Between A Rock And A Hard Place
October 27th, 2024
Bucs coach Todd Bowles
So the Bucs lost two of the best receivers in the league. Just before that happened, the Bucs’ run game started to show real signs of life for the first time since 2021.
Logic says with your best two receivers out, the Bucs are going to turn to the run game, right?
Jenna Laine of ESPN isn’t so sure. Oh, she knows the run game has to step up. But in her mind, to overcome everything else, the run game has to play a “perfect” game.
But here is the conundrum.
Even if the Bucs have good production, or even perfect production, running the ball often leads to field goals; passing leads to touchdowns.
You can get away with pounding the ball all the time if you have a good defense. This just in: The Bucs don’t have a good defense. In fact, the Bucs have been playing terrible defense.
If the Bucs try to get in a shootout with the Dixie Chicks, that plays right into their hands because there’s no Evans and no Godwin to target.
So either the defense has to have its best game since Detroit, or the defense needs to get a bunch of turnovers.
The defense, Joe believes, has to play closer to perfect than the run game.
October 27th, 2024 at 1:17 am
The defense is terrible for two obvious reasons. The DC reports to the HC and they’re the same stooge.
October 27th, 2024 at 2:18 am
I believe that the best players on our team atm are on defense. They just have to want to win. The schemes have not been so terrible, but the tackling has been and there is no reason for that except will.
October 27th, 2024 at 5:01 am
Joe … ‘The defense, Joe believes, has to play closer to perfect than the run game.’
I like your bottom-line Joe, and agree with you, to a point. I think it depends on how well Baker does today in the short passing game. If he can find an adequate ‘replacement’ for Chris Godwin, someone he’s really comfortable throwing to, then I think we can score 28-30 points on Atlanta’s defense (assuming that our run game is reasonably productive).
Atlanta’s lost 3 games, and all 3 to teams with winning records (we still have a winning record). Falcons’ turnovers (7 all together) ate them for lunch in those 3 losses (they’ve only had 3 turnovers in their 4 wins). What broke our back IMO was that Cousins was 6-for-9 deep for 146 yards. That’s totally unacceptable & can’t be allowed to happen again.
October 27th, 2024 at 5:21 am
We played “bend but don’t break” soft zone LAST year, and although we gave up a lot of yards, not too many points. Pretty much a 5-6 minute drive that stalled in the red zone, they kick a field goal. What’s different?
October 27th, 2024 at 6:40 am
The only thing worse then todd bowles coaching is jenna Laine questions.
October 27th, 2024 at 7:22 am
The DC answers to the HC, and they’re the same stooge. Bingo! Funny to think Todd does not have one defensive asst to be plucked from some other team to become their D.C.. Canales got a HC job, Coen might too, you see any of his defensive coaches getting promotions? Coaches under Monty got jobs. Herm, Mike Thomlin, who from Bowles defensive staff? The league knows what the Glazers, and Licht haven’t figured out. Bowles isn’t even a good D.C. let alone a good H.C.. His record speaks for itself. Time for a change.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:03 am
Teams rely on young receivers all the time. It is mid season. Macmillan has been coached up and needs experience and targets most of all. Palmer has been around a year and a half. If he isn’t ready he’s probably mid-career at this point.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:03 am
Defense can be better, Bucs do not play a basic defense, when TB has to play with all of the parts to his defense week in me week out (I know everyone has injuries), it limits what he can do. What game has all the key players been available. One week it’s Winfield, or Kancey or Dennis or Dean, that’s communication and trust issues both for players and coaches. Players playing out of position or more snaps than they are accustomed too. Unfortunately, you will not see a completely healthy defense and you will not see Licht make a move to improve the pass rush or LB corp. I still say where is Jamin Davis released by the Commanders, he is fast, who knows maybe you find the Shaq in the bottle with him.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:06 am
Dave Pear are you never happy? Go Bucs!! Excellent team on the rise.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:09 am
The Ravens are a legit Super Bowl contender.
If Mike catches that TD. That means Baker wouldn’t have thrown the interception.
We were whooping the Ravens. And we came back to almost win it. We even got an inside kick.
Our team didn’t give up.
And we played the toughest and most physical team in the NFL.
Everyone who criticizes Bowles is a moron.
We have a great football TEAM.
And that’s thanks to the Coach.
October 27th, 2024 at 8:57 am
Who ever doesn’t think the defense is stuck in the sand is a moron. The Bucs need a good defensive coordinator point blank. We can not stop anyone, it’s obvious Bowles defense has declined each year he has been a head coach. He needs to give up the defensive play, calling to a good defensive coordinator and worry about being a head coach. We have a huge whole in the middle, Lavonte David is not playing like his usual self and KJ Britt is just too slow. you would think Bowles would come up with a game plan to stop teams from exploiting the middle of our defense but he’s not doing it. Time for him to hire a defensive coordinator.
October 27th, 2024 at 10:11 am
With the Beeves D it has to be a shootout to have achaNCE OR IT IS A BLOWOUT.
October 27th, 2024 at 10:21 am
Damn Bucs exploded ONE game and suddenly everybody is saying we have a run game. Even two game stretch isnt considered consistent. I don’t think the run is all we have though, I think we have the receivers to win if McMillon plays the slot. Tucker runs with the most power he would have to get a lot of carries, Bowles isnt a smart coach probably gonna lose
October 27th, 2024 at 11:22 am
This defense isn’t good enough to stop Cousins – see game 1. The Bucs need to win the turnover battle to win.
Coen should stick to his typical game plan and forget this ground and pound stuff. Bake should hit the shorter passes and get YAC yards – focusing on the matchups and play design. I expect Shep and Otton to get 3rd down targets.
October 27th, 2024 at 12:20 pm
First person to say something negative Dave pear at what point in life is it not Todd’s fault just curious