Curious “Juice” And “Energy” Comments From Bucs Coach
December 9th, 2025
“We need a spark, Tae.”
Joe heard Bucs players, coaches and officials say over and over again all offseason the team has a very special group of leaders.
The veteran leadership on the team is top-shelf, they said.
So it was somewhat disturbing today to hear Bucs outside linebackers coach Larry Foote’s comments on the Bucs signing veteran pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul off the street. JPP didn’t play football in 2024 and, well, to think he has anything significant in the tank is surely a longshot.
This Joe is not down on the signing but is down on Foote’s comments.
“I think we’re looking for some juice, looking for some energy,” Foote said. “It wasn’t necessarily like what my [outside linebackers] are doing. Them guys are trending; they’re playing well.”
So with Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Tristan Wirfs, Lavonte David, Antoine Winfield, Vita Vea and revitalized Chris Godwin on the roster, along with high-energy Sterling Shepard, the Bucs are looking for “juice” and “energy” in the middle of a playoff hunt?
What?
Yes, a team can always use more juice, but the insinuation is troubling.
“I don’t want to speak for [general manager] Jason Licht and [Todd] Bowles. It wasn’t just for the outside linebackers,” Foote said. “[JPP is] a guy that can bring some intangibles that we can’t bring as coaches that I think he can help. I’m not speaking for [Licht and Bowles]. That’s the way I’m looking at it — his energy and his juice.”
Foote went on to say he worked JPP out earlier this week personally and he’s in excellent shape.
Joe gets everything Foote said, but it sure doesn’t speak well for the state of the team’s current leadership.
Will Todd Bowles bring in a consultant to bring the same kind of JPP juice and fresh looks for his coaching staff? Wade Phillips, is your ringer on?
December 9th, 2025 at 3:09 pm
That is a “juicy “
EXCUSE!
December 9th, 2025 at 3:11 pm
Tropicana is a leader in the “juice “ industry and less than an hour south of OBP !
December 9th, 2025 at 3:11 pm
Yeah. The implication that our current players don’t have any juice and need a guy that’s been out two years is extremely troubling.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:17 pm
1. Baker Mayfield hollered at these guys about lacking a “killer instinct.” It did nothing.
2. Two weeks later, Lavonte David unloads at halftime of the Rams slaughter. It did nothing.
3. A week later Todd Bowles blasted his defense on the sidelines in the fourth quarter. That initially worked (it produced an immediate four-and-out).
A week after that, the Bucs signed JPP to add “juice.”
Sounds like this “I am that man” team has more than a couple of pieces of dead wood on the roster.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:17 pm
Could it be that the coaches have
Lost the locker room?
Defense is tackling like they don’t want to get hurt.
McFollowum has been invisible
December 9th, 2025 at 3:19 pm
I think it’s time for Gruden chapter 2 …..
December 9th, 2025 at 3:19 pm
Whatever Joe knew about the Locker room seems to be correct and Richard Sherman’s take seems spot on. Very sad as a fan after the 5-1 and 6-2 I thought 10-11 wins was a gimmie.. I should know never think with this team.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:19 pm
When the Saints QB ran in for a TD the Bucs DB aimed over the QB as they both approached the goal line at the same moment.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:20 pm
Weak coaches, like Bowles, surround themselves with equally incompetent assistants. Some of its weakness, but mostly an inability to identify what good coaching really is. Bowles also needs yes men to agree that Bowles’ broken scheme is good when it’s hot garbage in reality.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:24 pm
Hoping Joe lets us know why he was suspicious of this locker room
December 9th, 2025 at 3:25 pm
what an f’ing joke. we need some juice? sure toddlers. want a blanky too?
December 9th, 2025 at 3:25 pm
Every time somebody mentions hiring Gruden I want to commit domestic violence lol… people really don’t comprehend how incompetent his regime was here.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:25 pm
‘Joe gets everything Foote said, but it sure doesn’t speak well for the state of the team’s current leadership.’
Larry Foote didn’t say a word about the team’s current leadership Joe. His comments seemed to be aimed at the team in general … “I think we’re looking for some juice, looking for some energy.”
If by that Foote meant that he’s looking for something to SPARK this defense AND offense out on the field, then I agree with him. Oftentimes BIG PLAYS by your KEY PLAYERS can do that. This year? We don’t have an KEY PLAYERS and we don’t have very many BIG PLAYS.
