“Not Much Work To Do”
February 5th, 2025
Not far.
The Bucs’ pass defense was awful. Again. And one could argue (after a couple beers) that the pass defense is why Tampa Bay isn’t right now preparing to stop the Chiefs from three-peating.
One guy who bounced around the NFL practice squad circuit after starting at guard for Notre Dame, Mike Golic, Jr., doesn’t believe the Bucs have a monumental task this offseason to find the pieces and make the tweaks needed to be one of the NFC’s elite.
On Mina Kimes’ podcast, Golic said he trusts Bucs coach Todd Bowles to get the job done.
“The good news is, you know, offensively, there’s not that much work to do,” Golic said. “And in the trenches, this is a team that’s like, built the right way.
“I just feel like it won’t be that hard for them to improve.”
Golic isn’t wrong. The offense should be fine. Joe can’t expect it to be top-five like it was last year but the Bucs don’t need a top-five offense if they play smarter football and their defense improves.
Joe firmly believes rookies Graham Barton, Bucky Irving and Jalen McMillan will improve. As good as they are, if they improve, the offense will be just fine.
It’s the pass defense, that could drag this team down — again. Of course, if the Bucs decide to be bold and go get Myles Garrett, problem solved.
February 5th, 2025 at 6:48 am
More Mina please.
We all know the definition of insanity…looing at you Coach Bowles: Keep doing the same thing and expect different results.
February 5th, 2025 at 7:36 am
“Keep doing the same thing and expect different results.”
Yes that’s apparently the problem. The Bucs now THIRD winningest coach having passed Chucky this year, only 4 winners out of the entire history of Buc coaches, but clearly Todd is doing something wrong.
February 5th, 2025 at 7:38 am
I believe we just need depth at WR and Oline… Obviously 80% of our recourses need to be defense
Super excited for Sean Tucker and Bucky as a 1-2 punch
February 5th, 2025 at 7:39 am
Bucs Path to the SB. Trade for Trey Hendrickson, and sign FA Khalil Mack. Top three draft picks would target LB, CB and WR.
February 5th, 2025 at 7:51 am
Joe, my question is, do the Bucs need new players in the secondary or do they need a new position coach there and a tweak of scheme. If I am not mistaken, the Bucs went from zone blocking to gap blocking and changed OL coaches and results seems to be good and these results was accomplished with the same players and 3 rookies. We know Bowles is loyal to his defensive coaches but, can’t he just move them to different positions?
February 5th, 2025 at 8:07 am
Edge rusher and ILB are going to be our Achilles heel. Well, unless we get some help. A tight end and a receiver wouldn’t hurt either. And for God’s sake: stop using our edge rushers as oversized cornerbacks!
February 5th, 2025 at 8:09 am
ILB who can cover, health, one more CB
That alone makes them a Super Bowl Contender.
If they add an ever elusive edge rusher, even better
February 5th, 2025 at 8:17 am
Bowles is stubborn but since he is coming back in 2025 and he is going to be calling the plays, that is a fact us Buc fans have to accept. So, lets hope that Jason Licht and his crew of talented personnel evaluators can find players that can shore up the lack of talent at edge, the secondary and the LBs on roster who are not named Lavonte David. Perhaps with a bump in talent, Bowles schemes could be more effective and not be exposed to the extent it was last season after the injury bug hit and backups simply could not get things done. Trey Hendrickson could be the solution at edge if the Bucs could get him for a day 2 draft pick. Khalil Mack is another option.
Now, Coach Bowles clock management and use of timeouts is another story, an intervention by those at OBP might be required to get Bowles to better utilize the clock. With the right players and some luck (fewer injuries), there is no reason why the Bucs should not be the favorite to win their division and hopefully make some noise as it is likely they will be overlooked and underestimated by the national media who will be smitten with Philly, DC, the Lambs, Lions, Packers, etc……..
February 5th, 2025 at 8:20 am
This team can get all the All-Pro’s on offense and defense but it won’t matter if Bowles doesn’t stay aggressive on offense. You need 4 yards in a home playoff game for a go ahead TD but you trust your kicker more than the $100 QB, HoF WR and star RB.
