“We Got To Give Him His Due”

January 29th, 2024

Todd Bowles

The legions of Todd Bowles haters aren’t going to like this.

Joe already enraged that sect of fans by giving Bowles a B+ grade for the 2023 season. That’s old news.

Today, Joe is sharing Bucs legend Rondé Barber’s passionate rant about Bowles deserving accolades after a successful season.

“There is a fire that burns in him that is relatable to the players,” Barber told WDAE radio. “So regardless of what the oustside world thinks, the players fight for him and that’s all you care about. In fact, I mean I think he goes out of his way to protect some players more so than some other coaches. You won’t see him calling guys out. That’s not his deal. I think that ultimately leads his team to, you know, do the extra things. Right? Go the extra mile, if you will, and play for him.

“Look, this is a results-oriented league. You win, you get to the playoffs, you deserve your opportunities. And that’s coming from all of us, top-down, not having the high expectations this year. Right? You can’t say that you thought we’d be in the playoffs in the offseason. But the reality is we are, and there’s some merit to that from all parties involved. We got to give him his due. He’s been in the playoffs two years in a row.”

Joe can’t argue with Barber’s take. Winning is what matters, and the Bucs did that against a lot of odds, from limited salary cap room to putting 13 rookies on the roster.

But next year is a new year. If Bowles starts 4-7 again, then expect fans to riot and for Team Glazer to go coach shopping. That’s the NFL unless you’re a borderline Hall of Fame coach with an impressive résumé.

 

88 Responses to ““We Got To Give Him His Due””

  1. Boss Says:

    he has literally thrown everyone under the bus except the glazers

    puhlease

  2. Bucfan Says:

    Face some facts. The NFC south was weak this season. The division most likely will be improved next year. The Eagles LOST the playoff game by not showing up. The Bucs have another 1st place schedule. The O/C moved on and Todd is still in charge of the wonderful defense, especially against the pass. The team will struggle to be 500 next season!

  3. Not Says:

    Rhonde is being sent out to try to change the thoughts of the fans .
    Is he doing it solely for Terd or for the Bucs organization ?
    I’m sure the Bucs get a sense the fans don’t think highly of Toilet so Rhonde as a famous buc is being dispatched to try to propagandize the social media and blog air waves !

  4. Lord Cornelius Says:

    He earned my praise. Great season.

    And we should also give him credit for hiring Canales / recognizing a guy that needed an opportunity. That was his guy and it worked out amazing.

    Masterful defensive gameplan vs the Eagles. We just need a stocked D-line with edge rushers for his D to be SB elite level like it was with Suh/JPP/etc. The Lions O-line was too good and we needed better coverage in the middle.

  5. RiggedNFL Says:

    18-19

  6. CleanHouse Says:

    Fitting for you to have a Bromance ad underneath.

    Rondé may have been a HOF corner, but he certainly doesn’t know it all.
    He’s old buddies with Bowles.

    Expect more from the Joe’s

    How do we forgive repeated coaching errors.

    Bucs and Lions lost because of boneheaded coaching.

    Both talented teams but limited when it comes down to it.

    Two offensive minded intellectual coaches in the Super Bowl, if you hadn’t noticed.

    You can still build a tough physical team without handicapping it through lack of game management ability.

    Kudos to Bowles on many levels, staying even keeled, loyalty, ignoring the outside coaching up rookies…all .impressive, but there is a disconnect.

    Continued failure of decision in critical moments.

    It’s unacceptable, unwatchable and infuriating.

    Team is “prolonging the inevitable” and there is no point aside from excessive suffering.

  7. Popcorn Mike Says:

    Boss I thought it was the other way around. So many of us was pissed because Bowles wouldn’t call out his players for their bad play. He used words such as he had a bad day or we got to do a better coaching or running the ball. I think that’s why the players started to gravitate to Bowles at the end of the season. Bowles may not be a great coach and may get fired after next season but, I would give him some credit for this season. There were a lot worse coaches out there this year than Bowles. At least 5 or 6 were fired so I am gonna take a wait and see to how good Bowles is as a HC

  8. SufferingSince76 Says:

    Hater is a very strong word. I highly doubt anyone posting hates Todd Bowles. Or Mayfield, for that matter. Dislike his coaching style? Yes. Aggravated by him throwing in the towel before the final whistle? You bet. Overseer of mediocrity? It sure seems so. But hate? Absolutely not.

