Tony Dungy: Todd Bowles Screwed Up On Timeout Call
December 23rd, 2024
“Hang in there, Bake.”
You know it’s bad when Father Dungy, one of the holy figures in #NFLMedia, calls you out on national television.
So the Bucs got a first down with 54 seconds remaining in the second quarter at the Cowboys’ 10 yard line last night. Great play!
Then Todd Bowles hurried to call his final timeout of the half. What was the hurry?
Dallas had three remaining timeouts and a hot kicker, and their offense had been moving the ball on the Bucs all game to that point.
Bowles said today that the offense needed a timeout. Great. That was a fine answer. But what was the hurry to call it so quickly?
The Bucs could have let the clock run down to, say, 34 seconds. And in reality, Dallas surely would have called a timeout if it saw the Bucs wasting a lot of time. So Bowles loses the argument in two directions.
Dungy threw his dagger on a Football Night In America postgame show.
“I thought this was not the right thing to do,” Dungy said of the Bucs calling timeout with 54 seconds remaining. “… Go up there. Run your next play. You want to score. You’re going to have plenty of time, but they scored with 48 seconds left. [Then] Dallas moves it down; they’ve got a great long-range kicker. He makes it — three points that comes back to haunt you at the end of the game. … The thing to do is line up, run your next play and if you need a timeout, then take it when it’s in the 30s (seconds left) in the 20s. Don’t take it with [54 seconds left].”
Well said by a Hall of Fame head coach and Buccaneers Ring of Honor member.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:17 am
Coach Bowels is not a good head coach. I think he is a nice guy, but he has significant game management issues to go along with his 27th ranked defense.
Bucs need to move on from him and promote Coach Coen.
Otherwise, the Bucs will get a double gut punch with keeping Coach Bowles and allowing Liam Coen to become the head coach of another franchise.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:18 am
Emo-Bowles blows it again. This guy is one odd duck. We just gotta tackle better and it comes down to technique and blah blah blah. Same ole mediocre mumble bumbling anti-social patented speech.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:22 am
Doesn’t matter..One Iota. We lost to a losing team with a backup QB in front of a national attentive audience. The whole USA saw what we’ve been denying all season long…NO DEFENSE. Pull the life support Glazers. Send Bowles packing.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:24 am
The decision to call a timeout at a critical juncture in the game highlights a fundamental issue with Coach Todd Bowles’ ability to manage in-game situations effectively. Time management and understanding the nuances of situational football are crucial for success in close games, and this was a glaring failure on his part. A well-coached team should be prepared for moments where every second counts, and in this instance, Bowles’ actions directly contributed to a loss….
His claim that the timeout was necessary only underscores a lack of understanding of how such decisions can impact the outcome. In high-stakes situations, coaches must not only grasp the importance of timing but also be able to read the flow of the game and adjust accordingly. Unfortunately, Bowles appears to be out of touch with this fundamental aspect of coaching, and his inability to recognize the importance of such moments is damaging. By failing to properly manage the game clock on a regular basis and making decisions that cost the team dearly, it’s clear that Bowles’ approach lacks the sharp, detail-oriented mindset needed to win in these critical moments. His reluctance to address these shortcomings is a major reason why his tenure as head coach has not yielded the desired results. Blame the refs all you want Cooper Rush just like every other QB this year had the best game of his career! Not season CAREER! The only game he’s had better statistically was a 34-10 loss to Houston in which he had garbage time passing yards…
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:24 am
Ouch… that would really hurt to hear you messed up in Dungy’s eyes.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:25 am
The fact that the Bucs lost to an eliminated team and were in the driver seat of their playoff destiny tells me the season is over and the Bucs need a coaching change.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:31 am
Todd Bowels has not been a good NFL head coach, so we can’t suddenly be surprised when these things emerge. He is probably a great guy but the facts speak for themselves. He has been a good DC in the NFL before but the defense is currently the issue with the Bucs. Without a pass rush, the secondary gets exposed. We might sneak into the playoffs this season but we are going nowhere with this HC and this defense.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:34 am
You go up there and guarantee you were getting that 7 after using it. Don’t think so. Fumble. Gee has that happen,pick? Yup.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:36 am
“Dallas had three remaining timeouts and a hot kicker…”
We are NEVER to speak of that kicker again! Man, that guy is good!
