Todd Bowles Plays “Find That Goose”
July 15th, 2021
Todd Bowles
Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Lorenzo Alexander is a very interesting guy to hear talk about the Todd Bowles defense.
Why? Because Alexander didn’t thrive in it.
Still, Alexander is big believer in all things Bowles after two years playing for the Bucs’ defensive coordinator and Bucco Bruce Arians with the Cardinals (2013-2014).
Alexander, now retired after 13 seasons, was a Pro Bowler with Washington before arriving in Arizona, and then he went on to another Pro Bowl season and strong years in Buffalo. But with Bowles he made no impact and was a backup in 2014.
Speaking on NFL Network this week, Alexander and explained that the Bucs are in spectacular hands because they’ll be adapt so well to whatever offenses throw at them.
“He doesn’t have an ego. He always wants the best plan out there,” Alexander said of Bowles. “And then [he’ll] put his players in the best position, he’s not trying to fit a circle into a square. And what I mean by that is he is adjusting his scheme. It’s a great scheme, but he’s going to adjust it to the skillset of his players.
“And then you’re always going to see a great wrinkle, or three or four wrinkles, on third down where he can take advantage of protections or find that goose that’s sitting on that offensive line that can’t block nobody.
The Bucs’ sacks totals the past two seasons tell the story of how Bowles is skillfully able to exploit weaknesses, per Alexander.
Joe really liked the “find that goose” line. Man, the Bucs have had their share of O-line geese in recent years. Caleb Benenoch comes to mind, among others.
Alexander added that in his two years in Arizona, he never saw Arians in a defensive meeting, which Alexander said is extremely rare for a head coach.
Joe’s confident Arians is spending at least a little more time with the defense now that he’s not calling plays like he was for the Cardinals.
July 15th, 2021 at 6:47 pm
That was well said.
July 15th, 2021 at 7:07 pm
Bowles will be a head coach next year if the Bucs make the Super Bowl.
Arians said he’s not retiring.
Would Bowles stay on as co-HC? I don’t think so.
This may be our last year with Bowles.
July 15th, 2021 at 7:16 pm
Sabby the Goat and Caleb the Goose.
July 15th, 2021 at 7:30 pm
@Alexander … “He (Bowles) doesn’t have an ego.” That one line right there says it all. Gets me wondering if maybe Todd Bowles has decided that he can be happier & more satisfied as a DC rather than a HC. I know that he interviewed for several last season, but maybe he wasn’t selected because the HC ‘fire’ just isn’t there. If I were the Glazers, I’d do whatever it takes to keep him. Just like they obviously did with Monte Kiffin.
July 15th, 2021 at 7:32 pm
If they keep this defense together and continue to reload in the trenches, Bowles won’t leave. He learned a very valuable lesson with that Jets program. The grass isn’t always greener.
The Glazers have proven that they aren’t scared to over pay assistant coaches and in the back of their head they always have the Mike Tomlin situation, the one that got away.
Alot of these players have, and will continue to, take less money to play for Bowles. Some of this is the Tom Brady effect, but on defense I think its more the Todd Bowles effect. He’s proven that he won’t leave guys out to dry in bad scheme decisions of his own making. He’ll flip the script and give them help and put them in winnable positions. That means alot to a player come contract time.
July 15th, 2021 at 8:12 pm
My girl & I play “Weasel on the loose”
July 15th, 2021 at 11:39 pm
Anthony Collins comes to mind when reading that “goose” description.
July 16th, 2021 at 12:02 am
#9 is the guy I’ll be looking at all preseason.
July 16th, 2021 at 7:15 am
Harry is pretty sure Koetter was never in a defensive meeting with Smitty either.
July 16th, 2021 at 8:44 am
What’s so exciting about this year is that the same guys are back and now have a full year of experience in Bowles system. They know their responsibilities, and Bowles knows what each one excels at. Plus, Bowles has likely come up with a few new “wrinkles” to throw into the system. Sacks and takeaways will be through the roof this year. Can’t wait for the madness to begin.
July 16th, 2021 at 6:34 pm
I agree that this may be our last year with Bowles.
If we win it all again, unless Arians steps down, he will leave for a second head coaching opportunity. And, who can blame him ?
July 17th, 2021 at 9:27 pm
I trust Bowles, I dont trust Byron. As it stands all sudes of the ball are still in good hands