  9. Bojim Says:

    Deserves another year.

  10. Boss Says:

    @popcorn

    he had the locker room; I give him that. BUT….show me one quote where he took responsibility for a loss.

    He slid the stuff in on the down low, but after a loss it was always “we have to execute better” and the like. I read that to be blaming the players. AND after the D he submitted for the lions and many others, I would think he would say “I have to get better at gameplans and in game adjustments”…..we have seen it repeatedly…and repeatedly. It’s always everyones fault but his own.

  11. Crickett Baker Says:

    The only one who didn’t fight until the end was Bowels. Clearly. I have to give him credit tho for all the things he did right this season. He made a few glaring mistakes, but who doesn’t? He seems to be a better coach than several others and I would surely give him another year if he could get DC off his back and start thinking more offensively.
    I guess the Glazers wouldn’t go after the Chiefs OC with a deal he couldn’t refuse like they did to Canales, but it would sure be great to poach him.

  12. Confido75 Says:

    Players may like him, but OC candidates are not interested in joining his staff. Bucs top three OC candidates didn’t even bother interviewing with the FO. That says a lot and that is the problem with Bowles. Nice guy that folks love as a person, but it takes more than that to be a great HC. When folks call you Meathead, there is a reason for this.

  13. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    I want to give a big shoutout to Head Coach Todd Bowles and his coaching staff for absolutely crushing it this past season. Mad respect for all their hard work and dedication on the field.

    Go Bucs!!

  14. sasquatch Says:

    Boss Says:
    January 29th, 2024 at 2:21 pm

    he has literally thrown everyone under the bus except the glazers

    Smoke crack much?

  15. sasquatch Says:

    Not Says:
    January 29th, 2024 at 2:37 pm

    Rhonde is being sent out to try to change the thoughts of the fans .

    After so many years of his association with the organization and having it literally spelled out in the article, you’d think people would know that there’s no “h” in Ronde.

  16. Beeej Says:

    That MIGHT be because they were going to work for their friends and weren’t taking random interviews

  17. sasquatch Says:

    Confido75 Says:
    January 29th, 2024 at 3:06 pm

    Players may like him, but OC candidates are not interested in joining his staff. Bucs top three OC candidates didn’t even bother interviewing with the FO.

    This is bullcrap. The teams that already hired those guys had a two week headstart on interviews since they weren’t in the playoffs and already knew they would be chasing a coordinator. Robinson went to ATL because he worked with Raheem. The other 2 weren’t going to get the job in Tampa anyway. So, we’re good.

  18. BucU Says:

    I’m anything but a Bowles chearleader but he deserves to come back next season. I’m not very confident in his abilities to manage an NFL team but he had the Bucs 8 or 9 points from being in the NFC Champ Game. That warrants retaining him. If he falls on his face next season then I’ll be chanting for his dismissal with all of ya.

  19. Lt. Dan Says:

    “The legions of Todd Bowles haters aren’t going to like this.” You’re right…I don’t. Bowles is mediocre. Always has been and always will be. “I think I’ll keep this timeout in my back pocket and use it next year.”

  20. sasquatch Says:

    Bowles earned another year by notching one very convincing win in the playoffs, and by playing it reasonably close to DET in the divisional round. Did it with a crapload of rookies and crippling salary cap constraints. Putting aside your knitpicking, it’s hard to say it wasn’t a successful season. Bowles gets credit.

    This can be true at the same time as believing we can do better at HC. I feel the same, but he earned another year. However, he is still on a short leash, I believe, and anything less than 10 wins in 2024 will probably end his tenure.

  21. Let em bake Says:

    Rhonde knows what matters. The players play for him. Predicted to be in the cellar. Division win, play-off win. Great Job, Todd!

  22. Blue Diamond Says:

    He doesn’t deserve another year.

  23. DungyDance Says:

    “Expect fans to riot…”

    What good would hollering do anyway? Leftwich was both arrogant and an imbecile at once, to the point opposing defenses were mocking us mid-game. We all hollered for his ouster. Didn’t make a difference. Bowles will do what he does and be who he is, doesn’t matter what we think. Certain meda types with connections and a few bucks and some well placed billboards sometimes help sway opinions. But that ain’t us.