As to Bowles managing timeouts, it’s been part of the issue all along.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:38 am
They made plays.We did not. We had plenty of chances to win quit crying.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:42 am
Just ask yourself what the Bucs record would be if Reid and Spags or O’Connell and Flores were coaching. That’s not a shot at Coen, add a legit DC and maybe we have one of those duos next year.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:46 am
There were a lot of bad drops too. Shephard is a drop machine. Always is. He makes a couple good catches here and there, but the majority are dropped by him.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:47 am
Another 1st magnitude Bowles Blunder in an important game. When you get the same mistakes over and over and expect different results what is it called……
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:48 am
Offensive line played poorly last night too. Mayfield did his best…but the defense swarmed to him constantly.
On the bright side…facing that kind of defense could lead to improvement for the playoffs (if a miracle occurs and we get in).
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:52 am
I really respect Coach Bowles, however Tony Dungy is correct.
The Bucs do great on the hurry up. They need to keep it going throughout the game.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:56 am
As many have stated, Todd Bowles is probably a great guy, but not a good head coach. Aside from the game mgmt miscues, why does he keep running out his predictable blitz-focused defense? Didn’t he learn his lesson with the Zero coverage nonsense in the Rams playoff game 2 years ago? GIVE THEM A DIFFERENT LOOK!
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:58 am
There will be 5 different players next year on the defensive side that started last night. The defense has played poorly for two years. Three fundamental defensive problems : 1) No edge pass pressure; 3) poor tackling; and, 3) poor coverage skills. Collectively they add up to a poorly performing defense which is supported by the low team rank. Was impressed with the Cowboys secondary and hitting skills. Good defenses get the ball back when the their team needs it.
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:08 pm
The issue isn’t a lack of intelligence. Not everyone can quickly think on their feet. Heck, I make better decisions when I have time to study and think. Bowles proved he was a great DC when he had the time to craft the defense against Mahomes in the Superbowl. He has also proven that he cannot accurately make successful game-time decisions. He needs to change lanes.
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:09 pm
Bowels has consistently proven to be the worst in game manager of any head coach in the NFL. A leopard cannot change his spots. It’s time Glazers, it’s time.
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:15 pm
An inexperience guy like Coen is not going to help in game decisions. If we get a new HC, it needs to be a seasoned vet, not a new guy like Koetter – I mean Coen
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:18 pm
Fundamentals fundamentals fundamentals coach Bowles. This is supposed to be basic game management decision making
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:22 pm
When Father Dungy…one of the nicest guys on the planet as well as “not” known as a clock management maven in his day…mentions you made a mistake…you made a mistake.
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:24 pm
First time poster, love the site and dedicated fan base.
I’ve gone back and forth on Bowles he’s definitely helped build a good culture for the team and always will appreciate him giving us a solid defense during the SB. But his time is respectfully over and I hope management makes the right decision. Time and time again we’ve had average to below average QB’s torch us, a clearly poor defensive game plan to begin a game with adjustments made at halftime and a team underperforming during must-win/winnable games. And then the excuse being poor fundamentals, etc. that’s poor coaching. That is all evidence of a poorly coached team. And this isn’t just this year either, we have a good opportunity to make a great decision in promoting Liam. The Bucs historically have never had such a great offense which should only improve. It’s set up perfectly for the team moving forward, I just hope the best, professional decision is made and that the loyalty and nostalgia from the Arians era doesn’t cloud their judgement.
Regardless of how the season pans out I’m excited for the future of the team and we’ve been thru far worse lol
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:28 pm
I read where Capt. Obvious said the same thing as Tony.
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:31 pm
Don’t be a stranger! 👍 Thanks for the kind words.
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:32 pm
Lamenting fundamentals in week 16 points directly at coaching. Does he not understand he just indicted himself?
