Playoff Surge Capability Lacking?
June 5th, 2025
So Tuesday’s spring Bucs practice was open to media (many are not) and an invite also was extended to many retired Buccaneers.
Joe had a nice chat with one in attendance about the current team.
Unfortunately, the ex-Buc wasn’t speaking to Joe to get his name published here. So Joe is keeping the guy’s identity out of this post.
The former player had a theme to his take on the state of the team: the Bucs are not in the class of the Lions or Eagles.
Joe promises there are no signs of brain damage on this ex-Buc. He was well aware the Bucs beat the Lions and Eagles last season and mentioned it before Joe did. The prevailing commentary was that the Bucs do not have what it takes to beat Detroit or Philly in the playoffs; Tampa Bay cannot up its game in the postseason.
Why that is, the former player didn’t isolate shortcomings of Todd Bowles, roster makeup or leadership. “It’s just not there,” he concluded.
Joe doesn’t have a strong opinion on this. It’s a new season. The Bucs have a lot to prove, and the tools required to do it.
If the Bucs reach the postseason again and don’t win a playoff game, well, that certainly would spark a fresh round of questions and concerns.
June 5th, 2025 at 1:09 pm
Huh? I’m confused is this ex bucs saying the bucs are or not in the same class as the eagles and lions?
June 5th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
Never mind I see it now
June 5th, 2025 at 1:16 pm
Bucs were very close to advancing last year and may well have made a deep run if they had gotten by the Foreskins….
Glad to hear so many players still extremely bitter about that home playoff loss.
Hang on to that feeling men. There will surely come a need to draw from that well next January……
June 5th, 2025 at 1:18 pm
I think what he’s speaking of is the ‘confidence of a winning attitude’.
I can’t say that I agree with him but I can’t say that I disagree either.
Brady brought that attitude to this team, I believe his catch phrase was “we got this”. Hopefully enough of that attitude rubbed off to take root and flourish here.
Time will tell.
June 5th, 2025 at 1:28 pm
What the bleepity-bleep-bleep is playoff surge capability.
What the Bucs have lacked in the playoffs recently has been healthy bodies on defense.
If the Bucs can stay healthy and play the way they did against Washington, Detroit and Philadelphia in the first four games of the season when the only starter missing for those three games was Kancey, what kind of surge would they need?
June 5th, 2025 at 1:34 pm
They were one score away from a trip to the NFC championship in the ’23 season, and they’re a more talented team across the board now. Whatever this player has to say, it’s an opinion and who gives a flerk.
June 5th, 2025 at 1:58 pm
The fact that the team took a step back in the playoffs last year likely has a lot to do with this opinion.
It’s definitely my contention and why I want Bowles gone sooner rather than later.
For whatever reason he just doesn’t seem to be able to inspire the team in clutch moments.
1-3 in postseason doesn’t inspire confidence that a SB is on the horizon.
June 5th, 2025 at 2:00 pm
That’s one opinion. Doesn’t mean very much player or no player. This specific 2025 team with a little luck can go far in the playoffs. Injuries are always the wild card every year for each team. We’ll see if we can avoid the major injury bug this time around.
June 5th, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Joe … ‘The prevailing commentary was that the Bucs do not have what it takes to beat Detroit or Philly in the playoffs; Tampa Bay cannot up its game in the postseason.’
When the Bucs won the 2002 SB, we were quite healthy on offense & defense. Same when we won the 2020 SB (to include getting Vita Vea back). Plus we had decent depth. That hasn’t been the case these last 3 years, especially when it comes to depth. This year we’ve gotten a lot better in that regard, but we’re still not 100% of the way there. Getting into the playoffs HEALTHY will be huge. But then again, the Lions could’ve said the same thing last year. Most likely the same could be said for any Super Bowl finalist.
Lots of ‘fans’ seem to want Todd Bowles gone. I guess that over the years I’ve learned to be careful of ‘what you wish for’. Another old cliche is just a relevant: ‘The grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence’. The odds of ending up with a worse HC AND DC are at least 50-50, probably considerably worse.
June 5th, 2025 at 2:29 pm
There better be more than questions and concerns if the Bucs don’t win a playoff game this season! Talking about a head rolling… unless the team takes on some bad injuries again.
I don’t know what this ex Bucs sees but this is a top 8 roster in the league on paper. Another home playoff loss in round 1 is unacceptable. Again, barring catastrophic circumstances.
June 5th, 2025 at 2:32 pm
People will read that above post and say oh here we go, Bowles hater again can’t wait to run him outta town.
