Todd Bowles To Emphasize Third Down Defense In 2025
February 3rd, 2025
Reflection.
This may really surprise Bucs fans but not even Todd Bowles will be happy with this.
The Bucs coach, in his final media availability of the 2024 season the day after the Bucs lost to Washington, was very focused on one element of his defense that didn’t get the job done.
Third down defense.
And despite Bowles rightly being irked, the Bucs weren’t horrendous on third downs if you look at the season in the big picture. In the small picture (playoff loss to Washington), it was atrocious.
The Bucs never forced one punt in the playoff loss to Washington. Not one!
The Bucs did get off the field on two fourth-downs when Washington couldn’t convert. Still, it was a playoff game and your opposing punter could have just stayed home or sat with Bucs fans and pounded beers in the south end zone, that’s inexcusable.
Bowles all but vowed that will change this fall.
“It’s doing the little things right – not turning the ball over, getting off the field on third down,” Bowles said of what must change in 2025. “Those are the little things that happened all year that came up at the end. We had a good stretch defensively at playing third downs – didn’t play them well [against Washington].”
In 2024, the Bucs finished in the middle of the pack in third down defense holding opponents to a 39 percent conversion percentage. That was good/bad enough for 15th place.
It would help if Bowles can somehow, someway find some inner-strength, bite the bullet and come to grips with the fact that the Bucs cannot succeed in the postseason without an effective edge rusher.
It would also help if his well-compensated cornerback can stay on the field in the postseason for a change.
February 3rd, 2025 at 10:37 am
Bucs simply do not have the players on defense to stop better teams on 3rd or even 4th downs. I’d like the Bucs to go back to a 4-3 defense and get two big strong real DE type edge rushers. Bucs also need shutdown CBs that are durable.
February 3rd, 2025 at 10:41 am
How about not standing 12 yards off a receiver on 3rd & 7?
There, fixed it for you Todd.
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:06 am
Bad defense could equal bad coaching.
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:08 am
In my opinion the traditional 4-3 and 3-4 defensive schemes are becoming obsolete as the NFL evolves. The future lies in a nickel or dime hybrid defense, featuring an extra safety/cornerback hybrid (big enough to be a lb but runs like a corner) capable of covering a Travis Kelce or stopping a Saquon Barkley, all while maintaining the ability to spy the quarterback on third or fourth down. In today’s NFL, it’s all about speed in space—creating mismatches through motion and exploiting coverage gaps created by stacking receivers and moving the pocket. This approach stretches zone coverage and makes man-to-man coverage nearly impossible to execute effectively. This is just what I see as a fan and based on which teams seem to win week in and out.
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:12 am
Bucs’ defense will have a LOT of personel changes in 2025. Bowles’ defensive scheme may not change (in name?) from what folks term a 3-4 hybrid, but I’m now thinking that’s rather meaningless. I think he plays just as much 4-3 as he does 3-4, so why does it matter what we call it? His scheme is very ‘situational’ IMO, but its’ effectiveness depends heavily on having the ‘right player’ in each position to cover each others’ backs.
Todd didn’t have that last year, and it very negatively impacted our results. I think that it required our defense to make ‘modifications’ in many games (because of available personnel) that was very simply an unsound approach.
I’m personally confidant that Bowles knows how to FIX this defense (to the degree that it can be fixed in ONE year). We seem to have sufficient $$$ (for once) to make a dent in the UFA market (and maybe a trade or 2 also), and I’m sure our draft will focus on defense. We’ll still be a young defense, but Todd seems to be able to get folks up-to-speed in roughly half a season (2019 & 2024 examples?). If our offense fires on all 11-cylinders, and our defense improves steadily game-to-game, we’ll be OK.
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:12 am
Myles Garret has requested a trade out of Cleveland. Maybe we can get him to join his boy Baker in Tampa!! I’d give up 2 first round picks easily
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:12 am
Josh … ‘In my opinion the traditional 4-3 and 3-4 defensive schemes are becoming obsolete as the NFL evolves.’
GRRREAT observation IMO.
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:15 am
BucsFanNC,
I was about to write the same. Bucs will have the cap space. Bucs need someone like him.
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:15 am
Hey Joe should Tampa trade for Myles Garrett?we kinda need a pass rush and the browns would probably take a 5th rounder for him.
