Truth Sometimes Hurts
December 25th, 2024
Wags finger at Todd Bowles.
Sunday night after the Bucs may have blown their chances at making the postseason, there was a question that didn’t sit well with Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
There, Jenna Laine of ESPN asked Bowles why the middle of his defense was vulnerable to the pass for the Cowboys to exploit. That question didn’t seem below the belt to Joe.
Bowles didn’t like it and waved off the insinuation that the middle of his pass defense was soft — and the reason why the Bucs are clinging to playoff hopes by their fingernails.
Well, Bowles may not want to read the PFF tribe. It seems, per Timo Riske, the Bucs did indeed get carved up between the hashmarks by Troy Aikman Cooper Rush.
Why the Buccaneers lost: The Buccaneers struggled to defend the middle of the field against the Cowboys, with Cooper Rush completing 21 of his 24 pass attempts between the numbers for 192 yards. The majority of Rush’s pass attempts were behind the line of scrimmage or between 1-10 yards, but the Buccaneers still struggled to stop the short passing game and felt the ramifications.
Now did the Bucs get gouged in the middle of the field because their starting safeties are on the shelf with injuries? Seems logical.
Did Aikman Rush flaunt the middle of the field because he had time to order brisket to go from Pecan Lodge? Well, that certainly didn’t help the Bucs’ cause.
December 25th, 2024 at 8:16 am
They were soft in the middle long before the injuries set in so lets just quit with the excuses
December 25th, 2024 at 8:21 am
When you have a 350 DT dropping into coverage there’s going to be open zones, not really a brain buster
December 25th, 2024 at 8:23 am
Bucs D woes always falls on the players. Todd rarely makes adjustments when he’s getting gashed. He’s always waiting for the players to play better instead of coaching better himself. Defense in all sports always begins with recognizing how your opponent is attacking you. If you can’t adjust during the game, you’ll end up throttled by backup QBs, which seems to be Bowles’ forte.
December 25th, 2024 at 8:23 am
The middle has been carved up all season.
It has become the Bowles brand.
Now this team is on the outside smoking hopium to get in, dependant on a Falcon blunder.
If they won in TX, the Buc brand would still get hyped
December 25th, 2024 at 8:36 am
It’s Christmas so I’d like to wish the entire Bucs team and organization a Very Merry Christmas. I’m sure that there are players that read JBF! Although we get frustrated when the Bucs lose, we appreciate the effort. Let’s finish strong and see how things turn out.
December 25th, 2024 at 8:49 am
yo dudes are zoning out on that spiked egg nog
December 25th, 2024 at 8:52 am
Eventually the Glazers will figure it out….or maybe theyre drunk and enjoy watching drunk football with drunk coaching….i dont know
Kyle Kennard
Cam Skattebo
Debo Williams
db?
December 25th, 2024 at 8:56 am
That last game was drunk and stupid…..im about to be done until todd is gone…its stupid
December 25th, 2024 at 9:06 am
Most offenses have already figured out this defense. The fact that he brushed off the question/reality, is a prime example of what is wrong with this team. Observations fall on deaf ears. It always starts with the pass rush, how we disrupt the rhythm of the opposing quarterback. Since we are not consistent at putting quarterbacks on their a$$ we still, this late in the season, are on pins and needles needing one win. Like I have said already, don’t be surprised if we lose one of our last two games. You don’t think the crappy Saints aren’t salivating right now. If not them, other NFC teams will take us out. Head coach Liam Coen has a nice ring to it.
December 25th, 2024 at 9:08 am
shut up adam, stop stealing my thunder lol….na you go bro, i know you can bring it
December 25th, 2024 at 9:20 am
These are not recent developments! Bowles lacks basic the understanding of clock management & situational football. He has actually stated that he doesn’t study opposing offenses as he’s more concerned with what he is trying to do. So when you wonder why there are no in game adjustments, there’s your answer. He’s not concerned with what they’re trying to do! Again, Bowles is a .500 coach, has been & always will be. To give him a pass because he managed to win the weakest division in football for 3yrs is nonsense & gridiron malpractice. Furthermore, his defensive schemes aren’t effective. Dropping D linemen into coverage, dropping OLBs into coverage. Getting exploited by 2nd & 3rd string QBs, getting blown out in games & losing at home on a regular basis.
