Charlie Weis Blasts Bucs Defense, Todd Bowles
January 25th, 2022
“They let you down, Tommy.”
The pain runs deep at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters.
What happened Sunday didn’t have to happen — at least not the way it went down.
And it seemed the pain also ran deep for Tom Brady buddy and former Patriots playcaller Charlie Weis, speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio yesterday. He was in stunned disbelief when recalling the Bucs defense against the Rams.
The rage and anguish in Weis’ voice did not sound manufactured.
Weis was asked whether he was surprised to see All-World Rams receiver Cooper Kupp fumble against the Bucs. That opened the floodgates.
“I’m about as shocked that he fumbled as [I’m shocked] he is running wide open down the right sideline on 3rd-and-20, as shocked as I am at the end of the game him running right down the middle of the field right past a safety as if he’s uncovered,” Weis began. “And then how shocked I was the play before that, he runs a little out-route for 20 yards and he’s wide open there, too. I mean how does Cooper Kupp not have two guys on him? I know they blitzed on the the last [play].
“But I mean how could you turn Cooper Kupp free multiple times in critical situations? It’s unbelievable!”
Weis called Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles a “really good coach” who probably would do a solid job as a head coach again one day, but Weis is confident Bowles significantly hurt his chances to get hired. Per Weis, any team decision-maker watching that Bucs mess on Sunday will remember it and consider it strongly.
“That’s the last taste that you have in your mouth. It’s gotta be a deterrent. It’s gotta be,” Weis bellowed.
January 25th, 2022 at 12:40 pm
Oh great so we’re stuck with Bowels again next season.
January 25th, 2022 at 12:51 pm
It’s Irony that Whitfield want to 2 piece a speed demon in Hill just to end his season trailing a slow receiver. Just a Buc life smh
January 25th, 2022 at 12:53 pm
Not only in single coverage but covered by a Safety. Not only was single coverage suicidal, but the man covering Kupp also wasn’t even your best covering CB.
Bowles started the game with an incredibly stupid game plan that led to an easy 10 points on the first two possessions, all because he kept blitzing. He seemingly settled down and sent 4 on the pass rush and had better results, even the pressure was better as Stafford has more trouble reading the field. Lesson learned? No… he then reverts to an all-out blitz that killed the Buc season.
My take? It was a combination of stupidity and selfishness. Bowles was trying to look like the smartest guy on the field, in an effort to land a head coaching job offer.
January 25th, 2022 at 12:53 pm
Sorry but it goes beyond sunday
And i know injuries etc etc
Teams get 3rd and 15 against us
3rd and 20 against us
No problem . It almost seems like teams have our playbook
And i get it teams usually cant run on us. Yah think that is coaching? Or the fact that vea is next to suh. With white and lvd at next level
Sorry but i think he is just ok. Defense has literally played 5 good games over the last 2 seasons including playoffs. Feels like bucs have to put up 30 to win
Brady probably over it just like us fans
January 25th, 2022 at 12:54 pm
Bowles needs a louder voice. Even a high school coach would have shouted, “Look out for a long pass”. Put somebody deep like a center fielder, in that scenario. I guess they just didn’t hear him.
January 25th, 2022 at 12:54 pm
Just depressing of how they threw away an opportunity. But honestly, this has been reoccurring all season long. Poor pass rush and leaky secondary was due to catch up with us.
January 25th, 2022 at 12:57 pm
Arians blew it not Todd. Picture this: Bucs act as if they were going for 2 points after scoring their final TD. This alignment would most certainly cause the Rams to use their final timeout. We then bring out the kicker for the extra point. This eliminates the Rams final timeout and we then go to OT.
January 25th, 2022 at 1:00 pm
Play stoopid defense, win stoopid prizes.
It was dumb, just plain dumb and it needs questioned all offseason.
What’s to say it won’t happen again if he isn’t called out on how stoopid it was.
January 25th, 2022 at 1:03 pm
Fish, there’s that and BA could of said Todd get someone back in coverage. BA stands tall as HC for Bucs. Risk it NO biscuit!
January 25th, 2022 at 1:06 pm
I agree with that scenario, Fish. But then I wanted the Bucs to go for the 2 point conversion. The Rams were on their heels, and no one sane would have banked on Tampa Bay sustaining a long march to score in OT. Go for the two, it’s your home field. Let your offense try winning the game, especially while the Rams were dazed and confused.
But that scenario also envisioned Bowles not being an idiot. Stafford was sputtering due to the pressure, and his inability to make a quick read when there’s just a 4 man rush. I even brought that up in real time during the game thread, that not going for 2 was a mistake.
January 25th, 2022 at 1:08 pm
what if tom sits in his basement and watches the game over and over on a loop, over the next couple of weeks in a depressed state…
then…
comes back to the buccaneers and says:
“i will come back but you have to get rid of bowles”
what if
January 25th, 2022 at 1:09 pm
Funny I just said the same thing earlier.
