“He Played Like He Was A 10-Year Vet”
January 25th, 2025
What a great example of the cold business of the NFL embedded in this Todd Bowles comment.
And no, it has nothing to do with El Serpiente, departed offensive coordinator Liam Coen.
Bowles talked about his safeties on the Buccaneers Radio Network and gushed about second-year man Kaevon Merriweather, who joined the Bucs as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Bowles said “Kaevon’s been great all year.” Meanwhile, Merriweather was cut by the Bucs in November.
Merriweather signed onto the Lions’ practice squad and the Bucs brought him back two weeks later.
Joe can’t say Merriweather was “great” last season, but Joe agrees with Bowles’ assessment that he looked like a new player — a faster, better player — after his short trip to Detroit.
“Since the second half of the season when we got him back, he’s probably one of the smartest and most cerebral guys we have back there,” Bowles said. “The last couple of weeks of the season, he really carved out a niche for himself and [was] very consistent. I was very happy and very proud of the way he came back and played. He played like he was a 10-year vet”
Joe’s glad to hear about Merriweather’s growth, and count on seeing Merriweather all over the field when the Bucs next play in the 2025 preseason.
Imagine that, though, Bowles said the guy was strong all season but he still got cut midseason while there were injuries in the defensive backfield. Cold business.
January 25th, 2025 at 2:44 pm
I think anybody who has tried to master something has some aha moments where the bulb just goes on. I know I have.
Kaevon just figured “it” out.
January 25th, 2025 at 2:44 pm
I think that is an indictment of our secondary coaches that a guy who could not even crack the roster and was released spends two weeks in another organization and comes back looking like a better player. I think we need to fire Nick Rapone as well as the cornerbacks coach. And go back to the drawing board in terms of the defensive staff.
January 25th, 2025 at 2:54 pm
All last year I saw a lot of the young defensive players look very good just tried to figure out why the defense had as many bad game as they did. I guess when you install a lot of young inexperienced players that happens. Any word on any DL interviews
January 25th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
Could not agree more Canabuc. Our DC and his secondary coaches should all be replaced, anybody watching the defense this year knows that.
January 25th, 2025 at 3:00 pm
A different coach in Detroit probably helped with his growth
January 25th, 2025 at 3:05 pm
I was happy Coen was here…he put up enough points to overcome Bowles lame in game decisions and lousy defense.
Bucs have made their bed….Bowles is their choice over anything else.
The sideline stiff is Baaaaack!
January 25th, 2025 at 3:08 pm
I’m reading my usual entertainment on here: A lot of hooey. The Defense beat Washington here, and Detroit up in Motown. All three teams were at full strength. Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson was a MONSTER. Then along comes Buc Luck with a vengeance: injuries. Adding insult to injuries, the Ravens join the party with an illegal season ending injury to CG14. There was no reason for it as they handily won the game. I noticed they got knocked out of the playoffs. Good. Bucs still managed to win 10 games. Now the OC rollercoaster has begun yet again. The players, Licht, and Bowles don’t deserve it, but them’s the breaks.
January 25th, 2025 at 3:11 pm
“El Serpiente” hahahha! One of your better monikers Joe’s,
January 25th, 2025 at 3:13 pm
Some of yall keep crying about bowels. Detroit just got lit up by the redskins and the Bucs had the game if not for a late fumble. Bowles defense kept the redskins in check most of the game and since the bye week the Bucs defense was playing a lot better. Yes our pass defense is trash but doesn’t help when just about every starter was out except Zion. I’ve bin one of bowels biggest critics. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Just cause you bring in a new coach doesn’t mean we are winning the Super Bowl next year shoot we could go back to the lost decade. Since Bowles took over his record is 8-8 , 9-8 and 10-7. His wins keep improving and we keep going to the playoffs. Also Jason has the best interest for the Bucs don’t yall think he would get us a better coach ? I’ll trust Jason and his ways for the team vs some of yall cry babies geez get it together
January 25th, 2025 at 3:27 pm
El Serpiente. I just herniated a disc in my neck laughing at that.
January 25th, 2025 at 3:31 pm
It looks like it will be multiple changes on defense this offseason. Anxious to see what those changes will be.
January 25th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
None of this makes sense. He was a good player yet you cut him? He goes to another teams practice squad and comes back smarter in better shape? What am I missing here?
January 25th, 2025 at 3:52 pm
Would really be nice to eventually find out why we can’t stop the forward pass when the game depends on it.
