Five Things
December 2nd, 2024
Already a star? (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)
Welcome to a hollow Victory Monday. Yeah, a win is a win, in theory. And the standings. But man, there was nothing winning about that game yesterday. Coffee mugs full? OK, let’s go.
Misleading W
One thing Joe always hopes his readers understand is Joe is always authentic with readers. Always has been, always will be.
Joe types what he sees, what he feels. If that ticks off some people, whether it is readers or those who work behind closed doors at One Buc Palace, it doesn’t matter to Joe.
As Joe’s very first editor said when Joe wrote his first sports story for pay, “Write what you see.”
And here’s what “this Joe” saw yesterday: A loss. Yes, yes, Joe knows the Bucs got a win. There was nothing winning about that game. “This Joe” has never felt like the Bucs lost after a win. Until last night.
Joe has never felt angry about a Bucs win. Until last night. No relief. No happiness. Just an overall sense of disgust and disappointment, almost how Joe felt after the Bucs choked away a win on a Thursday night in Atlanta.
The only thing redeeming about yesterday was a W in the standings. The Bucs looked like losers, played like losers, gagged like losers and looked like they were coached with a losing mentality.
With the exception of Mike Evans, Chase McLaughlin, Anthony Nelson and Bucky Irving, everything about that game yesterday was an L. Except for the W.
Joe just cannot believe that was the effort the Bucs had when they found out before kickoff all they had to do was win and they would be tied with Atlanta.
Instead, the Bucs sleepwalked through the game. Played like they were scared. Coached like they were trying to conserve energy and play not to get hurt.
Any other team than the lowly Stinking Panthers and the Bucs would have had their doors blown off instead of clawing to a gift of a win in overtime.
This is the team that is supposed to go to the playoffs? This is the team that is supposed to run the table to clinch a division title? This is a team that can afford one loss and still make the playoffs?
Playoffs? If the Bucs play and coach like they did yesterday, they’re going to lose three more games. Playoffs? Play like that? Playoffs? Ha!
Bucky? Stud. Evans? Hall of Famer (what’s new?). McLaughlin? Best kicker Bucs have ever had. Nelson? He played with an unmatched heart.
The rest? The way they played, they looked more like a team that has the U-Haul backed up in their driveway ready to hit the DR the first week of January.
How Could They Play So Low?
Joe is trying to wrap his head around the following: The Bucs knew they were about to put themselves a step away from making an improbable comeback in the standings. After the Bucs lost to San Francisco to send them into a bye week, only fans with the thickest pewter-colored glasses believed this team was an NFC South champ this fall.
Yet thanks to Atlanta choking badly and the Bucs putting their foot on the throats of the Giants, suddenly the seas parted.
Where was that heart, that passion, that intensity yesterday that the Bucs displayed in New Jersey the prior week? It was almost as if the Bucs figured they’d just get dressed, scratch their arses and Carolina would lay down and roll over.
There is hardly a starter with the Stinking Panthers that could start for the Bucs. Old man Adam Thielen probably, only because Chris Godwin is hurt. Josey Jewell probably. Maybe Jaycee Horn. That’s about it.
To think of all that was at stake yesterday for the Bucs to come out and play like that, geez. Joe is starting to think this team needs a good, healthy dose of discipline, not giving dudes a day off today, the NFL version of taking the grade school team to Dairy Queen.
Instead, the Bucs ought to have a fully-padded practice today at 7 a.m. after that shatfest.
Coaches Were Awful
If Todd Bowles really believes it’s best for Jamel Dean to stand in another area code while some third-rate receiver is able to haul in passes in front of him time after time, then maybe the game has passed Bowles by.
And if Bowles doesn’t like what Dean is doing, why doesn’t he bench him until he adjusts accordingly? If Bowles allows it, that means he wants it. It’s a bad look for Dean; a worse look for Bowles.
Really Liam Coen? Joe thought surely you were one of the best offensive coordinators in the game. Have a hurt Baker Mayfield and his numb ankle on his plant foot (fresh from the peep show tent) come off the bench on third-and-one to try a pass when you could have handed the ball off to Irving? Only to watch Mayfield throw a pick? Don’t trust Trask with a short pass?