December 25th, 2024 at 9:34 am
Fire Todd Bowles
December 25th, 2024 at 9:45 am
Bowles needs to go I will not renew my 2026 tickets if he is the coach next year unfortunately I already renewed for next year
December 25th, 2024 at 9:49 am
The first step to overcoming a problem is to admit you have one
December 25th, 2024 at 9:52 am
This was not a superbowl team at the beginning of the year and much less now with the injuries. 60 million in dead cap leaves inferior players on the starting roster. Offense has improved, defense is bottom of NFL. Todd is not quite capable enough to overcome the lack of talent. With a few less mistakes and poor clock management our record could be two or three wins better. We would still be a pretender for superbowl talent level. Another good draft, better cap room and a couple good free agents and we could be scary. It’s easier to blame it all on Todd. He certainly has his share of issues, but the hand he was dealt wasn’t all aces. More like 2 pairs. Todd may not get us there, but we have seen much worse. I wouldn’t want to have to make the decision of Todd vs. Liam. I hope they choose wisely.
December 25th, 2024 at 10:11 am
may be how you beat a Todd Bowles defense
December 25th, 2024 at 10:24 am
All you Todd Bowles apologists can’t see the Forrest for the trees… he’s a loser plain and simple and no one can convince be otherwise. In 7 years as a head coach what has he proven and quit with the he’s win the south title the last 2 years. Hogwash. Brady only had 1 losing season in his whole career and it happened to be under Todd’s watch. Baker Mayfield fell from heaven right in Todd’s lap and he barely escaped 500. This year we should be one of the top teams in the league even elite with our offence and running game but again we are barely keeping a 500 record. You guys are so used to losing you think Todd’s the answer I suggest he’s not
December 25th, 2024 at 10:26 am
The Bucs defense is too soft. Cowboys defense had more vicious hits in that game than the Bucs have had all season. Time to launch Todd and his defensive staff along with Britt, Dean, Hall, and Shoyinka. Move YaYa to ILB. Give Braswell one more prove it year. Draft some defensive players who are nasty SOB’s
December 25th, 2024 at 10:26 am
Badbucs,
Way to logical and right. This website is the home of angry, emotional, and make believe GM’s and coaches. Hopefully Todd Bowles gets some real defenders next year. Think 5 new ones ought to be right. At least 5 maybe 6 of those defenders who started Sunday night could not have made the Cowboys team. That is a pretty big hurdle to overcome even if you are Don Shula.
December 25th, 2024 at 10:31 am
Joe that homes.com ad doesn’t have a x and it’s annoying af
December 25th, 2024 at 10:31 am
Your only as strong as your weakest link….
Bowels is their weakest link and the top position!….
December 25th, 2024 at 10:33 am
Seems Coach Bowles is projecting himself as an innocent bystander to this mess of a defense. It’s not all because of injuries. We’ve seen the defense step up and look respectable in games this season. Point being, it’s doable. Coach ‘em up. Light a fire. Throw a chair. Something!
December 25th, 2024 at 10:34 am
Of all the teams in the NFL to score 400 points this year only the bucs have failed to secure 10 wins but yeah it’s not Todd’s fault let’s blame the players.
December 25th, 2024 at 10:37 am
Tv and media. “Todd Bowles is a defensive guru”. Great defensive mind etc etc. Well if Bowles is so great why does he defense rank at the bottom 1/3 of the league? Either the players suck or he sucks? Which is it?
