“Run The Table And Look Up At The End”
November 12th, 2024
Todd Bowles is a fountain of optimism these days.
No, it’s not because he’s looking at the Bucs’ cotton-soft remaining schedule.
Bowles was filled with optimism during his Monday sit down with dangerous Dan Lucas of WFLA-TV because the team is just very minor mistakes away from a far better record.
The head coach was adamant with Lucas that the team has shown it has what it needs to compete and win, it just has to tighten up and get healthy and refreshed on the bye week.
“It’s one mistake here or there. Whether it’s a penalty or a missed tackle, it’s one thing here or there that turns the tide,” Bowles said. “… If we can clean those things up, we’ll be fine.”
It’s all about internal focus, Bowles says, not focusing on the standings.
However, it’s clear the head coach can see that the Bucs at 4-6 have a huge opportunity ahead with their remaining opponents sporting a combined record of 22-45.
“If we can go ahead and get on a roll and run the table and look up at the end, I think we’ll be fine,” Bowles said.
November 12th, 2024 at 4:24 pm
This quote is going to be hilarious when the Giants upset us. Calling it now
November 12th, 2024 at 4:31 pm
If you can bench KJ Britt, and cover the middle of the field.. we’d be fine.
November 12th, 2024 at 4:34 pm
Easy work with M1k3 back no doubt he will be playing with a fury
November 12th, 2024 at 4:36 pm
I’d be optimistic too if I made millions a year with total job security.
And no repercussions regardless of results.
He’s whistling all the way to the bank!
Get that man a cigar. He’s got tigers blood running through his veins.
Winning!!!!
November 12th, 2024 at 4:38 pm
Part of the problem is the mentality.
Coach Bowles thinks that is only a thing. A miss tackle or a penalty.
Not that the Defense are at the bottom of the league in yards and points.
Not that he continues to make decision mistakes at the last minutes of the game in clock management and situational football.
Despite all the bad, despite our injuries we have close games that were decided in the last 2 minutes and we are 1-4 this season. That comes down to coaching. That also makes it easy to say that the problem is one thing but with that you dont look at the big picture. That you are giving up like 30 points per game and that is not because of a penalty and a missed tackle.
November 12th, 2024 at 5:05 pm
“Run the table”? lol
This team is capable of playing anyone tough, and also more than capable of losing to anyone.
November 12th, 2024 at 5:14 pm
I’m at a point when we play cover 2 or quarters to have Britt already 5 yard deep lol pre snap
November 12th, 2024 at 5:35 pm
I feel much better now.
November 12th, 2024 at 5:37 pm
Our safeties need some PEDs on the bye week 😂
November 12th, 2024 at 5:43 pm
Is giving up 509 passing yards 1 thing or 509 things. I feel like im being told dont believe what you see but what im telling you… Sounds like straight up propaganda
November 12th, 2024 at 5:44 pm
aint runnin shiiiii
November 12th, 2024 at 5:45 pm
Bowles is delusional! .. it’s all candy and rainbows in his world
November 12th, 2024 at 5:50 pm
Giving up 5td passes to Lamar Jackson … Dont believe what you saw… We were close
November 12th, 2024 at 5:57 pm
I seriously doubt they run the table, but it’s certainly not impossible. I think they will, however, end up at 9 wins, with losses @LAC and @DAL. If they flip that @DAL to win, then they’ll probably lose vs the Saints, because that’s how things go. Also, I could see them losing a game to the Panthers and then going to LA and betting the Chargers, but, that’s just how things go.
Will 9 wins get them in? With the expanded playoffs, perhaps.
Obviously 10 wins would be a lot better and greatly increase their playoff chances, and if they did that, they’d go into the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the NFL. So who knows.
Anywho, for all the doom and gloom, things will get a lot easier from here – and Bowles is certainly coaching for his job, so all his dumb decisions like trading Davis and not signing White for free, those are on him and he’s got everything on the line.