Unfathomable! That very, nearly cost the Bucs their season right there.
The Bucs played like they were Bishop Sycamore, where the fraudulent high school team was nothing more than a barnstorming team of college wannabes playing three games a week.
The Bucs looked like they played on both Thanksgiving Day, and on Sunday.
Joe’s going to type the following and be done with it: If the Bucs play like they did yesterday against the Raiders next weekend, then the Raiders will stomp their arse. The Raiders, unlike the Stinking Panthers, have some talent.
Hey Bucs, you may not be aware, but maybe, just maybe, you can afford just one more loss the next five games. Time to act like you know it.
Time to start playing with urgency and fire. Time to quit waiting on accidents to save the day.
Lacking Pass Rush
It seems if Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea cannot get to the quarterback, the Bucs are not getting to the quarterback.
There are times, like yesterday, the way Kancey flies through the line, he looks like No. 99 to Joe (and no, Joe is not referring to Aaron Donald who never played for the Bucs!).
Kancey has been on fire of late. He now has five sacks in his last four games and six for the season in seven games. Vita was on fire, too, but he was stoned by Carolina yesterday.
So basically the Bucs’ pass rush was Kancey and, well, just Kancey.
It is appallingly irresponsible how Bucs coaches don’t care about sacks from an edge rush. And frankly, Joe’s deep well of patience on this subject has run dry.
This utter nonsense is going to catch up with the Bucs in the next two months. It very nearly caught up with them yesterday.
Pray Lavonte David Stays Upright
So starting linebacker K.J. Britt blew out his ankle in the second quarter and was lost for the game. The already thinner-than-thin inside linebacker corps is even worse off.
Alongside Bucs veteran stud Lavonte David, there is J.J. Russell and Vi Jones. All you need to know about Jones is he was signed by the Bucs a year ago and as recently as a few weeks ago, Bucs coach Todd Bowles said he wasn’t ready yet (though he played yesterday).
He’s been on the roster/practice squad for a year and he wasn’t ready??? What exactly were the Bucs teaching him, to remove kidney stones with a pocket knife?
If Bowles’ defense is truly this complicated that a guy can be with the team for a year but deemed unready, that may explain why so many dudes are making so many mistakes. Perhaps Bowles’ defense is overly complex and may have to be dialed back a little.
What is this Jones doing during meetings, playing video poker on his phone with Kwon Alexander?
Anyway, if David somehow, God forbid, gets hurt, this Bucs defense may be doomed.
December 2nd, 2024 at 5:11 am
Joe….. Bucs have had 4 “could have won” losses (easy), I think it is ok that they have a singular “should have lost” win. KC is a good team, and has a ton of “should have lost” wins, Calm the ef down bro, say it with me, DIVISION GAMES ARE LIKE THIS.
December 2nd, 2024 at 5:13 am
Ohhh happy victory Monday, Yes Joe, Bucs are a 1/2 game out of first smh.
December 2nd, 2024 at 5:15 am
Time for radio to go.
December 2nd, 2024 at 5:27 am
This team loves to tease you with a game like against the Giants, or Philly earilier in the year only to look like they did yesterday agianst Carolina. The Steelers played down to the Browns last week, all teams have these kind of games. For the most part the Steelers usually play tough consistantly, the Bucs just don’t. World beaters one week, barely hanging on the next. They could wipe the field with the Raiders next week, or come out like they did against Denver. Your guess is as good as mine predicting what Bucs will show up week, to week. Everyone is happy we won, but it puts us back to being a .500 team, that’s all. Not sure that’s good enough for Todd. Every game the rest of the way will be the same.
December 2nd, 2024 at 5:42 am
Thank you, Joes. I feel you and more. I could mention more examples of ineptitudes but there’s no point to it. It’s been apparent since Rams playoff game (BA’s final) and worsening ever since.
One awesome option awaits, with multiple variants. Unlike a Todd defense which has multiple defective options with myriad confusing variants.
Truth be told here. This defense sucks. Flat as a pancake is a Bowles trademark.
