Why?
December 3rd, 2024
Man success vs. zone failure.
Now this is a major head-scratcher.
So the Bucs on Sunday made Bryce Young — who was benched earlier this season and ridiculed so much it seemed his first name became “Bust” — look like the best quarterback in the NFC South at times.
But then there were times when Young appeared to look like the quarterback who Dave Canales benched for ineffective play.
Per NextGen Stats by way of Eric Edholm of NFL.com, Young tore up the Bucs when Tampa Bay played zone defense. But when Todd Bowles flipped to man-to-man defense, Young was downright terrible.
Bryce Young was at his best passing against the Buccaneers’ zone coverage in Week 13, completing 23 of 32 attempts for a season-high 242 yards. Against man coverage, Young completed just 3 of 14 attempts for 56 yards.
So if man defense was smothering Young but zone defense let Young slice apart the Bucs, why the hell was Bowles running a zone defense so much?
Why?
Surely the stats crowd on the headset in Bowles’ ear had this information. At least Joe hopes they would during live action.
If Bowles couldn’t sense his zone defense was getting torched and that his man defense was getting the job done, surely the Bucs’ stats crowd sitting upstairs had these facts — or at least a defensive assistant should have noticed.
(If the stats people didn’t have this intel as the game was being played, then why even have them on coaches’ headsets?)
This intel should have relayed to Bowles. Was it and Bowles just ignored it? Or did he not see it with his own eyes?
Someone — Bowles, defensive coaches, the geeks upstairs — really dropped the ball here. And it damn near cost the Bucs a playoff berth.
December 3rd, 2024 at 7:27 am
No lead is safe with a Todd Bowles defense. Long past time for a change
December 3rd, 2024 at 7:30 am
He doesn’t care!! He sees Dean playing 12 yards back and gett beat repeatedly for 7 yard passes. His thing is to play his defense. It doesn’t matter if it works or not. Just like the Smith brothers
December 3rd, 2024 at 7:35 am
Because his philosophy is to take away the big play. If he eliminates the big play, and doesn’t turn it over, he likes his chances. I’m sure that was his calculus. As always, it does the opposite. He keeps his opposition in the game, the embattled QB gains confidence, and he finds himself in a dogfight against a weaker opponent
December 3rd, 2024 at 7:37 am
What don’t you get Joe, you’ve been watching this defense for years. Bowles likes keeping everything in front of his DBs. Todd is affraid of being beat playing man, one, on one. Todd’s defense is based on making the tackle, and hoping the offense makes a misstake. He’s agressive blitzing, but not with his secondary. He insists on undersized, rangy edge rushers who can drop into his zone coverages. Bowles would not want an OLB like Garrett of the Browns. To big, he only rushes the passer, Todd does not care about sacks from the edge. You’ve seen it, tell me I’m wrong? This is Todd’s defense. He plays mainly zone, off coverage, mixed in with his genius blitzing. Not going to change until Todd, and his defense is gone.
December 3rd, 2024 at 7:39 am
Why? Because he is a terrible coach who has gone 23-23 with a Super Bowl winning roster and Tom Brady & Baker Mayfield as his QBs.
December 3rd, 2024 at 7:44 am
The same spots on the field are always wide open when Bowles plays his zone defense. So frustrating when opposing QBs slice and dice the Bucs. Kirk Cousins and the Falcons looked like they were on their way to the Super Bowl when they played the Bucs. And Bryce Young last Sunday. Young’s next best game will be at the end of December against the Bucs.
December 3rd, 2024 at 7:44 am
Great question, why? Who is really making the defense decisions? Is Todd alone on all of this, or who else are involved. There were some issues on offense too. Wasn’t perfect, that is for sure. In the end we won.
Good NFL article breakdown. Thank you for the link. True, Bryce has two favorite targets that help too – Thielen and Tremble. He depends on them and they are good. Bryce has been turning around in the past few weeks. So there is that too.
Got a good laugh on the Falcons portion of the article – “Falcons waste a Sunday.” Did Kirk say his favorite phrase after? “You like that.” Probably not.
