Todd Bowles To Rookies: You’re In The NFL Now
June 4th, 2025
Welcome to the NFL, rook.
Some coaches might want to take it easy on rookies. They’ve got a lot on their plate. Weeks ago they had no idea where they were going to live and play. Now, they’re expected to know the playbook and their assignments.
That’s the way Bucs coach Todd Bowles seems to think. If Bowles is pressed, he will confess to giving rookies a little bit of a learning curve.
But the Bucs drafted these guys for a reason. And Bowles expects to see rookies, when they’re on the practice fields, demonstrate they belong.
He has no qualms about throwing rookies into the fire.
“It always helps,” Bowles said. “We don’t try to sugarcoat them when we put them in there.
“We don’t care if we put them in there with [Antoine] Winfield or up against Tristan [Wirfs]. The young guys play when they play – that’s the only way you can get them better.”
That’s a fair point. Because if the rookies play on Sundays, whether it is because they outright earned a starting spot or are replacing a hurt player, the opposing team isn’t going to bench starters because their heart bleeds for the poor mistreated rookies.
The way Bowles sees it, if a rookie can’t adjust or figure out a way to win matchups with grown-arse men in practice, they maybe they’re not cut out for the NFL.
As Chucky once famously said, “We’re not playing for the Bluebonnet Bowl or the Peach Bowl. We’re playing for the Super Bowl. You with me?”
June 4th, 2025 at 10:42 am
I get the leap and in my generation we all remember the “The Chicago Charities College All-Star Game a preseason American football game played from 1934 to 1976 between the National Football League (NFL) champions and a team of star college seniors from the previous year. It was also known as the College All-Star Football Classic.
And the NFL team kicked the All Stars butts mercilously year after year so I get the difference.
Having said that though I also believe times have changed! With NIL money and the transfer portals The NCAA’s top conferences are actually the NFL’s triple A development teams. Guys come out of college now days far better prepared than in the old days…as in when even I was young!!!
June 4th, 2025 at 10:42 am
And as a HC you First have to know how to develop them. Very few come into the league ready to play at a high level.
Something we havent seen much of from Super Todd. Does he hold himself to the same standards? Now let the fan boys whine and cry that im picking on Super Todd again.
June 4th, 2025 at 11:03 am
But but but – injuries! Salary cap! The lost decade! Bucs are one game over .500 with Super Todd as the bicoachal leader! He even won a playoff game!
Don’t be a meanie! Only trolls and haters would dare criticize Todd.
June 4th, 2025 at 11:07 am
A ‘great’ draft means nothing unless the rookies get meaningful snaps in games and make a positive difference. It’s up to the players and coaches to have these guys making plays and justify being on the roster.
June 4th, 2025 at 11:20 am
I wonder if David Walker is giving Wirfs as much trouble in practice as Jose Ramirez does?
June 4th, 2025 at 11:28 am
Don’t do it Couch fan! Some will have their feelings hurt! They Will chastise you for Demanding BETTER! The “old” middle of the road gang has seemingly sworn allegiance to mediocrity and they’re sticking to it by attempting to change reality and falsely accuse Bowles of being the best we could possibly do for our continuance of Near LAST PLACE league wide, and OF COURSE our (not quite) “Middle of the Road” overall Defense.
They Will tell you “Why Bowles Marched This Team across the regular season finish line With unquestionable Authority!”
Unfortunately the Truth is FAR, FAR from That….
Todd Bowles WILL Give ALL HE’S GOT This year however. He KNOWS it’s Put Up or Kick Rocks… He just Might be able to Actually Do the Hard to Believe and take this team where it belongs WITH AUTHORITY this year. I BELIEVE HE CAN DO IT!
But, just like this article and how the rookies HAVE TO learn “Trial By Fire”, It IS the Very Same for him…. Iron Sharpens Iron! Does he FINALLY have a Sharp Edge??
Patting him n the back and telling him “he’s the best there ever was” IS A MISTAKE! Perhaps THIS IS the season he Brings this team to the finish line IN GLORY AND for his first time ever, with Unquestioned Will Power! We Must TAKE IT and NOT CRAWL ACROSS THAT LINE!
You can do it Todd. NO QUARTER Until you PROVE IT!
June 4th, 2025 at 11:31 am
That’s funny BA….. Smoke and mirrors
June 4th, 2025 at 1:46 pm
Holy crap, for a bunch of keyboard warriors you all are really sensitive.
June 4th, 2025 at 2:11 pm
He was pointing out that different position groups have different numbers of players therefore many different combinations at this point vs 1st team, 2nd etc.
The question was about different combos of personnel in practice I believe.
@aqua – i disagree that only a troll would criticize Todd.
On the other hand, the same complaint over and over for months and months, multiple times daily while ignoring the actual topic just might be indicative of troll activity don’t ya think? 😉
Regarding injuries and cap issues. That’s a real thing. Ask Dan Campbell.
