“He Gave Dudes Confidence. I’ve Never Seen Nothing Like That.”
March 18th, 2021
A Todd Bowles locker room story
So who gets credit for the Buccaneers’ first top-10-ranked defense in points allowed and yards allowed since the 2008 campaign?
If you ask Lavonte David, he’ll point to his boss. In fact, David told a story on the I Am Athlete podcast this week about how he demanded Todd Bowles get more respect.
David said Bowles never wants credit for anything and he gets his wish too often. At the Bucs’ party/ceremony following their boat parade, David said Bowles again wasn’t given love/credit.
That was over the line, David said, so he grabbed the microphone (not David’s kind of thing) and set the crowd straight.
On the podcast, David dove a little deeper to explain how Bowles is a master motivator.
“Just his attitude and what he instilled in us. He gave dudes confidence. I’ve never seen nothing like that. Like he gave dudes confidence,” David said of Bowles.
“And every time we stepped in a meeting, he was like … ‘but motherf***ers, this is our team [on defense].’ … You know, we got some young guys, too, and they need that. … Every week we came in it was like, put your big-boy pads on.”
The overall inference from David was that whatever praise was falling on opposing offenses and the Bucs’ mighty offense, Bowles sure his defense believe the world revolved around them and their every move.
Joe isn’t in the rah-rah crowd that thinks Bowles would be a good head coach if given another shot, but there’s no denying his prowess as a defensive coordinator. Not only did Bowles’ defense break a multi-decade streak of winning the Super Bowl without a Pro Bowl defensive back on the roster, it dominated. And it was the best Bucs defense statistically since the 2007 shutdown unit.
March 18th, 2021 at 11:47 am
bowles proved he’s a great defensive mind….a breathe of fresh air compared to smitty…lol..
realist and ndog still chasing sheep?…lol…
GO BUCS!!!!
March 18th, 2021 at 11:52 am
It’s quite ironic – where is ndog and realist? What happened to all the negative post and bad predictions? Both probably are on the Saints’ forum under a different username predicting Jameis will win the Super bowl.
March 18th, 2021 at 11:55 am
Shannon Sharpe just blasted Lavonte on Undisputed for 15mins for David running his mouth so much lately when #54 hadn’t said a thing in the 9yrs prior.
March 18th, 2021 at 12:02 pm
A guy that gets no respect goes out of his way to make sure another gets brought into the media light and maybe get some respect. I like it. Should have been done for David during his career from One Buc. Davids has always been overlooked. I do think Bowles got a lot of praise for the super bowl. Maybe not so much leading up to the playoffs, but after that you heard about Bowles master plan a lot after the final win.
March 18th, 2021 at 12:11 pm
What to Anticipate in 2021 …
1. Defensive draft. Bucs find long-term replacements for Suh, JPP, and Gholston.
2. Bucs go 15-1 and make Super Bowl.
3. Arians retires EOY.
4. Bucs hire Bowles as HC.
5. BL stays on as OC for TB12’s final season. Takes HC in 2023.
With a young defensive core of his making, Bowles will be setup for long-term success.
March 18th, 2021 at 12:12 pm
Shannon’s brother Sterling’s team was with the Packers…the team that thought they were positioned to win it all when we beat them down. I can see why he might have a bit of an axe to grind against the Bucs.
March 18th, 2021 at 12:13 pm
One wonders, after the abysmal Jets experience, does Bowles even *want* a HC job…outside the Bucs.
I can’t predict the 2021 season, but beyond that SlyPirate could be onto something…
March 18th, 2021 at 12:21 pm
Not for nothing but I live in the Richmond, VA area and both my neighbor and I are from Tampa. When I saw him after the SB win I said, “Know what – that MVP trophy should have gone to Coach Todd Bowles and that entire defense!”
March 18th, 2021 at 12:31 pm
Bowles served as head coach of the Jets from 2015 through 2018, generating a record of 24-40. He went 10-6 but missed the playoffs in his first year on the job.
I don’t know about you guys but that record stinks to high heaven, yes it was with the woeful Jets but you should think he would have done a better job if he is all that. Now do not get me wrong as a defensive mind he is AMAZING!! but as a head coach? Not so sure he could create a great offensive unit. For you guys who think I am hating on Bowles I certainly love the guy and am glad he is our defensive coach.
March 18th, 2021 at 12:35 pm
Did LVD major in double negatives while in college.
Great player, painful to listen to.
March 18th, 2021 at 12:43 pm
I think Todd Bowles should be the HC when BA retires and should be paid HC money now. He’s earned both. He outsmarted Andy Reid and Mahomes big time. Without this Bowles’ lead defense the Bucs wouldn’t have won the Lombardi trophy.
March 18th, 2021 at 12:49 pm
The Jets had one of the worst GM’s in history, Mike Maccagnan, during Bowles’ time there. He’s now out of the NFL. Most of his drafts and FA signings were busts.
Bowles’ first year with Jets they went 10-6 with Fitzmagic at QB.
Bowles would be an excellent head coach with the right GM and ownership.
Question for Bucs fans- Who would’ve been a successful head coach with the “rock star” as GM?
