Todd Bowles: Ke’Shawn Vaughn Was “Demoted”
September 8th, 2023
Joe was a little surprised Todd Bowles was so candid today about his pissed off running back.
Fourth-year Bucs running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn missed practice Wednesday and it was unexcused, per Bowles.
Where did he go?
It was speculated that Vaughn might be unhappy about his Week 1 role after learning of where he stood in the game plan. The conjecture was born from Vaughn appearing at the bottom of the Bucs’ four-man depth chart relased this week. Those depth charts aren’t known for accuracy, but in this case the rankings appear to have been legitimate.
Today, Bowles said Vaughn missed Wednesday because he walked out. Bowles said he had a discussion with Vaughn and the issue is now in the past.
“I’m sure he’s dissatisfied. I’d be pissed off if somebody demoted me but I probably wouldn’t leave the buidling,” Bowles said of Vaughn. “But he’s over it and we’ve moved on from it.”
Joe finds the Vaughn demotion very interesting considering how strongly general manager Jason Licht lobbied publicly for Vaughn this offseason.
Vaughn had just 17 carries last season, the same total he had in the 2021 season playoff game against the Eagles.
September 8th, 2023 at 1:24 pm
RB’s tend to get injured. In this offense, he’ll get his (final) chance.
September 8th, 2023 at 1:25 pm
Not a good move if he wants to be a 5th year RB in the NFL on this team or any other team.
September 8th, 2023 at 1:26 pm
Vaughn got replaced by a better running back.
Sean Tucker looked great this preseason and earned the RB2 spot.
Vaughn ran 17 times for 22 yards. He is lucky to still have a job in the NFL.
September 8th, 2023 at 1:32 pm
Childish behavior. He’s not good enough to put up with a disgruntled player. Let him go
September 8th, 2023 at 1:47 pm
Fckin produce on the GD field and maybe you won’t get demoted! Bet this guy thinks he should start just because he works hard.
September 8th, 2023 at 1:47 pm
Not demoted.
Tucker and Edmonds passed him.
He’s the same guy.
September 8th, 2023 at 1:53 pm
so he and bowles are butting heads…
if he gets demoted any further it seems he would then be off the team…
do you think they can “SNEAK” him onto the practice squad 😉
September 8th, 2023 at 1:59 pm
I think it could be a mistake to keep a disgruntled player, especially one with so little “talent”. He should’ve been cut, IMHO.
September 8th, 2023 at 2:03 pm
I might be wrong but it seems to me that this isn’t a very tight locker room and team. To many whiners.
September 8th, 2023 at 2:07 pm
what if:
he’s a disrupter and causes more issues, does bowles kick him off the team?
does he try to “sneak” back into the building ?
September 8th, 2023 at 2:10 pm
Ke’Shawn Vaughn needs to spend that energy improving his skillsets instead of throwing temper tantrums
September 8th, 2023 at 2:11 pm
Where’s Ronnie Brown? Why does Bowles hate him! All us Shepherd fanbois aren’t going to let this rest.
September 8th, 2023 at 2:15 pm
So he acknowledges he walked out but all he did was have a talk with him? That’s pretty weak team management.
September 8th, 2023 at 2:16 pm
also ronnie brown is waiting in the wangs if i’m correct…
i think he was put on the practice squad…
he looked good out there
September 8th, 2023 at 2:18 pm
i thought our 4 backs were going to be:
white
tucker
brown
and
either
sneak or edmonds
i thought a tough cut at the rb position was coming after camp
September 8th, 2023 at 2:26 pm
Welcome to the N.F.L
Not
For
Long
September 8th, 2023 at 2:26 pm
adam from ny Says:
September 8th, 2023 at 2:16 pm
also ronnie brown is waiting in the wangs if i’m correct…
i think he was put on the practice squad…
———
NO, they cut him and didn’t resign him, instead putting that dullard Laird on the PS, despite the fact he looked like a– for the vast majority of his playtime.
Ronnie, by far, was the best looking back in the preseason. Tucker was fine, Ronnie was better, and Bowles apparently banned him from the team. This sounds personal.
September 8th, 2023 at 2:30 pm
It’s not like Vaughn didn’t have chance this year. He couldn’t beat the other running backs.. He did very little with what carries he got.. I would rather cut him and give Ronnie Brown his roster spot
September 8th, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Going AWOL is inexcusable for the 4th team RB – how is he not unemployed?
Extremely, extremely questionable decision by the HC – immature and selfish behavior should be made an example of, not excused – they are not in high school….
September 8th, 2023 at 2:35 pm
He better be careful he wants to walk out on the team then maybe they should just lock the door and not let him come back. We could always use more salary cap space.
September 8th, 2023 at 2:48 pm
Just goes to show you how Coach Bowles has lost this team. Where there’s smoke there’s fire.
