Todd Bowles Talks Too-Soft Zone
December 24th, 2024
There have been happy times in recent years courtesy of the Todd Bowles zone defense, but there’s also been a lot of cringing and screaming.
When the Bucs play zone, they seem to get in the most trouble (see the last Carolina game).
Poor technique and zone play hurt the Bucs against the dink-and-dunk Cowboys on Sunday, and head coach Todd Bowles wasn’t shy about going there during his sitdown with WFLA-TV sports chief Dan Lucas.
Lucas asked about the Cowboys getting a lot of seemingly easy 7- and 8-yard completions over the middle. Bowles said they should have been much shorter completions to set up third downs.
“It should have been 3 and 4 [yards], there were only 3 passes that went past 10 yards,” Bowles said of the Cowboys. “Everything else was check-downs, either missed tackles or getting too wide in our drops and not coming back fast enough — things we talk about, things we practice, things we preach and things that didn’t happen [Sunday]. … It was no communication [issue]. We just either dropped too wide or we missed a tackle. That doesn’t require communication.”
Bowles talked about fundamentals being a killer after the two-point loss, and this was a big part of what he was referencing.
“We need to be in our right zone drops in order to make plays,” Bowles added.
Tough stuff to stomach so late in a season. (Yeah, fumbles are in that category, too.)
As for the zone defense, Joe sure hopes to see less of it on Sunday. When that soft zone meets no edge rush, bad things happen.
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December 24th, 2024 at 3:01 pm
It was obvious in the first half that the Cowboys could continue their short passing success all day. Fixed it too late. Other teams will take note. If the Bowles Bucs team hasn’t fixed that flaw by now, I doubt their ability to do it for these last games.
December 24th, 2024 at 3:07 pm
Hi, don’t count on seeing a change in zone coverage. Bowles already said so pretty much, saying the players were not playing it right. After watching this defense all season and being bad more than being good, it appears Bowles does not have the talent to play the defense he is playing. He has no pass rush on the outside, been defined tons. The secondary even without injuries can’t cover well in zone. Having no pass rush at times leaves to much exposed over the middle. My goodness it has been proven over and over!!!, still no change.
I am to the point that unfortunately the defense will not change unless their are coaching changes and or a serious upgrade on personnel. I have to agree can’t buy this defense any longer.I said it before do you want to see this defense on the playoffs?. Answer, only if you are th opposing team!!!
Then yes
December 24th, 2024 at 3:15 pm
In the long history of our team, we have only had one winning streak of 7 games. Why did fans expect that would happen this year? Dallas as a four point underdog at home in a night game to be viewed by a sellout crowd and a national audience. That was the gift of the year as I wrote in my NFL selections last week. Also, NFL teams are most vulnerable when they have back-to-back road games especially when one of them is cross-country. The Buccaneers were not in the best emotional state, thought I really thought when they got the ball back and only needed to go 50 years to win with a fieldgoall that they might pull it out. That was not to be.
December 24th, 2024 at 3:26 pm
My biggest point with what Bowles said this time around is that it’s the same thing he’s been saying for the past 2 years. People out of position, not communicating, missed tackles. Yet it keep happening. This is on Bowles, he’s the HC. I am with a couple of other Bucs fans, he’s too loyal to his assistants which I think is part of the Bucs problems with so many missed assignments, players out of position, stupid penalties and at times loafing. Nevertheless, I also think as one other fan said, loyalty will get Bowles shown the door if he doesn’t make a strong showing the next 2 game and in the playoffs
December 24th, 2024 at 3:26 pm
We will be one and done if we even make the playoffs with this defense. That’s why it’s kind of a mixed bag for me for us and the playoffs. Funny how this is the same defense why played the lions, chargers and commandos but it doesn’t show up for the games that were should win.
