Inexcusable Defense — And Bucs Crowd Let’s The Defense Have It
October 27th, 2024
Defense doesn’t rule.
There is no more sugarcoating this. The Bucs defense, built, molded and led by a defensive-minded coach, is lousy Lovie Smith/Mike Smith bad.
And finally fans have had enough.
Shortly after Lavonte David was lost with an ankle injury temporarily, Dixie Chicks running back Bijan Robinson scored on a six-yard pass from Kirk Cousins.
Robinson somehow was left undefended. He started off in the backfield, delayed his route, took off to the end zone, caught the ball and waltzed into the end zone.
Not one defender was anywhere near Robinson. Not one pass rusher (what pass rush?). Not one linebacker. Not one corner. No one.
What defense does this? A Todd Bowles defense, apparently.
Bucs fans, after seeing this drek for the past few weeks, didn’t hold back any longer. The boos were audible and loud.
Joe will ask once again: How can a defense with an All-Pro safety, a possible Hall of Fame linebacker, a Pro Bowl defensive tackle and three first-round draft picks in the front-seven be this bad?
Either these guys aren’t being developed or the guys don’t fit what Bowles wants to run, or it’s Bowles himself who is putting these guys in positions to lose.
However you want to answer it, this terrible defense all traces back to the defensive-minded head coach.
Todd Bowles.
“Communication?” Joe’s arse.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:39 pm
Is Jason Light still collecting receipts? Should have been collecting edge rushers.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:41 pm
I’m getting too old for this $h!t!!!!
October 27th, 2024 at 4:42 pm
I don’t remember ever having such little confidence in a defense…ever.
Pass defense is the worst I can ever remember seeing.
It’s jaw dropping how little pressure is applied to the QB and how open the receivers are.
The poor tackling is another major issue.
I was excited to see Jordan Whitehead come back and team up with #31 but that combo has been ineffective as well.
Such a gut punch as our talent level exceeds the ATL Falcons and both games were winnable.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:44 pm
I picked the wrong week to wear a hear monitor. Not that the outcome was ever in doubt due to incompetent defensive coaching. But no one is going to blame the offense for this one… they at least showed up. There are some players that really should feel guilty about accepting that paycheck. Unreal and glad to hear the fans who paid good $$$ to see such a pi$$ poor defense. *sigh*
October 27th, 2024 at 4:46 pm
Did you see the interview after the half. I forgot hername but she asked Bowels about everything BUT why the defense isn’t playing well. PISS POOR REPORTING
October 27th, 2024 at 4:46 pm
I’ve supported Bowles on this website through thick and thin. But today, I have officially become a member of the other side. Its time for him to pack his bags and leave. Take Licht with you. Bucs knew last yr there Defense was below par. Its even worse this year. Our Offense played hard. I feel sorry for them. The Defense lies squarely on Bowles. Call the moving van sir.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:47 pm
Can’t wait for the article about how Winston throws a perfect game winning 40 yard TD pass to beat the Ravens, while Baker, from the 40, throws the ball out of bounds to end the game. That should just about break your record for non-game day comments.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:47 pm
Yes, absolutely the problem is and has been Todd ‘Swiss Cheese’ Bowles.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:47 pm
There is no winning with this defense folks. Let’s look at getting a new linebacker group. It’s all over this year.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:47 pm
Bye week is coming, time to jettison Bowles and promote Coen to HC. The offense is averaging 30 points per game and we still somehow lose winnable games. The defense is in shambles right now and a change is needed.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:49 pm
@Joe, “What defense does this? A Todd Bowles defense, apparently.”
The same D that “forgot” Cooper Kup in the last seconds of the 2021 playoffs…
October 27th, 2024 at 4:49 pm
Mike Johnson Says:
October 27th, 2024 at 4:46 pm
I’ve supported Bowles on this website through thick and thin. But today, I have officially become a member of the other side.
——–
I’ve never liked Bowles as a HC … but, who exactly is he supposed to play in the secondary at this point? He’s down to having to START a 6th string UDFA at corner.
I don’t know what people thought was going to happen.
You can’t just trade away your best corner, then lose your remaining #1, #3 and #4 corners and not think there isn’t going to be a dramatic drop-off.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:49 pm
The offense has promise. The defense is, and has been, awful for years. CGOTF – Can’t Get Off The Field!
It’s time to move. Fire Bowles. Make Coen the Head coach. Remake the defense. Keep and build upon the offense.
