Tom Brady, Todd Bowles Talk Up-Tempo Offense
December 27th, 2022
The kind of offense that is making Tom Brady, Todd Bowles and legions of Bucs fans smile doesn’t happen very often, certainly not often enough.
Any regular Bucs observer can see that when the Bucs play hurry-up, good things happen. It’s not even an arguable point. But they primarily only use it when they’re desperate.
Last night on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio, The Goat himself acknowledged the Bucs are looking strong when playing “tempo” with their offense.
“That’s probably when we’re at our most efficient, is our ability to play fast and make plays and move the sticks,” Brady said.
Earlier in the day on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Bowles didn’t shy away from that reality. Co-host Pat Kirwan, the former Jets linebackers coach and personnel chief, told Bowles how much he likes the Bucs in no-huddle and how he feels it suits them.
“I do, too. It seems like it’s the only thing that’s workin’ right now,” Bowles said.
“I know we can’t make a living at it. But, you know, we’ll try and do some things that incorporate certain things like that. And we’ll keep working on it and try to make it a full, complete offense.”
Re-read that last sentence. Is Bowles saying the Bucs are trying to turn hurry-up and/or hurry-up concepts into a “full, complete offense?” That’s unclear.
Those who watched the Bills of the early 1990s and other teams know tempo can be jacked up far more often than the Bucs do it now.
Joe sure hopes the Bucs clinch the division Sunday and have a meaningless game in Week 18. That would give them a lot more time to work on significant tweaks to the offense, like more hurry-up.
December 27th, 2022 at 11:44 am
Once the playoffs start the contrast between the Bucs and the PO teams will be dramatic!
The Wildcard weekend is NOT the playoffs for me.
December 27th, 2022 at 11:48 am
The last sentence reads, “Hurry up is working BUT I still don’t want to do it.”
Remember the guy that said he wasn’t going to meddle in the offense. The last sentence says he has.
December 27th, 2022 at 11:52 am
The cash is on the field. That may motivate them.
December 27th, 2022 at 11:53 am
Love the 90’s Bills reference. Jim Kelly was so underrated. His football IQ was off the charts. You need a high football IQ to run an uptempo offense. You need a guy who can read a defense and process info quickly. We just so happen have a QB with one of the highest football QB ever. Brady ran an uptempo offense in 2011 with Billy O. It was a deadly offense with a 2 TE set.
You just illustrated the biggest problem with this team: The bad communication between Bowles and Leftwich. Brady is really big on communication. He talks about it all the time. I think he feels the communication level on this team is lacking.
December 27th, 2022 at 11:55 am
The next coach will hopefully have more urgency
December 27th, 2022 at 12:01 pm
Incompetent coaching is holding this team back. It’s just that simple. Open your mind and swallow your pride Todd, it’s your only chance at survival. Put your team in position to be successful and play to their strengths, I dare you.
December 27th, 2022 at 12:01 pm
Tom Brady is a coach on the field. He has had to deal with a lot this year, OFF THE FIELD, which may account for some of his uncharistic bad throws. Even someone as focused as Brady is can’t help but be distracted by this stuff. HIS AGE IS NOT A PROBLEM!!! His focus is. Hopefully he and the entire team can get it together this week. No one can make up for bad play calling though. The Bucs need more down field throws. When Evans is covered by one man he is basically open. Who can out jump or out muscle him?? At worst the Bucs get a PI out of a throw to him, IF IT IS ON TARGET. If it is underthrown, as is what has happened too often lately, all bets are off.
December 27th, 2022 at 12:02 pm
he’s still trying to pound that round stick into a square hole..
December 27th, 2022 at 12:02 pm
Sun WX is supposed to be in the 70’s and overcast.
December 27th, 2022 at 12:06 pm
Teams like the Panthers who only have a sliver of hope are signing people like josh Norman, why aren’t we looking into Logan mankins or other OL that are free. Gronkowski is sure taking his time to reunite with Tom. It’s help with blocking dline and open up the passing. A lot of our offensive production came from TE catches and that has dropped big-time lB’s and safety’s having to keep an eye on gronk opens up Mike and Godwin and Julio..22 all day just sign some OL already
December 27th, 2022 at 12:10 pm
LOL Dig up a 40-year old dude who hasn’t played in, what, six years?
December 27th, 2022 at 12:18 pm
Mankins? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
He’s been out of football for like 6 years now! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Maybe we can coax Anthony Munoz out of retirement too!