  24. ocala Says:

    Bowles is not a good head coach for the NFL, but the Bucs still have a lot of talent and Canales was a gargantuan upgrade as an OC.
    Joe thinks Bowles is a very good head coach(B+ grade) but he is below average.

  25. realistic-optimistic Says:

    Bowles earned another year by notching one very convincing win in the playoffs, and by playing it reasonably close to DET in the divisional round. Did it with a crapload of rookies and crippling salary cap constraints. Putting aside your knitpicking, it’s hard to say it wasn’t a successful season. Bowles gets credit.

    This can be true at the same time as believing we can do better at HC. I feel the same, but he earned another year. However, he is still on a short leash, I believe, and anything less than 10 wins in 2024 will probably end his tenure.

    Completely agree.

  26. Bosch Says:

    Joe, I am among the 63% of those you label as “Bowels Haters,” and I am not the least bit enraged by your B+ grade.

    However, as to the following statement…

    “Joe thinks anyone grading Bowles a C+ or less needs to look in the mirror.”

    … well that was offensive. If you haven’t figured that out, yet, then you must not be reading the posts.

  27. Pelsbuc61 Says:

    Bowles got very lucky with the schedule this last year. OCs don’t want to come to Tampa cuz of Bowles’ antiquated run for a yard mentality. His defense is outdated and he s not a good game day coach. He’s average at best. That’s why he’s not a fan favorite. Plus it took him almost the entire season to realize Neal and JTS and Devan cannot play.

  28. #99 the big fella Says:

    Anyone saying anything bad about Ronde needs to put a bib back on and stop drooling.. you guys are absolutely crazy. Ronde has earned the right to say whatever he wants.

  29. JD Still Says:

    “I will not lie, cheat , or steal, nor tolerate those who do” , the leadership philosophy of a pretty successful organization, I wish their were

  30. First Name Greatest Says:

    Sorry Ronde, can’t unsee some of the clock mismanagement, snap counts, play calling and bad decisions throughout the year.

    Bowles is a coach who will always have a team hovering around .500 or just below it but doesn’t have the feel of the game to be a consistent winner in this league

  31. stpetebucfan Says:

    @LUV and Lord Corn

    I’m glad to see you guys back recently. Are you still playing music Lord C?

    I totally agree with both you guys takes! I do not understand many people here or for that matter in our nation.

    EVERY situation in life has a postive and negative. I do not mind folks who wish to point out Bowles, Mayfield’s, Canales….anybody’s shortcomings if they at least have some balance!!!

    MANY here including Joe see and report on the flaws and where there is a need for improvement. But making it so personal with nasty nicknames and literally ignorant posting….?

    And I’m sick of the meme that the NFC South sucked and that’s the only reason Bowles succeeded! Sucked? How about a little perspective.

    First…the entire NFC is weaker than the AFC. I’m not saying the NFC “sucked” just that for this past season the AFC had better teams overall, more depth.

    In the “weaker” NFC…the South had two teams with winning records…The East had two teams with winning records! Those two teams were supposed to be among the top of the NFC yet BOTH NFC East teams got run in the first freaking round!!! The NORTH had two teams with winning records. The Bucs won 3 of 4 games against the NORTH including a win over Green Bay in their house…a team that crushed the “powerful” Cowboys in their own crib in the playoffs.

    The WEST did have 3 teams with winning records…one of them with the same record as the Bucs.

    Maybe I take this too personally. I had a horrible father. Any achievement I made including even being a freaking National Merit Finalist my father would demean with…”The Luck of the Irish”. What bothers me here is the ghost of my father posting looking for EVERY flaw, with EVERY negative prediction that can be made, with personal juvenile attacks, and never acknowledging the good! We need a freakng blog shrink!!!

    Why do “fans” go out of there way to emphasize the bad without ever acknowledging the good? Shouldn’t a ‘fan” if guilty of overemphasis be emphasizing the good and ignoring the bad?

  32. gotbbucs Says:

    Smartest thing the organization did between this year and last year….keep Arians away. The last thing Bowles needed, or any head coach for that matter, is the old retired coach looking over his shoulder and giving his two cents.

    Bowles definitely has flaws, but they all do realistically. Andy Reid got run out of Philly because he couldn’t win the big game. How bad would Philly like him back now?

