Todd Bowles On Haason Reddick
September 11th, 2025
Passing grade from Todd Bowles.
Joe thought it was pretty wild that Bucs coach Todd Bowles had edge rusher Haason Reddick line up as an off-ball linebacker five times in the win over Atlanta.
If Bowles trusts Reddick to do that, then Reddick must be multi-talented.
In a sitdown this week with Aileen Hnatiuk of WFLA, Bowles admitted he liked the results of Reddick lining up all over the place.
“I thought he played a very good overall game,” Bowles said. “We moved him around quite a bit this game. We put him on the ball, off the ball, even outside at nickel some and I thought he played all those positions very well for him.
“He was good in the run game, he’s good in the pass game, and he was good rushing the passer. So I thought he had a great start to the season.”
That’s pretty wild that an edge rusher was lined up at nickel.
The biggest thing impressing “this Joe” is Bowles not having Reddick drop in pass coverage like 70 percent of the time he was on the field.
In fact, Reddick dropped back into pass coverage on just 10 percent of his 60 snaps, or six snaps dropping into pass coverage.
Joe believes one reason Bowles had Reddick lining up all over was that Bowles was trying to confuse Dixie Chicks quarterback Michael Penix because it was just Penix’s fourth NFL start.
September 11th, 2025 at 7:14 am
Very happy that Reddick seems to be all in here i wonder if that experiment will continue given sirvocea’s play and we still seem thin at LB depth having that versatil8ty with Reddick could be just what we need
September 11th, 2025 at 7:21 am
This guy is a complete Idiot. Our defense would be soooo much better if dudes did their jobs and only their jobs. How many more sacks would Hassan have had if he just came off the edge. Bowles is not fooling anyone by dropping our fat DTs into coverage. Waiting for Vita to play FS at the point.
You know who plays better nickel than a DE? Our freakin nickel CBs. All of them, even the ones on the practice squad. Same goes for DTs dropping into MLB.
We weaken two positions by running this outdated defense that was a fad in the 90s
September 11th, 2025 at 7:30 am
Whatevs… We won. That team has a dangerous back (2 really) and an athletic receiving tight end. London’s a pretty good receiver as well. Penix has a ton of talent. Got to mix it up sometimes.
Glad you’re a genius with the knowledge of an NFL quality coach. Bucs should promote you to DC and make a few trolls here happy.
September 11th, 2025 at 7:46 am
Yes, we should have our players do the same thing every single play. That will work!
September 11th, 2025 at 7:51 am
Well I think that this having let’s say Yaya do all of these things hasn’t done any good for him. Get seven and a half sacks first year and last year could have put Yaya on the fast to becoming the next Joe Tryon S and we still let Dean line up at the fifty when opposing offenses are starting on their own thirty pretty much adds up to a quick first down as I saw it again in game one. I also thought that cross training players was for a just in case kinda thing? Come on man. Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
September 11th, 2025 at 7:52 am
It is really annoying when ppl try to shut down the opinions of other posters with this fallacious debate tactic. And top it off with a pathetic insult. Get it in your heads, this is a forum where buc fans share their opinions about the team, good or bad. Shoot, while the Joes are exceptional at gathering intel, it is often presented with a subjective slant.I know you like to form your lil bully pulpits (anti-Bowles, anti-Trask, anti-Dean….note, always “anti”) and find false strength in your lynchmob numbers.. NOBODY here is an expert/NFL talent, so stop trying to shut down divergent voices. You don’t have to be scared of a different opinion, you won’t fall off the edge of the world if you travel beyond only what you can see
September 11th, 2025 at 7:55 am
Neither extreme is the answer. For some players like Reddick could be a good thing. Tykee having to play all 5 DB spots due to injuries last year imo not so good.
September 11th, 2025 at 7:55 am
Personally, I like a defense that gives different looks like Belichicks defenses did all the time or Spagnola’s defense has done in KC. Or the different teams that Vic Fangio has been on or Brian Flores.
That’s a list of pretty good defenses overall. So, I will continue to support that.
September 11th, 2025 at 8:05 am
@geno711
I agree. Mixing up the defense can slow down the call for coverage at the line of scrimmage. Make the center and quarterback think, make them second guess what they’re seeing. If you can get in the qb’s head and confuse him everything gets easier for our guys.
The term that springs to mind is “trick-eration”.
September 11th, 2025 at 8:06 am
Bowles is missing Plan 9.
September 11th, 2025 at 8:10 am
Joe, calling a QB that throws for 298 yards confused is a scary thought, what happens when a quarterback is not confused by Bowles genius, oh yeah see Cousins 2024
September 11th, 2025 at 8:18 am
I wonder if fans knew that the guy who was just traded from Dallas to Green Bay dropped in coverage every now and then??