What does that say about the team’s current leadership? We saw key plays from Baker and even several others at the start of the season, and those got us to 5-1. Then Detroit hit, and things started to unravel. Injuries were a big part of that unraveling (especially to Baker I’m still convinced). But a key IMO is that the BIG PLAYS have virtually stopped … for us.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:26 pm
Well we see if it works Thursday–the entire team needs have a great game with lotsa points and lotsa pressures and sacks and int’s.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
Here I’ll translate it for you. Our team is full of a bunch of heartless *ussies
JPP, Suh we’re not that- they were step on your throat type of players. Mike Evans is like that but he’s been out.
Our defense is mentally soft
December 9th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
Guys like Braswell acting like they’re playing touch football smh
December 9th, 2025 at 3:29 pm
too many nice guys on the team!!!!
and we all know, nice guys finish last!!!!!
this crap is embarrassing!!!!!!!
bowles and his soft @$$ staff can GO, and take zyon and winfield with you!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
December 9th, 2025 at 3:30 pm
foote can be first out the door. go get yerself some juice and some animal crackers larry.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Good God Gruden’s offense is 30 years out-of-date. So- no.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:32 pm
Joe, Trey Hendrickson just had season ending injury, Jason Licht looks like a genius for not trading for him now!
December 9th, 2025 at 3:35 pm
I’ve been in locker rooms I can tell you from experience no one is interested in listening to someone who isn’t producing on the field saying what they should be doing. People who do not produce on the field on the team are called coaches if they ain’t getting it done with this bunch then it ain’t happening either bad scheme or bad players pick your poison it comes down to the same thing bad team.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
Joe, kinda off subject here. Is it a possibility that the Bucs could move Bowles in to the front office being that they just extended his contract and hire a guy like Jeff Hafley who has had a great defense every where he has been, and now working under Matt Lafluer who runs a similar offense as Sean Mcvay which if Hafley is the guy to replace Bowles he would bring is a OC that knows the offense Baker would be good with or keep Grizzard. However, I am hoping Bowles win out and all these thoughts go away but I have to admit that there has to be some type of a move this off season if the Bucs end the season in the direction they are going
December 9th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Gruden for OC, not HC. He’d do it. He’s Tampa through and through.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Doesn’t matter that they extended him teams fire coaches all the time before their contracts are done what you getting out of todd in the front office someone to keep the chairs warm?
December 9th, 2025 at 3:41 pm
Cleanhouse Says:
December 9th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
Here I’ll translate it for you. Our team is full of a bunch of heartless *ussies
BINGO!!!!!!!
I think JPP was brought in to snap Reddick in front of the whole team!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
December 9th, 2025 at 3:43 pm
The first two years, Brady was given credit for a positive locker room impact that extended beyond his play on the field.
Adding another ingredient to create a superior flavor doesn’t mean that the other ingredients aren’t doing their part.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
I really hope we play him at DE and DT not OLB.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
The rest of the league has figured TB’s team out! Rookies, backups 3rd, 4th stringers…doesn’t matter they carve his team up…both offensively and defensively! He’s an old school coach set in his old school ways! Fans deserve better!
December 9th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
reddick = swaggy
#lockerroomcancer
GO BUCS!!!!
December 9th, 2025 at 3:46 pm
Logan Hall plays with no fire.
He’s soft. Let’s be honest. He’s not William Gholston. We were amazing with Gholston, Suh and JPP.
This team?
Soft!
JPP shouid replace Logan Hall.
And I miss Simmons.
I want to see Simmons next to Vea more.
And get SVD off the field. Deion Jones and Izien need to play LB and cover the middle of the field!
December 9th, 2025 at 3:48 pm
Hard to argue with what “Cleanhouse” has stated above….
December 9th, 2025 at 3:51 pm
The first guy who can predict injuries will be the first NFL suit who makes a billion dollars.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:54 pm
Stubborn Coach Bowels is draining the energy with this complicated broken defense. I’d lack enthusiasm also if I’m 250lbs and I have to cover a running back. The defense is playing with one hand tied behind it’s back and is being depended on to protect the lead. You can’t. It’s demoralizing.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:56 pm
The pirate ship is on fire and the life boats have holes in them.
I know, lets poor gas on the fire and drill more holes.