December 27th, 2022 at 12:20 pm
Former Bucs coach Lovie Smith was canned in 2015 after his conservative mindset from the 80’s did’t work with the millenniums n next gen stat. Kirk Cousins “you like that” was born from his Commanders 2nd half come from behind win after trailing Bucs 24-0 second quarter. Lovie never adjusted because he put handcuffs on the offense n put the game in the hand of his defense. Sounds like a philosophy of Bowles. Well, Bowles is considering changing his philosophy of the offense because he’s watching how Owners are prematurely canning coaches this year. Coaches who inherited a team not remotely close to having the elite skill players we have. The Panthers are playing playoff type ball with backups n no name players. If Bowles lose to the Panthers, it’s a no brainer, he n Leftwich must go.
December 27th, 2022 at 12:22 pm
What puts more strain on your defense when your offense plays up tempo or when your offense cant sustain a drive
December 27th, 2022 at 12:25 pm
The best thing about this season is the
Hooters Wing Girl on every thread ❤️
December 27th, 2022 at 12:26 pm
Up-tempo is working just fine. Nothing to work on there. Just USE it!!
SMH
December 27th, 2022 at 12:26 pm
Brady is a master of the hurry up, because he’s incredibly fast at processing info. Why they haven’t tried more of it is beyond me. No, you can’t run it the entire game. The offense would be just as worn out as the opposing defense. The Patriots used it a bunch when the offense became stagnant, or when the conditioning of the opposing defense was suspect. Bowles is flat out telling us he wants no part of it, except in desperation. It’s the one thing they’re good at. It takes all 11 guys, and they’ve proven they can handle it. Bowles should know how taxing it is on a defense. They can’t sub. It’s hard to get the call in, and everyone aligned.
December 27th, 2022 at 12:28 pm
Yes you can live by it Todd. It’s been done before. Let’s see. What was that team that did it? Oh yeah, NE. Now if we could just get the same QB that they had we would be in business.
December 27th, 2022 at 12:35 pm
The Up Tempo tires out our opponents pass rushers + it keeps them from making substitutions and adjustments.
December 27th, 2022 at 12:37 pm
dmatt: Of course Lovie wasn’t successful, he didn’t think you had to defend the slant pass. In college, he wasn’t successful because he stayed in his base defense vs. 3 receiver sets. You can’t make this stuff up, it’s so hilariously bad.
Bowles and/or Leftwich SHOULD do what the Bucs do best, the hurry up offense vs. the Panthers. If they don’t and the Bucs lose, they SHOULD be fired.
December 27th, 2022 at 12:41 pm
Up-tempo is for very short periods. It is not realistic to play this “fast” the whole game and the longer it goes, the greater the chance for mistakes. That is why teams come out with scripted plays with hopes of quick scoring early in the game for that short burst and then settling into smart playmaking to make adjustments based on what they are seeing. This isn’t sandlot power ball and the problem is the Bucs are not doing the smart playmaking for most of the game. Speed kills. Fast is not sustainable. I do think they should default to let Brady make the calls with input from the sideline, not the other way. I’m so sick of seeing Lenny up the middle and short screen on third and punt on fourth. Yup, protection is a problem…but more slants and play action would help.
December 27th, 2022 at 12:47 pm
JC Tretter has not been out of NFL for long Joe-so why is Jason Licht not looking him up????
December 27th, 2022 at 12:49 pm
If they lose to Carolina and then miss the playoffs in this sh_thole division Bowled, Lefty and Licht because he let this trainwreck happen.
December 27th, 2022 at 1:04 pm
How much more of an influence has Todd Bowels been to our offense from last year to this year? If Todd Bowels stayed out the way of our offense like he did his first two years then we would be putting up 30 points a game. No NFL team with a defensive minded head coach is exciting to watch. Hopefully Byron Leftwich gets the HC job in Denver so Todd Bowels can hire the right offensive coordinator that complements his style of football.
December 27th, 2022 at 1:09 pm
The person with the most experience on offense is Tom Brady. Why is TB12 not insisting on an offensive scheme that fits the players we have? I listened to the halftime comments from Todd Bowles on Sunday night. He said we needed to run the ball more when that scheme was clearly not working.
December 27th, 2022 at 1:18 pm
Go back and look at Tom Brady’s 2011 2012 patriots no one ran it any faster an any better than the GOAT. Historically good ofences. He was in complete command. He can run it the whole game. He’s done it before now is the time to go do it your Ohasn’t worked all year , the only time it looked anything like it has the past two season is when it’s going fast . Do it for the rest of the season they have nothing to lose!! The offi line won’t hold up in the receiver cant get open. Moving fast equalizes those two issues.
