Is Todd Bowles Contemplating Opening Up The Offense?
October 23rd, 2023
Opening up offense?
It almost seems like Todd Bowles is ready to adjust his long-held belief that the Bucs must run the ball.
The run game has been trash since early in the 2022 season. The Bucs were the worst running team in the league last year and apparently didn’t see the need to upgrade at running back this offseason, even with a draft loaded with them.
Surprisingly, the Bucs are even worse running the ball than last year with largely the same rotten running backs — led by a misplaced slot receiver — a new offense, a new offensive coordinator, a new offensive line and a new running backs coach,
The common denominator? The RB1 (in theory) Rachaad White.
Bowles was asked if it’s time to face reality that his team is a better passing club and maybe the Bucs ought to start throwing more to kick-start a lackluster offense?
Bowles seemed open-minded.
“I’m not focused on the run, I’m focused on trying to win a game,” Bowles said. “So whatever, if it is passing or running — we do need to run it better but if passing the ball helps us win the ballgame more, than that’s what we will do.”
Well, the clock to decide how the Bucs want to attack teams is ticking. After yesterday’s debacle, the Bucs really screwed themselves in their efforts to make the playoffs. A couple of more losses in a row and it will be time to start focusing on the draft.
So if Bowles is thinking about opening up his offense, leaning more on stud receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, now is the time to make that move. Otherwise, assistant coaches will start breaking down film of free agents and draft prospects long before they had planned to.
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:17 pm
Common denominator is Bowles.
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:22 pm
The last thing you want is Bowles leading a rookie QB to another dumpster fire of a season.
Everything he touches goes to pot. Results actually matter in life.
Some people were meant to be second string.
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:23 pm
Good idea but we’ll need a quarterback who can see over the line. Anyone know where we can find one?
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:34 pm
Carter – Take the last pick in the draft – like SF did.
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:34 pm
Let’s hope that KT has continued to improve his game. That’s the only move that will improve the offense right now. Having Baker throw more will help a little but he will throw more picks.
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:36 pm
Worst run game in the league and a defense that allows nearly every 3rd down conversion is not a recipe for wins.
Lean on your best players, Godwin & Evans not your weakest area on offense.
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:44 pm
Too little too late.
Should’ve had that mindset from game 1.
F this team. Trade all of em.
Keep Evans Winfield and David and wirfs. The rest kick ricks. All of ‘em.
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:51 pm
A defense that is ranked #1 in redzone tds is a good recipe. I can careless how many 3rd downs someone gets if they cant score points. If yards and not points won football games then dirk koetter would have 2 rings
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:53 pm
Ha, what a joke. 17seconds 3 timeouts. Bowles isn’t focused on anything.
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:54 pm
1 the Bucs got to be able to run the ball even if it’s only 20 to 25 percent of the time or they are gonna be one dimensional which we all know what teams are gonna do, extra guys in coverage. We are having trouble now with the passing game so think about that. 2. Joe says if the Bucs don’t improve in the next game or two the staff will be starting to break film and get ready for the draft. Well Joe I think they better be calling other franchises asking about a job. As Jerry Glanville use say NFL stands for Not For Long if you don’t win
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:54 pm
Believe it when I see it…
The Bucs aren’t going to open up anything with Mayfield at QB.
Prepare yourself for more worthless runs up the gut and 5 yard passes.
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:56 pm
He might as well….. The current approach is getting him closer every day to unemployment…. Why not try and win a few games on his way out!….
Love seeing all the FIRE Bowles suggestions… Couldn’t happen to a more deserving guy!….
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:57 pm
“Carter Says:
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:23 pm
Good idea but we’ll need a quarterback who can see over the line. Anyone know where we can find one?”
Mike Glennon is available.