Bud Licht at his finest.
The only reason he’s still employed is Tom Brady.
Remember folks, he signed Bowles to an extension. Yikes.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:57 pm
This team is a dumpster fire. I’m sure I’ll get gassed for not being a true fan because of the negativity. I’ve found that stating facts albeit negative, makes you not a fan. I’m a fan, but a realistic one, and getting tired of watching this team crap all over my TV every week. This team needs a new leader, new culture and new identity. The emotionless, never to blame so called defensive mastermind is bringing down a talented team
December 9th, 2025 at 4:03 pm
yea words press conferences throw around money movies whatever need guys that really want to play football and win forget the talk its always the same
December 9th, 2025 at 4:05 pm
Another embarrassment coming up on national television Thursday night! We’ll all be wearing bags over our heads very soon 😟
December 9th, 2025 at 4:05 pm
The big question is…..can he cover the curl to flat.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:05 pm
Gotta like that Bowles is open to it. But ugly stuff and definitely an admission that the team is lacking urgency and purpose. Which is scary considering they are still tied for first. Time to clean house if the Bucs miss the playoffs.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:05 pm
oh and coaches should be involved with more fire and emotion
December 9th, 2025 at 4:09 pm
Why do I feel dumber every time I listen to these coaches speak? Or should I say “them coaches”
December 9th, 2025 at 4:18 pm
Where does the GM’s responsibility end?
Obviously he talks with Bowels , are they both in denial?
The GM has every right to call the team together and law down the law!
It’s too late for that now, the pathetic play especially on defense, the year of arm tackles and missed tackles began early in the season.
This organization is SOFT !
It’s painful to watch.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:19 pm
Kind of dumb if players don’t realize they might be auditioning for a new coach next season. Some may end up driving door dash next year.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:29 pm
Which fossil will they sign after the team gets smoked on Thursday?!
December 9th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
Gruden’s Bucs collapsed after the real head coach Monte Kiffin announced he was leaving to help out his son. Sam Wyche drafted Sapp, Brooks, Lynch, and Santana Dotson core players. The only thing Dungy did was hire Monte Kiffin 1996, the creator of the Tampa Two defense. He was the real coach of Tampa. Just look at the record after he made the announcement he was leaving.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
If Bowles gets beat down by the Falcons, The Glazers should meet him on the sidelines before he goes to the locker room and tell him he is FIRED.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
So many negative comments, so much hate from many who say they are fans ? Don’t you think the Bucs want to turn the ship around and win ? Of course!! I hesitate to leave positive comments because of all this negativity. But I’m going to stay with my team because I believe that they are practicing hard and working to play mistake free football.
I think it comes down to which coach had the best relationship with their team this Thursday and I’m willing to say it is Todd Bowles !! His team has not bailed out and will continue to play hard for him and all the fans !!
My gosh look at all the tremendous talent we have in comparison with the Falcons !!
Let’s Go !! Beat the Dirty Birds !!
December 9th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Maybe he can coach up Yaya?
December 9th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
I wrote yesterday that I believed the Todd Bowles was the ‘Colin Robinson’ of the Bucs. The reference of course is the energy zapping vampire on ‘What We Do in the Shadows’. I think it applies extremely well.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:51 pm
I smell desperation in the air. I love JPP but if his juice is what our coaches think is missing, I suggest we make him a coach. I’m afraid it’s time to start talking about the draft. If we are lucky enough to back into the playoffs, I don’t see a second game. I hope I’m wrong.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:53 pm
“Ricardo Says:
December 9th, 2025 at 3:54 pm
Stubborn Coach Bowels is draining the energy with this complicated broken defense. I’d lack enthusiasm also if I’m 250lbs and I have to cover a running back. The defense is playing with one hand tied behind it’s back and is being depended on to protect the lead. You can’t. It’s demoralizing.”
Exactly this. Todd’s defense is all about outsmarting the opposing QB. To do that Todd has to come up with these cutesy plays that he thinks are so clever. And when those plays don’t work over and over again morale drops off.
Or how about being forced to play in a soft zone when you are better at man coverage.
Or how about being a 360 pound nose tackle and having to drop back into coverage. How cute! That will catch them off guard!
Eventually when you keep getting kicked in the dck you want to cut the cute sht and just play some fing football.