December 2nd, 2024 at 5:44 am
Well said Joe, well said! You stated what so many of us Buc fans have felt this year; a team with talent and potential but comes out so flat so many times this year and a coaching staff who plays not to lose. For today, I am just happy the Bucs won, they should not have but unlike the 4 chokes vs the ATL (2x), KC and SF they won. Sure it is a team that will likely finish with 4 or 5 wins.
Anyhow, today seems like a good day to hit the buffet up at Der Dutchman and then drive over to Yoders and pick up a couple of the pies my wife ordered, I think strawberry rhubarb and blackberry. Not a bad Monday, would have been worse if the Bucs lost……
December 2nd, 2024 at 5:45 am
Kirk Cousins vs. the Bucs: 392.5 yards passing, 226.7 vs. the rest of the league
Bryce Young vs. the Bucs: 298 yards passing, 135.3 vs. the rest of the league
Todd Bowles defense this year reminds me of the days of the Smith Brothers, Lovie & Mike. That’s the biggest insult I can give to Bowles, putting him in the category, but he’s earned it.
December 2nd, 2024 at 5:48 am
* That category
December 2nd, 2024 at 5:58 am
Jeez, just take the win and move on….
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:04 am
For those that think Joe is overreacting, and needs to “calm down”, I would like to calmly point out that there is only one common denominator to most of the gut retching losses so far this season. Sadly, that common denominator is Todd Bowles. When a talented team consistently underperforms expectations (which takex into account injuries), that is known as Poor Coaching.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:16 am
Oh yeah, because a year on the practice squad is supposed to turn a UDFA into Mike Singletary overnight, right? What do people think this is, a Disney movie? Player development isn’t some magic trick—it takes time, reps, and sometimes guys just don’t pan out. It’s the NFL, not a fairy tale.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:44 am
I am with you, Joe. I’m sick of so many things about this team. Since Bowles became HC, darn near every victory has been hard. Making the playoffs has been a challenge! Every time we can make it “easy” we choke. Last game of the year, win and in, 2 years in a row, and now same thing, plus, pray Atlanta chokes.
I’m tired of Bowles scheme. It’s overly complicated and seemingly several different players go down and it all goes down hill. A rookie safety, should not be this important to the entire defense. A 2nd year player who barely started (Dennis) should not be missed this sorely. Jamel Dean playing 10-15 yards off, while Zyon is on his man is embarrassing. The only way we get off the field is if there’s I completions or missed throws.
The edge rushers? Good grief! I’m tired of this crap too. I knew they wouldn’t do anything about it, but my goodness. JTS9 is done. His career probably has no chance now with how he’s been wasted. Logan Hall, same I guess, idk. Other then destroying Jensen’s knee, what has he done? Thank God Kancey has some skill. Diaby is being ruined and wasted/not developing. Nelson is what he is (very clutch by him). I think these guys get ruined, like you suggested. Hopefully Braswell can actually develop. The insight Richard Sherman gave about the dropping in coverage on TNF calling it “Window Dressing” has stuck in my mind ever since. I see those guys just standing there. They don’t play the pass, they just stand there until the ball is caught. It’s frustrating.
Someone also needs to pull Baker aside and have a grown-up talk. I get and love the competitive attitude. I was resistant, because of Trask, but Baker is our guy. That being said, he needs to be restrained after he gets hurt. It was bad enough and long enough for Trask to get two plays, let him finish the series. I didn’t see him warm up, testing his ankle. Only pacing. Idk what he did in the tent, but whatever. It was irresponsible to send him back out right away. And Coen was equally stupid calling a passing play.
All in all this all comes back to Bowles. I think the guys who blame Licht on the draft picks are blaming him too much especially pass rush. These guys need development, unless we strike gold. Who isn’t developing them? Bowles. Who’s not properly adjusting? Bowles. Who’s not corralling Baker? Bowles. Who’s coming out flat week after week? Bowles. Jason, really didn’t have much choice in hiring Bowles. Arians put the team in a pickle… On purpose. Now we’re stuck with mediocrity on a stacked team.
