Did The Bucs Play Without Heart?
December 2nd, 2024
What happened to heart?
Joe didn’t expect Todd Bowles to pull a Bobby Knight yesterday.
Joe recalls too many times to count that Knight, the former basketball warlord of Indiana, even after a win, would be enraged over the play of his players and he considered the win a loss in reality.
And, as well documented in “Season on the Brink” those wins that felt like losses were treated as losses and Knight’s team would have hell to pay in practice.
Bowles is not a Knight-like creature. He praised the fight his team showed against the Stinking Panthers. And, Joe doesn’t think Bowles was wrong, he said that in the first half of the season, the Bucs would have tucked their tails between their legs and hid and not fight back.
Then, Bowles, per his transcribed comments by Carolina’s media relations staff, seemed to admit his players didn’t play with heart, or at least not enough heart, yesterday.
“We just gotta come ready to play and make less mistakes and our hearts into it. We got to clean up some things, we know that,” Bowles said.
Well, the Bucs, at least not enough, sure didn’t look like they played with heart. Anthony Nelson is one player who certainly did have heart.
But how could they not have played with heart? Were the Bucs somehow unaware of the stakes at hand? Did they not know Atlanta lost yesterday? Did they not know a win would put the Bucs one game behind in the chase for the NFC South crown? (Atlanta has the tiebreaker over the Bucs).
Joe just cannot understand that. With so much to gain with a win, a win over a trash team, a division rival, the Bucs came out like it was their 14th training camp practice.
Has the mental or spiritual pilot light for winning or for making the playoffs gone out with this team?
Flash poll posted at 7:25 a.m. Poll closed at 8:59 a.m.
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:18 am
This is the second youngest team in the league…….. if you can’t understand that they largely are still learning on the job, I can’t help you.
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:19 am
🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:19 am
Maybe do something other than walk through practices all week.. every week.
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:25 am
there are no trash teams in the nfl- on any given sunday
bryce young is not the same qb he used to be and their d came to play
that game came down to someone making a play and Anthony Nelson saw an opp the RB left the ball out a bit so he could stick his arm in a rip it out and Diaby looked so fast to pick it up, ME13 made a great catch, White a great run behind a vastly improved o line, we have a decent kicker… game over
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:28 am
If I had a nickel…..
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:41 am
There have been several heartless games this year and last…
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:49 am
Thank goodness for that improved run game kudos to Liam Cohen, the offensive line, and bucky Irving and company they won the game today baker didn’t play his best and the defense was, well, the defense… the play of the SEASON goes to Anthony Nelson he’s literally single handedly kept us in contention with one play– the o-line has a huge task on their hands this coming weekend with crosby let’s hope we keep this rolling along
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:51 am
The Bucs have taken on the persona of Bowles…..this team needs a coach that lights a fire under their rears. We’re playing for our season for the 3rd year in a row and we come out flat and unfocused in week 12 against a division rival? This is the identity of the team Bowles created. We play like a 9-8 team….every year, regardless of how we start the season, regardless of how good the offense is, this is a classic Todd Bowles product. Good, could be great but can’t get out of their own way.
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:53 am
I’m not gonna comment on bowles because he’s here at least til the end of the season cause we all know the glazers typically do not do in season terminations but he could be fighting for his job soon if we miss the playoffs and Liam Cohen gets offered interviews for HC spots we have to keep Liam at all costs even if it means losing bowles
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:54 am
Personally, I think that’s a dumb thing to say. Didn’t play with heart? That sounds like a lack of effort. Where exactly do you see that? I didn’t see that at all, what I saw was sloppy play. An offense that stalled, again, for long periods of time. They should’ve beat this team by two touchdowns. I saw the defense, once again, not getting a pass rush.
A secondary, once again, having injuries.
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:58 am
Bingo!!
Bobby M 🏆🏆🏆🏆
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:09 am
Bowles has got to go. Cohen to HC and grab a young sharp defensive mind for DC.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:14 am
A team takes on the personality of its coach.
Football has been this way since god was a child.
As long as the current coach is in place, expect more of the same. In this case playing down to the opponent with little emotion or fire.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:21 am
Maybe they took Carolina to lightly?
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:28 am
Memories are short. Do you not remember the absolutely horrid performance against Washington in the 2021 wildcard game. Then they went on to beat Green Bay, New Orleans on the road. 450 yards of offense is nothing to sneeze at. There are personnel flaws on this defense that really cannot be fixed due largely to injuries
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:30 am
Todd = Dungy. Too nice. Look what happened when Gruden took over. Offensive minded coach with a decent defense and good D coordinator, maybe Larry Foote could take this team further.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:34 am
Bowles has got to go. Trash DC. Can’t motivate young men.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:37 am
D played as usual. Baker sucked balls
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:48 am
Same o same. Open over the middle keeps killing us and Bowles hasn’t fixed that yet
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:51 am
Bucs have a great chance to win the division. Bucs should still part ways with Coach Bowles at the end of the season. This roster is way too good to be 6-6.
Promote Liam Coen and bring in a new DC.
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:05 am
Baker had a bad day. The defense did just OK. Our strength is in the middle and not the edges. The Bucs have more talent than the Panthers. Maybe too many young and inexperienced guys.
We showed heart but don’t look like a playoff team after 12 games played.
We came alive in the fourth quarter. Ugly game but a win is a win.
