Another Culture Win For The Buccaneers
January 22nd, 2025
“Everyone wants to be in The Licht House, Mr. Glazer.”
Not only do ex-Bucs want to return to the Tampa Bay roster while current players take less money than they could earn on the open market, offensive coordinator Liam Coen just jumped at the chance to stay in Tampa and toss a potential head coaching opportunity out the window.
That’s what Joe calls a winning culture.
No, that doesn’t read “winning defense.”
Remember Greg Schiano’s famous “laughingstock” line to Bucs suiteholders 11 1/2 years ago? Man, the Bucs have come an awfully long way under the leadership of Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht, Team Glazer and, yes, Todd Bowles.
They had help along the way from Tom Brady and Bucco Bruce Arians, but for the Bucs’ current culture. the credit goes to Bowles, Licht and Team Glazer. (Pick your own order.)
Retaining Coen today is such a massive “W” as it relates to the team culture.
Coen obviously likes everything he sees at One Buc Palace, now and for his future.
Joe had a very private conversation with a Bucs coach last year and was told how blown away Coen was by how much Day 1 respect, lattitude and freedom he was given by Bowles. Not that Bowles wasn’t aware and involved, just that Bowles wouldn’t cross a line and showed the ultimate professional respect to his coordinator.
Whether you think the Bucs are wasting time with Bowles or believe he’s building something special, there is no denying that the Bucs have grown exponentially for the better.
January 22nd, 2025 at 11:43 am
Look, I criticize Todd Bowles as much as anyone, and his time management is often maddening. But—and this is a HUGE but—the defense was severely lacking in talent and had injuries from the very beginning of the year. The previous season wasn’t nearly as bad, if I remember correctly, and during the Brady years, the defense was generally solid, aside from that one boneheaded play in the middle to Kupp. If I recall, he had a player (AWJ) covering him, but the play wasn’t made. So, is that a bad call on Bowles, or was it him trusting his players to make a play? Since then, he’s taken a more conservative approach because, frankly, he might have realized that his players couldn’t execute man-to-man as effectively, and he doesn’t have the talent to run the same system. He’s said himself that it has to be adjusted every few years.
Anyway, I’ve ranted enough. It’s pointless—today is a day to
CELEBRATE! CELEBRATE! CELEBRATE!
Coen will remain with the offense that so many of us feel carried the team for at least one more year. If the team drafts all defense and there’s no improvement, I’m sure Coen will be promoted, and the franchise will move forward from there. Personally, I don’t care who the coach is or who the players are—they all come and go. I’m a Buccaneers fan, and I want Super Bowls! That’s it. From 2006 to 2017, we didn’t have that, and as a Bucs fan, it was tough. The offense should get even better, and with a slightly improved defense, I could see a Super Bowl run—even with Bowles as coach. Frankly, who cares who the coach is as long as there WININNING!!!
January 22nd, 2025 at 11:49 am
HC in waiting for Tampa.
January 22nd, 2025 at 12:08 pm
@Josh
Pretty much agree with your statement, Blaming just Bowles is not fair, a big part of Bucs fan base think we are a talented roster, and we are not, specially on defense, and depth is a big issue as well.
injuries everywhere, playing with one inside LB that is not getting any younger, bad CB, and saftys that everybody loved, played really bad….
What about pass rush? None
I agree on clock management, also on extremely conservative approach, but the giy can’t make miracles with that kinf of talent on the defensive side.
January 22nd, 2025 at 12:09 pm
I am not against Todd as HC, since it is evident the players, coaches, etc all enjoy working with him… BUT, I believe it is too much for him to be HC and DC.
If he were to hire a DC with the same success rate as when he hires OC, we would be back to back champs!!
January 22nd, 2025 at 12:09 pm
I can celebrate Coach Coen as potential Bucs HC 2026 and for many years!
Just get the Bucs out of the mediocre cycle they’ve been in these past few years!
January 22nd, 2025 at 12:16 pm
2025. Tis the year of the Bucs. You can bank it. The passing D will improve through the draft, FA and getting veterans already on the roster back from injuries. I just wish we’d take a fresh approach and let someone else take over the DC job. Our run defense is stellar. We need to fix the pass defense. CB, CB, CB. Speed and athleticism. Go get em Licht!
January 22nd, 2025 at 12:22 pm
Agree with most all the sentiments here especially the pros and cons of Bowles. Bowles and his clock management issues have been around since his days with the Jets. Each season, it is a question of when (not if) he will mismanage the clock. Sometimes the Bucs get away with it. Others they don’t.