September 11th, 2025 at 8:32 am
yea penix didnt seem confused if that was todds plan. 300yd passing day on opening day after not playing the preseason seems pretty on top of things.
September 11th, 2025 at 8:38 am
HR5 seemed happy after the game! Winning does that to players. I’m looking forward to seeing more smiles on his face after MNF in Houston!
September 11th, 2025 at 8:41 am
I would much prefer that list of DCs over Bowles but this era of NFL is better with offensive HCs – I miss el serpiente
September 11th, 2025 at 8:42 am
Just like when Pittsburg was down to off the street corners, and we decide to run futilely the entire game.
Atlanta was down to an off the street, 3rd string tackle and Bowles decides to get cute instead of just letting Reddick eat.
I just dont get it.
September 11th, 2025 at 8:57 am
Get Stroud nervous early. Trust the CBs and FSs to do their jobs.
September 11th, 2025 at 9:01 am
I have to agree with those who think it’s a dumb move. I go back to the old Kiffin defense where everyone had their position mastered. They made few mistakes. I’ve seen our defense looking more confused to many times than the opposing offense. So what did moving Reddick all around really accomplish? He had one sack on the day going against a 3rd string tackle. Brilliant.
September 11th, 2025 at 9:04 am
Bowles has led one of the worst defenses over the last 3 years. Bottom 5 last year. Stats don’t lie. His system is old and ineffective, just like him. When rookie QBs and Kirk Cousins look like HoFers every time, Bowles should give up coaching.
Since some of you can’t attack the arguments, you attack the poster. Simple minds drinking the koolaid. We could easily be a Super Bowl contender, but our HC is incapable of winning the big game. Anti-Trask, Anti-Bowles? Not really, I am sure they are good people, but clearly not NFL caliber.
September 11th, 2025 at 9:06 am
Hodad. Perfect argument. I don’t remember Sapp and Booger playing LB. Ronde blitzed a lot, but it was a LB covering, not a DE
September 11th, 2025 at 9:10 am
Seeing Vita drop into coverage on the first play is all you need to know about this ridiculous defensive philosophy.
Even a JV coach can see Vita working in the trenches and being creative with stunts and looks is the best use of his talent. The what if’s are endless, but the data is telling. Talents Dline, no game splash plays.
Don’t get me started on Dean
September 11th, 2025 at 9:11 am
ChiBuc—
Great post! You are spot on! I love reading the different perspectives … but those who degrade to ad hom attacks are simply projecting the fact they have a small Penix.
These are the same one who drive those ridiculous cars that loudly snap, crackle and pop. Every time I hear one of those, I always vocalize, “Small PENIX!” Or something similar to that.
So good on you for your articulate post.
Perhaps in the future, we simply respond to these posts with:
#SmallPenix
September 11th, 2025 at 9:18 am
Guzzie55 … Every game has to stand on its’ own merit IMO. Sunday’s Bucs defense wasn’t the same defense that Cousins literally carved up in 2 wins last year; Whitehead, Britt & JTS are gone, and Tykee Smith, SVD & Reddick inserted. Even Atlanta’s offense (and their defense) had significant changes.
The biggest change I saw though was in our defensive scheme. Our pass rush still stunk IMO, but I’m convinced that’s because Bowles puts such a high premium on run defense (and we did excellent there BTW). We blitzed about the same Sunday (13 blitzes with 1 sack & 4 pressures) as we did in the 1st game against the Falcons last year (16 blitzes with 4 sacks & 11 pressures) but more than in the 2nd game (9 blitzes with 2 sacks & 7 pressures). Watching the game on TV, I thought I saw a LOT of 4-man pass rush, but it looked to me like Falcons’ OLine was doing a good job overall handling them.
Our pass defense was a whole nuther animal. It’s only Week 1, but interestingly the rankings that came out were pretty much the same as what we closed last season with: #14 defense for Points Allowed (as opposed to #16 in 2024), #29 Pass Defense for Yards Allowed (same as in 2024), and #7 Run Defense for Yards Allowed (as opposed to #4 in 2024). Another stat also the same was Falcons’ 4th down conversions: They converted 3-of-4 of their 4th-down attempts Sunday (75%) … last year in the 2 games they converted 4-of-5 of their 4th-down attempts (80%). That’s horrific IMO.
