Jon Gruden Blasts Mistakes By Bucs Offense, Defends Defense
January 15th, 2025
Lay off the Bucs defense.
That was the message from a very angry-sounding Jon Gruden in an epic rant after Tampa Bay lost to the Commanders on Sunday.
The Super Bowl-winning former Bucs head coach joined the Barstool Sports “Shred Line” to react to the Bucs’ falling in Round 1 of the playoffs.
Chucky was no fan of center Graham Barton’s choke job, the critical Baker Mayfield-Jalen McMillan fumble mess and what he said was playcaller Liam Coen or Mayfield getting too cute.
“I am just disgusted. Failing to hand the ball off on your own 12 yard line; you deserve to lose,” Gruden began.
“And then it’s 3rd-and-1, you try to get tricky with some kind of hard count; you lose yards and it costs you another four points. … We let that game go. We just gave it away. …We knew [the Bucs] had to score more than 20 points. I mean, you’re not going to win scoring 20 points. We had two fourth-down stops, the Buccaneer defense did. The Bucs defense did what they had to do to win the football game.
“You gotta be able to hand it off. Is it that hard? Could you get under the center and hand the freakin’ ball off? Can you snap it on a hard count or on 1 at this point in the season? Is that what we’re talking about? I would be sick losing a game for those two reasons right there. And I know Buccaneer fans are sick.”
Coach is right. Fans are sick.
January 15th, 2025 at 5:04 am
Yes, the offense is the one who couldn’t stop the Washington offense in the last 4-1/2 minutes of the game…It was the offense that had a pass rusher trying to cover Ekeler that went for an 18 yard gain…I might believe that the defense had NOTHING to do with this loss if I hadn’t watched the game for myself…The offense did make mistakes, but I highly doubt the Bucs would’ve even made the playoffs if the offense wouldn’t have had an outstanding season.
January 15th, 2025 at 5:07 am
totally agree with Chucky but it sounds like he wants his old job back
how do you teach that? we lost 3 games to fumbles…
Jayden did not make any mistakes, Baker did. we should have put 40 on them the way they could not cover ME or Jmac… The Defense did really good holding them to 13 until Bakers fumble
all things said it was a great season, been following the bucs since 76′ i wore a bag over my head for all the 2-14 seasons and we’re fortunate to have a team that has won 2 super bowls and has been making the playoffs every year.
Baker is too Brett Farve fumbling and leading the league in pics, he needs to do a better job protecting the football if we are to improve in 2025. I’m not a huge Todd fan but getting a new coach is probably going to send us backwards in a rebuild… really hope we get Godwin back… OTW future looks bright with Jason Licht… my wish list is all defense, depth at the corners, OLB’s that can cover, etc…
January 15th, 2025 at 5:22 am
Jon nails it. The offense let the team down. Silly mistakes, penalties, and turnovers. IF the team had won, chances are, we’d be talking about the defense holding the Commanders to 16 points or so and what an amazing second half run the Bucs defense has had in the second half of games since the the bye. We’d also hear the justified screaming about “why can’t we perform like that in the first half?” And I’d still be whining about Yaya’s sack being erased by an idiotic holding call.
This game it was the offense. Poor execution. Poor timing. Be mad about that and be sad for David and Evans having outstanding games and coming away with a lost opportunity.
January 15th, 2025 at 5:30 am
Amen, Chucky, the fumbled snap at tue 12 and the poor timed play both screwed the pooch for us. No questions, the offensive gaffes were most disappointing.
January 15th, 2025 at 5:34 am
Actually, if you have ever been involved in teaching receivers how to run that reverse you know everyone has their benchmarks that tell them it’s go time for their part. For Baker his benchmark appears to be the TE. For McMillan it’s just behind Mayfield’s back foot. If you notice McMillan is 2 yards behind Mayfield’s foot. That is just too deep. On top of that McMillan is running a little off true east and west which makes it even harder to get him the ball. To get the timing so that it is EXACTLY the same each time the receivers have to be just ofF the quaterbacks back foot and running EXACTLY perpendicular to the offensive line. McMillan was not doing either of these. Watch the play. Mayfield took responsibility only because it is his offense and ultimately it is on him. But anyone that knows how that thing was practiced knows McMillan wasn’t running the right angle and he wasn’t in the right place when him and Mayfield’s points crossed. That’s why Mayfield was reaching, McMillan was too far behind him. By taking on the responsibility of that mess Baker is proving to the team that he won’t throw you under the bus no matter how much it hurts and it is going to pay big dividends in the years to come. It’s what TRUE leaders do
January 15th, 2025 at 5:50 am
The receiver has to be running perfectly horizontal to the line not perpendicular, my bad
January 15th, 2025 at 5:59 am
Agree with Gruden and Joe.