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:22 am
Of course they should if they are serious about a postseason run!
Will they? Hell no. smh (First words out of Todd Bowles’ mouth when Jason Licht asks him if he would be interested in Garrett, Bowles would respond, “Can he cover Chris Olave?”)
If the Browns only want a fifth round pick for Garrett, there should be civil disobedience in Cleveland.
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:24 am
Those ain’t little things Todd.
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:25 am
Idiot!
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:26 am
Myles Garrett requested a trade. Go get him. Multiple 1sts. Whatever it takes!
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:26 am
Myles Garrett just requested a trade not sure if we have the ability to make it happen but he would be a nice addition to the line.
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:26 am
Trade for and extend Myles Garrett. Holy moly!
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:33 am
Must go trade draft picks for Myles now!
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:33 am
We have the ability to get Garrett and pay him! go get him, a 1st in 25 and 26 should do it. If you get Garret and put him next to VV along with Cancy and Ya ya that hides the garbage secondary and instantly makes the defense better. I know the draft crazies will decry giving up 2 No. 1’s but he is an exceptional talent under 30 and elite pass rushers are not easily found, see JTS ( late first rounder).
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:42 am
Agree, Jason Licht. go get Myles Garrett, definitely worth a couple of first rounders, remember what the Bucs gave up with Chucky and Keyshawn and did not have any first round picks, who complained then. Also, if Myles wants to run a 4 -3 defense, then let him, plus you know LVD would come back to play with him. I wonder who did the recruiting at the pro bowl.
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:44 am
I seriously doubt the Bucs will even try to trade for Garrett. Draft picks mean so much more to the Bucs because of how well Licht drafts. And Garrett would be expensive AF.
BUT MAN WOULD IT BE NICE.
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:47 am
A single pass rusher can’t do anything about lack of turnovers. When players are dropping easy interceptions and you only end up with 7 in a season plus your head coach is a former safety in the nfl. I don’t think edge rusher is going to help corners become ballhawks
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:51 am
Wow amazing insight from the guru. Need to get off the field on third down. Don’t turn over the ball.
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:52 am
Garrett is 29 and probably has 3 good years left in the tank. However, no way I’d give up a 1st round draft pick. Perhaps a 2nd and 4th round pick. And even with that, we’d probably have to let CG14 walk to get CAP space. He’ll probably end up going to the Chiefs. LOL
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:52 am
Yes, bite the bullet and sign Myles before another team does. I bet he would love to work with Coach Bowles too.
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:52 am
Vea, Kancey, and Garrett…..I’m getting chills just thinking about that combination. We should be able to handle his salary since we aren’t paying Baker top dollar right now. Give them 2 firsts and a second if that’s what it takes. THE WINDOW IS NOW!!!
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:54 am
Sign Sweat,Mack, or Lawrence in Free Agency and your Edge rush problem is solved.
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:55 am
If Myles was coming off his first contract at 26 then yeah maybe a 1 or something like that but not at 29 if I’m correct on his age. I’m sure he can be had for a 2nd or 3rd this year and maybe some deferred picks next year. Also is Tampa getting a compensation pick for losing their OC?
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:56 am
Bucs already have $52M in dead cap hits this year.
That’s 20% of all available $ to spend in 2025.
Point being, the team can’t afford to pay $20+M per year for a player like Garrett
There’s currently less than $6M available to ‘spend’ on free agency this year
Bucs will already be adding to future debt ($70+M on the books beyond this year) just to get Godwin and (hopefully) LD54 re-signed….
No (responsible) choice but to stay the course – continue to pay down debt – draft well and develop the young guys we draft/already have on the team.
Fans need to understand this money situation and stop pining for players we simply cannot afford.
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Reporter to #Browns GM Andrew Berry last week: “If someone sees you at dinner and says, ‘We’ll give you two ones for Myles, do you say I’m not interested?’”
Berry: “Correct. You can put that on the record.”
-Ari Meirov , X
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:05 pm
A bold move like this is exactly what needs to happen for this D to improve. We can trade 2 late first round picks for THE ELITE pass rusher in the NFL who has 4-5 more years at peak as he is fanatical about his fitness or we can continue to draft more JTS and Logan Hall players late in the first round. JL’s ability to draft has nothing to do with this move, this about making a trade that will instantly improve the weak link on this team. A great pass rush hides a lot of sub par DB play. This gives vibes of when the Bucs traded for Simeon Rice, would have a similar impact IMHO.