December 24th, 2024 at 3:26 pm
Who *
December 24th, 2024 at 3:27 pm
We*
December 24th, 2024 at 3:30 pm
So as usual, Toilet Bowleswont take responsibility for his garbage play calling and continues to leave his defense high and dry. As much as the playoffs would be nice, it would only be a short trip and extend the pain of having Bowles around longer.
December 24th, 2024 at 3:34 pm
So many fans have tuned out his explanations that his words fall on deaf ears. Have the players?. Maybe. if so, there’s no coming back from that. Can’t be done.
December 24th, 2024 at 3:36 pm
And….again….TBBF asks…when is the last time a Buc defender tipped or batted sown a pass……>WHEN?
December 24th, 2024 at 3:39 pm
I’m sorry, but isn’t this coaching?? If players are out of position, shouldn’t a coach be grabbing them on the sideline and letting them know what they are doing wrong? And don’t get me started with missed tackles. This is just basic fundamentals that the team should have down by now. Good teams anyway.
If I were the head coach, I would be worried about job security if I couldn’t get basic fundamentals drilled into my players at this point in the season.
The Bucs have advanced to the Super Bowl twice when they had the right coach to get the most out of the existing talent. The Bucs have Super Bowl talent. They just need a coach to get it out of the players.
December 24th, 2024 at 3:41 pm
All good, seasons done….back to the drawing board….adios Todd
December 24th, 2024 at 3:50 pm
Tom in MadCity Says:
December 24th, 2024 at 3:39 pm
“I’m sorry, but isn’t this coaching?? ”
———-
Absolutely. So whether he’s talking about lack of communication on the back-end or poor tackling, formation etc. it is all on him. So how longe does he get to have these things cleaned-up? To me it seems he’s had more than enough time for these very basic things. Seems to me he’s had more than enough time. So, that’s why I ask. Have the players tuned him out? That is the death knell for any coach.
December 24th, 2024 at 3:51 pm
Just fire this guy already.. always beats a dead horse this guy sucks as a head coach.. offensive coordinator should be coach let’s bring in a new DC
December 24th, 2024 at 3:54 pm
Win the next 2 and sneak into the playoffs ,,, then there is no taking teams lightly
December 24th, 2024 at 4:01 pm
Tom in Madcity that’s exactly what I was getting at a few minutes ago. If the players are missing assignments, playing out of position and so on, the position coaches should be getting in their face or even benching them in some cases. If those coaches are not getting the job done then the HC should step in and take care of that situation. We shouldn’t have to listen to the same excuses all year for 2 years
December 24th, 2024 at 4:05 pm
What position was Turd Bowles in when he called a timeout with 54 seconds to go in the half… Run this clown out of town… Enough already
December 24th, 2024 at 4:07 pm
When you constantly drop your D-Line into coverage, what do you expect? Have them rush the passer!!!!
December 24th, 2024 at 4:15 pm
Buddha Says:
December 24th, 2024 at 3:15 pm
In the long history of our team, we have only had one winning streak of 7 games. Why did fans expect that would happen this year? Dallas as a four point underdog at home in a night game to be viewed by a sellout crowd and a national audience.
_________
Realistic Bucs fans did not.
We’ve seen this sh!tshow way too many times before.
December 24th, 2024 at 4:20 pm
Wow. Todd throwing the defense under the bus. What a surprise. Best coach ever.
December 24th, 2024 at 4:21 pm
David Kilmer,
Nothing to add. You said it all and it is all true. Major defense personnel changes coming next year. May include changing coaches. We will see. Doubtful if Bucs finish 10-7.
December 24th, 2024 at 4:37 pm
Even if the Bucs do finish at 10-7, the only way Bowles will be welcomed back by fans is if
Falcons lose a game and Bucs win their 2 home games playing smart and hungry.
Bucs win a home playoff game and a road playoff game.
Thats just the way I see it, I’m not the Glazers but I would certainly be surprised if he is back if the team isn’t in the playoffs and even if they are, they have to start playing smarter and stop letting slow QB’s like Cousins and Rush look like top tier QB’s.
