Todd Bowles On Emeka Egbuka
October 6th, 2025
Emeka Egbuka reaches back over Seattle CB Nehemiah Pritchett to haul in a touchdown pass Sunday.
Playing in his home area for the first time as an NFL receiver, rookie Emeka Egbuka went off Sunday.
Egbuka led all receivers with 163 yards (and a touchdown) and averaged 23.3 receiving yards a catch, reeling in all seven of his targets.
What a show Egbuka turned in. It left Bucs coach Todd Bowles gushing.
“Meka [Egbuka] had a homecoming today,” Bowles said. “He continues to amaze and compete and do the things that everybody has seen him do like he did in college, and again, he was outstanding.”
Bowles has been a defensive coach in the NFL since the start of the century. Bowles was asked if he has seen a rookie make an immediate impact on his team like Egbuka has.
“Not this early [in a career], I have not, no,” Bowles said.
And to think people howled about Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht drafting Egbuka in the first round at No. 19.
And some were so triggered they even called Licht, “Millen.”
Boy, do those guys look like jackwagons now.
October 6th, 2025 at 12:04 am
Stud!
Maybe this play of the offense (and maybe also the defense?) was a way of making the special teams look good…
October 6th, 2025 at 12:20 am
I was traveling during the Jets game and watched it on my phone. Started watching the game again on a tv. I’m in 2nd quarter but Emeka one handed a catch which was amazing. What was also impressive was when it looked like Baker may have been hit while throwing and ball may have been knocked out, Egbuka races in to beat a defender, knocks the ball away from the defender, jumps on the ball then curls his body to protect himself and the ball. The speed, strength and knowledge was just impressive. Yes it was ruled incomplete pass but he played it like a pro in case it was a fumble. I’m glad he is a Buc!
October 6th, 2025 at 12:30 am
What a great game!! Excited about this team. Watched the whole game then read all Joe’s and Ira’s posts eagerly. What a great time to be a Bucs fan!
Let’s GO 5-1!!!
October 6th, 2025 at 12:31 am
Where’s Jeff and Neal Cooter?
October 6th, 2025 at 12:46 am
I whined, stomped my feet, and pouted when Licht drafted a receiver instead of Johnny Football. I was very wrong then, so I stopped questioning Licht. I was a bit surprised when Licht took EE instead of a stud linebacker or edge rusher, but I kept my mouth shut. See? I can learn!
October 6th, 2025 at 12:53 am
Drove over from Western Montana for the game. The 12th Man is not hyperbole. That place is LOUD! I may have missed it elsewhere, but I don’t think the offense was ever penalized for a false start or delay of game. You don’t understand how good that is unless you were there.
October 6th, 2025 at 12:57 am
He’s a pleasure to watch. Dude shines!
October 6th, 2025 at 1:02 am
He is what we thought he was!
October 6th, 2025 at 1:14 am
Has everyone forgot about Randy Moss as a rookie on the Vikings, they were best offense in history of nfl at the time. Moss’ first game was against who? The Bucs. Moss dominated that game i believe he had two touchdowns. I still recall someone on the bucs making the quote after the game, ” he’s not the best receiver I’ve ever seen but he will be”
Those were the bucs days of dominate defense
October 6th, 2025 at 1:54 am
With all of Emeka’s talent, skill and gifted ability, he has one thing you either have or you don’t. He’s got brains and he’s super smart. The Bucs have a lot of players who are really smart. It makes a difference and it’s one reason that Devin White had to go. It’s why Winfield Jr. is so good. He’s very intelligent. And I give Todd Bowles props because He’s learned as a head coach here over these last few years. He doesn’t make the late game mistakes he used to make. This team has everything needed to win it all this season. They just have to get healthy and avoid more injuries. Go Bucs!!!
Sam Darnold was fantastic today and he’s as close to a Baker QB as you will find. The Vikings really screwed up letting him get away.
October 6th, 2025 at 2:00 am
Bama linebacker or Egbuke.
October 6th, 2025 at 2:05 am
This man is tearing up the league and making the best players in the world look foolish.
Amazing.
Of course those perfect passes are helpful.
October 6th, 2025 at 2:35 am
I kept telling people that it wouldn’t surprise me if he ended up getting OROTY with everyone injured at WR because he was gonna have to go in there & play right away. If he keeps it up it very possible he might.
October 6th, 2025 at 4:57 am
Bowles nickname for Egbuka is “Meka” – loving it! So happy we got him. He and Baker have clicked and it’s a beautiful thing. The entire team too. The culture under Bowles is awesome.
BigMacAttack – Agreed, Sam Darnold found his perfect fit with the Seahawks. Similar to the Browns and other teams letting Baker go. Vikings made that error too. We got so lucky getting Baker.
October 6th, 2025 at 5:15 am
And to think I was worried about Mike’s eventual retirement. Buka has made that go away after what he has done in the first four games of his NFL career. Wow!
Once Godwin gets back to his old self? Look out NFL! Otten was playing with some major attitude Sunday as well…That dude has much respect from me.
Folks here still wanna send White packing? My mind has been changed. Tucker somehow looks nothing like the dude from last year.
Go Bucs!
October 6th, 2025 at 5:41 am
garro – Agreed. What a team we have!
October 6th, 2025 at 5:45 am
Only player I have seen torch a defense out of the gate like this was Randy.
October 6th, 2025 at 7:01 am
Buc1987 Says:
October 6th, 2025 at 12:31 am
Where’s Jeff and Neal Cooter?
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Probably with Aquabrain.
October 6th, 2025 at 7:51 am
Rarely does athleticism combine with intellect in the NFL. Egbuka is the exception.
October 6th, 2025 at 8:03 am
To be fair Tucker got 3 carries an the OLine didn’t get much push on the ground White did good
October 6th, 2025 at 8:35 am
I always have a soft spot for a player who is playing in front of family, especially a young guy like Meka. Meka balled in front of his family, I’m so happy for them and damm happy he’s a Buc.
October 6th, 2025 at 9:21 am
Buc1987 Says:
October 6th, 2025 at 12:31 am
Where’s Jeff and Neal Cooter?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Probably with Aquabrain.
Has anyone ever actually seen them all in the same room at the same time?😉
October 6th, 2025 at 10:28 am
Egbuka is outstanding but he can’t rush the passer. That’s what most of the people that objected to the selection were vocal about, me included. We weren’t wrong. Reddick is washed and Braswell is busted.
October 6th, 2025 at 10:40 am
Still shaking my head that Double E was still around when the Bucs number 19 was called in the draft. Not only is he smart, he’s embraced the team first mentality the Bucs locker room has. That comes from being smart and having integrity. No divas allowed. Bake probably thinks he died and went to NFL heaven when Bowles gave him a call. This loyal, long time fan is enjoying every minute of it. The Clown Princes of the NFL? Not anymore, suckers!