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:07 pm
Yes, Dean was hurt…He got his feelings hurt.
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:09 pm
By emphasizing on 3rd down defense i assume the OLB/Edge and DL guys will see more training in pass coverage so they can drop in 3rd and long.
As far as many fans saying we should trade for Garrett, i find it unlikely because he does not fit in ours and coach Bowles defense/system.
And its not like we need a high impact edge guy, no Josue.
We just need to be better and communicate.
Go Bucs
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:11 pm
Joe!!! Myles Garrett has asked to be traded from Cleveland!!! You need to get to writing to make the brass go get him!!
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:12 pm
Trade for Myles! Whatever it takes. Cleveland is desperate to rebuild. Sign and trade them Trask. lol
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:14 pm
We need Myles Garett. He’s the perfect player to make our defense come to
Life with an edge rush. Holy cow, him and Vita. Bring Lavonte back. Let’s go Licht. Goodness gracious.
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:16 pm
Garrett is signed through 2026, when he will make 25 million. The Bucs cap situation will be such that if we should be able to sign him to an extension as the cap will be between 315-325 million in 2027.
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:17 pm
Garrett is in unbelievably good shape and has another 5 really good years ahead oh him. Go get him. Fixes a lot of defensive holes when paired with Vea and Kancey. Not going to find anything remotely comparable in the draft with 1 and 2 picks in 2025.
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:17 pm
His 3rd down issues are a direct result of what he does on 1st and 2nd down. The guy is obsessed with playing his corners 10 yards off the ball and run blitzing on 1st and 2nd down and giving up 6-8 yard passes at will. Impossible for a defense to get consistently off the field on 3rd down with that, let alone force an interception. As long as he can hang his hat on his run defense, he’s a happy coach.
3rd and 2, 3rd and 3 are pretty easy downs to convert, and those also turn into a pretty easy decision on a 4th and less than 1 for the other team, especially if they have a QB that can roll out and run.
The old Tampa 2 at least forced throws into some tight windows. Bowles zone concept essentially gives up 5 yards on any given pass. This defensive scheme is designed to force field goals, not punts.
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:17 pm
Joe can we start a petition to the Glaziers to go get Garrett?
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:19 pm
…and they’re not going to trade for Myles Garrett, Joe. So don’t flood us with that nonsense.
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:20 pm
So Myles Garrett just requested a trade. That guy would straighten up any defense
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:21 pm
Joe,
Can you and Ira please ask Licht/Bowles/Glazers to make this move. It would make us legit Super Bowl Contenders.
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:22 pm
Bucs DO HAVE the money to sign Khalil Mack at 6-10 mil for 1 year.
Bucs DO HAVE the money to sign Josh Sweat at 10-12 mil for 1 year.
Bucs DO HAVE the money to sign Demarcus Lawrence at 8-10 mil.
So you people that think you know the cap-you really do not. Khalil Mack and Josh Sweat are more preferable as they are not coming off a Lis Franc injury like Lawrence , but that is why your team docs get paid the big money to do physicals and give analysis. These players solve your edge rush problem immediately and bring valuable veteran leadership to your team.
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:29 pm
Myles Garrett just requested a trade from the Brown. Worth looking into Licht.
Sure, he takes plays off. But he is a Beast. I guarantee you we will get to the QB with this guy. He is worth a 1st rounder.
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:33 pm
That’s only if the coach is a minority. Coen basically looks like the leprechaun from Lucky Charms so…no.
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:35 pm
It will cost the Bucs 2 #1’s, a 3rd and Godwin or R. White.
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:36 pm
Funny thing is, I bet whoever Garrett gets traded to will have equal or less cap space than the Bucs but somehow, someway that team will get it done. All of these amateur capologists suggesting that there is no way that the Bucs can afford Garrett will have no explanation when the Broncos, Bills or Chiefs end up trading for Garret and extending him.
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:49 pm
Pure genius. How does he come up with such profound ideas?!
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:58 pm
Pickgrin Says: “Bucs already have $52M in dead cap hits this year. That’s 20% of all available $ to spend in 2025. Point being, the team can’t afford to pay $20+M per year for a player like Garrett.