Just wondering: 4th and short for Atlanta with about 2 minutes to play and both Vida Vea and Calf Kalancy both are NOT on the field? Who made that call?
October 27th, 2024 at 4:50 pm
Offense gave the ball twice in red zone and a 3 rd on fumble
Blaming the defense only is a flawed argument
This was an overall piss poor performance
October 27th, 2024 at 4:52 pm
b Says:
October 27th, 2024 at 4:47 pm
Bye week is coming, time to jettison Bowles and promote Coen to HC.
———–
When does that ever work out well?
What happens every time is the offense gets worse because the OC is now the HC and can’t actually spend time with the offense.
Plus, see above, who exactly is Bowles supposed to be playing at corner right now? Again, I’m really not a Bowles backer at all – but I don’t know why people think this game is a turning point.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:52 pm
Winfield, LVD, Vea, and maybe McCollum are all the Bucs have on defense. Everyone else on the D is pure garbage. Hall, JTS, Ya-Ya and Kancy were all getting blocked by single blockers. No need to double team these guys.
Secondary is a flat out joke. Most of the guys belong on the practice squad.
End of Bucs season today so no need for an Edge rusher, hopefully it’s the end of Bowles also.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:53 pm
I’m still putting my Euros on Baker to lead us to the Super Bowl. No doubt. Yes, Todd cost the Bucs a chance of winning a third SB, but he also got credit for stopping KC and winning our 2nd SB. Don’t give up on him yet. Yes he can go either way, but I am still betting that our Bucs will get there with Mayfield leading the way. Keeping it real in Ireland.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:53 pm
Wtf is Bowels doing? Top 5 worst defense in football!
October 27th, 2024 at 4:53 pm
@Rod Munch: the problem is that doesn’t matter who is playing, the receivers are still always open…. You see? When that happens over 5 and a half seasons on a regular basis, then it’s not about who is playing, it is about the system, the training, the strategy, the psychology, the ability to motivate and keep accountability.
Exceptions cannot, by definition, happen so frequently….
October 27th, 2024 at 4:53 pm
Hot chatter for Bowles shouldn’t just be that, it should be fact. I am aware that Mayfield is throwing a lot of interceptions lately but this defense I don’t have a word for. I will say it again, time to move on from Bowles. He just never can win the big game even that last B Arians game that would’ve sent us to the Super Bowl Bowles defense fail. Now 3 more year and he still can not win the big game. It just a punch in the gut when you’ve been a Buc fan since 1976 as I have
October 27th, 2024 at 4:54 pm
21-21 in the regular season and with be under 500 soon.
The diversity hire needs to be shown the door.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:54 pm
Todd’s D is every bit as bad as his game management. Both cost us the game today. As for personnel, we all knew 9, 0, 52 and the depth at CB was never going to be enough. I hope ownership wakes up soon and launches Todd before it costs us Cohen.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:54 pm
I can’t believe the downfall of this Defense and I do respect Bowels ability to call a fantastic game But there is no excuse to be this bad with the investment upfront, Vea, Winfield, David (who is clearly overcompensating for Britt), and Kancy.I am not defending Bowels because we are soft and play soft. Some of the burden needs to fall on Licht, who I love but not getting a legit pass rusher or attack the need at ILB. We can’t help injuries but if you feel like your team can compete for a championship at this level, you must go all in.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:55 pm
Todd Bowels is just Lovie Smith who occasionally blitzes
October 27th, 2024 at 4:57 pm
Defense just lacks talent. These guys can’t cover or tackle. No amount of coaching is going to change that. As I have said before, how many of these defenders could start for a contending team? Winfield, Vea and maybe McCollum. LVD is too old. He provides leadership but not enough speed.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:57 pm
Mike Johnson I agree I have been will Bowles through thin and thin also but now, I’ve given up and going to the other side
October 27th, 2024 at 4:57 pm
Fire Bowels, Coen time.
October 27th, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Apparently it doesn’t matter that Bowles has been here since Jameis Winston last season because he installs a new defense every offseason, how else could you keep claiming to have communication issues after all these years? But how does a rookie start and play so well off communication is such an issue?
Dean, Carlton Davis, Izien, tykee smith, whitehead, Winfield, Devin White. How do rookies start if communication is such a huge issue in this defense? Who knew Bowles had the only complicated zone defense in the NFL
October 27th, 2024 at 5:01 pm
Can we kindly get some comments on here from REAL fans? The clickbait crap is getting old.