December 27th, 2022 at 1:24 pm
Joe doesn’t think anyone is crazy enough to suggest this for Brady. He is 45. You are correct in relation to the Bucs.
But yes, a hurry-up can be run a whole game. Buffalo got to four Super Bowls doing this.
December 27th, 2022 at 1:25 pm
Bowles doesn’t want to use hurry up because it puts his D at risk of being exposed, the more they are on the field.
It’s backwards thinking. He’d be surprised how much better a D plays with points on the board. Worried about them getting tired? Get some three and outs…
December 27th, 2022 at 1:30 pm
Lousy Lovie had, if Joe remembers correctly, the fourth-worst defense in college when he got canned.
Two years later, with some of the same players still on the field for the Illini, Illinois had the nation’s best defense.
That’s all you need to know about Lovie.
December 27th, 2022 at 1:31 pm
Bucs come out in the hurry up against Carolina and go three and out.
December 27th, 2022 at 1:32 pm
Bowles is such an idiot. He just acknowledged it works and then double talked his way into saying he isn’t going to do it. Yeah may try to incorporate a little blend into…… STFU COACH!!! Your job is on the line. It’s not rocket surgery you moron. Just Do It!!! Seriously someone higher up needs to walk into Coach’s office and smack him right upside his head 😂
December 27th, 2022 at 1:34 pm
If there is a way to lose to the Panthers Bowzo can find it. If that happens he can find awy to lose to a tanking Atlanta. So a question. Can Bucs lose both and still win the division?
December 27th, 2022 at 1:41 pm
Everyone in the country sees how bad the Bucs are, and the only thing they do well at all is hurry up late in games.
GMFB crew
SNF commentators
MNF commentators
Any football show anywhere…
Stevie Wonder..
But Bowles can’t figure out how to do it? Puhlease.
December 27th, 2022 at 1:42 pm
@ Jeff
I think you nailed it right there!!!!
This maybe the most dysfunctional coaching staff in Bucs history as a franchise. The reason I say this is because you have the best QB in NFL history, multiple ProBowl caliber players on both sides of the ball and they still are losing or barely getting wins again very bad football teams.
There’s not enough exclamation points I can put on the end of these capitalized words – WE SUCK!!!!!!!!!
December 27th, 2022 at 2:31 pm
Our coaching staff reeks of favoritism, nepotism, and corruption!
Bruce Arians and Bowles are loyal to a fault.
Their loyalty is admirable but not logical or professional.
Our special teams coach should have been fired 2 years ago.
He’s still our special teams coach because Arians, Licht and Bowles don’t have the heart to fire their friend.
December 27th, 2022 at 3:10 pm
Where’s mouse davis when we need him? The fun and gun was awesome!
December 27th, 2022 at 3:15 pm
A hurry up 2-minute offense isn’t sustainable for an entire game, but you can use a no huddle look when you have the defensive personnel you want to see in the game and don’t want them to substitute. Or throughout the game, you can go no huddle at a slower pace. Bring the team to the line and make play calls at the line of scrimmage, letting the play clock run down while doing so. Either way we get what we want, Brady making more play calls than Leftwich.
December 27th, 2022 at 3:23 pm
teacherman777 Says:
December 27th, 2022 at 2:31 pm
That may have been a valid criticism of Arians. However, I think you’re jumping to conclusions about Bowles and loyalty. Remember that Bowles was given the job very late in the offseason and there wasn’t an opportunity to hire guys that he might’ve wanted. He didn’t really have a choice but to stick with what he inherited. I expect the staff to have some changes this year. I expect Keith Armstrong and Leftwich to be gone, and probably some turnover of position coaches. Depending on who Bowles hires as OC, we could see a complete overhaul of the offensive staff.
December 27th, 2022 at 3:30 pm
The problems with coaches in a lot of sports they believe in what they believe to an extreme. Some focus on coaching technique some focus on letting players figure it out, etc . Lot of coaches dont realize things need to be done in balance not one extreme or another . Right now bowles may have a point but he is too extreme on his stance.
December 27th, 2022 at 3:35 pm
@ sasquatch
Noooooo way in hell Bowles keeps his job after the season ends……….this whole coaching staff will be gone.
No the only questions that I have is:
Will Bruce Arians be the Bucs coach for the 2023 season?
