“The Bucs Looked Like They Were Coached By Todd Bowles”

October 29th, 2022

Todd Bowles

Todd Bowles spent four years coaching the New York Jets (2015-2018) and good luck finding a Jets fan who thinks he did a good job.

But it’s not only Jets fans unimpressed by Bowles’ first head coaching tenure. The Bowles detractors include a former Jets quarterback who is a powerful media voice.

Boomer Esiason is the big dog of New York radio these days on WFAN. He’s well known for his Pro Bowl quarterback career (1984-1987) and his years in the CBS NFL studios.

On Friday morning, Esiason opened show saying, “Last night, the Bucs looked like they were coached by Todd Bowles. They looked tired. They looked listless, especially in the second half.”

Ouch!

Bowles was 24-40 in four seasons as Jets head coach before arriving in Tampa with Bucco Bruce Arians in 2019. His teams in New York got progressively worse and there were many credible reports that his defense quit on him. (The numbers back that up, too.) And Bowles had trouble there building a good offensive staff. There is no Bowles coaching tree to speak of.

Esiason went on to say how perplexed he is that the Tom Brady-Mike Evans chemistry is a little bit off, despite their familiarity.

Evans is on pace for a big year statistically, but it ismysterious that Evans is riding a four-game streak of no touchdowns. His longest streak with Brady before this season was two games, including playoffs.

70 Responses to ““The Bucs Looked Like They Were Coached By Todd Bowles””

  1. Bojim Says:

    Doh!!

  2. BUCkleup Says:

    Why did we expect someone who had a garbage record to be good? Maybe we will sign Carson Wentz.

    Asses

  3. Buc1987 Says:

    Esiason and I agree.

    Listless Joe.

  4. Your Mom Says:

    Todd Bowles is a consistent 0.375 winning percentage coach. What’s that quote about insanity?

  5. T REX Says:

    You are what your record says you are…

    If you have Brady and suck. YOU REALLY SUCK.

    Todd won’t be here next year or Leftwich.

  6. Doug Says:

    I had a feeling this wasn’t going to work out with Bowles. He seems like a good guy but not a good head coach.

  7. Thisisouryear!! Says:

    It really bothers me reading Bowles response is we need to run the ball more.

  8. Marine Buc Says:

    At least I can escape from my Bucs sucking by watching USF beat Houston today…

    OOOOOPS nevermind. USF is in worse shape than the Bucs currently are.

    How do teams fall so far – so fast?

    Sad.

  9. Bobby M. Says:

    Bucs will blow it up….the money they’ve spent on Hicks, Jones, Rudolph, Fournettee, Godwin, Davis, Jensen….this 3-5 team is what they get as a return on all that cash spent? I bet they unload the talent and leave Bowles to coach the dumpster fire he deserves. He’ll be the fall guy for a total rebuild, once we have a QB again, they’ll bring in a top tier coach.

  10. 99 55 47 20 Says:

    BA!

  11. Anonymous Says:

    “His teams in New York got progressively worse”

    He was 10-6 his first season with the Jets so he’s worse now.

  12. sasquatch Says:

    I’ve seen nothing to inspire confidence in Bowles. I withheld judgment initially, hoping that his NY teams were due to the crappy front office. But something is off. I’ve lost faith.

  13. Dew Says:

    Ask him about Arians role & Todd gets very defensive. I thought we were all on the same team?

  14. B Says:

    Bowles does not suck. He’s a very smart and talented man who is valued across the league as a defensive coordinator. Some people are just meant to be coordinators and not head coaches by skill set.

  15. Pelsbuc61 Says:

    Shows how clueless the Glazers are and their loyalty to BA for 2 good seasons. BA screwed them with his last minute quit and his succession plan. Licht is also just here for the ride. No body did their homework!

  16. Mike Johnson Says:

    I got no problems with fans and local writers blaming Bowles and Leftwich for some Buc problems. But what about Brady and Licht..And a whole lotta other Buc players? I mean Brady has been over and under throwing targets. He has even been missing his outlet guys consistently. Thats not the O coordinators fault. And Licht has invisible dead weight like Hicks, Randolph, and Julio just hanging around doing nothing. Brady looks old guys, He can’t run 5yrds and is not right for some reason. And that O and D line is not strong at all. Gotta put Licht in this too.