Nope… he’s our coach, full confidence heading into a new season, I know the Bucs can win meaningful games and I hope they do so this year under Todd. I want success for Bowles and the Bucs but under achieving is not something I can stomach when I believe a SB window is open right now.
June 5th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
We are missing a killer instinct. We often play not to lose. That’s what’s not there.
June 5th, 2025 at 3:03 pm
New year new season new team.
If you assume the coaches have learned nothing from past struggles, have no plan or are lacking in the ability to adjust, adapt, and correct issues then of course you are going to predict mediocrity or worse. I honestly feel for those who feel that way – it would suck to be convinced before the season starts that your favorite team is going to fail – in spite of its obvious improvements year to year.
I personally have more confidence that the coaches are VERY aware of the same issues that the fans are and are working hard to improve in those areas. I guess that makes me a pom pom shaker…. Oh well, I’ve been called much worse 🙄🤣
June 5th, 2025 at 3:04 pm
Whoever he is, I think he is completely wrong. A front 4 pass rush changes everything for the defense. The offense will be better because of personal and another year in basically the same system. I think it comes down to them and the Eagles
June 5th, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Just because James Wilder can’t get in the RIH doesn’t mean he has to sheet on the team.
June 5th, 2025 at 3:22 pm
I would invest in the best shock absorbing custom shoulder pads
June 5th, 2025 at 3:25 pm
^^^^
I thought I was posting on the SirVocea Dennis article
June 5th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
That’s correct Koala. Good call. Easy to forget that in June but watching games in November it’s obvious.
Bowles and the Bucs need to be much more aggressive. The Bowles approach of “we can’t risk it, might lose the biscuit” trickles into the mentality of the players and we blow games, whether it’s the offense not executing in crunch time or the D giving up game winning drives.
June 5th, 2025 at 3:55 pm
D.R.
“The odds of ending up with a worse HC AND DC are at least 50-50, probably considerably worse.”
My dad the bookie is smiling right now. The odds! Some of our astute stock or real estate investors are also smiling about “the odds”
Let me attempt a reasoned analysis supported by the numbers.
The Bucs have had 13 Coaches. Only 4 of them have winning records, and two Todd in 3rd spot and Chucky in 4th barely.
So now lets immediately provide a clear caveat. The Bucs came into the league with Seattle and the most unfair expansion draft the NFL would ever conduct.
So stipulating neither the Bucs nor the Seahawks were given a fair shake and it would figure that the early years provided some talented related losing seasons.
The Seahawks won in years 3 and 4…pretty dang good eh? The Bucs OTOH struggled a BIT more. John McKay’s record is totally out of whack because of this historically unequal expansion draft. He didn’t win until year 4 and of course was infamously winless in his first season here.
But lets balance the books for poor old John who was actually a very talented coach. He took the Bucs to two NFC Central titles, 3 playoff berths and did a good job overall in his 9 years.
But that’s it!!!! No more context required for the horrible start after McKay’s nine years. Then the Bucs just went into the crapper!!! Infamous names like Bennett, Perkins, Williamson, at least Wyche was entertaining like McKay.
So basically it’s FAIR to say the Bucs have “enjoyed” 4 (2 barely) winning coaches out of 12!
Let me see if actual numbers produce any odds. 4 out of 12 or a .333 chance of success. IE There is a TWO OUT OF THREE chance, if history means anything the Bucs will replace Bowles with a losing coach.
Now let’s add in opinion. Are there really coaches as bad as Bennett, Perkins and Williamson still in the NFL? Look across the state to Jacksonville to find a team with a sorrier record.
So if we add in opinion are the odds 50-50? 60-40? D.R. is correct…be careful what you wish for.
Here is what I’m wishing for…the Bucs win the SB..Todd gets to retire on top and Grizz becomes the next “McVay” as HC of the Bucs.
June 5th, 2025 at 4:00 pm
Everything can look good on paper, or bad, but what counts is what happens on the field , and the only thing we have to go on right now is past performances , good or bad, and time will tell very soon which it will be.
June 5th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
Coaching matters. The team assumes the identity of its head coach, or in this case, it’s part time head coach, part time defensive coordinator.
Coaching matters.
June 5th, 2025 at 4:14 pm
I 2020 the Bucs lost back to back to the rams and Chiefs by a field goal, They went on to destroy there next 4 opponents to end the season.
2023 Bucs ended the season beating a Panthers team that was at the time 2-14 by a score of 9-0.
2024 they struggled to beat a dysfunctional 5-11 team.