Thinking if Coen leaves, would Gruden come back in his place. Yes, we fans were sick, for days. Looking forward to next season now! Go Bucs.
January 15th, 2025 at 6:19 am
Todd will be under the microscope from day 1 of next season. If we have the same problems go uncorrected then his career as a HC in the NFL will be over.
Permanently.
January 15th, 2025 at 6:23 am
Gruden is angling to become the Bucs next O.C. when Coen gets a H.C. gig. Bucs fumble on their own 3 yard line. How did the ball get to the Bucs 3 yard line? I’ll tell you. The defense let Daniels drive down to the three. Like they let Daniels drive the ball all night!
January 15th, 2025 at 7:07 am
Defense was what they were most of the year. Offense under performed. Not sure how people aren’t factoring in the first 2.75 quarters of bad offensive play
January 15th, 2025 at 7:15 am
I mean, the fans already think they know more than Bowles, Lavonte David, and Jason Litch… do we really think Jon Gruden is gonna knock sense into them???
January 15th, 2025 at 7:24 am
Bull$hit…..the Commanders didn’t punt the entire game……
And, yes… the offense had too many penalties and turned the ball over.
January 15th, 2025 at 7:25 am
Ok let’s get this right-the play call was fine , but the design of that play was horrendous. There are 2 ways to run a jet sweep. 1. Handoff 2. Half yard push pass . The 2nd way to design the play is infinitely better for several reasons: The QB can see exactly where the sweeper is because it is all in front of him. When you push pass and it is muffed there is no fumble, simply an incomplete pass. You can attach options to this version if there is something the QB does not like.
So get it right-It Was a Bad Play Design. Onus on Coen.
January 15th, 2025 at 7:41 am
Chucky used the same plan to Defend the Defense that Bowles use to Defend against the Commanders
It’s called Swiss Cheese Defense
Come on Chucky
It’s not Just the Game there were several games with this same play
January 15th, 2025 at 7:46 am
The Commanders didnt punt the entire game because they kept going for it on 4th down. And our defense stopped them on 4th down a couple of times, and in the redzone.
January 15th, 2025 at 7:51 am
Give me a break – almost 2 to 1 time of possession because Todd’s sorry ass defense couldn’t buy a stop, but it’s the offenses’ fault? Defense finally gets off the field on fourth down, but only because Washington was inside the red zone, where it becomes easier to defend.
The defense has been garbage all year. They were no different Sunday night.
January 15th, 2025 at 7:55 am
The Commanders are 12-5 for a reason. 75 percent of our secondary should be working at Taco Bell. I would say the defense did just fine, holding back a high powered offense.
January 15th, 2025 at 7:59 am
Washington is a high scoring offense and the defense held them to less than their season average.
The Bucs were a high scoring offense and scored less than their season average.
January 15th, 2025 at 8:07 am
Right on John. Why are fans giving Coen a pass? He choked. #Coenisoverrated.
January 15th, 2025 at 8:14 am
Chuckie makes some excellent points. Barton’s bad snap and the Baker/JMac sweep fumble cost the Bucs the game. However, the D could not force a punt and yeah they did get 2 4th down stops but when push came to shove they let Washington drive down the field and score. Heck even if the Bucs were up 24-20 on that last possession, I bet Bowles soft zone D would have found a way to let Washington to score a TD.
As for Gruden for OC, I think he wants the HC job, it does appear that he has smoothed over things with the Glazers. Of course there is still that ongoing lawsuit concerning the NFL office and his E-mails with Bruce Allen. Imagine the conspiracy theories that would pop out there the first time a referee makes a really bad call against a Gruden coached team. Unless that gets settled, i do not see a path where Gruden gets hired, there is a lot of bad blood between Goodell and Chuckie.
January 15th, 2025 at 8:25 am
This is quintessential red meat for the casual fan. Find one play point the dirty end of the stick and martial the troops for the bronx cheer.
January 15th, 2025 at 8:31 am
It is insanely stupid to blame the loss on 1 single play. Especially considering they still tied it after the fact only for the defense to let them milk the clock for the GW FG.
