Ian Beckles Likes What He Sees In Bucs
December 30th, 2023
Impressed with Bucs.
Bucs fans, you are watching a good football team right now. You know who says that? Ian Beckles says that.
The former Bucs starting guard and current sports radio personality hopped on his podcast “In the Trenches” to tell everyone the way the Bucs are playing meets his approval.
“I don’t know if they aren’t one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now,” Beckles said. “The narrative at the beginning of this year was, ‘Well, if you get the playoffs you’ll just get killed anyways.’
“Have you watched the Cowboys play? I watched the Eagles play. They are beatable. The Niners are beatable. So who is not beatable in the NFC? The Buccaneers right now are playing pretty good football.”
“What are the Bucs doing well?
” * The Bucs are all of a sudden running the football well. They are running efficiently. You don’t have to run the ball for 190 yards every week.
” * We couldn’t rush the passer. The last two games are the first time I’ve seen the Buccaneers dominate the line of scrimmage. On both sides of the ball. That’s a huge check.
” * Protecting the quarterback. We have protected the passer really well all year. We really have.
“* You have to turn the ball over [takeaways]. My God, that defense doesn’t look the same as it did five weeks ago.It doesn’t. Those guys are flying to the football. That’s fun to watch.”
Beckles said the way the Bucs are playing, he looks forward to Sundays again. Beckles sure was impressed with the win over the Jags.
“Listen, Trevor Lawrence isn’t healthy,” Beckles said. “That’s no reason to get throttled. The Bucs won 30-12 and it wasn’t that close.”
Beckles believes the Bucs are where they are because of quarterback Baker Mayfield.
“I wasn’t a Baker hater but I certainly said, ‘You have to show me,'” Beckles said. “He’s shown me. The Baker haters almost didn’t want him to succeed. It’s time to say that you were wrong. I already did it. I didn’t think he was going to do this — no way!
“And Baker lovers, you didn’t see [what he became this year]. Baker Mayfield has done some growing up here. I’m not sure he has made a bad decision the past two weeks.”
Beckles confessed he’s more of a Bruce Arians guy in that he doesn’t want to see his quarterback truck linebackers like Mayfield did against the Jags because that’s begging to get hurt.
“That Mike Alstott run Baker had? I don’t like it but I love it,” Beckles said. “I see what it does for a team. I really do.”
Beckles believes Mayfield is going to be very popular with several teams’ shot-callers come March when the free agency dinner bell rings.
“There are a lot of teams that would like to have Baker Mayfield right now,” Beckles said. “At $4 million this guy is the steal of the NFL this year, that’s for sure.”
Beckles added you can see that Bucs offensive players are much more comfortable in Canales’ offense than they were previously.
Beckles had other thoughts on the Bucs:
Rachaad White: “The Bucs are figuring out what he does well and he’s explosive in the open field. He’s not a great running back. But if you can get Rachaad White in the open field — he’s winning me over, that’s for sure.”
Mike Evans: “Mike Evans doesn’t look like he’s aged one iota. Mike Evans leads the league in touchdowns. How the hell does that happen this late in your career, seriously?”
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka: “The defense looks like a different bunch. They finally put JTS on the bench where he deserves to be. This defense is clearly better without him in there — you see that, right?”
YaYa Diaby: “YaYa Diaby is leading the team in sacks. Imagine if he was out there to begin with.”
Devin White: “I was all up in his ass last week. Deservedly so. Just because you had a fantastic game doesn’t mean what you did in the past is good, bad or indifferent. That’s one of those games where you watch and you go, ‘Whoa, that’s why. That’s why somebody may pay him a lot of money.’ Devin White was Every. Where.”
Antoine Winfield: “He seems like he’s more than one. … That’s a Pro Bowler, man. That’s a Pro Bowl football player.”
Lavonte David: “He plays at times like there is three.”
Todd Bowles: “At this point I think the Bucs should sign off on Todd Bowles. Tht’s as real as I can be. You have a brand new offensive coordinator. You have a brand new quarterback. Just say, ‘Hey, Todd, this is your team next year.’ If you look at what Todd Bowles has done this year, I’m not sure he hasn’t done the best job in the NFL. I’m not saying he should win ‘Coach of the Year.’ … Tell Todd Bowles he’s coming back next year. Why not? Why not?”
Beckles wrapped up his podcast with words he didn’t dream he would utter a few weeks ago.
“The Bucs are going to the playoffs. I can’t believe I am saying that.”
Let Baker bake 👨‍🍳
(via @NextGenStats) pic.twitter.com/0g2m2okydq
— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2023
December 30th, 2023 at 8:12 am
Love the Ian Beckles breakdowns that you give us joe’s. Keep’em coming!