How about being the best corner back on the team and having to split playing time with a rookie so he can get some reps in so he can take your job next year.
This Dean situation is not a good look for the front office to the players. Could you imagine seeing one of your boys who puts in the work only to see him get his contract slashed because they drafted BM20 to replace him. Morrison is even more injury prone and that is the only knock on Dean. It just doesn’t make any sense until you realize the coach played ball with Morrison’s dad. There you have it. Add nepotism to the long list of Bowles flaws.
Remember a couple of years ago when Bowles went viral for his speech about accountability? The man has never once held himself accountable for any of this mess.
Did anyone say the Jags or Bears had a better roster than the Bucs at the start of the season? If you did say something that stupid you would have been laughed at. Look where they are now. They are doing way more with way less than we have. The only difference is coaching.
We are going nowhere with Todd Bowles as head coach. Replace him this year before this culture rots us for another decade.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
The GM has used his draft and cash resources to build a team that dominates on offense and scrapes by on defense.
The Bucs offense is so stacked that, with everyone healthy on offense, the offense should be able to win in dramatic shootouts, scoring dozens of points and winning with the defense getting even the occasional stop or turnover.
With OL and WR injuries, this Bucs offense is still stacked and can dominate if it uses its three headed monster at RB to grind the ball down the field to score the way the Panthers beat the Rams with 40 runs and 20 passes.
The OL replacement players generally are better run blockers than pass protectors. But, so far, even when running for more yards per carry than the Panthers did against the Rams, the Bucs play calling has failed to get the Bucs close to that two runs to one pass ratio.
And, with Irving coming back from an injury, in both games so far, Irving has had the fewest yards per carry. And, he has hobbled to the side line in both games. Yet, he took the majority of the snaps in the first game, and split them evenly with White in the second game with Tucker as the barest afterthought.
Since Detroit, the Bucs should have been winning on the ground. But, time and again, the Bucs have let drives die because the play calling can’t overcome the urge to fling the ball downfield that just doesn’t work on a regular basis with the backups playing offense on the OL. Add to that Baker’s injury and inconsistency; the Bucs should be protecting Baker with every imaginable deceptive run and RPO with Baker sliding like he is stealing home on RPOs and designed runs instead of staking him out in the pocket to suffer more abuse.
A two to one run pass ratio fully utilizing all three RBs is the Bucs best way to score points and minimize the exposure of the defense while playing with the backup OL players. The OC and QB seem to be blind to that.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
coaching builds a culture
the juice has to come from how the team is run
the juice has to come from within
bringing in a single new player (that has been out of the league) will do nothing
JPP is needed to add depth and eat some reps — if we’re looking at defending 70 plays a game there just aren’t enough guys left to do the work
December 9th, 2025 at 5:14 pm
No, the problem is that Todd Bowles is average at best, and he’s lost the team.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:26 pm
The Bucs haven’t had too many coaches that could coach a win like Gruden. During his time here , there were games that he just coached a win without the talent. The problem was that the Glazers allowed him to get rid of McKay and hire his yes boy Bruce Allen. When that happened , all the checks and balances went out the window. I’m pretty sure Charlie Gardner is still on the books. Gruden is a great X and O guy but bad at player evaluation. He needs a strong GM to tell him no and shut the F up and go coach your players.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:27 pm
Yes , because when you think of juice you immediately think of Wade Phillips. That might be the dumbest thing written by a Joe ever.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:32 pm
Just hire all of the Rams assistants and position coaches. The last 2 coaches Licht hired from them b cam head coaches for the Panthers and Jags and are getting more out of their teams without all of the “big name” Buc money grifters.
It is so much about coaching. Do you think Arian s cared about culture, he brought in Antonio Brown who helped the Bucs win a Super Bowl. As fans we care about performance not personality.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:33 pm
Well, I can def come up with several positives for this team next season:
1) I think you have a qb you can continue to build around. I don’t think he’s tier one, but if healthy and surrounded by some more youth on offense and better luck he’s far and away capable being the franchise guy for another 5-7 years.
2) the defense has some pieces that are worth keeping and playing…parish, smith, Diaby, Kancey, vea. And I’m not ready to give up on 31 yet.
3) While I’m concerned with the inability to draft and develop a rusher, I still have all the confidence in Jason finding the right talent.