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:35 pm
Was just thinking last night … if the Glazers fired Dungy due to a subpar Offense .. they’ll surely fire Bowles over his defense, and lack of HC qualities Dungy had.
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:37 pm
Half the teams in the league can win the NFC South past few years
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:54 pm
Joshua Says:
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:24 am
——
That is the best explanation of Todd’s failures as a head coach. He will never win a Super Bowl like that. Rewind to the Bucs 2020 successful Super Bowl run: does anyone think he goes for it at the end of the first half up in Green Bay? No chance. He seems like a good man but he’s not a good head coach.
December 23rd, 2024 at 12:59 pm
the whole first half was a nightmare defensively
makes sense to limit the D’s exposure as much as possible and get into the locker room for halftime to regroup
a strange game that was there for the taking despite missing so many opportunities and getting dominated in the first half — Dallas seemed to be working hard to lose this game in the second half
December 23rd, 2024 at 1:04 pm
It’s a Todd Bowles life.
December 23rd, 2024 at 1:12 pm
You get greedy in that situation and try for a TD and Burn the clock and you can come up empty or at best a FG.
You call time out and get the best few plays for that situation. You can still run the ball with 54 seconds left. just so happened to score on the very next play. seems to me it was a Timeout well spent.
Bowles got a look at an offense that put up 7 points in the first 28 minutes on 4 drives and I am sure he did not want to settle for 3. Get 7 and you’re getting the ball to start the second half. Even with the Cowboy FG at 20-14 Bucs had a chance to take the lead but looked like the Keystone Cops coming out of the Break.
Had the Bucs hurried down and ran a play from the 10, a receiver runs the wrong route in haste and it’s picked then everyone is screaming that he should have called time out and regrouped.
In the case of would of should of had the Cowboy receiver played back to the deep ball on the Drive in question it would have been 1st and goal at the two because the Bucs DB was beat and would have had no choice but get called for PI.
It wasn’t timeouts but Turnovers and near turnovers that decided that game.
Bucs Offense got knocked around and looked weak compared to the Cowboys last night.
December 23rd, 2024 at 1:16 pm
Sad really. When you can see that sitting on the couch. But the guy getting paid millions can’t see it. Is he related to mr leftwich. This will be his downfall. Then tries to defend it with more nonsense. Lovie 2.0. Defensive coordinator at best. Head coach needs to see stuff like this. Every play counts especially with these terrible refs.
December 23rd, 2024 at 1:22 pm
Anymore information about TB “resignation “ ?
December 23rd, 2024 at 1:22 pm
I’m sorry to say it but, how many times has something like this happen ? And how many times have we lost a game because of it?? I think that the Bucs and he are married or something.
December 23rd, 2024 at 1:27 pm
B S answer from Todd! “WE” did not need a absolutly brain dead decision from our head coach smh
December 23rd, 2024 at 1:30 pm
and then there was the time out Todd didn’t need at the end of the Lions playoff game last year and just let the clock run 🏃
December 23rd, 2024 at 1:38 pm
The pressure and tension inside One Buc Palace must be intense today. After the fan reaction the Dungy statement may have been the clincher.
December 23rd, 2024 at 1:51 pm
Bowels is BAD ar a lot of things….
thats why is is one of THE worst HC!
December 23rd, 2024 at 1:57 pm
What could’ve made a big difference? How about some kind, any kind of emotion after the refs make a terrible call? My gosh!! At least act like you’re pissed!
December 23rd, 2024 at 2:22 pm
What way to make week 18 the most viewed week of the season?? I love football but sometimes I think it’s rigged, McMillan had possession of the ball crossing the goal line but losses it to the DB going to the ground but that shouldn’t matter if he had the possession crossing the line…. Anyways we still got this Atlanta is losing to Washington and we can win out
December 23rd, 2024 at 2:22 pm
There are 3 guys that come to mind that should be former Bucs employees soon: Todd Bowles, George Edwards, and JTS.