It won’t matter if the best pass rushers are in coverage. It won’t matter if the offense turns the ball over. It won’t matter if Bowles takes a safety and puts him at nickel or has him covering kicks.
It all boils down to decision making from the HC and QB. If their decision making skills in the playoffs stays the same, this team won’t get far.
February 5th, 2025 at 8:25 am
OK go ahead and pretend he isn’t benefiting from having been given this roster and the best gm in Bucs history or a horrible division, he’s still a .500 Medicore coach. I can’t understand why all these people are slurping Todd Bowles. If HE was given Jags instead of a Super Bowl winning roster he would have been fired a couple years ago kind of like when he coached the jets. I hope Jason Licht goes wild in free agency just so the blind can see. Trade for Garrett and a corner. Draft an edge with the first pick and another corner and linebacker
February 5th, 2025 at 8:36 am
one could argue (after a couple beers) that the pass defense is why Tampa Bay isn’t right now preparing to stop the Chiefs from three-peating.
Ya think 16 interceptions and 13 fumbles by the starting QB might have something to do with it?
February 5th, 2025 at 8:51 am
Exactly right, we need an edge rush. We are all saying it. Media is saying it. Joes been saying it.
Unsure if the Bucs will try for Garrett, but am looking forward to reading about all the possible candidates for the draft. Scouting is at the end of this month and the draft is in the end of April. Time is flying fast.
February 5th, 2025 at 9:11 am
“Ya think 16 interceptions and 13 fumbles by the starting QB might have something to do with it?”
Fair, bottom ranked pass D is also to blame, two things can be right at the same time….
February 5th, 2025 at 9:16 am
That great division, NFC North, was 0-3 in playoffs. Buccaneers 4-1 against NFC North last two years.
February 5th, 2025 at 9:31 am
Alanbucsfan Says:
February 5th, 2025 at 8:36 am
one could argue (after a couple beers) that the pass defense is why Tampa Bay isn’t right now preparing to stop the Chiefs from three-peating.
Ya think 16 interceptions and 13 fumbles by the starting QB might have something to do with it?
===================================
Don’t think so. Tell us which games the Bucs lost because of interceptions? I’ll tell you that they lost more than one game this year where there was no interceptions. They won the NO first game where there were 3 interceptions. Brady first 7 full years in the NFL had 86 INT’s. Mayfield first full 7 years had 90 INT’s. Get a new song to sing.
February 5th, 2025 at 9:37 am
If Todd Blows is calling the defense, NOTHING regarding pass defense will change, NOTHING.
This team routinely is shredded with the pass, corners/defensive backs are NOWHERE near receivers
17 more games left of this clown’s awful pass defense
February 5th, 2025 at 9:57 am
Gipper-
Bucs lost 2nd Falcons game because of turnovers
The Ravens game changed in 1st half when Mayfield threw back to back interceptions, and one of them when Bucs were on Ravens’ 3 yd line
Bucs lost Cowboys’ game because of turnovers
Bucs lost Commanders playoff game because of a turnover.
Yes, the pass defense was awful and Bucs need an Edge rusher
Mike C said it- 2 things can be right at the same time.
February 5th, 2025 at 10:04 am
The offense will have Bucky, Barton, jmac, and a (probably) returning Godwin. That’s impressive. solid part of the teams planning. It doesn’t need to be elite, just solid. Defense needs to be fixed before the offense. Edge rusher and back 7 players from FA and draft and trades and anywhere you get a player. pass rush and pass defense.
February 5th, 2025 at 10:10 am
Yeah but if the defense holds we don’t lose those games. Offenses make mistakes. A good defense gets the ball right back. Example. Brady threw 3 ints against Packers somehow we won that game. Defense is how BUCS won 2 Superbowls. Get the ball back for the offense. Not give up 10 min endless drives. Go Bowles.
February 5th, 2025 at 10:24 am
So because the Bucs beat the Lions and Eagles early in the season then had they beat the Commanders they would be in the Super Bowl? That kind if thinking often have people using words like Franchise.
Bucs Offense was +/-50% of the cause of the one and done playoff trot.
Commander’s Middle of the Pack defense made the Bucs Offense look average.
When it comes right down to it there was a lot of run it up against sorry teams and not enough against defenses that guarded against a Red Zone offense played between the 20’s.
