Time-Sucking Todd Bowles
December 14th, 2024
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
So a couple of ex-Bucs coaches are chiming in on Sunday’s Bucs-Chargers game.
Joe’s referring to former Bucs center and 2021 Bucs assistant offensive line coach A.Q. Shipley and Jay Gruden, a Bucs assistant before his head coaching gig with the Redskins (2014-2019).
They host a YouTube show on the Clean Pocket channel with longtime Giants offensive lineman Justin Pugh and retired QB Colt McCoy.
The discussion turned to preparing to face defenses late in a season and Gruden explained that Todd Bowles teams are nightmares at that time of year. He said an offensive staff might need five hours just to study all the Bowles blitzes, nickel blitzes and odd fronts.
Gruden called it “very time consuming” and noted that while Bowles demands an offense be creative, it can distract an offense from focusing on what they do best.
Now Joe thought Gruden might be exaggerating (he’s prone to that), but Shipley chimed in and agreed. He noted how in his one year of coaching the Bucs, he realized the chess match for offensive coaches can be overhwhelming late in a season against teams with diverse defenses. And few teams have as many defensive nuances as the Bucs’ do.
Hmmmm, could this be a reason Bowles teams seem to thrive late in a year?
Gruden is convinced the Bucs want a “physical, bloodbath matchup” on offense to limit the dropback passes for Baker Mayfield with beastly edge rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa lurking.
Gruden picked the Bucs to beat the Chargers, if Mayfield can protect the football and the Bucs can spit out just enough run defense.
Pugh thinks the Bucs will win, in part because they don’t have to overthink their offense. Running the ball, using Mike Evans and smart scrambling by Mayfield should be enough to topple a weak Chargers offense, he said.
It wasn’t all flowers for the Bucs. Colt McCoy picked the Chargers because he’s studied the Bucs pass defense. “I think you’ll see more from Herbert and the skill guys,” he said.
And Shipley, a huge Bucs fan and supporter, also thinks the Bucs’ pass defense will be just want the Chargers need to eat a “W.”
What are the predictions of Joe and Ira Kaufman for Sunday’s game? It’s a split decision that comes starting at the 33:30 mark of this weekend’s Ira Kaufman Podcast below or on the home page.
Ira Kaufman Talks Jason Licht Comments, Bucs-Chargers Thoughts & Predictions, Big-Picture Evaluations, Behind The Scenes On Todd Bowles Retirement Chatter & More
December 14th, 2024 at 9:07 am
Joe,
What’s up with the adds popping up on the home page without the option to close out of them? They are blocking the first article on the page and you have to refresh the page and hope it doesn’t pop up again.
December 14th, 2024 at 9:24 am
Chargers 40 Clueless Todd’s 23
December 14th, 2024 at 9:39 am
Ramblin Man, there is a small arrow in the bottom left of the adds, hit that and it will close it. Time for Joe to take a step into the mid 2010’s and get us an app!
December 14th, 2024 at 9:45 am
When I read the headline I thought the article was about Bowles wasting the careers of Evans, Godwin, Wirfs, etc.
That’s the story. Taking over a talented team and driving it into consistent mediocrity.
December 14th, 2024 at 9:53 am
Go clean that pig pen you call a room Jeff and put your grandmas phone back
December 14th, 2024 at 10:04 am
i’ve got a decent feeling about tomorrow’s game…
we usually go to the west and flop out most of the time…
i’m seeing baker rally the troops and supplying energy to the squad tomorrow…as baker gets a little more back on track…
and the bucs pull out the big win 27-20, with a nice offensive showing vs a stingy d
—–
also if need be, rest bucky…
let rachaad and tuck do the do with the big uglies leading the way !
December 14th, 2024 at 10:05 am
oooof jeff !
……………that’s one harsh final score
December 14th, 2024 at 10:07 am
Agree with Adam ^^^
December 14th, 2024 at 10:15 am
This defense is very diverse, it can be beat in so many different ways. Bowles led team is Noticeable enough to make you think they can be relevant then the reality of mediocrity slaps you in the face That’s Todd Bowles if chargers score more than 23 points with that sorry offense.
