Trusting Todd Bowles
August 6th, 2024
New corner appreciates him.
Last year the Bucs pass defense stunk. Maybe if they had an edge rush it would have been different.
So this offseason, the Bucs attacked fixing the secondary. Jordan Whitehead was the big move. But there were many other under-the-radar moves. One was signing free agent corner Bryce Hall.
Last week Hall spoke about learning Bucs coach Todd Bowles’ defense. It’s a work in progress. However, Hall said he has learned one thing in his short time in Tampa:
Bowles knows what he is doing when it comes to the secondary.
“I think what’s really fun is when you understand the defense, [then] Coach Bowles [will] put us in [a] position to make a lot of plays,” Hall said. “For us, it is just understanding the details.
“The sharper we are on that, the more plays we’ll be able to make. I think that’s going to be the fun part, just as we grasp it, being able to take our shots, understanding where our help is, where our help isn’t. Then, I think the plays will come after that.”
It appears the Bucs will have quality depth in the secondary. Bowles has already given free agent corner Tavierre Thomas a shoutout for being better on defense than Bowles thought. Hall has a lot of experience in a very good Jets defense.
The way Christian Izien is practicing, he’s not going to give up his nickel corner gig to Tykee Smith that easily. Izien has had really solid practices of late.
Don’t be shocked if the Bucs’ secondary might be their most improved unit.
August 6th, 2024 at 5:06 am
They will need a deep secondary with a MIA pass rush. It wont be deep enough for TB to keep his job.
August 6th, 2024 at 6:35 am
We’ve heard precious little about our 2nd round pick Braswell. Apparently it’s going to be highly unlikely he’ll be a plug and play dude for us. We’ve heard nary a peep about him this training camp.
August 6th, 2024 at 6:46 am
Even if Braswell isn’t ready yet Nelson deserves more playing time. Dude does nothing but make plays when given the chance. I would be totally comfortable with Anthony Nelson starting to start the season and he deserves the opportunity
August 6th, 2024 at 7:29 am
Having Ya Ya & JTS dinged up isn’t a good thing obviously, but it’s not an insurmountable development this early in the season. Most of the teams we play in the first half of the season will be running teams for the most part, and Nelson’s very good against the run. And that was Braswell’s bread-and-butter at Bama, so I think he’ll be able to hold his own by season’s start.
And Dadgumit, I’m not at all concerned about Todd Bowles keeping his job. He’s easily in the Top-10 DC’s in the league (and probably in the Top-5), and the Glazers know his value. You don’t replace that kind of expertise mid-season and expect better results.
August 6th, 2024 at 7:33 am
Joe … ‘Don’t be shocked if the Bucs’ secondary might be their most improved unit.’
BTW Joe, that’s music to my ears, as is hearing that Izien is practicing so well.
August 6th, 2024 at 8:40 am
When Dean goes down, as he always does, Hall will be there to replace him, permanently! Dean will get healthy by the trade deadline and he’ll be gone. He’s too expensive for his number of snaps. Maybe we can trade for Hassan Reddick, Joe! 🙂
August 6th, 2024 at 8:57 am
Why would you guys think Braswell would be ready to start Game 1? It took Yaya half a season to learn the defense. Braswell will learn a few things and they’ll put him in on obvious downs … just like how they developed Yaya.
August 6th, 2024 at 10:04 am
I would be shocked if Todd has a job after this season. He’s 17-17 here as a head coach, and as long as he’s been here the pass defense has been a HUGE liability. He’s supposed to be a defensive guru but rarely can devise game plans to defend the pass in a PASSING league
2023 just delayed the inevitable of Bowles being fired
August 6th, 2024 at 10:45 am
It would appear that Davis only wanted to play press man and didn’t pay attention to the zone details, and I’m not sure Dean was much better. So, if Todd is gonna keep his quantum physics schemes, he better have damn smart players who truly pay attention to the details. Todd also needs to hold them accountable when they bust and lean into the mistakes so they are not repeated. And they need to hold each other accountable on the field also.
Nothing worse than seeing that Cover 3 coverage bust.Every. Single. Game.
#AsToddEvolves.11-6.NoConfusedPlayers
August 6th, 2024 at 10:53 am
Todd won’t evolve, he will keep trotting out the same tired bland zone concepts that get picked apart and allow offenses to maintain possession on 3rd and longs all game long
August 6th, 2024 at 10:58 am
Funny, Logan Ryan had the same sentiment back in 2022.
August 6th, 2024 at 11:18 am
If Todd doesn’t evolve, he will be finding alternative employment in 2025.
August 6th, 2024 at 12:04 pm
Todd has got to be in his last season….
The Bucs last 3 years of success is just as much do to the other 3 teams in the division struggling than it is the Bucs being well coached!
This team with a quality HC would be respected!
August 6th, 2024 at 2:27 pm
bowles is too stuborn to adjust or change.. in any other division he’d be gone by now.