The fumble was a factor in the loss, a big factor. No argument there but to blame it all on the fumble is silly.
January 15th, 2025 at 8:34 am
35 minutes of possession. Clearly the defense wasnt as good as the fan boys are pretending. Washington controlled them for long drives. You keep pointing out 16 points but when you can control the defense at will, you dont need to score a lot of points.
Another example of reading a box score but having no idea how the game actually went.
January 15th, 2025 at 8:47 am
Reality – Bowles will be gone after NEXT season unless he finds another D/C. Why waste the 2025 season?
January 15th, 2025 at 8:51 am
Personally, I don’t want to see Baker running a 3 inch play or any other designed runs. That brings me to my next question is Coen calling the play or is Baker changing it at the line.We have seen him run from under center position a couple of times in the last two weeks. Love him when he scrambles and rarely if ever doesn’t reach the sticks. Secondly,why not try to get a pass completed in the endzone endzone. second and three inches,should be treated like a free play.
January 15th, 2025 at 8:54 am
Yes, the defense was tremendous and looked like the 2002 championship team.
That’s why they allowed the Redskins to eat up 4:30 left on the clock for the game winning FG.
That’s also why they gave away the time of possession 2 to 1.
Stout well coached defensive teams force zero punts in a home playoff game to a rookie QB.
What exactly don’t you stupid fans get about this stellar defense and superior defensive scheme by the all time GOAT of DCs?
January 15th, 2025 at 8:56 am
Barton’s lack of experience at center was costly , and the Bucs might want to rethink moving him to his natural position.
January 15th, 2025 at 9:00 am
EX-football…not in NFL anymore Gruden said:
“You gotta be able to hand it off. Is it that hard? Could you get under the center and hand the freakin’ ball off? Can you snap it on a hard count or on 1 at this point in the season? Is that what we’re talking about? I would be sick losing a game for those two reasons right there. And I know Buccaneer fans are sick.”
Really??? But we are continuously sick of losing a close game by the inept Bucs defense, so:
How about “zero” punts by Washington in the game???
How about giving up a 17 play drive & 18 play drive .
How about finally stopping one winning drive with no time left on the clock drive by the opposing team for once???
yah…the offense made a few costly mistakes…we get it, but you know, the freakin’ offense carried the team for the whole season, so why can’t the freakin’ defense, just for once, carry the team when we needed them the most!!! What about this problem. Being pissed off fans is not just the result of one inept playoff game by the defense, its being pissed off about the defense being inept for the whole season, Mr Gruden….
Of course, the offense wasn’t perfect the other night, but heck, where was the defense the other night, at anytime, during the game, to save the ship???
The Commanders were 5-7 on drives…wow…the Bucs defense managed to stop them twice on long drives, deep in Tampa territory, but left the offense pinned near our goal line to start 2 drives. Yah…it would have been better if the offense fumbled on the other side of the field, so Washington couldn’t easily scored that TD, but freakin’ christ almighty (Gruden language):
The Commanders were 5-7 on drives…the Bucs defense managed to stop them twice on long drives, deep in Tampa territory, but left the offense to dig them out of trouble.
So please…at this point of the season can’t the defense get, at least, one fumble back, or stop even one team from winning in last 2 minutes of a game???
Yah…something needs to be fixed on the defense, and I guarantee it, if the Bucs asked you to come in to fix the problem, you wouldn’t freakin’ hesitate, would you!
January 15th, 2025 at 9:02 am
Bucblind Says:
January 15th, 2025 at 5:50 am
The receiver has to be running perfectly horizontal to the line not perpendicular, my bad
===============================
I think you originally meant to say “parallel” to the line of scrimmage. McMillan got ahead and away from Mayfield. Baker should have just eaten it. Too late now. Baker stood up and took the blame because the ball was in his hands; but you are right, McMillan wasn’t where he was supposed to be.
January 15th, 2025 at 9:03 am
I love the people who say we should have put up 40. That means we should have scored TD’s on 6 of 7 possessions, no problem!
January 15th, 2025 at 9:24 am
Gruden is not wrong about offense committing inexcusable mistakes in a playoff game in pivotal moments. But the defense is inexcusable as well. They may not have allowed many points of their own, but they played exactly like Commanders offense wanted them to play. Long drives with 4th down decisions in FG range instead of their side of the field. The real problem was, the Bucs D at no point forced a failed conversion on 3rd down on Commanders side of the field or even midfield. The defense making a stop on 4th downs after letting Commanders consume 10 minutes off the game clock was a win for Commanders O and a loss for Bucs O.
