“There’s Nothing That Needs To Be Said”
December 28th, 2022
Todd Bowles
Joe has heard Todd Bowles say multiple times this week that Sunday’s matchup against Carolina is for the NFC South crown, so “there’s nothing that needs to be said” to players.
That was Bowles’ exact quote on the Buccaneers Radio Network this week, but he’s delivered that message elsewhere.
And that’s where Joe has a problem.
Nothing needed to be said in Week 12 after the Bucs’ bye week, when they were 5-5 and coming off two consecutive wins to get themselves back to respectability. But the Bucs went to Cleveland and trailed twice in the first quarter against a sorry football team and a backup quarterback. And they lost.
Nothing needed to be said the following week against New Orleans, their top rival, but Tampa Bay came out flatter than flat — at home — against a bad Saints team and their backup quarterback. And needed a truly miraculous finish to win in the final seconds.
A week later? The No. 3 seed in the playoffs was on the line in San Francisco against a third-string rookie QB. Nothing needed to be said in advance of that, but the Bucs went out and got their doors blown off.
Joe thinks something does need to be said by Bowles before this game. Yes, Joe realizes “nothing that needs to be said” is an expression, but it doesn’t fit this week.
Sunday is the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl. It needs to be treated as such. A lot needs to be said because saying little or nothing hasn’t worked well.
Clinching the division title Sunday would give the team needed flexibility to rest starters and to have, essentially, an extra week to prepare for Dallas in the playoffs. Plus, Joe thinks players should realize that jobs are on the line. Team Glazer and Jason Licht should find a loss Sunday to be thoroughly humiliating and unacceptable — the way most Bucs fans would feel.
Speak up, Coach!
December 28th, 2022 at 11:24 am
Saying nothing might be better than saying the wrong thing, but someone needs to put some energy into this team. They play like they have no reason to, even though they get millions for it.
Just another mark, or maybe coffin nail against him.
December 28th, 2022 at 11:26 am
What needs to be said is put BA back on the headset for BL…or whatever that was going on in the first half of that Cincy game!
December 28th, 2022 at 11:27 am
Nothing needs to be said because Todd Bowels can’t say anything meaningful — just stay the mute that you are on the sidelines……I heard there’s an opening for a bell-ringer at Notre Dame…
December 28th, 2022 at 11:30 am
and that’s Notre Dame — in Paris!
December 28th, 2022 at 11:32 am
@Joe have you heard his speeches? Even when he talks after a win there’s no emotion and basically NOTHING IS SAID. The team has played like they’ve been coached all season NO ENERGY, NO PASSION I don’t expect that to change this weekend. Would love for them to prove me wrong.
December 28th, 2022 at 11:38 am
He could tell the Offense the game starts at one.
December 28th, 2022 at 11:42 am
This dude will be toast after TB12 moves on. We’ll be picking in the top 3 of the draft with this idiot at the helm. He’s just a fossil compared to the modern NFL game. A huge fail by the Glazers to hire him.
December 28th, 2022 at 11:51 am
The Stiff is speechless. Surprize!
December 28th, 2022 at 11:52 am
Just likes there’s nothing to be said about Bowles/Leftwich keeping their jobs next year. pretty obvious what needs to be done
December 28th, 2022 at 11:53 am
Why does every word or statement of the coaches get probed into forensics files as some kind of proof that we are struggling but we watch the players suck hard.
And its a business. They don’t play into our emotions and how we “feel” about a game. They can say whatever and it’s meaningless to us fans
Like I said…If Brady with over 100,000 passing yards with 23 years of experience can’t figure out ON THE FIELD… Why rely on TB and BL or Clyde Christianson to figure it out???
December 28th, 2022 at 11:55 am
Has anybody heard Bowle’s after-game victory speeches? DULL.
A motivator of men, Mr. Bowles is NOT.
December 28th, 2022 at 11:56 am
And the playoffs are NOT in our hands. The Panthers win both their games and their in
December 28th, 2022 at 12:20 pm
Todd doesn’t strike as a motivational speaking coach. Less may be more in this case. Let the captains or Larry Foote or Harold motivate the team. OR, maybe Todd needs to go counter his normal boring monotone (that he shows the media) and tap into his inner BA or Pittsburgh days and FIRE THE TEAM UP before we FIRE THE CANNONS!!!