So I just don’t understand why those decisions aren’t assigned to a different coach. Perhaps Coen should be the one deciding when to use time outs and when to let the clock run.
January 22nd, 2025 at 12:24 pm
I agree on clock management, also on extremely conservative approach, but the giy can’t make miracles with that kind of talent on the defensive side.
—–
He’s had 3 years to build up HIS team on that side of the ball. It’s not like Licht didnt draft him defensive players. He has, Bowles has FAILED to develop them. Is Licht suppose to develop them to? No team has 53 fantastic players. None. I have no doubts this off season will see lots of new players on defense (Hopefully) but I have seen anything that tells me Bowles is competent enough to develop them unless they are all #1 picks where he doesnt have to do anything except take all the credit which he loves to do.
January 22nd, 2025 at 12:25 pm
Lavont David .. Come on Back
January 22nd, 2025 at 12:30 pm
Well yabba dabba doo!! Now beeter looking fwd to next year.
January 22nd, 2025 at 12:34 pm
5 out of our last 7 drafts first player taken was on defense…why haven’t we scheduled any DC interviews…why hasn’t any defensive coaches been terminated. I keep reading on these forums that changes are coming…?????
January 22nd, 2025 at 12:35 pm
New DC and QCC. I saw Oneilbuc mention Saleh – that would be the dream pick. Imagine two ex Jets head coaches pushing the Bucs to the promised land!
Let’s go!!!
(For the record, sadly, I’m pessimistic that we will hire a full time DC, and Saleh probably holds out for another HC job anyway. But….. dream!)
January 22nd, 2025 at 12:39 pm
Building something special!
LB3
January 22nd, 2025 at 12:39 pm
Obviously we can’t forecast injuries, but this team should be very formidable for the next couple of years. We have very good owners, a very good GM and a very good OC, who I believe will be the “Head Ball Coach” after this season as Bowels rides into the sunset.
January 22nd, 2025 at 12:45 pm
Our Core is so much younger than when we won the Superbowl.
With enough Seasoned leaders in Lavonte, M1K3, Vita.
Load the Defense and No team wanna face us
January 22nd, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Get ready for next year you’ll be in high demand and get ready to carry Bowles team once again
January 22nd, 2025 at 1:20 pm
Go Bucs
January 22nd, 2025 at 1:23 pm
Bucs fans were pretty upset at how our season ended. This news definitely changes everything in Tampa
January 22nd, 2025 at 1:27 pm
ZzBucs what are you talking about? A roster without talent doesn’t come a score away from the NFC Championship game last year. There are high picks all over the front 7 with an All Pro S. Then they added Braswell and Tykee.
Injuries were an issue, I will never deny that and they exposed depth issues but don’t say this roster isn’t talented. That’s a terrible excuse for Bowles shortcomings. Most of the guys on D that will be relied on heavily this upcoming season have already been here the last 2 years. Diaby, Kancey, Vea, Hall, David (hopefully), Dennis, Tykee, McCollum, Izien, Winfield.
All those guys aren’t going to the bench, 7 starters there at least. Are you saying there is no talent there? Ridiculous. If this team isn’t a SB contender next year it is for 1 or 2 reasons … injuries and Todd Bowles.
January 22nd, 2025 at 1:29 pm
It all started with Licht when he took Jameis.
Licht was able to recruit Arians because of Jameis.
With no Winston, there’s no Arians, no Brady, and no Super Bowl.
Thank you Jameis, you are a great American!
January 22nd, 2025 at 1:39 pm
Rod. it actually started when Lovie chose Licht. Unusual for a coach to be hired before the GM
January 22nd, 2025 at 1:42 pm
Yes!
Thank you America’s Quarterback
20’s – THE DREAM DECADE continues
Let’s Buck and BAKE!!!
January 22nd, 2025 at 2:00 pm
@Saskbucs
Well, is pretty clear what I am talking about….
Hall talented? Average at best
Izien? Better than expected, but nothing special
Mc Collum? Very inconsistent, good games and bad games
Winfiled? Worst year ever, maybe he was injured, don’t know, absolute stud years ag
Tykee, I give you that he looks good.
Diaby, lot’s of expectations, average year at best.
Nelson, average….only one great play
I can keep on…
Well let’s talk about JTS, KJ Britt, Braswell, Jamel Dean, Edwards, Gholston, Hayes, Merriweather, Ryan Neal, J.J. Russell…
You want talent, I give you talent…
Vea
Kancey
LVD
Winfield
Now, do you think you can go far away with 4 really good players?
Again, is not JUST Bowles, is way bigger than that….
January 22nd, 2025 at 2:02 pm
Well, I wonder if Liam’s contract was for only one year. I bet not but sure would like to know.
