Predictably, Todd Bowles Ranked Very Low
July 11th, 2024
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
For a team that most NFL sophists believe would bottom out without the skill and leadership of the greatest quarterback whoever lived, to actually win a division, win a playoff game and nearly get to the NFC title game, this is how you reward the head coach?
No. 22?
Apparently so, if you are Cody Benjamin of CBS. Benjamin is the perfect example of what Joe wrote about earlier this morning. Negative Bucs perceptions (not altogether unwarranted) trump results and facts.
Benjamin is no fan of Baker Mayfield. And he is also not stoked about Bowles. So in an unrelated article, Benjamin has Bowles ranked in the bottom third of NFL coaches at No. 22.
22. Todd Bowles (Buccaneers)
Season: 3rd with Buccaneers, 7th as head coach
Career record: 43-58 | Playoffs: 1-2Bowles, who also went 2-1 as the Miami Dolphins’ interim in 2011, isn’t entirely dissimilar from his NFC South counterpart Dennis Allen in that his physical defense tends to mask more conservative game-management calls for a borderline wild-card contender. Still, in the last four years, he’s won a Super Bowl ring and led a playoff win of his own, giving him a touch more authority.
Yup. Bowles was so bad and has so little authority, in Benjamin’s own words, Bowles is barely better than Benjamin’s worst coach in the league, Dennis Allen.
Again, Joe will point to the article earlier this morning. The perception of Bowles is defensive, game-manager, unemotional. He’s not young or hip or a perceived offensive wizard, therefore he’s no good.
Joe compared the perceptions of the Bucs and Packers. Both teams brought back nearly their entire rosters from last year (only the Packers returned more players from 2023 than the Bucs), after being bounced in the divisional round. And even though the Bucs hammered the Packers in Green Bay in December, it is the Packers that will be in the playoffs and maybe win a division due to Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur, per most analysts.
The Bucs? With Bowles and Mayfield? Ick, they’re not making the playoffs!
So where does Benjamin have LaFleur ranked? Why No. 5, of course. So predictable.
See?
July 11th, 2024 at 1:17 pm
Bucs were 4-7 going into December last year with a new OC, patchwork OLine and new QB working his way off the trash heap .
Bucs won the division and won respectability in playoffs – the Head Coach had alot to do with it.
This year, Bucs will have an improved OLine, improved RB room, improved WR room and improved DB and DLine room – Mayfield and Bowles have pressure to produce, but one could argue this is the 1st time both have simultaneously a supportive GM and roster to win.
July 11th, 2024 at 1:25 pm
I think it is demeanor, plus some gaffes in clock management. But I think he is decent at his job.
July 11th, 2024 at 1:27 pm
Do the Bucs have a “Time Management/Timeouts” Coach on their staff? If they don’t, why don’t they?
July 11th, 2024 at 1:39 pm
Sounds right to me. Simply put The Bucs are a middle of the pack team. Until they proove otherwise in the upcoming season.
July 11th, 2024 at 1:39 pm
Todd’s record with the Bucs is 18-19 and yes that includes the 1-2 playoff record. Playoff wins are kind of important and should be included.
So, Todd has a losing record as a HC with two franchises. That’s an accomplishment .
I have no quarrel with this ranking for Todd.
But, Todd has seen the light for 2024. Better first quarter scoring on offense. Fewer passing yards given up. 11-6.
#AsToddEvolves
July 11th, 2024 at 1:40 pm
Joe in Michigan:
Pretty sure most if not all NFL teams have one. But this should answer your question.
July 11th, 2024 at 1:41 pm
In 2022 if not for a late 4th QTR drive and a Touchdown against the Rams Bowles ends the season with the same record as Dennis Allen, Artie Smith, and a Panthers Coach even Mayfield couldn’t look good. At the very least the starters would have to play the final game for a shot at the playoffs. Did I mention the 4th QTR Brady comeback against the Cardnials that same season to force and win in overtime? Without that you are looking at possibly a 6-11 season and one game ahead of a sorry ash Rams team both Coen and Mayfield couldn’t make look good and had Coen going back to College Ball when it was all over.
In 2023 Bowles record was the same as Dennis Allen and a few bad plays from a raw QB from losing the Division to Desmond Ridder, Artie Smith, and the Falcons.
Cannot say whether Bowles should be higher on the list but being just ahead of Allen is just about right.
I like Bowles but don’t try to make it seem like he is a couple spots back from Lombardi in all time great coaches.
July 11th, 2024 at 1:42 pm
I will guarantee right now, in the middle of July, the Packers will be fortunate to win a wildcard spot in the NFCN. They have absolutely no shot at winning the division. I don’t care how the Bucs are ranked, I’m confident that we will win the division.