Loved – “Bucky’s big game gave Bucs a bump.”
December 3rd, 2024 at 7:45 am
Has anyone in the media put this in front of Bowles and asked him these questions?
December 3rd, 2024 at 7:47 am
Probably because blitz packages under Bowles scheme rely on zone defense
Just a guess
December 3rd, 2024 at 7:50 am
Bowles is afraid to get beat deep instead he would rather get picked apart play after play game after game.
December 3rd, 2024 at 7:54 am
Young was far more efficient against the Chiefs than the Bucs. The Panthers ran better against the Chiefs than the Bucs. The Panthers scored more points on the Chiefs than the Bucs. The Chiefs have a better defense this year than the Bucs. So what happened there?
Could it be that the #1 pick in the draft is finally figuring out a system and that the team is growing? Nah. Let’s call him garbage and laugh when the Panthers run him out of town. Kind of like Cleveland….
I’m not an expert like so many other readers are but doesn’t zone lend itself to bend but don’t break more so than man? I think I read that somewhere. The defense sucks in yards per game. Near the bottom of the league. Last three games, they’re in the top ten in scoring. Right there with Buffalo. I’ll take it and hope for better results out of a much more talented offense.
December 3rd, 2024 at 7:56 am
If it’s not growing it’s dead. We keep saying he’s stubborn and won’t adapt which is to say the game within the game has passed him by and he can barely compete with Dave Canales
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:03 am
Early on in the season I wrote of my poor opinion of Dean. How he plays off his man, hates to tackle and just isn’t good enough. Nothing has changed so far. If I were an opposite qb, I’d burn Dean all game long. And Todd? I’m tired of hearing about his defensive “genius“.
Time for changes.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:05 am
As an experienced coach he shouldn’t need any data analysis to tell him man is working better than zone. I think the biggest problem when we run zone is the OLB, everyone knows that Nelson, JTS, Diaby aren’t dropping into man coverage so it’s an easy read for the QB and WR.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:06 am
Hire Coen for HC and get a real DC. Someone who knows what the other offense does well and can take it away with gusto.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:06 am
When hasn’t the Bucs’ zone defense been torched? It’s happened all year. The question is, does Bowles have enough horses to play effective man coverage on a regular basis. He probably plays more zone coverage because he doesn’t trust enough of his guys to cover one-on-one, and he’s afraid of getting burned on deep passes.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:08 am
Smashsquatch Says:
December 3rd, 2024 at 7:35 am
Because his philosophy is to take away the big play. If he eliminates the big play, and doesn’t turn it over, he likes his chances. I’m sure that was his calculus. As always, it does the opposite. He keeps his opposition in the game, the embattled QB gains confidence, and he finds himself in a dogfight against a weaker opponent
__________
You nailed it.
It’s effing maddening.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:11 am
He loves his Cover Who defense. Just do not understand whatsoever. Once again, Bowles plays NOT to lose rather than playing to win. Scheme is JUST AWFUL. Bowers, Meyers and OConnel gonna have big games Sunday at Ray Jay.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:11 am
Belichick fixes this.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:12 am
Here’s a real doozy for you Joe;
The NFL is an entertainment business. I think we all agree on that.
Professional wrestling is an entertainment business.
Could it be that the NFL, in the interest of profit, is manipulating events in weird unexplainable ways ?
Kayfabe is a part of the business model for pro wrestling and works very well and the fans accept it whether they know it or not.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:17 am
Todd is a stubborn sob and will never change. Time to launch him. I’ve seen enough and I hope the Gkazers have also. See Tony Dungy.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:18 am
I don’t want Belichick anywhere near this team. His drafts are the worst over the past 10 years. He did nothing without Brady and he’s 9 toes in the grave old.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:31 am
Agree BucVoyager. We don’t need Belichick. And he wants total control and would bring in his own staff/coaches. No.