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:57 pm
brutal loss
brutal team
sadly, it looks like Baker is a backup — he’s definitely a great guy to cheer for but those last 2 drives were atrocious
it will be Trask’s turn before long — assuming no miraculous turnaround
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:58 pm
Same O, Same O story different season. I believe I heard this BS before, maybe in 2022? If his plan is to go into Buffalo and shoot it out against the Bill’s, he should be fired on the spot. Allen vs Mayfield in a shoot out is like Bowles vs Andy Reid in a 2 minute warning down by 3 points. A good coach knows when to hold em and when to fold em. If you cannot run the ball you become one dimentional and that = a “L”
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:58 pm
But the defense is the best in the red zone, the problem is the offense has to go 120 yards to get in the end zone when the defense clamps down with the bend don’t break attitude. Usually 95 yard of field and another 20 in penalties that back them up, ooops I mean half the distance to the goal line because we are already backed up.
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:59 pm
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES
Last week, they were preaching patience. Joe, “Could listen to Canales talk about offense all day.” This week, the Bucs offense is terrible, Canales isn’t an OC, and Bowles will sell his soul for a touchdown. The reality is nothing has changed. Neither has a clue how to run an offense.
PREDICTION: We will be Carolina’s first win.
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:05 pm
the statement by bowls sure sound like he is in over his ead. I just try to win…
WELL DUH!
He can not answer a simple question and we expect him to command a team and delegate to coaches, let alone hire the right people.
80% o people would know what is wrong and focus on that thing until it is fixed. todd does not even identify the problem let alone a solution. (he is the problem). It the extra 10-15% of executing that plan that makes people successful. He was given a SB team, staff, players, playbook etc….and friggen burned it to the ground because of his own ego.
I would not let this guy coach my fantasy team.
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:07 pm
So if the reason why our offensive line can’t run block and running backs don’t know where to run is because Dave Canales rushing offense is so “complicated” and “advanced” that our players haven’t been able to learned it yet then does that also mean Super Bowl winning offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich rushing offense was also too “complicated” and “advanced” for our players to learn as well? Or does Joe only accept those excuses when it’s coming from a coach who didn’t hurt his feelings?
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:08 pm
For those morons who keep looking for drafting a qb, we already have one who hasn’t played a single regular game yet. Uh wait, he defeated Baker in training camp including a great performance against Jets on the road.
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:09 pm
NE Fan Says:
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:58 pm
Same O, Same O story different season. I believe I heard this BS before, maybe in 2022? If his plan is to go into Buffalo and shoot it out against the Bill’s, he should be fired on the spot. Allen vs Mayfield in a shoot out is like Bowles vs Andy Reid in a 2 minute warning down by 3 points. A good coach knows when to hold em and when to fold em. If you cannot run the ball you become one dimentional and that = a “L”
^^^^^
You should change your name to “ANY Fan” because you’re “ANY Fan” of whatever team Tom Brady plays for 😂
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:11 pm
Earl campbell couldn’t run behind this offensive line.having said that, the Bucs are still 3-3, and a whole lot of football in front of them. Go bucs
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:14 pm
Still have no risk it personnel, and our line is apparently only good at pass protection, so when in Rome… I think its a really horrible idea to ask our QB to throw 40 times, but its gotta be better than a negative yardage run play.
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:15 pm
Stormyinfl lol. Glennon, but true. I had mentioned several time on this site about Mayfield have a lot of passes batted down, well one analyst magnified that Sunday when he said that Mayfield had more passes batted down then anyone in the league
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:16 pm
That would be just cruel.
Giving Baker all those extra downs might make him um “feel dangerous” – just when Traskites were getting their hopes up. Bucs don’t have to win Thursday either to secure Trask on the bench the rest of the season but the outcome is decided when the game is played and in the NFL it doesn’t always follow Vegas. .
Don’t agree with concentrating on Evans and Godwin though – the defensive well known book now by other teams is shut those two down and you win the game . I kinda loved how the ball was dispersed when Mike was briefly hurt. I think Baker gets too enamored with – where’s Mike? when it should be – where’s the most open man? His MASTERPIECE last season against the Raiders was precisely because he knew none of the receivers long enough to have a preference.