What did change though was the Atlanta passing attack & our pass defense to counter it. It looked to me like we did play more man-to-man, but not overwhelmingly so. Penix threw a LOT (42 times), and completed 27 of those (64.3%). More interestingly (to me) though, Penix was 0-for-5 deep, which means we did a great job there. Also means though that he was 27-of-37 short (73.0%) which tells me our short passing coverage leaves a LOT to be desired. And the fact that the Falcons gained 298 yards on those 27 short catches (11.0 YPC) is gross.
September 11th, 2025 at 9:19 am
Whatevs.. reddick dropped back in pass coverage 6 times.. thats typical for an olb in 3/4 scheme. You remember when vita vea made a game saving tackle vs detroit last year.. it was because on that play he was dropped back in covg. Stop whining about everything, this aint madden, where you you can just rush 4 guys and hope the qb make a mistake.. watch the rams and broncos they do the same stuff.
September 11th, 2025 at 9:20 am
A 300-pound man in coverage should never happen — period. Hasson Reddick? Okay. YaYa? Fine. But personally, I never want to see Vita Vea doing anything other than eating up blockers — he’s elite at it. If he’s not fulfilling that role, keep him on the sideline hydrating. It makes no sense to wear him out by asking him to cover backs or drop into zone coverage.
September 11th, 2025 at 10:18 am
Bowles still doesn’t get it. Pass rushers don’t have coverage skills. This is all so stupid. Clueless Todd Strikes Again!
September 11th, 2025 at 10:24 am
The point is to confuse the opposing quarter back. You confuse no one by everyone play their position. It’s 2025 and we can’t play vanilla.
September 11th, 2025 at 10:26 am
Wholeheartedly agree with ChiBuc’s take.
Spot on concerning attacks from posters who attempt to belittle those who have differing opinions. They are childishly superficial, unnecessary, accomplish nothing and show a maturation deficiency from the attacker.
With reference to the “subjective slant,” this is, after all, a site dedicated to the wishful success of one particular team. And with that comes emotion, and with emotion comes an inability to wholly embrace objectivity.
I say we should cut the Joe’s some slack for being one sided. Hence the word, “fan,” in the site’s title.
Good post!
September 11th, 2025 at 11:05 am
Now we’re getting somewhere. DR’s statistical breakdown illustrates exactly what the soft underbelly of the pass defense is, literally. And it’s at its worst at the end of games.
After three years of watching this get worse, we can hope it will get better.
Hopium is a lousy drug. It’s not going to get better because the Defensive Coordinator’s boss is the Defensive Coordinator. We know how that turns out.
September 11th, 2025 at 11:20 am
@WHATEV
“Bowles has led one of the worst defenses over the last 3 years. Bottom 5 last year. Stats don’t lie.”
If stats don’t lie then you do! Which begs the question why do you hate Bowles so much you bring negative lies to the group?
The Bucs were ranked 18th defensively in yards allowed and 16th in the perhaps more important stat of points allowed!
It’s clear “why” some guys are never going to warm to Bowles but why add the lies?
September 11th, 2025 at 11:34 am
spbf, the issue as we all know is the pass defense, especially in crunch times to close out a game. No one hates Todd or is lying about the putridity of the pass defense. Todd is a cool dude. People like Todd.
His pass defense sucks.
That is a fact. Based on demonstrated results, and continuing substandard performance.
If Todd was the DC and had a boss other than himself, this would be fixed by now or else we’d have a new DC. But he’s both, therefore he’s neither.
If the Texans run the ball more than 10 times except for CJ Stroud scrambles which Todd’s defense are lame with, they’re stupid.
Kirk’s Cousin rang up almost 1000 yards passing against Todd. CJ only needs another 500 to hit the 2 game, 1000 yard mark against the Toddster.
Griz better have the run game fixed and Bake better get his head on straight in the first quarter, or we’re looking at another Monday Night Horror Show. 40 burger or bust.
37 wasn’t good enough two years ago.
September 11th, 2025 at 11:43 am
Whatevs, like who are you? I don’t recall you being a regular on here. That also means I don’t think you’re a Bucs fan. You’re yapping the same old negative nonsense which is getting BOR-ING! Were you around or even alive in 1983-95? Nope. Defense Rules criticizes the Bucs and knows what he’s talking about. We fans know he’s a Bucs fan, and not some yahoo who wanders on here with no cred. I’m laffin’ at you cos I am a Bucs fan. ChiBuc criticizes the Bucs, and so do I at times, but we’re actual fans.
September 11th, 2025 at 11:45 am
I’m all for the unorthodox ways of getting the right and best 11 on the field on either side of the ball. Whether it be drop Vita in coverage to send David/Voss/Parrish on a blitz, or having Rachaad White split out as a WR to get he and Bucky on the field together. Most of the time it either works in our favor or has no impact at all on the rep. It’s all bad until Reddick picks a pass off and the crowd pops like Stone Cold Steve Austin walked through the curtains.
