“He’s Playing With A Short Deck”
November 7th, 2024
Bucco Bruce Arians speaks out.
A Buccaneers Ring of Honor member seems to agree with Joe’s almost-wild assertion that the Week 1 injury to veteran backup cornerback Bryce Hall has cost the Bucs dearly.
So Bucco Bruce Arians joined a Barstool Gambling show last week for a look at the Week 9 NFL slate of games as the panel made picks against the spread.
Joe was fascinated, considering the Buccaneers’ official website lists Arians as a front office employee. If this is now kosher with the NFL, damn, Joe would love to get daily fantasy insights from Buccaneers assistant GM Mike Greenberg.
Arians didn’t pick the Bucs or the Chiefs during the discussion. He only said he wouldn’t bet against Todd Bowles and, as “a betting man I never bet against [Patrick Mahomes].”
Joe heard that latter take and wondered what Arians would have done Monday night after the Bucs scored a touchdown with 27 seconds remaining to pull to within 24-23 of Kansas City. Would he have gone for two?
Regardless, Arians noted Bowles is getting stifled by injuries on his defense.
“He’s playing with a short deck with the corners that he’s got, you know, a couple of young guys in there,” Arians said, presumably of cornerbacks Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk. “The injury bug has hit’em hard defensively in the back end.”
Hayes and Funderburk have been subbing for Jamel Dean (hamstring) and his backup, Bryce Hall (major ankle and leg injuries).
Funderburk is an undrafted rookie and Hayes is an overmatched special teams player with tackling issues.
As Bowles says, the Bucs have to “coach it better and play it better” on defense, but Arians is right. That poker deck is missing its Aces and Kings.
November 7th, 2024 at 11:10 am
What does his short deck have to do with performance? )
November 7th, 2024 at 11:12 am
I’m not a big fan of Hayes but Funderburk has a good chance of being a starting CB in the next year or two.
November 7th, 2024 at 11:14 am
what about the WR depth?
what about the LB?
What about safetys playing like garbage?
Blamming Bowles is incomplete and unfair……
November 7th, 2024 at 11:35 am
Understand his take, but Bowles has all his original cards on the front 7 that are not performing up to par for the most part. The talent appears to be there, but the lack of coaching & development seems to be the issue.
November 7th, 2024 at 11:35 am
But on Bowles mind the defense was ready to give the ball back to the offense in overtime. They just need to COMMUNICATE! Yes also the coaches need to remind Bowles PATRICK FREAKING MAHOMMES IS THE QB FOR THE CHIEFS!!!!! SMH
November 7th, 2024 at 11:48 am
Yeah…I believe our defense has suffered greatly from injuries…which has led to their poor performance. Given that…I also believe TB knows how below average his defense is…which makes his decision to not go for two and the win even more confusing. Why would you take that chance knowing your defense is gassed…and even when not gassed, is below average. idk. I want to support him..but he makes it hard. I’d rather him just stand up and say “this is the best we can do with the talent we have”. We all already know it.
November 7th, 2024 at 11:50 am
what was reasoning behind trading davis instead of dean? because bowles cant adopt his defense to his players?
November 7th, 2024 at 11:53 am
Brain farts AKA DECISION MAKING ABILITIES from our head coach lost this game again! With Patrick Mahomes going against your tired defense and your offense just scoring and being able to run against them you go for TWO POINTS!!!!!
No Bucs fan would have been upset if we lost the game while trying for two points conversion. But to give Mahomes another opportunity is just plain selfish and irresponsible. SMH
November 7th, 2024 at 11:55 am
I’m biased, but agree with my Alabama brother. I know this isn’t an important CB trait, but the guy interviews really well and conveys I tellige CE and thoughtfulness. He has the physical traits to play the position, but the intelligence indicates that he can process information quickly…which bodes well for him grasping his responsibilities. Once he starts reacting, I think he will be really good—it just might take the sort of timeline that it took for Rondé to really get it.
It even looked like that TD he gave up in the first half against ATL was more of a missed assignment for Winfield not getting over quickly enough; Funderburk was playing the underneath zone on him in case of a comeback route.
But this experience is invaluable for both of those guys; I just hope Funderburk gets more exposure (but not *be* exposed!) this year!
November 7th, 2024 at 12:01 pm
Tampa is going to be a very attractive site for both coaching prospects + free agents this off season. This was never going to be a super bowl run team anyway. Just too thin at linebacker and the defensive secondary. But the young talent on this team is remarkable. In the future prospects outstanding. We have our franchise quarterback. He may not lead the league but he’s a top 5 to 10 quarterback. The drive to tie the game was very impressive.
November 7th, 2024 at 12:02 pm
I completely agree. Todd Bowles is playing with Short Deck Energy.
Lol
November 7th, 2024 at 12:08 pm
Let the offense win the game, Todd. How hard is that to do?
November 7th, 2024 at 12:15 pm
Bowles is a few cards short of a full deck
November 7th, 2024 at 12:28 pm
Bucs coach searching for longer deck.