January 15th, 2025 at 9:29 am
Also, something Bowles and our defense should have had awareness of. After Ekeler’s 19 yd gain in the last minutes, Bucs defense should have allowed Commanders easy completions or gains to pin them 10yds away from goal line. That way, you deny Commanders the ability to milk any more of the clock with nickel and dime plays since a 1st down would mean TD with the ball back to Bucs O with at least one minute on the clock. Unfortunately our coaches are incapable of game time chess moves and let Commanders milk all 4 minutes and 41; seconds off the clock forcing a slow death. Legendary Bill Parcells was amazing at these Chess moves, having his defense lay down even if he was a defensive head coach.
January 15th, 2025 at 9:46 am
100% Gruden. The D played well compared to the past 7 games. In fact, one of their better games against a good opponent, can’t be upset with allowing 23 points with that D, we all know they were flawed. More upset that the O couldn’t come alive all game. Difference in the game would have been 7 instead of 3 the first drive. Blame Bowles for not going for it on 4th, fair. But I blame the leaders on offense for not getting the ball to the end zone to set the tone on the first drive of the game. They can do it, look at the last 2 min of the first half. Just playing non physical again early in the game which has been the ongoing issue with the O. Taking too long to wake up. Need early intensity. Need to play like the game meant something and they didnt
January 15th, 2025 at 9:51 am
Turn out the lights, the seasons over…we will be back. Note to the Joes, I have checked around up here and could not find any coconut donuts for Ira. I will continue to keep my eyes open for him.
Well done. Joe continues to hunt for coconut, too.–Joe.
January 15th, 2025 at 9:52 am
This game came down to the Bucs made mistakes and Washington not making any. We can talk about time and possession and plays all day, however the Bucs get more plays and time of possession if fumble doesn’t happen. Bucs get more plays if they convert on 3 and 1. Defense hasn’t been great but they still held a high scoring team to 23 points. In todays NFL that’s a good day
January 15th, 2025 at 10:03 am
Imagine that. Our defense stopped them on 4th down And didn’t let them score!!!!. Isn’t that their JOB when a team is trying to score points no matter where? Even if they throw a 40 yard pass???
January 15th, 2025 at 10:09 am
Poor crybabies guess what? Punters pin you inside your own 5 yard line. This was no worse than a punt.
January 15th, 2025 at 10:17 am
Sorry Chucky, time of possession says otherwise. Offense did make mistakes but also didnt have enough kicks at the can to overcome. They cant score from the bench.
January 15th, 2025 at 10:23 am
It isn’t the amount of points that Washington scored it is the time of possession. Washington kept the Liam Coen, “high powered” offense that all these bloggers are so proud of from even getting on the field. The final insult was the leisurely 4:40 Washington drive to advance down to the Tampa 10 yard line and end the game with a field goal.
Have watched enough man on the street interviews for basic questions like ;” what are the three branches of US government?” that most Americans can’t seem to answer. So not surprised when many here don’t seem to understand that having possession of the football is the main way to score points. Washington exploited a sad defense and did it at a casual pace designed to keep the Tampa offense off the field. NOrleans did basically the same thing in the first half of the last regular season game. Everyone knew what Washington was going to do and they did it with ease.
January 15th, 2025 at 10:36 am
“Reality – Bowles will be gone after NEXT season”
This is a problem here. People conflate “reality” and their “OPINION”!
That statement is literally incorrect! Might feel good to vent but it’s not a FACT or reality.
The other problem that also comes from human nature is the bandwagon effect.
Reality…as in FACT. BOWLes is currently the 3rd winningest coach in Bucs history including Chucky. But because the meme has arisen combined with Todds mistakes (yep even BA made some mistakes) we are now getting overrun by the “bandwagon”.
Heres a “concept”, perhaps opinion, perhaps a fact? I’ll let you decide.
Football is a TEAM sport. This season IMHO was a perfect example of a TEAM effort. Todd improved, he freaking went for it on 4th and long in the game that determined whether or not the Bucs made the playoffs. IE Under the gun!
After getting confidence in his OC/QB he started taking the ball on victorious coin tosses instead of always kicking it.