March 18th, 2021 at 12:56 pm
Jaymiss Pick6 Again Says:
March 18th, 2021 at 12:21 pm
Not for nothing but I live in the Richmond, VA area and both my neighbor and I are from Tampa. When I saw him after the SB win I said, “Know what – that MVP trophy should have gone to Coach Todd Bowles and that entire defense
Same scenario, but Roanoke
March 18th, 2021 at 1:12 pm
lmao 813 has Realist even been on here since we won the SB?
It’s like the saddest thing that his supposed favorite team winning the SB destroyed him. what in gods name is that person
March 18th, 2021 at 1:25 pm
LC…Realist has vanished since before the SB.
March 18th, 2021 at 1:28 pm
The thing I like about Bowles is he knows who he wants in the draft, and usually those players work out. I’m sure he’s had a strong voice in the picks of Antoine Winfield Jr., Devin White, etc. No more Vernon Hargreaves-type picks, lately anyway.
March 18th, 2021 at 1:32 pm
What I don’t miss about Realisto:
1) Sheep
2) Old Stale Biscuit
3) Gronk has no heart
4) Go Green Bay
Am I missing anything?
March 18th, 2021 at 1:34 pm
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March 18th, 2021 at 1:40 pm
Hmmm, strange keyboard. Better try again …
Would love to see Todd Bowles get another crack at HC, IF that’s what he wants. And hope that it’s with the Bucs, because I also think that SlyPirate is onto something.
What I don’t want to see though is our next HC be dual-hatted as either the DC or the OC. That’s a LOT of responsibility to deal with, and only a select few manage to pull it off successfully.
March 18th, 2021 at 1:42 pm
As a Buccaneer fan since John Mckay was named coach, I was a USC fan as a kid. I am amazed at the attitude adjustments in the last 2 years. Also as a fan living in Arizona, it is refreshing that Cardinal fans here have the upmost respect for the Bucs. Because the knowledgeable Cardinal fans knew what they had in BA, BL and TB. Can’t wait to get to a game this fall. Last game saw in person was 2007 at Ray Jay.
Also my son, who has autism sat and watched 3 playoff and super bowl games in a row with me and became a huge Bucs fan! This meant the world to me.
Long time lurker on this site, thanks Joes!
March 18th, 2021 at 2:28 pm
Marcus Mariota might become a FA. Wouldn’t that be ironic, if he…. Life does have some strange twists.
March 18th, 2021 at 2:45 pm
Bowles is a defensive genius, and it was his game plan that humiliated the mighty Chiefs, in the Super Bowl.
March 18th, 2021 at 2:56 pm
Joe in Michigan – yes, you are missing:
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 18th, 2021 at 2:58 pm
Hope they resign McCoy so we can go back to getting peace’d out by WRs.
March 18th, 2021 at 3:04 pm
Bowles will be gone in 2022, he tried this year.
March 18th, 2021 at 5:12 pm
My word to describe Todd Bowles is amazing. He literally inherited one of the all time most pitiful defense to ever walk onto a field. A true life embarassment.
I really dont even know how its pissible to turn that into a Championship defense in only 2 seasons.
March 18th, 2021 at 5:36 pm
I hope he’s our dick lebeau and that he stay for 10yrs love that dude
March 18th, 2021 at 6:30 pm
74 Bucs Fan: Haha, yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 18th, 2021 at 7:47 pm
SlyLPirate-
That could be a good plan but I have a feeling BAs sticks around as long as Brady is around. I would love it if Bowles and BL do the same. Keeping the band together just doesn’t apply to players, let’s keep the coaches for another two years as well.
Then elevate Bowles to head coach and BL can run the offense.
If that’s what they want. It would be really refreshing to see an OC or DC say no, I’m good.
Not everyone is cut out to be a head coach.
They have it pretty damn good here because BA lets them completely run their side of the ball, which is the way it should be
March 18th, 2021 at 7:50 pm
As for those talking about Realist and Ndog…
Just stop. They are pseudo-buccaneer fans ignorant to real football. Don’t give them the time of day.
As far as Gerald McCoy… I actually like the guy, he was a pretty damn good player for a long time. That said, I do not want him back.
This D line is mean and nasty, he doesn’t fit.
It’s also a no-win situation for him.
If they don’t win the Super Bowl, haters are going to point to him.
If he gets injured, haters will point to him.
If they win it, he won’t get any credit regardless of how good he plays.
March 18th, 2021 at 7:58 pm
Go Bucs, Go Brady!
March 19th, 2021 at 12:13 am
Dam good coach. Could be our head coach in 2022.
March 19th, 2021 at 8:56 am
I love Bowles. He has once again demonstrated that even if the GM supplies decent talent someone has to be able to coach them up! I want him as our DC for many years to come.
As for our our main Negative Nellies being missing in action, I miss them like a festering boil that has finally been lanced. Not!
The fact that I can read through the posts with out stumbling over them and having to skip over them makes my enjoyment of JBF all the better!
March 19th, 2021 at 3:15 pm
The fact that all the so called real fans has been quiet most of last season and well past us celebrating SB win just proved what many of us had said many of times…. Those clowns were only here as trolls only to piss people off. Stop worrying about where they are just glad I don’t have to read thier drivel flowing from thier pie hole.