Cchead – Tony Dungy was a great coach and is a good man. The father Glazer fired him. Not the sons. Maybe Todd will retire within a couple of years. He isn’t even on the list of coaches on the hot seat. So there is that too.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:36 am
Prevent defense works wonders!!!!! LOL
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:43 am
Keep Liam-bring in Dennis Allen. Check please. Go Bucs!!
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:44 am
Bucs corners are very good at m2m and it would allow more coverage sack opportunities.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:44 am
Come on Man, this has been happening all year…. a little late to ask Why??? The question should be is Why this stubborn guy is still head coach.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:49 am
Not that we need it, but further evidence that this career loser needs to go
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:55 am
Bowles is a bad coach but has the bucs on a 2 game winning streak most likely 3 this sunday not to talk about beating the lions,eagles and going head to head with the ravens and 49ers also , considering no safety , no nickel , no edge rush ,1 LB, no leadership in defense oh and no punter. and we are stack in talent ! and remember no injuries so far in the season .
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:56 am
You definitely have glitches. “Submit Comment” does not always work.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:57 am
we are just like the bears ,,, team quitting on the HC
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:58 am
Some comments will submit and others won’t. Hmmmmm
Only my comments about the glitch will post.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:59 am
OHBucFan, you better watch out. You’re defending Bowles on here. I agree with you though the only team I follow is Tampa Bay. Tony Dungy was famous for the ‘Bend, Don’t Break’ Defense. In fact, it helped put him in Canton. Old man Glazer dumped Tony cos he wasn’t an Offensive coach, and had dummies like Mike Shula and Clyde Christiansen as OCs. In fact, when the Colts went after Dungy, Tony insisted that he would take their offer ONLY if they did not expect him to mess around with their Offense. Payton Manning was there, and the rest is history.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:59 am
@Joe
Why don’t you ask Bowles that question next press conference he gives?
Make it point blank and don’t allow him to word salad his way out of an answer.
He is happy to lose his way. Happens 50% of the time as a HC at best.
December 3rd, 2024 at 8:59 am
The guys that should be really pissed are the defensive linemen.
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:01 am
Citrus Co.: This site definitely has technical gremlins/glitches. It’s not your comments that are causing the disappearing. Good seeing you on here. NOW, WHERE IS DEFENSE RULES????????
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:01 am
And people wonder why we’re so anti Bowles. He’s a terrible HC. And now he’s a terrible DC. So WTF is he good for?
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:01 am
Here’s the thing about Kayfabe, the fans believe what they want to believe. So the truth can be whatever the NFL wants it to be.
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:01 am
Joe says:
So if man defense was smothering Young but zone defense let Young slice apart the Bucs, why the hell was Bowles running a zone defense so much?
Great question Why don’t you ask Bowles?
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:17 am
Citrus County…… I’ve had three comments not post in the last 2 weeks. I don’t post a lot of comments so, I’ll just go back to the bleachers.
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:24 am
The running TD by Bryce was likely against man defense. We were not getting the push up the middle to keep BY contained. He was hit but not sacked, Canales, knew to get the ball out quick when Dean was backed off the receiver.
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:27 am
Search “Best Defensive Coordinators” and Bowles will usually pop up in the Top 10.
Bowles’ Defense hasn’t changed much since 2020. What has changed is the Guys Executing it.
Take the list of starting defense in 2020 and place it next to 2023 and 2024 and it becomes pretty obvious. Kancey and Darby or Suh and JPP?
Hand full of guys now have big bags of cash and you have to fill your roster with less than adequate help all over the place.
Stop blaming Bowles and get on the borderline garbage that’s strapping up each week.
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:30 am
I think it’s Bowles defensive assistant!!!s, pretty worthless if you ask me!!! George Edwards should be screaming at these ends trying to play cornerback and linebacker!! Dean is totally worthless will not tackle unless absolutely necessary!!! Saw a few loafs from him on Sunday!!Someone on the D needs to get pissed off!!! Go Bucs!!!
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:31 am
Citrus County – I think we all have experienced glitches at one time or another on here. Lately, my employer’s system has had many issues too. It’s technology, the good and the bad 😊
orlbucfan – I have thought the same thing about DR, Pickgrin, and stpetebucfan. Haven’t seen them in awhile. Miss their input. Hope they are okay.