Todd L has drafted some excellent talent but he too is responsible for some of the D…and simple LUCK as in injuries also affected the team’s D.
Sorry for those looking for a simple solution. It was a TEAM loss from top to bottom against a team of equal talent who got the bounces and calls.
The freaking game ended on a doink bank shot FG that could have just as easily sent it into OT. The D DID hold twice on 4th down which Quinn had far more success with in the regular season.
This is why it’s said, “Patience is a virtue!”.
Todd has improved all three seasons. IF he continues to improve he’ll keep his job, if he doesn’t (and I agree rightly or wrongly fan pressure) he’ll be on a very short leash.
January 15th, 2025 at 10:50 am
Rookie center lost us the game
January 15th, 2025 at 11:00 am
How many snaps does the Bucs offense usually take? I know it’s a lot more than the 44 they took Sunday night. Chucky made some good points, but the offense can’t make up for its mistakes if the defense can’t get off the field.
January 15th, 2025 at 11:15 am
Well, he is right. We are sick,
January 15th, 2025 at 11:32 am
If you fumble the ball you lose snaps. If you can’t keep yourself on the field you lose snaps.
January 15th, 2025 at 11:34 am
“How many snaps does the Bucs offense usually take?”
Depends on how well the Bucs offense performs. Move the chains and they get tons of snaps, mix in 3 and outs and fail to play any ball control and they do not get as many snaps.
SNAPS have two sides to the equation. How well a D stops a team combined with how successful the offense is.
January 15th, 2025 at 11:50 am
Totally agree with Gruden…. If you can’t execute a handoff in the fourth quarter of the NFL playoffs (like most high school teams can) you simply don’t deserve to win.
The offense was not good down the stretch of this season.
January 15th, 2025 at 11:52 am
Lol at fan still whining about how many snaps the Bucs offense got…. As if every NFL game isn’t different.
The reality is that the difference still gave the team a chance to win and the offense failed on their end. Simple as that.
January 15th, 2025 at 11:56 am
I agree with Chucky. We did not need to be cute with the sweep or the play on 2nd and 3rd and 1. Just hand the freaking ball off or throw quick passes on both occasions. We just needed to play a simple game plan that’s all.
January 15th, 2025 at 12:13 pm
Lol @ some of you guys now. Chucky can’t even go where y’all are trying to.
Love seeing some of you scrambling to rationalize sh*t now, or make slight changes to your arguments in light of what Chuck said.
@stpetebucsfan
Fighting the good fight bro! Thank you for your posts. But people who don’t recognize what facts are and how they differ from opinion, of which there are many here, will not be swayed by those of us trying to explain it to them. The rest of us appreciate you tho 👍🏼
January 15th, 2025 at 12:15 pm
Exactly 💯
January 15th, 2025 at 12:16 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
January 15th, 2025 at 11:52 am
Lol at fan still whining about how many snaps the Bucs offense got…. As if every NFL game isn’t different.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TbBuc3,
What are the 3 branches of the US government? No using the internet. Pretty sure TbBuc3 would make my earlier point.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:01 pm
I agree w Jon
Relatively speaking
Offense underperformed
Defense did okay to good (making crucial stops, held them to 23)
January 15th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
Gipper is clearly part of Oklahoma Sooner bandwagon portion of the fan base who are part of the mindset that Baker can do no wrong.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:08 pm
I put the blame 70/30 with majority of blame going on the defense. Washington committed two turnovers by going for it on 4th down and converting 3 of 5 4th downs.
Washington didn’t punt a single time which means they weren’t intimidated by Bucs defense
Washington had 11 more minutes of possession than the Bucs, 2 different drive by Washington ate up over 9 minutes of clock
Bucs were only able to run 44 plays for the whole game, don’t realize how many times this year they ran 44 plays before halftime.
Bucs had 7 possessions for the whole game, that’s absolutely ridiculous, and is an indicator that the defense was underperforming.
Offensive mistakes did hurt the Bucs, regardless this game was tied with over 4 and a half minutes left in the game, the defense couldn’t get one stop in almost 5 minutes not a single one.
Defense deserves the majority of the blame with the offense shouldering some of it as well.
This offseason needs to be all about drafting defense and finding some good players on defense in free agency, Bucs had a top 3 offense the majority of the year, defense has got to improve next year
January 15th, 2025 at 1:08 pm
How about you address the rebuttals/answers to this same old dumazz stat you keep posting.