  17. Pewter Power Says:

    Accountability is a word that BA always used and you would think Bowles learned something from him by now that players would not quit on him or give half arsed effort

  18. Tye Says:

    The Bucs this season look like that Jets team in Bucs uniforms!….

    He has earned the moniker: Toilet Bowles

  19. Bosch Says:

    The Bucs are constapated and desperately need a Bowles movement.

  20. Vlad THe Impaler Says:

    ffs fire Bowles on Monday

  21. Vlad THe Impaler Says:

    Aians, Licht and the Glazers need to own up to the mistake

  22. mg Says:

    Peaking early won’t be a problem .

  23. BucsfanFred Says:

    I’m begining to see what Boomer is pointing out
    Everything is messed up.

  24. Ab Says:

    Bottom line is the Bucs are simply a ‘loser’ organization. They lack the organizational competence of a ‘winner’. Think any other blue chip organization would allow the former HC to hang around in an undefined ‘advisory’ role, just because he is drinking buddies with the GM?

    They completely lucked out that no other viable team wanted Brady and he was forced to come to TB. The result was years with the sun shining down on them, even though there was no solid foundation there.

    What we are seeing now is simply the regression to their norm and what we should expect unless and until an actually competent person comes in to run the organization.

  25. Panhandle Buc Says:

    We have regressed on both sides of the ball and it’s undeniable!! We have the worst combo in him and Leftwich at the helm! Den of depression is back!

  26. Ena Says:

    This is what happens when you hire on race and not merit. Anyone who thought this would workout to a Superbowl win after his tenure with the Jets were puffing crackrock with Hunter

  27. Captain Oblivious Says:

    I have a theory as to why Brady’s performance is subpar this season. He didn’t really want to play for the Bucs THIS season so he is making a business decision to not get hurt and keep his stats decent. No more taking off with the ball and running to get a critical first down or QB sneaks. Also, there is no chance a low throw gets picked off so he is underthrowing to be safe and only has 1 pick. Doesn’t really explain the poor red zone performance and low TD total. Probably a combination of losing Gronk and AB plus a historically poor run game.

  28. Dan j Says:

    Todd Bowles sucks as a coach

  29. sasquatch Says:

    ^^ The winner for most idiotic comment of the day.

  30. Iamabuc Says:

    Tod Bowles is rapidly digging his own grave. My question is; what are we waiting on for to push him into it, so we can start shoveling back the dirt and move on.smdh

  31. Listnfrmafar Says:

    Capt & Mike, sub par? Compared to what the 1st and 2nd passing yard and TD leader in the league? That’s pretty high expectations for one man. I guess GB should be pissed to that Roger’s won’t be MVP. The guy leads the division in passing and was 6th in the league possibility higher after this week. Open your eyes, HE is NOT Bucs problem. Do you really believe Mahomes and Allen don’t throw low or high passes they sure as hell have more picks. Brady in his 23 years has not thrown for 5000 yards and 50 td’s every season. Talk about scapegoats. New flash, the ENTIRE team sucks from GM down, live with it.

  32. Listnfrmafar Says:

    And there you have it 3 time loser. Jets trash dumped by BA at One Bucs Place.

  33. Bobby Says:

    This is a complete disaster. Most teams in NFL would fire the HC coach in this circumstance. The players are quitting on coaching staff for 3 games in a row now. That tells us fans that the players are not happy with coaches. Yet Bucs management is not doing anything to change this, why??? Something really suspicious, stinky, and weird is going behind the scenes at one buc. I bet after this season is concluded. We are going to hear some very interesting 🤨 behind scenes stories about why this season was a disaster.

  34. Mike Says:

    Bowles has got to go. I never liked the idea of him taking over the team he is killing this team he has no fire to him and it is showing in the prayers and he wants to run in the ball more they can’t run the ball so why are you going to try to run the ball more this team is a dumpster fire with him as head coach The team was built to pass the ball first not run get rid him because if Brady does decide to play again next year it will not be here and it will be because of the head coach destroying this team

  35. richbucsfan Says:

    Why fix what ain’t broke? No risk it worked. Bowles and Leftwich were very bad choices.