Thank you for the wake-up to reality comment, Pickgrin 😔. It was exciting here for awhile. I guess we are back to hoping that the 19th draft pick is an edge-rusher🙏
February 3rd, 2025 at 12:59 pm
Nothing will change with Bowles. Show me in the past 3 years how this Defense has improved.
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:01 pm
How about stop soft zone coverage and have our pass rushers, you know, rush the passer!
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:06 pm
I’d be ecstatic if the Bucs sign a big free agent. But let’s be honest with ourselves here, Bucs never sign big names. Front office is too smart like that. Kinda like the Rays
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:10 pm
HEY Pmike-Do you not consider Tom Brady , Rob Gronkowski and Ryan Jensen to be big time free agents?????? Think before you type.
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:11 pm
Who would have thought that 3rd down defense would be important and should be emphasized.
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:11 pm
Myles Garrett gas demended a trade. Give the brownies whatever they want.
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:15 pm
I hear miles Garrett wants to follow Baker down to Tampa, he wants to be on a winning team instead of the browns.
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:20 pm
Myles Garrett
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:25 pm
Chris Godwin for Myles Garret. Make it so, Number 1…
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:26 pm
Of course any team can do anything they want practically in a given year. There basically is no salary cap in that respect.
But it IS a hard cap in the respect that any moneys spent MUST be accounted for and paid for within a few years time.
Bucs went ‘all in’ financially for the Brady years and are still paying for it – case in point – $17.4M (6.33%) of this year’s $275M ‘budget’ is paying for Shaq Barrett and $11.8M (4.29%) for Ryan Jensen. Also $18.85M (6.9%) for Chris Godwin. Those payments are for deals/extensions that were signed 3 years ago….
Bucs have 1 more year (2025) of $50+M dead cap hits – and then Licht will have some financial breathing room to spend some $ in free agency starting in 2026 – IF they don’t add a bunch more debt to the $70+M in future debt already on the books beyond 2025.
The Bucs likely WILL bring in a vet OLB on a 1 year deal for $6-10M or less this year – but I’m fairly certain Licht/Greenberg know that a player like Garrett who commands $20M+ per year is not a wise investment this year and will act accordingly….
to the chagrin of many apparently…..
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:28 pm
Hey Bucsfan. Yeah we went all in with them. Go ahead name some more big names, I’ll wait
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:28 pm
Garrett did emphasize in his statement that he wants to go to a winner with a career goal being to win a SB Championship. Most teams that fit that criteria have cap concerns as they have a lot of talented players that are making a great deal of money.
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:42 pm
Time to pony up and go get Myles Garrett. He wants out of Cleveland.
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:42 pm
Trade Algo for Garrett.
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:43 pm
Time to pony up and go get Myles Garrett. He wants out of Cleveland. And if the Bucs are serious…
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:43 pm
Try to read your own post Pmike-you said NEVER.
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:47 pm
Love the idiots saying Godwin for Garrett. One that’s retarded, two Godwin is a free agent…
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:50 pm
Stop with the Garrett fantasies-Cleveland GM Andrew Berry has said multiple times in the last 4 weeks that Browns have NO intention of trading Garrett . Garrett still has 2 years left on his contract-so please stop.
February 3rd, 2025 at 1:53 pm
Joe is right. Coach would just drop Garrett into deep zone, covering empty grass, and blitz the hot dog guy.
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:01 pm
Does anyone trust Todd Blows to scheme up a pass defense where the defenders are anywhere near the WIDE OPEN receivers??
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:02 pm
We absolutely need to see if we can get Myles Garrett.
But not at the expense of losing Chris.
Darned if I know how to make that happen financially, but Garrett teamed up with Vita, Calijah and YaYa…
Goosebumps!
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Mike Evans was Jason Licht’s first draft pick. I think Licht’s been around long enough for people to know how stupid some of these posts are. He’s never done what you are asking him to do. He’s not going crazy in free agency to go get the most expensive player and he’s not giving up a premium pick not for an older player just to be in the same position 2-3 years down the road. I’m not going to expect Licht to do something he’s never done before. The bottom line folks is he doesn’t have to. If Bowles is getting all this love for division titles what kind of love do you think Licht gets from the Glazers? He’s drafting the players they are getting to the playoffs so why make a desperate move and overspend? Licht is going to pay his guys like he always does. Hopefully he goes bargain shopping and finds another Shaq but that’s wishful thinking
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Tampa Cover 2 should return. Replace Bowles Cover None.