2 x 4th down stands gave the ball back to our offense. What did they do with it?
Time of possession is determined by TWO things (at least) … The defense making stops to give the offense the ball AND the offense moving the chains and sustaining drives.
Hmmm, so did the D play lights out? No. Did they play well enough to win? Yes.
What about the offense? Did they play lights out? No. Did they play well enough to win? I’m going to say No, in my opinion.
The thing that peeves me the most is the complete lack of respect for the blood, sweat, and tears the defense left on the field. Effort and energy was off the charts. Pathetic.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
Go back to your bad SEC team, Gipper, and stop spreading misinformation like how that play was McMillan’s fault.
I’ve been a Baker supporter ever since he arrived in Tampa, but I’m also not one of his delusional stans (life yourself) and will still call him out whenever he makes a mistake.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
January 15th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
Gipper is clearly part of Oklahoma Sooner bandwagon portion of the fan base who are part of the mindset that Baker can do no wrong.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don’t have to go back to Oklahoma. Let’s start with Tampa. Mayfield has had more total TD’s passes in the last 2 regular seasons than any QB in the NFL. In case you missed it, Baker was the primary reason Tampa even made it to the playoffs the last two seasons. Pretty sure it wasn’t because of Tampa defense. Baker does more right than wrong. Haven’t ever seen a perfect football player. Jim Brown was probably the greatest to ever play but he didn’t like to block.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:17 pm
More interesting 2024 NFL offensive team Stats:
Detroit Lions offensive plays/game had the highest in the NFL at: 65.8/game
Washington Commanders offensive plays/game at: 65.0/game
Buccaneers offensive plays/game at: 63.2/game
Average NFL offense plays/game was at 61.2/per game
Jacksonville offensive plays/game was: 58.4/game
Washington Commanders had 69 offensive plays for Sunday’s playoff game
Buccaneers had 44 offensive game for Sunday’s playoff game
Last weekend’s game teams’ offensive plays:
-Bills…72 offensive plays 31 pts (won)
-Ravens…72 offensive plays 28 pts (won)
-Vikings…70 offensive plays 9 pts Rams had 9 QB sacks & Rams had 10 penalties (loss)
-Texans…70 offensive plays 32 pts (won)
-Packers…60 offensive plays 10 pts (loss)
-Eagles…57 offensive plays 22 pts (won)
-Rams…51 offensive plays 27 pts (won) Rams defense had 9 sacks…forced one fumble & one interception. COMPLETE DEFENSE DOMINATION!!!
-Chargers…54 offensive plays 12 pts (loss)
-Buccaneers…44 offensive plays 20 pts (loss)
-Broncos…42 offensive plays 7 pts (loss)
IF THE BUCCANEERS WERE ALLOWED TO RUN THEIR AVERAGE 63.2 OFFENSIVE PLAYS PER GAME, THEN AS CALCULATED, THEY WOULD HAVE SCORED CLOSE TO 30 POINTS FOR THIS GAME….
If you can’t still believe that it wasn’t the defensive inept ability to stop the Commanders then, please watch the game again! it was hard to watch….
January 15th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
Should the Bucs move Barton to LG and then re-sign Brederson, Hainsey or draft another player with more College experience at the to play Center?
January 15th, 2025 at 1:23 pm
I really respect John Gruden and his remarkable knowledge of football, and I agree this loss is on the offense period. The defense did all it could by holding Washington to 23 points after the turnover, and yes, the offense should have scored more than 20 points.
Also, Gruden is right in saying the two offensive mistakes should never have happened. Especially the bad snap after the fumble.That just can’t happen to kill a touchdown drive in any game let alone the playoffs.
I really think Gruden would have let some players have it (verbally) after the game, which is how you lose your team. I think Todd Bowles will handle this right in 2025 by practicing plays until they become as perfectly executed as humanly possible.
In addition, I sincerely hope Coach Bowles will hire a defensive coordinator to help modify his defense and take some of the burden off of him. Most successful NFL teams have both an OC and a DC !! In my opinion this is the most important move Coach Bowles can make to provide the necessary defensive spark in 2025.
Go Bucs !!!
January 15th, 2025 at 1:26 pm
Keep trying. They had 2 drives they could have put up 7. Any of the other drives put up 7 Not 3. They lost by 3 points. Keep trying.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:36 pm
…lol…yah, keep trying too, DBS
January 15th, 2025 at 1:41 pm
DBS: I guess you were expecting the Bucs to score 7 pts on all 7 drives for 49 points…ok, your logic makes sense now, in that case, Coen needs to go instead….
