Sympathy For Todd Bowles
November 6th, 2024
Tough times.
Yeah, Joe gets it. Bucs fans are outraged, again, about how the Bucs inexplicably lost another game.
Way too many games the Bucs lose by weird decisions and wild circumstances and the head coach has to explain how these bizarre twists and turns happen to be bad luck.
Now it’s over a day after the Bucs, specifically Bucs coach Todd Bowles, decided to play with matches by giving the assassin in red from Kansas City wearing No. 15 a full overtime period to beat the Bucs.
At the time, Joe smelled something deeper, as if Bowles was ordered or advised to not go for two to give the Bucs the lead with 27 seconds left Monday night.
It was dumbfounding.
After the first question Bowles was asked was about not going for two, he, almost in passing, referenced “wet conditions.” He didn’t elaborate.
Joe asked for a clarification, but Bowles didn’t reference the “wet conditions” remark.
(Joe then looked at the video and sure enough, Bowles said what Joe thought he said.)
Then Joe asked Bowles if he was influenced in his decision by someone in his ear from up above in Arrowhead Stadium armed with stats. Bowles didn’t like that question and tersely told Joe not going for two was not why the Bucs lost.
Yesterday in his day-after presser, Bowles was asked again to clarify his “wet conditions” remark. His response still doesn’t make sense to Joe.
“Well, it started raining more – it seemed like it picked up a little bit at the end,” Bowles said. “Even though we did a good job in it, I thought we could get a stop if we were on defense and the momentum we had on offense, I thought that would carry us into overtime and get us some points.”
So, what did that have to do with “wet conditions?”
Joe learned long ago that if someone is asked the same question repeatedly and the subject offers up a different answer each time, it’s likely because the subject is covering for somebody or something.
Joe is almost sensing Bowles was ordered by the Bucs’ in-house stat crowd what to do.
This isn’t really a stretch for Joe. Football is getting more and more like baseball in that analytics are a dominant thing. And during a baseball season, the MIT types with their finance and computer science degrees order managers on their every move — why else would any sober manager pull a pitcher who is throwing well just because it’s a different inning?
This infiltration of analytics is both good and bad. Good that we have better offensive football to watch. Bad that common sense is thrown out the window.
For all of these people who claim Bowles was in the right citing “stats say to kick,” where in these same stats does it say it’s such a slick move to give the ball back to Pat Mahomes in overtime on his home turf?
As for Bowles leaning on his defense for one stop, well, Joe guesses if Bowles doesn’t believe in his own defense, who will?
That’s sort of a damning indictment for a defensive-minded coach not to show public trust in the defense he built, even though it cost his team a chance to win.
November 6th, 2024 at 3:54 am
Help me to understand why Bowles still has a job? Promote Cohen already. I’m tired of seeing Todd’s face
November 6th, 2024 at 4:10 am
The players are good enough, the head coach is the problem.
November 6th, 2024 at 4:16 am
Common sense says that wet conditions favor an offense. The offense knows the play, the defense has to react. I’m taking my chances on offense, not on defense especially the way the Bucs D was getting driven on.
Stats cannot substitute common sense. I would rather leave management in the hands of those who have played the game rather than the nerds. This is coming from one of those nerds who actually played sports.
If you don’t have skin in the game, then STFU and watch.
November 6th, 2024 at 5:02 am
He said his offense had momentum so he took the ball out of their hands? Two years left on his contract. Small price to pay to make him go away.
November 6th, 2024 at 5:08 am
Agree with everyone. Time for Todd to pack it in and move on. His stupid decisions sink the Bucs in every close game. Coen needs to be the HC next year. Jason also needs to fix the personnel situation with defense. Need about 5 or 6 better players on defense.
