The Blame Game
December 23rd, 2024
Joe loves how some fans have firm rules for the blame game as it relates to a Buccaneers loss.
There are no rules! It’s football, the ultimate team sport. And with so many contributors and moments and approaches, Joe recommends not telling fans how to feel about their team.
To be cliché, the Bucs are what their record says they are: 8 wins and 7 losses. Only 13 NFL teams have a better record.
Today, Joe can’t think of a moment in history in which the Bucs’ record fit the team more snuggly.
The Bucs look like an 8-7 team. It’s been a true roller coaster ride. Thankfully, the seat belts still work.
Tampa Bay has had far too many subpar quarterbacks have extra special days against their defense. They’ve also been sloppy with the football.
The Bucs rightly have been described as dominant and punishing at times, too.
Of those 13 teams with better records, the Bucs have beaten four of them. Tampa Bay also has six wins by two scores of more. And they’ve got rookies in key roles playing well late in the season (again).
Consistency has eluded the Bucs throughout the Todd Bowles regime, though they played strong ball through the playoffs last season. So Bowles looks like an 8-7 head coach.
Joe wouldn’t throw a verbal dart at any fan who concludes that Bowles is not a Super Bowl-caliber leader. There’s a stack of evidence on the table.
But Joe also would tell that same fan to take a deep breath and assess after 17 games, and hopefully more in the postseason. Not every head coach deserves a full-season evaluation (positive or negative), but Joe believes Bowles certainly does, as do nearly all the Bucs, though Joe has seen more than enough of Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and a few others.
Joe’s frustrated because there’s enough talent on this roster to be better than 8-7. And Joe doesn’t think that’s an emotional evaluation after a tough loss.
One thing the agitated interns and fans at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters can agree on this morning is that the Bucs should win their final two games at home against weaker opponents (Carolina and New Orleans).
Given how the Bucs have played this season, that would be a huge step forward for the franchise.
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:28 am
I dont think a win is a given in either case.
Canales is trying to prove to Tepper he didn’t make a mistake. Young is trying to prove he belongs.
New Orleans would love nothing more than to ruin Tampa’s season. They aren’t tanking for draft picks.
They could very easily lose both.
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:29 am
Whole game would have been way different if sterling caught that 4th down dart… I’m just ready for a change… Todd is too calm, too laid back, no energy or drive… I was rooting for him to come in and make Tampa a defensive juggernaut when he took over, but we all know that is far from the case… so there is no point to keep him
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:30 am
8-7 or 7-8 that is because the sum of both is 15. The only way for Bowles to get in his comfort zone would be with a tie thrown in for 7-7-1. What a sideline stiff. Even if he backs in to the title again it will be the same old story next year.
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:30 am
I was pissed off at halftime because I’ve seen this ugly baby before from the Bucs and I knew they were going to lose.
They literally looked like a 3-12 team last night. ….awful.
I’ve always said Todd Bowles is a good Defensive Coordinator but he’s a BAD HC!!!!!
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:32 am
Joe, can you name any head coach that has coached 8 or more seasons (like Bowles has) that had a worse record than his (0.440)?
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:33 am
And the Panthers played inspired football against the cowgurls….and look how pathetic the Bucs looked last night against them?????
Todd Bowles……..you need to just go
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:33 am
A full season? We’ve had 4 already to see that Todd Bowles is exactly what his record says he is. He’s not going to morph into a competent HC.
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:34 am
every time I get to see the game they suck!
guess it’s just when they get on primetime and believe their own hype. this is not a team that can be depended on in big games……or even little ones if it
s primtetime
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:36 am
Joe, I agree pretty much on everything, I would add, that after Brady´s departure the depth and quality of the roster is questionable for starters….
Is not easy to win more games without an inside LB during all season, and LVD has been great in some games and bad on others, yesterday sometimes seemed to be lost, probably because he has to do pretty much everything on the position.
Our secondary has been bad all season long, specially satftys…..
Coaching has been inconsistent all season long on both sides of the ball, bad execution also has been poor, and that´s on the players
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:38 am
1) Bowles is what his record says he is, this year, and his entire career, a .500 coach at best. Overall record is 51W-65L, TB HC 25W-24L, Playoffs 1W-2L.
