Healthy Roster; Excuses Fading
December 19th, 2025
It’s about time the Bucs won a game and beat an inferior opponent.
Joe is getting sick of the excuses. Put it all together on Sunday in a critical game against the Panthers. Look like the hungriest and hardest-hitting group on the field.
Well-coached teams are supposed to play their best football in December. The Bucs are not performing like a well-coached team.
Injuries are a reasonable excuse, but the relevance of reality is fading. The quarterback is healthy and off the injury report. The receiving corps might be the best in the NFL, finally all together.
In fact, Todd Bowles remarked today how it’s been a long, long time since the Bucs aren’t ruling players out before kickoff. It’s a very healthy roster, and edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul and linebacker Anthony Walker, veteran re-signees, are primed for a possible practice call-up.
Yes, Joe knows guard Ben Bredeson and corerback Zyon McCollum have joined other players on injured reserve. Well, the Panthers have injuries, too, and the Bucs have the better quarterback and more talent.
Coaches like to say how facing the Panthers is a division game, so throw the records and everything else out the window. Nonsense! Shut the damn window and go be a team with less talent.
December 19th, 2025 at 1:17 pm
Amen Joe! No excuses anymore. Bucs, do your job!
December 19th, 2025 at 1:19 pm
You mean: Beat a team w less talent NOT be a team….
December 19th, 2025 at 1:25 pm
You’re still over rating the talent on this roster Joe. I don’t see us having better talent than the Panthers. We’ll see what happens Sunday, but talent wise we’ve been thinking we’re better than we are for far to long.
December 19th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
That last 3-game (1-2) stretch was just PATHETIC. The ONLY thing we have to show for is just a 3-point (20-17) win against a horrible, tanking 3-11 Arizona team. ALL AT HOME.
December 19th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
Posh.
We’re finally healthy, just in time for the playoffs. Let’s see who this team was meant to be.
December 19th, 2025 at 1:30 pm
@Hodad i know its subjective but overall it is a better roster.
December 19th, 2025 at 1:32 pm
Go Bucs
December 19th, 2025 at 1:34 pm
Playoffs!!!!!
December 19th, 2025 at 1:34 pm
Well Joe, I am tied of the very winnable games being loss by unnecessary penalties or the defense collapsing and the same excuses being put forward and not just this year but the past 2.5 years. I have no confidence the Bucs will win Sunday
December 19th, 2025 at 1:36 pm
I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but right now the Bucs ARE the inferior team! Nobody fears us, nobody is scared of us. We are the breather. Until this team steps up and corrects it.
December 19th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
I was today years old when I learned that Anthony Walker might play this year. Good news!
December 19th, 2025 at 1:48 pm
The Panthers spent their draft picks on their defensive line. The Bucs spent their draft picks on offense. We are not healthy again on defense. We are starting one very shaky reserve corner. If the rest of the defense can stay on the field and not limp off like they have been doing lately that will be a plus. We are not healthy again on offense. If the offensive line which is starting two reserve players can block the very good Panthers defensive line that would be a plus.
December 19th, 2025 at 1:51 pm
Very little about Bucs defense is acceptable. Have zero confidence with Todd Bowels schemes or talent level. They are both inferior and neither shows signs of improvement after 3 years.
December 19th, 2025 at 2:01 pm
I am as disappointed as everyone, recent bucs play. However, just like every year, last few, bucs will win out. THINK, I fully believe, they are playing possum. make everyone think they are dead. think, a fully healthy squad, everyone that can be on the field, come playoffs, is the goal. I wouldnt be surprised, another couple, “21 day” windows, become available. Chess, not Checkers. Besides, Baker/Canales. lol. actually, entire team. Carolina, both games, destroyed, via disrespect. sadly, grizard, another casualty, next year, via head coach. lost another to a college…BAKER THE HEAD COACH MAKER. lol
December 19th, 2025 at 2:12 pm
“That remains to be seen Gordon Solie”!!
December 19th, 2025 at 2:15 pm
Maybe this is what FanDuel/NFL inc. has been leading up to.
December 19th, 2025 at 2:21 pm
Time for MVP Baker to go out win some games – no more excuses.
I think he will.
Although I thought last week he would as well and instead he had a 4th quarter meltdown that cost them the game. But I think the breakout was close – so let’s see it finally happen this week.
December 19th, 2025 at 2:21 pm
Fire Todd
December 19th, 2025 at 2:23 pm
Offense goes to us. Baker better than Bryce, ME receivers better. RBs
are equal. Dowdle & Hubbard are dangerous.
Defense goes to them. we have too many soft spots.
Coaching goes to them. Canales > Bowles/ Grizzard.
December 19th, 2025 at 2:32 pm
If we can get 2 guards that play reasonably well we should win by 20-30! This is the perfect time to be fairly healthy. Certainly have way more talent.