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:16 am
I do not know really know what causes momentum but it is a powerful thing. Panthers may be losers but they have momentum. No matter what team you are, you better watch out for that team that has the momentum wave. Remember Bucs lead up to the superbowl?–all those playoff games were played with momentum and that led to an overwhelming momentum at the superbowl. Last night was a really good win. It will matter as next week we play another “easy” team. Now nothing will be taken for granted and the game should be respected for what it always has been: 2 NFL teams on any given Sunday.
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:33 am
Regardless how the season ends – Bowles needs to retire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:46 am
Do not be surprised if Bowles “retires” after this season.
There is no “team resolve” with this bunch. They are the polar opposite of the “team resolve” that is the Detroit Lions.
Dan Campbell is tough and gritty. Todd Bowles is soft. The Lions play with toughness, grit and determination, the Bucs play with…something…but it ain’t tough and determined.
December 2nd, 2024 at 10:06 am
The fire and passion that you see from Bowles, that is what you see from the team.
December 2nd, 2024 at 10:09 am
Bowles has to go!! Regardless of how the season plays out . Bowles just does not have the leadership qualities to take this team to win consistently !
December 2nd, 2024 at 10:22 am
Play without brains maybe-
Vita Vea backing out into coverage and then watching, like a big walrus, the runner go past him; and J Dean backing up 8 yards and giving receiver easy completions on out routes.
December 2nd, 2024 at 10:46 am
You already know the answer to this question.
The team takes on the personality of their coach, which is passive and timid.
So what do you do with a team that plays sloppy, commits too many penalties and can’t cover or tackle anyone? Give them extra days off! Reward mediocrity and sub-par play. That will really light a fire…
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:01 am
“””There have been several heartless games this year and last…”””
You’re exactly right. Inexcusable. BAD COACHING.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:06 am
baker said oline imposed its will . how does that happen playing without heart? bowles in job saving mode
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:07 am
As long as coach Blows is in charge this team will never come close to its potential… he’s a loser always has been always willing be
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:16 am
The team was undisciplined. The secondary very slow and clueless every single game. It will not change , until complete leadership changes. Clean up the habitual mistakes ( interceptions, bone head false starts). If a lineman forgets the snap count watch the ball… The fundamentals of tackling are obvious and poor. Don’t leave your feet.. The tackling fundamentals is consistently poor and these so called professionals have played football since 12. Bowles does not discipline and no reason not too. It’s going to cost the team the game against Raiders if Bowles doesn’t put the hammer down for these continual false starts and off the side. Take away playing time. Hit them hard in the pocket where it counts.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:18 am
Canales knows our offense and our defense. So close to the coaches and how they think. Kinda of lile thr Gruden Bowl. That being said the defense corners are beat up. Tha k God we picked up Dean. Way to many penaltoes but an official went down and refs were calling some bullshit. Carolina dos get that touchdown, but there was no roughing the passer. Offense we need screens, quickout to the flats and them Evan for splash play deep threats. Shepard need to calm down. Energizer bunny. He get jumpy at line. We need to win out, but i still would.like to. Hange head coaches. Bowles has never commanded well at the Hc position.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:26 am
The team was undisciplined. The secondary very slow and clueless every single game. It will not change , until complete leadership changes. Clean up the habitual mistakes ( interceptions, bone head false starts). If a lineman forgets the snap count watch the ball… The fundamentals of tackling are obvious and poor. Don’t leave your feet.. The tackling fundamentals is consistently poor and these so called professionals have played football since 12. Bowles does not discipline and no reason not too. It’s going to cost the team the game against Raiders if Bowles doesn’t put the hammer down for these continual false starts and off the side. Take away playing time. Hit them hard in the pocket where it counts. The talent is good enough at this time to win the NFC south. They will lose this game against Raiders if Head coach and assistants do not make change this week at practice.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:47 am
Ok Dubble down on comments now to get your point made.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:06 pm
Coach has no fire , he just stands on the side lines and doesn’t show any emotions good or bad
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:48 pm
There was a lot of heart and soul coming from the players yesterday, especially toward the end. Thank you Nelly too.
Todd should talk about the play calling and decision making. Penalties, punt/kick rules, the basics, and so much more. Yes, and our injuries. Bucky walked off holding his hip. He played hard yesterday. Mike Evans, one handed catch. Kansey sacking Bryce, plus so many other solid plays. Heart and soul.
Mike C. commented we have a young team, still learning. That is very true. SenileSenior and so many other commenters are also right on point. Instead of an ice-cream day off, how about a day of going over basics and NFL rules. Even if you are hurt, you can sit in on those. We play the Panthers again at the end of the month and need to win the rest of the games too. Go Bucs!
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:02 pm
Bucs are human, not robots. They’re going to have good days and bad. But they have heart. That bunch celebrating in the locker room sure did. And, with a few exceptions, they are a very young team. Like I said earlier, even if Bowles gave them an extra day off, there are going to be quite a few players at One Buc studying film as well as getting medical treatment.
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:03 pm
Belichick.
Cobra is right. After a long meeting between Jason, the Glazers, and Bowels, his retirement will be announced, his service appreciated, and Bill Belichick will be announced as the next head coach of our Buccaneers.
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:05 pm
I don’t know about heart but it did seem like the kittens played with more energy than the Bucs in the first half. This often happens after the Bucs shellack someone like they did the Giants the week before. This is up to the head coach and team leaders to correct during the week but I think Baker has a tendency to buy into all of his hyperbole he receives. Not promoting him but Bill Belichek was excellent about correcting that type of culture and thinking.
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:20 pm
2022: 8-9
2023: 9-8
2025: 6-6
If you knew a HC candidate, a career loser, would post these records, would you have hired him?
Then, why would you consider keeping him?