Time For Self-Reflection
February 6th, 2025
Self-scouting.
For many coaches, once football season ends and after they maybe take a couple of days off to reacquaint themselves with this thing called “sleep,” the same coaches return to team headquarters and hit the ground running.
They watching lots of tape of potential free agents and possible draft picks.
But with Todd Bowles, there may be a bigger chore. Perhaps as important as scouting free agents or breaking down draft targets, Bowles said in his final media availability of the 2024 season that a “big” task for him will be self-reflection.
What went wrong? What can he do to correct those things? And how can he be proactive so he’s not outcoached?
“It’s a lot,” Bowles said of the time he will take in self-scouting and reflection.
“The first thing you do is review everything you’ve done, see what they’re seeing, see what you see, see what you can change.
“Then you’re always looking for fresh ideas, whether it’s high school, college, pro, pee wee ball. You’re always looking for fresh ideas, whether it’s pressures, whether it’s runs, whether it’s blocking schemes, whether it’s coverages. You’re always looking for fresh ideas going forward.”
Well, Joe has a fresh idea for Bowles: embrace an edge rush. Even Bowles will be the first to admit his pass defense must improve.
What’s the easiest way for a pass defense to improve? Find an edge rush and for the love of all that is holy, do not try to con yourself into thinking some dude who cannot put the bong down (allegedly) is the next Simeon Rice.
Just imagine how much better Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey would be — and they are already two of the best defensive tackles — if defenses couldn’t double these guys up because offensive lines also have to tangle with a feared edge rusher.
There is no time to develop a rookie (this year). Go out and get a proven veteran. Two guys just this week in the AFC North alone are barking about wanting to be with new teams, dudes who regularly have double-digit sacks each season.
A solid, consistent edge rusher may just be the final piece of the puzzle for these Bucs to make a Super Bowl run. Get it done!
February 6th, 2025 at 10:36 am
Dudes also have eight digit salaries attached to them. Plus a serious loss of draft picks. Draft an edge or two, there’s some good ones coming out, keep the money for other uses, develop your own players. No need to raid the Old Folks Home for pre-owned players!
February 6th, 2025 at 10:39 am
I wish Bowles would actually do these things. I find it hard to believe this is for real, after seeing the Bucs defense pretty much do the same things over and over since Bowles has been with the Bucs.
February 6th, 2025 at 10:45 am
Bowles is a smart and thoughtful fella. I like him as a coach.
This next season he’s going to bring out his best stuff.
Go Bucs!!
February 6th, 2025 at 10:46 am
It comes down to an organization’s team building philosophy.
Two years of Evans and two years of Baker left at the moment, with no obvious replacements behind either. Jmac might prove to be able to assume CGs role.
Holes at LB and the defensive backfield, but an OL just coming into stride.
Garrett will also want an extension…so, it’s either swing for the fences for two years and be paying $40 million for a 32 year old edge rusher or go heavy on a draft class with premium prospects at edge and LB.
It’s a two years all in vs four or five years of roster control proposition, and Licht has proven to favor the latter.
February 6th, 2025 at 10:49 am
Jason Licht knows this team needs a pass rusher….the problem is he trust his draft picks too much even though he’s yet to find a pass rusher in 10+ years of drafting….
The Bucs are going to swinging for pass rushers in the draft but expect more of the same results….more Noah Spences and more fringe role players at that position.
February 6th, 2025 at 11:07 am
Hendrickson, Garrett, Watt or Crosby. 2 firsts plus some pick swaps is a worthy price to pay. Make it happen Jason!
February 6th, 2025 at 11:14 am
Tbbucs3 = Idiot
February 6th, 2025 at 11:15 am
Woodman= Triggered
February 6th, 2025 at 11:18 am
The facts dont care about your feelings, Jason Licht cant draft pass rushers…..
Fans will blame Todd Bowles but dont reliaze Licht has had a problem with pass rushers LONG before Bowles ever arrived in Tampa.
February 6th, 2025 at 11:37 am
The last two seasons are darn near mirror images of each other. Shouldn’t be too hard. If he did any “self scouting” last year and changed anything up, it did absolutely nothing to alter how the season went.
The offense was light years better running the ball and being much more efficient overall, and the win-loss record was almost identical. Soooo…., either he, or preferably someone else on the defensive staff, better figure out why, even when healthy, the pass defense is an absolute joke. Every single fan and every single NFL talking head can see it, but this staff in their little defensive meeting room echo chamber can’t manage to see it. The biggest fear is that they do see it, know the main issues, but aren’t capable of fixing it.
February 6th, 2025 at 11:40 am
Joe from Michigan the defense has changed multiple times that’s why it’s the way it is we didn’t used to have everybody dropping all the time into Zone coverage. It was more of a fake blitz than men coverage.
February 6th, 2025 at 11:44 am
The following conversation has been recorded for you viewing pleasure:
JL…Hey listen Todd, I got a line on an edge rusher that is a cinch to be really great, 280 pounds of muscle that can bull rush any OL or OLB in the league.