December 30th, 2023 at 8:28 am
Mayfield never used to throw those touch passes, it was always the fastball. Props to coaching
December 30th, 2023 at 8:39 am
People forget that old man Tom Moore is still in the building as is (I believe) Clyde Christiansen and BA so a very seasoned qb support staff.
December 30th, 2023 at 8:45 am
“Mike Evans: “Mike Evans doesn’t look like he’s aged one iota. Mike Evans leads the league in touchdowns. How the hell does that happen this late in your career, seriously?””
If Mike had better quarterback players in his first half of his career, imagine what his numbers would be in 2023. He’d be knocking on the door of Jerry Rice’s record who had far superior Quarterback play with Joe Montana
December 30th, 2023 at 8:46 am
If Todd Bowles nails a six-game winning streak to end the season, he’s the no-brainer pick for Coach of the Year.
Let’s lay it out: cap troubles, a veteran shake-up, a squad loaded with rookies and undrafted players, plus he’s taken a gamble on a rookie offensive coordinator. All that on his plate, and if he still comes out on top?
That’s not just good coaching; that’s next-level leadership. Seriously, who’s pulled off a more challenging, standout job than that?
December 30th, 2023 at 8:54 am
And don’t throw in the ‘weak division’ crap—nobody was making excuses when coaches like Bill Belichick, Andy Reid, Bill Cowher, Dan Reeves, and others were dominating their divisions.
December 30th, 2023 at 9:03 am
I thought he said a few weeks ago that the Bucs were not a good team. He said that there was no way the Bucs could pull off multiple games in a row. Now that they have he’s supposed to have this analysis superpower where he knows everything concerning this team? I like Ian, but just because you played the game does not mean you understand how to analyze it. That’s a different ball game. It’s not just being able to articulate what you’re seeing but also being in the same ball park of the results with your prediction. Why would I listen to someone who is always so negative about this team when they are down but when they are winning, “Ian likes what he sees in the Bucs.” Stop it.. JTS I get it ok. Not a very good player but c’mon man we gotta hold some of these analysts accountable for some of the bandwagon behavior that is on display.
December 30th, 2023 at 9:05 am
Clyde Christensen was fired 2 seasons ago for being a TRADER to the Glazers for helping Brady do his behind the scenes deal with the Dolphins! Clyde’s loyalty was with Brady believing he would be taken care off with a cushy raise & new job title when he and Brady became Dolphins!!! BA also has ZERO to do with the development of QBs in Tampa. BA is simply paid to golf
December 30th, 2023 at 9:06 am
James – Accountability in such folks is almost non- existent. Good point.
December 30th, 2023 at 9:08 am
That’s lazy…
December 30th, 2023 at 9:10 am
Over the past 47 years, we’ve only been divisional champions eight times, three of them in the NFC Central and five in the NFC South.
Division championships (8)
* NFC Central: 1979, 1981, 1999
* NFC South: 2002, 2005, 2007, 2021, 2022
Head Coach Todd Bowles will be the first to win back-to-back divisional championships.
December 30th, 2023 at 9:20 am
Amen James
December 30th, 2023 at 9:21 am
Who cares? Why is this guy an authority?
December 30th, 2023 at 9:35 am
You all should go listen to Ian’s podcast. He is accountable, he acknowledges what he previously said and that their play now is proving him wrong.
Anyone who was happy and that the Bucs were going to do anything as we got blown out by the Lions and then lost three one score games in a row isn’t holding the Bucs coaches and players accountable. Of course somebody watching those games would come to the conclusion that the team wasn’t any good because during that stretch everything was going wrong.
December 30th, 2023 at 9:42 am
Because he played G for the Bucs for 7 years, played 4 more years in the NFL, lives in Tampa, following the Bucs for the past 20+ years on radio and has contacts inside the organization.
He knows a lot more about good football than most of us ever will.
Been there, done that.
December 30th, 2023 at 9:43 am
That’s why he’s an authority.
December 30th, 2023 at 9:48 am
This guy is all over the place. 6 weeks ago he wanted to blow up the team and let Baker walk.. The one consistent is the fine young ladys he hanging with.
December 30th, 2023 at 9:49 am
LUVMYBUCS Says:
If Todd Bowles nails a six-game winning streak to end the season, he’s the no-brainer pick for Coach of the Year.
—–
Love the enthusiasm but Dan Campbell just won the Detroit Lions their first Division Title in 30 years! He’s got that award locked up.