According to Licht and Bowles fans, he didn’t have enough to work with due to injuries and overall lack of talent. So Licht takes one for his guy (who sits beside him at the draft table) and hasn’t gotten him enough talent. (1st, 2 2nds, 2 3rds last 3 seasons)
According to Bowles he has back up safeties playing like 10 year vets but communication and tackling are an issue, you know fundamental things that don’t necessarily require talent (bringing down Irving or Barkley in the open field requires multiple talents I realize).
Someone is doing a poor job.. Licht, Bowles, the players themselves can’t hide behind injuries for long.
January 25th, 2025 at 3:56 pm
Yeah Hodad it stinks. It’s stinks of a coach who seemingly wants to be buddies with his players as opposed to developing them.
January 25th, 2025 at 4:01 pm
Pahpahmike … ‘Anxious to see what those (defensive) changes will be.’
Me too Mike. I HOPE it’s a combination of some new players AND some new coaches. I’d like to see TB focus on JUST his head coaching duties, just like BA did when he came here in 2019 (contrary to what some say, he was NOT our OC). Don’t mind seeing some fresh blood in the assistant coaching ranks either.
I realize that TB is married to his 3-4 hybrid defense, but I don’t believe we have the personnel to run that effectively right now. It works well with players like JPP’s talent, but very few are THAT talented. Personally think that players like Diaby, Braswell & even Hall are better suited to the 4-3 defense. TB’s 3-4 also needs fast ILBs to cover a lot of ground, and right now I’m not seeing that we have that level of LB speed.
Personnel-wise I think we’ll need a LOT of defensive upgrades this Spring, via free agency and the draft. Adding a quality DE/OLB would sure be nice (it’d make Joe happy), as well as adding a top DT (to replace Gholston). We need at least 2 new ILBs (Britt’s too slow, LVD’s gonna retire this year or next, and the others are too danged fragile). I’d trade/release Dean this year and replace him with a solid veteran, plus draft at least 1 CB in the Top-4 Rnds. And after doing all that we’d STILL need improvements in our DEPTH. LOTS of work ahead.
January 25th, 2025 at 4:10 pm
I think Bowles is either making his defense too complicated or it’s not being explained in a way that players understand. There were way too many games where our secondary just looked lost with defenders out of position, not exactly sure of their assignments. Two things could be true here simultaneously; One, maybe Bowles is a good DC & two, maybe he’s a terrible teacher.
January 25th, 2025 at 4:27 pm
Bowles … “Since the second half of the season when we got him back, he’s probably one of the smartest and most cerebral guys we have back there.”
Hodad … ‘None of this makes sense. He was a good player yet you cut him? He goes to another teams practice squad and comes back smarter in better shape? What am I missing here?’
He was a good player BEFORE he got cut Hodad? Merriweather played a grand TOTAL of 15 defensive snaps in 2 games PRIOR to being released after the San Fran game & being picked up by Detroit. His entire contribution consisted of 1 solo tackle & 2 assists. Does that make him a good player? I thought that Bowles was pretty clear in his statement commending Merriweather for his upgrade in performance AFTER he returned.
While in Detroit, he was on their Practice Squad (probably not much quality coaching there). When he returned to Tampa, he played in 5 regular games (215 def snaps) plus the playoff game (14 def snaps). Did reasonably well it appears (10 solo & 4 assist tackles, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 1 PD plus 1 FR).
Can’t help but wonder if getting to PLAY in actual games made a difference for him (plus the more detailed prep & coaching that goes with preparing to be a starter). And maybe he was a tad ‘hungrier’ too when he returned. Do those 6 games mean that he’s now a quality starter? Not really, but it might qualify him as a quality backup for 2025.
January 25th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
How can you say Bowels improved every year, when he won a playoff game last year and he lost the first playoff game this year? Makes no sense. What matters is the postseason.
January 25th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
Great one Joe,,, we have great young talent ,,, get Dennis back , re sign David ,
Get Winfield healthy ,, maybe get a edge but Bowles could have a good D next year ,,, guys had to play this year and the young guys got valuable experience ,,,,
Im excited and will put my money on Bucs again next year to win the division,, I’ might even bet Baker for MVP if we get the right OC (would have for sure w Coen) if Bowles gets D right 12-5 next year????