  36. BucU Says:

    I really really wanted Bowles to succeed. I’m completely disgusted with his staff and players.
    The listless players game after game after game is on TODD BOWLES. You own this disaster sir.

  37. HC Grover Says:

    I will stick to my point. Do not expect any firings at all until the Bucs are numerically out of the running for NFC South. Then expect no action because it will be too late in the season.

  38. Ed Says:

    I expect the Bucs to move Leftwich out immediately and let Bowles coach until the end of the season. He isn’t getting through to his players and he certainly isn’t able to answer the basic questions in his press conferences.

    When you team is as bad as this Buc team is and you cannot get off the field in the second half defensively and keep going 3 and out and punting on offense, you
    are not going to last very long in the NFL as a head coach.

    All Bowles can do is start benching some of the players that are missing assignments and not in the right place. They really need some speed at WR. That kid THompkins can run and can catch.

    Bowles is going to have to start playing some of these younger guys that have speed. Rashad White and K’Shawn Vaughn are both more explosive than Lenny.

    Lenny has to be used less and the other younger backs, used more.

  39. Nicholas Carlson Says:

    You are your record

  40. T REX Says:

    Arians sabotaging the Bucs

  41. Tony Says:

    Why don’t we just bring back Dirk Koetter or Raheem Morris or Mike Smith if we wanna go back to being inconsistent.🙄 I thought for sure with the talent on offense we’d still be able to do SOMETHING but you obviously stink if you can’t do anything with them. I think I’d even pick the Houston Texans or a high school team or even one of the college teams to beat them right now as long as Bowles & Leftwich are there.

  42. Tony Says:

    Bowles should’ve known that Baltimore was gonna make some adjustment this week & consider running the ball more in the second half because they really didn’t run it much first half. What did they do they did run the ball more but he really didn’t make any adjustments & it didn’t help that Barrett is gonna miss the rest of the year now, too! I said they should’ve traded for Quinn when it was first coming out about Chicago possibly trading him because Barrett could use somebody else but of course they don’t do it. They’d rather stick with our two sack kings now.🙄 They need to go out & try & trade for Bradley Chubb or Josh Allen now (Jacksonville).

  43. MAC Says:

    TIME TO FIRE AND HIRE , I SEEN THE WRITING ON THE WALL, WHEN THE BUC’S SUCKED IN PRE-SEASON,, THREE GOOSE EGGS………………

  44. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    The Local Sports Bar has a very vocal group of guys from NY.
    When Bowles was made coach, they literally reacted in Horror.
    They bought me a Beer, and patiently explained who Todd Bowles was, and WHY he sucked!
    These New York Guys had a nickname for Todd, they called him “Toilet Bowles”.
    Honestly, I thought they were typical arrogant New Yorkers, who hated the Bucs.
    But the longer Todd Bowles coaches our team, the more I am realizing that they were right.

    I still want to know WHY Arians suddenly retired, and we got these 2 clowns rammed down our throat ?
    I seriously doubt we win the division, or make the playoffs either this year.

  45. Defense Rules Says:

    Pelsbuc61 … ‘Shows how clueless the Glazers are and their loyalty to BA for 2 good seasons. BA screwed them with his last minute quit and his succession plan. Licht is also just here for the ride. No body did their homework!’

    I’m not QUITE so negative in my view of what’s happening, but I agree with the gist of your comments Pelsbuc. Glazers aren’t clueless by any means, but they did develop a lot of trust in BA I believe because of the SB win (I don’t blame them).

    I’m still unsure of what was going on with BA just prior to him ‘retiring’ a second time, but I’m confident that his loyalty to his long-time coaches drove his succession plan. Todd Bowles had been a very loyal key associate for 2 years in Arizona & 3 years here. Without him, BA would’ve been just an average HC in both places IMO. I’m still convinced that BA could see this coming to a degree & figured that Todd would have a better chance of holding BA’s loyal staff together & ‘fixing’ the Bucs than BL would (BA obviously believes in 2nd chances though; BL is proof of that; so is Bowles).