December 25th, 2024 at 10:55 am
Don’t like what I’m saying joe
December 25th, 2024 at 10:57 am
Don’t like what I’m saying joe…Todd did cost us games against KC Baltimore San Fran and Dallas. We should be 12-3 and sitting pretty not struggling to stay above 500
December 25th, 2024 at 10:59 am
Bucben, I’m no Bowles lover. I’ve said many times he’s just keeping the seat warm. The known really good coaches aren’t going to come on board to wait 2 years to get out of cap hell. Todd got us through at 50/50 wins and some playoffs. He hasn’t learned much but he hasn’t had great talent either. Coen is a complete unknown for HC. Bowles may be servicable with great talent we should have soon. It’s a gamble either way. Even hiring a so-called great coach from outside has risks. Maybe the Lion’s OC? Just saying you can do a lot worse than Todd and we have lots of proof.
December 25th, 2024 at 10:59 am
Way back about two months ago, when newbies were printing SB tickets, I said an accurate passer is going to carve up our defense over the middle. Here we are. If it is true, that Bowels blew off the question about weakness over the middle, he should be fired the minute we are out of the playoffs. Go Redskins! (I had season tickets 64-66)
If he didn’t he should be fired at end of season anyway.
December 25th, 2024 at 11:04 am
With every passing week Todd is looking more like Lovie. Ineffective, stubborn…and now arrogant.
To blow off a very valid football question just illustrates his unwillingness to identify, much less correct, the awful gaps in his scheme. Launch this loser.
December 25th, 2024 at 11:09 am
Merry Christmas everyone and fire Bowles. The Cowboys came out and immediately attacked the middle of the field. He doesn’t realize he’s insulting football fans specifically Bucs fans
December 25th, 2024 at 11:22 am
There seems to be a theme here…Jaosn? Glazers?….Can you get it yet?
December 25th, 2024 at 11:22 am
SMDMFH!!!
December 25th, 2024 at 11:23 am
NEW DIRECTION PLEASE!
December 25th, 2024 at 11:28 am
how to beat carolina: throw to evan’s hand off to bucky
December 25th, 2024 at 11:44 am
We were projected to go 9-8 and be the seven seed in east. Bowles had done his job we are right where we need to be. We beat Carolina then Redskins beat Falcons and we just might win the division!
If Atlanta upsets the Redskins then all we need the following week is Atlanta to lose to Carolina or Washington to lose to Dallas.
Highest probability is we will get in the playoffs. Which means Bowles did his job.
He keeps a team together and has a culture not many can duplicate his clock management is maybe worst in nfl he needs to play madden competitively!
December 25th, 2024 at 11:58 am
Dan the Bucs Fan
If Atlanta upsets the Redskins then all we need the following week is Atlanta to lose to Carolina or Washington to lose to Dallas.
Your “IF” is Atlanta upsetting Washington then losing to Carolina? And basically your scenario is Washington losing to Atlanta and Dallas. You are the ultimate fan, if any of that happens you my friend should get major props from all the posters here
December 25th, 2024 at 12:13 pm
@Gipper
Some of the people walking the streets could probably be doing better than him or Licht or even some of the scouts right now. It’s like do you notice this stuff when they’re coming out of college & all. Sure the players aren’t innocent in it all but Bowles has been a big part of it also. He just stands there on the sidelines as if who cares. Even some of us overall would be showing that they cared more on the sidelines then he does.
December 25th, 2024 at 12:32 pm
Woody Hayes “cared” so much he clothes lined a kid after he intercepted a pass and was running past Woody down the sideline.
Pro football players are grown men. If they don’t respond to wanting to keep their high paying kids game job, they aren’t gong to respond to rah, rah, rah from any coach. If Bucs finish 10-7 and make it into playoffs, Coach Todd isn’t going anywhere. Either way, there will be a new look as to who is playing defense next year.