    Coaching is an imperfect science. Coaches are constantly developing, same as players. Every scar is a learning experience. Year one to year two Bowles showed improvement and seemed to shed some of his stubbornness. Let’s see what year three brings. Honestly, they did this without $80 million worth of potentual players on the roster due to dead cap hits. That is an absolute crap ton of talent that could have helped alot.

  33. Lord Cornelius Says:

    Man our fans are crazy lol. No coach in this league would live up to these standards. I guess MAYBE if we had Reid AND Mahommes some fans would think that was good enough, but I bet those same people would find some weird new sh1t to obsess over or still hate whatever decisions the coach made.

    And defense still wins championships / the offensive minded coach isn’t like the only type winning SB’s. 49ers have been a defensive run first team the whole time under Shanahan basically regardless of his offensive pedigree. This year Purdy took it to another level but so did Baker in the last month. Regardless if we had the 49ers run game it’s a different team.

    Last year it was an offensive SB for sure, but one of those guys is now on the coaching hotseat lol (eagles).

    Rams won a SB 23-20 vs Cincy the year before that. Pretty defensive. Had a great D.

    Before that we destroyed KC with elite defense.

    The year before that the 49ers were a defensive first team in the SB lol. They lost but still. Both teams in the SB had defense.

    The year before that was the 13-3 Patriots / Rams SB.

    McVay is an offensive guy but he has won SB’s with elite defense more than offense. We won our SB with elite defense.

    It can be / is still done in the modern game. Both teams in this years SB had elite defenses this year.

  34. Lord Cornelius Says:

    @St Pete

    Hey man! Yeah im still playing music – now under the name Libration. I released my first solo album last Friday called “Steps” actually

  35. Jack Clark Says:

    Todd Bowles gets a B+ for taking us to the playoffs and winning a playoff game

  36. Let em bake Says:

    Boss: After the losses, Bowles regularly said, “Players have to play better, we have to coach it better”. You may not like the way he put it, buts that’s taking the portion of the blame, which is all one can demand from a coach…he’s not on the field. He doesn’t blow his assignment ( Davis, Dean). Interestingly, we never hear demands that Bowles take credit for the wins…only blame for the losses…

  37. Nprbuc Says:

    I’m comfortable in the “ we won in spite of Todd” column

  38. SlyPirate Says:

    the GOOD
    Bowles is 2xNFCS Champ, playoff win, with $80M in dead cap

    the BAD
    2 wins against +.500 teams (Jax, Philly). Too many late game gaffs.

    the UGLY
    NFCS sucks. 8-9 and 9-8 won’t cut it once a team gets a decent roster and coach (i.e. ATL).

    Truthfully, Bucs made the playoffs because the others teams suck. We just didn’t suck as bad. That’s why nearly every other coaching staff got fired.

  39. Tye Says:

    Hater for wanting the Bucs to be one of the top teams in the NFL…
    We know 1 of the ‘Joes’ are a ‘participation trophy for everyone’ type…. False! –Joe
    Play for fun, wins are nice but not everything…
    So glad he is not running the team!

  40. sasquatch Says:

    Tye Says:
    January 29th, 2024 at 4:57 pm

    Hater for wanting the Bucs to be one of the top teams in the NFL…
    We know 1 of the ‘Joes’ are a ‘participation trophy for everyone’ type….
    Play for fun, wins are nice but not everything…
    So glad he is not running the team!

    This is just plain stupid.

  41. Defense Rules Says:

    Pelsbuc61 … ‘Bowles got very lucky with the schedule this last year. OCs don’t want to come to Tampa cuz of Bowles’ antiquated run for a yard mentality. His defense is outdated’.

    Everyone’s entitled to their opinion (very lucky with the schedule?), but they don’t have have to make stuff up (OCs don’t want to come here? His defense is outdated?) to make your point.

    Have you spoken to all those OCs Pels? Maybe the Bucs’ hierarchy just said ‘Hey, we’ll get back to you’. Or maybe they just weren’t a good ‘fit’ (not all are believe it or not). And as far as Bowles defense being outdated, just look at the Points Allowed … 325 point this past season (#7 ranking) (19.1 PPG). That was the BEST PPG since Monte Kiffin’s 2007 defense. I don’t know what it takes in your world to label a defense as ‘good’, but in my world Points Allowed is the key criteria because that’s how games are won or lost … Points Scored vs Points Allowed.