2) We CAN NOT let Coen out if the building.
3) All the best DCs in the league are former HC who were better coordinators than head coaches.
All that said, 1 + 1 = FIRE Bowles, promote Coen, hire a DC like Saleh. Coen will have runway with Baker. No on will be trying to poach Saleh/other because Offensive gurus are what GMs want at HC. Ironically, the only way to create coaching stability is through firing our HC.
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:38 am
There is also the possibility of losing both and ending the season 8-9…again.
Bowles history is the quintessential .500…
Maybe that is what ownership and casuals want: mediocrity. At least it keeps the “wait until next year” alive.
……..
And how damaged in Irving? He disappeared late in the game…
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:39 am
How can anyone say he’s a good D coordinator good coach period, Cooper Fing Rush just carved us up! We call a TO with sum 50 seconds left on the clock before the end of 2nd qtr. TD, that leaves too much time on the clock and what does Dallas do? Goes down and kicks a FG. BTW we lose the game by 2pts.
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:40 am
“CONSISTANCY HAS ELUDED THE BUCS THROUGHOUT THE BOWLES REGIME”
Truer words have never been spoken, I’m so sick and tired of the roller coaster ride. Nobody rooted harder for you in the beginning than me Todd, but it’s time
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:41 am
Oh Noooo. I just realized … it is possible for Bowles to end up 8-8-1.
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:42 am
@Joe(s) – you’ve wrote multiple articles calling out Baker Mayfield since the loss, you’re hosting the blame game.
This is clearly on the pass defense and the defense is run by Bowles. Cooper Rush had a career high in total 1st half yards. The same pass defense that let cousins throw for 500. Baker is guilt my of playing hard, can’t say the same for the defense.
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:43 am
Tampa Bay is:
– 5th in points scored
– 22nd points against
They’ve scored 100 more points than the falcons. Offense is not the number one problem. Bump Bowles for Coen.
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:48 am
This team plays down to their competition or up to their competition every damn week I think a lot of this is on bowls and him not being able to coach up his defensive ends it’s just unbelievable if this is all we’re going to get is being mediocre then I’m ready for the next chapter cuz I don’t want to do 10 more years of where we’re not even talked about on the ESPN
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:50 am
Well at least the defense didn’t give up copious yards and easy wide open throws to another journeyman QB with the D linemen dropping in coverage and toothpicks rushing the QB.
Oh, wait.
Enough of the fraudulent defense. It is truly painful to watch.
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:51 am
The evidence is clear. The defense sucks and the guy running it is mediocre.
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:52 am
Our team is a pretender, not a contender. Without a true pass rusher or a shutdown corner, we will continue to be.
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:57 am
We should never be allowed to play Sunday or Monday night games in the near future. Last night was like a slow death, we all get tired of the same old crap with this team. There is too much talent on this team to be 8-7.
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:58 am
I don’t fully blame Todd. Licht, Coen, and others are all accountable too. There are other coaches in the league that are worse than Todd. It’s a package deal. If the Glazers were to let Todd go before his contract, they will bring in a new coach who will bring in their own staff/coaches, et al. How about hiring a defense consultant like Salas instead and see what happens.
December 23rd, 2024 at 8:59 am
I have been a Bowles supporter…but I agree that the time has come for change, regardless of the outcome of the last 2 games. He’s a good teacher, but Bowles has no ability to make sure the team is fired up/ready to play week in and week out. Mediocrity is our destiny with him at the helm.
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:00 am
Bucs will win their last two and Atlanta will not.
Bucs will win the division for the 4th straight year
Bucs will be in the playoffs.
Todd Bowles will return as HC next season.
You can vetch and moan and complain all you want , but these are the facts.
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:00 am
On of the last straws for me was watching Vita drop into coverage multiple times last night.
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:01 am
Blame? Oh, this is too easy. Bowles has a low game-management I.Q. We see it on display during every close game – win or lose. If you content with a .500 team, keep Bowles. If your serious about winning a Super Bowl, someone else needs to be brought it. After years of fielding embarrassing clown shows with Raheem/Shiano/Lovie/Dirk, The Glazers may be happy with a .500 team.