December 25th, 2024 at 12:53 pm
If Bowles didn’t like the question then fixed the prob so you don’t get asked the question. The defense is a sieve. Why are players wide open. I say players because it’s not just WR open it’s TEs and RBs who are open and why in the hell can the Bucs not do the simple things like tackle and protect the ball ? A team that is eliminated from the playoffs fought harder than a team fighting to make the playoffs. This loss JOE was more damning and frustrating than the panthers win. Why is our team not fighting for their lives
December 25th, 2024 at 1:18 pm
While many on this site torch the defense it is weird how the charges got walloped by this defense & lay an egg in dallas
December 25th, 2024 at 1:28 pm
BAKERSBucs says Says:
December 25th, 2024 at 1:18 pm
While many on this site torch the defense it is weird how the charges got walloped by this defense & lay an egg in dallas
^^^^^
That is strange, isn’t it ? One might even think it was rigged.
December 25th, 2024 at 1:34 pm
Some of you guys are ridiculous. If nothing that’s been happening is Bowles fault and it’s all on the players, why is he even there? Your excuses make no sense. Teams don’t get fired. Coaches do. His defense was soft in the middle before the injuries. You like mediocre. Five hundred ball is acceptable to you. Well, it isn’t for most others.
December 25th, 2024 at 1:45 pm
Buchen nailed it. Middle of the field has been wide open all season long even going back to last year.
Winfield not the same guy this year (maybe injury rested)
Whitehead def not the fame guy he used to be
KJ Britt was always a liability
SVD injured most of the season
Lavonte is still a stud, but he can’t cover fast WRs.
Plus the to rotating cast of injured cornerbacks, nickelbacks, etc.
December 25th, 2024 at 2:02 pm
Good bye, Mr. Bowles.
December 25th, 2024 at 2:09 pm
Permanently Moderated Says:
December 25th, 2024 at 1:34 pm
Some of you guys are ridiculous. If nothing that’s been happening is Bowles fault and it’s all on the players, why is he even there? Your excuses make no sense. Teams don’t get fired. Coaches do. His defense was soft in the middle before the injuries. You like mediocre. Five hundred ball is acceptable to you. Well, it isn’t for most others.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ok , Mr Perm Mod,
Please tell us which of Sunday night Bucs defense starters would start for Dallas? Hint: Not one guy in Bucs secondary Sunday evening is good eough to start for Dallas. LVD still great at LB but he had a poor game Sunday. VV and Kancey would play a lot for Dallas. That’s it. Bucs defense has a huge talent shortfall.
December 25th, 2024 at 2:21 pm
It’s like if you could combine Lovie and leftwich into one coach=bowels. I have seen enough. But hey the players like him. Really though is any player going to say “i hate my coach” or “i like him as a person but he is not a good coach” they would be ran out of the league and not get another contact. With our coach and these refs we have no chance. I hope I’m wrong.. But… We are who our record says we are. Go BUCS
December 25th, 2024 at 2:33 pm
The only piece in the middle is Lavonte. We are weak at inside LB as a whole unit. Up front and back end are fine talent wise, and yes the scheme needs to be adjusted on the fly.
December 25th, 2024 at 3:13 pm
Pass defense sucked. True. But to say that’s “why we lost” is a very simple minded analysis and conclusion.
That’s PART of the reason we lost.
We also lost because of turnovers and multiple offensive drives that were ineffective or disastrous.
December 25th, 2024 at 3:36 pm
It’s been pretty bad with any combination of guys in there. We should really look like the skeletal of a fish on every third and long getting busted in head like way to much for a while. Play your hearts out baby, we’ll all be upset but we’ll be alright. Let’s Go Todd, lol!!
December 25th, 2024 at 3:37 pm
@Gipper Says – Let’s look at Detroit for example 18- 19 players on IR. Most these players are studs & Detroit has had to rely on the practice squad & guys off the street. Explain to me how their Defense is still bringing it & how they continue to not only win, but dominate. How did the Patriots drafting at the bottom of the draft year after year put excellent teams on the field? The answer my friend is coaching! Adapting your schemes to the strengths of your players, studying the opposing teams & identifying weaknesses and/or ways to exploit those teams, understanding situational football & clock management, creating effective but not overly complicated schemes. Again, Bowles has stated he doesn’t study the opposing teams as he’s not concerned with what they are trying to do, only what he’s trying to do. Bowles is a .500 coach & his record proves it!