February 5th, 2025 at 10:26 am
Todd’s final year on a four year deal, team has fifth year option. If the defense doesn’t improve it’s on Todd. Personally I’d like to see him turn the reins over to Larry Foote. He’s been with Todd for years yet can’t get his own DC gig. Give him a chance Todd. You got your current job through the grace of Arian’s handing it to you. Do the same for Foote, give him a chance to show the league what he can do. He’ll never get credit for the defense if he doesn’t call it on Sunday. Maybe as HC only, you can get that clock management thing down.
February 5th, 2025 at 10:38 am
2021 on defense Bucs lost jpp, Suh and whitehead and the defense fell apart because the coaching staff sucks and can’t develop players. Jpp was a none factor on defense and had 2.5 sacks. 2021 Bucs gave up 238 ypg Bowles becomes HC and gives up 324 pg because he was too has off. Dudes a coordinator. Run defense went from giving up 92 ypg to 120pg. 13-4 under BA to 8-9 after losing veterans. Player personnel is not the issue, all teams lose players from year to year Bowles team just can’t coach and that’s on him because he’s blaming his players. Duh the offense doesn’t need much
February 5th, 2025 at 10:52 am
Jeff sounds like a great plan we would be in a top spot if we went and got Khalil Mack and then look towards the draft for inside linebacker and corner and maybe sign another edge rushers
February 5th, 2025 at 11:05 am
I prefer Josh Sweat FSU guy you don’t have to give up any draft capital a little younger than Garrett, not as many sacks Garrett but about 8 to 10 grand cheaper and can still sign Godwin.
February 5th, 2025 at 11:06 am
Who coaches the defense? Asking for a friend……
February 5th, 2025 at 11:07 am
This years draft needs to go D-line, linebacker, corners, and repeat until ur out of draft picks! I said my peace
February 5th, 2025 at 11:21 am
Mina Kimes literally laughed hysterically when the bills drafted Josh Allen and called it a horrible draft pick
Less Mina Kimes
February 5th, 2025 at 11:21 am
The defense is broken. Fix it. Even the great Todd Bowles needs help sometimes.
February 5th, 2025 at 11:26 am
Hire a DC, maybe?
February 5th, 2025 at 11:39 am
Emmanwori and Revel will be a great start. Cant afford Myles.
February 5th, 2025 at 11:39 am
Shaq takes over for jts
February 5th, 2025 at 11:54 am
I keep hearing the Bucs cant afford Myles. I don’t need a lesson in how the cap works I have heard it all before. The Bucs can afford Myles if they choose not resign some folks. All I heard during the Super Bowl broadcast last year was there was no way that Chris Jones would return to KC, they couldn’t afford him. Well he signed a 190 million dollar extension and signed Kelce as well. Besides Garret is signed for two years, fairly cheap. Could extend him in 27 when the cap goes up to 325. Or the Bucs can sit by and watch another contender make it happen with little cap room.
February 5th, 2025 at 12:13 pm
Pewter Power … ‘2021 on defense Bucs lost jpp, Suh and whitehead and the defense fell apart because the coaching staff sucks and can’t develop players.’
Unfair analysis Pewter. There was a MASSIVE loss of defensive talent after the 2021 season, right before Bowles took over as HC. In 2021 we had Vea, Suh, RNR, Gholston & McLendon manning the front, with JPP, Shaq, Nelson & JTS as OLBs. Outstanding starters AND depth.
In 2022 we had Vea, Hicks, RNR, Gholston & Hall manning the front, with Shaq, JTS, Nelson & Nassib as OLBs. That’s a major degradation in starter talent IMO, and the depth didn’t work out so good either. Wouldn’t exactly say that compensating for the loss of Suh, JPP & McLendon by adding Hicks, Hall & Nassib was an equal exchange of talent.
In 2023 BTW Bucs lost RNR, Hicks & Nassib (apparently because Bowles couldn’t develop them?) but added Gaines, Kancey & Diaby. Interestingly, our defense finished #7 that year in Points Allowed (325), ranking #5 in Rushing Yards Allowed but #29 in Passing Yards Allowed. Not too terrible in the giant scheme of things, especially considering that we were using a LOT of youth in there (JTS, Hall, Daiby, Kancey) and had quite a few defensive injuries. I’m thinking that we coulda been #1 defense if Bowles knew what he was doing & could develop players.