November 6th, 2024 at 5:29 am
Sadly, against good football teams there is no margin for error. Bowles and this defense is exposed… I’m happy we didn’t make any trades as well. The smart move is to stay put, let Bowles coach for his career. Besides the 49ers game, there should be no blowout potential in ANY of the remaining games. Barring any further “serious” injuries on both sides of the ball, he’ll have a chance to right the ship and win some football games. If not, we’re looking for new coach.
@ BA’s Red, I disagree with you … the players aren’t good enough. From day 1, this team has lacked a true edge rusher to start the season with hopes we’d see a second year Diaby turn into a Superhero, and somehow JTS in year 4 was going to be someone that he barely showed glimpses of, NONE of that has happened so far. We have an aging ILB in Lavonte David who still has some juice left, but we line him up with a 5th round pick thinking that he’s better than White. Smh.
November 6th, 2024 at 5:38 am
Didn’t understand the whole wet conditions either. We have many wet conditions here and there. And Joe is right about it all being analytics. Good and bad. And here we are again.
The Bucs came back from behind again. The team has it going. Felt as though again we could have won. The entire OT rule leans one way. Both teams should have a fair chance. I will never forget Baker’s face and what I have read on here this past week. Since Monday there has been so much disappointment.
I am on the fence about firing Todd mid-season. The team loves and respects him. Can’t see removing Coen from OC yet either. Certainly, the Glazers are thinking about all of it as the season evolves. Unfortunately, if there is a big cleanup, we may not be happy with that either. Go Bucs!
November 6th, 2024 at 5:39 am
It was a horrible call. Only apologists say otherwise. The guy is mediocre at best and the Bucs are not always good enough to overcome his stupidity. They achieve in spite of Bowles.
November 6th, 2024 at 5:50 am
The HC doesn’t take orders from anyone other than the owners. He made the decision. That’s his M.O. that’s who he is. Not sure why it’s a question..have u not been paying attention?
November 6th, 2024 at 5:53 am
This is like Tony Dungy all over again, do you think Gruden will come back and get us over the hump again?
November 6th, 2024 at 6:15 am
I think Bowles was referring to the wet conditions affecting Kansas City’s offense during overtime, which obviously it didn’t.
I’m sure the Analysts didn’t “order” Bowles. They advise. Bowles doesn’t have a brain nor a backbone so he just went along with whatever they said.
November 6th, 2024 at 6:24 am
Sympathy for Bowles? Really? If anybody should be getting sympathy it should be all the fans having to deal with a bunch of losing & having to deal with it year after year after year after year, etc. It’s even worse when they don’t even try to do anything about it.
November 6th, 2024 at 6:26 am
I actually noticed how it started raining less which then enabled the Bucs to drive down and score the tying touchdown against the Chiefs, saying it raining was raining more is an outright lie. He’s the king of bad luck as a head coach. Please relieve him of coaching this confused bewildered defense.
November 6th, 2024 at 6:31 am
Monday morning quarterbacking is always a no-win situation for any coach. If Bowles had gone for 2 points & we didn’t make it, then Bowles is an idiot going for 2 when settling for 1 & going into OT was the ‘safer’ decision. If he goes for 1 point, makes it, but loses in OT, he’s branded a coward who cost the Bucs a win.
In any event Joe, Bowles made the decision as HC, not the ‘Bucs’ in-house stat crowd’ whoever that is.
November 6th, 2024 at 6:32 am
Reporter: “What can you take away from this game Todd?”
Todd: “WELL WE FOUGHT HARD & FOUGHT UNTIL THE END. WE JUST HURT OURSELVES WITH TOO MANY MISTAKES. WE CAN’T BEAT THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS MOTHER NATURE & THE TAMPA BAY BUCS AT THE SAME TIME.”
I’m sure that’ll be next. He’ll probably blame God for the weather.🙄
November 6th, 2024 at 6:41 am
@Defense Rules
I’ve always said all this analytics stuff is just killing everything. Instead of punting the ball or kicking the FG everybody has to go for it. They all think they’re playing Tecmo Bowl or Madden out there. Look at what he did in the Atlanta game by faking that punt at their own 40 or wherever it was. That was dumb & they didn’t get it & you basically gave Atlanta points right there & that gave them the game in the end. All because THE ANALYTICS PROBABLY TOLD HIM TO FAKE IT. If teams & coaches are gonna do all this then there’s no point of even having people as coaches anymore. They might as well just put a robot in there calling everything. Really.