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:01 am
I gotta agree
Outside from Vita getting double teamed nonstop
We need another corner, LB, and a pash rusher……all 3 key positions are extremely hurting the Bucs
…….but all teams have injuries galore this time of year
Get owned by no-named QBs like Cooper Rush is just Pathetic……but yet the Bucs always do this……they always make backup QBs look like Joe Montana!!!!
Get rid of Todd Bowles
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:02 am
Not every head coach deserves a full-season evaluation (positive or negative), but Joe believes Bowles certainly does
Why he’s not a rookie head coach and he’s been on staff since 2019. It’s sad there are actually people who thinks he’s a good coach, those same ones who think Trask is a good quarterback maybe. Ya have to lose the division lead to Dallas Cowboys to realize what fire Bowles crowd knew last year
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:04 am
Stop saying there’s enough talent on this roster. Russell at LB. Durham at TE. Shepard at wr and.a rookie wr. J tryon/ brass well as pass rusher and 2 unproven safeties. Also a first yr CB starting
We don’t have depth and playmakers. Period. The depth we have is to patch the hole.
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:04 am
@ Bucsfan
NFL teams would love to do nothing more than play spoilers
Atlanta is playing inspired football and no-one has tape on ATL rookie…..yes, this rookie looks good!!!
The edge goes to ATL with the tie-breaker
Sorry to burst your inspirational bubble bro
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:06 am
Against my better judgement, I tuned into the game “I hate night games” for one play. It was 4th down and Bake hit Shep squarely in the hands and he dropped it. Between that drop and the look on the players faces, I knew they were going to lose, off went the TV. Slept like a baby and feel great this AM. Coach Repus Bowls seems like a great human being and motivator of men. However, he strikes me as stubborn as a mule. He does not have the horses to consistently run this complicated defense and refuses to change or he is incapable because it is the only one he knows how to teach. It is definitely time for a change.
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:07 am
I think or you make me think you refer talent to young rookies that have the possibility of being playmakers. But this young talented players don’t have it in them to be playmakers. Example of a playmaker or talented player is vea. Kancey. David. Evans. Irving and oline.
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:13 am
It’s the coaching decisions that frustrate me, Joe. Last night that time out with 50 something seconds left. We had more than enough time to run our offense without it, but instead we left Dallas enough clock to go kick a field goal to end half. Flashback to the Kansas City game when we settled for a tie instead of going for two…along with several others throughout the year. Even if only 1/2 of those decisions would have flipped the game…Todd has cost us at least two games this year on his game management. How’d you like to be 10-6 this morning? The bigger problem in my eyes is it has been the same for the last couple of years. Way too much talent on this team to be an average ball club!
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:13 am
Fire Bowles that’s it ! They’ve taken on the identity of mediocrity, a mentally weak team that is undisciplined. And passion-less just like the coach bring in some fresh faces promote Coen, draft a LB to replace David someone that brings attitude, heart and leadership.
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:17 am
I’m going to continue to say this, Bowles isn’t my favorite head coach, but more importantly he has failed as a defensive coordinator this season. I feel like if he want the defensive play caller, e would have already fired our defensive coordinator
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:19 am
Atlanta will beat Washington Anthem?? Whatever you are frosting your flakes with-I want some.
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:23 am
So much blame to go around, and give Dallas credit, they came to play.
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:35 am
Canales has his team playing well. If Bowles’s scheme doesn’t shake the kid seeing it for the 2nd time he will pick us apart over the middle. As far as the Carolina D goes all they have to do is roll cover over Evans and play McMillan close. Otten is hurt. Spencer is hurt too. Carolina can eat some Bucky runs and hold up. If Baker doesn’t see his outlets quickly and scrambles blindly he will turn the ball over. I hope the Bucs Win. At this point I hope the Panthers see the wisdom in losing for draft picks. It doesn’t matter. Bucs aren’t going anywhere in the playoffs when they face a decent QB and a btter than average O line across from our D.
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:37 am
RVATom loves how Joe blames Jackie Davidson for losses LOL.