I prefer to focus on what’s most important: POINTS ALLOWED. Up until this past season, I was quite satisfied with our defense’s big-picture PERFORMANCE. Lack of starting & depth TALENT in several position groups hurt us big-time. This is the year to fix that.
February 5th, 2025 at 12:28 pm
Ted: Jason Licht loves draft picks. That’s why I highly doubt the Bucs will trade for Myles Garrett.
February 5th, 2025 at 12:29 pm
ESPN just redrafted to 2024 Draft, & had FOUR Bucs in the first 2-Rounds… Barton moves up to 21 now, & Bucky at 26. JMac & Tykee jump into the 2nd Round, at #49 & 62. Not bad having ‘four’ of the Top 62 prospects. I knew it would take Bras a little while longer in the Bowles system. Also, back on January 7th (some had prob already seen it), PFF had Bucky as their #1 HIGHEST Ranked Prospect in their end of season Rookie-Ratings!!!! Pretty Impressive.
February 5th, 2025 at 12:42 pm
Most fans seem to have forgotten that the Bucs started the 2024 season with arguably the best scoring defense in the NFL.
In the first four weeks, the Bucs played four of the top ten offenses in the NFL. Collectively, those four offenses averaged 28.475 points per game. Against the Bucs, they averaged only 19.5 points per game. If the Bucs had averaged 19.5 points per game for the season, they would have finished tied for the fifth best scoring defense in the league.
Then, the Bucs lost ILB SirVocea Dennis for the season, and the Bucs defense was never that good again. For the rest of the season, the Bucs only played one other top ten offense. But, against lesser offenses, their scoring defense fell to sixteenth!
OLB/pass rusher is NOT the Bucs greatest need! The Bucs sack leader, Calijah Kancey, missed all of those first four games, and still the Bucs defense excelled!
Defensive Back is NOT the Bucs greatest need! Antoine Winfield missed three of those four games, and still the Bucs defense excelled!
Inside Linebacker IS the Bucs greatest need! Of those first four games, the only poor performance by the defense was against Denver – 26 points! In that game, the Bucs defense gave up two touchdowns; both were surrendered by ILB’s not named Lavonte David.
On third and goal, SirVocea Dennis (4.63 forty) stood on the hash marks lined up with Bo Nix (4.71 forty). Dennis hesitated, and the slower Nix beat Dennis to the corner and scored.
On fourth and goal, K. J. Britt (4.76 forty) faced Bo Nix who again headed to the corner. Britt did not hesitate; Nix just outran him to score again.
Sean Payton showed the Bucs their weakest link in week 3; Denver only got inside the Bucs 10 yard line twice in that game. Where did Payton attack for touchdowns? Both times, Payton attacked ILB’s not named Lavonte David!
Yes, the Bucs need better second string cornerbacks. They need more depth at Defensive Back in general. They would benefit from more speed at strong safety. When backup DB Izien was lost, the defense suffered every time a starting DB was out. But, the Bucs have the starting Defensive Backs they need.
Yes, the Bucs could benefit from a more productive edge rusher or another attacking defensive lineman. But, even without Kancey, against top tier offenses, the Bucs defense demonstrated that it could excel with the remaining front five starters and backups!
Bowles also demonstrated that the Bucs greatest need for starters and backups is at ILB by so often running soft zones! The Bucs outside cornerbacks have 4.3 and 4.33 speed; the nickel cornerback has 4.43 speed; the free safety has 4.45 speed, and the strong safety has 4.57 speed. But, the Bucs starting ILB’s are barely fast enough to play man coverage with 4.63 and 4.65 speed. The backups who played the last 13 games of the season were too slow to play man coverage with 4.76 and 4.82 speed.
Inside Linebacker IS the Bucs greatest need, and a great one is available in the first round of the draft – Jihaad Campbell!
By drafting Campbell in the first round, the Bucs get a 6’3″, #245 player with 4.55 speed, a thumping cover linebacker who not only can do it all as a three down sideline to sideline ILB, but in passing situations, Campbell can move to OLB where he is also very productive.