TB…I dunno, how is he on pass coverage? We’re giving up too many short shots over the middle. Vita needs help in that area. I’d prefer a body type like JTS that can ahh- – rush the passer and effectively cover the edge and middle. Then when I drop BOTH Vita and a new JTS-type and blitz the new LB you’re going to draft, think how confused their offense will be (chuckles).
JL…????????
February 6th, 2025 at 11:53 am
Is Bowles the only coach that drops ends into coverage?
February 6th, 2025 at 11:58 am
I believe Todd when he says it. But I also am pretty sure the things his valid critics want him to change, he’ll have on his “don’t change” list.
Get a DC, Jason.
February 6th, 2025 at 11:59 am
Ummm Does Bowles not get input on Draft picks?
Being the Defensive Guru he is I would think he would atleast on defensive players
Fans we can Find 10 DEs and corners of the highest quality
NOTHING WILL CHANGE WITHOUT LEADERSHIP
February 6th, 2025 at 12:13 pm
Our D has gotten progressively worse each year since the SB with only 1 person responsible
On the other hand, in one off-season a young, bright mind made the O TOP 4 in the league – completely rebuilt the ground game, had just as many injuries if not more than the D and still succeeded far above the D
I am not sure Todd has the aptitude to adjust to todays game at a level that will let us get there again without overstocking the roster with talent like the SB year – we let the wrong coach leave
February 6th, 2025 at 12:28 pm
No coach Bowles. No time for any self-reflection. Its time for you to get a Pass Rush. Sign Myles Garrett. Release the Dogs of War!
February 6th, 2025 at 12:35 pm
I think Braswell could pan out as an edge rusher if they quit trying to use him as a DB.
February 6th, 2025 at 12:39 pm
Also super strong. Todd’s built a great culture but is spread too thin to do two huge jobs well.
February 6th, 2025 at 12:53 pm
You guys are insane Todd Bowles looking at how he can do things differently? Nick rapone was Bowles safety position coach while Bowles was a player at temple. Uh Todd Bowles was in college in like 1982. How is it possible someone born in 1956 knows how to relate and teach players in their 20’s. If Bowles can’t reflect on something that basic well it explains why Bowles defense doesn’t function without old players. Bowles is no longer the coordinator so he can’t oversee the defense. He can’t spend the time with his players anymore so it’s his position coaches letting him down. He is the head coach so it’s his fault
February 6th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
Bowles & Co have prove they are incapable of developing an edge rusher. THey need one to come in a s a finished product already.
February 6th, 2025 at 2:23 pm
Y’all play the “drop into coverage” card too often.it was funny when it started months ago! It’s a 3-4 defense OLBs are OLBs. 3 DL and 2 OLBs would equal an extra rusher. They are meant to cover in some capacity.
February 6th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Clueless Todd should read this. I’m pretty certain self reflection is as foreign to Todd as Bump and run coverage.
February 6th, 2025 at 2:45 pm
Reflect on this……..HIRE A COMPETENT DC AND CONCENTRATE ON BEING HC.
February 6th, 2025 at 3:00 pm
As I proposed in a previous article… I’m sure the ability to self-scout and adapt is a GIANT part of part of improving year to year. Nobody who’s coached as long as Todd has (H. C. and D. C.) doesn’t know how to self critique especially during the off-season. If he doesn’t then whoever hired him dropped the ball.
Get the man the talent and watch our defense improve by a lot next season.
We all know the needs on defense = ILB, CB, Safeties, Edge rush and depth.
Those are a lot of wholes to fill with a limited number of draft picks and not a lot to spend on F. A. ‘s. There are still going to be weak position groups but they should still improve with fresh meat!
We have a LOT of talent on our defense. Vita, Kancey, Yaya (he’s so close to breaking out imo), are studs. We have solid depth across our front. LVD is till playing at a high level and we’ll be the perfect mentor to new ILB’s.
Zion is still getting better – sticky but needs to improve getting his head around. Dean is speedy, CAN be sticky – getting his head around is a problem for him too. And the injuries are a BIG issue in his case.I think that can be coached up 🤞🏼 Both starting corners are willing tacklers.
Safeties were pretty pitiful this year. I know AW has been hurt so I’m giving him a pass but another season of anything besides top 10 safety is unacceptable considering his contract. Whitehead was a bust last year, can he return to form? Our 2nd and 3rd sting safeties outplayed our starters on plenty of occasions last year.
OLb’s. Yaya is going to be a star. Braswell may still make a big jump. Don’t know what think bout Ramirez and Watts -they were supposed to break out this year but rode the pines.
I’d be looking at, and collaborating with position coaches, to look for ways to improve the groups I’ve listed above in addition to adding new talent. If the position coaches can’t get their group playing consistently sound, aggressive, football then we may need more/different coaches for position groups.
A dominant edge rusher, like many including Joe have petitioned for, could definitely make a big difference. It would be hard to do considering our cap situation but more will be revealed.
February 6th, 2025 at 3:13 pm
Manage the whole game. Stop the keep it close bleeding.
February 6th, 2025 at 4:49 pm
New ideas? His secondary coaches he’s been with since college, I doubt they have any new ideas. Look at your 34 year old O.C.. You need to hire some young coaches on defense too. The game has passed Rapone, and Ross behind.