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:42 am
We’ve seen Bowles playoff defense preview. Everything was working against the chargers. Dallas watched that tape and saw he put everything into that game plan. Every blitz he threw at Dallas was picked up last night.
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:46 am
When there is talent and buy games are played at very different levels that comes to Coaching.
The Bucs fired several coaches for a bad season and Kept Bowles however we are not improving.
Baker is
Bucky is
OLine is
Defense is up and down (with a defensive Guru HC)
Sooo where do we lay the blame
We can’t WIN the harder games the important Games
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:53 am
Face it, the defense lacks talent. Lots of potential but no real NFL talent after David, Vea, Winfield and Kancey.
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:54 am
Bowles is not a HC I want to coach my team I’ll be shocked if they don’t make the playoffs that the Glazers don’t launch him. Weve seen the same crap year after year with this year being the worst defense to date. Facts
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:56 am
So the two turnovers and the dropped passes are all on the HC? The aforementioned gaffes are why the Bucs lost , not coaching.
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:59 am
I’m not comfortable saying they’ll win either of their last 2 games. I hope so but unless we take a huge early lead, it’ll come down to the wire.
December 23rd, 2024 at 10:02 am
I remember the days where we’d be out of playoff contention by October. It’s been a frustrating season, but I’ll take being in it until the final weeks of the season over those days of misery.
December 23rd, 2024 at 10:06 am
Season, tenure as hc, career as hc, all = .500. Quit making excuses for this guy. It’s time for him to go.
December 23rd, 2024 at 10:07 am
Bucs have shown great games then next week sloppy play
Sloppy play is due to weak Practices
Bowles doesn’t prepare his team for next week how many sloppy games have we had this year atleast 3
December 23rd, 2024 at 10:12 am
I live in Charlotte and actually went to two games this year, friend has PSL. Bucs should be able to run the ball down Panther’s throat. Against the Cowboys, Young had 2 INT’s and lost two fumbles. How well he plays is anybody’s guess but he is not a top QB even when he plays fairly well. I worry more about the Bucs beating NO than Carolina. I expect Atlanta to lose to Washington because Commanders need win to make post season. Atlanta routed Carolina earlier this year but that was when Cousins was playing well.
December 23rd, 2024 at 10:24 am
This is on Bowles. I’m sorry, but if we’re still not able to do the “fundamentals” at the end of December, with the division on the line, then that lies squarely on the HC. Fundamentals is turning into the new communication.
December 23rd, 2024 at 10:27 am
What makes everyone think we could automatically find a coach who can do better than 500?
You can certainly do a whole lot worse than Todd Bowles. Do Bucs fans not remember living in the NFC south cellar for a decade?
December 23rd, 2024 at 10:34 am
NEOhio Buc Says:
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:53 am
Face it, the defense lacks talent.
Agree, everyone wants to blame Todd Bowles but the fact his he very little talent to work with. Bruce Arians recently just said it himself on a show.
December 23rd, 2024 at 10:35 am
I think Washington will beat the ATL, they are simply a better team. As for the Bucs, well with Todd Bowles it is impossible to say with any certainty that the Bucs will win either of its final 2 games. The Bucs should win but that can be said about several other games which the Bucs have lost this year; KC, Dallas, the 2 ATL games, San Fran, etc. The common denominator in these losses? The defense has been way below average! Bowles soft zone makes guys like Cooper Rush and Cousins look like All Pros while they struggle against most other teams and Bowles has been outcoached in all the losses including last night. On paper the Bucs should beat up Carolina this coming Sunday but I bet it will be close with Bryce Young having a career day vs Bwles putrid defense. I hope Coen and Baker dial up their A game and hopefully the wideouts won’t get another case of the drops and White manages not to cough up the rock this week. It should be simple to Todd Bowles: win and keep your playoff hopes alive, lose and face the reality you probably will get launched for simply being outcoached so many times, being non-accountable,and simply not correcting the numerous mistakes made by the coaches and the players.
December 23rd, 2024 at 10:36 am
@ Leopold Stotch
You said it perfectly
Brady came in here and demanded excellence from everyone……
Todd Bowles just sits back and is so lifeless on the sidelines….. we’ve seen this for years….and guess what, PLAYERS are not inspired by the that…….you ain’t no Tony Dungy and this ain’t church bro!!!!!
