More Communication Chatter
November 12th, 2024
Communication breakdown.
If Joe is present when a Bucs coach uses the word “communication” one more time, Joe will ask the man if the Bucs should hire a speech pathologist.
There is no way, if guys are being coached up right, that “communication” should be an issue in November when you’ve been practicing since July. That tells Joe either the players don’t understand their responsibilities or they are as dumb as rocks.
Having spoken many times to several Bucs defensive backs, it is not the latter.
Yesterday in his day-after presser, Bucs coach Todd Bowles admitted defensive backs were playing off receivers too much.
Hallelujah! The first step in correcting a problem is admitting it!
This seems so easily fixable. If a defensive back is giving a guy too much cushion or is in the wrong position, holler at him to move up closer. How difficult can this be?
So Bowles was asked if he or his coaches were telling players not to give up so much cushion. Bowles replied:
“Everything is communicated.”
Is it?
This reminds Joe of a Bill Parcells story. Parcells hired Bowles to be his defensive backs coach in Dallas. So Bowles is a big limb off the Parcells coaching tree.
This story is what Parcells later called one of the best lessons he learned in coaching.
Parcells was a college coach (he was once a linebackers coach at Florida State) and once ordered a player to perform a task. The player didn’t and he gave up a big play.
Parcells said when the player came to the sidelines, Parcells lit him up like a Christmas tree, truly unloaded on the guy and wouldn’t let up. Finally, the head coach interrupted, yelled at Parcells and said, “Coach, you obviously didn’t instruct him well enough because he didn’t understand!”
Those words from Parcells’ boss hit him like a truck. He learned at that moment the best way to have a player carry out a task is to make sure he fully understands the instructions.
Apparently, whatever Bowles is telling these guys isn’t sinking in fully. It’s up to the coach to make sure his players understand.
Telling a person is one thing. Telling them so they understand is fully different.
Communicate that.
November 12th, 2024 at 3:49 pm
Bucs have both. Dumb defensive coach and dumb defensive players.
November 12th, 2024 at 3:52 pm
What language are they speaking?
November 12th, 2024 at 3:54 pm
Players aren’t listening to Todd Bowles. They must know he’s clueless.
November 12th, 2024 at 3:55 pm
This reminds me so much of the Raheem Morris regime.
Every week it’s the same old excuses parroted again and again.
It’s like a loser groundhog’s day every season.
I realize we’ve won the “division” the last two years. But we’re 21-23 to this point.
And 1-2 in the post season.
Outside of the NFC South there would be not a sniff of the postseason for Bowels.
And the record would be even worse.
No lipstick on that pig!
November 12th, 2024 at 3:56 pm
Bowles just didn’t start coaching defense let alone defensive backs. Yell at him all you want, but if these guys don’t understand I’m guessing they’re in the same box with the other rocks.
November 12th, 2024 at 4:00 pm
THE DEFENSE IS TOO COMPLICATED FOR MOST OF THE PLAYERS!!!
It’s really that simple.
Less complicated defense means less NEED for communication.
Just saying.
November 12th, 2024 at 4:05 pm
OMG. You have got to be kidding me. Unbelievable. I was thinking the exact same thing when Brady was screaming about this during their final drive (especially when it’s right there in front of YOU closest to your own sideline)… Like, WHY in the HELL is a COACH not yelling at them to MOVE TH UPPPP!?:/ It’s Mind Blowing.
November 12th, 2024 at 4:09 pm
It’s just exactly like hearing “I Was Born In A Middle-Class Family”… Someone, Anyone, just SHOOT ME already, & get it done with!!!! Geez.
November 12th, 2024 at 4:09 pm
They’re hearing but not listening, afraid to get burned deep because no QB sacks.
November 12th, 2024 at 4:10 pm
Exactly how long do fans have to wait for him to correct this problem. Get it sorted out or just get out.
November 12th, 2024 at 4:13 pm
The problem is obvious. The old saying “When you have 2 QB’s you have none.” applies here. Remember when Bowles was first hired as HC and was asked who would be the DC. To paraphrase, his answer was basically ” I’ll call the plays and I have 2 DC’s already and they will divide the duties.” Todd Bowles is bringing about his own demise. So, after all the critique sessions over TB’s tenure no one figured out the problem. It’s the COACHING stupid !
Just when I thought I was out, they keep pulling me back in.
November 12th, 2024 at 4:18 pm
Bowles should make every defensive player watch the tape of the Dolphins/Rams game. The Dolphins understand defense. They were rushing to the ball, making crisp tackles, playing receivers tight. It was awesome! The Bucs used to play that kind of defense, but it’s been a while.
November 12th, 2024 at 4:27 pm
Todd Bowles lacks the mental makeup to be a Head Coach. He is unable and/or unwilling to relinquish to someone else the DC responsibilities and focus solely on the HC position.
It makes one wonder why he wasn’t encouraged to step aside as DC and focus on the HC job. Think about it.
November 12th, 2024 at 4:46 pm
It’s always someone else’s fault. How can it be Bowles’ fault? He is never wrong.
November 12th, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Last week there needs to be more communication and today everything is communicated. It sounds like Todd is frustrated. I feel bad for him and hope it can turnaround. He still has the respect of the players. Not counting him out yet.
November 12th, 2024 at 5:13 pm
How tough id it to tell a CB playing on your side of the field to “get closer” to the WR. The verbage must be extraordinarily to move him closer. Good lord. Stop with the BS.
November 12th, 2024 at 5:58 pm
When the communication is just telling a corner to stand around doing nothing in Bowles garbage soft zone, I’m not really sure how that gets screwed up.
November 12th, 2024 at 5:59 pm
The whole communication thing comes from having KJ Britt on the field and young inexperienced guys coming in and out of the lineup.
November 12th, 2024 at 6:40 pm
“On the same page” is a tired, lame slogan for incompetence.
November 12th, 2024 at 7:02 pm
Passive communication begets passive listening
November 12th, 2024 at 7:40 pm
Please try to avoid using parcells and Bowles in the same sentence please 🙏
November 12th, 2024 at 10:48 pm
Algo Rhythm kept this one out of the endzone for almost four hours. Sign him!
November 12th, 2024 at 11:28 pm
Evan …yes. It’s all about personnel.
November 13th, 2024 at 10:01 pm
Ok so to start… Prevent defense, then blitz package at 55%.. this is a combo to the QB to dial up barn burners.. in theory we should have the best backs to be able to pull this style of defense off.. but we have 0 ball hawks… when was the last pick from our defense. Injuries, and maybe the fact Bowles never even coached these 4th string Joe schmoes who will never get another playing down, sounds way more likely. I do agree we need a coaching change, but come on!!! Glazers have historically never gone after a home run coach, closest to it was B.A. and his offense had ever made it to the prom, and never the home run after..