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:07 pm
Make the move, Jason, all in baby! Lets go!
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:08 pm
Poppy-crack! Why can’t we afford Myles Garrett? Watch him go to a contender who is already loaded. You can afford anything if you really want it. GO ATER GARRETT BUCS! Your whole Defensive line changes with one Aquisition.
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:10 pm
If you’re a fan of CTB and you want the team to trade for Myles Garrett. Hate to be the one to break It to you.
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:11 pm
Let Em Bake Says: “Chris Godwin for Myles Garret. Make it so, Number 1…”
No way, we are not giving Chris up. He will want to remain a Buc.
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:40 pm
Still, it was a playoff game and your opposing punter could have just stayed home or sat with Bucs fans and pounded beers in the south end zone, that’s inexcusable.
——–
This line of BS still being pushed?
Guess what, the Redskins also didn’t punt vs the Eagles. Well, you can’t win the game if the other team doesn’t punt – nevermind the fact the Redskins offense was literally built around going for it on every 4th down, thus no punts.
More important than the number of punts, is the number of points given up. And that was 16.
The defense made a huge 4th quarter goal line stand, gave Baker the ball back with the chance to go up two scores and put the game away, and Baker choked and fumbled the ball.
The Bucs losing had nothing to do with the number of punts forced, it had everything to do with Baker turning it over when it mattered most.
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:40 pm
Should we preemptively offer Myles Garret a spot in the Ring of Honor?
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:42 pm
Got to think with so many teams going for it on 4th down, have to do a better job on all 4 downs.
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:42 pm
TRADE OUR FIRST FOR MYLES GARRETT NOW OR IM DONE WITH THIS TEAM UNTIL WEEK ONE.
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:47 pm
jarrett Says:
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:42 pm
TRADE OUR FIRST FOR MYLES GARRETT NOW OR IM DONE WITH THIS TEAM UNTIL WEEK ONE.
————
Sure, make a deal for the Bucs.
You got $2-million in cap space, and holes all over the defense, make the Browns an offer so good that they’ll have to accept it over every other team. Let’s hear the offer… go.
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:52 pm
Markus got it right.
Todd needs to move on from Dean.
If we don’t have a good edge rusher this year, it’ll get ugly again.
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:55 pm
Maybe they should go get Myles Garrett so they have an outside pass rusher who is actually feared and can consistently get pressure. Would help the porous coverage quite a bit.
Wait – first we have to see if Garrett can cover opposing WRs… dang.
February 3rd, 2025 at 3:19 pm
What’s the difference between Todd’s defense and Spagnuolo’s?
Serious question… I know Spags KC defense has played well and ours has had some struggles, and I’m not looking for comments from tr0lls, but there “seem” to be a lot of similarities to my untrained eye.
Spags, I think, may play more man but he also blitzes and drops linemen into coverage regularly to gain an advantage and/or confuse the protection.
What’s different,, scheme-wise, that makes Spags a defensive genius and Todd a defensive failure in the eyes of many here?
February 3rd, 2025 at 3:24 pm
JTS, this years one , next years 2😁
February 3rd, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Fred Says:
February 3rd, 2025 at 2:52 pm
Markus got it right.
Todd needs to move on from Dean.
If we don’t have a good edge rusher this year, it’ll get ugly again.
———-
Yeah another brilliant idea… You have no depth at corner, holes all over the place, but go ahead and cut your #2 corner.
BTW aren’t all you dopes the same ones that last year were celebrating Carlton Davis being traded and telling me how Dean is better anyways and more healthy?
February 3rd, 2025 at 3:31 pm
I really hope the Bucs end up with Garrett or Hendrickson in the next 8 weeks. I know that will decimate our cap but we can all worry about little less about the back end of the D if one of those studs is getting after the QB with Vita and Calijah.
And who cares about cap when you are in position to contend for SBs.