The Bucs also need to draft a coverage linebacker in the third or fourth round. Likely prospects include Barret Carter (6’1″, #230, 4.55), Smael Mondon (6’3″, #235, 4.46), and Lander Barton (6’4″, #236, 4.55). With Lavonte David back for at least another year, the Bucs would turn their position of greatest weakness on defense into a position of tremendous strength! And, the Bucs could stop playing soft zone; they would have the speed to keep opposing play callers and quarterbacks guessing, never knowing for sure if they are facing man or zone coverage!
Use the second round pick to take an edge rusher or an attacking defensive lineman like Kancey. Use the remaining third or fourth round pick and the fifth round pick to take defensive backs.
Bring back Godwin, David, Nelson and even JTS if you get a penetrating defensive lineman in the second round. Look for a free agent strong safety competition and DB depth in general.
February 5th, 2025 at 12:46 pm
Alanbucsfan,
You must be pretty myopic or have an axe to grind to believe that the second ATL game was lost because of interceptions. The human statue, Cousins, completed 23 of 29 passes in that game. In the course of every football game there are interceptions, fumbles, blown coverages, missed tackles, batted down passes, penalties that negate good plays. missed field goals and so on. Here is what I know for sure. 1),Bucs had a terrific and entertaining offense in 2024 headed up by Baker Mayfield. 2), Bucs had an ineffective defense in 2024.
February 5th, 2025 at 12:50 pm
The Bucs could find a way to fit Myles Garret into the salary cap. That, they could
afford.
But, the asking price is expected to be two first round draft picks. The Bucs would be treading eight to ten years of first round production at rookie prices for two years from Garrett who would then be a free agent or retire.
And, you could lose half of what you get from Garrett if he has an injury like Godwin’s that causes him to lose a season
Those two first round draft picks for a two year contract are the price that is too high.
February 5th, 2025 at 1:05 pm
We’re in a much better draft position than prob most of the leading contenders for Myles! So, if it comes down to ‘apples to apples’ trade packages, I woukdsay that the Browns would much rather have OUR Pick at #19 versus Washington or whomever, a much later in the 1st-Round. Washington could offer a much better extension though, if that is part of the deal. I’d say if the Browns DO agree to trade him, that they would surely want to do right by HIM (if you’re talking ‘apples to apples’). IF he does end up demanding a trade, I would much rather trade for Sauce Gardner, if it were me. 2-years still left on his ‘rookie’ deal, only 25-years old, and s just beginning to hit his PRIME. I would take an ELITE, true ‘lockdown’ Corner shutting down HALF the field (with Winfield Junior & Tykee Smith) for the next 5-10 years!!!!
February 5th, 2025 at 1:13 pm
I mostly, agree with DR. But, damn… JTS NEVER ‘improved’ whatsoever, at ALL. That should be extremely, disappointing and EMBARRASSING for him. He was playing for his NFL LIFE last season and was basically, INVISIBLE. And, irrelevant.
February 5th, 2025 at 1:17 pm
How is this possible?
How does this guy still have a job?
Let’s look at his resume.
I am a current NFL head coach who has coached two teams for seven full seasons. My first season was my best as I led my team to a 10-6 record. In six subsequent seasons, however, my teams have lost 11, 11, 12, 9, 8 and seven games respectively. My critics think I believe clock management to be a horologist hard at work. Isn’t it?
Despite an overall career record of 53-65 and a playoff record of 1-3, I am beloved by many in my current location. I call them my low expectation fans. One coach, who was just fired, has a career record of 62 games above .500. I am 12 games under. Man, do I love Tampa!!
Even my critics think me to be a super-nice guy. As for my supporters, I can’t thank you enough for providing excuses for me when I screw up. My favorite is, “It’s the owner’s fault. He should be forced to sell the team” or “I have the third best winning record as head coach in the history of my franchise (3 games over .500).” Of course these fans of mine forget to mention that I coach the team with the worst cumulative record in all of professional sports history. Thanks guys!
Of all the current NFL head coaches with three or more years experience in that position, only Brian Daboll and Raheem Morris have a worse losing record than me. Hint, I am not one of them.
With that, who am I?