January 25th, 2022 at 1:12 pm
I would be happy if Bowles stays. Let’s not forget the defense allowed us to come back from 27 to 3. If they gave up anything else it’s over. I know I know all we will remember is that terrible defense to end the game and it’s inexcusable but the D gave us a chance to come back.
January 25th, 2022 at 1:15 pm
If TB12 retires or leaves Tampa it will be because even he can not overcome awful coaching and that is the issue in Tampa and he can not waste seasons at this stage. Also, he may internally be upset with Arians for setting AB off and not just biting his lip because we needed his skills in the playoffs. Quite honestly, I hope Bowles and Leftwich get HC gigs. We need a change there.
January 25th, 2022 at 1:15 pm
if bowles doesnt get hired elsewhere he should be fired.
January 25th, 2022 at 1:21 pm
what if brady gives BA the ultimatum…
fire bowles or i’m outta here…
what does BA do?
does he tell tom “get the f outta here”
or does he can bowles…
what if tom was to pin BA up against the wall with an ultimatum…
just a thought
January 25th, 2022 at 1:24 pm
The Bucs coaching staff deserves every oz of sht being flicked at them .
They totally disrespected the players and fan base by doing job interviews during a playoff game week.
They can go F themselves as far as I’m concerned.
January 25th, 2022 at 1:33 pm
Weis is saying the same as the whole football world.
Where is Arians in this? Does he ever talk to Bowles about game plans or calls?
Is anybody accountable? Arians postgame demanded “No second guessing.”
Really?
January 25th, 2022 at 1:38 pm
I stand by Tod Bowles 100%!!!
Of course he made a mistake, and cost us the game…..But this defense has been outstanding for 3 years…..Sh**t happens!!
Think with your brain not with your heart!!!!!
January 25th, 2022 at 1:38 pm
Do not pound on Toad Bowles. He is a Head Coach material. Bears or Jaguars, do not listen to the bashers here. He is a good fit in your franchise. Get him ASAP while you can :-))))
January 25th, 2022 at 1:48 pm
I think he done the best with what he has. Our secondary is not good and rarely ever healthy. We desperately need a #1 corner asap.
January 25th, 2022 at 1:56 pm
Winfield is a really nice player, really nice player in fact. Fits nicely in run support. Good at punching balls out of carriers hands. By all accounts really football smart. He’s not a good center field safety though. It shows up big time on deep passes and in the redzone. He just can’t close the gap fast enough and he’s not long enough athletically to go up and take the ball away.
We’ve got a whole bunch of hybrid safety/nickel players that are great for interchanging in that role, but no legit free safety.
January 25th, 2022 at 2:00 pm
I hope so. I want Boal‘s to stay. He has been a great defensive coordinator. He made a couple bad decisions at crucial times but overall, with the injuries he has had to deal with this year, he did a great job.
January 25th, 2022 at 2:13 pm
Did anyone see how many the Bucks had right on the line in those plays. Like they were a bunch right on the line of scrimmage. 40 seconds over Chattahoochee.
January 25th, 2022 at 2:18 pm
WE barely won the 1st game against Dallas–with a healthy defense to start the game.we got burned by Bowles’ blitzing then
the world knew that Stafford had higher completion % against the blitz..Blitzes work against younger , less experienced QB’s— Not against vets like Stafford… Thats why McVay traded for him..
Bowles will end up staying in tampa-unfortunately. BA will Never criticize Bowles-its always a player’s fault
January 25th, 2022 at 2:22 pm
Congratulations to Todd Bowles on surpassing Pete Carroll for the worst play call in post season history.
January 25th, 2022 at 2:48 pm
My faith in Bowles has been tested and finally destroyed by that crap. Our pass defense was routinely shredded against any decent passing teams. I’ve been hoping he’d get a HC job… but that appears unlikely now. And Arians will never fire him.
January 25th, 2022 at 3:04 pm
Drunkin, you must be drunk, Offense didn’t score 30+ points Bucs lose. Same story different day. Where did the 27 opposing points come from?
January 25th, 2022 at 3:05 pm
There’s your OC, Weiss
January 25th, 2022 at 3:23 pm
Heres my idea, Bucs have 2 defensive coordinators, one for the first half, which is mostly when the Bucs defense totally sucks and keep Bowles as the second half guy. He definitely is smart when it comes to adjustments but both him and BL suck at coming into the start of a game with a good game plan vs physical teams.
BL gave up on the run because they were so far behind and Bowles made the biggest mistake possible, he didn’t account for Cooper Kupp on every single play. That guy should never be allowed to run wide open. You have to recognize that when the Rams couldn’t run the ball, the only big play guy they had was Kupp and the worst thing that could happen is for him to not be neutralized with double teams. Let someone else beat you but don’t be stupid.