  42. Buc1987 Says:

    Wins 2 division titles in a row a TD away from playing in conference championship.

    What does he get for it? Some posters say he needs to be fired for it.

    Perhaps they forgot about having Lovie, or Schiano as their team’s HC. Maybe they’d like to go back to those days again.

    Not me…Bowles can stay….for now.

  43. Bucs Fan Since ‘76 Says:

    Objectively speaking, Barber is absolutely right. Bowles did an excellent job this season and he deserves credit. Maybe I’m just old, but I don’t get the hate after finishing over .500 and winning a playoff game.

  44. stpetebucfan Says:

    LordC

    I generally get my music now from “Beatports’. Amazon has gotten so greedy it’s hard to get past their “sign up for their wonderful streaming service.” They make it all but impossible to purchase a track or individual album. I do not like streaming because I’m a control freak down to the track. I swim several days a week and need control over what I put in my MP3 as well.

    Where can we find it. I read Bonzai’s “Storm of Dragons” I’d love to hear your latest effort.

    I listen a lot to what Sirius is calling dance/electronic…it is a bit like Disco with better music and lyrics but it is beat driven. I like something thumping in my ear when I swim…but I also listen to “Here Comes the Sun” and other mellower tracks.

    Where can we find “Steps”?

  45. WyomingJoe Says:

    Maybe I’m turning into a cynic, but I don’t believe that ANY of the owners in the NFL really give two sh*ts about what their fans think or say. To them it’s just a business and an ego trip. And like trained mice, we fans continue to run through mazes like this site searching for small pieces of cheese and praying that our messages will be heard and our advice followed.

    Yeah, I really would like to be an owner. Anyone else?

  46. Buc Fan in CO Says:

    On a side note, how on earth does anyone call themselves a Bucs fan and then misspell Ronde’s name??

  47. WillieG Says:

    I thought he sucked his first season. Last season, after the great start, I warmed up to him. Then the Bucs sucks. I had my doubts again. Along comes the Pack and the Jags. Finally! Warming up. Then the Saints and Panthers. WTAF?! After the Eagles, I was smoking hot….the turd at Detroit. I can’t have a lot of confidence in a coach who accepts “the inevitable”.

    BTW, I wanted Bowles to be BA’s successor long before BA quit n

  48. OlBoy Says:

    The buck stops with bowls. He went out of his way and got over his head to protect one single player. I’m not seeing this as a good thing…

    He was very quick to not take responsibility and point to the doors down the hallway. Yeah man, that’s our coach.

    Shall we lie a little or a lot today, bowles?

    And the game is over when bowles says it’s over… With 30 seconds left…

    I’m not giving anything he ain’t deserving. Sorry joes and yoyo’s

  49. Stevo Says:

    They can blow their own whistle at much as they like but many of us have not renewed our season tickets because we’re fed up of watching bad football. Barely winning in the worst division in the league doesn’t really make you that good

  50. catcard202 Says:

    Bowles is 17-17 in regular season and 1-2 in early round playoff games as HC in Tampa…Hard to say he’s getting the most out of the rosters he’s had, considering the team he inherited in 2022.

    I’m in the “Whoop-dee-doo” phase about winning the NFC South against WEAK rebuilding teams in NO/CAR/ATL – while winning the South with mediocre W/L records in 2022/2023… So, I can’t be all rah-rah like Barber. (But he’s also a company “YES” man & his job is to pump the fluff towards media to defend the HC/FO/Owners from scrutiny.)

    But good on Bowles for getting 10 wins out of the Baker/Canales duo…That was at least 3 Dub’s better than I anticipated…However, 2024 looks to be much tougher sledding w/ new questions about the direction of the OFF and who’s going to be QB1 for 2nd yr in a row!

  51. optimisticbucsfan Says:

    Dude earned another year

    He’s year to year right now.

    Franchise Baker and giver everyone one more shot.

    We’ll know at the of next year what to do with both Baker and Todd.

  52. Ugotrobbed Says:

    Can’t believe I’m saying this, but he deserves another year. The year starts with his choice of the new OC. Then JL and company needs to get our studs resigned and hit it out of the park in this years draft! No pressure!
    Go Bucs!

  53. Popcorn Mike Says:

    I agree optimisticbucsfan good point

  54. firethecannons Says:

    I have absolutely no confidence in this man as a head coach, Defensive coordinator ok but thats it.

