Todd Bowles, Bill Parcells And Rushing Differential
January 23rd, 2025
So head coach Todd Bowles is a stop-the-run guy and the Bucs’ run defense is very good. He also wants to run the ball well — and often.
Fresh insight into that Bowles’ philosophy has emerged.
Bucs defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers (thought he’s is interviewing with the Packers for the same job) has long been by Bowles’ side but is not from the Bucco Bruce Arians coaching farm.
Rodgers was a defensive line coach for Hall of Fame head coach Bill Parcells with the Cowboys in 2003. Two years later, Bowles joined the staff.
A few years ago, Parcells talked about Bowles taking the Buccaneers’ head coaching gig and called him one his “homeboys.” So Joe thinks it’s fair to say some Parcells principles are part of the approach at One Buc Palace.
Rodgers spoke on the Buccaneers Radio Network last week and referenced a Parcells formula to get a 7-point edge on an opponent: outrush the other team by 100 yards.
The Bucs accomplished that six times this season and were 5-1 in those games.
The only loss came at Dallas. The Bucs outrushed the Cowboys 134 yards to 31 yards but allowed backup quarterback Cooper Rush to carve up their soft, soft pass defense.
In the end, of course, that loss didn’t hurt the Bucs and had no bearing on their No. 3 seed in the NFC.
January 23rd, 2025 at 9:51 am
That is how the Eagles win.
January 23rd, 2025 at 9:57 am
So, you’re telling me if we had a pass defense comparable to our run defense we might win more games?
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:25 am
The glorification of Todd Bowles continues… Smh
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:28 am
I heard Todd Bowles and Vince Lombardi both loved spaghetti… Could be something there
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:35 am
HOF coach Parcells was in a different era with different NFL rules for protecting QB’s and WR’s.
The key to winning has nothing to do with running or passing – it’s points! An offense that scores a lot of points (TD’s in red zone) and scores in the final 2 minutes when needed (think Mahommes). A very good scoring defense (few red zone TD’s) and stops the opposing offense in 2 minute situations.
In end of game situations, it seems that the better NFL QB’s routinely beat the opposing defenses to win games. Does anyone else see this? Bowles needs to recognize this with his end of game decision making – by betting on his defense when he needs to beat on his offense….
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:37 am
@Buchen61…hahahaha! Brilliant analogy.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:46 am
Another Bucs loss (Cowboys) with the narrative blaming the Defense,
The reality was the Bucs made 2 costly turnovers- one took away a TD pass to McMillan and the other a fumble that ended the game.
In addition, the Bucs did not run the ball in the 1st half and did not target Evans enough and Mayfield took sacks.
The Bucs offense screwed up the game, much like the Commanders playoff loss.
January 23rd, 2025 at 11:17 am
The fact is, Cooper Rush carved up the Bucs pass defense like a Christmas ham. The Bucs pass defense made him look like Dan Marino. The Bucs pass defense was very, very soft. Those are facts. It might not be as damning if the same QB didn’t lay turds on the field in the following games and get benched. Yes, Rachaad’s fumble was costly but if the defense had been merely average, there should have been no need for late game heroics.
One loss of many where Bucs beat themselves. A full time DC would give the HC more time to focus on fixing the “Bucs beating Bucs” problems.
January 23rd, 2025 at 11:37 am
Waaawaaawaaaawaaaa
Gawd am I glad I wasn’t in the trenches with some of you complainers!
January 23rd, 2025 at 11:52 am
Says the one who does more complaining about others than they do. That’s rich.
January 23rd, 2025 at 11:52 am
Says the one who does more complaining about others than they do. That’s rich.
January 23rd, 2025 at 11:53 am
Spbf… How long have you been on staff as Jbf head cheerleader? I noticed you don’t like any body who doesn’t share your same opinions. You talk a good game but are as one sided as fox news or CNN…. Ra… Ra… Ra
January 23rd, 2025 at 11:59 am
I like to come in here and read the comments. I definitely makes me feel smarter…
January 23rd, 2025 at 12:09 pm
The opposition defense has to respect the passing game to loosen up the run defense
LBIII
January 23rd, 2025 at 1:23 pm
The Bucs Defense ranks 18th in NFL which makes them average, 10 spots higher than the 28th ranked Cowboys Defense, which is an even more indictment of the Bucs’ Offense that particular game.
There were definitely some losses you could pin on the Defense- Ravens game, both Falcons games, Chiefs game in OT…
January 23rd, 2025 at 3:38 pm
Hey Buchen61, where did you come from? We’ve sure got a lot of new names on here. Buc fans? That’s questionable. Bucs got bit bad by Buc Luck early in the season. They also were adjusting to a new OC. Still, they won the Division, 10 games, and almost beat the DC Cs who have one of the hottest rookie QBs in the League. So, the fans like me and stpete who stand up for Todd Bowles are not clueless. I’m always raising h3ll about the OCs not opening up the playbook. I’ve done it with Canales, Koetter, Coen and others. So, if you’re not a Bucs fan, get lost. We get enough hot air on here.
January 23rd, 2025 at 3:53 pm
Can’t be a true fan unless you issue no criticisms whatsoever. Awesome.