Bowles is too stubborn to change, based on what he’s said. A few missed tackles or bad angles we would have won. Yeah we would have won so many more games with getting better guys out there and changing stuff. The defense is holding us back. That’s what’s so frustrating. We should be much higher in the standings, but because of incompetence, here we are. I think most fans know this… That’s why I want Bowles gone.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:44 am
Oh, so let me get this straight—struggling to beat a division rival means the coaching staff is trash now? By that logic, the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs must be garbage too, right? I mean, they barely squeaked past the Panthers (30-27) and the Raiders (19-17) in back-to-back weeks. Newsflash: this is the NFL, not Madden on rookie mode. Teams don’t just roll over because you think they should.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:50 am
Man, I started a stupid long response in A DIFFERENT thread that I eventually didn’t post. Joe captured my feelings perfectly. So low on a winning Mon. How’d this guy Young get near personal record passing numbers against what should be a top flight NFL scheme? Ugh.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:53 am
This article is exactly how I was feeling. We stunk up the joint and stole a victory.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:57 am
Jenna Laine posted that Bucky has the 2nd most scrimmage yards in team history through 12 games as a rookie! More than Dunn, and Evans. He’s 400 yards behind Doug Martin but he’s had 1/3 the carries he didi.
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:00 am
Trenton Gill is the BEST available option for kick offs and punts??????????
NO FREAKING WAY this stiff should not be cut. Camarda was a 4th round draft pick and Gill is what you are telling me is a better option???????????
Jason Licht better get his head out of his arse and get a new guy ASAP….
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:07 am
1. Carolina has been solidly good last few weeks. 2 wins and a barely loss to KC.
2. The Bucs did not look as good as Carolina.
3. Yet they won on a division opponent home field.
and
4. The NFL continues to be two games almost every game now.
a. One game is the game for the 1st three quarters. 26 total points.
b. One game is the game in the 4th quarter. 20 total points.
c. Good coaches plan for both a. and b. in order to win games.
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:22 am
There have been “games “ like this earlier in the year and last year as well.
There is something fundamentally wrong with the leadership “ coaching “
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:34 am
Joe said it.
Leopold put an exclamation point on it.
Bowles is not a winning coach. Nice guy- sure. Winner – no.
All I got.
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:35 am
Thank God for the one less ref because I’m sure that would’ve been one more ref against them. We had a hard enough time beating flattop & carrot top (Bryce & Dalton).
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:41 am
Nailed it Joe and the bits about these guys mailing it in really hits home with me. Also I have never been angry after a win…Ever! Till now! I have watched some disgusting Sh!t show football from my beloved Bucs over the years including 1976 season. But that was a first!
Go Bucs!
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:43 am
If you don’t know that there are no easy divisional road games in the NFL that’s on you not on Bowles. He can’t play man coverage because they have #37 Thomas in at safety. So we play quarters with the corners way off. It is what it is. We won the game.
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:43 am
Joe, did you notice at the end of the game when the Panthers were at first-and-goal, VEA and KANCEY were both riding the bench?!?!?!?!
Couldn’t believe it.
Irresponsible.
What? They needed to catch their breath so they could jog across the field after a loss and trade jerseys with a couple Panthers players?
Go back and watch the film.
PLEASE grill Bowles in the press conference about it.
That’s a terminable offence.
Yeah, the poll is right. “Disgusted!”
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:44 am
I do like the defensive scheme manufacturing pressure on opposing qb’s through a total array of blitze packages. At minimum it conjures added pressure as an opposing qb will never complete a pass laying on his back.
Hey let’s face it, the panthers are rapidly improving, and these Bucs are a little better than mediocre with a good qb, one great receiver, a rookie of the year running back, and a couple of defensive studs. We are what our record says we are.
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:44 am
The zone defense is Bowles version of “dialing back” the defense. I’ve said several times, the scheme is run backwards. In obvious passing downs we sit in zone….why? Because Bowles doesn’t want to give up a play over the top….why? Because instead of having our best playmaking safety as a ball hawk, we’re instead blitzing our secondary players and dropping less capable players from the front 7 into coverage. Bowles runs the defense from the perspective of his playing days as a CB when secondaries could make an impact on the game. Those days are over, the secondary is at a huge disadvantage in modern football yet Bowles makes the task even more difficult by not allowing his CBs to press at the line and taking Winfield from the backend to rush the passer. The scheme is completely backwards of what works in modern football.