December 25th, 2024 at 3:39 pm
‘If Bucs finish 10-7 and make it into playoffs, Coach Todd isn’t going anywhere.’
Maybe Todd won’t be going anywhere but i bet a lot of fans will be.
December 25th, 2024 at 3:41 pm
Shane 247 you nailed it
December 25th, 2024 at 4:10 pm
Bowles can lose these last 2 games and still won’t be fired. Licht loves him. We will see him standing on the sidelines with his arms folded having not a clue what to do!
December 25th, 2024 at 4:44 pm
Gipper: The Bucs also have a huge coaching shortfall on the defensive side of the ball. How can guys still not know the defense after being on the team for a year or years? How come Todd Bowles defensive “scheme” is so hard for his own players to figure out, yet so easy for Cousins and the immortal Cooper Rush to figure out? If injuries are a legit excuse, Detroit should be giving up 40+ points a game. Why aren’t they?
December 25th, 2024 at 5:16 pm
Joe in Michigan Says:
December 25th, 2024 at 4:44 pm
Gipper: The Bucs also have a huge coaching shortfall on the defensive side of the ball. How can guys still not know the defense after being on the team for a year or years?
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Oh. OK, now I get it? Why don’t you guys just tell us who on the Bucs last Sunday night defense could start for the Cowboys or Lions defense. Good luck with that one. Start with the Cowboys and go through player vs player. You are wildly overestimating the talent level of that Bucs defense that started Sunday night. Bowles is no prize but you have to be realistic about the defense talent. Guarantee you that whomever coaches next year there will be wholesale personnel changes on defense.
December 25th, 2024 at 5:30 pm
All during the 1st half, Bowles had chances to make Defensive adjustments. He did Not. Those 1st couple of Dalas drives dinked and dunked us all the way down the field. I know Bowles saw it. He needs to learn how to make Defensive adjustment of the fly. Because he has no pass rush.
December 25th, 2024 at 6:10 pm
Let’s put it this way. If Bowles was fired would ANY other team hire him as HC? I say absolutely not. Hope it’s put to the test soon.
December 25th, 2024 at 6:55 pm
flash poll?
December 25th, 2024 at 7:01 pm
Not a good look for Todd refusing to be truthful that the middle of the field is always open for business for QBs that get the ball out quickly. The Bucs are not good at playing zones, they don’t have any physical players that can tackle other than David. It really is disturbing for a defensive head coach to display such a lack of being truthful when a reporter questions the most obvious of obvious’s. That the team gives up too many easy completions to immobile quarterbacks because the passing lanes are open as is the space between defenders. It’s a soft defense from a coach who is supposed to be smart about defense. I think his players don’t believe in his system.
December 25th, 2024 at 7:32 pm
Gipper Says:
Please tell us which of Sunday night Bucs defense starters would start for Dallas?
Do you really know what you’re saying? The Bucs aren’t as bad as they played but it’s stupid to think it’s all the players and scheme, game plan and play calling has nothing to do with it. Obviously both starting safeties would be better than our back ups and one linebacker. I’m not going to say a rookie is better than LVD. Don’t even talk to me about the D line. You’re ridiculous this same Bucs team that lost to Dallas dismantled the chargers.
December 25th, 2024 at 7:45 pm
Gipper: Vita Vea and Kancey would start for most, if not all, other defense. Diaby might be okay with better coaching.
I used to defend Bowles, but after the 2 Atlanta games, I’ve seen enough. Like I said in the earlier post, if your defensive “scheme” is somehow hard for your own players to figure out, yet and average NFL QB such as Cousins or Rush have it easily figured out, your scheme/system is a failure.
