Todd Bowles Didn’t Like The Vibe
January 21st, 2025
Defense needs bodies.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles has taken an absolute beating in the wake of losing to the Commandos last week.
And that really hasn’t let up since the Commandos on Saturday thrashed the Lions, a team rendered somewhat toothless on defense with all of their injuries (not unlike the Bucs).
One decision that has enraged many Bucs fans is the Bucs’ poor defense unable to get off the field when the Commandos had the ball. Bowles kicked a game-tying field goal late and trusted an untrustworthy defense to get the team to overtime.
Last week, Bowles explained in detail why he chose the safe route and tied the game.
Bowles simply did not like the vibe he got from the offense. In short, Bowles didn’t trust it to get a first down, or score points.
“We go backwards,” Bowles began during his final media availability of the 2024 season. “It was fourth-and-3. We shot ourselves in the foot a few times on that drive, so it was easier to tie the ballgame in that [situation].
“If we were moving the ball at ease and getting down there every single time, we probably would’ve went for it. At the time when we were going for it, we had it third-and-1 and we thought we had two downs to get 1 yard. We didn’t get it, we went backwards.
“If we didn’t get it, it was 20-17 and we possibly lose the ballgame, so at least we had the tie and try to get the defense to get the ball back.”
So in essence, Bowles didn’t want to come up empty, turn the ball over on downs and help seal a defeat.
Joe gets why fans are angry. Even if the offense was sputtering, it was still one of the better offenses in football and it had playmakers. The defense didn’t have nearly enough playmakers to force overtime.
The Bucs defense is so thin (pray Lavonte David doesn’t retire) that Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht may even want to explore trading down to stockpile draft picks.
The Bucs need a lot of bodies on defense, so many that Licht might have to break out the Team Glazer AmEx Black Card and buy some.
January 21st, 2025 at 12:06 am
What a winner! He “didn’t like the vibe” and surrendered instead of calling timeout, bringing the team together and doing some (gasp) coaching. No surprise.
This is our Head Coach. And since there is nothing about getting a full time DC so he can actually concentrate on the HC job (which he needs to be best at), he’s gonna continue to do both part time.
Outstanding.
January 21st, 2025 at 12:17 am
Sounds more and more like a guy in way over his head in a position he has NO business being in….
If the Commanders kicked field goals instead of going for it on 4th and goal, they likely score EVERY DRIVE….. Bucs Defense was none existent and DC was/is a joke!
January 21st, 2025 at 12:44 am
Hahahahaha Todd! That’s why we are Cancun right now. Kliff/Quinn and the boys repeatedly having cojones and going for it on 4th down are the reason they are in the NFC championship.
p.s announce coen to the jags
January 21st, 2025 at 12:48 am
“It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” Todd Bowles at his finest.
January 21st, 2025 at 12:55 am
Bucs need to contact Raiders about Max Crosby.
The man is a difference maker and a leader.
I heard an interview with him yesterday. He loves the Raiders but knows they will not contend in that division for quite some time.
He would make the defense instantly better and bring some attitude that it desperately needs
January 21st, 2025 at 1:29 am
Another brilliant blunder.
January 21st, 2025 at 1:52 am
BrianBucs
How’s his coverage skills? 😁
January 21st, 2025 at 3:03 am
all good….we’ll get through….our comeback this next season is gonna be strong
Emmanwori
Revel
Kennard
Skattebo
Debo
January 21st, 2025 at 3:33 am
Joe … ‘Jason Licht may even want to explore trading down to stockpile draft picks. The Bucs need a lot of bodies on defense, so many that Licht might have to break out the Team Glazer AmEx Black Card and buy some.”
Regarding ‘trading down’ for more draft picks Joe, we’ve already got a cupboardful of experienced low draft picks on the defensive roster. They represented poor depth OVERALL and didn’t get the job done when the starters went down. We need more thoroughbreds drafted in the Top 3-4 Rounds. Trading those picks away is counterproductive.
Agree 100% on buying talent this year. It’s pretty clear what our needs are on defense, and filling even some with quality UFAs won’t come cheap. But at the same time, NFL players know that the Bucs have a top-tier offense, still have some quality talent on defense, and if we fix the holes can move up into the Top-8 teams in the NFL & compete for another Super Bowl in 2025 & 2026 at least. Let’s go for it.