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:39 am
If the objective is winning a Super Bowl. Is there anybody, including the Glazers who thinks Todd Bowles is the Head Coach who can deliver?
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:44 am
Different QB, different game, SAME STRATEGY! WHY????? That’s what every fan here wants to know!!!! FYI, it does work about 50% of the time. Sadly!
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:46 am
Fire Toilet Bowels before it’s to late.
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:50 am
I think we need to add a 3rd category. Zero man blitzes that get absolutely torched. It’s like he just can’t bring himself to play man with 1 or 2 high safeties.
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:54 am
Joe’s question is a good one. Try asking at the next coach’s press conference.
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:54 am
Cover nobody defense = Keep the receivers in front of you and don’t let them get behind you and don’t give up the big play. The D line and LBs will get to the QB.
Really does not work for a variety of reasons. Bucs D has trouble getting to the QB. CBs are not very good and LBs can’t cover, tackle very well, and are slow. Other team’s TEs are always open, always.
Statistically the Bucs are really bad as far as receiving yards allowed. Will Todd do anything to fix it? Not a chance, the guy is stubborn like Leftwich was. Hope the Gazers have begun the new HC search early this year……
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:57 am
Everyone picks apart our zone defense. Why does every quarterback have career days against us?
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:58 am
For the record, JD35 and ZM27 can play man well! They really do miss TS23 and SVD8. With them on the field the Bucs man coverage was superb!
December 3rd, 2024 at 10:03 am
He uses the zones when he drops the OLB into coverage. He just doesn’t get it. The secondary personnel are built to cover wrs and the OLB is built to play the line. He knows he gets better results doing it backwards.
December 3rd, 2024 at 10:12 am
The media needs to apply more pressure at his conferences! No lead is safe and EVERY QB has an opportunity to have career days against this D!! Glad we have a few all pro’s only to get bottom of the league results!
December 3rd, 2024 at 10:29 am
Bizarre that our fans think we have a super bowl winning roster. We have one decent linebacker. One decent safety. No decent backup cornerbacks. We have been in salary cap hell since our Super bowl year. The team most likely us is the LA Rams. They mortgaged everything too to win a super bowl but you never hear their fans whine like ours. We have been competitive in every game except the Ravens. Be careful what you wish for. Our defensive roster is not a playoff roster and we are the second youngest team in the NFL.
December 3rd, 2024 at 10:32 am
If Carolina has a receiver that makes you worry about giving up the “big play” it’s time to retire your scheme or retire
December 3rd, 2024 at 10:46 am
I recall Carolina linebackers getting their hands on several balls and being close to a couple interceptions. I really don’t recall our defensive ends or defensive tackles Dropping and getting their hands On many balls …….. Let alone a couple almost interceptions a game
December 3rd, 2024 at 10:46 am
I must say I haven’t looked to put the Buccaneers past defense stats in the against category have got to be absolutely dismal. Like have to be in the bottom five in the league. It is ridiculous.
December 3rd, 2024 at 10:47 am
“It’s complicated,” says Todd.
December 3rd, 2024 at 10:51 am
I have always hated zone coverage.
I also miss Cover 2, but we really needed to change up at the time. Going 3-4 was the best move…then. I think it still might be…with the right coaching.
December 3rd, 2024 at 10:53 am
Smashsquatch Says
“Because his philosophy is to take away the big play. If he eliminates the big play, and doesn’t turn it over, he likes his chances.”
Absolutely right. Bend, don’t break.
The problem is that he bends too much.
December 3rd, 2024 at 10:57 am
If the Buccaneers keeps him next year, ownership must force him to hire a DC and for him to stay away from running the defense.
December 3rd, 2024 at 11:01 am
You guys are gonna be so disappointed when we do not make the playoffs. This Buc team is not a playoff contender. You know it but are still holding on. WHY?