November 12th, 2024 at 5:57 pm
Someday I wish I had Joe job, someday I dont
November 12th, 2024 at 5:57 pm
In the 2nd Atlanta game we almost didnt give up another 4 td passes to cousins and we almost didnt give up 3 more td passes to Mahomes vs kansas city… Yep just a play or 2 from perfection
November 12th, 2024 at 6:05 pm
Sorry Rod but im far less rosey on my prediction than you. This team is just as likely to go 2-5 as 5-2. Even after we get Evans back without Chris opposite him the defense will double team him out. We can lean more heavily on our run game but that will mean scoring fewer points and that brings us back to our swiss cheese defence. Can we out enough points on the scoreboard to win most of these games… Im not betting the bank on it
November 12th, 2024 at 6:21 pm
Buchen61 – Well you win by scoring points, so all the Bucs have to do is outscore opponents, and getting Evans back will be huge – as will getting McMillan back. People seem to be completely dismissing the fact the teams best remaining WR was hurt again last week. While McMillan isn’t even remotely in the same class as Godwin, he’s worlds better than the complete garbage they put out there at WR on Sunday. So Evans and McMillan being back is about as big of an upgrade as you can get, and along with Otton make a good trio.
Of course, hopefully, perhaps, they really do look to make White more of the Deebo slot RB/WR combo. I think he’s a real wildcard that would be a huge asset if they’d use him that way. With that said Coen has done an amazing job using Baker correctly and getting a lot out of guys, so if he’s not using White that way, perhaps he just knows something we don’t (which is very likely, obviously).
As for the defense, you can’t start a literal 7th string corner and not think getting your #1 corner back isn’t a huge deal. Dean coming back will help immensely. That in turn should help Winfield as well, who I think is trying to do too much right now – not to mention Winfield has another couple of weeks to get better.
Also the offenses coming up are nothing like the offenses the Bucs have been playing against, and that alone should make them better.
Before the season people were bashing me because I originally had the team winning 8-games, then moved it up to 9-games before the year started. I thought it would sort of go exactly like we’ve seen it go – that murders row was a really really tough slate of games. But it’s all downhill from here, and just playing easier teams, and getting guys back, should make a huge difference.
November 12th, 2024 at 6:22 pm
So every game he is saying if not for “one or two things, missed tackle, penalty, hear and there etc” we will be fine. We clean those up we are fine. Yea that’s a statement of the obvious. If “every game” the Bucs are making 100 “little things” mistakes we will be fine. Geez if we just scored more points than them we will be fine.
Is he not emphasizing the undisciplined plays or “quantity” of screw ups because they are “minor mistakes” ? Playoff teams don’t make minor mistakes and don’t have to “Clean up” 5 or six, or 10 things a game. And when good coached teams review game film I’m sure it’s not … wow we were so close if you just didn’t blow your coverage, or contain or didn’t have a high school player brain fart penalty. It would be fun to have Belichek review our game film with the defense and see if it would be all unicorns and puppy dog tails like Bowles game review.
November 12th, 2024 at 6:30 pm
Just went toe to toe with the two superbowl teams within 5 1/2 days of each other…… without alot of KEY players….. I hate that he is correct.
November 12th, 2024 at 6:31 pm
Buchen61 – oh and with all that said above, I should have added, I don’t disagree with you at all. The team could easily go 2-5 as well. I’m not discounting that at all. I’m not a rah rah guy in the least, but this is a team that beat the Lions, beat the Eagles, beat the Redskins, and beat the Falcons until the refs changed the outcome of the game. They also should have had a real chance to beat the Chiefs if Low T Todd didn’t screw it up – and they were with the 49ers the entire game despite having complete trash players all over the field.
I know people are mad – but the Bucs have stayed in games they had no reason to still be in, and if they can just get back some of these guys, they should be able to handle the weaker teams.
