Do Bucs Players Know Who Todd Bowles Is?
July 5th, 2023
Joe was surprised while listening to one of the NFL’s better head coaches this week.
That would be Mike Vrabel on The Official Titans Podcast.
Vrabel played 13 seasons for Pittsburgh, New England and Kansas City. He’s got three Super Bowl rings and had fantastic years for the Belicheats as an edge rusher. He retired after the 2010 season and got into coaching.
As Tennesse Titans head coach, Vrabel has a 50-37 record that includes two playoff wins.
Vrabel said half his players don’t know he played the game. The podcast host didn’t buy it and pressed Vrabel on the comment. Vrabel suggested the podcaster talk to players and ask them. He was admant that only half would know that he ever played in the NFL.
Joe heard that and thought of Todd Bowles. He played eight seasons as a defensive back and wrapped up his on-field career with the Redskins in 1993, a couple of generations before Vrabel did.
So do Bucs players know Bowles was a quality player who won a Super Bowl? Joe knows many defensive players know Bowles played in the league, but beyond that, Joe can’t be sure.
Players claim to love playing for coaches who actually played the game. That status commands an instant level of respect, they say. So Joe was surprised to hear Vrabel admit his players don’t know his background.
Bowles certainly can use every advantage he can muster because he needs wins in a hurry, so maybe it’s time for Bowles to have a little fun and show players clips of his 15 career interceptions early in training camp.
Joe is all in favor of anything that could spark the Bucs in any way.
July 5th, 2023 at 8:53 pm
Well why don’t you reach out to some players and find out for us?
July 5th, 2023 at 9:24 pm
All that matters in this “what have you done for me now league” is the number of wins Bowles can deliver this season. Who cares what he did 30 years ago. If he wants to spark the players he should do it from the sidelines instead of acting like zombie.
July 5th, 2023 at 9:37 pm
He can’t have a losing season! ….Wins Matter!
July 5th, 2023 at 9:46 pm
That’s pretty sad. If it’s not trending half of these guys have no F’n clue. Talent make you good. Knowledge and talent can make you great.
July 5th, 2023 at 10:23 pm
I can’t find a video of Bowles’s 15 interceptions. Or any highlights for that matter. If someone else can point me in that direction.
July 6th, 2023 at 2:35 am
People who actually played the game garner much more respect in the NFL for sure. Also among fans. However great/good players do not necessarily equate to great/good coaches.
Go Bucs!
July 6th, 2023 at 9:08 am
“It’s 11 o’clock. Do you know where your coach is?”
July 6th, 2023 at 11:43 am
I wonder if they know that the last four of his five seasons as a HC have been losing seasons?
July 6th, 2023 at 11:46 am
Vrabel played in the NFL 5 minutes ago. How his current players don’t know that is wild. Also, I am sure there is tons of footage on Youtube about him.
It will be hard to find footage of lesser known players that played when Bowles did.
July 6th, 2023 at 4:42 pm
I knew he played joe but didn’t know he won a Super Bowl. Great article
July 6th, 2023 at 4:50 pm
I’m guessing that Vrabel is exaggerating. Just because he doesn’t talk about it with the team doesn’t mean that word doesn’t get around. 🏈
July 6th, 2023 at 6:16 pm
Mort Says:
July 5th, 2023 at 8:53 pm
Well why don’t you reach out to some players and find out for us?
Get him, Mort!