Will the Glazers fire the GM Jason Licht because he completely misjudged Todd Bowles and Byron Leftwich as recommendations for coaches this year to the Glazers????
December 27th, 2022 at 3:46 pm
The Bucs offense does not have a philosophy, but rather it’s a pot luck dinner of an assortment of plays from different offensive philosophies.
If Bowles wants to be a Power running team where is the pre snap motion, where is Power, followed by Counter, followed by Iso, followed by Sweep, followed by lead, followed by play action pass with all of those line motions and pre snap motions?
If we are No Risk It, No Biscuit where are our leveled pass routes with deep shots married to inside zone runs from spread formations and slow screens and quick screens that act like runs (this is only one of the concepts that they still do).
The offensive personnel was built by BA for No Risk it, but the Bucs don’t run that this season.
A philosophy determines how you attack the defense, and it gives the defense something to worry about because you’re not predictable in your formations and plays.
The other team’s defense knows what plays are coming against the Bucs because the formations tell them what play will be called because the Bucs do not have an offensive philosophy.
That’s one of the major problems that the Bucs offense has this season.
December 27th, 2022 at 3:52 pm
TheBucsAnthem Says:
December 27th, 2022 at 3:35 pm
You obviously have no clue.
First, I think it’s quite possible Bowles should be fired. But the Glazers have never fired a coach after only one year, and they apparently really like Todd Bowles. It’s possible he will be fired, but it’s not a slam dunk, at all, especially if we win the division and are hosting a playoff game. I’d say there’s maybe a 25% chance he gets fired.
I agree this team sucks and I wouldn’t shed a tear if Bowles was fired, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. Arguably, the fact that he wasn’t able to hire his own staff was a bit of an unfair position to put him in.
That’s not a real question. Arians is really retired. He’s not coaching anywhere.
December 27th, 2022 at 4:17 pm
@ sasquatch
Nahhhh………….I don’t think Bruce Arians ever wanted to leave the sidelines to begin with……and I do believe he did it to bring Brady back cause Brady and Arians had a little “riff” thing going on.
The Bucs organization has never kept a former HC immediately after being let go or resigning for the HC position……..so that’s why I think the Glazers talked Arians into this sweetheart advisor role with the possibility of coaching in 2023.
December 27th, 2022 at 5:06 pm
You may not be able to run a hurry up offense for a whole game but you sure can run it a lot more and mix in a lot more play action. Waiting until the last 10 minutes in the game just won’t work when you are playing teams who put up 25+ points a game. Just do it and see what happens.
December 27th, 2022 at 5:07 pm
This website keeps telling me I said the same thing before. That’s probably because the Bucs have had the same problem all season.
December 27th, 2022 at 5:07 pm
Bowles admits that it works for this team but doesnt want to do it. The 90’s Bills “made a living at it”getting to 4 straight super bowls. But thats not good enough for Todd.
December 27th, 2022 at 5:07 pm
There wasn’t a rift between Brady and Arians. Arians did not step aside to bring Brady back. There was never any substantiation to that rumor and it has been denied by all relevant parties.
There isn’t any evidence that Arians is looking to coach again. He stayed around the organization because he still has something to offer and he has a great relationship with Jason Licht.
If Arians were looking to coach again, his name would be floating around in the rumor mills of the national sports media. That hasn’t happened because his agent has not floated his name out there, because he’s not interested in being a HC again.
December 27th, 2022 at 5:32 pm
Has anyone thought of who would come to the Bucs as OC with Bowles as HC? He’s been on record as favoring a dull, lifeless offense. “Do it yourself Bowles!”
December 27th, 2022 at 5:39 pm
Well, at least this fossilized ‘wonder’ is admitting he can change plays anytime he wants. He sure has stunk this year. Thank god, just 2 more games. Bucs will win Sunday cos the entire team will carry M0 on their shoulders.
December 27th, 2022 at 6:06 pm
The whole team is made up of the walking wounded. A little more up-tempo won’t hurt but without healthy players up-tempo can be a recipe for disaster; too many penalties.
December 27th, 2022 at 6:41 pm
Meth has long term consequences.
December 27th, 2022 at 7:31 pm
Belle raises a great point. What they’re running is hodgepodge offense. The biggest problem besides the running game and the line, is the fact they can’t stretch the middle of the field. The seam route from the TE position has been non existent. That creates space for everyone underneath. Doesn’t matter who the recievers or QB is if everything is condensed.
