Keep Up The Meetings, Todd Bowles
January 26th, 2021
Resurgence.
Joe is of the mind that brute nose tackle Vita Vea is a big reason why the Bucs pass rush was jarred out of hibernation on Sunday and put Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the ground five times.
In several postgame interviews, Shaq Barrett has given the Bucs’ secondary shoutouts for their coverage, saying Rodgers couldn’t get rid of the ball to avoid some sacks because the coverage was so good.
Joe pointed out for weeks that the secondary could become the downfall of the Bucs’ postseason hopes. In recent history, unless a team had a current or former Pro Bowler in their defensive backfield, that team did not reach the Super Bowl.
The Bucs shattered that glass ceiling on Sunday.
Well, Mike Garafolo, pinch-hitting this morning for closet Bucs fan Peter Schrager on “Good Morning Football,” had very interesting information. Like Joe, Garafolo had significant concerns over the Bucs secondary in the playoffs.
He believed that was the team’s Achilles heel. Instead, the secondary has played lights out. Sean Murphy-Bunting has matched Ed Reed as a defensive back who has an interception in each of three playoff games. Anyone see Michael Thomas these days? And Davante Adams didn’t exactly tear apart the Bucs’ defense on Sunday.
Then Garafolo shared that defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, a former defensive back himself, has been meeting individually with each of the Bucs’ defensive backs daily starting at 5 a.m. to review their responsibilities and the gameplan, and how to better themselves.
If Bowles meeting with each defensive back is the reason for the turnaround of the secondary, all Joe has to say to Bowles is, keep it up sir.
You may view Garafolo’s piece on the Bucs’ secondary in the NFL Network video below.
“All of a sudden looking like veterans with the way they’re able to make plays in the postseason.” — @MikeGarafolo
The @Buccaneers DBs are growing up right before our eyes 👀 pic.twitter.com/nTX7eikzbp
— GMFB (@gmfb) January 26, 2021
January 26th, 2021 at 1:38 pm
Bunting was always the least natural looking of our CBs but always came across as willing to do anything on the field and the smart/coachable type. So with these meetings and him looking the most improved it sorta checks out what I have been seeing all along.
January 26th, 2021 at 1:46 pm
I’ve been so critical of Todd often pointing out his varying levels of success. During the emotions of a football game, especially one that carries the weight of last Sunday’s game against GB, it’s easy to be overly critical. The truth of the matter is after seeing Todd’s ability to coach young talent and also make necessary adjustments which he seems to do well each week, I’ve come to the conclusion that he’s a heck of a defensive mind and a darn good teacher. The proof is in the pudding. Several weeks ago many of us wanted SMB to be locked in a closet but he’s become the playmaker of this secondary. Mike Edwards, Winfield, Carlton. A lot of success from these guys. Todd deserves props. Plain and simple as Lovie used to say.
January 26th, 2021 at 1:51 pm
P.S. Really pulling for the heartbeat of this secondary, Jordan Whitehead to be able to play in the SB. Same goes for Antonio Brown and Winfield which seem more likely.
January 26th, 2021 at 1:52 pm
Bowles deserves another shot as a HC. If he doesn’t get the Texans job, I’ll be more than happy to see him back next season.
January 26th, 2021 at 2:01 pm
Cmurda
I’m saying linking Todd Bowles and failed experimment Lovie Smith will not get free game tix
Just sayinc
Go Bucs!
January 26th, 2021 at 2:01 pm
We will need Bowles back next year to coach up our 2 or 3 top defensive draft picks…..I predict the money will be spent on the offense….the draft on the defense.
January 26th, 2021 at 2:08 pm
It’s all in the film
The more film study these guys do, the better prepared they are.
The favored routes and the little “tells” that every receiver has.
Knowing these things well will lead DP’s and more interceptions.
January 26th, 2021 at 2:09 pm
(lead to DP’s)
January 26th, 2021 at 2:47 pm
Bucs win SB, BA retires as HC, Bowles promoted to HC, BA stays on as advisor or president of something
January 26th, 2021 at 3:04 pm
rrsrq
Pretty much the way it is already….
January 26th, 2021 at 3:08 pm
5 a.m. meeting? Must be my age, but I wouldn’t remember squat from a meeting that early in the day. I suspect the booze doesn’t help, either.
January 26th, 2021 at 3:28 pm
With both starting tackles not playing for KC, this is going to be a HUGE advantage for the Bucs. Mahomes is not going to be able to sit in the pocket and chew up the Bucs DBs. If we can keep TE Kittle and WR Hill limited to a few catches, the Bucs can dominate the game.
January 26th, 2021 at 3:32 pm
AlabamaBucsFan, what about Mahomes’ scrambling ability?
January 26th, 2021 at 3:58 pm
They’re all young….they’ll come along just fine.
January 26th, 2021 at 4:05 pm
AlabamaBucFan.. Kelce***** Kittle plays for 49ers
January 26th, 2021 at 4:35 pm
This might be crazy, but I would like to see Dean match up with T. Hill and let Carlton Davis match up with Kelce. I don’t like any LB matching up against Kelce and I think Davis is good against bigger physical types so maybe that can work.
January 26th, 2021 at 4:59 pm
Joe, Vita Vea was pushing linemen like dolls he almost got to Rodger 3 times I counted.
That changed everything they had to single block the ends.
100% correct.
January 26th, 2021 at 4:59 pm
Devin White as a spy to Mahomes
January 26th, 2021 at 5:46 pm
Great story Joe as always. As far as the young DB’s coming of age in the Playoffs, in the words of the great Alexander Graham Ball QUOTE “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success ❗️“ GO BUCS 😀❗️❗️❗️
January 26th, 2021 at 5:51 pm
Bowles has always been a great DC. He’s just had the misfortune of losing one of our best guys on Def for most of the year (Vea). Add some more depth to our Dline and a vet corner and this Def could be something real special. As for KC, gotta try to find a way to limit Mahomes, Kelce, and Hill. Don’t be afraid to run the ball and control TOP. Hopefully Vea is close to full strength. It’ll be huge to get pressure from our front four without having to blitz. Cant wait. Go Bucs!
January 26th, 2021 at 6:31 pm
Jim, it used to be booze, now its age for me! 😈
Five a.m. rising is for young troops in the army and for NFL football players I guess. I’m essentially brain dead at that time of day for the most part. 😊
January 26th, 2021 at 7:06 pm
Chesapeake Bay Bucco asked, “AlabamaBucsFan, what about Mahomes’ scrambling ability?”
Tuff toe. He’s still going to scramble, but we have fast LBs and DBs. Bucs are one of the best against stopping the running QBs.
January 26th, 2021 at 7:07 pm
Nobody says, “AlabamaBucFan.. Kelce***** Kittle plays for 49ers”
Thanks for the correction!
January 26th, 2021 at 7:29 pm
Ya Kelce is their clutch receiver. Limiting his catches would be huge. My main concern is KC offense team speed. Very fast at qb, rb and wideouts.
January 26th, 2021 at 8:04 pm
gp says; you nailed it!!!!!!!! Brady studies film more than any player or coach in the league. That’s one of the reasons he recognizes defenses. Thats why defenses rarely fool him
January 26th, 2021 at 8:09 pm
I have noticed more and more of you are saying what i’ve been preaching. Double Tyreek Hill and smack the piss out of Kelcy at the line of scrimmage. Thats their 2 main weapons. They are still gonna catch a few and score some but at least Hill won’t have 200 yds in the first half and Mahomeboy 300 yds in the 1st half
January 26th, 2021 at 11:09 pm
Vita is a rare dude and I agree that he was the biggest reason for our improved pass rush.