Cmon Son!
December 23rd, 2024 at 10:42 am
I don’t care what anybody says……BAKER was balling last night!!!!! Baker was the only reason why the Bucs even got close to winning!!!! The rest of the team look pathetic and weak except for the O-Line!!!!
ATL is playing inspired football right now.
NO TEAM has good tape on ATLs rookie QB, so he is an X-FACTOR.
The BUCs better hope ATL loses out and Bucs some how win out
But with the way the Defense is playing……I don’t think so.
These Defense is holding on for deal life right now……Bowles knows he doesn’t have DBs or LBs that can cover passes and that’s why he plays soft zone coverage….. he’s keeping everything infront of him for tackles…………… this Defense is absolutely killing this team because the offense isn’t the problem.
December 23rd, 2024 at 10:48 am
Bowles has got to go no matter what happens the rest of the year.
December 23rd, 2024 at 10:49 am
You can tell Dallas was playing with raw emotion last night, but you can also tell Cade otton wasn’t playing. I think we take for granted all that otton does for the oline and baker. I still think we win this division because I definitely don’t see Atlanta beating Washington and as long as we can win out( which is going to be tough but doable) we got this! And on another note we need to stop playing around and just go to Bucky from here on out he’s proven to be a playmaker no matter the task. And one more thing when you have a kicker that can score from the 45 yard line that’s pretty hard to stop
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:03 am
One of the worst personality traits any leader can have is stubbornness/unopen to self evaluation. The most successful coaches are those who are willing to look at, investigate and embrace change. Nick Saban and Bill Belichick are both prime examples of coaches who changed their systems to accommodate changes in the game or adapt to players skills and both won several championships. Bowles will NEVER change, he will never self evaluate his system and implement changes. The same problem currently exists up I 75 in Gainesville, stubborn coach who fails to realize he is not a good play caller but refuses to change because he is vehemently against hiring a competent OC. These coaches need to wake up and realize how much talent they are wasting and games they are losing because of their resistance to change.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:09 am
Mike C Says:
December 23rd, 2024 at 9:23 am
So much blame to go around, and give Dallas credit, they came to play.
**********************************************************
Yes, yes they did.
BUT
They did NOT outplay us.
Were it not for several blatantly bad or missed(ignored?) calls by the refs, any one of them altering the outcome of the game, we would have won this game walking away. Any one of those calls going the other way gives us the win. If the game had been called fairly, it would have been a blow-out.
With the amount of money “legally” wagered on the outcome of games, these refs need to be investigated for “fixing” games.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:21 am
This team really is bipolar. One week they show up then they don’t.
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:12 pm
Why when Bucs lose. Fans want coach fired. What great fans ..Enen a new coach won’t change things. Bucs just can’t play playoff caliber ball all season. Cowboys really. Without a starting QB .. Pirate ship sinking…
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:15 pm
Stop complaining I seen games where the refs called bad calls on teams the Bucs played. It ain’t good when the shoe on the other foot .Get some tissue n wipe your tears..
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:25 pm
I know everyone is frustrated but ….. the truth is, the Bucs were in a position to win the game, they played their hearts out !! Unfortunately White turned it over, if not for that, Bucs very likely would have run the clock out and kicked the game winning FG.
The Buccaneers will be back this Sunday at home against the Panthers!!
Go Bucs !!
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:35 pm
Coen can be replaced.
Time for Licht and Bowles to be gone.
Outside of Brady’s time – both are career losers
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:41 pm
I do believe that ATL will lose to Washington, but not convinced that we win both of ours.
To further dump on Bowles, I feel like he’s still coaching in the past. Teams start from the 30yrd line and not the 20. Teams go for it on 4th and short around the 50yrd line…kickers can kick it from 55yrd +…so no more punting (unless its a team coached by him)
I just feel like we are doing the same thing over and over to expect a different result.
December 23rd, 2024 at 1:16 pm
It doesn’t matter if you are occasionally great you are if you also suck.
Cooper Rush? Really?