November 7th, 2024 at 12:31 pm
Doesn’t help when you make questionable calls in the game too…
November 7th, 2024 at 12:38 pm
Oxycondomns Says:
November 7th, 2024 at 11:50 am
what was reasoning behind trading davis instead of dean? because bowles cant adopt his defense to his players?
________
CD was more money and IMO not any better than Dean.
Both are injury prone and overpaid.
We did the right thing moving CD for a 3rd round pick.
November 7th, 2024 at 12:48 pm
Mr. No Risk It / No Biscuit would have gone for 2. We all know that.
November 7th, 2024 at 12:50 pm
tally-ho
November 7th, 2024 at 12:58 pm
Arians is a great HC but his opinions of his buddies are blinded by loyalty. He swore Leftwich was a legit OC……the dude couldn’t land QB coaching job at the college level. Bowles is no different….hes a .500 coach that can’t get over the hump.
November 7th, 2024 at 1:02 pm
Yeah Dean and Hall out definitely hurt considering we have little to no pass rush. Congrats to Vea and Kancey on the sacks but the back end was clearly doing something right on those reps cause neither guy shot into the backfield for a quick sack, they took time to work their blocks and get back there.
Still not a great excuse, especially Monday. Why isn’t Izien out there in coverage instead of Hayes? Or Tavierre Thomas goes in at nickel and Smith covers Hopkins. He has options, Bowles just seems to make his life harder all the time with a rigid personnel mindset. Cross train them for 3 years and then don’t know how to deploy them smh.
November 7th, 2024 at 1:22 pm
Joe Says ; If this is now kosher with the NFL…..
^^^^^
I rest my case.
Front office personnel now condone and endorse gambling.
The NFL is corrupt and the fans pay for it.
That is why I am no longer a fan. I am a critic.
November 7th, 2024 at 1:24 pm
What are the roles of the Safeties in this D? The don’t appear to be helping a slow ILB, or effectively compensating for green corners, or even communicating with 4th-8th string CBs. On that pass to d-hop, as Winfield was driving for the ball, he should have been screaming “man,” so he could fly in and crush d-hop…the other 2 dullards would then know to go for “BALL” with either a strip or pop up, imo.
November 7th, 2024 at 1:28 pm
Winfield was the only person who could see everyone on that play, is the highest paid safety in yhe league, and had been starting in Bowles’s D for 3+ yrs. He is obligated to call out that play
November 7th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
Joe, this whole team on defense has tackling issues. They are Pathetic.
November 7th, 2024 at 1:40 pm
Seems like some kind of concerted effort to run cover for Todd Bowles…hmmm
November 7th, 2024 at 1:47 pm
Interesting that Mike Edwards was available, which could have shifted Izien to corner, and they didn’t sign him.
November 7th, 2024 at 1:56 pm
Citrus County
“The NFL is corrupt and the fans pay for it.”
They don’t even try to hide it anymore
November 7th, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Citrus, you’re a critic in the service of what exactly? “Educating” jbf posters? Is that really it? Because if not, you’re just a fan. A critical fan. And that’s okay, let’s call it what it is.
November 7th, 2024 at 2:01 pm
I maintain that the defense is playing poorly because Winfield, Whitehead and David are not able to play their positions. Constantly keeping one eye on your teammate (Britt, Hayes, etc.) makes you play less aggressively and therefore makes it look like you’ve “lost a step.”
November 7th, 2024 at 2:17 pm
I have never seen so many people try to BS people in all my life. Yes in deed fans would have been passed if Bowles went for 2 and missed. You would be here calling him out right now so stop. He decided not to take the points off the board. It’s his choice.
November 7th, 2024 at 2:27 pm
PISSED
November 7th, 2024 at 2:34 pm
Bruce is right! 👍🏼
The corners we’ve been playing in place of Dean are not ready for primetime.
November 7th, 2024 at 2:45 pm
Bucs just need to win this game at home against the 49ers, go 5-5 into the bye. In order to do this, Bucs defense needs to play as well or better than they did against the Chiefs and the offense needs to continue to be hot.
Hopefully the defense will “play like they are coached” and have less “bad plays” as coach Bowles has said.
Go Bucs !! L G !!
November 7th, 2024 at 3:08 pm
Once again- amazed at everyone blaming Coach Bowles.
He just plays the cards hes given.
Jason Licht provides the deck.
Jason drafts the players. Signs the players. Resigns the players. Signs the free agents.
Nobody can predict injuries, but how long have we been without a pass rusher- while Licht refuses to replace the useless JTS?
We cut White and Shaq. Yet didnt have adequate depth yo replace them.
Logan Hall is better, but still. Not good. Gholsten has lost a step.
We lost Hall early, yet made no effort to replace him.
Bad players, no depth. We all yelled in February about a pass rusher, Lb and Cb depth. Yet nothing has happened.