On a non-celebratory front, it looks like we may lose Spytek. That would be sad, but he deserves another position.
I would love to see a new young DC that Todd would not give “free-rein” to until he proved himself.
January 22nd, 2025 at 2:03 pm
Truly great news! Now, hire a good DC and let Bowles focus on his role as Head Coach.
January 22nd, 2025 at 2:06 pm
I would add Tykee after this season as a rookie, raw talent IMO
It’s not all Todd Bowles, agreed, but I mean, with the athletes around the defense, limited talent, there is no reason to consistently have DLinemen dropping into coverage, especially against known receiving threats at running back/TE, and JAMEL DEAN GIVING HIS MATCHUP ALL THE SPACE THEY WANT 99% of the time, Todd Bowles is more to blame than the lack of talent.
I saw our defense get picked apart because of the scheme more times than because of their ability.
January 22nd, 2025 at 2:31 pm
Everyone does wanna play in the Licht House.
Even a top tier Edge. Who’s it gonna be ..
January 22nd, 2025 at 2:41 pm
@Baker Bowl
Partially agree Sir….
When you have only one ILB in LVD, and no pass rush, what can you do? The entire system blows.
And if you add that both saftys played like garbage….
But I get your point…..
January 22nd, 2025 at 3:52 pm
I don’t have much problem with Bowles except that he seems to prefer lying to the public, when it would actually be easier to just tell the truth.
Maybe he’s trying to protect players, maybe his coaches, or himself, I dunno. But I don’t like him because of it.
As a head coach that is. His defense stinks. 3-4 blitz-addicted doesn’t work.
January 22nd, 2025 at 3:52 pm
With all due respect, read the comments on your own website. There will continue to be much “denying” that Todd had anything to do with anything positive.
January 22nd, 2025 at 3:59 pm
culture winner?
I told you last year Joe its super bowl or bust. fire bowles.
we in the same position we were last year. there’s been no progress.
mike evans 1000 yards this year was our playoff game/ super bowl.
January 22nd, 2025 at 4:32 pm
I do think players and coaches pay attention to these sorts of things. It’s nice the Glazers will pay to keep the people they want and will go out of their way to help all succeed (ex Evans 11 1000’s). Even Todd, for everyone wanting him gone, and I’m in that group, he’s been given every opportunity to prove he can get the job done.
January 22nd, 2025 at 4:56 pm
@GG
indeed there will still be some holdouts in denial! And we know what thankfully only of few of them…as you said “Ahem!”
BTW is CouchFan yet another Dave Pear sock puppet?
“credit goes to Bowles, Licht and Team Glazer. (Pick your own order.)”
Thanks JJoes…If I get to pick I’m going to reverse the order. It all starts at the top which means the people signing the checks. During the ManU purchase years we all gave ownership hll because they had leveraged so highly. But they pulled it off and it begs a question of everybody here.
Who in the NFL are better owners than the Glazers. I don’t know but IMHO it would be a VERY SHORT list. The family has done right by the Buc franchise and the entire Tampa community. We should be grateful we’re not saddled with the many idiots who own NFL teams. I’ll say it…THANK YOU GLAZERS!
Second comes Jason Licht! Munchmeister in a desperate attempt to erase the memory of how bad JW was tried to connect dots that JW was what lured BA here. Perhaps but it didn’t take long for BA to develop buyers remorse!!!
Licht’s connection to Brady and perhaps THEN BA’s sales job closed the deal.
The ONLY thing JW provided was all the horrid ints backed by a total lack of character or even a hint of awareness. Can you say “Check Yo Sheets”?
And Third comes TB. He’s found and recruited two successful OCs and the right QB for the job. And yet people come on here and say “but he inheritied an SB team. What disrespect for the GOAT eh…And Suh and JPP and Gronk.
The same team my Irish arse!
January 22nd, 2025 at 5:25 pm
Rod thanking Jamis lol, wow that alzheimers is kicking haha you are an idiot Rod.
January 22nd, 2025 at 6:46 pm
@stpete
Our boy Dave is “sitting on a park bench, eyeing little girls with bad intent” 😉
99% certain
Thx again to you and the rest of the “tender muffins” for continuing to post bro..I know how tiring it can becomes 👍🏼
January 22nd, 2025 at 8:51 pm
I have to give credit where credit is due.
Coach Swiss Cheese (among others) has built a great culture here.
The Glazers, Jason Licht, JL’s assistant GMs… they’ve all done an amazing job of creating the kind of culture that has people like Baker, Mike, and now Liam wanting to stick around… sometimes on team-friendly deals.