December 14th, 2024 at 10:15 am
I see an old school smash mouth game, 17-15 Bucs
5 Charger FG’s but Chase hits the game winner as time expires
The Chargers dominate TOP but the “blitz crazy inside your own 30” serves us well at the end
Patience is a virtue and completely needed with a Bowles led team
Get past the Chargers and we may not lose another game…
December 14th, 2024 at 10:22 am
TBBF doesn’t trust the Bucs defense in a close game…..the problem is the Bucs usually keep teams close…
December 14th, 2024 at 10:33 am
I just don’t see what other people are seeing with the chargers. A lot of smoke and mirrors. Stats only tell half the picture, the eye test tells more. Herbert is equivalent to a Dak Prescott, great in season but lacks the drive to win in the playoffs. Ok Jim is a good coach but what a lot of people here fail to realize is the players win the game, a good coach only helps a small amount (Mike McCarthy anyone? How about Shanihan??? How’s their records looking this year…)
December 14th, 2024 at 11:14 am
^^^
a 17-15 old smash mouth game would be fun to watch…
but i just can’t see it with our defense as it is right now…
we are just not right in the middle of the field, since dennis went down, and all the surrounding injuries with the safeties and all…
opposing teams are going to target that area every single game, and until bowles proves he’s fixed it, the better teams are going to find some success living there…
if we had lavonte and devin…yes i said devin…i could see a 17-15 smash mouth type game…
but with the present construction of our defense, and with coen as our OC, i see a more offensive structured ball game…
but then again wtf do i know lol 🙂
December 14th, 2024 at 11:17 am
many years ago we went to visit the chargers for a west coast game as big underdogs…
i think it was under the dungy regime…
and we pulled off a big upset as the franchise was turning the corner during that era…
we won like 25-17 or 26-17……something like that…
i remember it was a memorable west coast win during that time period…and we were basically given no chance as big underdogs too
December 14th, 2024 at 12:08 pm
Mike has a big game so does VV ZYON may have a pic that doesn’t get overturned because the refs will not try that stuff on the west coast and ST44 goes off like in New Orleans
December 14th, 2024 at 12:10 pm
End score 35-17 Bucs or 31 -21 Bucs
December 14th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
Honestly the only thing I don’t want to see if the Bucs are fortunate enough to win tomorrow is a whole bunch of “Yes but…..” comments.
Don’t get me wrong, I know they will be there. Trolls are going to troll. But an ugly win with healthy players is good enough for me this week.
December 14th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
It’s going to be tough sledding – we’re not the same defensive secondary that took wins from Detroit & Philly – but it’s also not the same offense that scored with Mike & Chris… chewing up yards with a powerful run game will cause some problems for many NFL teams.
Would like to be at max health in the secondary – but this team could pull a W against The Fighting Harbaugh’s. I’m not as confident about this one, had it marked as a L for several weeks, but I’m feeling more confident now that our o-line and run-game are proving to be a headache for many opposing defenses.
I like our chances. Set ‘em up…
December 14th, 2024 at 1:48 pm
With the title of this article I bet it is setting a record for comments getting moderated.
December 14th, 2024 at 2:24 pm
When I see a full page ad that blocks the entire page, that i don’t see on any other website I visit mind you, I just refresh the page and it dissappears.
December 14th, 2024 at 2:49 pm
Defense will 100% be our downfall.
Gotta score early and often!
December 14th, 2024 at 3:46 pm
I remember when the Bucs made a west coast trip to play the Raiders and beat the crap out of them……..in San Diego!!! Goooooooo Bucs!!!
December 14th, 2024 at 4:52 pm
Play more man, coach. When you have called man the last three games this has been smothering. Soft shell crab zone, it looks like the worst of the Smith brothers Lovie and Mike.
December 14th, 2024 at 5:30 pm
The ad stuff you don’t have the option to close and blocks almost the entire entire article is getting old real fast.
December 14th, 2024 at 6:11 pm
Herbert going eat radios 15 yard off the ball defense