Mike, luv ya, but you and the BIG drops ain’t worth it.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:24 pm
@ Dooosh
I agree.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:29 pm
The 2 reasons we lost yesterday:
1 – Baker Mayfield missed on every single deep throw he attempted. We had receivers running wide open for easy touchdowns but he overthrew it every time.
2 – Ryan Neal has no clue how to take the proper angle when closing in on a ball carrier to make a tackle, AND he’s slow. Always late.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Advice for BM. Stay the hell away from the media. You did the commercials, interviews, etc. and look what it got you. Every minute of your life right now has to be dedicated to football until the season is over. No more taking the line to the Bahamas, or any of that BS. Save it for after the season!
October 16th, 2023 at 2:34 pm
Yeah, get rid of one of the best receivers in the game for more Devin Thompkins (-2 yards receiving yesterday.) That will fix things!
October 16th, 2023 at 2:35 pm
sorry but mike Evans has some splaining to do–he lost us this game
October 16th, 2023 at 2:35 pm
Can’t! NFL requires starting quarterbacks to talk.
If anyone needs to quit talking, it’s Mr. Cha Cha in the backfield.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:37 pm
Every team loses games. Guys here are mad. I get it. But Detroit was simply much better than we were. They wasted no bragging energy. They simply balled out in our stadium and beat us soundly..Period. The Lions conducted a world class clinic on 3rd down conversions. We got ATL up next. They have a Helter skelter QB. So our D has to be ready. We got a great shot at 4-2. Lets go get it.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:52 pm
This is all an exercise in futility. The Bucs have nothing to gain from starting Mini Mayfield. Nothing. This season is written in stone: We will either not make the playoffs or we will lose in the first round of the playoffs, accomplishing nothing other than padding Mini Mayfield’s stat line for his free agency next year, all the while depriving us of developing 6’5″+1/8″ Trask and learning what are needs are for the 2024 draft. It makes no sense whatsoever. It makes sense only if the Bucs are run by FSU homies . . . which could well be the case.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:53 pm
Goff is playing very well. His choices to ground the ball when necessary was impressive. Hard to sack. Accurate.
That was the difference.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
Doosh & Marine Buc … Right now the only thing the Bucs’ offense has going for it is our WR corps. Our RBs are meh, and our TEs aren’t all that much more productive.
Mike Evans is obviously getting older, but he’s still producing. Look at his productivity in relation to targets …
o Team targets: 156 … ME13 targets: 41 … 26.3% of total
o Team passing TDs: 7 … ME13 TDs: 3 … 42.9%
o Team passing 1st dns: 54 … ME13 1st dns: 15 … 27.8%
o Team passing yds: 1088 … ME13 yds: 386 … 35.5%
A fair question would be ‘Is that amount of productivity worth $20 or $25 mil a year?’ Frankly I don’t think it is, but that’s not a question for 2023; fair question for 2024 however. And especially in light of our salary CAP situation.
BTW, on the TEs not being productive: they’re not being used properly it looks like. The group of 4 (Otton, Kieft, Wells & Durham) have only been targeted 23 times in 5 games. However, they’ve caught 16 of those (69.6%) for a grand TOTAL of 102 yds. Yup, 4 TEs giving us a TOTAL of 102 yds in 5 games … 20 YPG for the combined 4 of them. The most amazing stat? David Wells has 2 targets and TWO CATCHES for … (wait for it) MINUS 10 yds. How do you even do that?
October 16th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
“Mr. Cha-Cha”!!!!
I am totally stealing that Joe! It’s perfect! He HAS to do a dance step before he moves forward with the ball. For this run-game of Canales to work, we need a ball carrier with vision and tenacity.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:59 pm
Todd Bowles {IS} “A Clunker”
I fixed it for you!
October 16th, 2023 at 3:09 pm
I don’t see it but is there a “tell” when a running play is called? Or is it just that predictable? All opponents Ds seem to just be waiting for it.
October 16th, 2023 at 3:10 pm
Jason Lichts stubborness to sign another free agent RB this off-season was inexcusable.
Licht probably has the worst track record with running backs out of every GM….after the failed Ronald Jones expiriment what does Licht do? Drafts another skinny RB out of the Pac 12.
While other teams seem to grab running backs off trees, the Bucs are stuck with the likes of White, Sean Tucker and Vaughn. Unacceptable especially when you look around the league and watch affordable guys like a 33 year old Latavious Murray still making an impact.
October 16th, 2023 at 3:17 pm
Shorty clunked. Fans paying cash for clunkers to go to games.
October 16th, 2023 at 3:30 pm
so tired of ppl spewing ME stats like he is not responsible for 2 losses this year.
the stats may not show it, but when he kills drives, and drops multiple TD’s and kills the moral of the team before the even get humming…well I put the game on him.
That why they are #1 WR’s. They are #1 because they are your #1 weapon. He is arguably our #1 deterrent to winning.
October 16th, 2023 at 3:38 pm
This team is built to throw. Our pass blocking is very good, it’s just that baker wasn’t hitting guys. I don’t understand how this team always plays like crap after a bye!!
October 16th, 2023 at 3:43 pm
Looking at the game you have to ask yourself…..could the QB have played worse. I don’t know. Maybe. Could the QB who played better in preseason play worse. I don’t know. But he wouldn’t have to do much. Mayfield was 8-17 for 75 yds at the half. He did ok while Detroit was in prevent at the end of the game when it was over. This offense is just as disappointing as last year.