October 27th, 2024 at 5:03 pm
Bye week = Bye Bowles
October 27th, 2024 at 5:07 pm
Fire Bowles and Licht. This defense is soft, scheme is lazy, and the talent is basically a bunch of 6th rounders. Terrible drafts. Wasted picks. Just because they start does not make them quality picks. Outside of Vea (50% of downs player) we have scrubs. Maybe two guys on defense would start somewhere else. Pathetic. This site and all the others truly need to reevaluate Licht. No trades, no draft talent in the first round. Since Mike Evan’s, we have drafted only 2 1st rounds that are worth anything (Wirfs, Vea) and one with potential (Barton). That means Licht has a 20% success rate in the first round. Pathetic.
October 27th, 2024 at 5:08 pm
I would let Bowles finish the season, but then it’s time to jettison him.
October 27th, 2024 at 5:09 pm
How bout that fake punt!!
October 27th, 2024 at 5:16 pm
No mention of the offense 3 turnovers?
October 27th, 2024 at 5:16 pm
When it is “Our” receivers open was it a fluke or does our team plan for that very thing? Just like every other NFL team.
How many DB’s are we down IR, and short term injuries? Does anyone not forget how uninspiring our former #1 cb played here?
We are still not yet there from our Brady cost, SB, “Bring em all back” hangover. We are getting a younger team growing together.
October 27th, 2024 at 5:18 pm
Bowles system doesn’t work….its that simple. It’s 100% been propped up by overachieving offenses vs an effective defense.
October 27th, 2024 at 5:29 pm
Bobby M. Says:
October 27th, 2024 at 5:18 pm
Bowles system doesn’t work….its that simple. It’s 100% been propped up by overachieving offenses vs an effective defense.
What?
October 27th, 2024 at 5:32 pm
You can blame the D all you want and rightfully so. However, fans seem to be so engrossed with Baker because he throws TD passes (some in garbage time) without thinking about the costly interceptions that also come with him. Bucs need to go out and draft a QB for the future, a HOF QB!
October 27th, 2024 at 5:39 pm
Just s quick update for those supposed Buc fans that are mentioning Winston winning a game today. How laughable. Winston has been gone for going on 5 years.Are you trying to say you wish he was still here? In that time he has accomplished exactly zero as a back up bench warmer. Mean while the Bucs have gone 11-5, 13-4 and won a Super Bowl. Plus two division championships. For What possible reason would you post such pure nonsense. I guess you would trade it all for your ego. Some fan.
October 27th, 2024 at 5:41 pm
Bowles needs to be launched, but the blame needs to be spread. What his assistant defensive coaches do all week is a mystery.
Licht needs to be removed from his mile-high pedestal around here. This defense is an abomination from a scheme standpoint, but we also have a ton of scrubs that have no business being on the field. And this whole “Licht had been absolutely crushing the draft” rhetoric should also die down. Aside from Winfield, who has now dramatically regressed after getting the loot, Licht hasn’t drafted a stud on defense in ages.
October 27th, 2024 at 5:42 pm
That game was no surprise for those who recognize horrible coaches like Bowles!!
October 27th, 2024 at 5:51 pm
Not just that it’s bad, it’s that it’s gotten worse each year. Can’t rush the passer, can’t cover, can’t stop the run. The only thing the defense is good at is making the opponent’s offense become exhausted running up and down the field.
October 27th, 2024 at 5:56 pm
“ Bucs need to go out and draft a QB for the future”
I remember when the Bucs had the #1 pick and did that. He was a Pick-6 machine. If the Bucs don’t fall behind by double digits, maybe Mayfield doesn’t need to attempt 50 passes, and throws fewer interceptions. Now, Baker does need to take care of the ball and make better decisions… but the game was already out of hand before Mayfield threw the first one.
October 27th, 2024 at 5:57 pm
BOWELS HEAD COACH JOB IS GETTING DEMER AND DEMMER AND DEMMER , MORRISON THE COACH OF THE FLYING BIRDS IS SMILING EVERY TIME LEAVES THE FIELD PLAYING THE BUC’S AND STICKING IT TO THE GLASER LOL…LOL…LOL…. HECK THE JETS KNEW HE WASN’T WORTH A CRAP TOO ……..