Look at the loses this year…
Broncos – way better than people thought, elite defense
Falcons – RIGGED game
Falcons – Pylon cameras anyone?
Ravens – One of the best teams in the NFL
Chiefs – Best team in the NFL
49ers – One of the best teams in the NFL
It’s not like the Bucs have lost to bad teams, they’ve been beaten by some of the best, and beat some of the best.
They should be fine, hopefully.
November 12th, 2024 at 6:32 pm
Rod im not going to argue with you or dicker if we are using are #7 corner on the depth chart. We have had a historic collapse of our defense regardless of who’s playing in conjunction with absolutely boneheaded decisions from our head coach. If 5 more wins is the expectation im taking the under
November 12th, 2024 at 6:39 pm
I just split my pancreas open laughing so hard. Just get two tufts of circus red hair and glue them onto his temples. Stick the circus red nose on him. Get him a frilly collar to put around his neck. Some makeup, JTS can help.
Perfect look for him. Time for a team picture.
November 12th, 2024 at 6:57 pm
All good points Rod but you will have to excuse my bad luck sheplock outlook…. As a life long follower of all things bucs ive seen all to often this team play down to its competition. I know the team is banged up… Not disputing that… The argument is that w could have won more of those games penalties injuries and all if we had better leadership in the head coaching department. The longer Todd is here the less i trust him… I have zero confidence he can make the right adjustments or decisions… Zero… But again you make great points
November 12th, 2024 at 7:00 pm
It has clearly been more than just “one” thing in these games. I was just thinking earlier, while driving down the road and listening to another one of those just ridiculously BORING interviews on WDAE with whoever that girl is on there… They should play those late at night, since people are DRIVING (Yawn). But, just think of the QB’s we’ve faced… Like, EIGHT of our TEN GAMES have been against ‘TOP-notch’ STUDS. Jayden Daniels, Goff, Hurts, Cousins (TWICE), Lamar, Mahomes, & Purdy!!!! That’s pretty damm ridiculous. STRONG. Thant’s pretty tough and asking A LOT for a very young Defense with zero depth.
November 12th, 2024 at 7:05 pm
Damn. Algo Rhythm is earning the paycheck today. Amazing. Seriously, Jason should sign Algo to the Bucs roster.
November 12th, 2024 at 7:14 pm
Melvin — Cousins, Hurts, and Purdy do not belong in a list with Mahomes, Lamar and Goff. And the depth issue is so much on the Lovie clone. If he told Jason to go get players via trade or the draft, Jason would’ve complied. Lovie totally misjudged Britt as being ready. That is all on Lovie. There are plenty of high caliber players on this defense, Lovie is simply coaching them down to a level of stank so putrid is smells like dead snook.
Four games in hand. Lost all four. A coachtard would’ve won two. Not Lovie.
November 12th, 2024 at 7:19 pm
Just when I was starting to let all this “fire the coach” jargon upset me and what happens? Rod Munch swoops in to save the day. Couldn’t have said it much better Rod. Let’s leave the coach alone until the season is over. It’s only fair.
November 12th, 2024 at 7:26 pm
Says the man who’s the leader of the team and his side of the ball is the problem.
November 12th, 2024 at 7:32 pm
If Rod Munch can become the voice of reason and objective commenting at JBF then the Bucs can run the table – lol.
But seriously Rod, I appreciate your efforts of late !
November 12th, 2024 at 7:34 pm
He got jokes.
November 12th, 2024 at 8:02 pm
OK, “run the table” and make the playoffs. Then what? This defense even with everyone healthy is very unimpressive. The Steelers have an impressive defense as they always seem to do. Tampa Bay does not seem to make stops and get the ball back when they must. Still curious why they are saving Braswell? Find out if he can play. Several Bucs rookies have stepped up and asserted themselves this year. It is past time to find out about Braswell.
