Todd Bowles Wants To Keep The Tush Push
February 26th, 2025
Pro tush push.
At the Indiana Convention Center, a lot of buzz has been stirred up by one play: The tush push.
The Packers filed formal paperwork to have the league vote to ban the Eagles’ famous rugby-like play, which for others is a quarterback sneak.
It’s very effective because Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is such a strong, tough runner and Philadelphia has a very physical offensive line.
Since it came out that the Packers want to ban it, Raheem Morris and Sean McDermott, head coaches of the Dixie Chicks and Bills, respectively, are forcefully whining about it.
McDermott even reached for the lazy excuse that the play is too dangerous for football players.
Why?
What evidence is there that players are being wheeled off the field right and left due to the play? McDermott didn’t provide any intel.
Joe found it interesting that so far, the two most vocal coaches against the tush push while speaking at the combine are both defensive guys.
Well, not all defensive guys are against the tush push.
Enter Bucs coach Todd Bowles. Maybe because the Bucs have had decent luck against the tush push, Bowles all but said it’s up to defensive coaches to devise a way to stop it.
“I think it is a rugby element, but at the same time, when a team gets something that they are good at, you’ve got to stop it,” Bowles said. “I don’t think the first thing you have to do is take it out of the ballgame.
“That takes away the creativity [of offenses]. We have to learn how to stop it. Until we learn how to stop it they will continue — if it is not broke, don’t fix it.
“It’s a good challenge for defensive coaches. You just have to figure it out.”
Well, it helps to have physical players on your defensive line to stop it and the Bucs have that. Former Philadelphia center Jason Kelce remarked how brutal it is for a center on that play to try to push back Vita Vea.
If there is any human in the NFL built to stop the tush push, it’s the human wrecking ball Vea.
Joe agrees with Bowles. McDermott, Morris, the Packers and others are whining because they can’t stop it. So they want it banned. That’s both bush league and weak sauce.
#Falcons HC Raheem Morris is not a fan of the tush-push pic.twitter.com/WfsXBmsOD8
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 25, 2025
February 26th, 2025 at 11:22 am
A little more respect for Bowles.
Good answer.
February 26th, 2025 at 11:29 am
Before anybody reads ‘crap’ into that post…
I have a LOT of respect for Bowles.
I also think he is stubborn to his own detriment.
I think he needs to admit that a full time DC will help he, and his team, to win more consistently.
That doesn’t mean I don’t respect him.
It just means I’m frustrated with him.
February 26th, 2025 at 11:53 am
Whiners for sure. Keep the Tush Push. Good for Todd.
February 26th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
Banning the tush push is dumb. Here’s an idea: How about keeping the Eagles out of 4th and inches or goal line situations? They don’t run it when they have to go 2 yards or more.
February 26th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
As I stated in yesterday’s Cup of Joe, the play should absolutely be illegal because rules currently exist on both offense and defense that make a) unfair leverage advantages and b) pulling a ball carrier for yardage gain illegals. Breaking news: The Tush Push does both.
I can point to chapter-and-verse of the NFL rule book if anyone wants to challenge me on this. Nobody ever has… they just argue “it’s stupid to ban it” without bothering to try and view that play in light of the existing rules.
Literally, the only reason it’s illegal is because the ball carrier is being pushed downfield rather than pulled. You want “stupid?” Stupid is failing to acknowledge that if PULLING a ball carrier is illegal, then PUSHING should also be illegal.
February 26th, 2025 at 12:43 pm
Gotta agree with Jose here. Given the attitude of the coaches who want it banned, I will go on record as saying that Morris and McDermott will never win a super bowl.
February 26th, 2025 at 12:52 pm
I agree with Todd. Good answers.
Wish he knew how to stop a Tush Pass.
February 26th, 2025 at 3:26 pm
It’s no different than when blockers run up behind running backs downfield and push the pile. If you’re going to make it illegal you’ll have to stop that play also.
February 26th, 2025 at 3:45 pm
It is just weird because you were never allowed to push from behind on offense, it was a penalty for the longest time, then they got rid of that penalty…..
February 26th, 2025 at 7:21 pm
Warren Sharp maybe… posted stats the other day when this came out that the Packers have a higher 3rd/4th and short % than the Eagles do.
It should definitely not be banned. Don’t want it converted don’t let it get to a yard or less for a new set of downs. It’s a QB sneak and Philly has a great OL, they are good at pushing forward.
February 26th, 2025 at 10:03 pm
Mike C I guess I’m old school with you there but in my mind that pushing stuff is and always has been against the rules. When did that crap get a green light? I agree-somebody is going to get hurt. And learning about Jalen Hurts when he played here at OU I learned that he is one of the top squat weightlifters in the country. Been doing squats competitively since he was a kid! Who knew? That’s why Philly is so good at it. Most QBs can’t do that even with Eagles OL.