June 4th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
“ the same complaint over and over for months and months, multiple times daily while ignoring the actual topic just might be indicative of troll activity don’t ya think? 😉“
You describe yourself. And the actual topic is “substandard performance” for which the root cause is clear, and the only cure is significant improvement. Until that happens, the same criticisms are warranted and will be repeated.
June 4th, 2025 at 3:10 pm
The jump to the NFL. You’ll be paid more than last year?
Dudes cashing checks for playing a game better not struggle with complex playbooks.
June 4th, 2025 at 3:21 pm
In my mind a troll is someone who appears to be deliberately making an attempt to stir up anger with their remarks. Criticizing Todd Bowles does not automatically put someone in that boat.
June 4th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
Well here it is Gator, we see the Exactly like that. Except We’re on the other side of it.
Try to imagine it from our point of view..
We see “trolling” as people who insist that Bowles had done a solid job and that he’s gonna take us to the Super Bowl this year because in some eye’s I guess they pretty much “state” that he’s walking on water and hasn’t Personally lost us Multiple, Valuable games for instance. Let me just tell you…. Good Coach’s DON’T DO THAT.
They manipulate the truth of his history as a head coach. Rearrange the time lines etc. Just on and on and state that, Oh…. the players like him therefore he is legitimately….. What?? He’s NOT BEEN coaching them up (can’t even communicate etc)
OF COURSE those of us with Eyes and Brains know better and so we State We’d SURE like a more talented head coach. We already got a taste of BA and HIS winning ways, so we Know there’s certainly better. Dungy had a fantastic Defense for instance and His Guys liked him too.
But you know what the REAL STORY is here with this Back and Forth??? It’s NOT even about Bowles. … No it’s been made PERSONAL by a few of what WE CALL Trolls!
A few thought it would be cute to Call Names… Weak attempts at belittling the MAJORITY and how We Feel about it…. This WHOLE BACK AND FORTH WOULDN’T EVEN BE A THING IF SOME SELF RIGHTEOUS, HIGHLY SANCTIMONIOUS, small little people whom ARE GOING TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT IS TO HAVE NAMES THROWN AT THEM WHILE AND TOLD THAT OUR POINT OF VIEW IS INVALID….
We DID NOT START THIS! YALL DID….. We Didn’t tell anybody they were a troll for their beliefs or feelings!! We DIDN’T tell anybody F… U! We DIDN’T Start this back and forth and if it Persists, don’t expect Sunshine. IN FACT, Calling Out The Guilty Is Next!
On the Other Hand, if it Stops (all the name calling and cheap shots) And Fast, then this Will All go away. It’ll STOP in its Tracks…. STOP THE BULLYING! OR ELSE THE SHOTS WON’T STOP. BULLYING EASILY GOES BOTH WAYS. And Most of us are tired of keeping quiet about it…
Trust me when I tell you I’m TIRED of talking about Bolwes!
But that’s not up to me. Or Auqa, or Couch fan, Or LOTS of others. It’s Up To without Exception the ones whom started all this name calling. Chose wise and we can All support each other instead. Chose War and you better buckle up because we’re done with the cheap shots and bully tactics
June 4th, 2025 at 4:14 pm
Obvious One, you’re taking things a tad too seriously, don’t you think? If you’re tired of talking about Bowles than shut the heck up! We totally know how you feel. Maybe when you say things like he’s lost us multiple valuable games you could instead tell us which ones? This story was about rookies joining our organization and we’re talking about Bowles. And you’re right in the middle of it. Hey, I’m right in the middle of it now too, and I’m mad at myself for letting a crazy small sect of TROLLS trigger me this way.
June 4th, 2025 at 4:19 pm
@obvious
Dude, your meds, take them.
NOT SURE WHAT THE ALL CAPS BULL IS supposed to accomplish but it’s not working.
Again, I wasn’t talking to you but i guess you’ve decided you’re going to be the turd hunters designated enforcer or something and started throwing around veiled threats and demands 🤣🤣🤣
Who the fu$k is trying to be a bully?
And where are those “recipes” you supposedly have?
I reserve the right to post what I want, when I want, with no consideration for a delusional whiner sitting behind a computer telling me to “BUCKLE UP” or threatening me with a pi$$ing contest on a blog.
Thx for sharing 😉
June 4th, 2025 at 5:28 pm
SenileSenior Says:
June 4th, 2025 at 3:21 pm
In my mind a troll is someone who appears to be deliberately making an attempt to stir up anger with their remarks. Criticizing Todd Bowles does not automatically put someone in that boat.
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Depends on how it’s written and the words used.
June 4th, 2025 at 6:19 pm
This was by far the worst thread in JBF history.
June 4th, 2025 at 6:30 pm
@Kenton Smith
I too get mad at myself for getting into these bickering matches.