July 11th, 2024 at 1:42 pm
Joe should clean up on the odds he will get…:)
July 11th, 2024 at 1:47 pm
A week from today, boss. A week from today. 🙂
July 11th, 2024 at 2:06 pm
Well lets see… he was handed a team that was the heavy favorite to go to the SB out of the NFC and instead won 8 games while getting Tom Brady his first loses to Atlanta and Dallas. His career record is 43-58. And he’s really really boring.
With a record like that you’re just not going to get a ton of respect.
July 11th, 2024 at 2:21 pm
Not only does Todd have a losing record and no energy, he employs a very conservative, outdated style of football. Preferring to punt at the 40, rather kneeling before halftime to run the clock out because he’s scared of a turnover, preferring a low-scoring, time-eating run-first offense, playing a soft, death-by- thousand-cuts shell zone defense. Not only does this old school brand of football rarely work in today’s NFL, it’s just not very fun to watch.
July 11th, 2024 at 2:21 pm
Dave Pear … ‘Todd’s record with the Bucs is 18-19 and yes that includes the 1-2 playoff record.’
Another way to present that same data is that ‘Todd’s record in the regular season is 17-17 and his playoff record is 1-2.’ That puts ALL HCs on a level plane (17-game regular season) AND gives him credit for even making the playoffs.
And BTW Dave, he’s been our DC for 5 seasons now. His record as a DC: 48-35. And yes, in the past 2 seasons as a HC AND DC, he’s gotten an extremely young team that’s cash-strapped to a break-even record and made the playoffs both years as the NFC South champion. Would you rather be the Panthers?
We’ve had 2 losing seasons in the past 5; 1 under BA & 1 under TB. Somewhat ironically, BA had 2 major advantages: (1) money didn’t seem to be an issue in 2020 & 2021; and (2) he had the good fortune to have one of the best DCs in the business, and didn’t have to worry about that side of the ball. Todd OTOH has been faced with major salary CAP issues AND had Leftwich & Canales as his OCs. Oh and forgot, BA wasn’t dual-hatted like Todd is.
In any event, I’m glad that you’ve seen the light (or Licht, whatever) and project us to go 11-6 this season. I’m still favoring 10-7, but I’m hoping that you’re right & I’m wrong.
July 11th, 2024 at 2:22 pm
I don’t quite know if it was Bowles or Baker but betwinxt the two of them they managed to pull out of their tail spin and make an exciting display in the playoffs. Really, though, Jason Licht is the main driver of the team’s success. This year Licht signed a better class of free agents (better cap room) and had a good sounding draft. It sounds like he signed another hidden gem with Kaylen Deloach. I think Watts and Ramirez will help our edge rush more this year. In December all these talking heads will be claiming they always knew the Bucs would be a much improved team this year.
The Online should be at least a little better.
July 11th, 2024 at 2:31 pm
Bowles is just good enough to give fans a little bit of hope but not good enough to consistently win and innovate. Never will be.
His pass defense hasn’t adapted in 5 years here or gotten better and the way he is bad at managing the clock is laughable. 2023 was a fun season but the only drawback is it kept Bowles around for another year or more
July 11th, 2024 at 2:34 pm
Rod … ‘And he’s really really boring.’
Only to those who don’t appreciate creative defense. Todd Bowles may not be flashy like some HCs, but I’m not interested in watching a dancing bear on the sidelines during the game like some apparently are. Todd has taken us back to our defensive roots (average #8 in Points Allowed since he rebuilt the defense in 2019). If Coen & Mayfield can get this offense also into the Top-10, the Bucs should be able to hang with just about anyone, in regular season or playoffs.
July 11th, 2024 at 2:52 pm
Fred McNeil … ‘He (Licht) signed another hidden gem with Kaylen Deloach. I think Watts and Ramirez will help our edge rush more this year.’
I don’t understand why you’re so enamored with players who’ve accomplished absolutely nothing yet at the big-boy level. Personally I’ll be surprised if even 1 of the 3 makes the team this year. They’ll each have to play lights-out in the preseason to even be considered for the final-53 roster.
I see 2 unknowns who just MIGHT make the final roster. One is DJ Williams, a RB from Univ of Arizona (6′ & 225 lbs). The other is Tyrek Funderburk, a CB from Appalachian State (6′ & 185 lbs). How can you not root for an undrafted rookie named Funderburk? Gene Deckerhoff would go wild when Funderburk gets his first Pick-6.
July 11th, 2024 at 3:28 pm
Both coaches, however they’re viewed usually put pretty competitive defense on the field, some times in spite of the personnel gaps on the depth chart. The clip in the link shows how one of our bread and butter coverages work and with stronger personnel this season.