Only Playoff win in the last two seasons was against a team that was more dysfunctional than the 2024 Saints. 2023 Eagles.
Brady knew how important it was to be playing as close to your best football going into the Playoffs and sweating out close games against weak opponents ain’t it.
Mr/Ms Anonymous is 100% Correct.
June 5th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
This former player is right. Who on this team raises or raised their level of play the past two seasons in the playoffs? How did the coaching improve in the playoffs? Who on this team can make a play in the playoffs when the team needs it the most? If this player exists then why didn’t he or they do it at home versus a rookie?
This team has a long way go. The Bucs are talented but losing a home playoff game and only scoring 20 points won’t cut it.
We’ll see what happens this season.
June 5th, 2025 at 5:15 pm
98% AGREED!!!!
The Bucs have a solid roster with no holes. They are going to be very hard to beat week to week BUT … Where are the star? Who are the guys that can take over a game. We love Mike’s consistency but he’s not Tyreke Hill. We love Bucky but he’s not Barkley. We love Yaya but he’s not Huchinson. The Bucs don’t have THE GUY that can dominate …
Or do they …
#1 – AWJ
AWJ doesn’t get enough credit for the Super Bowl. He’s a game changer. He willed the Bucs to the playoffs in 2023. Had he been healthy last year, the Bucs would have beaten Washington.
#2 – CK
Kancey can be the guy. He punished Detroit in playoffs two years ago. He’s a huge reason they won.
#3 – Baker
He’s got a killer instinct. The big stage has been too big for him the last two years, but experience is the greatest teacher. Let’s see what year three looks like.
June 5th, 2025 at 5:15 pm
This is right on
June 5th, 2025 at 5:32 pm
If Baker don’t turn the ball over in cruiser moments we can win a Superbowl or 2 with him . That’s why I say this year getting to the NFC Championship will be a susessful season to me even if we lose the game and Baker Mayfield doesn’t play well. What that would do is prove we can get to a Superbowl with Baker Mayfield and probably win it. But if we don’t get to the NFC Championship and Baker do the thing he did the past 2 years then I will say draft a quarterback in the first round and let him sit behind Baker Mayfield until he’s ready to go.
June 5th, 2025 at 5:48 pm
This
and this
I’m more than likely wrong, but it
makes me think of one word….
Suh
June 5th, 2025 at 5:55 pm
Bottom line is that the defense doesn’t play with confidence and the defensive coaching is not keeping up with the league. Poor communication, stupid decisions, injury prone players, lack of pressure, and thin at experienced backups. This defense is so bad that they can’t exert their will on offenses and can’t force punts. Sadly, this team still doesn’t have the players on defense to get to the SB. At least this will be Bowles last season.
June 5th, 2025 at 6:08 pm
“Poor communication”– to that end: I had ZERO idea that the corners and safeties had separate training rooms. (Whatever you call them) I can’t imagine why they were EVER like that
June 5th, 2025 at 6:10 pm
“We are missing a killer instinct. We often play not to lose. That’s what’s not there”
We are missing the winner attitude. Underdogs often play not to lose. If an underdog loses, they can placate themselves… “No one thought we’d win anyway”.
June 5th, 2025 at 6:26 pm
Bowles suggested as much in the press when he said the team needed to have a killer instinct this year and win the division outright without coming down to the wire. He’s talking about a consistent killer instinct and not playing down to teams during the season and especially in the playoffs, locking up a high seed and then stepping on opponents necks. I like the sound of that. It appears that this team is stepping up it’s angry play for this year, I sure hope so.
June 5th, 2025 at 7:09 pm
Bullcrap. What this ex- Bucs player is full of.
June 5th, 2025 at 7:44 pm
Is that same ex player aware of just how much the Lions and Eagles both lost this offseason? And how, unless you’re regularly getting Brady and Mahomes ref help, nearly impossible it is to go back to back?
You could reasonably make the argument that neither the Lions nor the Eagles should be expected to make it past the first round of the playoffs this season, and possibly not even make the playoffs at all.
Bucs, Rams, and Skins are the favorites for the NFC crown this year. Chiefs, Bills, and Ravens again for the AFC. There will always be some surprise team as well, like the Cardinals or Raiders, that make a good run.
June 5th, 2025 at 7:50 pm
9-8 or 8-9 as usual
June 5th, 2025 at 8:06 pm
I don’t agree with whomever this player is. I think we have a loaded and much deeper roster. That’s how you win in the NFL… simple as that.