November 6th, 2024 at 6:48 am
Coward Bowles needs to go be a D.C. somewhere else. If we are going to suck at least let’s lose and leave with our manhood intact. What kinda man let’s somebody make those decisions for him when he’s in charge. No excuses. Rip that ear piece out and go for 2 sissy. I hate hate hate hate hate hate hate that decision did I say I hate it. Everyday this week somebody at work has asked me why we didn’t go for the win. Oh it was the soaking wet field both teams had to play on that’s why fellas haha. Grrrrr
November 6th, 2024 at 6:50 am
I defended Todd Bowles for a time, but those days are over. He’s not a legit NFL head coach, too scared. Coaches scared. The Bucs might win some games against some of the bad teams after the bye, but it’s clear to me that Bowles needs to be replaced after this season.
November 6th, 2024 at 6:50 am
Nobody would be saying he’s stupid for going for 2. Stop it. They would say at least we had the balls to sieze the day… remember that slogan. Instead we seized the hope.
November 6th, 2024 at 6:52 am
Call Gruden.
November 6th, 2024 at 6:55 am
Who would have thought Sirvocea Dennis would be our biggest loss this season. It really sucks man. Go Bucs!
November 6th, 2024 at 7:15 am
Agreed @Drunk. And that was Bowles decision not from someone upstairs. Completely stupid AND cowardly. I’ve defended Bowles as he inherited a tough job rebuilding a cash strapped team with only young untested talent. He’s done a good job bringing them along. However, these constant boneheaded game day decisions disqualify him from being head coach. Good player relationships is great, but the games are won in 60 minutes on Sunday.
November 6th, 2024 at 8:22 am
Being told what to do and say like Cardi B and the rest of those urban voters they tried to use to PANDER. Sad. Common sense ultimately wins out.
November 6th, 2024 at 9:08 am
Feel for the season pass holders. If you don’t have one, don’t buy tickets the remainder of the season. Perhaps that will make the Glazer’s realize it is time for a new h/c.
November 6th, 2024 at 9:37 am
Joe is almost sensing Bowles was ordered by the Bucs’ in-house stat crowd what to do.
Really? If someone else made the call, that person needs to confess because we need to know who is actually running the team.
November 6th, 2024 at 9:41 am
The fans for this franchise are losers or maybe just on here I see everyone wants something different even when we are doing good begging of the season everyone wasn’t hurt and we was winning the comments still said either racial talk or just plain hate talk just say y’all want a white hc with energy to dance on the sideline like sirriani
November 6th, 2024 at 9:51 am
A defensive minded coach not wanting his new rising star OC to get too much credit for the win…kicked the FG wanting the defense to be the star of the game 🙄
November 6th, 2024 at 9:54 am
El HEFE Says:
November 6th, 2024 at 9:41 am
The fans for this franchise are losers or maybe just on here I see everyone wants something different even when we are doing good begging of the season everyone wasn’t hurt and we was winning the comments still said either racial talk or just plain hate talk just say y’all want a white
Dude…. wtf? We want a coach that doesn’t make STUPID decisions, idg af if he is neon green, MAKE THE RIGHT CALL!!!, but let’s drag race into it smh gtfoh
November 6th, 2024 at 10:35 am
500 coach that’s what we have.. finish season and send todd packing.. we have a good offense and jason will draft defense according to who our new def coach is.. Liam will be head coach next year.. I mean we get more out of him on his press conferences than we ever do out of Todd
November 6th, 2024 at 10:41 am
Fire the Bum!
Bowels is dreadful and tiresome….