September 11th, 2025 at 11:50 am
NFL scout: This Reddick guy can really get after the qb.
Head Coach: Doesn’t matter, Can he cover recievers?
September 11th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
NFL Scout: He’s a great athlete he can do both!
Head Coach: Great, give him a raise.
September 11th, 2025 at 12:07 pm
First impression of Reddick was pretty darn good to me.
I thought your analogy was too simple Miken…
Folks want to make NFL football simple in today’s game and it clearly is not IMO.
If all Reddick or any defensive lineman does everytime is pin their ears back — Those quarterbacks… they’re getting the ball out fast! Very fast! Three-step drop, boom! He’s gone!
Talk about a way to frustrate your team and make it easy on the other team. No way.
You see, what the great coaches understand… what smart defenses do (Eagles, Broncos, Patriots when Belichick was there) … is they mix it up! They confuse you! You got a guy like Reddick, you can’t just say, “Go get the quarterback!” You gotta set him up to get to a position of a win.
Why? To make the quarterback think! To make him hold that ball for just… one… more… second! And when he holds that ball… that’s when the heat gets there! That’s when you bring a guy off the edge, that’s when you run a stunt, that’s when you create a matchup that the offense can’t handle.
I think there are lots of ways to win in the NFL — but one I don’t think works is having the guy do the exact same thing every time he is in. As Joe pointed out, he dropped back 6 of 60 snaps. That is nothing.
September 11th, 2025 at 12:17 pm
Might as well try him outside at corner, then maybe quarterback, lol.
It’s good he’s an all-around player. Let Diaby be the guy who rushes from the edge every time.
September 11th, 2025 at 12:44 pm
There are a few posters who I enjoy reading their comments whether I agree or disagree with them because they have put thought into them. Just blindly spewing nonsense and then getting mad at people for calling that out is weak. Some posters just say things like they are playing Madden and when the smart posters bring up very smart counterpoints they are ignored and people continue to talk nonsense.
September 11th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
orlbucfan … Maybe it’s just a matter of perspective, but I see a big difference between ‘criticism’ and ‘analysis’. And Whatev’s first comment on this thread is a good example of that. His statement “Our defense would be soooo much better if dudes did their jobs and only their jobs” is much too simplistic for today’s NFL. Today’s defenses are incredibly sophisticated, largely because NFL offenses are incredibly sophisticated.
Playing a 3-4 defense rarely means that you rush 3 DLinemen & have 4 LBs back. From what I can see, Bucs often rush 3 or 4, but we blitz 1-2 along with that, so that we’re really trying to create pressure with 4-6 guys. And yes it requires guys to play several roles depending upon who’s rushing, etc. OLBs on all 3-4 defenses aren’t specifically DLinemen, nor are they specifically LBs; they’re more of a blend between the two to provide some great flexibility.
But how effective the 3-4 is still depends on TALENT (and that’s why I dread the day that LVD retires). We’ve improved the talent level this year over last IMO, but it’ll take several games for these guys to really gel. Still, the bottom line is always POINTS ALLOWED, and allowing 20 points when our defense was on the field for 35 minutes against a quality Atlanta offense isn’t all that shabby for the first shot out of the barrel. No question we’ve got ‘stuff’ to work on & improve, but the bottom line is still the bottom line: 23 points scored beats 20 points allowed every time.
September 11th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
TombsEN…welcome to JBF!
September 11th, 2025 at 1:24 pm
“And yes it requires guys to play several roles depending upon who’s rushing, etc. OLBs on all 3-4 defenses aren’t specifically DLinemen, nor are they specifically LBs; they’re more of a blend between the two to provide some great flexibility.“
Bingo.
Yahtzee.
Checkmate.
Connect 4.
September 11th, 2025 at 1:33 pm
Defense Rules: I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. You know your Xs and Os. The reason I post on these blogs is I don’t have that sort of tech grasp of pro football. In fact, I’m flattered that you called me out. What I don’t like are phony “fans” who get on our fan blogs, and write negative comments that are just plain STUPID. We all know what/who I’m talking about. There are other regulars on here that I enjoy reading cos I learn off them just like I do you. I also like your handle cos a genuine Bucs fan knows the Bucs are famous for great defenses. I hope we go to 2-0 MN, but we have to bring our A game.
September 11th, 2025 at 1:43 pm
DR really makes the case for a switch to the 4-3. We know that won’t happen though. The case for the switch is strong.
September 11th, 2025 at 1:50 pm
OBF… are you okay, seem to take this personally. I have been a Bucs fan since 76 sitting on the bleachers of the big sombrero. Keep name calling and making assumptions buddy, it is a good look for you.