Talent and drive. The Bucs have tons of both.
June 5th, 2025 at 8:23 pm
The only difference between us and them is we make too many dumb mistakes. When we are running on all cylinders it is rare anyone can beat us. We just have to figure out how to be able to play at that level about every game. We do that and we are the team to beat.
June 5th, 2025 at 9:17 pm
Koala Says:
June 5th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
We are missing a killer instinct. We often play not to lose. That’s what’s not there.
_____
Correct
June 5th, 2025 at 9:18 pm
Here we go, the Bucs haven’t even started practice yet (real practice) and the Bowles and Mayfield haters are coming out of the woodwork. I bet this “retired Buccaneer” was never in the playoffs or never played in a Super Bowl, but he’s so sure the Bucs don’t have what it takes to play on the same level as the Lions or the Eagles ?
It’s very clear to me the Bucs will be a stronger team both offensively and defensively in 2025, which means they will be much more competitive ( score more points and allow less points) than they did in 2024. They just need to eliminate the simple mistakes on offense like the fumbled jet sweep or mishandled snap for a first down.
Offensive mistakes finished the Bucs last year. That’s what ended our Super Bowl run in 2024.
I have complete confidence that the new OC will practice execution to try to eliminate most mistakes in 2025 !!
Go Bucs 2025 !!
June 5th, 2025 at 9:36 pm
This ex player is making this assessment In underwear football. I say he just might have a case of envy of not being part of such a promising roster.
June 5th, 2025 at 10:12 pm
Todd is basically a .500 coach his whole career.
Why is this so hard to believe?
June 5th, 2025 at 11:15 pm
I’m not sure how anyone can be positive about a Bowles led team after how last season ended.
Came a breath away from losing to the moribund Saints then crap the bed in round one at home.
And yet, some still call 2024 a stalled SB run. Pure insanity.
No conference title game, it is not a SB run.
Fire Bowles = Possible SB run.
June 5th, 2025 at 11:35 pm
Well considering Baker has choked in the 4th quarter of his last two playoff games, it’s hard to argue with that.
Although, if the Bucs played the Eagles, they’d have won – the Bucs just have had their number since 2002-03, and the Eagles know it to. Ask any Eagles fan who is honest, and they all will tell you the only team they feared playing in the playoffs was Tampa.
As for Detroit – no, the Bucs wouldn’t have won. They did win in the regular season, but keep in mind the stupid Lions outcoached themselves that game, and decided they wouldn’t bother to run the ball since the Bucs were missing all the defensive players that game – but they also were missing Vita, which again just made it a real low IQ decision on their behalf. However, by the playoffs, they were firmly established in what they were doing and I don’t think the Bucs match up well.
But the Eagles, the Bucs could have beat them, if only Baker doesn’t fumble the ball…
June 6th, 2025 at 1:09 am
“Playoff Surge”?
Define Please.
People are getting a bit fast and loose with making terms up and not having a definition that makes sense.
Getting hot down the stretch I get. We did it for the Super Bowl run and there was no question we were the hottest team in the league. So we don’t have that capability now? If you are gonna say stuff like that you really need to be able and willing to say why you believe that.
Go Bucs!
June 6th, 2025 at 6:20 am
I can still remember who has the highest passer rating in playoff history. That would be our very own franchise quarterback, Baker Money Mayfield.
It’s hard to believe we have the greatest playoff quarterback of all time but we do. Ain’t life great if you are a Bucs fan.
June 6th, 2025 at 9:53 am
Oneillbuc,
Sorry but Baker isn’t going anywhere. In fact, wouldn’t be surprised if after this season Bucs renegotiate Baker for 5 years at $50Mill/each with $200Mill guaranteed. If for some reason Baker doesn’t sign and becomes a free agent after 1926 season, there is hope for you. Bucs might sign your favorite Jameis Winston?
June 6th, 2025 at 10:19 am
Gipper, always read your posts. Sorry Emmanwori didn’t work out for you but we’re still gonna be fine. It’s just that I’m a bit worried that you’re letting Oneilbuc get to you. But to the tune of 100 years? Hang in there Gipper, we’re all pulling for you!
June 6th, 2025 at 12:23 pm
I kinda agree with the anonymous guy. We did beat Eagles, but it was without both of their WR’s. We beat the Lions, in hard scrappy week two match. Had we played them in playoffs, I would have been worried. I was worried playing Washington as they were a different team from week 1. Now, who’s to say this team can’t level up in the playoffs this year. I like the way this roster is constructed as of now.