I just don’t know if you can keep a coach that loses to crappy to average teams but is able to beat some good teams.
December 24th, 2024 at 4:42 pm
I think fans need to start talking about corn becoming a HC next year. Hope he lands the job in Tampa. Hate to see him go
December 24th, 2024 at 4:44 pm
I be always felt like the “cast of thousands “ coaching staff that Arians brought was detrimental.
Too many Chef’s spoil the broth.
All these coaches and we’ve never been good at fundamental football under Bowles.
December 24th, 2024 at 4:44 pm
There has been way more cringing and screaaming then happy times. It is not over either, what will stop little Bryce Young from doing the same exact thing that Cooper Rush from Dallas did? We do not have the ability to stop the dink and dunk. Crazy!
December 24th, 2024 at 4:47 pm
REALLY ?? OMG I think he’s developing Alzheimer’s to but yeah .
December 24th, 2024 at 4:52 pm
2 weeks!!
I mean really radio.
Lamb had over a 100 going into half
December 24th, 2024 at 4:56 pm
Too soft a team!
December 24th, 2024 at 5:15 pm
It’s been like this the whole time he’s been HC. He’s just recognizing it now?
Jason, Joel — the path forward is clear.
December 24th, 2024 at 5:25 pm
Maybe the refs hate bowels like they did schiano. If you just corrected the bad officiating we would have at least 3 more wins. Two more wins if todd learned math. Go BUCS
December 24th, 2024 at 5:28 pm
God Ed win a division ,, win the home playoff game and road playoff game ,,, I would say everything up to the Road playoff game would be acceptable ,,,, Remember this team was 90-1 to win the SB in Sept so winning the division and a playoff game is all Bowles needs ,,, that would be how many division titles in a row ,,, And believe it or not Bucs still have more than 1 way to get into playoffs even losing to Carolina we could technically still win the division at 9-8 (would need a lot of luck but still possible)
December 24th, 2024 at 5:46 pm
Why are the players out of position? Isn’t this a coaching issue? I think the Todd Bowles experiment should be over at end of season.
December 24th, 2024 at 5:54 pm
He does realize this is a damning indictment of himself and his defensive staff, right? He also realizes this has been a weakness for years, right?
December 24th, 2024 at 6:06 pm
26-26
This is who Bowles is folks.
I’m done getting upset over it.
Will just continue to post his record until the powers that be finally wake up.
Perhaps missing the playoffs is enough.
December 24th, 2024 at 6:16 pm
Think of it,,, winning the division consistently ,,, revenue from a home playoff game is probably good enough for the Glazers
December 24th, 2024 at 6:20 pm
This could have and should have been one of the greatest seasons in bucs history instead we are sitting at 8-7…makes me sick to even think about it….please please please bring in a real head coach
December 24th, 2024 at 6:32 pm
Win or lose I always vote no confidence in Bowles. The guy is a total screw up. He will never get the Bucs to the promised land. At best this defense will remain mediocre with him in charge.
December 24th, 2024 at 6:45 pm
Fire bowels I’m done
December 24th, 2024 at 7:36 pm
Can’t wait till Toad is gone and Liam is boss.
December 24th, 2024 at 8:20 pm
ElioT Says:
December 24th, 2024 at 7:36 pm
Can’t wait till Toad is gone and Liam is boss.
Be prepared for another 3 years of Dirk Koetter
December 24th, 2024 at 8:24 pm
Clueless Todd!
December 24th, 2024 at 8:44 pm
Forget fundamentals being an issue late in the season because Dude has been here 5 years already and in all this time as a player and coach he hasn’t figured out a way to get through to young players.