December 27th, 2022 at 7:56 pm
This has been an SCO ‘Special Coaching Operation’. Starring Bowzo the Clown and his merry band” I just do not like it. I don’t like what has happened to the Bucs under this Regime. Time for ‘Regime Change’ at One Buc.
December 27th, 2022 at 8:01 pm
Redeemer. This is known as the Random Dumbshlt Offense.
December 27th, 2022 at 8:13 pm
Kentucky BlahahHa, the RDO. Not to be confused with the RPO.
December 27th, 2022 at 9:20 pm
can’t make a living at it??????????????????????????? You freak’n moron. How in the hell do you think Tom got 7 rings in 10 SBs?????? You’try to blend it in????????????????????????????? what a freak’n dildo!!!!!!!!!!
December 27th, 2022 at 9:25 pm
Oh Todd had a 29-45 record with the Jets???? Let’s hire him before another team snatches him up. He’s already ruined one franchise (the Jets)
December 27th, 2022 at 9:38 pm
The common denominator is Todd Bowles. He simply has failed in all facets of being a good head coach.
His decision making has been abysmal all year. Too many to note. (Think Cleveland) (Geodeke not benched) etc.
He’s unable to inspire and motivate at all. The team has subconsciously adapted Bowles demeanor. No energy or enthusiasm whatsoever from these players.
This offense is the HC responsibility at the end of the day. He’s done absolutely NOTHING to try and improve a season long broken wheel. Stop me if this sounds familiar… 2nd and 1 run up the middle. NO GAIN. 3rd and 1 run up the middle. NO GAIN. 4th and 1 run up the middle 2YRD LOSS. Turnover.
This man ruined a SB run. His legacy will be defined by this epic failure.
December 27th, 2022 at 9:50 pm
Redeemer. Love it. RDO is official.
December 27th, 2022 at 9:56 pm
Belle had one of the most detailed and insightful posts. It wasn’t filled with silly comments about Brady being washed and we should play Trask. He really broke it down by process and not results. The process is flawed! There are way too many hands involved in this offense. The season is over and we have no offensive identity. The Panthers sure have an identity. It’s smash mouth running and playing great defense.
By the way, could some intrepid reporter ask the coaches and Brady what exactly is the offensive identity. I would be curious to hear each of their answers.
December 28th, 2022 at 1:34 pm
I don’t understand why there is an issue. Don’t these guys watch tape and attack weak spots in the D, injured players, rookies etc? If it isn’t working you adjust on the fly to something that works? Are these coaches that bad they can’t offer the minimum basics of coaching to this team?
December 28th, 2022 at 9:00 pm
YOU LOSE COACHES YOUR DONE, DOESNT MATTER HOW YOU WIN JUST WIN! WERE DEAD LAST IN ALL RUN STATISTICAL CATAGORIES. OUR STRENGTHS ARE IN OUR WIDE RECIEVER GROUP. PLAY TO OUR STRENGTHS. LFGO IF GET SOME CREATIVITY GOING! STOP BEING SO PREDICTABLE WITH A RUN UP THE MIDDLE EVERY FIRST DOWN! ITS NOT WORKING!!!
December 28th, 2022 at 9:01 pm
ADJUSTMENTS HAVE TO BE MADE IF GAME PLAN DOESNT WORK. ALWAYS ADJUST OUR STRENGTH IS THE PASSING GAME WITH ALL THE TALENT WE HAVE. THE RUN GAME ISMT A MODERN KFFENSE AND WERE DEAD LAST IN EVERY STATISTIC
December 29th, 2022 at 12:18 am
Bowles is telling everyone what the Bucs will do now.
Why doesn’t he just publish the playbook in the Daily Newspaper.
December 29th, 2022 at 5:23 am
I’ve been following Brady’s playing since he made his first start when Bledsoe was injured and this is the most lethargic offense I’ve seen even worse than his last year in NE. I hope Carolina blows out the Bucs Sunday to just put this team and us fans out of our misery because a Superbowl hasn’t been earned. This entire season has been an abject failure. I think Bucs fans should say your good byes to TB12 because no way he’s enduring another wretched season with this lethargic tired energy that Mr.Bowles seems to be quite comfortable with. Bowles should stick to DC which he’s excellent at. I don’t think he’s HC material. He lacks fire and passion. Makes me appreciate BA much more. Well 2 out of 3 ain’t bad. Wonder where Brady will end his career? He’s definitely not going out on this note.