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:45 am
P and moan, P and moan, P and moan… SMH
We won. We are now .500 tied for 1st in our Division.
This is not 1AA or less conference, or CFL, this is the NFL, in the NFC South. Has always been a battle in every game. We don’t like them and they don’t like us.. We Battle each other like it means something. These Bucs fans act like this game was a given. No they never are. We have some issues. Yeah who doesn’t? We have all of these fire Coach Bowles fans… How well has that worked out for the Browns, the Panthers, the Cardinals or Patriots? Or our Bucs? Do we have such shallow memories? Anyone want to go back to Lovie ball, Morris, Schinao, Kotter-Smith*?
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:45 am
6-6
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:05 am
LUVMYBUCS Says:
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:44 am
Oh, so let me get this straight—struggling to beat a division rival means the coaching staff is trash now? By that logic, the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs must be garbage too, right? I mean, they barely squeaked past the Panthers (30-27) and the Raiders (19-17) in back-to-back weeks. Newsflash: this is the NFL, not Madden on rookie mode. Teams don’t just roll over because you think they should.
^^^^^^^^^^^
The problem is the Bucs defense has “rolled over” several times this year with the game on the line. I don’t know if you’d call Bowles’ late game scheme the dreaded “Prevent Defense”, but it has definitely prevented the Bucs from winning some games.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:18 am
Joe in M
Just like the SF game.. Can’t get into the end zone from a yard out.. then the defense goes into the fetal position.
That Call by Coen was really really bad.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:19 am
Am I the only one not surprised that the Kittie QB had the greatest game of his young career against a Todd Bowles defense?
This is nothing new for a Bowles defense.
Todd Bowles HC ceiling is .500.
Either accept mediocrity or demand a new coach.
If Bowles is to remain the HC, then give Coen a massive raise and hire a new, young, innovative DC.
I take no solace in making the playoffs when the team has no shot at a Lombardi.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:23 am
Bucs still a very young team with too many defensive injuries. Worth keeping some perspective. Bucs last year were projected by many to win 4 games all year. For two seasons they have been very competitive. Coaches finding out who can play and who cannot. Had a remarkable draft finding players like Bucky and Izzy in later rounds. Confused about Braswell who has been mostly a non-entity. That is hard to believe since defense has played so badly and Braswell can’t get more playing time?
Rebuild of O line has been remarkable but pass protection yesterday was poor. This team is 1.5 years away from SB contention. Given the salary cap limitations that is remarkable. Hasn’t been Bowles finest hour but as I have said with another division title he isn’t going anywhere. Licht needs to get some defensive players for next year starting with Myles Garrett.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:32 am
Very annoying article to read. Very whiny.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:33 am
The Tampa Cover Who defense is abysmal. Awful. Terrible. Embarassing. Pathetic. Laughable. Putrid. Pitiful. Feeble. Wretched. DISCUSTING!
Aiden Connell up next and Bucs will make him, Bowers and Meyers look like the best show Vegas has ever seen.
Ill said it a 1,000 times and will say it again – Bowles plays NOT to lose rather than to win.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:44 am
Call up Grier form the PS. At the very least he is decent at pass coverage.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:44 am
Everyone is over reacting. The second interception was not horrendous. Otten could have fought for the ball. Did we forget last week the Chiefs gave up 27 points to the panthers and won in a walk off FG. Bucs gave up 23 and won in a walk off FG. Of course Terry Brad dislikes Baker. All Steelers are against The Browns. Bakers attitude does irk old timers. We live in a different culture now. Next week i expect better as the pressure is off. Bucs will be big underdogs in LA against Chargers.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:52 am
MarkyMark,
Don’t know what Bradshaw said about Baker but it doesn’t really matter. Bradshaw is in the HOF having NEVER completed more than 60% of his passes in any single year. For his career he had more INT than TD. Bradshaw had the good fortune to play with a team that probably had the best defense EVER, the Steel Curtain. Pretty sure Baker at age 29 has already surpassed Bradshaw in career TD’s.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:55 am
Bowles is a TRASH DC and has to go regardless of what happens the rest of the season. The Yucs will never win a SB with Clueless Todd at the helm.