In the overall scheme of things these little pi$$ing contests have zero importance. I admire your restraint.
—————————-
I’ve always hated bullies, bigots, and incessant whiners. And mob mentality.
And I’ve had a tendency to speak up when I see that kind of thing, even when it causes me grief.
It’s beyond ridiculous that I, and those of us who comment on, or push back against the FEW people who constantly post the same negative krap every day, change names when they get embarrassed and return again to keep beating the SAME DEAD HORSE are now victims of bullying by pom pom shaking “cupcakes” and “snowflakes”.
People who continually rag on a man who’s doing something they can’t do and don’t really understand is very annoying to me.
I WAS thinking I needed to ease up on my comments to/about the turd hunters for awhile, cause it’s not worth the mental energy, but NOW, thanks to Mr bigshot I’m all “BUCKLED UP” 🤣
June 4th, 2025 at 6:33 pm
CouchFan,
You protest too much. Barton, Bucky Irving, McMillan, Tykee Smith were all rookies last year who made meaning contributions to the team. Don’t get this mean spirited contempt for Todd Bowles. Bowles does the best he can with a defense that has lacked talent the last couple of years. Wish that Licht would have provided more help at 19. Yes, it is fair to ask what he could have done differently? Could have drafted Nick Emmanwori at 19. He can play either safety or LB with tremendous speed.
June 4th, 2025 at 6:46 pm
You named 3 offensive players and 1 defense. Are you suggesting Bowles is responsible for the offensive rookies development? LMAO. His side of the ball is defense. Tykee was ok. Will he improve? We shall see.
Despite what the fan boys want you to believe, Licht has drafted defensive players for Bowles. Bowles has developed very few of them so far. We’re they talented? They can be debated but what can be debated is that Bowles failed to develop most of our defensive players. Dont try to count the offensive players that everyone should know he had very little to do with. Do better. And yes I do protest a lot and I will continue until Bowles proves me wrong or is gone.
June 4th, 2025 at 6:47 pm
but what can’t be debated*
June 4th, 2025 at 6:52 pm
And btw you do realize that Bowles approves of everybody Licht drafts right? Licht doesnt go out there and ignore Bowles input on who he wants. Every single pick has been checked off by Bowles. If you arent happy with the way the draft works out, that would also be partly Bowles fault also. Everything runs through Super Todd. Thats how it works.
June 4th, 2025 at 11:36 pm
If one of Todd Bicoachal’s Positrolls would just offer one objective and obvious critique of the bicoach’s obvious gaffes, it would be like free money raining from the sky. Ain’t gonna happen. Therefore until there is visible improvement, including but not limited to
– Stopping a slant
– Covering a receiver on 3rd and 5
– Covering anyone on any down
– Stopping an opponent from winning late in the 4th quarter
– Making a team punt in the playoffs
– Using challenges and timeouts better than “select random mode”
– Recognizing the strength of the team to win a game. Hint – it’s the offense.
– Recognizing the weakness of the team to lose a game. Hint – it’s the defense.
And much much more. Player regression. Strange metrics for evaluating starters versus backups (case in point – Anthony Nelson. All he does is make plays, and is the reason for a Todd even having a job today).
And much much more.
June 5th, 2025 at 10:25 am
“They manipulate the truth of his history as a head coach. Rearrange the time lines etc.”
Manipulating the truth = LYING! Posting FACTS in the face of OPINIONS is not.
Rearranging the time lines “ETC” would also be LYING. If you’ve caught somebody in a LIE you should point it out with specificity instead of hurling vague accustations about nothing but your opinion.
I can’t speak for everybody here that’s for sure, but I don’t think I’m alone in sayhing I respect FACTS far more than opinions no matter whose opinion we’re talking about.
Kenton makes an excellent point about facts versus opinions.
“Maybe when you say things like he’s lost us multiple valuable games you could instead tell us which ones?”
When you claim absurdities like “Patting him n the back and telling him “he’s the best there ever was” IS A MISTAKE!”
I defy the poster to cite one instance of where ANYBODY called Todd “the best there ever was”. Most who defend him also concede his mistakes…the Rams playoff game is stuck in a lot of craws and I get that.
The HYPERBOLE on this blog has not come from Todd defenders…it’s come exclusively from the exaggerations of the Todd haters.
June 5th, 2025 at 3:26 pm
@stpete
I agree. If the snowflakes and cupcakes are lying then it should be easy to point out when and where. The thing is, as far as I know, none of the Polly positive pom pom takers have changed their names (repeatedly) so a simple search will give anyone a look at their posts over time.
The same is true for those who try to label us…. You just have to keep up with the name changes 🙄. You should check out some of last year’s posts – hilariously bad. Amazing how wrong some of their predictions and opinions turned out to be compared to some of us they’d have you believe are happy shiny bullies 🤣