January 25th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
I think Bowles made more good plays than bad ones (although those were pretty bad). He is my second favorite coach since BA. Some of you wanted a slimy-skinned guy after not even seeing him for one year. I eschew some of your ridiculous posts.
January 25th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
I think he got cut because they made room for Mike Edwards and then he immediately got hurt. I could be wrong
January 25th, 2025 at 4:58 pm
Just more meaningless Bowles-speak.
Kinda like the guys he keeps inactive all season long and then when they finally play he says “we had no idea what he had in him”… despite the same guy playing a ton in preseason
January 25th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
Whoever said Bowles was a great evaluator of his own defense?
January 25th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
I read that headline as “10 year old” I was gonna say damn that’s harsh!
January 25th, 2025 at 5:15 pm
Hodad, you beat me to the point. And you know the answer to your question. The Triggerfish will not like it.
January 25th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
If Bowles goes another year just above or at .500 and at best makes one playoff game and out
WILL JOE CALL FOR HIM TO BE FIRED?
January 25th, 2025 at 6:37 pm
For those who are interested, the Bucs are interviewing Grant Udinski, the Vikings Asst OC/ QB coach
January 25th, 2025 at 6:39 pm
Bulls first year was Brady‘s last year, a bad line, Brady not wanting to be hit anymore, win the division. Weird year.
The next year, we are salary strapped, starting over, bring in Baker and canales.
Nearly win the divisional game.
This third year, another new oc, tons of injuries on defense, nearly won a game (until we fumbled it away) against a team that’s playing in the divisional title game. What Bowles did this year with this defense, including the injuries, is beyond respectable.
I’m excited to see what this defense looks like next year after a good draft in free agency.
Go Bucs!!
January 25th, 2025 at 6:40 pm
Bulls = Bowles (talk to text!)
January 25th, 2025 at 6:44 pm
El Comadrejo might work too.
January 25th, 2025 at 6:49 pm
“What am I missing here?”
Well Hodad clearly you are not a big fan of NFL history! There are myriad stories of guys who were cut and FINALLY got their chance.
Can you say Kurt Warner? But perhaps a more impressive example is the Steelers great James Harrison!!!
He was released by the Steelers 3X in his first two seasons. The Steelers are hardly known for bad defenses or mistakes but…
Harrison turned out to be a League MVP, 2X SB champion including the 100 yard pick six in the Super Bowl against Arizona.
Wonder what the Steelers missed, or the teams who had the shot at Warner.
I could go on but perhaps you realize this is very common not just on Todd Bowles teams!!!
January 25th, 2025 at 6:52 pm
Bowles backed in to a playoff game again thanks to Coens offense.
January 25th, 2025 at 7:06 pm
There really is a communication issue in the secondary. Getting cut cleared his confusion and then he somehow surpassed Zyon as the smartest and most cerebral. Makes it sound like Jordan whitehead lost his job with all that exaggerating
January 25th, 2025 at 7:34 pm
You guys do realize that Bill Cowher 16 years yo win a SB w Steelers ,,,, and he is labeled as a great coach,,, give Bowles a break ,,,
January 25th, 2025 at 7:36 pm
And for those that say we win the NFC South because it stinks ,, NE had an 17 year run with Crappy Bills , Dolphins and Jets ,,,,
I’d rather win crappy division then losing crappy division , and we didn’t back in this year at 10-7 ,,,,,,, 9-8 last year ,, I guess Bowles is primed for 11-6 this year
January 25th, 2025 at 8:31 pm
If you’re looking for someone who can cover better than Dean, give me a call. Or call anyone for that matter.
January 25th, 2025 at 8:38 pm
The Bucs went from 13-4 to 8-9 the next year, Bucs don’t always get better. EVERYBODY gets to draft and sign free agents. The Bucs are a piece of two away and I’m sure Atlanta is saying the same considering they swept Bowles and they are getting a new d coordinator plus most of their picks will be on the defensive side. If Bowles wins at least 11 and has a really good defense the criticism is at a minimum.
January 25th, 2025 at 8:46 pm
D.R.
Your the defense guy here I love offense but also appreciate great defense.
Like you I grew up with 4-3 defenses. When the switch was made to 3-4 I just assumed (know what they say about assume) that with the league moving in such a passing direction dedicating only 3 guys inside meant perhaps sacrificing a bit on the run but picking up a “bit” on pass coverage.
But you’re making great points about the talent to play in either position.
