As The Smoke Clears On The Bucs’ Season
January 15th, 2025
Before the season, if Bucs fans knew the Bucs would win 10 games, nearly all would raise a glass and toast head coach Todd Bowles.
Well, he did that. And many of those same Bucs fans now want his head on a platter.
(Cue Rodney Dangerfield.)
Joe thinks he knows why there is so much anger at Bowles. Of course, the winnable game against the Commandos was not won, ending the season. Big issue there.
And the Bucs likely p!ssed away two or three other wins that may have given the Bucs a more favorable opponent than the Commandos. The galling choke job at Atlanta (where the defense was flamebroiled for over 500 pass yards by a guy just weeks from getting benched), a botched decision to play for overtime on the road against an assassin of a Hall of Fame quarterback, and not looking prepared at all against a very beatable Dallas team where the immortal Cooper Rush nearly killed the Bucs’ playoff dreams.
And yes, Joe understands some fans still have an ax to grind with Bowles over Cooper Kupp, even though that was three seasons ago and before Bowles was even the team’s head coach.
Not-so-closet Eagles fan Ben Solak of BSPN can feel the rage of Bucs fans all the way from Philadelphia.
… the fan base remains frustrated with head coach Todd Bowles, who has been shaky as a game manager and whose defense was the author of many of the Buccaneers’ losses this season. Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Liam Coen has already taken one head coaching interview with the Jaguars, and he might take more now that Tampa Bay is out of the playoffs.
I don’t imagine there will be an immediate shakeup of the coaching staff, but if the Buccaneers enter next season with Bowles and no Coen, it’s reasonable to expect that their offense takes a step back while their defense continues to struggle. Even the NFC South might be more challenging to win next season.
Well, Bowles is coming back. So a new coach is not an option here. This year.
However, it may be time for a shakeup on the defensive staff.
Look, Joe’s not trying to get anyone run, but let’s be real: The NFL is a results-oriented business and the Bucs’ pass defense is not getting the desired results. Not even close.
For two straight years, the pass defense has allowed the fourth-worst yards per game. That’s two straight years. And that’s even with an All-Pro safety, a corner who had 17 pass breakups (third in the NFL) and another veteran safety who the Bucs brought back in free agency.
(In the wild card round of the playoffs, the Bucs allowed the most passing yards of any playoff team. And that happened playing at home against a rookie quarterback.)
Additionally, you had a borderline Hall of Fame inside linebacker and two really good first-round picks at defensive tackles. And fourth-worst passing yards allowed per game is the best you can do? Two straight years?
Even a blind person can see there is something wrong.
Two years ago, the five worst teams in passing yards allowed per game since have changed up their defensive coaching staff, either with new head coaches or new coordinators. Every team but the Bucs (so far). All four improved to no worse than 20th against the pass.
So either the Bucs need to load up on more talent, though they have proven talent on every level of the defense, or the Bucs need some new voices on the defense. Same ol,’ same ol’ isn’t going to cut it.
And maybe, just maybe, the Bucs might have to break down and go out and find a proven pass rusher.
Bringing Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett out of mothballs or signing a dude who can’t put the bong down is pretty much a waste of time and Team Glazer loot.
January 15th, 2025 at 12:03 am
If the Bucs have to choose between Coen potentially taking a HC job and Bowles, they will have Bowles walk the plank.
January 15th, 2025 at 12:24 am
@Joe
SPOT ON! Kancey, Vea, Hall, Gholston, David, Dean, Zyon, Edwards, Winfield gets u 29th in pass defense somethings def wrong with the defense
January 15th, 2025 at 12:30 am
Yes, A decent season is better then a terrible season. This franchise needs to strive for more then a decent season. The Bucs have managed to hang around and be somewhat competitive. If this is the definition of a successful Season then hats off to mediocrity as we have experienced the last few seasons.
January 15th, 2025 at 12:43 am
Tony Dungy turned the entire losing persona around here in Tampa. He fell short in his quest to bring a Super Bowl to Tampa. As I recall he refused to fire his offensive coordinator Clyde Christianson after a dismal offensive year. Tony was loyal to his coaches to a default and was fired. In came Jon Gruden, and a Super bowl with an influx of some offensive changes that ownership wanted.
January 15th, 2025 at 12:48 am
Mike Shula. The Glazers fired him for Father Dungy.