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:27 pm
This is, no matter what anyone tells you, the Brady hangover year.
I would love to see him open up the offense, but there is a problem, actually several problems.
1) The OC is groping his way ahead with his eyes closed. There does not appear to be a progression of complex plays being doled out to add a wrinkle or two each week.
2) The personnel is already over their heads. The QB is starting to go back to street ball and losing any scheme he is supposed to be using. The O-line doesn’t understand the basic techniques of playing as a line. Getting counters and treys out of them is like teaching a pig to sing.
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:41 pm
Might not have a choice w/ a pissed off desperate Buffalo team on a short week at home. I guess Shake n Bake has flamed out. Definitely not first, so we’re last…in rushing O.
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:43 pm
I’d rather see us go down swinging for the fence than this continued display of impotence.
It is embarrassing to continually see our running backs stuffed on short yardage plays.
Let Baker loose…..sure he’ll have some picks……but if they are far downfield it will be like a punt. (Perhaps not with our punter.)
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:50 pm
Lol, Bucs threw 42 times yesterday. Will they increase it to 50? Will it matter?
Will Baker’s Int’s go up? Does Baker read the field well enough, to ever anticipate throws? Has Baker found a suitable offense, after however many? Is Baker the same unchanging QB we’ve seen the past few years?
I know the answers.
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:50 pm
“well one analyst magnified that Sunday when he said that Mayfield had more passes batted down then anyone in the league”
Looked it up – Burrow , Trevor Lawrence and Tua have more this year
last year Burrow and lawrence did too AND Tom had only five less the entire season so basically Baker gives you one more batt every 3 games than tom – height and all.
In other words – nothing to magnify – its one of those stats where people like to ooh and ahh at – but are inconsequential ( and the interceptions from them is not counted under bats but interceptions). The only legit issue with Baker is missing long balls and if he gets more passes per game he is likely to get a better rhythm at it especially with players like Palmer where at least some issues are their timing together.
October 23rd, 2023 at 4:51 pm
Bowles, Canales and Licht dug themselves in this hole by failing to get competent Olinemen and RBs. On top of that there is stubborn insistence on horrible running plays knowing they have inadequate blockers and RBs. This is what happens when you overpay for below average CBs in Davis and Dean and let Whitehead walk. Let this be a lesson and not re-sign White or Evans.
October 23rd, 2023 at 5:06 pm
I’m on the edge of my seat, waiting for the Bucs adjustments.
It should be awesome.
October 23rd, 2023 at 5:11 pm
NE Fan, you couldn’t resist .. lol welcome back just don’t be a ***hole ,Don’t bash our bucs if you are not a fan.. That is our job.. lol
October 23rd, 2023 at 5:24 pm
My only question is, which week do we insert that other guy?
Just to see what he can do? … Maybe spark some offense?
Just a crazy thought.
October 23rd, 2023 at 5:51 pm
Still not sure who the oc is waiting to open up all his offensive on . I hope not the playoffs cuz he might be waiting a long while lol
October 23rd, 2023 at 6:02 pm
The other guy has a total of ONE TD as a pro and that was in pre season! If he can’t scramble to avoid sacks like at least Baker can he will be on the ground with this line for half the game
October 23rd, 2023 at 6:15 pm
I have the solution Bucs fans… start Trask at QB AND… bear with me…. Start Baker at tailback. Maybe our new Mike Alstott is on the team and someone needs to tell him he is not a QB.
October 23rd, 2023 at 6:20 pm
It’s still early, but I believe without some major shake up, yesterday ended our playoff hopes.
October 23rd, 2023 at 6:26 pm
Buffaloes putrid, secondary and overrated Defensive line is just what the doctor ordered. The box score 28+ on the overrated bills. Maybe it sparks something after Thursday?
October 23rd, 2023 at 6:32 pm
Baker is good at head-butting and stiff-arms. He’s definitely a fullback.