September 8th, 2023 at 2:48 pm
wow rod…yeah i was watching who we signed to the practice squad…i thought we signed both brown and laird…i guess i just assumed brown was no brainer for the ps…
yeah laird looked decent and you know what you get…with special teams and all…
but bowles has gotta take risks…signing brown seemed like the move…
bowles indecisive way of coaching and lack of riskiness is going to cost his his job if the season goes south…
as i googled info on brown, to see if he’s been scooped up, all i see is info on ronnie brown the san diego player…
shephard ronnie brown is a hard to find info on,,,seems he’s still a free agent, apparently unsigned, floating in cyberspace like george jetson…and elroy…
get him back in the building and fast…
i thought he was on the ps and could actually get stolen away
September 8th, 2023 at 2:49 pm
I’ve lightly defended Vaughn, I think he’s acceptable as a backup – but in that role, you’re borderline on the team – and if he’s cut, the most he’s getting is a practice squad job somewhere else, if that.
The idea that a player of that caliber walks out on the team is remarkable, unless he just wants to quit football.
SIGN RONNIE BROWN
September 8th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
who is the keyshawn guy and why is this a story?
September 8th, 2023 at 3:00 pm
He has nothing to complain about unless there is more behind the scenes that has nothing to do with what he’s putting on film. The other RB’s outplayed him and have outplayed him the last few years. If this guy was balling out whenever he got a chance or creating any huge plays then we’d all want him on the field more.
September 8th, 2023 at 3:01 pm
This is Bowles shining weakness at its best ! A disgruntled player who skips practice the first week of the season! He is fourth on the depth chart and should have been released on Thursday morning! This is why Bowles will never be a winner. He is too passive.
September 8th, 2023 at 3:08 pm
I can see it already. The locker room fallout if we start the season losing games.. this is going to be an interesting season
September 8th, 2023 at 3:20 pm
Vaughn lacks consistent vision and he’s not as explosive as White, Tucker and Edmonds.
September 8th, 2023 at 3:27 pm
Keyshaun Vaughn may be the new Jeremy McNichol…
September 8th, 2023 at 3:29 pm
I sat cut him. Playing those kind of games on the week before kickoff? Not a team player….there has to be better available
September 8th, 2023 at 3:41 pm
I’ve never liked him as a runner. He runs soft.
September 8th, 2023 at 3:52 pm
BucsFaninTN … ‘So he acknowledges he walked out but all he did was have a talk with him? That’s pretty weak team management.’
Dlavid … ‘This is Bowles shining weakness at its best ! This is why Bowles will never be a winner. He is too passive.’
Fishhawkbuc … ‘Just goes to show you how Coach Bowles has lost this team.’
Voice of Truth … ‘Extremely, extremely questionable decision by the HC’.
We’re 2 days away from our 1st game of the season, and the 4 of you focus on how our HC opts to give a 4th string running back a 2nd chance? Who gives a rats? He’s paid to be the HC; it’s his prerogative. Is this what this season is gonna be like from fans (?) like you all? Second-guessing every decision that Bowles makes? Same with whoever happens to be our QB that week? Whooppee, can’t wait.
September 8th, 2023 at 3:56 pm
@Rod Munch
Your takes are stupid as ever this offseason
Pre-season
Brown 2.75 YPC
Tucker 3.52 YPC
Yeah, Brown was much better than Tucker
September 8th, 2023 at 4:06 pm
Coach Bowles is in a no-win situation here, and he seems to have handled it the best way that he could. Vaughn did not perform well at all (to say the least) during the pre-season, and he deserved to be demoted by the coaches. To make matters worse, Vaughn (as a grown man on his own) chose to “leave the building” instead of working on his game. Conversely, the coaches wisely chose to promote better running backs over him. Jobs are on the line, and the coaching staff should not elevate someone only because he’s been on the team longer, if that’s the reason. I hope that someone asks Vaughn about it. Now, Vaughn will have to make the most of his dwindling opportunities. It’s disappointing that this has to happen on the eve of the first game. It makes the Bucs look dysfunctional and probably adds more intrigue, but time (or the overall record) will tell if this is a symptom of a larger problem.
September 8th, 2023 at 4:54 pm
We should let him go the way we finally let Donovan Smith go. THANK GOD WE LET HIM GO. Let KC deal with him now. He killed them last night, too! Yeah I thought they should give Ronnie Brown a chance, too! I liked Ronnie Brown at college, too!
September 8th, 2023 at 5:04 pm
Like him a lot but i think he’s done screwed himself out of a job. Hope not though.
September 8th, 2023 at 5:23 pm
kaimaru69 – did you watch the games? If you did, you’d know Browns numbers were ruined since he was taking the carries at the end of the game when they were running the clock to zero, when the teams had all their defense standing on the lines.
Now, in the future, do more than look at box scores, then you’d be less boring.
September 8th, 2023 at 5:30 pm
Mr. Editor Says:
September 8th, 2023 at 4:06 pm
Coach Bowles is in a no-win situation here, and he seems to have handled it the best way that he could.
———-
I think overall your right, but not for the same reason. I think Bowles, being a full grown man, doesn’t want to ruin a kids career over one bad decision, and is giving him a second chance. I’ve never heard anything about Vaughn being an issue before, so I’m guessing this is a first.
