Graphic Throws Curveball At Empty Network Bucs Narrative
December 31st, 2025
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
Many things made Bucs fans beat their heads against the wall in the loss to Miami last week. Punting from midfield on fourth-and-one against a sorry defense, not running Sean Tucker and/or Rachaad White more, Joe could go on.
Those watching on TV got an unexpected treat. Joe has grown weary of these national TV guys week after week raving about Todd Bowles’ defense like it’s some mathematical puzzle few mortals can solve — even though the entire league has solved it.
FOX analyst and former slimy Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma was left shocked by his glazing of Bowles as a defensive savant as FOX showed a graphic that blew Bowles’ cover. It noted how the Bucs, since Week 9 (bye week) ranked 28th in the league defenisve in points per game, 29th in total yards per game and dead-last in the league at passing yards per game.
To be fair to Bowles, the Bucs improved on the passing yards a game allowed after the loss to Miami for the entire season, up to No. 26 at 236.4 yards per game.
Crack open the beers!
Boy, it’s a good thing the Bucs have a head coach who is a defensive guy.
Bowles has just once since he arrived in Tampa in 2019 had a well-raked pass defense, which came in 2022. Every other year with the Bucs, Bowles’ passing yards allowed per game has been in the lower third of the league.
But, when Bowles has a dismissive attitude about an edge rush, should this really be any surprise?
December 31st, 2025 at 5:31 am
His hoodie says it all. Inspire change. Yes, please.
December 31st, 2025 at 5:33 am
Good points.
You wonder sometimes if the national media is actually paying attention to how good or bad teams are playing.
In Todd Bowles case, since taking over as HC, the numbers don’t match the “defensive guru” or “savant” reputation he has with some people.
I remember that graphic and Vilma’s comments. At that moment, it came across as kind of ironic and funny.
As for the edge rush, I think the only way we get one is by bringing in a new HC.
The top-level brass can order Bowles to change up his game plans/schemes so that our edge rushers actually edge rush, but there’s always ways around it.
Hassan Reddick is a perfect example. I don’t mean that unkindly toward Hassan, (although he deserves some of the blame for his performance this year) but when your edge rushers and nose tackle are dropping back into coverage, what’s the point?
December 31st, 2025 at 5:40 am
His defenses have pretty much always given up a ton of passing yards. That wasn’t as big of a deal when they had a decent red zone defense. Now they just flat out play like 11 DW45s on the field at one time. No effort. No pursuit. And certain players are lauded as heros, but they stink. Brasswell was foisted upon us as the next great pass rusher. Pfffft. Tykee Smith was supposed to be the next great safety. He barely chases anybody.
December 31st, 2025 at 5:41 am
Grave diggers to booty givers, it’s been nasty business.
December 31st, 2025 at 5:42 am
The whole team has simply quit.
December 31st, 2025 at 5:44 am
I hope we make the playoffs, but I doubt we will. The Panthers and Falcons actually want it more than we do. By far.
December 31st, 2025 at 6:09 am
It seems like a foregone conclusion that the 3 coordinators HAVE TO GO; the performance of all 3 has been abysmal this year. Yes we’ve had a lot of injuries, but that can only go so far as a reason for continual losing. Quality coaches find a way to win; if not, they don’t last.
And it looks like that’s where we’re at now with this coaching staff; time to ‘Inspire Change’ and clean house. Gonna need to do that with quite a few of the players too, but more on the defensive ide than on the offensive side.
After looking at some of the ‘experienced’ ex-HCs currently available, I kinda think that Mike McCarthy might make a good ‘bridge’ HC (say for around 3-5 years). He’s got an excellent offensive background, has 18 years of HC experience with 2 teams (Green Bay & Dallas) and has an overall 174-112-2 career W-L record. That equates to a 60% W-L rate over a very long career (average of 11-6 in our current 17-game season).
Interestingly he’s had 5 losing seasons in those 18 years, but in all 5 of those his starting QBs (Aaron Rodgers & Dak Prescott) got hurt for a lengthy part of the season. Bummer.
I could see someone like McCarthy as a ‘bridge’ HC (much like BA turned out to be). Build a quality coaching staff, and hopefully ‘promote from within’ based on quality production. Bucs have had some incredible assistant coaches over the years who went on to become HCs … with OTHER teams.
December 31st, 2025 at 6:09 am
Joeon the brightside we has 3 rookies make the espn all rook team
December 31st, 2025 at 6:12 am
Finally.
December 31st, 2025 at 6:21 am
Kevin Ross DB coach was Todd’s college teammate. Nick Rapone DB coach was Todd’s college coach. They’re old, and stale like Bowles. They have no business coaching in the NFL. You won’t get anything new concept wise out of these guys. They shpuld’ve been replaced a long time ago. Now the time is up for all of them. The time should also be up for Jason Licht.
December 31st, 2025 at 6:23 am
competent ownership for a starter
December 31st, 2025 at 6:38 am
Joe, I find it sickening how the national media comments on local team problems. For YEARS since he was with the jets and miami the media has prrrrraised his defensive dinosaur mind. And for YEARS it has all been hype/lies/exaggeration based off of some very very few successes he has had as a DC. Never a head coach. All his defenses were awful cover 2 defense. Doesent take a genius to figure out the Tampa 2 defense.
December 31st, 2025 at 7:29 am
Well how come,when he does his press conference’s, he’s not called out on it, don’t do it here, do it there…..media is soft too……
December 31st, 2025 at 7:39 am
Coach Bowles seems to have the same flaws that afflicted Coach Dungy. The main one being that they lived/died on their loyalty to coaches/players. Professional sports is NOT loyalty-based. It is production-based. Those who cannot make the hard decisions might make good friends, but rarely good coaches.
December 31st, 2025 at 7:48 am
Todd, the staff, baker, & reddick have to go…
simple as that!!!
GO BUCS!!!
December 31st, 2025 at 7:51 am
Defense Rules: You’d rather have McCarthy as Bucs HC over Todd Monken? Klint Kubiak?
December 31st, 2025 at 7:53 am
This team hasn’t had a good defense since 2002 championship. With the exception of the playoff run in 2020 and that defense was only good at the end of that season. Other than that it’s been garbage defense for 20 plus years.
December 31st, 2025 at 8:09 am
“Interestingly he’s had 5 losing seasons in those 18 years, but in all 5 of those his starting QBs (Aaron Rodgers & Dak Prescott) got hurt for a lengthy part of the season“
One of the biggest knocks on McCarthy is riding elite QB play, with talented teams and not doing much of anything in terms of postseason success. 3 years straight in Dallas with Dak playing out of his mind, posting three consectuive 12 win seasons and having the highest scoring offense for 3 years straight and a top 10 defense in that 3 years. Couldn’t get past the divisional round and no NFC title game berths. 2023 they finished top 5 on offense and defense. A lot of the same knocks as Bowles as well in terms of in game management and decision making.
Also runs an offensive system similar to Koetter, as in its steeped in vertical passing not a real strength of our projected 2026 starter at QB.
December 31st, 2025 at 8:11 am
Pass defense which cost the Bucs a chance at their third Super Bowl, continues to be a major problem. However, the big problem is a lack of leadership on the team. It has gone stale. Keeping it real in Ireland.