  55. Dave Pear Says:

    Todd’s Bucs record is 18-19.

  56. Rod Munch Says:

    I’m not a fan of Bowles, I assume next year things will go poorly, but I also thought this year things would go poorly – I had them 4-7 in my preseason picks, and I thought they’d finish 5-12, and they didn’t. Bowles gets a ton of credit for getting the team to 9-8, and even winning a playoff game.

    Unless you got a clear upgrade, like Bruce Arians deciding he wants his job back, you’re not making any move and you’re just going to see what happens.

  57. Rod Munch Says:

    Dave Pear Says:
    January 29th, 2024 at 7:54 pm
    Todd’s Bucs record is 18-19.

    ———

    Bowles has the 4th highest winning percentage of any Buccaneers head coach.

    1. Arians
    2. Dungy
    3. Gruden
    4. Bowles

  58. SoCalBucFanSince79 Says:

    About the 2023 schedule: Tampa beat four above .500 teams: Saints, Packers, Jags and Eagles (playoffs). They played five teams that won their divisions the previous season: Vikings, Bills, Jags, 49ers and Eagles. They eventually played two additional teams that did win their division in 2023: Lions and Texans to go with other playoff participants: Packers, Eagles, Bills and 49ers. The 4-13 pre-season projections were based on playing the tougher first place schedule and perceived lack of talent. And for the third straight season earned the Bucs playing a first place schedule: @KC, @ Dallas, Philly, @Detroit, San Francisco, Baltimore. Who knows what kind of noise Jim Harbaugh can make with Herbert, Keenan Allen, Ekeler, Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Derwin James with the potentially being another fast rising team on the 2024 calendar. Not remotely an easy schedule. 17-17 regular season record may not be great, but it still ranks fourth best for a franchise known far more for their historical futility than it’s brief glimmers of fleeting championship seasons. Some of you make Bowles seem to produce the same coaching performances as Leeman Bennett, Richard Williamson, Lovie Smith, who all won 25% of their games or fewer heading the Bucs. After the Top 4, including Bowles, no other Bucs coach has won 40% of their games. .500 may not be flashy, but it got the Bucs into the post-season twice.

  59. Dave Pear Says:

    Rod, LOL – I know, that’s pathetic when your fourth best coach has a losing record!

  60. Mike Johnson Says:

    The man had a winning season yet….The hate for Bowles is real. I’m a supporter and wish him well.

  61. TombsEN Says:

    The Bucs fans are the worst…..no brains, just spout nonsense…not every coach works out, we could have a great offensive head coach but a horrible defensive coordinator and still lose…some of you are hopeless.

  62. RiggedNFL Says:

    Sounds like some people here need a single opinion thought bubble to keep them safe from different points of view.

    If you can’t handle it then go elsewhere.

    I highly doubt the Joe’s want to lose readers based on your delicate sensibilities.

    Fact is that Bowles cannot beat winning teams. Just the decks of the league.

    The record does matter. Points on the board matter. Time outs matter. Common sense matters.

  63. Defense Rules Says:

    catcard202 … ‘Hard to say he’s getting the most out of the rosters he’s had, considering the team he inherited in 2022.’

    The team Bowles’ inherited in 2022? Aren’t you forgetting that there was a huge amount of turnover from the 2021 team? Or the problems that his 45-year-old QB was going through? Or the injury that sidelined Jensen for the entire year? Could go on and on (inheriting Leftwich, etc), but obviously that’d be peeing in the wind.

    As far as getting the most out of the roster goes, most fans seem to believe that Baker Mayfield had a major comeback year. Rachaad White seemed to blossom, and so did Goedeke & Mauch on the OLine. Mike Evans had a nice year, and so did several others on offense.

    On defense, take a guess how many NFC teams gave up 30 points or more in only ONE game. Yes, the Buccaneers; even the 49ers awesome defense exceeded that in 2 games. The only game the Bucs gave up 30 or more points in was the Houston game. The most we gave up in any other game was 27 points. That shows some pretty good CONSISTENCY IMO, especially considering the number of youngsters we had on the field in various games. But no, Bowles certainly didn’t ‘get the most out of his roster’. Apparently neither did the other 15 NFC coaches.