December 3rd, 2024 at 11:11 am
Bowles needs to hire d coach if he is going to be around next year and stop trying to run the d he hasn’t learned that his play calling is out of date.
December 3rd, 2024 at 11:11 am
[Then get the hell out. Actually, Joe will help you. — Joe]
December 3rd, 2024 at 11:24 am
For all the people commenting “Why don’t you ask… ?”
Joe came across these stats at roughly 10:30 pm last night. The Bucs have not made Todd Bowles available to media since.
THAT’S why.
December 3rd, 2024 at 11:28 am
I don’t forget the fact that Carolina marched right down the field on their last possession of OT and only by the grace of God we got the strip fumble from AN to save the day and the season…for another week at least. Bowles got really lucky with that one. The way we lost the 2 ATL games should of been enough to get his ass fired.
December 3rd, 2024 at 11:34 am
I posted that data a few times but due to Algo Rhythm’s heavy hand, it apparently wasn’t seen. Algo is getting very sensitive about certain criticism.
December 3rd, 2024 at 11:38 am
I’m glad to see more commenters stating the fact that if they didn’t know better, they wouldn’t consider this a pro football fan site. Too many yo-yos act like the Bucs are 0-12, and it’s the HC’s fault. You ever been a Buc fan when they WERE 2-14, 3-13, and a big year was 5-11? I miss fans like Defense Rules, pickgrin, and stpetebucsfan. I sure hope they’re okay, and will post again.
December 3rd, 2024 at 11:39 am
This year Buccaneer team has one of the worst defenses in Bucs history and that is saying a lot.
December 3rd, 2024 at 11:53 am
Buddha. I didn’t see anybody say the Bucs have a Super Bowl winning roster. What do you think the KC Chiefs record would be if Todd replaced Reid and Spagnuola? He may be a great guy and probably is. I’ve seen enough football to know he is not going to guide any team to a Super Bowl.
December 3rd, 2024 at 11:55 am
Short bus Todd Blows has no clue how to call a good defense and manage the entire game as a Head Coach
Time to fire the dumbest head coach in the league
December 3rd, 2024 at 12:07 pm
It will cost them a playoff berth. Just not yet. Give it to me. Be patient like Todd
December 3rd, 2024 at 12:18 pm
Ok, we’ve given up an average of 18 points per game these last 3 games. 54 points allowed the last 3 games. I’d love to see us run alot more press man coverage. We lose that Panthers game if they don’t fumble it away. I don’t care they only had to go 60 yards in 2 minutes to take a 23-20 lead with 37 seconds left. Against Chiefs we go 75 yards in the rain to tie and we don’t get the ball back. Against Niners we drive the field to tie it and we don’t get the ball back. It’s time to make some adjustments. Too late to make personnel changes. If we don’t get aggressive on the defensive side of the ball we may not make the playoffs. I’ve been patient long enough. If we get beat deep a few times our offense has proven they can answer the call. Time for the defense to prove they can do the same.
December 3rd, 2024 at 12:24 pm
He keeps making mistakes and repeating them over and over. His defense has been the consistently inconsistent. Penalties, lack of a pass rush, secondary gets torched on the regular. Once in a blue moon the defense shows up but for the most part anytime a stop is needed, they fold. Terrible clock management. The list is almost endless with this guy. Same problems season after season.
Simply put, The ReTodd has no clue how to fix this defense. The better question is why is he still HC?
December 3rd, 2024 at 12:52 pm
The game has passed him by. Bowles used to be a defensive guru. He’s terrible now.
December 3rd, 2024 at 12:59 pm
We won the game! Be happy. How many other teams have we all watched and they had a real bad game and lost, and many numerous times.
The Bucs have been in the SB twice, some teams have never been. So much to be thankful for. We have a football team in Tampa Bay. Thankful for that too. Many don’t.
Also, very thankful that the Joes give us this outlet to air our views.
December 3rd, 2024 at 1:52 pm
This is why Bowles traded away Davis and didn’t bring back Devin White – both of them called out this awful super soft zone defense that Bowles loves.