October 23rd, 2023 at 6:32 pm
You Baker fans seem Desperate! I guess if I were all in in Baker I’d be desperate and peeved off to. BAKER CAN’T SEEM TO HIT THE BROAD SIDE OF A BARN…..
THAT would be a problem….
Truth is, Trask is Far More Accurate than Mayfield. Sorry to say for the Baker “nut huggers” but it’s THE FACTS and we NEED accuracy DESPERATELY…
Now with that said, I have nor anybody else, a clue when it comes to the ability to scramble when it comes to Trask… Mayfield is a Master at scrambling around BUT when he finally gets the opportunity to take a shot it’s To High, To Far right, To Low and or To far Left.. Mayfield throws NEVER leads the receiver just right, Much Less is even in the same Zip Code.. AND THAT IS WHY MAYFIELD IS NOW WARMING UP FOR HIS TURN ON THE BENCH!
Like it or not, no point in having a guy out there as the QUARTERBACK that CAN’T HIT THE TARGET! This IS the O Lines fault for not giving Mayfield All Day to find a target with a Wide Margin of separation to throw to be don’t forget he’s Not Accurate naturally so he needs time to wind up. I mean he wasn’t bad when he had forever to throw like the O line was giving him for the first few games. UNFORTUNATELY for us all, the rest of the league has figured out how to defeat the O line on almost EVERY PLAY now.
It’s Trask’s turn out of necessity. Since Mayfield can’t find the target, MAYBE TRASK CAN…
ONE TOUCH DOWN IN 8 QUARTERS! WAKE UP PEOPLE! MAYFIELD AIN’T IT!!!!!
NEXT!
October 23rd, 2023 at 6:39 pm
rams comeback win. Denver 24/28 passing win, too . The talent doesn’t go away folks. The conductor needs a decent orchestra to succeed. Look at mcaffery at sf. Tua under McDaniels. You stick with baker , and hope the gm finds a rb before the deadline who can explode ( penny at Seattle?
October 23rd, 2023 at 6:50 pm
“This is, no matter what anyone tells you, the Brady hangover year.”
friggin hilarious
maybe yall might realize it wasn’t brady last year
i know it must give you hope, and comfort laying your blame on someone other than the beloved bowels.
same cats who supported jdub support bowls. idiot. each and every one of yall
October 23rd, 2023 at 7:12 pm
I bet the Glazers are talking and planning there off-season moves now. Todd Bowles is on the hotseat. Jim Harbaugh and others I’m sure are all being mulled over. These week will determine . Let’s Go Bucs!!
October 23rd, 2023 at 7:15 pm
I’m with beer whisperer, Baker is not the guy you want throwing the ball 40-50 times a game. Let’s see what the 6’-5” guy can do.
October 23rd, 2023 at 7:31 pm
Baker may not be the guy, but you dont throw Trask to the wolves with no run game, suspect line play, and throwing 40 times a game. There isnt a single quarterback on this planet that can improve our run game, and I strongly considered Lamar. I would strongly consider premium draft capital in a center and running back before I even worried about a quarterback.
October 23rd, 2023 at 7:45 pm
Every HC wants to win. Every coordinator wants to win. Every player wants to win. And yes, every fan wants to win. Yet when 2 teams play, one’s gonna win & one’s gonna lose. The difference between those 2 teams at the NFL level is usually very slight.
In yesterday’s game, both teams had 30 minutes TOP (Bucs 30:01 vs Falcons 29:59). Both teams had the same number of plays (65 vs 64). Both teams had the same number of penalties (9 each). Both teams had just about the same number of turnovers (2 vs 3). Both teams had roughly the same number of 3rd/4th down conversions (6-for-13 vs 7-for-13). Both teams had roughly the same number of net passing yards (256 vs 245). One team (Falcons 38-for-156 yds) ran rings around the other (Bucs 20-for-73 yds), but the Falcons had more big plays. Final score … 16-13 Falcons win. Close but no cigar.