29th ranked pass defense in 2024. From the defensive guru, Todd Bowles. How did they do in the playoffs? Everyone here knows that we are in one of the weakest divisions in FB. That has been the only reason we backed into the playoffs these last two years and got bounced quickly.
The sad fact is we have the talent, but not the coaching and training staff to make the Super Bowl. we are wasting this window with Todd 500 Bowles. If not for the even more mediocre HC in ATL, we would have lost the game.
Defense doesn’t need to be complex to win in the NFL, they have to be great at their jobs. How come rookies and third string QBs keep slicing up this Genius?
September 11th, 2025 at 2:46 pm
@aqualung
You’re FOS. Stop saying you like Todd as a person but not a coach. You’re obsessed with putting him down and calling him derogatory names. Everyday for at least a year and a half – search your own posts dude 🙄
@whatevs
Sound like an old troll trying a new name.
You are using the same single stat (pass yards) for our ranking.
“Bowles has led one of the worst defenses over the last 3 years. Bottom 5 last year” = not accurate.
Bottom 5 in pass YARDS allowed does not equal DEFENSE…. And @ the risk of pissing Joe off again – it’s (passing yards allowed) not as big a determining factor for success as other SINGLE stats are ie run defense, turnovers, etc
Fact… NO coach is killing w/l % in modern NFL..
.600 is killing it with parity in the league and Todds % is steadily climbing.
Campbell, Shanahan, Gruden, Jimmy Johnson, McDaniel and many many more, incl HOF coaches and SB winners, have a similar win percentage.
September 11th, 2025 at 2:51 pm
Aqualung … Next game watch how many times our defense rushes 4 guys like a ‘normal’ 4-3 defense would. We actually do it quite a bit from what I can see. Sometimes I wonder though if it really matters what we call each defense; the quality of the defensive personnel you have to run it seems to be a lot more important.
I’ve long believed that money drives the train, but that may not be true. For instance, the Houston Texans supposedly have the most costly defense this year (roughly $179 mil in terms of annual salaries, not just CAP allocations). The Steelers, traditional leaders in terms of defense cost, come in at #2. Interestingly though, the Eagles high-powered defense is supposedly the least expensive in the NFL. Maybe you don’t always get what you pay for? And maybe sometimes you get more?
September 11th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
orlbucfan … ‘What I don’t like are phony “fans” who get on our fan blogs, and write negative comments that are just plain STUPID.’
I admittedly feel the same way, but have learned over time to just by-pass comments like that. The beauty of JBF is that lots & lots of true Bucs’ fans can share their OPINIONS of how they feel the Bucs are doing. The Joes do an incredible job of ‘chumming the waters’ as I call it. Yes it can bring the ‘piranhas’ to the fishing hole, but it also entices the ‘bass’ & the others to get engaged in the fight.
I love solid analyses, and there are quite a few JBFers who provide some fantastic observations & unique perspectives, for both offense AND defense. I really enjoy reading comments like that because it gets me questioning my own perspectives on a Bucs’ team that I really love (and have for over 40 years now).
September 11th, 2025 at 5:48 pm
Been a fan since the uniform change in the 90’s as a teenager. Rarely post, I love the different opinions on Todd and the defense.
I saw the positives and I tend to try and be ever since I entered this Bucs life.
We played more man defense and London was held in check last year 2nd game he went for 154 yards, Mooney went for over 100 as well. Pitts hit us for almost 91 yards as well. Statistically speaking we were much improved. 10 less points allowed and almost 250 yards and didn’t give up rushing yards like we had in the past to Bijon and team.
Our Center played left tackle MJ at guard BB at Center, we could muster a run game and in the first game of the season we couldn’t keep the clock moving to give our defense more rest and they played a ton of snaps.
Reddick is a lighter DE/OLB very quick with his first step played the run well but by putting him at off ball and nickel it allowed a little more beef on the run plays with our personnel.
We gave up less yards, less points and won against the Dirty Birds at home we didn’t have our best lineup for the match and still pulled it off.
Todd finally played man and pressed to challenge the receivers we have all been waiting for this to happen it finally has ( he also got aggressive on a 4th down) we have the talent and as we go on we will get better. My hope is that the over the middle and the shorter passes with more games will turn into shorter gains and we don’t miss as many tackles. We have the talent!
Week 1 last year we gave up 20 points the the OROY and tend to gel and get better as the season goes on.
We got better, we played better gave up less point to a team that smoked us last year. Can’t wait to see what we can do when we hit our stride and get and can stay healthy.
GO BUCS