February 5th, 2025 at 1:19 pm
Elite lockdown corners do not exist in a vacuum. 99 percent of the time they are on college team with a fierce pass rush. Stingley Jr for the Texans is a good example. Considered elite at LSU, drafted in the top 5 and struggled until the Houston pass rush became what it is today. He was named all pro this year after major upgrades were made to the pass rush for the Texans, is he more talented than he was in 2022/2023? If the Bucs fix the pass rush or pass defense will improve dramatically, but picking another JTS at No. 19 probably isn’t going to get it done.
February 5th, 2025 at 1:22 pm
Y’all love this quote: “Keep doing the same thing and expect different results.”the “definition” of insanity. And ironically, you weigh in multiple times a day regarding your hatred of Bowles, and what has changed? Who’s insane?
We get it. We all have been frustrated by our HC. Move on, because now, you just sound like whiny biat€hes
February 5th, 2025 at 1:24 pm
Accordto PFT, Bucs are hiring Charlie Strong, currently an assistant at Alabama, to be D line coach. He’s a veteran coach, 64 yo.
February 5th, 2025 at 1:33 pm
The grass is always greener…..when you’re high. Do you say this due to exceptional development and play of Russel, Britt, or Jones? Maybe you’re thinking about the regression in D. White’s play and Foote’s inability to reign in ONE player. There is a reason he never gets a look see for an DC jobs. You’d be better off, at least as good, handing the job off to Lavonte
February 5th, 2025 at 1:33 pm
Did we just hire Charlie Strong as DL coach?
February 5th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
As long as Bowles is our coach we will always struggle on defense because the man is nose blind to the stench of his system. He doesn’t believe in an edge rush and has 350 lb linemen covering tight ends and running backs. He has no answer for covering the middle of the field because he doesn’t teach how to cover receivers simply just let them run right by and catch the ball while everybody stands there staring at the qb. A pass defensed is one of the rarest aspects of his system unless someone makes a heck of a play. I don’t think he’s a very good evaluator of defensive talent because of Dean and KJ Britt and other draft picks.
February 5th, 2025 at 3:09 pm
“Not much work to do” said no one every coaching a football team. I guess that explains why Mike Golic Jr discusses coaching football , rather than actually coaching football.
February 5th, 2025 at 3:34 pm
Again, serious question regarding the defense and specifically Todd’s “scheme”.
How does it differ from Spags (KC) defense schematically?
Or maybe Flores in Minnesota?
Or other teams that also crowd the line and drop different people into zones to gain an advantage over the O-Line and their protections.
Is it more complicated? Do we just not have the players to play this style of D?
Enquiring minds want to know.
February 5th, 2025 at 6:03 pm
toopanca … ‘Inside Linebacker IS the Bucs greatest need, and a great one is available in the first round of the draft – Jihaad Campbell!’
Exceptional analysis Toopanca, and spot on. To me, the Top-4 Rnds of the draft are ‘must-hit’ rounds if mid-tier teams like the Bucs are to improve & win in the playoffs. Rnds 5-7 are certainly nice to hit in, but don’t rate the same ‘urgency’ IMO.
Bucs have been doing outstanding in Rnds 1-4 lately, and actually better-than-average in Rnds 5-7. That said, I’d use all of our first 4 picks on defense: ILB, Edge, CB, DT/DE (but not necessarily in that order).
February 5th, 2025 at 9:33 pm
Toopanca
I always read your posts regardless of length because you rely on actual facts and eschew the juvenile name calling and intentional misspelling of names. That started to bore me by junior high, some here apparently cannot grow up!
“Most fans seem to have forgotten”
You had me with that opening line and then as D.R. just said you provided excellent analysis. Thanks for making this thread worth reading!!!
February 5th, 2025 at 10:53 pm
When you give up more passing yards than all but three teams for consecutive seasons, the points allowed chickens will eventually come home to roost. The statistical anomaly saw a partial correction in 2024. If the overdeployed, two huge jobs coach continues to play bend over and break pass defense and playing guys out of position on purpose to “surprise” Kirk Cousins, 2025 will again be worse in points allowed than 2024. Count on it.
February 6th, 2025 at 6:33 am
“than all but three teams”
Yes because who wishes to be compared to Detroit or Baltimore, two of the 3 teams the Bucs bested?