There are always exceptions to everything, but the game stats usually give a pretty good clue as to why the game turned out like it did. Yesterday the Bucs stayed in the game IMO because of Falcon turnovers (3 critical TOs cost them at least 14 points), but they ultimately won because they made the most big plays when they needed to make them. We didn’t. That was a major problem last year, and it’s still a major problem this year. If the players you’re using can’t git ‘er done, find some who can.
October 23rd, 2023 at 7:45 pm
All this trashing White is overblown. He’s definitely not an All Pro but he’s not terrible. He has speed but not a lot of quickness. If there was some more space he could do something with it. He probably get’s 5 yards a carry behind the Eagles line. The problem is the interior of our line. They can’t run block to save their lives right now. Everybody wants to trade for a back. Nobody’s going to make that much of a difference. Maybe they raise the average from 3.0/carry to 3.1 carry. This isn’t getting fixed until that line is fixed. Maybe Canales is right and it just needs more time. Hard to believe that right now though.
Unless by time he means a couple drafts from now.
October 23rd, 2023 at 8:09 pm
So we address RG only in the draft and 3rd Wr that doesn’t get targets a LG from the trash can and a UDFA at RB with a OC with an emphasis on running the ball bur the problem is we need a new QB? Who is going to block for him? Who is he handing off too? We are 2-3 years from finding a qb. Ww can easily upgrade the line and RB first.
October 23rd, 2023 at 8:10 pm
Oh and fire bowles he can’t even develop a consistently good defense let alone QB
October 23rd, 2023 at 8:32 pm
They had might as well start Edmonds at rb w him back lol
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:02 pm
A good coach adjusts his philosophy to the strengths of his players. Bowles was determined to take an offensive team that was built to throw and score and turn into a Ray Perkins special. Most competent offensive coaches understand that in 2023 you pass to set up the run. On a side note weren’t we told last year that offense was all Leftwich? That Todd never influenced calls but now Bowles is going to open up the offense…….SMFH
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:11 pm
That would make Bowls a slow learner. No risk it no biscuit. To bad he wasn’t there for last Superbowl run.Hmmm. O well, GO BUCS
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:38 pm
Hey rocket scientist Mayfield was under pressure all day. Trask can’t get out of his own way he would have been crushed.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:56 pm
Todd Bowles is an excellent DC, except for the last play against LA. I know he deserves a chance to move up, but sometimes you are what your record says you are. Don’t expect a big turn around.
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:02 pm
The Vikings are showing tonight how to be competitive without a running game.
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:03 pm
Duane in Sanford, I’m an FSU guy, I saw plenty of UF games, Trask can throw the ball all over the field from what I could see. By many accounts he looked the better QB in training camp, by the Joes he has come leaps and bounds from where he was, maybe he continues to get even better. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, the Bucs are going nowhere with Baker Mayfield. He’s been in the league a while, we have seen this guy time and time again for years now. He is not the answer, how much more tape do you want to see of Mayfield? I understand the guy gives a great effort, he tries hard. He just doesn’t have it, he’s a journey man, back-up. No disgrace in that.
Knowing Mayfields ceiling is not high, the Bucs have to give their young QB an opportunity to see what he can do. He’s not taken a single snap in regular or preseason game with Godwin or Evans on the field. Let’s see what he can do. If he fails, then we know we need to draft a QB.
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:23 pm
He did. It was impressive how much Trask improved from OTAs to training camp. It also shows you how low he started from. Canales did an excellent job with him.
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:39 pm
Bowles made that statement because the opposite is true: he obviously cares much less about winning a game than the futility of a run-game with a bad interior O-line.
Achieving “1st and up the middle” capability is like Moby Dick to Bowles. He cares more about having the status symbol of a coach with “a good running game” that he’s squandered the strengths of the team: passing, elite receivers with Evans, Godwin and Rachaad White.
All three did their job well Sunday, despite little help from the play-calling.