This is an attractive job. The right hire would do wonders and given the division we play in, could mean 12 wins immediately.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:46 pm
A last gasp gimmick by Bucs brass…
Bowles is tired & sluggish ( much like Irv’s colon after overdoing it on gameday media spread ). It projects to many members of the team. Bowles needs a dignified way to call it a career…at least until he gets healthier. He’s
borderline obese with that boiler. Not a put down…just a fact. He can’t be enjoying this slow motion train wreck.
December 9th, 2025 at 5:48 pm
Want to get better? A good start would be firing Bowles at seasons end.
December 9th, 2025 at 6:11 pm
We don’t have a JPP personality type on the roster. We’ve seen him play for us, you know he’s going to do at least 3 things:
-Talk some s%^t
-Kick some ssa
-Talk some more s%t
We don’t have a guy like that on this team.
Not looking for JPP to be a savior, but if he’s indeed feeling fresh enough he can set a tone/example. Get Hall to stop trying to swim movie and start running through people. We should 100% be cross training Roberts this upcoming offseason at OLB too.
December 9th, 2025 at 6:12 pm
Why do we have this same conversation every season? That a bunch of well paid game players can’t get motivated to play that game?
So much for being willing to run through a wall for someone. We’re struggling to run through an entire play.
December 9th, 2025 at 6:41 pm
Yeah, but they’re all a great group of guys though, off the field. The only DAWGS we have are starting to age out, and Winfield Junior has already been PAID. Dennis has horrible feet, zero vision, and no instincts. Bowles uses McCollum terribly wrong, but he is not the sharpest tool in the shed to begin with, with not much better instincts than Dennis. They always guess completely WRONG. Every. Time. And, are just LOST. I think it has killed McCollum’s confidence. Dennis just can’t play, period. At least NOT as a Starter. He’s much more of a depth piece. Like so many others throughout the Bowles era, Braswell has not developed, at ALL. Neither has Hall, and I ‘thought’ he had started to towards the end of last season, BUT NOPE. Haven’t seen-it. Have barely, even heard his name. Almost as much as I’ve heard Winfield Junior’s. None of these guys have that “DAWG” in ‘em. But, they’re all great stand-up guys! If you’re going to draft all quiet, go with the flow guys, then you HAVE TO have a TUFF as nails, hold guys accountable, fun, ‘high-energy’ type of BULLDOG for a Head Coach, to bring-it out of them.
December 9th, 2025 at 6:58 pm
There are two things that I think are wrong with the Bucs right now …
#1: The hurt they felt after last season’s exodus in the first round of the playoffs that seemed to be really motivating them at the beginning of the season seems to have worn off as the season has worn on – at least for some players.
#2: It seems to my uneducated eye that the Bucs are running the same exact plays game after game. The other teams know what is coming because they watch film. Grizzard doesn’t appear to be introducing any new twists to the offense. A play that looks like something they did before but is really something else – sort of like Godwin’s fake screen-and-go from last year – is what the O.C. should be introducing. Either the guy being screened goes long when the DB cheats up or the guys blocking suddenly cut loose and run deep. The same old WR screen that you see five times a game isn’t working anymore (nor should it).
December 9th, 2025 at 7:07 pm
THE BUCS MUST DO SOMETHING!!!!
(The Bucs do something)
THIS MOVE REEKS OF DESERPATION!!!!
December 9th, 2025 at 7:19 pm
Munch
Maybe they’ll sign you next.
Same diff.
December 9th, 2025 at 7:19 pm
Yeah, all the ‘brain dead’ Bucs propaganda followers/believers immediately started attacking Sherman over his statements concerning the Bucs locker room. And, I’m like… So, you people really do think that “RICHARD SHERMAN” doesn’t have SEVERAL ‘friends’ inside of the Bucs locker room, that he speaks to on a regular basis? REALLY!? And, you believe that YOU KNOW more than HIM? Seriously!? No, I don’t think so. So, Sit Down and SHUT UP. You only look like a big bunch of liars AND fools. I mean, to be soooo insecure that you take SUCH offense to THAT, is just absurd. Especially, for a grown ass ADULT. He obviously knows what the hell he’s talking about. A helluva lot more than what YOU people ever would or could know. And, to try disputing THAT… It’s embarrassing. Then, to try attacking the ‘messenger’ only because YOU have nothing else… It’s just real weak. But, see what you people made me do… Forcing me to have to take up for and defend Richard Freakin’ Sherman! Someone, I really don’t even like. LoL.