“Did I mention the 4th QTR Brady comeback against the Cardnials that same season to force and win in overtime”
Oof, Brady threw 2 picks before we scored our first TD with about 8 minutes left in the game, can’t leave that part out. Who looks worse in a game, a defense that allowed 16 points, or an offense that could get out of its own way and into the endzone for 42 minutes of gameplay?
July 11th, 2024 at 3:29 pm
Thanks, Joe.
July 11th, 2024 at 3:37 pm
Didn’t the Bucs face a weak practice squad quarterback, that two-bit rainbow-throwing Penn State guy? Mc-something? Had just one move and that was rainbow all his passes.
McSorley? (Emphasis on “sore.”)
One could suggest letting him put up 16 points was borderline criminal. That was his first and last start. Was out of the league last year. smh
(Has a James Franklin quarterback ever done anything in the NFL? Christian Hackenberg, Sean Clifford the Dog? McSorley? LOL Franklin is sssooo brutal.)
July 11th, 2024 at 3:46 pm
Joe, McSorely didn’t throw any touchdowns and we actually picked him off once.
What’s worse, your defense allowing 1 TD & 3 FGs in 60 minutes or the greatest QB ever struggling to score a TD on the 31st rank scoring defense in the NFL in 41 minutes?
We traded FGs the entire first half, no scoring output in the entire 3rd qtr and James Conner ran for a TD and then our offense woke up.
July 11th, 2024 at 3:47 pm
Defense Rules Says:
July 11th, 2024 at 2:34 pm
Rod … ‘And he’s really really boring.’
Only to those who don’t appreciate creative defense. ‘
———-
Sitting in a soft zone isn’t creative.
You’re living in the past if you think those ‘exotic’ blitzes still exist. Todd lost his edge the moment Arians wasn’t there to kick him in the rear and not let him get complacent.
After getting rid of White and Davis, we can expect even more soft zone this year – otherwise why are you running off guys who excel in man but stink standing around unless you’re planning on doing it more often.
But, I hope I’m wrong and we see an exciting aggressive defense, something we’ve rarely witnessed in the last 2 seasons.
July 11th, 2024 at 3:56 pm
Fred McNeil Says:
July 11th, 2024 at 2:22 pm
I don’t quite know if it was Bowles or Baker but betwinxt the two of them they managed to pull out of their tail spin and make an exciting display in the playoffs.
———-
If you go back and look at the teams they played, and what those teams were doing at the time, I’m afraid the answer isn’t either one of those – it was the Bucs facing a historic streak of teams in the middle of a collapse.
I’ve gone through this before, but I believe out of the teams they beat down the stretch, if you look at the games they played around the Bucs, so the game before and after, I think the record was something like they had just one win combined.
I’m not trying to root against the team, but they were 4-7, then just faced a bunch of teams in the middle of a collapse, plus the Panthers twice (and barely won both games). Also the NFC South isn’t going to be nearly as bad as it’s been, that alone is going to make things a lot more difficult.
I honestly hope I’m wrong – and perhaps something clicked with them, but I worry we’re going to see that 4-7 team again and not get bailed out by the schedule this time.
July 11th, 2024 at 4:02 pm
The talking heads love HC’s with an offensive background and downplay the HC’s with a defensive background. Benjamin lists Bowles career numbers:
“22. Todd Bowles (Buccaneers)
Season: 3rd with Buccaneers, 7th as head coach
Career record: 43-58 | Playoffs: 1-2”
Bowles has his weaknesses (clock mgmt), but he does well with player development. Benjamin’s perspective looks more at career numbers and ignores any possibility of a coach getting better (or worse). I don’t know if Bowles is getting better as a HC (I hope so!) but he certainly outperformed the talking head predictions of a 3 win season last year.
July 11th, 2024 at 4:29 pm
Rod … ‘Todd lost his edge the moment Arians wasn’t there to kick him in the rear and not let him get complacent.’
And yet last year’s defense only allowed 325 points to finish ranked #7 out of 32 teams, the lowest PPG since Monte Kiffin was our DC. Personally I’ll take that every year. A Top-10 defense paired with a Top-10 offense SHOULD have a very good year Rod.
July 11th, 2024 at 5:48 pm
Funderbunk sounds like a possible hidden gem too, but the competition at corner is pretty stiff. I can see him as having a decent chance.
With competition like JTS and Nelson and Gregory I’d say Ramirez and Watts have a more realistic chance. Same with Deloach. He has shown less, but they liked him in OTAs. The competition at ILB is wide open too.
July 11th, 2024 at 5:54 pm
Facts are facts. Spin away.
A .500 coach in the regular season and a loser in the playoffs is a losing record. Yes, Todd as DC was more effective than Todd as HC/DC. I wish Todd would hire a DC so he could be a real HC. As it’s he’s just the DC and hasn’t taken accountability for his two pathetic years of offense.