Also, Bowles, your trash zone defense doesn’t have to be trash. You can play tight zone – with tight windows. There’s a pretty famous defense that did this right here in Tampa. Maybe talk to Brooks and Ronde – they can explain how a tight zone works. You don’t have to have people just standing in place waiting to react, they can actually move in a zone and respond to the action. Swear to God I’m telling you the truth.
December 3rd, 2024 at 1:56 pm
I’m not sure even our best corners can play (sticky) man coverage. Dean seems slow and stiff, Zyon seems “off” compared to earlier this year.
Secondary in general has been disappointing. Injuries have been a factor.
December 3rd, 2024 at 2:12 pm
I liked the fact that Todd was all in and brought the house on every play in that last 4th quarter drive. The Panthers had an amazing catch by Theiland that more times than not will fail. The alternative was to sit back in zone and cover the boundaries. That just lets teams dink and dunk their way down the field. Exactly what fans have been complaining about. Bowles was going to go out with the camber empty. I liked that aggressiveness.
December 3rd, 2024 at 2:17 pm
GoneGator – The defense, all season, has looked dramatically better when they’ve played aggressive man defense. Yes, guys will get beat in man – but QB’s will also make mistakes when they’re under pressure and don’t have all day to stand around and pick the defense apart.
December 3rd, 2024 at 2:22 pm
‘why the hell was Bowles running a zone defense so much?’
obviously because he isn’t as bright as so many give him credit for…
If he is so oblivious as DC then no wonder why he is SO BAD as a HC!
December 3rd, 2024 at 2:55 pm
Buddha – We have a stud/All-Pro at all 3 levels of the defense: Vea, David, and Winfield (highest paid Safety) – THAT’S WHY! We should not be this bad, especially with a defense guru. It appears more scheme than talent, which is fixable…that’s also why!
Lastly, We were in the Ravens game, not the Broncos game.
December 3rd, 2024 at 3:11 pm
Heyjude I’m happy. Don’t mean to bring anyone down with my frustration over our young defense. I’m afraid the powers that be will think the opposition has only averaged 18 points per game the last 3 games. And that that’s reason for optimism. It’s not. Yes it’s a team effort. I watched our game up in Detroit last January and we were tied in the 4th quarter. Goff shredded our pass defense that 4th qtr. I figured that was something fixable. It hasn’t been fixed. We won’t advance in the playoffs until we address this. All I’m saying is if we can get more aggressive in pass coverage we will have a chance. As it stands we won’t have a chance.
December 3rd, 2024 at 3:18 pm
Todd Bowles & Co haven’t sensed that their zone defense has been getting torched for 2 years straight. Why would it be any different on Sunday?
December 3rd, 2024 at 3:20 pm
Time for Bowles to walk the plank!!! Your record says what you are. How many D players do you need to draft to have a Defense. Look at what the Broncos or Chargers have been able to do this season, I don’t see more talent on any of those defenses than I do ours. 49-64 as a HC is a loser . No I can’t coach better than Bowles or run a NFL Defense . But I’ve seen enough Bucs football to know when it’s time for a coach to go. Same way when Mike Smith needed to go and Greg Schiano.
December 3rd, 2024 at 3:22 pm
@Rod Munch. No argument from me there. Of course that’s tied to pass rush too, right?. If we could get consistent pressure we could probably play more man? Or even just a tighter zone?
I honestly don’t know the answer/s. I’m more of an offensive thinker. But I’m pretty sure firing the coach right now isn’t the best move.
Doesn’t Philly play a similar defense? Just wondering cause I think they struggled early but got healthy and turned things around. Their defense is being praised to high heaven now.
December 3rd, 2024 at 3:24 pm
Please go get Belicheck Hall of Fame Coach who Loves Baker and can fix our Defense, and good FAs would be intrigued. 333-178 now that’s a winner 🏆
December 3rd, 2024 at 3:52 pm
This is why I have said since the beginning of the season I had no faith in Bowles and his defensive coaching staff.