January 21st, 2025 at 3:51 am
JMark – spot on!
So he just said out loud what the non psychotics know. He just said , “I’ll do the easy thing and play for the tie and give them the ball with 4 minutes, when my defense hasn’t stopped a dead slug from getting a first down for three years.”
You go for it and don’t make it, you still lose. But at least you give yourself a chance to win. But, he’s our head coach and he’s got the love and respect of his players. That’s a positive.
January 21st, 2025 at 5:29 am
That wasn’t one of his terrible decisions that game. There were many many others tho. Dan Quinn tried like hell to hand him the game for effs sake. No thanks said todd
January 21st, 2025 at 5:34 am
The guy is a freaking genius. We’re so lucky to have him.
January 21st, 2025 at 5:41 am
It’s why TB is, and will always be a .500 winning percentage HC.
January 21st, 2025 at 5:56 am
I get what Todd is saying.
Also, in the middle of playoffs we have coaches interviewing for their dream jobs. Does that place a lot on their minds while still coaching their regular team in the playoffs? Coen has done a good job in his first season, however some of the cute calls toward the end of our season seemed somewhat unpredictable, as well as the last game. Kingsbury is waiting until their season ends to interview with all the interested teams. Focusing on his current team, the Commanders. Smart.
January 21st, 2025 at 6:02 am
I can’t with this guy. We all know Todd sucks, I can’t wait until he leaves.
January 21st, 2025 at 6:41 am
This would be a better argument by him had they not converted a big 4th down pass the week before to McMillan that helped them beat the Saints. Why did Bucky stop running anyway? Why did they try to hard count on 3rd down instead of just running the play?
January 21st, 2025 at 6:54 am
I get why he didn’t trust the offense in that instance tbh.
2nd and 1 qb keeper
3rd and 1 hard count failure
4th and 3 and guys want to trust the offense that is currently pooping it’s pants? Much like the parent of a toddler, Todd saw the offense making a certain face and knew what time it was.
Let me ask this, which unit underperformed its season average more? The offense or the defense?
January 21st, 2025 at 7:24 am
@HeyJude
Excellent points and example with Kingbury.
January 21st, 2025 at 7:28 am
Given that Jason Lichts first round picks are probably below average, i.e. Jameis, Devin, and JTS to name three, maybe we should trade down to acquire draft capital. He surely doesn’t care for free agency.
January 21st, 2025 at 7:35 am
You people lie so much. Had he gone and missed you would say it was the wrong call. We all know even though half of you change your names what the real problem is and has been . I am not a big Bowles fan but I don’t hate the man. And you can see by the personal attacks why most obvious you people do. Especially with comments like even if he wins the Super Bowl he must go.
January 21st, 2025 at 7:39 am
Notice the trend? He’s so much more specific about issues in the offense than his trash defense then you get basic generic tackle better play it coach it better non sense. It’s really hard to like Bowles
January 21st, 2025 at 7:39 am
Everything from the national anthem to the pregame vibe was flat and I had a bad feeling from the very beginning. Baker looked mad instead of fired up almost like he didn’t like the script lol
January 21st, 2025 at 8:26 am
The defense goes backwards every play. Literally.
January 21st, 2025 at 8:58 am
“Just gotta get better” on repeat every year.
28-27
What more could you possibly want?
January 21st, 2025 at 9:07 am
This is just another stupid statement from The ReTodd. Your offense has been stellar most of the year. Your defense has not. Your offense wasnt having a great game but not a bad one either, you’re defense cant stop anything as usual… so your “vibe” is to trust the defense over the offense…
This guy just oozes stupid and the only thing more stupid than him are the idiots who keep trying to turn this into a race thing.
January 21st, 2025 at 9:08 am
Ha!
Tykee Smith
Bucky Irving
(And, just for the Rachaad White crowd Joe will throw him in there even though he doesn’t belong)
Zyon McCollum
Jalen McMillan
There’s some third-round picks and lower for ya. Nah, can’t have them. They were low draft picks! Rotten SOBs.
January 21st, 2025 at 9:15 am
Bowles is like Dean. He gives up.
