Todd Bowles And Bucs Own December And January
December 12th, 2024
GM Jason Licht talks about his head coach, Todd Bowles.
Here’s one for you: Since 2023, the Bucs are not a team others want to play when football counts.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles has said the real NFL season begins in December. There, including January games, the Bucs are pretty damn good.
The Bucs are 7-1 in December and January in the regular season under Bowles. Throw in playoff games and the Bucs are 8-3.
Popular national sports TV and radio personality Adam Schein brought up this topic on his show “Schein on Sports” yesterday when he welcomed Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht on the air.
“Schein on Sports” airs on the “Mad Dog Radio” channel exclusively on SiriusXM.
Licht said the reason for such a dominant last two months is largely because of one man: Todd Bowles.
“I will start with the head coach, Todd,” Licht began. “Unwavering attitude and just the way he leads the team. And we’ve been through some tough times over the past couple of years.
“Last year we were sitting at 4-7 and came back to go to the divisional game. This year? We lost two of our best players in the same game, Mike [Evans] and Chris [Godwin], and now we have a slew of injuries on defense. We may be playing with our fifth inside linebacker and fourth safety this week.
“But [injuries have] never been used as an excuse by our head coach or our players.”
Licht later summed up the key trait explainig why the Bucs have played so well late in seasons.
“It is the character of the team,” Licht said.
He cited team leaders such as Lavonte David and Antoine Winfield, among others, who help keep their teammates dialed in.
Ultimately, Licht said, the credit begins with Bowles.
“Todd preaches to the team every day that December and January football is when it matters,” Licht said. “That is a testament to our coach and the way that he’s been leading our team.”
Joe remembers last year when the Bucs lost six of seven games and appeared doomed, only to rally and scare the Lions in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Then Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales was asked why the team, losing six of seven, didn’t fold or panic. Canales quickly pointed to Bowles. Canales noted Bowles’ even-keeled demeanor and how he never gets rattled rubbed off on the team.
Put your head down and work.
Call it the calm in the storm.
December 12th, 2024 at 12:43 pm
Now, if we can just get 3 more wins. 4 would be nice, but I think 3 should do it.
December 12th, 2024 at 12:47 pm
I’ll take it. How does that compare to our previous head coaches? Could he be the best coach we ever had in dec n jan. Wow. Bowles is the man when they play man. Go BUCS
December 12th, 2024 at 1:09 pm
When it comes to understanding his players, keeping them motivated, and overall team morale Bowles seems like a great coach. If he can just improve his time management / end of game decisions, and be a little more aggressive in certain situations he could really be a top 5 coach in the league. Right now he’s about top 12 IMO so not terrible but room for improvements.
December 12th, 2024 at 1:25 pm
The guy’s dealing with injuries like he’s running a MASH unit—fifth linebacker, fourth safety? It’s not always pretty, but this team grinds out wins when other teams would fold
December 12th, 2024 at 1:30 pm
The Brady effect. Tom showed this team what it takes to win.
December 12th, 2024 at 1:30 pm
😂😂😂😂😂😂
December 12th, 2024 at 1:35 pm
8-9 and 9-8 and we are 7-1 Dec/Jan? That just means we somehow got the tough games at the beginning of the year and the easiest portion on the back end. Not like Bowles had some magic elixir or strategy he came up with.
December 12th, 2024 at 1:36 pm
It’s be nice if the team had the same sense of urgency in September, October and November, rather than waiting for December.
December 12th, 2024 at 2:10 pm
If only we could play below average teams all year we’d have the best record in the league. I guess we can see where this is going for next year
December 12th, 2024 at 2:10 pm
I like it when most of us are positive. You are right on 1993.
GO BUCS!
December 12th, 2024 at 2:38 pm
Licht surely must be mistaken . He needs to check with the Mensa candidates on this board ! They know Bowles and s horrible . Silly rabbit.
December 12th, 2024 at 2:41 pm
Man, the trolls can’t like that stat….
December 12th, 2024 at 2:46 pm
Take us there Todd!
December 12th, 2024 at 3:03 pm
Pewter power, lions, eagles, and Washington are not easy wins, ohhh and the 9ers and KC (who the Bucs took to the limit) were in the last SB if you didn’t know.
December 12th, 2024 at 4:03 pm
“Bucs coach Todd Bowles has said the real NFL season begins in December“
I wish he’d preach something like “The NFL season never ends. Championships are won TODAY! Do your best TODAY!”
December 12th, 2024 at 4:06 pm
Typical JL taking credit for things he had nothing to do with. I remember the bucs doing the same thing under tony dungee. Shen asked, he said it was the weather. They had better practices than teams up north. So no, it not todd bowels. The bucs have always started slow 1/2 of season and finished better 1/2 of season.
December 12th, 2024 at 4:21 pm
The bucs have a long history of starting bad and finishing good. Here are a few years i looked up with winning records. You can see the same pattern. SO, no JL. It’s not you or todd bowles. Tony dungee said it’s because the bucs get better practices in because of warm weather.
1998 started 1-3. ended 4-1. dec and jan 3-1
1999 started 3-4. ended 8-1. dec and jan 4-1
2000 started 3-4. ended 4-1. dec and jan 3-1.
2001 Started 3-4. ended 5-2. dec and jan 4-2
2002 started 3-4. ended 4-1. dec and jan 3-1
2003 started 4-6. ended 2-2. dec and jan 2-2.
2016 started 1-3. ended 6-2. dec and jan 3-2.
2019 started 2-6. ended 4-2. dec and jan 3-2
2020 started 3-2. ended 4-0. dec and ja 4-0.
2021 started 6-3. ended 7-1. dec and jan 5-1.
December 12th, 2024 at 4:27 pm
Go Bucs! Stats speak for themselves. Nice job Coach Bowes!
Detroit/Phila vs all other teams 21-1
Detroit/Phila vs Bucs 0-2
I don’t care how pulled apart this team is for injuries, those teams don’t want to see us again this year.
December 12th, 2024 at 4:51 pm
Coach knows his team, but Baker shows his team. Playing with Heart, Numerous Pains & Sprains, Showing No Fear, and Is a Leader of Men.
December 12th, 2024 at 5:55 pm
Like I’ve said last 3 weeks ,,, win this game ,,, everything else will take care of itself
December 12th, 2024 at 7:02 pm
Pewter power, lions, eagles, and Washington are not easy wins
Agree to disagree Mike C. I think beating a rookie quarterback in his first nfl game and with a new head coach is not a tough task for week 1. Bucs haven’t played with that same intensity they had in week 2 I’ll give them that but the eagles missing their top 2 receivers and Lane Johnson is another story. Plus Bowles usually plays hurts well.
Fine he owns December so this game should be a win.
December 12th, 2024 at 9:27 pm
Since 2023 the Buccaneers have owned December.
Oh, since last year.
December 12th, 2024 at 10:23 pm
I really think that if Bowles would bring in a D coordinator he would be a better HC but he is too prideful.
December 13th, 2024 at 12:29 am
There is one thing no one can deny…Bowles does keep this team fighting until the end of each game.
AI, I think the heat is what causes the injuries…that’s why we get healthier when the temps drop.
But if you look at the good teams that win in the playoffs, they all do better in the second half of the season, with few exceptions. The teams that win 6 or 7 games in the beginning of a season usually lose the first playoff game, if they even get in.
The are a few exceptions to this though. (First Buce SB season for example)
Bowles seems to be the kind of coach who improve in the second half of the season. Even his time management gets better.
Unfortunately, that means stress for fans.
December 13th, 2024 at 1:03 am
Sitting on a Bucs bench……eyeing frilly zones with no intent…..hey Aqualung