December 3rd, 2024 at 4:27 pm
Zone is better against the run. Of course man coverage is better against the pass. The issue is that man coverage is bad against the run. Ira himself said the game plan is to stop Hubbard. The way you stop Hubbard is zone coverage.
December 3rd, 2024 at 5:09 pm
GoneGator I agree fully that firing the head coach now isn’t the best move. I just want to see a tighter and more aggressive pass defense. And let our lineman pin their ears back and rush the passer! This crazy dropping linemen into coverage is driving me nuts!
December 3rd, 2024 at 5:49 pm
as joe has been screaming from the rooftops: this is because we lack a strong EDGE RUSH… bowles’ scheme and favorite strategy is a zone blitz that uses soft zone coverage with a heavy blitz attack. the idea is that the qb doesn’t read the blitz and at first glance of the zone defenders thinks he can wait for a play to develop, then the blitz either eats the qb for lunch or he has to dump it off and the zone coverage swarms the receiver for very little yardage gained. … the PROBLEM has been those blitz packages aren’t getting home and/or the coverage isn’t finishing the job on the tackle when they dump it off over the middle. and in a passing league that is designed around dink and dunk passes for short yardage with receivers who can make plays, I have to ask… is this strategy still relevant? but with strong edge rushers, the pressure is guaranteed.
man, hopefully licht addresses edge, ilb, and cb1 this offseason… resign godwin, let mcmillan develop one more year to prove he can contend. then if we need a stud future WR1 take one early in the 2026 draft.
December 3rd, 2024 at 5:57 pm
There are no gimmes in the NFL. Teams are so talented, if you don’t show up, you get smacked in the mouth.
I don’t like all the Bowles hate from the fans, because what is behind door #2? You guys think BB is the answer? GTFO lol
Bowles is acceptable. Licht needs to do a better job drafting imo. Give Todd better tools to work with. I wonder how much input Todd gets in draft day decisions.
Is Bowles my first choice? Atm he is. Tis a long season. Strap in and stop being a bunch of whiney c*nts.
December 3rd, 2024 at 9:54 pm
This coach has had my head scratching all season. He’s going through something or he’s just not that good at coaching an entire team.
December 4th, 2024 at 12:17 am
What did he know and when did he know it?
December 4th, 2024 at 4:08 am
Since Canales was the Bucs offense coach last year and knew how to exploit Bowle’s defense, I was curious to see how he would play his offense against it. Well, Canales expected constant blitzing so he countered with short passes and Young’s quickness to beat the defense, so to methodically go down the field for a touchdown or field goal every time, and it worked, like all the other teams had tried to do all year. Remember, the Panthers missed 2 field goals, so there shouldn’t had been an OT. We allowed the Panthers to drive down the field in OT to only have the Panthers fumble the game away. We couldn’t stop the Chiefs & Falcons in OT games. We allowed the 49ers to methodically drive down the field to kick a field goal, as time ran out, to win the game. Couldn’t stop the Ravens offense at all & lost because the the Bucs’ offense couldn’t keep up, even though the Bucs scored 31 points. The only game the Bucs didn’t play well on offense was against the Broncos, and we got blown out at home. Without the 4th ranked offense & a resurging running game, the Bucs would be a 4-8 team, at best. But if they had just an average defense, the Bucs would be a 10-2 team, essentially…Bowles should realize that he needs to change up his defense somehow for the next 5 games so to find 4 wins…but will he though?
December 4th, 2024 at 7:25 am
Kenton, it’s all good. Luckily we all have the Joes outlet to read and share our feelings about the topic at hand.
I just feel at times that we need to be thankful for having a Tampa Bay football team that has done pretty well over the years.
December 4th, 2024 at 12:38 pm
If you’re running man, you’re putting our linebackers into 1:1 assignments. And they’re bad at that. So I’m guessing they ran more man out of nickel and dime packages, but in a 3-4 alignment you’re asking britt/russel and of our edge players to run with a tight end and they simply cant (or you blitz with both edges, which hasnt worked greatneither) I’m not sure the problem is Bowles so much as our personnel severely limits what we can do.