December 9th, 2025 at 7:23 pm
Scotty Mack
#1. Todd Bowles responsibility to run a team
#2. Todd Bowles responsibility to hire someone competent for the job.
December 9th, 2025 at 7:28 pm
After we lost to Buffalo and the comments coming out of the locker room were “hey we feel good about where we are” should have been a giant red siren with a big red flag sticking out of it
Bowles spews that crap.
December 9th, 2025 at 7:29 pm
So, MelvinJunior, what EXACTLY is Sherman talking about? His comments were extremely cryptic. Do you know more than the rest of us about what, precisely, Sherman’s inside information is?
I mean, “I know some things” is pretty vague. What do YOU know?
December 9th, 2025 at 7:33 pm
Most of the fans here have voiced their opinions on the main issue with the team. It’s do or die time for the current team and coaches! Win out … all is good. Don’t …heads will roll!!
December 9th, 2025 at 7:46 pm
@ First Last – No. NOT a “genius.” He knew absolutely NOTHING that everyone else didn’t already know themselves. Trey Hendrickson had been hurt/injured almost the entire season for the most part, and was either ruled OUT or DOUBTFUL for about the last 4-5 games, leading up to the “Trade Deadline.” I TRIED telling you people this only about a 1000X. So, NOBODY was taking HIM anyway, by having to give-up either a 1st or 2nd-Round Pick. It wasn’t happening. So, Hendrickson was never even a option. WHY would ANYONE want a player currently on the ‘injury report’ and having to give-up a 2nd-Round Pick for a guy (31-years old) playing on an EXPIRING contract!? ANSWER… They wouldn’t. NOBODY. And, that is why HE is still a Bengal. Period. End of Story. The Bengals F’ed Up AGAIN… Should’ve traded him a loooong time ago, and at least gotten some help for Burrow upfront. Cause, if they can’t protect HIM FIRST, then it doesn’t matter what the hell they do about anything else. If they can’t get him a TOP O-Line for next season and he gets ‘knocked-out’ AGAIN, then he’s gotta demand OUT. Cause, this has just gotten ridiculous. Anyway, Micah Parsons was THE MOVE to make if you were ever going to make one. 💯
December 9th, 2025 at 8:00 pm
@ Scotty Mack – No. But, I do know that HE has some very close personal relationships living INSIDE of that Bucs locker room and with former Bucs players AND coaches. And, I do know that HE knows a helluva lot MORE than either, you or I. Now, is that not good enough FOR YOU (because Lickt didn’t say-it hahahah). So, you’re calling HIM a liar then!? What the hell does HE care or really have to gain? He’s just speaking the truth about what he knows, and was possibly even told to speak-out… Who knows!? But, there is ZERO reason to not believe him. Hell, the product ‘on-the-field’ speaks for itself. And, you can see-it on the sidelines during the games, when you take-off the Bucs-colored glasses, and just open your eyes!!!!
December 9th, 2025 at 8:05 pm
I have little faith that Bowles is reading the room correctly. It is not like he is unbiased. I think the issue is more coaching and the players are playing on their heels, second-guessing themselves, and worried more about what the coaches may want them to do and less reactive and instinctive play
December 9th, 2025 at 8:07 pm
Yeah, I don’t get the whole Gruden and Belichick constant obsessions… It’s like, are these the ONLY TWO Coaches these people know!?:/ It just doesn’t make any other sense. Maybe, it’s Tourette’s!? It’s empty.
December 9th, 2025 at 8:26 pm
@ Bartow Buc – YOU thought they played “hard” last Sunday? So, how did the 2-10 SAINTS make our “tremendous talent” look… A team with supposedly, a lot less talent? So, guess we’ll see how all this talent, and great coaching (with the best “relationships” lmao) plays this Thursday Night then, against a Falcons team that is now officially TANKING.
December 9th, 2025 at 8:49 pm
“You see what happens Larry!? This is what happens Larry! This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps! This is what happens Larry! – Walter S.