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:09 am
Todd sucks Bowles, I mean ballz
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:11 am
WHERE IS SEAN TUCKER???!?
IT’S A CRIME THAT HE’S NOT AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE OFFENSIVE GAMEPLAN.
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:16 am
Thank you JOE I feel the same way. Especially about DEAN. Dude is always playing so far off the WR and they literally walk down the field that way. That infuriates me along with WRs running wide open. Drives me bonkers along with a non existent pass rush. Honestly tho they could trade for bosa but only one guy can do so much. Even the best pass rusher doesn’t get to the QB every play. So guys running wide open needs to be fixed asap. I agree a legit pass rusher would help but wouldn’t fix the sieve as a defense
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:32 am
Much can be learned from rewatching this game with an open mind. The Bucs players should all be made to sit and watch this entire game together. Anyway, momentum is very powerful, it is tough to to overcome. For whatever reason, the Panthers have it. Last week, they played toe to toe with the Chiefs. Bucs will learn from this. It is an important game.
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:41 am
Why consider this a misleading win? Carolina played KC tough, as well. All teams have bad games. The encouraging part is we showed the resolve to overcome with timely big plays. A championship run takes being healthy and hot. Tykee will be back soon and our schedule is favorable. We have what we need to build momentum and make a run.
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:48 am
The BIGGEST fail in the game was 3rd and 1 at the 2 yard line. Get 1 yard and you basically have a guaranteed 7 points. White is the last person you want carrying the ball on that play. Bucky was resting, I get it, but at least put in a fullback as a lead blocker. Heck, I would have handed the ball to the lead blocker (Vea or someone else). Baker could have gotten that yard with his bad wheel. YOU HAVE TO GET THAT 1 YARD and the game is basically over. White had a whole to follow, but it wasn’t big enough so he bounced it outside. HUGE FAIL.
I really like our OC, but sometimes our HC mentality sometimes infects the whole staff.
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:49 am
Sometimes just one play can change a game or even a season.
We have lost some tough games because we couldn’t make a single play with the game on the line. Some of these games were played against great team like the Chiefs who also didn’t play perfect games but didn’t allow our defense to make a game winning play.
Anthony Nelson’s strip of Hubbard was the first time in 5 “end of game scenarios” where our defense has made a game changing play.
This needs to be celebrated more than we gripe about how we got into the end of game scenario itself.
We won a division game on the road against a team that has always played us tough and we did it by making a game changing play on defense.
Finally
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:53 am
Gipper… True Bradshaw is the over rated one. Mean Joe Green carried him.
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:57 am
If the Bucs won a playoff game or SB the same way, would there be this much angst? I mean they struggled against the Panthers to win 9-0 last year, got into the playoffs and easily handled the Eagles (though they were spiraling) and played Detroit pretty well. Just get into the playoffs and see what happens.
December 2nd, 2024 at 10:09 am
Ill take this w instead of the losses we had twice vs ATL, 49ers and KC.
December 2nd, 2024 at 10:09 am
Kancey didn’t play with heart?
That was a tough one but c’mon, with the W ya gotta admit, was a lil fun. This team will be in the NFC championship this year on the backs of the run game (see what I did there?).
December 2nd, 2024 at 10:24 am
Excellent article !!
December 2nd, 2024 at 10:32 am
Carolina missed 2 makeable FG’s and a game changing fumble – 1 more costly mistake than the Bucs did – and that was the difference in the outcome.
The Panthers are an improved team and that was a physical game yesterday.
Vita Vea dropping into coverage is idiotic.
December 2nd, 2024 at 10:41 am
Last point on bashing this Bucs win.
Lions are 10-1. They lost to the 6-6 bucs. Anyone doubting Detroit?
Commanders are 8-5. They lost to the bucs. Anyone doubting them?
Commanders barely beat the bears and lost to the cowboys. And rightfully, no one is panicked.
