Todd Bowles Isn’t Big On Pro Days
April 14th, 2025
So how and where is head coach Todd Bowles active in the pre-draft process?
A former scout, Bowles is not hands-off. But it’s unclear exactly where his focus lies.
Bowles offered a small glimpse into his pre-draft world during a sitdown with SiriusXM NFL Radio this month.
“I used to be very active [in Pro Days], not active as much because everything gets filmed and sent back to facility,” Bowles said. “And, you know, once we see a guy, for me, a Pro Day is really to get to know the guy.
“I can watch the tape and see how athletic you are and see that you can play, it’s just a matter if you’re a fit for our building — what type of person you are, how you carry yourself and what everybody else has to say about you. And that doesn’t necessarily require a Pro Day; that probably requires a 30 visit or in-person at the Combine or something like that.”
Yes, culture fit is key at One Buc Palace. Joe won’t characterize it as “everything,” but it’s a huge priority.
The “30 visit” Bowles referenced is the nickname for how each NFL team can have a maximum of 30 college prospects visit their headquarters during the pre-draft process, not counting local Combines.
April 14th, 2025 at 10:30 am
no problem with this at all…
out scouting department has shown the ability to recognize talent and this staff has shown they can develop talent…no biggie…
GO BUCS!!!!!
April 14th, 2025 at 10:44 am
A little more information than just, is this guy a culture fit would be helpful.
Not really sure what the point of this article was meant to be.
In my opinion, Bowles should be doing as much studying as he possibly can.
If he takes this fast food approach to the pass scheme again this coming season, we’re in for much of the same that we’ve seen the past several years.
How many years of this great offense are we going to waste waiting for the defense to come around?
Defensive guru? Not so much.
April 14th, 2025 at 10:47 am
“it’s just a matter if you’re a fit for our building”
That’s the biggest thing right there
April 14th, 2025 at 11:30 am
We wish Todd was big on defending the pass. Hoping for big change in 2025.
April 14th, 2025 at 11:49 am
In recent years the post draft press conference on the official Buccaneer website where the draft picks speak has been very impressive and telling of the type of players chosen. They have all been articulate and well spoken
April 14th, 2025 at 11:54 am
I think you gave us a valuable nugget, Joe.
Reading between the lines, it is sounding like Todd is letting others know they aren’t looking for baggage in the locker room as well as on and off the field. A lot of possible draft names and information coming to us now. The Bucs are watching, reading, and listening. Which means they are vetting strongly too. Yes, it’s all about the culture too. Smart.
April 14th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
If our defense can be as good as it was last half of the season (trotting out funderburke, Hayes, whitehead etc etc) and our offense can avoid regression we’ll be in good shape.
Is anyone still arguing that another coach would have done better with the players available to Todd ?
Who? How?
April 14th, 2025 at 3:14 pm
Glad to hear. Too much stock in the combine or a pro day is insanely ridiculous to me. How he plays is on game tape. It is just a matter of trying to get to know the guy and his motivation, discipline, dedication, and other attributes
April 14th, 2025 at 3:23 pm
This is a flawed approach. If you are drafting only players from the SEC or big ten where nearly every team has nfl caliber athletes then the tape trumps anything you can see at a pro day. But many many players are drafted from non power 5 conferences and the tape these kids produce is less telling. Pro days at these smaller schools are critical to see first hand if the kid truly has the measurables to play in the nfl
April 14th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
Culture fit in tampa what about Randy Gregory, Vernon Hargraves HAHAHAHAHA
April 14th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
The whole process is ridiculously over done.
April 14th, 2025 at 6:00 pm
To the short bus driver who asked the short bus question, a full time head coach with a full time defensive coordinator who maintained the second half adjustments into the first half of the following game would be a start. Then having proper game management insofar as use of timeouts, situational football, etc. Then finally, attention to detail at practices to reduce Bucs beating Bucs. Intolerance for slop and relentless repetition of execution would all have brought at least 2 if not 4 more wins and a winner against the Foreskins in the playoffs.
April 14th, 2025 at 6:11 pm
I worry sometimes that the emphasis on “good character and locker room fit” could cause us to miss out on a good player. Bill Parcells noted that you have to be a little bit crazy to play in the NFL. Would we take a chance on someone like Warren Sapp or Lawrence Taylor today? The trick is finding guys who can leave the aggression on the field, and not bring it home to their wife and kids.
April 14th, 2025 at 8:50 pm
He’s not big on clock management either. We study his tendencies, we know
April 14th, 2025 at 9:49 pm
Why do some people resort to name calling when someone asks them a question (or asks a question in general) but refuse to answer the actual question? I ask for a coach candidate you think would do a better job and you presented an imaginary coach or coaching qualities.
Reading comprehension is obviously not a strength of yours – try reading s l o w e r.
And what happened, you’re not kissing Dan Campbells butt, or Coens anymore?
Todd is handing over more DC coordinator duties to his assistant. We’ve hired a game manager to help with clock mgt etc. Todd can’t be everywhere all the time for gods sake….. I understand he’s the head coach and therefore is ultimately responsible for everything but…. geez
Intolerance for slop? Should players who exhibit sloppy tendencies be executed? ALL he can do is coach the players and assistant coaches. I’d also argue that lasts years crush (yours not mine) had his side of the ball looking pretty sloppy at times and cost us games but lets not talk about that right?
How about you ignore my posts unless I say something to or about you… and stop trying to stir up shlt with me, again? WTF?
April 14th, 2025 at 10:16 pm
GoneGator
I feel your pain but good luck trying to convince some of the Johnny One Notes here. They’ve made up their minds they hate Bowles and so that’s how it is.
They NEVER point out the positives just toss out meaningless tidbits like…
“Defensive guru? Not so much.”
WTF does that even mean. How about some examples of a “defensive guru”?
Most DC’s who win SB’s are at minimum respected if not labeled gurus. Most DC who inherit a post SB strapped squad with no cap space are lucky to survive multiple losing seasons but somehow put up 8-9-10 wins 3 years in succession in that situation again are at least respected!
I’m not saying Todd is an HOF coach…at least yet. I am saying he has accompishments like TEN wins with the lousy Jets and the 3rd winningest HC in Buc history, ahead of Chucky. Those are FACTS!!! They might not merit praise but they certainly do not deserve the rancid respetitive DISRESPECT shown by “some” of the small minds here.
BTW does anybody think that Todd’s increased involvement in the draft since becoming HC has produced horrible results?
April 14th, 2025 at 10:55 pm
@stpete
I know bro…. thats why I pretty much gave up awhile back and have not been posting much. Mis-direction and name calling whenever the bigotry, double standards and fallacies in their logic is pointed out, or called into question.
As far as I can tell Todd is addressing everything his biggest critics have complained about….
April 15th, 2025 at 10:33 am
It’s cute to watch snowflakes intertwine.