January 15th, 2025 at 12:51 am
“Two years ago, the five worst teams in passing yards allowed per game since have changed up their defensive coaching staff, either with new head coaches or new coordinators. Every team but the Bucs (so far). All four improved to no worse than 20th.”
Wow. This is the article I have been waiting for Joe! We could move up at least 8 spots in the defensive rankings. With a bunch of new defensive pieces on the way I have no idea what we are waiting for.
Damning evidence that Bowles is getting less with more. Add the clock management …
January 15th, 2025 at 1:01 am
First ever pro bowler in Buc history was interior defensive lineman Dave (be ware of the Bear) Pear. The first ever 100 yards in game rusher in Buc history was Sarasota’s own Jimmie Dubose out of University of Florida. I had the pleasure of watching him in high school as he graduated in my sisters class.
Guess I’m showing my old age here, just reflecting a bit.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:17 am
The only flaw with that premise Joe is the Bucs were great against the run. Therefore teams passed much more often than running. We certainly need tighter coverage and more turnovers, but how many games did Josh Hayes and funderburk play (too many)? How about those 2 free agent corners that got injured early in the season? How about AW and JW missing a ton of games? Tykee? Izien? Dean? Zyon?
I don’t think people realize how bad our secondary took a beating.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:23 am
Are you trying to make the case that we have enough talent on defense to be dominant? Or even good?
2 good tackles, a great middle linebacker, a safety who was great last year but mediocre when he played this year, a corner who’s had quite a few pass break ups but also allowed a lot of big plays.
I’d add Tykee and Yaya as 2 more players with high upsides and who played well this year.
That leaves a lot of holes. Nobody could realistically expect Todd, or anybody else, to craft a dominant defense with the personnel we have on our roster.
I don’t disagree with the idea of evaluating our position coaches tho.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:28 am
“For two straight years, the pass defense has allowed the fourth-worst yards per game. That’s two straight years. And that’s even with an All-Pro safety, a corner who had 17 pass breakups (third in the NFL) and another veteran safety who the Bucs brought back in free agency.”
So then why in the world do you keep out articles that question why fans should be skeptical about keeping Flaccid Todd??? You sit here and throw facts about how terrible his defense is, then seemingly criticize the fans that want to see Bowles gone.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:33 am
EVERYONE with two eyes can see bowles needs to go. Short of a super bowl appearance, he’ll be gone after next year anyhow, but sure let’s suffer through another season of incompetence in the meantime 🙄. If his personality was different (like Belichick for instance), he would be fired already. And while I think Licht’s been a pretty good GM (not perfect, none of them are, some big hits, but also some TERRIBLE misses in the money rounds {1-3}), if there’s not some BIG changes forced on bowles, I’m gonna start questioning him too. That’s how bad this has become. This team is just NOT reaching their potential under bowles. He has a ceiling and we’re at it. Every team has injuries. The offense was without one of the best WRs in the league (by the numbers @ the time of his injury) for most of the season. Geodonkey missed tons of time, ME13 missed time, Otten missed time, Jmac did nothing for half the season. And look at their rankings. And that’s ALL of their first year in the offensive system! Most of the defensive players have played in bowles’ scheme their entire careers! The roster needs improved, but it’ll be wasted on bowles. His scheme is dated, flawed, and has been figured out around the league. We’re spinning our wheels with him.
#FIREbowles
#watchLicht
January 15th, 2025 at 1:34 am
Joe Says:
January 15th, 2025 at 12:48 am
As I recall he refused to fire his offensive coordinator Clyde Christianson after a dismal offensive year.
Mike Shula. The Glazers fired him for Father Dungy.
Joe, Clyde Christianson was Tony Dungys last offensive coordinator in 2001.
Dungy’s refusal to fire him is why ownership fired Dungy.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:36 am
I can’t say anyone could have truly thought we were a lock for ten wins Joe. I thought we had the talent for ten or more. Injuries and some unexpected defensive woes. Made ten wins seem far fetched at one point of the season.
Having that NFC South title seems a bit hollow right now though. I gotta admit.
We drafted for defense for how many drafts? AWJ and Vea are keepers but beyond that? Kancey and Diaby? Not taking over games yet. We have failed to develop players or these dudes were never all that to start with.
Go Bucs!
January 15th, 2025 at 1:36 am
Joe never wrote that. But they sure have enough talent not to be the fourth-worst for passing yards allowed per game two years running.