January 21st, 2025 at 9:31 am
Geez Joe, there is nothing wrong or wasted with Rachaad White! Where’s Izien’s name? Outer space? The Bucs, banged up and Coen having an off game, did pretty darned good against the Washington Cs compared to, ummm, Detroit. Give it this off-season and they will be scary good, Coen or not. I think I will give much more credence to Bowles’ comments than a fan blog’s.
January 21st, 2025 at 9:45 am
We seem to get the most production out of third and forth round picks, of be good with trading that 19 for a couple of them. Outside of Barton, we’ve got Hall, JTS, Trask (who they don’t seem to have faith in) … Braswell? Either trade into the top ten to get a bonafide pass rusher or trade down and mebbe get a diamond in the rough
January 21st, 2025 at 9:55 am
He should’ve got the vibe that his defense was going to blow the game like it did so many times throughout the season.
January 21st, 2025 at 9:55 am
Been Yeing~ Well said…
As for the Todd hate… I can see fans wanting more emotion. Seeing the demeanor change among coaches from Dungy to Gruden at camp was amazing.
Still, I don’t think it’s entirely fair to call for his head. This defense was handicapped at full strength. It was commendable to see to see it perform as well as it did.
The offense was off. And as much as a 4th down “go for it” failed play would still leave the ‘skins on the the 4, its playoffs and points are needed too….. Even if we score a TD, Danials was in a rhythm.
January 21st, 2025 at 10:01 am
I also think 25 & 26 will be our year. Target a few fa (De, cb, ilb) and hit the draft strong should put us over. How Licht hasn’t received any GM accolades has me mystified and vexed……
It would be nice to not have to rebuild our offense with a new coordinator but we have the talent there.
January 21st, 2025 at 10:16 am
“Cory C. Says Why did they try to hard count on 3rd down instead of just running the play?”
Yes, that’s a head scratcher ….. cause them to jump offsides for a 1/2 yard penalty.
Can’t help but wonder if Coen’s interview was a distraction against Washington. Wasn’t his best game of the season.
And for the record, the end around wasn’t a bad play call IMHO. They’ve executed that play successfully all season.
Re: Bowles, counting on your D to stop Washington in this particular game is questionable.
Yes, he’s a great guy, the kind who would make a great friend, etc, etc, etc.
Also, why should anyone care about his demeaner on the sidelines?
Advancing to NFC Championship games should’ve been the minimum if you’re looking for improvement.
Bottom line is this: fans want results
January 21st, 2025 at 10:20 am
Bowles has made some bad calls here and there that just weren’t right for sure. But he hasn’t kept the team from the playoffs with a defense as bad as it gets at times. If we can keep Coen and get the defense the help it needs, we’ll see what a total team effort can get us next season. I know it sucks not to be in the Superbowl every year, but we ain’t had the money to buy games like the Chiefs lol. I’ve been one of the ones throughout the season wanting to see a new coach but this is a lot better than two and fifteen !! And there’s another thing we haven’t been able to get any top picks in a while, not to say that they aren’t doing a good job but we need that certain something.
January 21st, 2025 at 11:09 am
That certain something Jake is Defensive pressure, a pass rush. We cannot get to the QB. Thats why our secondary appears so weak because they are exposed every single game.
January 21st, 2025 at 11:11 am
Thanks for proving my point. With the ReTodd .Everyone knows what word you really mean. So.even trying to make up a name for him out of his Like that one is all I need to know.
January 21st, 2025 at 11:14 am
If Licht can drop back and get a team that picks later in the first round’s pick plus an their 2nd rounder too, that seems like a good move to me.
This team needs a lot of beef and muscle on the edges. They have to stop with all of their blitzing until they have defenders that can make plays on the ball.
I’m interested to see if the Eagles corners can keep breaking up passes like they did vs Rams. Whoever their defensive back coach is, he has taught their secondary to always be looking at the ball, whereas the Buc defenders with the exception of McCollum are always sideways or out of the vicinity of where catches are made. Its a terrible look the way the Bucs defend the middle and the sidelines. They are always unprepared vs short passing and screens.