October 16th, 2023 at 3:47 pm
Headline should be…..Todd Bowles Declared “A Clunker” I want passion and fire in a coach not acceptance of poor play comments like we just had a clunker.
October 16th, 2023 at 3:54 pm
Mike.s. Kick rocks bro! Terrible takes
October 16th, 2023 at 4:30 pm
Mayfield couldn’t throw deep in the 15 measly passes he threw in preseason and he can’t throw deep now.
October 16th, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Terrible takes? Go back to Gainesville? Trask would throw picks?
We have a protoype QB rotting on the sideline while Bowles rides the Baker hype train.
BELIEVE WHAT YOU SEE. HE’S NOT THE GUY.
Tom Brady won these kinds of games last year. Mayfield loses them – embarrassingly.
This is going to be a wasted season. I have news for you – a win against Atlanta is no lock either.
Its not a question of if Trask gets the ball this year – its when. Might as well be sooner rather than later.
October 16th, 2023 at 6:07 pm
Guess according to this site and commentariat, I’m supposed to lie down and give up as a Bucs fan. REALLY??? 3-2, won the Stupid Bowl, and by god, all we needed was a halfway competent QB to do it. We sure didn’t need Brady, his cost and soap operas. I’ve have a dear friend in NC who follows the Panthers, who are 0-6. Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it!
October 16th, 2023 at 6:43 pm
Mike S dream QB depth chart for the Bucs
1. Kyle Trask
2. Graham Mertz.
3. Tim Tebow
October 16th, 2023 at 6:51 pm
It’s the lack of line talent
October 16th, 2023 at 6:52 pm
Tbbucs3
Trask
Tebow
Mertz
Get it right.
October 16th, 2023 at 6:56 pm
Orlbuc, NO Brady, NO SB!!! Put that in your pipe and choke on it.
October 16th, 2023 at 7:11 pm
If the run game was better than falling down as soon as the ball is handed off, if the best receiving team in the NFl could learn to catch passes that hit them in the hands, if the quarterback didn’t look lost and throw the ball away then maybe they could put the ball AND a player in the end zone a few times.
Hats off to the defense for making one of the best running games in football non-existent, but replacing the famous Tampa cover-2 pass defense with that new cover-none just didn’t cut it. Even when they were right on each side of a receiver,they watched the catch instead of going for an easy pick like they were afraid of bumping into each other.
Next week, play some offense like professionals do and remind the defense to GO FOR THE BALL.
October 16th, 2023 at 7:34 pm
I’ve said this before and I will say it again. The Bucs are going nowhere with Baker Mayfield under center. He’s an adequate back-up at best. I don’t think there is anyone who believes a Baker led offense can bring us back in the 4th quarter when two scores down. Baker needs stellar defense and his usual dink and dunk for 150 to 200 yards passing and praying for no interceptions to win football games. We have seen a history of who Baker is and the best you get is average QB play. What we have not seen is Trask under center. Trask may not perform any better or maybe he will. He’s certainly more of an accurate down field thrower. if I’m the Bucs front office I want to see what he can do and stop floundering around with the average guy. If Trask fails then we look to the draft.
Waffling in mediocracy with Mayfield is just hurting this franchise in the long run.
October 16th, 2023 at 8:02 pm
Two of the best receivers in the game and QB that can’t produce.
October 16th, 2023 at 8:36 pm
2 words: Kyle Trask
October 16th, 2023 at 8:37 pm
I think when Brady retired Trask absorbed his powers. Like the HighLander
October 16th, 2023 at 9:10 pm
Ok JOE you win because I’m not going to defend this group for another game
October 16th, 2023 at 9:44 pm
Well, guess what POS is back? The parasite known as NE fan. Saw your worthless team lost again. Get lost and stay there.
October 16th, 2023 at 10:08 pm
NE Fan the patriots suck put that in your pipe and choke on it.
October 16th, 2023 at 10:33 pm
Woodenman@ Jarad Goff has played the Patriots 3 times, he is 0-3 with only 2 TD’s in 3 games. 2016-2020-2022.
October 16th, 2023 at 10:37 pm
Trade Mike (butterfingers) Evans while he still has some value
October 17th, 2023 at 2:37 am
Call it what you wish. Bottom line is Baker and Mike and a couple of others stunk it up Sunday
Also before everyone gives the Bucs Defense a round of applause. Consider this. We can’t get off the field on defense.
We are No. 31 in the league in number of possessions/drives per game. Meaning we are not getting the ball to our offense. Less tries equals less points.
Go Bucs!
October 17th, 2023 at 3:20 am
Ne fan, go away again please, Pat’s suck btw
October 17th, 2023 at 5:31 am
Trask, Trask, Trask if he is some much better than Baker he would be on the field. If any of you keyboard coaches were better the T.B. you all would be on the field. I know this is an open forum but my lord please most of you all have no knowledge of the game in my humble opinion. The one thing everyone can see is unfortunately Mike Evans drops the easy passes. Shut up about Trask, everyone loves the backup until they don’t he a backup for a reason.
October 17th, 2023 at 8:18 am
Stan ~ “Trask, Trask, Trask if he is some much better than Baker he would be on the field.”
Not if Mayfield was promised the starting job when he signed with the Bucs (at a time when no other quarterback showed any interest in coming here). Very likely that is what happened. After all, even Baker Fan Boi Joe admits Trask outplayed Mayfield in training camp.