Eagles are 10-2 and got destroyed by the bucs. Anyone doubting them?
The eagles barely beat the browns, jags and saints + lost to atl yet no one is panicking.
We won a tough game and overcame. Applaud our bucs as other teams applaud their teams.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:38 am
Thank you “This Joe” for that article. I will annoy “That Joe” by putting on my cynic hat and letting my “battered (fan) syndrome” feelings be put on display.
I am slowly weaning off the NFL as I have all the other sports. I have made that clear here. Roger Goodell, the NFLPA, the societal change in our culture, politics, and the pursuit of the almighty dollar have brought us to where we are today.
Our society has changed by design. “They” want everybody to be a winner. Every kid gets a prize. All the sports leagues want parity.
The theory of Occam’s razor (KISS) is necessary here. Parity, profit, and public opinion are at the roots of the demise of the NFL.
IT IS ALL BY DESIGN. It is, in my opinion, naive to believe that something of a nefarious nature can not be taking place right before our very own lying eyes. For those that have watched football for most or all their lives, can you explain what is going on with the craziness in the NFL ? One more thing, the NFL seems to be following the lead of horse racing. Step up to the window and place your bets folks.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:39 am
I went to the game and that play call for Bakers second INT after returning from an injury was actually a good call. Shepard was wide open on a crosser against man and it could have easily been a TD if Baker saw him. Don’t know if the tv cast showed that. The All 22 will though. Baker has made a lot of improvements this season but he’s had 3 clunkers so far vs the Broncos, Ravens and Panthers
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:41 am
DOOMED! The Bucs are doomed to another Lost Decade! That was the cry of woe after Tom Brady retired. No franchise quarterback! Salary Cap Hell! The wrong head coach! The wrong offensive coordinator! Yada, yada, yada!
The Bucs remained division champions and have another shot at it this year. The salary cap has been tamed. The team has the right quarterback. The team has the right offensive coordinator. The team has reloaded the offensive line and has a run game!!! The team has the draft capital to reload the defense in the upcoming draft. Two constants in all of that have been Licht and Bowles, so, hey, let’s fire Bowles! Not!
Bowles seems to be a championship team builder.
Maybe he could use in a new wave genius defensive coordinator. So, try it.
Maybe he could use a real time game management team in the booth to give real time advice to the head coach and the play callers? So, try it. Soon, I am sure that AI will be doing that.
But, don’t fire the coach who has navigated the team past what seemed like an unavoidable lost decade.
And, the Joe who wrote this article is a ninny. We saw this last year with Houston when a new QB put together a great game against the Bucs and some other teams. The Broncos have been that team this year, and now the Panthers are getting it together while the Falcons crash and burn. In the preseason power rankings, the Bucs were picked to be third or fourth in the division with no shot at the playoffs. Licht and Bowles keep overachieving as they are only a tiebreaker away from first place. Let’s all cry about it.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:42 am
DOOMED! The Bucs are doomed to another Lost Decade! That was the cry of woe after Tom Brady retired. No franchise quarterback! Salary Cap Hell! The wrong head coach! The wrong offensive coordinator! Yada, yada, yada!
The Bucs remained division champions and have another shot at it this year. The salary cap has been tamed. The team has the right quarterback. The team has the right offensive coordinator. The team has reloaded the offensive line and has a run game!!! The team has the draft capital to reload the defense in the upcoming draft. Two constants in all of that have been Licht and Bowles, so, hey, let’s fire Bowles! Not!
Bowles seems to be a championship team builder.
Maybe he could use in a new wave genius defensive coordinator. So, try it.
Maybe he could use a real time game management team in the booth to give real time advice to the head coach and the play callers? So, try it. Soon, I am sure that AI will be doing that.
But, don’t fire the coach who has navigated the team past what seemed like an unavoidable lost decade.
And, the Joe who wrote this article is a ninny. We saw this
Blast year with Houston when a new QB put together a great game against the Bucs and some other teams. The Broncos have been that team this year, and now the Panthers are getting it together while the Falcons crash and burn. In the preseason power rankings, the Bucs were picked to be third or fourth in the division with no shot at the playoffs. Licht and Bowles keep overachieving as they are only a tiebreaker away from first place. Let’s all cry about it.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:47 am
Well done, Joe.