December 9th, 2025 at 8:56 pm
@ Scotty Mack – great points. Bowles doesn’t have the juice. He’s just not that type of coach who can really motivate and coach is guys up! And, I’d already given up on Grizzard a long time ago. I’m not wasting my time. It’s pointless, so I barely, even mention his name anymore. I mean, it’s all soooo obvious too, and he has changed NOTHING. They all just stand around for about 15-seconds, maybe they take a guy off and bring-in another one, then they decide to ‘huddle-up’ for about 10-15 seconds more, and just ‘snail-crawl’ up to the line of scrimmage (tick-tick-tick-tick-tick)… Wait for it, wait for it… STILL WAITING (tick-tick-tick). And, 5, 4, 3, 2… HUT-HUT… SNAP. Then, rinse and repeat. NO tempo. NO pace. ZERO rhythm. Very little motion, if any at all. NO misdirection. ALL just way too predictable. It’s straight-up INSANITY.
December 9th, 2025 at 9:00 pm
Sounds like the coaches can’t motivate the players so they have to bring in a former player and “Juice” guy to get it done. SMH
December 9th, 2025 at 9:05 pm
They collapsed because they were old.
The Kiffin news was out there way before Kiffin/the Bucs announced it. Check Joe’s (free) archives.
December 9th, 2025 at 9:14 pm
Every player is excited for the first few games of the season and are already extremely motivated for the new beginning of another year. That’s the easy part. The hard part begins as the season starts to wear and players are getting banged-up, & etc. That’s where you need a high-energy and intensely-focused HEAD COACH, who can motivate… For when things get TOUGH.
December 9th, 2025 at 9:25 pm
Weeze the juice
December 9th, 2025 at 9:37 pm
Joe, Hendrickson is also now 31 years old, the age that you correctly point out most pass rushers start to fall off a cliff. It was smart not to trade for him. Note that the other 30 NFL teams didn’t trade for him either.
December 9th, 2025 at 9:41 pm
Re: Gruden/ Belicheck
That would be like signing an over the hill edge who hasn’t played in years.. except ones got a bitchy gold digger girlfriend who’s 50 years younger.
What could possibly go wrong?
The real problem lies with the man charged with hiring a Head Coach and maintaining a roster. Fix that and the rest will take care of itself.
December 9th, 2025 at 9:55 pm
When we were sitting at 5-1, I was ‘all-for’ trading a 2nd for Trey Hendrickson as a RENTAL, & only being on the hook for less than HALF of his remaining contract. You never know, maybe he would’ve been a GREAT fit and then ‘re-signed’ during the off-season, wanting to play-out the end of his career near his home and close to family!? BUT, then I heard that he had TWO separate ’injuries’ and before you knew-it, he started popping-up on the injury-report as being a “game-time decision,” DOUBTFUL, and etc. This was almost an entire month before the actual deadline. Then, it wasn’t very long after that and he was listed OUT. DONE. So, there was nothing ‘serious’ ever going to happen there. I guess, it could be interesting to see what happens with him this upcoming offseason, though… Wonder what he’ll get offered and from WHOM!? Better be real careful with all these injuries beginning to pile-up, at his age. I would give HIM $16-MIL before I ever would’ve with fricking REDDICK. That’s for sure. Personally, I would much prefer a big ‘incentive’ based contract, but I’m sure someone will most certainly be desperate enough to give him a 2-3 year/$20-MIL base with $30-$40 fully guaranteed, and a bunch of incentives. That actually would not be all that bad, IF you felt confident about his injuries.
December 9th, 2025 at 9:57 pm
Joel Glazer generally doesn’t mess with the roster. And Joe is pretty confident in typing he’s not going anywhere soon.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:11 pm
I was NOT interested in trading for Hendrickson at the first of the season. 💯 completely AGAINST-IT. Because, he was DEMANDING “market value” (his worth), and I am AGAINST handing ANY player ‘top-of-the-market’ $$$$ over ‘multiple’ seasons on the backend/DOWNside of their career. Absolutely, NOT. He wanted and EXPECTED $30+MIL per year… Prob more like, around the 4-year/$140-$150 MIL range. Hell No. No Way! But, as just a “Rental” (and only having to pay the renaming HALF left on his current contract) for a true legitimate “Contender” (who desperately needed a pass rush, that could potentially get them over the top), and only having to give-up a LATE 2nd-Rounder… Count ME in! You do that all day long. Total No-BRAINER. But, then he got hurt and I was totally fooled about us being “contenders.”