February 3rd, 2025 at 3:37 pm
**Tampa Bay Buccaneers** send:
– 2025 1st-round pick
– 2025 3rd-round pick
– DT Logan Hall
**Cleveland Browns** send:
– DE Myles Garrett
– 2025 5th-round pick
This offer strikes a balance between providing Cleveland with a solid return (draft picks and a young player) while also factoring in Garrett’s trade demand.
February 3rd, 2025 at 3:43 pm
Jason Licht is not the type tp give up draft picks
Myles Garrett is a pipe dream
We’ll just have to keep dealing with Licht drafting kickers in the second round.
February 3rd, 2025 at 3:48 pm
It’s called a sign and trade. You sign Chris. Then package him in a deal to get Myles…This “Buc for life” nonsense will never win you a championship.
February 3rd, 2025 at 3:54 pm
Josh Says:
February 3rd, 2025 at 11:08 am
I’m not sure this is anything more than stating the obvious. It may have been news 10 years ago. It’s obvious to all, and FYI, Bowles runs hybrid schemes all day long.
February 3rd, 2025 at 3:57 pm
More important than the number of punts, is the number of points given up. And that was 16.
——-
10 of which were given up after the fumble. Including a drive for nearly the length of the field to kick the game winning field goal. Huh.That’s odd. Must have missed that part in the BS revised version. Or maybe one man’s choke is another mans total defensive collapse in crunch time.
February 3rd, 2025 at 3:59 pm
Maybe Baker can put some pressure on the team…”Hey I am underpaid and not complaining precisely so we can make this move!”
February 3rd, 2025 at 4:01 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
February 3rd, 2025 at 3:43 pm
I think it might be time to let that go. That was quite awhile back. He’s done some good drafting since then.
February 3rd, 2025 at 4:04 pm
It was a response to Buc4ever’s suggestion that we need to switch back to a 4-3, so clearly, it’s not obvious to everyone FilthyAnimal. Also, as Defense Rules mentioned regarding the hybrid 4-3 or 3-4, I’m personally just saying that traditional linebackers are a thing of the past. The traditional downhill, thumping, KJ Britt-type linebacker is becoming less relevant. The future is smaller, faster linebackers, like Lavonte David has been, who can hit like linebackers but also cover almost as well as cornerbacks—essentially, almost safety/corner hybrid playing linebacker like in their versatility.
February 3rd, 2025 at 4:05 pm
Why did he have to wait till after the season to figure out we need to get better with our 3rd down defense?
February 3rd, 2025 at 4:26 pm
@Hodad
“Why did he have to wait till after the season to figure out we need to get better with our 3rd down defense?”
Because hindsight is 20/20. No foresight is right in his wheel house.
Just got to get better is the mantra.
February 3rd, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Jamel Dean and our 3rd this year, 1st next year for Garrett would help
February 3rd, 2025 at 4:57 pm
I’m calling BS, So tell me why he’s had this defense for 6 yrs and they have gotten progressively worse.
February 3rd, 2025 at 5:34 pm
The Bucs cannot survive at all without a major upgrade at ILB. But, there are two players who would give the Bucs both a high quality edge rusher and high quality ILB in just one first round draft pick – Jalon Walker and Jihaad Campbell!
Walker has played many more snaps at edge than at ILB. While Walker was excellent rushing from the edge, he was also excellent rushing from the inside, playing the run, spying the quarterback, and defending against the pass.
Campbell has played many more snaps at ILB. While Campbell was excellent rushing from the inside, playing the run, spying the quarterback and defending against the pass, he was also excellent rushing for the edge!
As the first round draft pick, Walker and Campbell each can give the Bucs extraordinary value at the two positions of greatest need!
February 3rd, 2025 at 5:50 pm
The best way to get off the field on third down is to play such stingy defense on first and second down that the opposing offense is facing third-and-long instead of third-and-inches. You start to dictate then what the offense can do, effectively shrinking their playbook, which mean your odds of being in the right defense go up dramatically.
It’s the same mentality a successful offense has to have to convert their third downs: do well enough on first and second down so that you AVOID third-and-long and your third-down playcall doesn’t have to come from a reduced selection of plays and you can force the defense to have to defend the whole field on third down.
February 3rd, 2025 at 5:56 pm
somebody here says Myles Garrett is a pipe dream. Championships are won on acting on pipe dreams. You gotta want to win at all cost. Look at what the Spurs just did and the Lakers. Garrett gives you an instant pass rush. He takes on 2 defenders and still gets there. Often opening up chances for other linemen. A BEAST does not come cheap. He changes our whole defensive outlook. Other teams do it. Why can’t we? Figure it out Jason.