Agreed, what is the game plan for Jones? Hard to hold Baker back. Love his passion. However, sometimes a coach must make that hard decision of whether or not a a player can immediately go back in after an injury evaluation in the tent. Baker probably was saying he is okay, and then we read here that he was wearing a boot later on. Hope it’s nothing more serious. Watching the cleat hit his ankle was pretty bad. Baker was not happy about his playing either yesterday and talked about it after to Jen. He said “Not pretty by any means.”
I was thinking early on that maybe once the Bucs heard that the Falcons lost that maybe it gave them a different mindset going into the game. Whereas it affected the Panthers the opposite way going into the game. Whatever the reasons, it sure was a different game from the week before. We were all stressed and can only imagine how stressed the players were. So glad we won in the end.
Checked out the film you noted. Interesting and am going to try to watch it soon.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:49 am
Jimmyp: You fail to mention that Kirk Cousins SHREDDED the Bucs defense in what might be the 2 most important games of the year, and that Kirk Cousins can’t do JACK SQUAT against most of the other teams.
Todd Bowles defense is a failure. As Lovie Smith would say, “It’s a simple as that”.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:50 am
I’m gonna call it now, Aiden O’ Connell is about to have a “coming of age” game by lighting up Todd’s Cover Zero defense. Let’s put the over/under at 290 yards.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:51 am
It is all sleight of hand. There is misdirection in every direction.
It’s the ref’s bad or non calls.
It’s the lousy defense.
It’s this or that.
There is always an excuse but never a good explanation.
It is not wanted for you to see what is REALLY going on.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:35 pm
Bucs will NEVER have an edge pass rush when JAMEL DEAN gives 10+ yes cushions to the WR !!!!
How many 7-8 yard sideline routes did we see Carolina run…….
QB was getting the ball out fast!!
You know what keeps him from doing that?
HAVE YOUR CORNERS PLAYING CLOSER TO THE WR!!!!!!
I don’t see these cushions given with McCollom!!
How come nobody is in Dean’s ear, screaming at him to move up closer?
This is just absolutely pathetic coaching!
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:48 pm
Wow….so many idiots, so little time…SMH
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:48 pm
To the few that are negative about hiring Belichick, here are a few points.
– Bowels is a Loser and demonstrates this every game, every season. Licht and the Glazers see this as fans do. Facts and results don’t lie.
– Licht’s only unconditional head coaching hire was BA, leading to Tom Brady, leading to a Super Bowl followed by the winniningest season in franchise history.
– Licht know what he is doing. If Belichick wants the job, it’s his, provided he doesn’t demand or expect total control. And provided he accepts Liam Coen as his assistant head coach / offensive coordinator. And provided he agrees to hire a real and proper defensive coordinator, like Robert Saleh.
– Belichick would ensure focus and discipline. A defensive player might get beat but it won’t be due to the player not knowing WTF he’s supposed to do, every time.
This is a great roster, and as Joe said, the players are being wasted and ruined.
It’s time. It’s way past time.
December 2nd, 2024 at 12:51 pm
Am I reading a supposed sports fan blog about a team which is 0-12? Sure sounds like it. I bet I am a lot more cynical than a bunch of you on here. Being a Bucs fan is one of the very few vices/diversions I have. So, I’ll stick with it.
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:25 pm
I concur. Couldn’t agree with you more on all counts except I would take any Panthers DL over Logan Hall and (47) over KJ Britt.
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:29 pm
Loved seeing Stroud, the Red Rocket and Canales all celebrating a win before the game was over. Reminded me of Raheem Morris acting like he won the Dolphins game with a little over 2 minutes left in the game back in the day. Morons all of them.
December 2nd, 2024 at 1:29 pm
I am still mystified at Bowles’ love for soft zone coverage. All the damage Young did against us yesterday was against zone, and he stunk against man coverage.
Dean is supposed to be great in man coverage. It seems that McCollum is more of a man coverage guy than zone.
What am I missing here?