Scolds his punter.

One thing Joe has learned in recent weeks is that Bucs coach Todd Bowles has little patience for special teams players making mistakes.

Remember how the Bucs were pushing Tez Johnson as the next punt returner for the Bucs? He botches a punt return in worthless preseason and the job goes to Kameron Johnson, who nobody working outside of One Buc Palace saw making the 53-man squad.

In the past, Bowles has quickly bounced punters, even a guy the team had a hefty investment in.

Then there is Bowles at the podium. If a (real) player makes a mistake, Bowles tries to soften the landing often using the ubiquitous “communication” dodge or offering some other cushioned excuse for a mistake.

But not with kickers or punters.

Asked yesterday about Bucs punter Riley Dixon who had a punt blocked and the Bucs dodged that bullet by only allowing a field goal, Bowles had sharp words for his punter.

“We need to block [punts] better and he needs to get the ball off quicker,” Bowles said.

Bowles isn’t wrong.

And yes, Bowles has been critical of Chase McLaughlin too, who has gotten off to a very shaky start to the 2025 season. Previously as reliable as any kicker in the league, McLaughlin has already cost the Bucs seven points through two games.

Joe has to admit the special teams in Houston on Monday night was anything but special, and not just the kicking and punting. Maybe the most atrocious special teams display he’s seen by the Bucs in a long time.

For heaven’s sakes, tomorrow, please punt the ball out of bounds if the game is a close game in the fourth quarter.

TEXANS BLOCKED PUNTpic.twitter.com/7D7qJfjtHV

— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) September 16, 2025