November 6th, 2024 at 11:17 am
Sympathy? I have sympathy for Baler and Liam.
Not the stubborn horse’s hind end who makes Lovie Smith look like a defensive progressive.
LovieII deserves the pink slip he’s gonna get.
November 6th, 2024 at 11:20 am
El HEFE showing up just in time to pull the race card. Well done.
November 6th, 2024 at 11:44 am
In my opinion, Todd would have gone for 2 if even if Godwin OR Evans was playing. Pouring rain, sketchy receivers, he did the right thing. DefRules also posted my thoughts.
November 6th, 2024 at 1:08 pm
Joe Says ; At the time, Joe smelled something deeper, as if Bowles was ordered or advised to not go for two to give the Bucs the lead with 27 seconds left Monday night.
It was dumbfounding.
^^^^^
Hmmm….There is a certain person named Jackie in Bowles ear during the games. WHY ? Jackie is very good at statistics, ergo, mathematics. Math is necessary for determining probabilities. Probabilities is another word for “odds”. Wagering is guided by the word “odds”. Wake up folks ! All you have to do is listen and observe. WHY IS A PERSON THAT FOCUSES ON STATISTICS IN TODD BOWLES EAR ALL GAME LONG ?
November 6th, 2024 at 1:10 pm
WilieG Says:
November 6th, 2024 at 9:37 am
Joe is almost sensing Bowles was ordered by the Bucs’ in-house stat crowd what to do.
Really? If someone else made the call, that person needs to confess because we need to know who is actually running the team.
^^^^
WillieG seems to get it.
November 6th, 2024 at 1:15 pm
Something is very rotten at One Buc Place.
Don’t forget Todd Bowles saying ” I had nothing to do with that.”.
November 6th, 2024 at 1:39 pm
if he has to listen to some stat nerd in his ear about the game…..Get him Out! Good Grief how disgusting.
November 6th, 2024 at 1:49 pm
20 to 30 pts is enough to win in the NFl. You gotta stop somebody. Its just that simple. We cannot.
November 6th, 2024 at 1:50 pm
Real issue is who ordered the time out at 27 seconds. That put the team in a precarious situation either way with Mahomes on the other side.
November 6th, 2024 at 2:38 pm
I really like TB but is is loyal to a fault. Plus I don’t think he can handle being HC and DC at the same time and he won’t take a demotion to just being DC. So…… if we don’t get in the plays somehow, the Glazers and JL have to rethink things.
November 6th, 2024 at 3:05 pm
So what bowles needs an all pro on every level of the defense to run just an average rated defense? Sounds like a bad scheme and bad coaching. He needs to go it’s time. Pay cohen top dollar to stay as OC and find the best defensive head coach available. Call Vrabel
November 6th, 2024 at 3:46 pm
Why are people calling for Cohen to be head coach already??? the is a *first time* play caller and now is qualified to lead a team better than a veteran HC? See Dave Canales SMH
November 6th, 2024 at 3:49 pm
Also, why is everyone hung up on the last time out??? its not relevant. Nothing negative came of the time out. It sounds regardless of 2 seconds or 27 seconds left after the TD, they were going for 1. I really don’t identify with this criticism over the timeout. who cares? didnt change anything and what ifs dont matter.
November 6th, 2024 at 5:57 pm
I think we had a 50/50 chance of winning the coin toss. Better odds than the 2 point conversion. The defense needs some work..
November 6th, 2024 at 7:48 pm
Excuses, bad luck no, poor decision after poor decision, yes. At the end of a game losing but could win, what the hell is the problem? It’s all or nothing period. What did Mahomes do in the Superbowl losing their asses off to the Bucs? Kept playing his heart out. The whole world knew exactly what was gonna happen But not Todd f-ing Bowles I guess. Maybe it’s a Biden thing or something. Sorry but just like the Saints did last week, I guess you call it a lost season and put the foot on the ass bye f-ing bye. Coen for HC!!