January 15th, 2025 at 1:54 pm
No, I wouldn’t change anything about the offensive line, top 3 offense all year with a top 5 running game, offense is set for this team, I’m drafting all defensive players and trying to sign some defensive players in free agency as well, got to get better at cornerback and and edge rushers and maybe another linebacker, needs depth in case of injuries
January 15th, 2025 at 1:58 pm
Who would want garden back as HC? Trading one .500 coach for another.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:58 pm
Shane keep trying to justify the offense had no chance to win this game. That is what you keep trying to do. They gave they ball away and time.leading to that score. They blew the short yards leading to our field goal Not making a 1st and being able to bleed the clock. Those 2 drives they had time.
January 15th, 2025 at 2:11 pm
all season it was something that led the bucs to losing close games. thats coaching. both those mistakes rookies were involved
January 15th, 2025 at 2:12 pm
With the game on line tied at 20 points each.. The Communists promptly marched right down the field and kicked the winning field goal as time ran out on the clock. It could not possibly be more clear that the defense failed to do its job. In the immortal words of the great Lovie Smith it is “simple as that”.
In fact, If you Google “What is a defensive fail.” The first hit you get is a video of this final drive. True story.
January 15th, 2025 at 2:15 pm
UKBuccaneer Says:
January 15th, 2025 at 1:58 pm
Who would want garden back as HC? Trading one .500 coach for another.
—–
Even people as far away as the other side of the Atlantic Ocean can see the insanity involved with that notion.
January 15th, 2025 at 2:18 pm
Wasn’t bashing the defense when they gave up 20 to the Commanders week 1 and the offense put up 37 on secondary playing super soft.
How about week 2 when the Bucs managed a whopping 216 Total offense, had half the 1st downs of the Lions, went 2 of 10 on 3rd down, and held the ball 7 fewer minutes. Defense gave up 16 on what was and is the best team in the Conference.
What it comes down to is two equal teams met and one team played better and won.
Bucs D gave up 22.6 points on average and Commies D gave up 23 on average per game. Defenses gave up pretty much was expected.
Bucs Offense had averaged 29.5 points and Commies 28.5 a game. Take your pick or flip a coin on which side of the ball was responsible for both teams falling shot on their expected points scored. Regardless of any other drives the Bucs Defense denied the Commies of at the very minimum 8 points on two stands in the red zone. Commanders fumble recovery wasn’t because of a strip sack and any points that were or were not scored as a result is on the Bucs Offense.
Commanders executed their game plan to a T including keeping the Bucs offense off the field and were the better team that night.
January 15th, 2025 at 2:52 pm
Joe is short of words when the offense is in the crosshairs. Joe somehow still thinks this is Todd’s fault the handoff wasnt completed.
January 15th, 2025 at 2:53 pm
Maybe he’s just expecting the offense to pick up a few more 1st downs. Or score a TD instead of a field goal when given opportunities. Or not turn the ball over after a great stand by the defense that promptly put the D back on the field.
I’ve been trying to talk to you but the Joe’s , or the software, or something won’t let my posts thru ☹️
January 15th, 2025 at 3:03 pm
Offense was supposed to be our strength. They score 20 points, in the playoffs with this defense? Wtf. Not gonna win with that. They let the defense down.
January 15th, 2025 at 3:50 pm
Hey DBS…I have been a Bucs fan since 1979 when the team made it to the NFC Championship game…I’ve seen it all with this team. I’ve watch over 200+ games at the old “Sombrero” & now, Raymond James Stadium. I was around in the 90’s when one could get free tickets on the 50 yard line to watch Montana & Aikman play because the team sucked & nobody wanted to watch them. Just got on JoeBucsFans essentially this week because I finally just got fed up with this defense and wanted to see if other fans felt the same way. About 80% of the replies are just fed up with this defense, as well…
I understand your loyalty to the team & will excuse you for your naivety, here. Someone on here mentioned you and a few other individuals on here, as regulars, always trashing the offense all year, so I assuming if the Bucs lost the game 51-50, you would have trashed the offense, anyway…but I do enjoy your comic relief….
When there is 80+% on here always complaining about the defense, then I feel safe to say that I,m more right than you….but keep on being you!