Who knows, we get Jensen back, Wirfs, 2020 DSmith, keeping NL at LG – maybe we utilize ME13, CG14, JJ6, and RG17 like we planned from day 1 of training camp and bring home another Lombardi.
December 28th, 2022 at 12:21 pm
How do you figure Lamarcus we win we are in so yes we are in control of going to playoffs we are one of 2 games Carolina must win.
December 28th, 2022 at 12:21 pm
Just to be safe. Pound their souls with whatever doesn’t need to be said. I don’t get Todd Bowles, as if he was Bill Bellichick. Do your job Todd, do your job.
December 28th, 2022 at 12:24 pm
I am with so many others who have commented, win lose or draw, if the Bucs return next season with Todd as HC, I’ll lose all desire in this team to follow them that season….
You can be a fan for decades BUT when the team itself doesn’t value winning, it is crushing to the soul!
December 28th, 2022 at 12:31 pm
This team won’t win another game as long as this clueless sack toilet bowels is coaching them.
December 28th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
Bowles: please win and save my job. Players: Do we have to?
December 28th, 2022 at 12:48 pm
I certainly take Joe’s point but as far as firing the guys up shame on them!!!
They shouldn’t need to be fired up it’s the freaking NFL where many guys would give a left testicle to just participate. It’s a true blessing to be talented enough to play in the NFL…shame on anybody who can’t appreciate their blessing.
Having said that I do not understand why some the of players leadership hasn’t done this job? Seriously! Bowles is not dynamic, he’s analytical. He’s in position for managerial style but he is still responsible to find somebody to fill in his void of outward passion. I do not doubt Bowles passion, just his ability to share it.
December 28th, 2022 at 12:50 pm
A couple of things:
1. Everyone is yelling for an up tempo offense. Bowles doesn’t want to do it. Let’s see what happens.
2. Carolina’s run game is really good. The Bucs need Vea back and White needs to play smart/hard.
3. Who are we going to get at OT?
December 28th, 2022 at 12:50 pm
Clueless Todd.
December 28th, 2022 at 12:51 pm
That’s Todd! He is who he is. Personally Joe puts very little stock into coaches being cartoon characters. Some of the greatest coaches in history had zero personality. Shoot, Chuck Noll used to scold his players for being emotional.
December 28th, 2022 at 1:01 pm
You know why Bucs weren’t selected for Hard Knocks? They already have women’s basketball on television they don’t need another program that helps you nap.
December 28th, 2022 at 1:11 pm
Tom Landry was one stoic man. On the other hand I have to believe a nice Ditka scream fest would jack you up. When Icoached, i.can remebwr one game before I we hit.the field I punch the black board
yelled these pampered suburbanites are coming to your house in front of you families and friends to spit in your faces!! Who in this locker room has the balls to stop this from happening. The players went nuts and manhandled a team on paper that was supposed to be far superior. I assume this was exactly what happened in the 2020 SB.
The right words work!!!
December 28th, 2022 at 1:20 pm
@stpete, I’m with you. If you need anymore motivation for this game, you’re probably in the wrong business. I only had two years as a walk on, for the mighty Colby Mules. I would’ve given almost anything to have the skills to be an NFL player.
December 28th, 2022 at 1:35 pm
Redeemer,
“I would’ve given almost anything to have the skills to be an NFL player.”
Same here! And when my dream was shattered, along with my body, I decided to use my mind instead and got a degree to support my family.
Man I so wanted to make it to the NFL!!!!
December 28th, 2022 at 1:36 pm
When this over-promoted swerved speaks, the l,Ayers all hear Charlie Brown’s teacher.
Arians, or Licht, or Brady, or someone dynamic (but not Diva, please no) — someone tell the team what time it is. Wake up, go no huddle and put the season in Tom’s hands, so he can put the ball in Mike’s hands and the others.
December 28th, 2022 at 1:40 pm
I only played small time college football and JC football. The 2 experiences were light years apart. My JC coach was a guy that could fire up the team with out yelling or anything like that and we would’ve run through a wall for that guy. The coach of the 4yr that I transferred to was like Todd, my JC was way more successful. I get guys saying that they shouldn’t need to be motivated but we’re just regular guys watching and wishing we were there so of course that’s what we think. It’s totally different when you’re there. Yes they make millions playing a kid’s game but it’s still a job. How many of us are excited and fired up everyday for work?