  64. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    I have an out of the blue suggestion for offensive coordinator…and he has ties to Tampa.

    The QB coach of the 49ers…Brian Griese.

  65. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Brian Griese. Think about it.

    I don’t know if he’s called any plays as an OC, but he certainly did as a QB. And he was a decent QB, so has lots to tech.

    In San Fran he’s coaching Brock.

  66. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    teach

  67. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Apparently, it’s not out of the blue. PR mentioned it in a paragraph a few days ago.

    Still, I love the idea.

  68. Davenport Says:

    Who could possibly think this was a great season??? We were 9-8!

  69. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Todd Bowles Regular Season Record with Tampa Bay

    2022:
    • Record: 8-9
    • Winning Percentage: .471

    2023:
    • Record: 9-8
    • Winning Percentage: .500

    Total Regular Season W/L:
    • Wins: 17
    • Losses: 17
    • Overall Winning Percentage: .500

    Highlights:
    • First Coach in Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ history to win back-to-back Division Titles

  70. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    St.Pete

    Your words hit the mark as usual—strong and spot on

  71. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    *17-17

  72. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Sup L.C?

  73. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    LUVMYBUCS, I didn even realize that percentage.

    .500

    Hmmn.

  74. Rod Munch Says:

    Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
    January 29th, 2024 at 8:59 pm
    Brian Griese. Think about it.

    ———-

    Yeah, I’ve heard that name thrown around too. If you’re going to change systems, then going with the 49ers QB coach, and ex-Buc, would probably be a good direction, at least scheme wise, plus we know Bowles wants to run the ball, and they’d be running it more.

    With that said I don’t know how involved Griese is with the 49ers offense or what he’d do if it was up to him, but if he’s bringing the Shanahan offense, then I’d go that direction if I’m Bowles.

  75. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Offensive Coordinator(s): 49er’s Offensive Scheme
    * Offensive Offensive Coordinator – Klint Kubiak
    * Quarterbacks: Klay Kubiak
    * Offensive line/run game coordinator: Chris Foerster
    * Assistant offensive line: Joe Graves
    * Assistant offensive line: Jim Bridges (Duke)

    Defensive Coordinator (s)
    * Defensive Coordinator: Dennard Wilson
    * Interior Linebackers Coach: Mike Caldwell

  76. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Bonzai

    After navigating the ship through a season when we were $81 million+ over the cap, Todd Bowles has proven his prowess as a leader. With another draft bringing in young up-and-coming talents, I’m excited to see how things will shake out under Bowles’ guidance.

  77. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Bonzai

    *2023: .529

    my bad

  78. Rod Munch Says:

    LUVMYBUCS – Kubiak is listed as the 2nd assistant QB coach from what I see. Griese apparently interviewed for the Saints OC spot and hasn’t gotten a call from the Bucs. Maybe Bowles knows something.

    Also for the Bucs cap, it’s worth pointing out they pushed like $50m of that $81m onto next years cap, they didn’t take the full hit, and will be paying for a lot of it next year, which means they’ll push even more off into the future. Which, to be clear, I’m OK with – you can do that for a very long time, just look at the Saints who would seemingly go into every offseason over by $100m and always figure it out while adding guys as well. The cap is pliable, and the Bucs can kick the can down the road for a while still before they have to clean it up. The question is if it’s worth doing so, and for 2024, the answer is yes, you give it one more go with the remaining SB-core that is still on the team.

  79. Fred Says:

    I don’t give a crap about what Barber says. A really good coach wouldn’t make all of the dumb mistakes Bowles has made. Bowles should be gone. Next year won’t be as easy and he isn’t up to it. It’ll be fugly.

  80. Jack Clark Says:

    @Fred would a really good coach win a playoff game against the defending NFC conference champion?

  81. Let ‘em bake Says:

    “ the Bucs got lucky with the schedule.”…..? Well, they went 4-2 in the nfc south. They went 3-1 against the nfc north, only losing to the lions, which, in hindsight, is not terrible. They split with the afc south ( thanks to the defense giving away the Houston game) and three loses to first place schedule opponents ( that no one else in division had to play) niners, eagles, bills…. And still won their division. If they can match this years record next year, given the same 3 tough games others in their division will avoid, 9-8 should get into the play offs. P.s they won’t be betting favorites ( Atlanta will) easiest schedule of all teams next year.