November 12th, 2024 at 8:10 pm
win 1 game first
the last 2 games were there to be won at the end
show the fans you have a winning team that can finish games now like Baker was able finish off the Lions at the beginning of the season — then we’ll have some reason for optimism
November 12th, 2024 at 8:13 pm
Run the table? You Kiddin me? The only table this team is runnin is the dinner table where they are helping themselves to seconds and thirds.
November 12th, 2024 at 8:13 pm
Was watching Braswell 2023 Alabama highlights. He doesn’t have a great “bend” from the EDGE but he is quick and relentless. Hope they don’t overcoach this guy. Let him play naturally instead of dropping him into zone coverage. Have a feeling, if they just let the guy play he will be a pleasant surprise.
November 12th, 2024 at 8:22 pm
Bucs have the easiest schedule in the league for the remainder of the season and face 5 of the bottom 6 rushing defenses. They have a chance to run the table to make the playoffs. However, no matter how the season ends (because it wont be a Super Bowl victory) I’d like to see a coaching change.
November 12th, 2024 at 8:24 pm
Anyone can beat anyone on a given day but asDR has pointed out tonight we’ll be facing far less polished offenses this back half of the schedule. That may be what our defense needs to get some Confidence back. We certainly don’t have much swagger on that side of the ball. I think we need to win 6 of 7 to reach the playoffs. Probably won’t happen but if it did – you better believe we’ll have some swagger heading into the playoffs.
November 12th, 2024 at 8:48 pm
A Bucs Fan, I agree for the most part. Unfortunately, if Bowles finds himself in a close game in the divisional round again he likely isn’t going anywhere. That would be a real shame.
Make the title game and I can live with it, even though I think for Bowles to win the big one he will need 4 more impact players on D and the team to stay healthy all the way through. Even then I have my doubts because of his game management.
November 12th, 2024 at 8:57 pm
That Damn Falcons Game is going to haunt us
November 12th, 2024 at 9:27 pm
Bucs have won 40% of their games and are going against teams that have won 33%. The statistically correct outcome would be 4 and 3 in their last 7.
And so what if they make the playoffs. They will be coming off 7 straight games of mediocre opposition to go against elite teams. It would be one and done.
November 12th, 2024 at 9:30 pm
And muncher stop whining about a call early in the falcons game. Falcons were far superior that day and would have made it up instead of taking it easy on their last few drives
November 12th, 2024 at 9:35 pm
You know what it means when you’re looking up right coach Blowles??? You been knocked flat on your back looking at those teams look like they were 67-0 because that’s how you’re defense plays and you don’t have presence of mind to get some needed help when it was available
November 12th, 2024 at 9:40 pm
Nawleans just beat Atl so don’t know if this defense can hang with Carr back. Hope we run the table as a real Bucs fan but realistically we’ll be lucky to go 3-4 with this defense and this coach
November 12th, 2024 at 10:15 pm
Even if we run the table we might not make the playoffs. We are currently only better than 4 teams in the NFC. We will need multiple teams to completely derail over the rest of the season and run the table to have a shot at the playoffs.
November 12th, 2024 at 10:47 pm
He meant “run off the table.” That’s it. Run off the table, Blowes four winnable games. Loses all four. A defense with players who a nominal coachtard like Rich Kotite or Bobby Petrino could at least have won two of those games. Naa. What we haszn here is stank so bad it’s not been seen since Richard Williamson or maybe Leeman Bennett.
The Glazers know, and they hate to be embarrassed. “Losing close” is what Dirk did. In other words, losing games that stats say you should win half of. Losing all of them close is embarrassing.
Jason knows. Even the dead snook knows.
November 12th, 2024 at 11:10 pm
Really? Run the table?
November 13th, 2024 at 12:23 am
Rod Munch pining for the days of Devin White is the only thing worse than the Bucs defense.
November 13th, 2024 at 12:28 am
@Big Wally – the missed face mask on Irving while calling a home against the Bucs was late in the 4th quarter, not sure what you’re talking about.