December 28th, 2022 at 1:54 pm
Bowles is dumb to even WANT to be a Head Coach.
He is a great defensive coordinator. But he is not a motivator of men.
He is better in the shadows as a DC.
He is Lovie Smith 2.0 in terms of demeanor and speaking style.
Players need a coach with fire and strict accountability.
Raheem Morris was way too friendly with his players, so they took advantage of his kindness.
It’s the same for teachers. If they are too close to their students, their students start to lose respect for them and start to take advantage of their kindness.
December 28th, 2022 at 1:57 pm
I played at a high level D1 university. My HC would be a familiar name to many of you. I prefer to stay anonymous so I won’t reveal names. He and many of his staff were highly energetic and very motivating as were the team captains. The loud pump you up method always seemed to work best for my teammates and me.I was scouted for the NFL but due to migraine headaches I stopped playing my junior year. To be honest back then steroids were extremely popular and I’m sure that was the main cause for the migraines among other things. The decisions you make as a kid aren’t always the best.
December 28th, 2022 at 2:17 pm
Good stuff, NE – sorry it didn’t work out for you in the league.
Some coaches just have a “presence” about them. At JUCO, our HC was an O-lineman who played for the Cowboys. He was quite soft-spoken, but when he talked, everybody shut up and listened. He had the pedigree and knowledge, and fame of playing in the league to back up what he said. We played hard for him.
Our OC was a very young, first-time OC. Very, very fiery, and a good motivator. We’d get scolded loudly with lots of cussing and try to do better next time. After awhile, his fire rubbed players the wrong way, and some mostly ignored him.
I just think it takes a certain personality to be leaders of men; indeed, some have it and some don’t. Me personally, I don’t think the style of Bowles would motivate me much beyond my own motivations. I dunno, that’s just me and opinion.
Good convo, guys!
December 28th, 2022 at 3:08 pm
Bowles gets most of what he says from Kamala Harris. He has to. Both are jokes,and neither one of them has any clues about anything.
Best he do what he does best: keep his mouth shut and let BL lose the game until Brady changes his sorry-ass plays in the 4th quarter playing catch-up again.
December 28th, 2022 at 3:42 pm
Yet another example of why Bowles just isn’t fit to be a HC.
No, Todd, something DOES need to be said. Always! You’re the goddman head coach FFS!
Bowles is not a leader, and the play of the team reflects said lack of leadership.
December 28th, 2022 at 3:57 pm
Something needs to be said by the Glazers to Bowles. Something in particular. And it’s coming soon
December 28th, 2022 at 4:13 pm
Thanks D-Rok, fortunately I got out, I have a few close friends that weren’t as lucky and have suffered some long term side effects.
Bowles maybe a good guy, I don’t know but a leader he is not and that is a problem because what we as fans don’t realize is this is the players jobs and Bowles is their boss. If your boss is distant it’s tough to support him. There is a reason he and Brady don’t seem to associate much.
December 28th, 2022 at 6:54 pm
Bowles is mixing up “nothing needs to be said” with “I have nothing to say.” He doesn’t have the talent or heart to say these things anyways. Cant wait until he’s gone
December 28th, 2022 at 8:06 pm
He needs to go. Period. This garbage product HE’S in charge of has straight up sucked since week 3!! Nice guy but he has destroyed this teams psyche.
They play with no enthusiasm. No heart. They look confused every game. He is not getting better at his job. We’ve seen the exact same template every week regardless of who they play. No adaptability whatsoever. On and on and on.
Historically miserable season.
Thanks coach!!
December 28th, 2022 at 11:34 pm
Many much truth in the above thread of posts. Bowels has made the entire team impotent and indifferent. And the “leaders” are Diva, who is an over-talking, over-rated windbag who has been tuned out by his mates, and Mike who is so pissed he can’t say anything because he would explode. Tom looks like he’s been tuned out by the team also. After they lose to the Panthers maybe they can all get on a boat for some team building and a storm can blow them all to Cuba. The regime will hold them for ransom and the Glazers will not pay it and just start over.
December 29th, 2022 at 9:05 am
If we stop the run game, we win this game but we have to score more than 19 points. I’m waiting for this team to click and the next two weeks they need to do that or this season is dead and Bowles needs to go.