I suspect and here’s where I need your help, that you’re suggesting or even saying that the Bucs don’t have enough “athletic” talent to fill the OLB positions well and this is one of the reasons we’re getting gouged in pass D.
Am I correct in thinking that 4 standard down lineman…DE’s not OLB’s would provide a better rush therefore at least covering up for any athletic deficiencies in the Bucs OLBs?
A final question. If you could have any talent you wished would you play a 4-3 or 3-4 in a best of all worlds scenario? I need some education here.
January 25th, 2025 at 9:34 pm
Remember last year after the season ended and Bowles was telling us how great KJ Britt was? This sounds kinda like that.
January 25th, 2025 at 9:37 pm
Detroit just loves poaching our players and coaches 🙄
January 25th, 2025 at 9:39 pm
St Pete … Todd’s incessant blitzing & use of our DLinemen/OLBs in pass defense admittedly drives me nuts. I love the idea of being ‘unpredictable’ but there is such a thing as ‘too much’ because it seems to make the defense unnecessarily complicated (more-so when our starters get injured and backups are in).
No defense has perfect talent, and the 4-3 fits some players better than others IMO (and with some players, like JPP & Suh, they’re sooo talented that it really doesn’t seem to matter).
I think I’m just a ‘throwback’ who appreciates pressuring the QB with 4 DLinemen, most of the time. I love successful blitzes, but those seem to occur too infrequently. What really frustrates me the most are (1) explosive plays; and (2) inability to stop opponents on 4th down. The latter is mano-a-mano time and the toughest mudder is gonna win out most of the time. Opponents went for it on 4th down 30 times this past year, showing a lack of respect. They succeeded 19 times, for a whopping 63.3%. That’s unacceptable. We’ve gotta toughen up in the defensive trenches.
January 25th, 2025 at 10:05 pm
True….if Coens offense had played better we would have strolled in 🙂
January 25th, 2025 at 10:09 pm
D.R.
Thanks!
January 25th, 2025 at 10:12 pm
BTW D.R. Do we think that a new young DC might be a little more conservative/convential than Todd who has done this for a long time and feels uber confident.
A new DC might not GAMBLE as much?
January 25th, 2025 at 10:38 pm
I suspect, and hope that Todd will be re-evaluating his own schemes, methods etc every year in the off season.
What were our weaknesses? Why? What can we do to correct this? And so on.
I doubt he became a head coach and D.C. of 2 NFL teams without self-scouting and adaptability being a part of the requirements.
I’d be surprised to see us abandon the 3-4 scheme but I’m assuming Todd has always run 3-4’s.
I too would like to see at least a simplified version of the blitz/coverage schemes and some lockdown man to man but I don’t know how practical that is with our personnel…hopefully we’ll address a lot on the D in the draft and with F.A., AND Todd will prove his coaching chops and make necessary adjustments.
I’m also not 100% sure some position coaches are getting the most out of their guys. I’d hope Todd would look at all of that and take whatever actions would be best for the Team.
Also hoping this bulls< with that Red head, old whats his name, puts a chip on Todds shoulder if he didn’t already have one 🙂
January 25th, 2025 at 11:02 pm
Only thing memorable was getting smoked by Kyle Pitts
January 25th, 2025 at 11:10 pm
G.G. and D.R.
WOW! Thanks for bringing some sane football discussion back to our group.
I enjoyed both of your contributions and the gave me food for thought.
January 25th, 2025 at 11:52 pm
Page after page of crying about Coen leaving, if Baker “made him” who cares that he’s gone?
January 26th, 2025 at 12:03 am
If the opposing punter never punts in a game against the Bucs, does his foot make a sound when hitting the football?
January 26th, 2025 at 1:28 am
Like the sound of a coach clapping with one hand.
January 26th, 2025 at 1:30 am
Coach is the greatest
January 26th, 2025 at 10:44 am
I pray that merriweather continues to grow and hits his stride and becomes one of the greatest defensive players on the bucs roster
January 26th, 2025 at 5:24 pm
It’s perfect. What you want to do is to cut your player so he can go to another team and actually develop, because your own coaches aren’t capable of teaching or developing anyone. Get them some quick training and hope for a miracle that you can steal him off the developers’ practice squad. Then tell everyone he played great all year and imply he was your best player.
This is the genius of Coach Bowles that often goes under the radar. So happy we have him – and it looks like he will be running the NFL’s most feeble pass defense again in 2025! Thank goodness. Those haters are just gonna hate .