  82. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Munch

    These are the numbers we covered during the last offseason (-minus Shaq’s emergency contract reconstruction)

    LUVMYBUCS Says:
    March 6th, 2023 at 12:12 pm


    Restructure

    • Chris Godwin (Saved: $14,190,000)
    • Carlton Davis (Saved: $6,710,000)
    • Vita Vea (Saved: (Saved: $8,565,000)
    • Ryan Jensen (Saved: $8,501,250)
    • Russell Cage: (Saved: $4,460,000)

    Total saved: $42,426,250.
    Cap Space: – ($13,686,553)


    Release/Trade

    • Donovan Smith (Saved: $9,565,000)
    • Shaquille Mason (Saved: $5,272,000)
    • Leonard Fournette (Saved: $3,470,588)
    • Cameron Brate: (Saved: $2,030,000)
    • Ryan Succop: (Saved: 3,250,000)

    Total Saved: $23,587,588.
    Total Cap Space: $10,286,035

    Can you recall which contracts were prorated to 2025?

  83. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Munch

    Cont.

    2024 and 2025 Dead-Cap Numbers:

    The dead-cap numbers are in the $200,000+ range for both 2024 and 2025.
    This suggests that, despite pushing significant cap hits into the future, the dead-cap implications for these years are relatively low, indicating effective cap management.

    Avoiding Penalties: Many teams learned from the Saints flawed plan

    Unlike the Saints, who faced several penalties, including millions in fines and draft pick compensations, due to their cap practices, Greenberg has managed the cap in a way that avoids such punitive measures, demonstrating flexibility and perhaps a more sustainable approach.

  84. Drunk Bucs Fan Says:

    To me it’s easy. If you exceed expectations there is no reason for a person to lose their job. This season TB did just that and congratulations. I am genuinely happy for him.

    But you also know what happens after that. The bar raises on the expectations. Next year 9-8 and a short playoff run just won’t cut it.

  85. Davenport Says:

    ARE WE IN THIS TO BUILD A SUPER BOWL WINNER?
    OR SIMPLY TO BE .500 AND MAYBE WIN A PLAYOFF GAME, IF THE OPPONENT LAYS DOWN?

    SB Winner? Not Bowles
    Simply .500? Bowles

  86. Davenport Says:

    Bowles has the 4th highest winning percentage of any Buccaneers head coach.

    1. Arians
    2. Dungy
    3. Gruden
    4. Bowles
    _________________________________________

    All this proves is that for over 47 years the expectation, of what is considered successful, in Tampa, is incredibly low.

    This may be the only NFL city that celebrates winning as many games as we lose.

  87. Those that can't... criticize Says:

    Bowled this and Bowles that. Bowles can’t coach. Bowles needs to be fired.
    Baker this and Baker that. Baker can’t play. We need a QB.
    There’s a saying that “those that can do & those that can’t criticize those that are the doers. ”
    All I see is a bunch of stink coochie keyboard warriors who think they’re experts trying to sound like they know how to be a GM.
    Bowles, Baker and the Bucs had a helluva year. Philly didn’t just lay down. The Bucs actually showed up and beat them!! What a concept!!! They actually stepped on the field and played!!
    All I’m saying is that a majority of the people on all the different Bucs forums need to quit being such hypocrites. Be a fan. A real fan. Be supportive of the team instead of a negative critic.
    Wash your coochie and quit stinking up the place.

  88. Rod Munch Says:

    LUVMYBUCS – I didn’t see this until now. I meant by pushing stuff to 2024, and doing it again in 2024, they’ll push it to 2025.

    As for dead cap space, the number doesn’t seem to count void years, where guys have no contracts yet are a cap hit – which should be considered dead cap space. At least with Overthecap, they don’t seem to list it.

    But, for example, Mike Evans is a $12m hit, even though he’s not under contract.

    Also you have stuff like Ryan Jensen, he’s a $6m cap hit, I’m not sure how that works since if he retires or was cut before June 1st, he’s a $17m worth of dead cap space PLUS $10m cap hit, where as post June first the dead amount+cap hit is $6m – but that math doesn’t work, since post-June 1st means he’d be $6m next year, but those numbers don’t match the $27m. So that is unclear.

    But the Bucs can kick the ball down the road again if they want to. But we shall see how far in the hole they go. But they must resign Winfield and Evans.