Todd Bowles Didn’t Like The Vibe
January 21st, 2025
Defense needs bodies.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles has taken an absolute beating in the wake of losing to the Commandos last week.
And that really hasn’t let up since the Commandos on Saturday thrashed the Lions, a team rendered somewhat toothless on defense with all of their injuries (not unlike the Bucs).
One decision that has enraged many Bucs fans is the Bucs’ poor defense unable to get off the field when the Commandos had the ball. Bowles kicked a game-tying field goal late and trusted an untrustworthy defense to get the team to overtime.
Last week, Bowles explained in detail why he chose the safe route and tied the game.
Bowles simply did not like the vibe he got from the offense. In short, Bowles didn’t trust it to get a first down, or score points.
“We go backwards,” Bowles began during his final media availability of the 2024 season. “It was fourth-and-3. We shot ourselves in the foot a few times on that drive, so it was easier to tie the ballgame in that [situation].
“If we were moving the ball at ease and getting down there every single time, we probably would’ve went for it. At the time when we were going for it, we had it third-and-1 and we thought we had two downs to get 1 yard. We didn’t get it, we went backwards.
“If we didn’t get it, it was 20-17 and we possibly lose the ballgame, so at least we had the tie and try to get the defense to get the ball back.”
So in essence, Bowles didn’t want to come up empty, turn the ball over on downs and help seal a defeat.
Joe gets why fans are angry. Even if the offense was sputtering, it was still one of the better offenses in football and it had playmakers. The defense didn’t have nearly enough playmakers to force overtime.
The Bucs defense is so thin (pray Lavonte David doesn’t retire) that Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht may even want to explore trading down to stockpile draft picks.
The Bucs need a lot of bodies on defense, so many that Licht might have to break out the Team Glazer AmEx Black Card and buy some.
January 21st, 2025 at 12:06 am
What a winner! He “didn’t like the vibe” and surrendered instead of calling timeout, bringing the team together and doing some (gasp) coaching. No surprise.
This is our Head Coach. And since there is nothing about getting a full time DC so he can actually concentrate on the HC job (which he needs to be best at), he’s gonna continue to do both part time.
Outstanding.
January 21st, 2025 at 12:17 am
Sounds more and more like a guy in way over his head in a position he has NO business being in….
If the Commanders kicked field goals instead of going for it on 4th and goal, they likely score EVERY DRIVE….. Bucs Defense was none existent and DC was/is a joke!
January 21st, 2025 at 12:44 am
Hahahahaha Todd! That’s why we are Cancun right now. Kliff/Quinn and the boys repeatedly having cojones and going for it on 4th down are the reason they are in the NFC championship.
p.s announce coen to the jags
January 21st, 2025 at 12:48 am
“It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” Todd Bowles at his finest.
January 21st, 2025 at 12:55 am
Bucs need to contact Raiders about Max Crosby.
The man is a difference maker and a leader.
I heard an interview with him yesterday. He loves the Raiders but knows they will not contend in that division for quite some time.
He would make the defense instantly better and bring some attitude that it desperately needs
January 21st, 2025 at 1:29 am
Another brilliant blunder.
January 21st, 2025 at 1:52 am
BrianBucs
How’s his coverage skills? 😁
January 21st, 2025 at 3:03 am
all good….we’ll get through….our comeback this next season is gonna be strong
Emmanwori
Revel
Kennard
Skattebo
Debo
January 21st, 2025 at 3:51 am
JMark – spot on!
So he just said out loud what the non psychotics know. He just said , “I’ll do the easy thing and play for the tie and give them the ball with 4 minutes, when my defense hasn’t stopped a dead slug from getting a first down for three years.”
You go for it and don’t make it, you still lose. But at least you give yourself a chance to win. But, he’s our head coach and he’s got the love and respect of his players. That’s a positive.
January 21st, 2025 at 5:29 am
That wasn’t one of his terrible decisions that game. There were many many others tho. Dan Quinn tried like hell to hand him the game for effs sake. No thanks said todd
January 21st, 2025 at 5:41 am
It’s why TB is, and will always be a .500 winning percentage HC.
January 21st, 2025 at 5:56 am
I get what Todd is saying.
Also, in the middle of playoffs we have coaches interviewing for their dream jobs. Does that place a lot on their minds while still coaching their regular team in the playoffs? Coen has done a good job in his first season, however some of the cute calls toward the end of our season seemed somewhat unpredictable, as well as the last game. Kingsbury is waiting until their season ends to interview with all the interested teams. Focusing on his current team, the Commanders. Smart.
January 21st, 2025 at 6:02 am
I can’t with this guy. We all know Todd sucks, I can’t wait until he leaves.
January 21st, 2025 at 6:41 am
This would be a better argument by him had they not converted a big 4th down pass the week before to McMillan that helped them beat the Saints. Why did Bucky stop running anyway? Why did they try to hard count on 3rd down instead of just running the play?
January 21st, 2025 at 6:54 am
I get why he didn’t trust the offense in that instance tbh.
2nd and 1 qb keeper
3rd and 1 hard count failure
4th and 3 and guys want to trust the offense that is currently pooping it’s pants? Much like the parent of a toddler, Todd saw the offense making a certain face and knew what time it was.
Let me ask this, which unit underperformed its season average more? The offense or the defense?
January 21st, 2025 at 7:24 am
@HeyJude
Excellent points and example with Kingbury.
January 21st, 2025 at 7:28 am
Given that Jason Lichts first round picks are probably below average, i.e. Jameis, Devin, and JTS to name three, maybe we should trade down to acquire draft capital. He surely doesn’t care for free agency.
January 21st, 2025 at 7:35 am
You people lie so much. Had he gone and missed you would say it was the wrong call. We all know even though half of you change your names what the real problem is and has been . I am not a big Bowles fan but I don’t hate the man. And you can see by the personal attacks why most obvious you people do. Especially with comments like even if he wins the Super Bowl he must go.
January 21st, 2025 at 7:39 am
Notice the trend? He’s so much more specific about issues in the offense than his trash defense then you get basic generic tackle better play it coach it better non sense. It’s really hard to like Bowles
January 21st, 2025 at 8:26 am
The defense goes backwards every play. Literally.