February 3rd, 2025 at 6:12 pm
Chance the Bucs hire Branson Buckner or Joe Cullen as their DL/DC coach? I think Bowles squeezed out Buckner when he became HC to bring in Kacy Rogers but he knows and worked with B. Buckner. Cullen coached here for a few years ‘14-15. Currently with the Chiefs.
February 3rd, 2025 at 6:14 pm
Myles Garrett in pewter is just too perfect of a fit. We need to
Make this trade happen at all costs. He puts us in the very short list of championship-level teams. He’s that good. And next to Vita and Kancey- 🤤
February 3rd, 2025 at 6:15 pm
2 first-round picks plus for Garrett or one 2nd rounder for Trey Hendrickson who has the most sacks, with 35 sacks in the last 2 seasons. I rather get Trey and maintain all that draft capital.
February 3rd, 2025 at 6:19 pm
Do you think the actual players might have mattered a little in the defensive decline?
February 3rd, 2025 at 6:22 pm
That title makes me want to puke.
February 3rd, 2025 at 6:25 pm
Stanglassman Says:
February 3rd, 2025 at 6:12 pm
Chance the Bucs hire Branson Buckner or Joe Cullen as their DL/DC coach?
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Im hoping we snatch Sapp from Colorado. He already lives very close by. He’s a fiery, great communicator. Beloved by us and knows what the heckle juice hes doing.
February 3rd, 2025 at 6:46 pm
Bill … ‘So tell me why he’s had this defense for 6 yrs and they have gotten progressively worse.’
Not a factual statement Bill. 2019 was definitely a rebuilding year, and our defense didn’t rate very well (#29 ranking in Points Allowed, surrendering 449 points total, of which Jameis’ 7 Pick-6 accounted for 49 points allowed by themselves). That same year BTW, Todd Bowles defense ranked #1 in Run Defense but #30 in Pass Defense (Yards Allowed on both). Our 3rd/4th Down Conversion Rate Allowed was 35.9%.
But now look at 2020 and beyond for overall Bucs’ defense performance:
2020 – Overall: #8 – 355 Points Allowed – Run Defense: #1 but Pass Defense #21 – 3rd/4th Conversion Rate: 41.7%
2021 – Overall: #5 – 353 Points Allowed – Run Defense: #3 but Pass Defense #21 – 3rd/4th Conversion Rate: 39.4%
2022 – Overall: #13 – 358 Points Allowed – Run Defense: #15 but Pass Defense #9 – 3rd/4th Conversion Rate: 38.8%
2023 – Overall: #5 – 325 Points Allowed – Run Defense: #5 but Pass Defense #29 – 3rd/4th Conversion rate: 41.6%
2024 – Overall: #16 – 385 Points Allowed – Run Defense: #4 but Pass Defense #29 – 3rd/4th Conversion rate: 41.3%
Todd’s defenses have performed quite consistently IMO Bill, even though we’ve had some huge changes in personnel, as well as a ton of defensive injuries from year-to-year. Worst year defensively IMO since 2019 was 2024, in 5 particular areas: (1) we gave up too many Points Allowed (an increase of only about 2-3 PPG over previous seasons, but that’s still a lot); (2) too many explosive plays allowed (those bite you big time); (3) Pass Defense’s #29 ranking in Yards Allowed unacceptably high; (4) 4th Down Conversion Rate Allowed (19-of-30 for 63.3 %) much too high; (5) Turnovers Generated (only 18 total – 11 fumbles & 7 INTs).
That’s all fixable, with the right personnel changes and some defensive coaching staff ‘refocusing’. We’re lacking talent in several defensive position groups Bill, but we’re in good enough shape with enough young, returning talent to fix it with the money & draft picks that we have. No reason why Bucs can’t return to the Top-10 defense ranks this season … Bowles’ defenses have averaged a #9 ranking in Points Allowed
since the 2019 rebuilding year.
February 3rd, 2025 at 7:12 pm
DR
Excellent post and I agree with all but one point, and that may just be a matter of semantics.