December 23rd, 2024 at 2:44 pm
Fire Bowles and give the keys to Coen. Bowles has been given too many bailouts these last few years. Last night was a game this Bucs team should’ve won. Coen is going to get wiped up quickly if the Bucs dont make a move FAST
December 23rd, 2024 at 2:46 pm
So what we are saying is let the Cowboys use their timeouts instead because without a crystal ball they would used their timeouts. The whole issue is not to give up yardage to put them in FG range
December 23rd, 2024 at 2:48 pm
This is the 2nd time TD has had to call out Bowles for an inexcusable mistake that ultimately cost his team the game, 1st was the zero blitz that cost us the back to back chance. HEY GLAZERS, WANNA SEE IF GOOD OLE TODD CAN MAKE IT 3??
December 23rd, 2024 at 2:52 pm
Bucs don’t deserve to make the playoffs and Bowles’ team always plays down to the competition and always needs a shot of passion. Bucs need a total redo on defense.
December 23rd, 2024 at 3:00 pm
I will say after charger win last week Bowles locker speech seen u on Wednesday is wrong they shud b back to work on Tuesday when I got on the road u loose that Saturday practice so going back to work on Wednesday is a giant NO NO
December 23rd, 2024 at 3:32 pm
Every season we’ve had a different coach, most of y’all complained about the coach. It feels like y’all don’t remember all the complaining y’all were doing the season we won the Super Bowl. Do you think I don’t remember complaining y’all were doing about Bucco that first year? Y’all complained the next season, every season before and every season after. I also remember the complaining about Coen, now you want him to be the head coach. At some point, it’s not the coaches it’s the players. I guess y’all are forgetting about the complaining that was done when TD was our coach? Now his word is gospel? Even with that time out call, as wrong as it was, we had a chance to win if not for the white fumble!
December 23rd, 2024 at 3:58 pm
I feel like the interception was BS. McMillan had the ball and was on the ground and should have been either a td or ruled down by contact at the 1. The bucs just had lot of bad luck this game along with bad coaching and clock management.
December 23rd, 2024 at 5:06 pm
Bowles has been making these mistakes his entire coaching career.
He simply doesn’t know how to manage the clock, or handle critical game situations. It’s mind blowing that all of us know this, but somehow he still does not.
Can’t wait be stuck with this career sub-.500 loser for another 2 years while we lose Coen and our offense goes back to dirt.
December 23rd, 2024 at 5:08 pm
@BakerBucs – he does that every week. Extra days off left and right, even after losses.
Half the defense still doesn’t know their assignment and none of them can tackle, but hey, I’m sure some extra days off will fix that! I mean it hasn’t worked for the last 13 weeks, but maybe this time will be different, right?
And then people actually wonder why they come out flat…
December 23rd, 2024 at 6:08 pm
As a coach in football for so many years in any capacity, how do you not learn how to use your time outs?! Todd is not HC material. He just doesn’t have the aptitude to understand time management under pressure situations. He’s proven it too many times. If your coach is going to potentially influence the outcome of games, I would be pissed as a player.
December 23rd, 2024 at 7:47 pm
Come on folks , seriously he has never ever, never ever , Ever had any clock management skills at all ……… every experience, Tampa Bay fan and football fan for that reason nationwide put their hand over the eyes at that moment. I mean really you couldn’t blame the glaciers for fire and him on Monday just for that that just can’t be accepted from a coach making 5 to 6,000,000 a year and and and that’s not the first third or fifth time he’s done it he’s done that crap since the day he became head coach.
December 23rd, 2024 at 11:42 pm
In the immortal words of Forrest Gump, “Stupid is as stupid does.”
Thank you,Coach Dungy. How about accepting an interim stint to help out a beleaguered, overmatched friend.
December 24th, 2024 at 8:02 am
Coach no bowls does it again with this move and his poor defensive game plan
December 24th, 2024 at 1:06 pm
Regardless of how this season turns out. Because of the urgency that is going to be to keep Cohen. I smell a coaching change for Bucs if that is what it takes to keep Cohen.