Also we don’t know how Vaughn reacted, if he went full emo and balled his eyes out, talked about dead parents/grandparents, etc – maybe he went full guilt trip, who knows.
But I don’t envy Bowles in that regard. If you had a guy who has been doing everything right behind the scenes, yet isn’t making progress, do you want to make an example out of that guy? Or show mercy and say ‘I pardon you’.
I think Bowles probably handled this right, but I also won’t be shocked when Vaughn is cut in a few weeks.
September 8th, 2023 at 5:39 pm
@Rod Munch
I did watch the game, and Vaughn was starting, Brown and Tucker were running with the scrubs. In no way did Brown impress me more than Tucker who had more burst
September 8th, 2023 at 5:42 pm
kaimaru69 – LOL! Tucker had one good run in the entire preseason, on a busted defensive play on a 4th and short where all the defenders feel down. Brown had way more burst, looked electric every time he touched the ball. What were you watching?
September 8th, 2023 at 5:54 pm
ronnie brown….last spotted in aisle 11 at publix on dale mabry with a bag of doritos…
on speaker phone with jameis…
jameis giving ronnie specific instructions…
go to deli counter and order 5 pounds of crab legs…
then soldier straight out the store…do not pay, do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars…
“b-line out the f’in store ronnie” is what he said
September 8th, 2023 at 6:02 pm
but on a serious note…yeah they probably should have signed brown onto the practice squad…it makes sense
September 8th, 2023 at 6:36 pm
how was he not cut?
ridiculous.
poor leadership to keep him
September 8th, 2023 at 7:08 pm
Rod … ‘I think Bowles probably handled this right, but I also won’t be shocked when Vaughn is cut in a few weeks.’
Agree with you on both counts Rod. Vaughn played a lot of S/Ts for us, and so maybe that’s why Bowles opted to keep him, at least for now. Over the course of this next month, chances are very good that the Bucs roster will change by several players. I would expect that Ke-Shawn’s roster spot is one of the least secure.
September 8th, 2023 at 7:58 pm
Why is he still here? Bring Ronnie Brown back as 4th
September 8th, 2023 at 8:14 pm
Keep Sneak, release Bowles. Maybe Vaughn is just tired of the world’s most pathetic O line and a head coach that is a total loser. Lol.
September 8th, 2023 at 8:30 pm
Ronnie Brown please
Let Sneak go to Barber school
September 8th, 2023 at 8:55 pm
Brown looked good in preseason.
Give him a shot.
September 8th, 2023 at 8:57 pm
Erick Says:
September 8th, 2023 at 1:32 pm
Childish behavior. He’s not good enough to put up with a disgruntled player. Let him go”
Or…keep him and see if it inspires him to try harder in order to prove himself.
September 8th, 2023 at 9:48 pm
I’m with so many others – Ronnie Brown should have at minimum been brought back for the practice squad.
Maybe something about his personality wasn’t a good fit for the locker room???
My pre cut down prediction was that The Bucs would only keep 3 RBs initially on the 53 man roster – that Vaughn would be cut – and that Laird and Brown would be signed to the practice squad. Wrong on 3 out of 4 aspects….
I read speculation on “the other” site that Vaughn likely was only kept because Edmonds was still not deemed 100% at the time and they wanted to be sure of having at least 3 healthy backs available for the Vikings game. Not sure if I buy that…..
September 8th, 2023 at 11:04 pm
Vaughn has been around long enough to have made more of an impact at his position. He sure didn’t flash at anytime I can remember since being on the Bucs. Not surprised he dropped to #4. More surprised he made the cut at all.
September 9th, 2023 at 12:07 am
Bowles is a first class loser
September 9th, 2023 at 12:08 am
Agree 100% with Buc4evr
September 9th, 2023 at 12:46 am
Tucker looked as good and probably better with a week of practices since COLLEGE than all the guys who were here practicing since rookie camp! Stop the cap people!!
September 9th, 2023 at 6:03 am
This is the NFL and in case people in this era do not uderstand…a job. Many have been raised to be eternal victims of every unfortunate thing that happens in there life. Insisting on being a victim keeps you the victom for the rest of your life. I too have tried this and it did not lead to anything good.
While I do understand the disappointment of being demoted. Playing the victim and stomping your feet over it never helped anyone in this type of situation. Get back on the horse and prove them wrong Mr. Vaughn. Part of your job is to be better every day, then get up tommorrow and do it again. Do not accept fourth string! Or being a victim!
Go Bucs!
September 9th, 2023 at 8:13 am
I simply am not a Vaughn Fan. I wish we would have cut him a long time ago.
IMHO, he is not an NFL Running Back, and is in the way of Tucker!
September 9th, 2023 at 10:31 am
Outside of ONE play in three years, Vaughn never “wowed” me.
September 9th, 2023 at 3:17 pm
vaughn had a few flash moments…but they might be hanging onto him to use him as a toss in as trade fodder at the deadline…
or if a team gets desperate for a back maybe you actually can steal like a 5th rounder or something like that for him…
rb’s will be going down weekly before the deadline…he’s a potential useful piece …barely useful, but useful