December 24th, 2024 at 9:44 pm
Well when you tell the media hiw dangerous and talented their offense is thats fine. When your just saying that b.s. to them. But when your internally telling your players the same thing rather then We are better and we are going to dominate. What do you expect. They play scared because your scared period. Stop acting like your not the coach and blaming them saying they are not doing what you say you asked. If your not in control Todd who is? Bad bad bad signals. If they are not doing what you asked bench them and go out your way. Emo people are odd ducks
December 24th, 2024 at 10:56 pm
The dink and dunk passes have been the problem for two years now Todd. It will continue until we prove we can stop it. The NFL truly is a copycat league.
I could say the same thing about crap tackling BTW!
Less and less confidence in this entire coaching staff. If you cant fix fundamental football with these players are you really an NFL coach? Tackling, zone drops, I think we had only one pass that could be judged a pass defended. Otherwise no one in the same zip code. Sorry LVD but you were not getting it done in the pass game but thats ok neither was anyone else on the back end.
Tackling? As Vince Lombardi once yelled…GrabGrabGrab!
Go Bucs!
December 24th, 2024 at 11:01 pm
Let’s be honest. Playing soft zone coverage has been an issue for a long time.
December 24th, 2024 at 11:19 pm
Bye bye Bowles.. Defense sucks it’s Mike Smith level and all of us are tired of watching it.
December 25th, 2024 at 1:54 am
Same story, different week.
Fundamentals and gap assignment.
In the same defense he’s been “coaching” for 6 years in Tampa.
Maybe give the players another extra day off, Coach? I’m sure that’ll fix the fundamentals. Bucs practice less often than any other team in the league.
December 25th, 2024 at 2:20 am
Too soft zone..sounds like a place Bowles would buy property in and build his dream house.
December 25th, 2024 at 2:17 pm
This whole fanbase is spoiled… we think we’re so loaded with talent that coaching is the ONLY thing holding us back…smh. Oh and the romance with Arians is cute. Nothing like going out on a high and not being here for the Brady aftermath/reload. Needless to say, Arians without Brady, Gronk, AB, Fournette was 7-9.
Let’s be honest, most of you guys wanting Bowles gone didn’t like him from day 1. Anything he does positive, we’ll give credit to players overcoming poor coaching, or whatever. I’m still in awe about how many fans here think Coen is ready for HC. Do you guys really think he’s an offensive genius? He might be, but we won’t know until we see him at least in another year duplicate his success. Right now, I see an offensive coordinator who is benefitting very well from an improved offensive line, that has excelled in running blocking, and at least a 2 headed running attack that is top 5 in the NFL. Is that Coen’s doing? Or is player talent rising above his coaching?
All the smart people on here forget what life was like from Schiano to Lovie to Smith as defensive coordinators. I’m going to tell you the difference, their defense allowed plenty of points and never allowed that fraction of an opportunity to give the offense a chance to win games. None of them. Bowels defense, with all the struggles, gave our offense 4 straight stops on Dallas’ final 4 straight possessions, stop blaming every damn thing on Bowles and his defense. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, and the defense did a better job finish, and the offense didn’t.
December 25th, 2024 at 2:40 pm
I remember hearing lovie and Mike Smith both having the same excuses. I also remember opposing offenses joking that they knew what the bucs were doing just about every third down and making easy completions. Only a few over ten yards? Sure…..but how many 3rd and 6, 3rd and 7, 3rd and 8 completion did they give up to a backup qb last week? Time for Todd to go, don’t lose Liam
December 25th, 2024 at 4:36 pm
His system requires elite players across the front seven….without that, his blitz happy scheme is a liability. Bowles looked competent when he had Suh, Vea, JPP, White, David and Winfield…..take away 3 Pro Bowlers and you quickly realize the scheme never worked, it simply benefited from constant mismatches. I would argue Bowles still has enough talent on the defensive side to be more capable than what we’ve seen. That’s a coaching issue where he only knows ONE way and can’t game plan around the talent that he has. No other coach would have Vea and Clancey dropping into coverage…nor would they have JTS even on the field. Bowles is done….im certain the owners have seen enough.
December 25th, 2024 at 10:00 pm
preach bobby