    At the same time though, no way BA could’ve foreseen Brady’s deteriorating family situation or the Bucs’ extensive injuries. And when he retired, he probably was under the assumption that Licht would provide a strong roster for Bowles to work with. Little did he know. That could very well be why we haven’t heard a peep out of BA during this whole freefall.

  46. SB~LV Says:

    BA?
    Thanks!

  47. Jeff Says:

    Bowles is a clown! Glazers need to cut bait ASAP! This team is a joke and they should be at least mediocre. Hot Chinese dumpster fire just like in NY. Guy can’t coach for sh*t!

  48. Anonymous Says:

    @lstnfrmafar,

    I wasn’t suggesting that Brady is the reason for the Bucs collapse, far from it. I actually forgot to make my point which is that Brady is saving himself for next season. He is preserving his body, and stats, so the niners pick him up next season. Had he stayed married I would have predicted he’d go to the phins. He knows how bad these coaches are so he’s not going to sacrifice himself this season. I think he could lead the niners to a SB victory in 2023. Now wouldn’t that be a grand finale?

  49. Rod Munch Says:

    Turns out coaching matters. Who knew?

    Also for Evans and Brady, I’m going to blame Leftwich. That moron probably changed up stuff they were already doing, because Leftwich thinks he’s a genius and now that he dropped that deadweight Arians, he’d be able to set all NFL records…

  50. Erik Hesson | Fine Artist | Founder of UniqueModernArt.com Says:

    PUT EVERYTHING BACK THE WAY IT WAS BEFORE THE BA STEPDOWN OR AT LEAST MOVE BA IN AS THE DEFACTO OC!!!!!!

    AND BRING BACK SUH!!!

  51. Sully Says:

    I guess none of this is on Brsdy and his personal ‘situation huh? Brady is a football god without spot or wrinkle to u folks.

  52. Anonymous Says:

    Enough with Brady to 49ers it’s NOT going to happen. The 49ers did not want him as a 43 year old QB, why the hell would they want him at 46? When he’s got the amount of baggage he does which btw is not going to go away just cause the divorce is finalized.

    He’s making bad reads and decisions all the time now. 49ers do not want that.

    Friendly reminder the 49ers have their franchise QB that got hurt this season and will be back next year as the starter. Why the hell would you risk his development even more so that his first actual year of play time is going to be the year where they determine whether he gets a contract or not. That is a fireable offense to many all around in the organization especially after they invested FOUR first round picks for Trey Lance.

    It will NOT happen, Brady is done after this season. He’s gonna go be with Gronk on the booth next season they’re gonna take Tommy and Gronky to the national stage on Sundays.

  53. Izod Says:

    “He’s making bad reads and decisions all the time now”

    I wouldn’t agree with this at all!

    His inability to be on the same page with the receivers comes from 1) having a few new receivers and OL who are not getting their blocks 2) NOT having Arians to coach the team and get the other 10 guys in sync. It’s easy to blame the off-the-field stuff, but you don’t go from being the greatest at something to BAD overnight–remember, it’s 11 guys!

    I do see some of his passes sailing and underthrown, but that seems more like age is also catching up to him.

  54. Roc Says:

    WOW

    Really took Boomer saying this for it to get printed

    No Sh!t this guy is not a HC

    Why would anyone think he could be???

    What we replaced Suh with Hicks and the rest of the Geriatrics and wonder what’s wrong Hahah

    Our GM went to the END OF the garage sale and bought what was left but dang it Brady is a problem HAHAHA

    FANS SAYING THAT our they same who want to Keep Mr Turnover

  55. adam from ny Says:

    todd bowles is not a clown…a clown is a whole different animal…

    todd bowles is a creator of zombies…

    it’s what he does…

    it’s tough work…

    i wouldn’t know where to start on creating zombies, but coach has the formula down to a science

  56. adam from ny Says:

    #zombowles

    the tampa bay zombowles

  57. BucEmUp Says:

    Glaziers better fore him now before the wheels fall off

  58. Michael Says:

    Sean Payton will be here soon

  59. TJ Says:

    I’m EXTREMELY curious as to how the Glaziers go about the rebuild next year. Regardless of how this year ends up, it’s pretty clear a roster overhaul is upon us. I do not see a young core of players in place in ANY department of this team. Which means there is absolutely a ZERO percent chance that we will attract a big name replacement coach. Payton wouldn’t come here in a million years. With our roster, We would only have a shot at a first time college coach making the jump, or a coach that “coaches and develops young players” and that route is precarious at best. My guess would be that the Glaziers do what the Glaziers always do, show a year or two patience with the people in their inner circle I.e. Licht and most likely Bowles. Leftwich and a couple other coaches will be the sacrificial lambs. They will probably install Clyde C. As interim OC and it will be a VERY frustrating rebuild. I hope the Glaziers learned from the past Bucs “Dark ages” the Koetter, Shiavo, Morris, L. Smith years and infuse some YOUNG leadership that can keep up with the changing NFL.

  60. TJ Says:

    R. Morris has developed into a great coach btw the way. No disrespect lumping him in that category. Hiring Morris back would be a VERY Glazier type thing to do and you know what, that may be the BEST option and would prevent a complete tear down.

  61. Natron Says:

    We need a laxative, a Bowles movement is definitely needed!!!!!

  62. Anonymous Says:

    Hard to believe this clueless idiot still has a job. How can the Bucs owners allow this pathetic disgrace to continue…? This jerkoff has to GO. Get RID of this Jona. Lets get back to winning games…! Bruce Arians would right the ship IMMEDIATELY if re-instated.

  63. Willie Says:

    100% agreed 👍, Todd bowles is NOT Head coach material
    Thank you BA for sticking the BUCS with this worthless coach
    I can’t believe the glazers agree with this crap!!

  64. Willie Says:

    100% agreed 👍, Todd bowles is NOT Head coach material
    Thank you BA for sticking the BUCS with this worthless coach
    I can’t believe the glazers agree with this crap!! Amazing!!

  65. Carl L Says:

    Maybe the stupid public will not bet on the Bucs to cover next weekend. Then let’s look at the results. Perhaps we will see players giving 100%.

  66. Carl L Says:

    Maybe the stupid public will not bet on the Bucs to cover next weekend. Then let’s look at the results. Perhaps we will see players giving 100%. If the Bucs think they must play White, please put him on the outside. He’s killing us in the middle.

  67. Swanee Says:

    The owners need to go public and admit that they refused to hire other deserving and qualified head coaches. Then Arian’s needs to address the community apologizing for recommending the hire of Bowles. Knowingly or should of known this hire would collapse the team. This negligence has caused undue stress and embarrassment to the Tampa Bay Community. The owners should save face and refund all monies which were fronted for two seasons. I don’t know how this season and franchise can get any worse, but it appears it will. The Glazer Brothers should seriously consider selling or completely giving all control a new president of football operations immediately. Do what’s right, not what’s easy.

  68. Rob Singer Says:

    Bowles inspires nobody. He’s a worthless POS. People misled into saying “Brady’s done” or “Brady’s old and washed up” are not paying attention to the league. So he missed a few throws the past 3 weeks. Big whoop! Do you watch other “elite” QB’s each week miss easy throws also? And you Einsteins out there—Brady leads the league in passing attempts and yards right now, yet he has only ONE interception. Is that sinking in, especially to those Brady-hating “journalists and reporters” who keep fraudulently claiming “Brady is inaccurate and missing throws”.

    Wise up.

  69. Joe Morello Says:

    I put this debacle of a season on the Glazer family. Shame on them!!! If they wanted a black head coach then why didn’t they go out and get a proven coach. There’s many great ones out there.
    I’m done with the Bucs ownership, coaching staff, especially Leftwitch and Boles. The two worst in the league. Just look at the Jets years with Boles 24 and 40 in 4 seasons.Glazers should grow some balls not Boles. No difference there people. Shameful!!

  70. Joe Morello Says:

    I put this debacle of a season on the Glazer family. Shame on them!!! If they wanted a black head coach then why didn’t they go out and get a proven coach. There’s many great ones out there.
    I’m done with the Bucs ownership, coaching staff, especially Leftwitch and Boles. The two worst in the league. Just look at the Jets years with Boles 24 and 40 in 4 seasons.Glazers should grow some hangers not Boles. No difference there people. Shameful!!