Bowles didn’t try to improve the O-line from last year beyond superficial deck chair arranging; he doubled-down on Leftwich by hiring a run-specialist in Canales; who’s just parroting his run-game-obsession of forcing the “un-force-able.”
It wasn’t a bad game, because it was close. The reaction is as if it was a blowout loss; Baker didn’t get the expected level of protection as in previous games, either. He’s being rate as a top ten quarterback this year; what quarterback doesn’t throw interceptions?
And, it’s not Rachaad White (as demonstrated again Sunday), it’s the O-line.
A screen pass to Rachaad instead of “1st-and-up-the-middle-run,” will result in “three n’ outs” being a rare occurrence, imo.
October 23rd, 2023 at 11:02 pm
“I’m not focused on the run, I’m focused on trying to win a game,” Bowles said.
—-
I’d be hopeful that maybe this season can be salvaged if I actually believed that he believes that. But I do not believe that. You can not change your ways at this point in your career. No, he’s convinced that you win by running the ball and playing good defense like it’s 1970. Nothing is going to change that.
October 23rd, 2023 at 11:46 pm
New England Fan is back again.
Anybody notice that when the Bucs lose and New England wins he comments.
NOBODY cares what you think.
You burned your bridge a long time ago.
You can see that bridge from space.
We comment good or bad and will be here for years to come!!!
But I digress obviously!!
I agree with several posts early on.
Bowles must think it’s too late even in game to coach or talk about things.
We ALWAYS have TOs left on the clock, except for when we need them.
Taking 3 TOs to the locker room every half is ridiculous.
We need a QB that can see over the line. Every team deals with batted down passes some, it happens in football, bit it happens way too frequently with Baker. Wanna stop throwing it high and long, get a grownup QB.
Drew Brees learned how to do it. Baker never will.
The offensive run game is so complicated, the RBs and O Line don’t know what to do. Gap plays actually worked better as the announcer even noticed.
That’s because we did it All Last Year. We need a RB with lateral quickness for the Zone scheme to work. Plays In motion are way too obvious, Thompkins jet sweep, Godwins pass etc.
They are supposed to be eye candy unless the guy in man is trailing near the Goal Line.
There are too many thing wrong with this team to believe we are heading in the right direction.
I can’t imagine passing the ball more right now. That will only result in the same play more often.
Major changes need to be made and Bowles doesn’t know what the changes are.
Thats why his teams become a dumpster on offense.
Best remark, RESULTS MATTER. I’m ready for BAs coaches to be gone.
Can you imagine taking Bowles resume to a job interview? It’s like a construction roofer trying to be a NASA engineer because he is used to height.
October 24th, 2023 at 1:49 am
Explain why we don’t use White more to his strengths. Outlet pass out of the back field where he will have one of our tackles in space blocking for him. More sweeps and tosses with him in space going to the edge instead of using a microscope to find a hole between Hainsey and a guard?
October 24th, 2023 at 4:58 am
Its not Whites fault. If you have Baker at QB who throws for on average 200yrds a game you not going to have a running game period. If you cant pass you cant run thats the new NFL. You have to Pass to set up the run unlike the old days when it was run to set up the pass.
October 24th, 2023 at 7:29 am
Umm Joe we are not spreading the ball around, Palmer Thompkins are not touching the ball enough, period. Otten got more this week but not very effective.
I liked getting the ball to our backs a bit though.
If ya can’t run em then throw em.
Go Bucs!
October 24th, 2023 at 7:41 am
DR, would you agree a game with numbers that close is when the coaches decisions are magnified? A perfect example how a coach can loose a game. #99, never said I wasn’t a Bucs fan. I actually believe the Bucs have a great deal of talent and it is Bowles that holds them back.
October 24th, 2023 at 12:42 pm
Bowles is a joke he passed 3 times in scoring range. On a team that had marched down the field all day . 2 runs and it’s overtime. And he never takes the blame . Last yr it offense who’s his scape goat this yr