Only The Deck Bowles is getting dealt lacks Kings and Aces.
Kinda hard to blame him, the deck is stacked against him
November 7th, 2024 at 3:18 pm
He wouldn’t have given a Rat’s Tail. Bucs had already Covered.
Doubt he would have bet the Moneyline as he wouldn’t bet against Maholmes straight up but against the spread I could see it.
November 7th, 2024 at 3:57 pm
The defensive scheme is what sucks. Offensive teams have figured out this defense, especially across the middle. And since we have a stink a$$ pass rush teams are toying with us. A loss this weekend spells another disappointing season. With a subpar head coach that can’t get out of the way of his own ego.
November 7th, 2024 at 4:10 pm
I don’t care as much about the weak 2 point conversion decision as I do about Bowels playing zone more than any other team in the NFL. It’s the soft a$$ pass defense and no pass rush at all unless he blitzes that is the problem. If your corners can’t play man to man and bump the receivers off the line then that is on Bowels as well as Licht. I think they can, but Bowels is too afraid the ball goes over their head.
Fire Bowels and hire Liam on a short term contract. Liam will be a head coach next year somewhere. We cannot lose the best offensive coordinator we’ve ever had when you consider the time, players and injuries. Losing Liam will set this organization back worse than losing Doug Williams!
November 7th, 2024 at 5:04 pm
No mention of the damage Travis Kelce did coach?
November 7th, 2024 at 5:18 pm
Steven007 Says:
November 7th, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Citrus, you’re a critic in the service of what exactly? “Educating” jbf posters? Is that really it? Because if not, you’re just a fan. A critical fan. And that’s okay, let’s call it what it is.
^^^^
I have stated clearly that I have followed the Bucs since their inception. I have played sports and followed sports my entire life. I have walked away from MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR and am slowly walking away from the BUCS and NFL.
I am a critic in service of trying to bring to the attention of the fans that are (I believe) being scammed and ripped off by the corrupt corporates. The NFL sells itself to the youth in our country and around the world. I am disappointed that things have evolved to the point where we are today. It may appear to the JBF readers that I am a “soap box” kind of guy but I am not. I’m just a p—ed off former fan that reluctantly lifted the blinders from my own eyes. At some point we all should stand on principle.
Yes, I still want Baker and the Bucs to succeed but I would like for their success to be legitimate and honestly earned. So, I have made the decision that if I cannot count on the integrity of the game and league then I walk away. It will take me some time to “take the cure”.
I understand the money aspect of pro sports. I even understand the gambling aspect. Politics does not belong in pro sports. Blatant corruption should be rebuffed by all fans. If people want to give their hard earned money to the street hustler, so be it, but street hustlers don’t spend millions in marketing to the youth that lack the wisdom of an adult.
In my view the NFL is laughing at their patrons all the way to the bank.
November 7th, 2024 at 7:06 pm
I don’t understand why izien or thomas aren’t subbing in at corner? izien did week one or two and played well.
November 7th, 2024 at 8:48 pm
Citrus County Says:
“The NFL is corrupt and the fans pay for it.”
It’s not corruption if they are up front about it, and they are.
November 7th, 2024 at 8:58 pm
We just took the unbeaten two-time Champs to overtime, without any weapons on the outside. Who else could do that?
November 7th, 2024 at 9:19 pm
Very simply – LovieII IS the short deck.
November 7th, 2024 at 9:21 pm
At least Licht acknowledges there is a talent shortfall. It is going to take a couple of years to fix the defense. Really the defense was also a mess last year. Bucs failed to get stops when they needed it most.
November 7th, 2024 at 10:40 pm
Let’s be honest. No one has ever liked Bowles as the head coach. They have always wanted a white guy who’s popular with the fan base. Sad because he seems to be a decent human being and people are out of control with the comments everywhere
November 7th, 2024 at 11:34 pm
It’s a good point about Bryce Hall and their depth… I”ve pretty much forgotten about him.
Unfortunately Hayes and Funderburk have not looked great.
And our pass rush remains consistently inconsistent.
November 7th, 2024 at 11:37 pm
@Citrus County – they’ve been laughing at the fans as they capitalize on us for a quite some time IMO.
Look no further than the questionable officiating that gets worse year after year, or the excuses for not having pylon cams in 2024!!! Of course partnering with gambling outfits was always going to corrupt it more.
I support the Bucs in my fandom, and watching games, but I also do not let a single of my hard earned dollars go the NFL in any way anymore. Fix the officiating and I’ll start supporting in monetarily again.
November 8th, 2024 at 4:41 pm
Short deck? Ok, maybe, but explain that run defense. That killed. And next time go for two and the win when you have a “short deck” of a defense. Giving Mahomes a chance in overtime was summed up with the coin toss. You all seen Baker’s face. Go Bucs!
November 10th, 2024 at 4:05 pm
The problem has been the defense. Fire bowles and have arians as the interum. Then get Bellicheck in the offseason. The fans have been asking for this.