January 21st, 2025 at 12:08 pm
I agree Defense Rules! We already have a ton of young bodies from the last 2 years. Trading down will only make sense if your targets aren’t there and moving down a few means we still get our guy and pick up a 4th.
Can’t rely on draft picks. After Godwin, David and possibly a LG are secured, the remaining available cap needs to be spent on an edge rusher, ILB and/or CB…. Likely all 3 but I have no idea what we will be able to afford right now.
I’m still torn on Todd’s decision. Usually I would hammer him for it but he’s not wrong about the offense in that moment despite it still being the stronger unit of the team. Let’s say he goes and we score with 3:30 left. Plenty of time for them to march and win on GW TD vs our D but obviously a much better spot. That 3rd and 6 over the middle ultimately made his decision the wrong one, and the issue is, 90% of us expected it and Todd is in the 10%.
January 21st, 2025 at 12:31 pm
Inside the NFL showed the tackle where Kancey was left holding the towel. Coach Belicheat said the tackle was wrong. He tried to run thru the stiff arm instead of breaking it first and then making the tackle. If again if who knows? There would be time on the clock. Only thing we do know. Both sides were not performing. Washington defense was playing better than expected against our run game. They also decided to later double cover Evans. This wasn’t an easy call before you know the results.
January 21st, 2025 at 1:14 pm
I can see how those who are obsessed with race can spin this into a racial thing. LMAO.
January 21st, 2025 at 4:01 pm
Things get misinterpreted sometimes & sometimes people say things that sound wrong, when they really didn’t mean it.
Refuse to let things like this cause problems.
It’s the authoritative & power hungry people of this world who use such tactics to divide & conquer
January 21st, 2025 at 4:09 pm
“Even if the offense was sputtering”…really? How about laying this at the foot of the HC?
With one of the top QBs in the league, you throw the ball only 18 times? There are only 4 legitimate reasons you take the ball out of the hands of a QB that threw for 4500 yards.
1. He is not putting the ball where it needs to go. NOPE – he completed over 71% of his passes in the regular season, this game over 83%.
2. He is throwing picks. NOPE – zero interceptions.
3. The completions are not productive. NOPE – his YPA in the regular season as 7.9 yards, this game 10.3.
4. The run game is carrying the day. NOPE – regular season Average yards per rush 5.3 (third in the league), this game 4.0 yards (10th out of 14 teams).
So the run game is 25% less productive and your QB is playing close to flawless passing, and you have the fewest passes of the season. He only attempted 19 passes v Detroit in a win which was one of only 5 games where he attempted less than 30. Sorry folks but this loss lies at the feet of the coaching staff and the game plan.
For the record, during the regular season they passed 54% of the time. In this game 41%. I have never before called for the HC to be fired, but this may justify it.
January 21st, 2025 at 4:22 pm
IIRC, Washington’s run D sucked, so pretty sure that’s how they game planned.
Still, you gotta be able to know when & how to make in game adjustments.
Reminds me of Canales last season -run up the gut/ 1st down all game, all season long whether it works or not
January 21st, 2025 at 4:53 pm
I have called for Todd to be fired but the defense held up their end of the deal in the playoffs (2 stops in the redzone) and Todd didn’t bungle the game with his clock management. I think the offense was too conservative and predictable. probably one of coens worst game as a play caller. Still want them to keep coen at all costs. Offense will be even better next year, plenty of room to grow.
January 21st, 2025 at 4:57 pm
^^mtn^^ Says:
“Reminds me of Canales last season -run up the gut/ 1st down all game, all season long whether it works or not…”
———————
No Sh!t. It reminded me of Leftwich. The Defense was still hurting, and the O/Coen never recovered from the deliberate injury to CG14 c/o the Ravens, who lost to the Bills–GOOD–this past weekend. Coen sounded like an idiot. Can’t believe I’m writing this but it is the truth. He is not HC ready. Not even sure about him as an OC, and with this developing Offense.
January 21st, 2025 at 5:19 pm
If I had to guess, don’t think he’s HC ready either orlbucfan.
Ideally, he’s an OC at least another season or 2
January 21st, 2025 at 5:25 pm
stpetebucsfan – Thank you. To me interviewing while a team is in the middle of playoffs feels as though it would place a damper on the players too wondering if their current coach is moving on.