December 30th, 2023 at 9:59 am
How much did Beckles pay that ‘exotic dancer’ to pose with him? 🙂 My Bucs go 10-7, I will have a field day on here. I stayed patient and understood that this was Bowles’ first year as the ACTUAL Bucs HC. I read about the salary cap noose, new OC, new and cheap QB (another Licht deal), and a bunch of rookies starting. Now, my team is in position to win its Division and possibly a playoff game. Even the sour Clyde Christiansen memories (his ineptitude helped get Dungy canned) won’t change that. Go Bucs and cream the Aints!!!
December 30th, 2023 at 10:04 am
I’ve never understood making Ian Beckles an authority on anything. Dude is just reactionary to whatever happens week-to-week. Yeah, Ian we all watched how good Winfield is, thanks. Go whine some more about losing money at a psychedelic conference.
December 30th, 2023 at 10:06 am
Orlbucfan – you didn’t hear Ian is actually the VICTIM of that exotic dancer. He never wanted to take that picture.
December 30th, 2023 at 10:07 am
Dan Campbell is a good coach BUT how many years have the Lions been picking in the top 10 of the draft????? IF BY NOW THEY AREN’T FINALLY GOOD THEN WHEN is how I view them. If Bowles wins the division & gets beyond the 1st round with THIS team I think he will get alot of votes for Coach of the Year and will be VERY VERY DESERVING OF THE AWARD
December 30th, 2023 at 10:30 am
Ko Kiefer, that dancer is a lot easier on the eyeballs than old man Beckles. Are you telling me she paid him for the pose? Lordy! Hey joes: what is a Bromosa? Homebrewed beer?
December 30th, 2023 at 11:18 am
Bromosa is an excellent beer produced by Big Storm Brewing and is available in reputable establishments.
December 30th, 2023 at 11:53 am
The Bucs are playing about how I thought they would this season. Remember, this team can’t run the ball and is average at best at throwing it. We stop the run well, but with pretty much no pass rush are vulnerable to the pass. (Even with 2 corners making $15m+ we rank 32nd)
But what I didn’t see coming is the Bucs being #1 in turnover differential and that my friends is why the Bucs are 8 and 7. Ranking 4th in Redzone TDs against helps too!
So before we give Baker and company long term big money extensions let’s see them do it for another season or 2. how will this team look when turnover regression to the means sets in?
Bowles is still Bowles – he didn’t learn how to be a head coach all of sudden.
Go Bucs!
December 30th, 2023 at 12:00 pm
All due respect to Ian, some of us did see it. The man dominated the middle of the field in college like no one. 2020 Cleveland was great. He just needed a confluence stars to align ( right oc, weapons, protection), and the cream is rising, unimpeded, to the top.
December 30th, 2023 at 12:10 pm
When your that Ugly most of the time you’ve got to pay for companionship, remember what happened to Sapp ?
December 30th, 2023 at 12:29 pm
Beat the Saints by showing up with the energy and physicality that was shown against the Jags and win. Then we can have the discussion about keeping Todd. But if he doesn’t teach his defensive backs and back 7 what their assignments are in his zone bust pass defense, and force them to execute, it won’t matter.
December 30th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
Proudbucsfan Says:
December 30th, 2023 at 12:10 pm
When your that Ugly most of the time you’ve got to pay for companionship, remember what happened to Sapp ?
_______
Be nice only. ChiBuc is watching.
December 30th, 2023 at 2:00 pm
I expected this team to play more consistently during the season. Ball control offense with a stingy defense. I am pleasantly surprised with No Risk It 2.0. Take chances on both sides of the ball. Its extra house money at this time of year. Still not a Bowles fan, but I will not fault him for taking chances that puts his team ahead. Play aggressive and let the other teams make the mistakes. This team is catching fire, and I would love to see them throttle the Saints tomorrow.
December 30th, 2023 at 7:13 pm
““And Baker lovers, you didn’t see [what he became this year]. ”
Just stop it. We get it.
To save some face past haters are trying to claim – you can’t say you told us so and no one saw this coming.
Well YES we DID – on both counts
We SAW it clear as day because we watched his games while you watched his stats at stinking Panthers. We SAW it clear as day when he torched the Raiders with 24 hours or less prep time ( which took the leashes off him).
We saw it again when he played Denver and passed at 85% efficiency missing just four throws the whole game.
We called it and were told we were ludicrous and moronic to think he could ever play at a solid level. Do some journalism guys – go ask the ENTIRE FAN BASE of the Rams if they are shocked Baker is playing well. Almost all of them will say
– nope. So just take your “We told ya sos” like men and stop trying to revise history of what we told ya.
December 31st, 2023 at 9:11 am
The niners are beatable by us? Say the offense does explode, this is the same defense, they looked like they had 9 men on the field all game long