Again, ask any decent defensive coach if he could do something with the talent the Bucs have, he’d jump at the chance. The Bucs have studs on every level of the defense.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:38 am
Looks a bit confusing what I tried to paste and respond to above.
It was not Mike Shula, it was Clyde Christianson, Christianson was Dungys offensive coordinator here in 2001, Dungys last year as a Buc.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:41 am
Not asking for “dominant.” This defense will never be dominant without an edge rusher and the powers that be sure don’t seem to be overly motivated to get one.
Feel free to detail all the productive talent Tennessee, the Jets or Giants had on defense? (Giants have a good line that gets to the passer, will give you that.) All three had a significantly better pass defenses this past year than the Bucs.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:44 am
Be curious to know if there are any other posters that sat in the stands in the inaugural year of 1976?
January 15th, 2025 at 1:44 am
Having elite pass rushers won’t matter is you won’t play aggressive on the back end. The zone is too soft which makes me curious why he wants big corners instead of smaller quick guys who can change direction smoother. Bowles defense is just outdated and there has to be a pro bowler or top flight free agent at every position otherwise it’s another 14-16 weeks of excuses for his poor defense
January 15th, 2025 at 1:45 am
Capt Ahab:
The Glazers after the 1999 season wanted Dungy to can Mike Shula. He refused so the Glazers did it for him. Dungy says he nearly quit over that.
The Glazers wanted Dungy to upgrade the offense. He wouldn’t do it. When he and the Bucs lost twice in a row to the Eagles in the first round, they’d had it and booted him.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:47 am
Just hoping I’m not the only old timer here.
January 15th, 2025 at 1:49 am
Joe seems to have some sort of multi personality disorder.
Just all over the map with incoherent ramblings about awful defense, but Bowles must stay.
Worst defense in the playoffs, but Bowles must stay.
Needs an intervention to change defensive coaches, but Bowles must stay.
Basically every level of the defense needs to be revamped, but Bowles must stay.
Sounds more like the propaganda arm for an organization on the brink of irrelevance.
January 15th, 2025 at 2:07 am
Joe never wrote Bowles “must stay.” But he is staying. Joe’s using common sense and Joe’s been told this. Licht also has been very public about this. Don’t blame the messenger, geez.
“Propaganda?” Not sure you know what that means. So Joe should lie and type that Bowles is getting fired when Joe knows damn good and well it’s not happening (unless something new happens)? That’s propaganda.
January 15th, 2025 at 3:23 am
The Joes should definitely never write something they don’t believe. We come here & listen to the podcast with Ira to get their honest thoughts on all things Bucs. But there has been (IMO) a somewhat negative and condescending tone when referring to the large contingent of Bucs fans that want bowles gone. As if there’s not a substantial case to be made for that. And whether he ends up gone or not, there’s nothing wrong with fans wanting & calling for him to be gone. I will say there are other well known & respected Bucs media people (not national sports guys) that aren’t nearly as convinced bowles is coming back as JBF is. Who’s right is yet to be seen, and I think it’s yet to be decided as well. They’re sure not in any hurry to offer him a contract extension.
January 15th, 2025 at 3:58 am
I have to admit that I figured we would win 10, but maybe 11. The offense was better than I expected. The defense was worse than I was expecting. I was expecting one playoff win. Losing Godwin wasn’t much of a help. I half expected to lose SirVocea Dennis and expect he will be out most of next year too. I expect Kancey to start the year on IR. I just don’t think he likes the swelter. I have no idea if Dean will still be here. I can’t imagine him fetching much in a trade. I’d sure like to see a resurgence from Winfield. David? IDK. I don’t know who’s available in free agency yet. I never know much about the draft till I look at is along with the combine. I think JTS will be a minimum wage guy. Maybe here. Got all Winter and Spring to worry about that. Thanks for the coverage, Joe. Thanks for the great comments, my friends. Think aIll go make a Tom McKewen breakfast. I’m hungry .
January 15th, 2025 at 4:04 am
How many of you remember Tom McKewen? He’s been gone a long time.
January 15th, 2025 at 4:05 am
Betcha Ira Knew him.
January 15th, 2025 at 6:41 am
If Bowles was just the DC he’d be fired by now. he has leverage over the bucs by having
both roles.
i’m sure the ownership team loves someone having leverage over them (sarcasm). if they keep bowles too long they’ll pay a price.
the best solution for the team ownership is force a change at DC and at least start moving towards the post-Bowles era.