But that is changing in 2024.
July 11th, 2024 at 7:00 pm
“And yet last year’s defense only allowed 325 points to finish ranked #7 out of 32 teams, the lowest PPG since Monte Kiffin was our DC.“
Rest in Peace to Monte Kiffin.
July 11th, 2024 at 7:15 pm
@Fred McNeil
It took me the entire month of June to find some good cut ups of Funderburk, even as a depth guy I like him same as Keenan Isaac. Fundeburks last 2 years in school he had 26 PBUs, 8 INTs, and took two(saw it was 3 but one got called back for holding). Might need some time to get acclimated to the pro game, but 5’11 4.3 40 with ball hawkish ways, is the exact type low risk-high potential players we should be developing behind our starters. I say for now try him out as gunner, see how he takes to contact and keep on developing him.
Big fan of Judge Culpepper too
July 11th, 2024 at 9:07 pm
How cleaver not to show Coach Bowls record with the Bucs.
3 years, SuperBowl and 2 NFC south titles. Ill take that!
July 11th, 2024 at 9:11 pm
“Last 3 years with Bucs”
2 NFC CHAMPIONSHIPS in 2 years. Yeah, thats a great coach!
July 11th, 2024 at 9:17 pm
Defense Rules Says:
July 11th, 2024 at 4:29 pm
Rod … ‘Todd lost his edge the moment Arians wasn’t there to kick him in the rear and not let him get complacent.’
And yet last year’s defense only allowed 325 points to finish ranked #7 out of 32 teams, the lowest PPG since Monte Kiffin was our DC. Personally I’ll take that every year. A Top-10 defense paired with a Top-10 offense SHOULD have a very good year Rod.
————
Yeah, and I gave credit for that, however remember those numbers were ran up against offensive powerhouses like Atlanta and Carolina. In addition, they sat in that soft zone until there was no other choice when they were 4-7, and then finally they started to play a bit aggressively. But Todd has clearly signaled the defense we’re going to see is that soft zone.
As for the top 10 offense … they were 20th in scoring.
But I agree, a top 10 defense and even a middling Baker lead offense can get the job done, at least in the NFC South prior to this year. But I worry the bar has been raised. We shall see, again, I would love to see a creative, interesting and effective offense and a creative, interesting and effective defense – but what I think we’re going to see is a passive predictable offense mixed with a passive predictable defense.
July 11th, 2024 at 9:18 pm
Capt.Tim Says:
July 11th, 2024 at 9:11 pm
“Last 3 years with Bucs”
2 NFC CHAMPIONSHIPS in 2 years. Yeah, thats a great coach!
———
That would mean the Bucs have been in the Super Bowl the last two years. If that occured, I missed it.
July 11th, 2024 at 9:46 pm
All respect to the Captain – the discussion is over head coaching results. As a DC reporting to an excellent HC, Todd did a great job. He hasn’t been that as a HC, as his record shows. He’s diminished as a defensive performer, his offense is stale bread.
But, we will see the changes he knows he needs to make in 2024.
11-6
#AsToddEvolves
July 11th, 2024 at 10:31 pm
These beauty ci test awards I guess are about image more than reality.
Jbf does its thong without playing tge image game. Gotta respect that.
Of we fired bowles tomorrow, help me find a long term upgraze
July 11th, 2024 at 10:37 pm
defense that allowed 16 points, or an offense that could get out of its own way and into the endzone for 42 minutes of gameplay?
Kind of like the most important game of the year in 2023 where the QB threw for 137 yards and couldn’t get the ball in the end zone at all?
July 12th, 2024 at 4:23 am
Coneheads gonna cone
July 12th, 2024 at 9:09 am
Loved the spirited discussions, gentlemen. Much to digest. Keep it up.
Go Bucs!!!
July 12th, 2024 at 10:00 am
Matt LaFleur is 56-27 as a HeadCoach, Bowles is 43-58, want more respect, win more games than you lose, simple.
July 12th, 2024 at 1:51 pm
Facts annoy some people, JD.
July 12th, 2024 at 8:30 pm
And – if Todd’s pass defense keeps giving up yards like they were sandwiches at a homeless shelter, you can kiss that “seventh in points allowed” mirage good bye. Check out Monte’s defenses. You didn’t see them allowing yards galore while praying they could get a stop inside the ten. The current Bucs might as well just give the other team the ball at the Bucs 20 to start the drive. You can’t keep defying the laws of physics indefinitely before getting burned.
But, Todd knows this and is implementing needed change.
#AsToddEvolves 11-6
July 12th, 2024 at 10:51 pm
Rod
“ Two NFC SOUTH championships.
Tried that post on my phone.
Big fingers, small phone.
Couldnt get that damn post right.