February 6th, 2025 at 4:53 pm
Sounds like Bowles is really looking at fresh ideas. Maybe that was a clue. They hired Strong which sounds like he is good at developing rookies. Possibly an edge rusher for number 19 draft pick.
February 6th, 2025 at 5:15 pm
The BUCS WERE THE SEVENTH RANKED TEAM IN SACKS LAST YEAR!!!
They SUCKED on the back end getting 7 paltry ints with 28 yards of return.
That’s not even in the top 25!!!! More than a few teams had over 200 yards of int return yardage the Broncos at near 430!!!
So 7th in one area, 25th in the other and the need is in the area where the team finished in the top ten and not the area where they were bottom ten.
I’m slow on the uptake. Can somebody explain that one to me?
February 6th, 2025 at 5:34 pm
Agree. Get a dominant edge. Trade Dean and whoever else to gain cap space. Do not pick up Carlton Davis again. That would be stupid and stop getting injury prone players. Draft an elite secondary and of course always draft trenches. We need depth also. All this seems way too much to ask for.
February 6th, 2025 at 5:37 pm
Thanks, stpete. We are getting to the heart of it. We need an OLB, an ILB and a CB, however we acquire them. I mean free agency, trades or the draft.
February 6th, 2025 at 5:43 pm
Also self reflection? Get angry and yell at someone, hold people accountable for there mistakes, stop allowing the team to make so many stupid penalties that are costing the game, stop losing by a damn field goal, play strong in every quarter and keep scoring to demolish teams when you have a lead, learn how to speed up and slow down the game to disrupt the other teams, maybe learn a trick play and stop being so predictable, and remember… you coach like your old, how about you coach in this era. Last chance year!
February 6th, 2025 at 5:51 pm
Go get Todd Hartley to coach TE’s…..NOW!!!!
And trade for Myles!!!
February 6th, 2025 at 7:44 pm
Two ILB starters and better depth at CB and S are enough to make this a top tier scoring defense.
So long as your OLB’s can set the edge, keep containment, and blow up screens, they don’t have to be sack kings when you are getting pressure up the middle from two of your three defensive linemen.
To move it from top tier to elite, by all means add a third defensive linemen who can penetrate like Kancey or push the pocket like Vea – and it looks like this DL draft class will have such a player available for the Bucs when they pick in the second round. Adding a sack king OLB is another way to go, but nothing kills a pass play better than attacking inside pressure and solid containment on the edges.
And, likely first round draft pick ILB Jihaad Campbell got two strip sack fumble recovery touchdowns rushing from the OLB position last season. Several of the other long, fast ILB’s like Smael Mondon got sacks rushing from the OLB position. Survives Dennis will be back next year, and he is good enough to be the third ILB. Drafting the right two starting ILB’s would let you put Dennis in the game and move a starting ILB to OLB to replace JTS or his replacement when you really want to bring the heat!
February 6th, 2025 at 8:04 pm
Fantastic article Joe; don’t see how anyone could disagree with your conclusion that we need a better pass rush. That said though, it doesn’t necessarily follow that we’ll get it via upgraded talent. Not that Todd Bowles wouldn’t love to have another JPP or Suh in the lineup. Superior talent is superior talent, whether you’re running a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense (JPP & Suh both came from 4-3 backgrounds).
Bucs’ pass rush last season registered 46 sacks (tied #6 ranking) and 175 pressures (#5 ranking). Besides the 46 sacks, the pressures included 61 Hurries (#5 ranking) and 66 QB Knockdowns (#7 ranking). And yet … BUCS FANS B1TCH.
So how did we achieve those rankings? For one thing, Bucs (10-7) blitzed 244 times (2nd most in the NFL at 34.2%). We ranked #29 pass defense and #4 run defense, but #16 overall. Compare that to the teams around us (in terms of blitzing percentage):
o Vikings (14-3): 277 blitzes (38.9%) – #28 pass defense – #2 run defense – #5 overall defense.
o Lions (15-2): 237 blitzes (34.6%) – #30 pass defense – #5 run defense – #7 overall defense.
o Chiefs (15-2): 207 blitzes (31.6%) – #18 pass defense – #8 run defense – #4 overall defense.
Turns out that teams that live by the blitz seem to die by the blitz. All 4 teams (Bucs, Vikings, Lions, Chiefs) had excellent W-L records, had excellent Top-10 run defenses, excellent Top-10 QB pressure rates … and horrible pass defenses. And yet they won … 54-14 regular season records. MAYBE those 4 HCs & DCs aren’t as stupid as so many JBFers accuse Todd Bowles of being.
February 6th, 2025 at 8:15 pm
What irritated me the most was our zone pass defense when we got plagued with injuries. You could notice a drastic change from opposing qbs when we switched from man to zone. No blitz coming during zone coverage really wore our defensive line down and they would sit back and find the hole or the missed assignment. I totally agree with the statements of we need an edge rush but dont give up future for it. I dont think we can really afford Myles Garrett who is an amzing edge but would cost to much to get and keep him. Myles is also not great on run support or screen passes. Would love to have him but not willing give up multiple talent or picks to get him.