January 25th, 2022 at 3:24 pm
I hope Arians entire foreleg is giving Todd’s Bowel a proctoscopic exam. He needs to be corrected for that. A heinous sin. As bad as the Jets calling cover zero against Chucky’s Raiders a year or two ago.
Has Arians said anything about that?
I’m am more outraged every day.
January 25th, 2022 at 3:41 pm
BA will NEVER criticize Bowles-NEVER… so , the problem does NOT get fixed..
Brady knows that too
January 25th, 2022 at 3:59 pm
Our coaches are not chess players-
They’re checkers players
No risk it no biscuit
Well sorry guys no biscuit this time
No brain no biscuit
January 25th, 2022 at 4:22 pm
no no no ZZ. I complained about Bowles all last year. He cost us several games with his dumbass ego. Remember the regular season game against the Chiefs last year (2020) Bowles left the Cheetah in single coverage which is beyond stupid. Think that’s bad? He never made an adjustment until Tyreek had 200 yds in the first freak’n quarter. Tom brought us back and almost won. sound familiar???? He cost the Bucs several games this year and last year. This is not “rocket surgery” people. I think Tom will retire if Bowles stays with the Bucs and I damn sure don’t blame him. He’ll just be stuck looking at Gisele and riding his new $7 million yacht. Poor guy!!
January 25th, 2022 at 4:23 pm
Yeah Joe he wants more money. “Good grief Charlie Brown”
January 25th, 2022 at 5:23 pm
Shaq: zero sacks, zero pressures (we already knew JPP wasn’t likely to) JTS: zero sacks, zero pressures, zero tackles. Literally, ZERO stats. I’m not sure Bowles deserves all this
January 25th, 2022 at 5:53 pm
Beeej, 27-27 with 26 seconds. To answer your question YES! It makes no difference what happened earlier in the game. Bowles had one job, call a play that prevents them from scoring, he did the opposite. If they lost in OT so be it. Bowles didn’t do his job!
January 25th, 2022 at 7:09 pm
Todd Bowles is done, as far as head coaching chances go.
His track record in NY and our last game will severely impact any head coaching chances he may have had.
Tony Dungy called him out, and now so has Charlie Weiss.
I agree, the game came down to the last 26 seconds, and Todd Bowles failed to call a play to stop them from Scoring.
January 25th, 2022 at 7:47 pm
It’s going to be hard for me to imagine The NFL without Tom Brady. Love him or hate him, he’s been a focal part of the league for years. One more time! GOBUCS!
January 25th, 2022 at 7:55 pm
What’s Belichick’s constant Number 1 defensive strategy regardless of who he’s facing? “Always take an opponent’s BEST offensive weapon OFF the field”. I’m sure Tom Brady tried to offer that solid piece of advice to Bowles these past two years. I’m also sure that when Tom looked out and saw that single safety that he saw the play unfold before it did. I’m also sure that BB did as well and must’ve been so relieved. Just jmagine being Bill Belichick having to finish out his coachjng career knowing that the QB you kicked to the curb just won back to back Super Bowls.
January 25th, 2022 at 8:33 pm
Any High school coach would put in a PREVENT defense with a tie game & 25 seconds left.
.BA blames the players for not blitzing effectively—rather than criticize his buddy Bowles… Bowles didn’t do his job for Bucs,,, Bowles didn’t do well with the Jets—whats changed ???
As long as BA dosen’t address the real problem,,which is HIS job–nothing will change….
January 25th, 2022 at 8:40 pm
Brady played some of his best football under Charlie Weis. Weis, not McDaniels, was the best OC for Brady.
January 25th, 2022 at 9:38 pm
Bowles has taken a lot of heat here, not altogether undeserved. He was unprepared- no doubt in no small part due all his interviews. He made a couple of boneheaded decisions at the end. However, His body of work as as Bucs DC over 3 years has been pretty darn good. Ram game was the first time all 11 starters played together this year. JPP has been injured all year and not played well in 10 games. White is not the same player he was last year- not even close- Shaq had an uninspired game- somebody here observed he needs JPP to be effective. Maybe he’s not 100 percent healthy. JTS regressed as the year wore on and unable to make an impact when needed. LVD was not 100 % either- didn’t cover Higbee-simply tackled him. Players play and coaches coach- neither lived up to their ability.
January 25th, 2022 at 10:29 pm
Assistant Coaches being interviewed in the middle of a playoff game week preparation is a rotten system that cheats the players and fans of competition integrity.
After these interviews, the assistants are making calls to other coaches and friends and family , lining up potential staff, doing alot of things that distract from game preparation.
The Bucs D were having communication problems almost the entire game- putting it all on the players seems cowardly to me.
January 26th, 2022 at 12:36 am
Yeah the Bucs should’ve gone for two. Kupp still would’ve killed them and the Rams win anyway.
January 26th, 2022 at 8:28 am
The Bucs should fire Bowles.
He sucks out loud