October 27th, 2024 at 5:59 pm
Same chatter last year when we lost 5 out of 6 or whatever.. Relax. Atlanta has our number. We can fix it. However, I thought the Defense was supposed to get better with Jr and Kancey back.. And where the hell has. Vita been 👀
October 27th, 2024 at 6:06 pm
Relax? You kiddin me? After that p…poor performance? Give me a break. I’m going on record. Our Bucs will not beat KC next Monday night. You can count on it. We will be 4-5. KC is gonna have a field day on our Dense.
October 27th, 2024 at 6:06 pm
@BallHawk75
Please elaborate and in plain English detail what you mean👁️!! Sounds interesting thou and I’m curious of your thoughts on Jason Licht’s ability to pick Defensive Lineman and Rushers with high draft picks
October 27th, 2024 at 6:10 pm
I don’t think firing Bowles mid-season is the answer, but if the Glazers haven’t started looking for a new DC / HC, they need to start tonight.
October 27th, 2024 at 6:20 pm
You do realize Bowles coaches the players Licht drafts and hires? Have you maybe thought those players aren’t that good? You were begging for Kancey to return, where was he today? Logan Hall? JTS? JC as another specialist drafted with a premium pick just got cut. How is Britt panning out? How many times do we have to hear you complain about Licht not bringing in a pass rusher? Every once in a while a blind squirrel catches a nut like Licht has with the likes of Evans, Godwin, Wirfs, and Winfield but what has he done for us lately?
When will you make an honest assessment of Licht?
October 27th, 2024 at 6:32 pm
KC and San Francisco will have a field day. Bowles days in Tampa are numbered. I told you the blueprint on this defense is out. It’s outdated.
October 27th, 2024 at 7:06 pm
Regarding Winston’s winning TD pass, anyone else see his pass right before that? Yep, threw a softball right to the CB who bobbled and dropped it. Horrible pass and that was game over if he catches it.
October 27th, 2024 at 7:43 pm
October 27th, 2024 at 8:55 pm
Bowles needs to go. Worst defense in football and makes other poor decisions regarding clock management, sticking with ineffective players too long and not having a good feel for what to do on game day decisions.
October 27th, 2024 at 9:21 pm
I watch every buc game for years but I missed this one because I knew the defense can’t stop a thing .zero pass rush.open receivers bad tackling . And I was right .not wasting my time till bowles is gone . Oc. Coach is great ! Not even a full year and we’re scoring other than cleaning up some mistakes. They will get even better ! But the defense. Yikes . There awful ,we’re can you even start ? Get a motivator defense coach .a kick ass coach . Bowles us not it .glazers boys do not waste another year with this guy we have had enough of his excuses .
October 27th, 2024 at 9:33 pm
@QB6
If you can’t remember worse defensive play form the Bucs you haven’t been a fan for very long.
This aint nearly as bad as some of the Mike Smith crap that got trotted out on the field. And Lovie Smith could make a Bucs fan puke.
However, do some research on the interwebs. Type in
Monte Kiffin. You’re welcome.
October 27th, 2024 at 9:51 pm
Let’s not forget the opening drive fumble or two interceptions on the Falcon’s side of the 50 contributed to this loss too, it wasn’t only the defense.
The first half running game was very impressive, 97 yards on the Bucs 2nd touchdown was beautiful. Why did they focus so much more on the passing game in the 2nd half? They weren’t 3 scores behind, only 2 with PLENTY of time to wear out the Falcons defense running it down their throat and then passing when least expected?
The Bucs win and lose as a team, it’s not one side of the ball. Some questionable official calls have cost the Bucs 2 games in the standings, it’s time to get even Bucs!
October 28th, 2024 at 9:46 am
How can a defense with an All-Pro safety, a possible Hall of Fame linebacker, a Pro Bowl defensive tackle and three first-round draft picks in the front-seven be this bad?
Easy Answer, Todd Blows Cover WHO? Scheme
October 28th, 2024 at 11:59 am
What the hay?? Been a fan for a long time and the pass defense is the weakest in years. It all starts with pass rush and they just are not getting there. If it wasn’t for all the blitz package of Bowls not many sacks. But not excuses for all the blown coverage. The offense is scoring a lot of points but they are still losing games!! Yikes
October 28th, 2024 at 6:03 pm
Sorry I sure hope they can turn it around but I get physically ill seeing m Million dollar players looking like a incapable High School team. I quit watching this year because it’s not worth my time. Still a Bucs fan just not a full time follower. We’ve got real issues in this country and watching spoiled ass millionaires get injured every other play, miss tackles my grandmother could make and look totally confused on too many plays tells me THEY AIN’T READY FOR PRIME TIME PLAYERS!