December 25th, 2024 at 7:45 pm
*Defenses
December 25th, 2024 at 8:56 pm
the big debate im doing this on christmas for bud my dad in heaven for liking the bucs fact: 2021 he left cooper kupp alone on winfield with no corner blitzing corners and lost the championship game
2022: arians quit to get bowles the head coachng job lefty the oc bowles had a decent defence in arizona but also had really good players bowles had lot his hc job at jets. super tom brady getting old going through a divorce ( not on super tom lol) not practicing not into it not playing well
2023- mayfield good no running game 500record defence blah was ok played ok in playoffs
2024- up and down injuries rollercoaster facts offence and mayfieid kept bucs in to it 500 again cuz of defence no suh no jpp
bowles nice guy and all but not a hc and as a dc game has passed him by
go lvd and mike
December 25th, 2024 at 9:41 pm
Don’t like the mob mentality. You guys sound like a lynch mob. Heard many on this website go after Baker Mayfield last year while a few of us were saying that Baker would be the QB in Tampa for a long time. His stats this year place him easily in top 5 of NFL QB’s. Incidentally, Todd Bowles was a Mayfield believer as well. Part of the issue with many on this site is an absolute inability to maintain perspective. That running comment section on game day is a case in point. Every missed tackle, dropped pass, fumble, interception, overthrow,batted pass, or opponent TD is met with a chorus of complaint and grief. Football is not a game of perfect. The speed and pace of the game is intense. Easy to be a couch coach. A lot harder when you are on the field times with less than talented players.
December 25th, 2024 at 9:57 pm
finally someone asks him. been waiting years
December 25th, 2024 at 10:56 pm
As a former Pats fans, I’ve seen them win 2 or 3 games each year because of great coaching and great execution(Brady and co). They rarely ever lost a game due to coaching.
As for Bowles, we’ll Brady had his 1st and only losing season under him. Bad coaching accounted to 2 or 3 extra losses in each of 2022, 2023, and now 2024. What more proof do you need that Bowles needs to go. Unless of course you all happy with 8-9, 9-8 records and crossing fingers to.make the playoffs. But you’ll never win a SB with Bowles.
December 25th, 2024 at 11:04 pm
Gripper, football is a game of inches. One bad decision or one good decision can be the difference between winning a losing.
The timeout decision in the last game is an example of this. Belichick rarely made bad decisions and he had the player to execute his good decisions in Brady.
As noted by you and more people that Mayfield is playing at atop 5 level. Don’t waste hit peak years on a mediocre coach. You need a great coach with an elite QB to make the SB. Brady and Belichik. Reid won nothing until he had Mahomes. Mayfield can be in that conversation too but not with Bowles.
December 26th, 2024 at 8:04 am
Mob mentality? If you can’t win your argument based on facts alone just label the those who disagree. Where have I heard that strategy before? The fact that so many of us share the same opinion is a testament to the fact that we’ve been football fans our whole lives. We’ve watched 50+ games a year, year after year. We’ve witnessed great teams and great coaching. We’ve seen individual players and coaches will their teams to victory. We also recognize patterns and trademarks. When you consistently get beat by rookie QBs, & 2nd & 3rd string QBs, when you consistently lose at home, when
December 26th, 2024 at 8:21 am
you consistently mismanage the clock & situational football, when you consistently have d-linemen dropping into coverage, when the center of the field is always open as well as the wide receivers & coaches that exploit that pattern, when you don’t game plan for your opponent, when your team often comes out flat or has communication issues, when players are always out of position, when you refuse to make in game adjustments, when teams consistently have record setting days against you, when the players don’t seem to understand your defensive schemes, even after being in the same system for 3+ years, when you play not to lose vs playing to win, people recognize these patterns. It’s not a mob mentality, it’s pattern recognition!
December 26th, 2024 at 9:39 am
since SirVocea Dennis went down, teams have been exploiting the middle of the field… it may have been exploited before he was injured but his absence has magnify the issue… to be a “defensive guru” and here we were in week 16 and the middle of the defense is STILL problem! that’s just stubbornness and sticking to your system… Byron Leftwich, Lovie Smith, Mike Smith, etc. all over again… I’m over it!