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We’re lacking talent in several defensive position groups Bill,
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The players that make it to a squad in the NFL represent the cream of the crop out of college.
Roughly speaking, those who are drafted, represent about the top 2%.
And those that are picked up undrafted probably round out the top 5%.
Obviously, the talent evaluators from each team are not perfect, and some are better than others. This is why we have the ‘occasional’ “draft bust”.
My point is, the “talent” is there, the experience is not. Unless they get on to the field.
Much of our back-up ‘talent’ has picked up some strong game time experience.
This bodes well for next season.
It is wishful thinking that we could go injury free through an entire season.
At least now, our “lesser talented” back-ups have a better chance of performing well enough to win.
February 3rd, 2025 at 7:26 pm
Myles Garrett is probably the 2nd or 3rd best defensive player in the NFL, and condending teams would be very willing to pay a lot for him.
The Bucs have the #19 pick this year, if they got Myles Garrett they probably have a later pick next year, let’s value it at say #25.
As far as assets go, that would get you 1st rounder or better in return, you got Wirfs, Winfield, Kancey, Vita – and that’s about it, and if the idea is to trade for Garrett to win, you’re not dumping talent.
On the other side, Garrett’s deal, assuming he doesn’t demand a new one, pays him $20m in 2025 (which isn’t bad actually) and $25m in 2026. The big thing, however, for any big package for Garrett is that he turns 30 during the season. So are you giving up multiple 1st’s, probably at least 3rd and a player to get someone for a 2-3 years, that will almost certainly demand a huge new contract?
People can daydream all they want, but the Bucs don’t really have the assets to pull this off – unless you want to give them Baker back. They’d probably go for that, but even as a non-Baker Boi, I’m not giving up a QB for a DE in modern football.
February 3rd, 2025 at 7:35 pm
Go get Kyle’s Garrett JL .. Equals SB Victory in Santa Clara
February 3rd, 2025 at 8:10 pm
Bucs defense has declined since Todd became HC and retained DC. He’s not good at both. This is the critical flaw.
Fact.
February 3rd, 2025 at 8:35 pm
Sobering facts @DR. Despite the perception, including my own, Bowles D is top third of the league at worst. It may be ugly but it is effective at least during the regular season. The question is whether this style can win in the playoffs.
With an improved offense and supplementation to the D, we definitely have promise. The next question is does Bowles have the chops to be a champion HC? JBF faithful seem completely decided on that score.
It’s the last year of dead cap hell if we don’t destroy ourselves with stupid gambles. If Todd proves he can get us there this year with another limited roster, He deserves whatever contract and post in the organization he requests. For better or worse. And I can’t believe I’m saying it.
February 3rd, 2025 at 8:54 pm
Lol mean Myles Garrett, silly auto correction
February 3rd, 2025 at 10:09 pm
Badbucs … ‘Bowles D is top third of the league at worst. It may be ugly but it is effective at least during the regular season. The question is whether this style can win in the playoffs.’
Actually the two of us see things very much the same way. Todd does what he feels it takes defensively to minimize Points Allowed. It’s not pretty; oftentimes it’s ugly. And especially when it came to going head-to-head with the perennial playoff contenders. We usually kept those games close, but in reality that doesn’t mean squat at the end of the season … those teams become your total focus, not just a third or half of it.
But this past year something fascinating happened IMO: our offense became bullies. We created an offense that was relatively ‘balanced’ in terms of what we COULD do running & passing. We ended up with the 3rd-best TOP (almost 32 mins/game), the best 3rd down conversion % (50.9% ranking as the 14th best in NFL history BTW) and with the #43 scoring offense. Awesome news … yet we only won 10 games & got eliminated in Rnd #1 of the playoffs.
Some of the reason why has to be owned by the offense (turnovers cost us at least 2 games, probably closer to 4 games?). Yet it was our defense that caught most of the blame. And that’s where we need to improve the most if we expect to play with the big boys this year and compete for the Super Bowl.
February 3rd, 2025 at 10:42 pm
Chances are the next bold proclamation on how to improve will be, “We just have to score more points than our opponents, more often. If we do that we will win more games.”
We are fortunate to have this guy.
February 4th, 2025 at 1:08 am
It would help if Bowles changed his gameplan on defense 1st and 2nd down.He is a stubborn mule.What your doing is not worling