November 13th, 2024 at 12:28 am
*while calling a hold
November 13th, 2024 at 12:50 am
We’re running out of players and todds running out of time….. i know theres been some close games but with todd at the helm, we’ll be lucky to get 8 wins
November 13th, 2024 at 1:04 am
They absolutely can. Definitely can go 6-1. The schedule sets up nicely.
Get Mike back
Get Dean back
Get Dennis back (his LB speed can be a difference maker)
November 13th, 2024 at 1:10 am
What he meant to say was, “ A missed defensive instruction here, a little better time management there, a better use and non-use of a timeout here, a smarter situational awareness coaching there, having a pass rusher rush the passer here and, a smidge less defensive social distancing calls and we win those games”. Thanks Coach No Accountability.
November 13th, 2024 at 5:29 am
Run the table, or get run out of town.
November 13th, 2024 at 6:25 am
Mhystc … ‘If you can bench KJ Britt, and cover the middle of the field.. we’d be fine.’
I admit that I’ve been very ‘anti-Britt’ in many comments, but will also admit that he’s being used as the scapegoat for poor middle-of-the-field pass coverage. The real issues there are much bigger than just KJ …
o Britt: 27 targets – 20 catches (74.1%) – 1 TD – 61 tackles
o LVD: 44 targets – 39 catches (88.6%) – 1 TD – 72 tackles
o Dennis: 11 targets – 10 catches (90.9%) – 0 TD – 22 tackles
o Dean: 41 targets – 29 catches (70.7%) – 0 TD
o McCollum: 58 targets – 32 catches (55.2%) – 4 TD
o Funderburk: 16 targets – 15 catches (93.8%) – 2 TD
o Hayes: 22 targets – 15 catches (68.2%) – 3 TD
o Tykee Smith: 44 targets – 31 catches (70.5%) – 3 TD
o Izien: 29 targets – 20 catches (69.0%) – 0 TD
o Winfield: 12 targets – 9 catches (75.0%) – 1 TD
o Whitehead: 33 targets – 22 catches (66.7%) – 3 TD
In coverage, Britt is stacking up as our best ILB (ironic isn’t it). LVD is having a bad year … compared to his previous years (Father Time catches up with us all); he’s struggling in pass protection. Dennis was even worse in pass protection, but he was hurting. Funderburk had no business being put into the starting lineup, but Hayes seems to be coming on (sure do hope that Dean makes it back after the BYE though). Tykee’s doing OK overall, except that he’s given up several explosive plays. and too many TDs for a Nickel IMO.
November 13th, 2024 at 6:30 am
Rod … Thanks for all the great inputs on this article. I find it so much more enjoyable to read someone’s comments when they actually take an open-mind, analytical approach to the discussion, as opposed to reading mindless babblings from folks like Fruit Loops that are founded in nothing but hate for Todd Bowles & add zero to the discussion.
November 13th, 2024 at 1:17 pm
Dave Pear – I wasn’t making any effing LIST. I have Mahomes on “a list” that is all his OWN, to begin with.
November 13th, 2024 at 1:21 pm
IF I were making a “list,” DP… I wouldn’t have listed Mahomes SEVENTH among the guys I named now, would I. Period.
November 13th, 2024 at 1:24 pm
Uh,Todd ,it’s week ten and those things gs aren’t ironed out yet!
Time to get a new iron or ironer !
Isn’t that what training camp and preseason is for ?
The glazers must be going to retain your staff after this nightmare !
Close isn’t good enough for the playoffs or a deep run into the playoffs anyway!
November 13th, 2024 at 2:30 pm
We are no doubt competing with high level teams but we are competing with our poor decision making at the head coaching position. Todd rolls up 6-7 wins to end the year and he keeps his job. Is that good for our teams future? Well if we get into the playoffs and make some fire then yes it’s good for our team. We should be more than mediocre though. We should be able to be 7-3, 6-4 at least.