December 19th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
Did someone legit comment that the panthers have more talent than the Bucs? Did you just start watching football? lol!
December 19th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
There hasn’t been any reasonable excuses because every team is dealing with injuries. The Bucs have been in winnable games and the offense didn’t come through and the defense failed as well.
No excuses for Baker and Bowles. They’re the leaders, they should be able to get it done.
December 19th, 2025 at 2:44 pm
MiddlingMunch,
Hope you Bee, WarrenBrooksLoser, MelvinJr, oneillbuc, and the rest of you BackdoorBoys get what you want for Christmas. Santa delivers Shedeur Sanders to the Bucs and Baker escapes to the Raiders.
December 19th, 2025 at 2:45 pm
If Walker, and JPP aren’t playing, i’ll begin wondering what the point is – oh yeah, Todd Bowles’ defense is so complex it takes months to acclimate to it. Even if they played in it.
As for the rest, of things begin to go sideways, I expect Evans Godwin Mayfield JPP and David to light some of these fools up. Publicly. Because timid Todd won’t.
December 19th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
Yes the Buc’s have more talent!! The REAL QUESTION is… Which team will play the hardest!!!! A lesser team playing twice as hard will beat the better team every time. Proof… Look at the last couple of games!
December 19th, 2025 at 2:48 pm
“Gipper Says:
December 19th, 2025 at 2:44 pm
MiddlingMunch,
Hope you Bee, WarrenBrooksLoser, MelvinJr, oneillbuc, and the rest of you BackdoorBoys get what you want for Christmas. Santa delivers Shedeur Sanders to the Bucs and Baker escapes to the Raiders.”
Eww. No thanks on that bust. I seriously hope they don’t honestly believe Sanders is a better option than Mayfield.
Nevermind – these talent scouts probably thought Trask was, too.
December 19th, 2025 at 2:48 pm
Gipper
Lemme get this straight. Myself and others voice our opinions about Baker, based on facts and your response is to call us backdoor boys? That’s the first thing that pops into your head? Very telling.
And what I want for Xmas is Burrow. We’ll send your boy Baker and 2 1st rounds picks to CIN to upgrade the position and actually have a chance at a chip.
December 19th, 2025 at 2:52 pm
“Time for MVP Baker to go out win some games – no more excuses.
I think he will.
Although I thought last week he would as well and instead he had a 4th quarter meltdown that cost them the game. But I think the breakout was close – so let’s see it finally happen this week.”
Let’s hope that Todd’s vaunted defense grows a set and stops giving up leads like their friggin Santa Claus.
Also – special teams coach needs to pull his head from his cornhole and stop handing out prime field position.
Complimentary football, folks. It’s on ALL OF THEM.
December 19th, 2025 at 2:52 pm
Tell me you lack emotional intelligence w/o telling us you lack emotional intelligence Gipper.
“The tea’s gone cold I’m wondering why
I got out of bed at all
the morning raindrops hit my window
And I can’t see it all
Even I could it’d all be grey
But what you wrote on JoeBucsFan on my wall
It reminds me that it’s not so bad
it’s not so bad”
Sanders ’26, clown 🤣🤣😂😂
December 19th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
“Eww. No thanks on that bust. I seriously hope they don’t honestly believe Sanders is a better option than Mayfield.”
Younger, more capability from the pocket, better mechanics, and he can see over the average NFL offensive linemen w/o a step stool. Even with the wrong wristband and Stefanski, and the Browns brass working against him. Also, lol at calling a 5th rounder a “bust” lol what’s that even mean?
Has had more 300 passing performances in the last month than Mayfield, with a fraction of the talent at his disposal. I’ll take him even as a back up to Baker, so Baker can see what clean mechanics can get you.
December 19th, 2025 at 3:04 pm
The Bucs problem is not players. The Bucs problem is they have a bad head coach.
December 19th, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Jon gruden
December 19th, 2025 at 3:15 pm
We haven’t been a good football team this year. Carolina, a division foe playing their biggest home game in years, will be sky high and we’re gonna have to match that. Next to Wirfs, Evans and Godwin are our best players. And with the talent and confidence they bring to the table that oughta be the difference. Hoping it lifts the whole team. We’re needing a game or two of looking like a good football team before we can get to being a special football team. If the offense gets busy hanging points the defense will play better. And our kicker is a stud. We’ve got a shot. We ain’t dead yet.
December 19th, 2025 at 3:18 pm
No one cares about this game only reason it is on TV is the NFL obligation to show all games
December 19th, 2025 at 3:20 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch you are a special kind of stupid…. thanks for the laughs.
December 19th, 2025 at 3:22 pm
The rams are the 5 seed rn and will destroys us in the first round 🤣 maybe we should lose too the panthers
December 19th, 2025 at 3:23 pm
It’s a psychological game at this point. None of our squads are playing with any confidence. The New England game was a gut punch we have not recovered from.
I’d like to think we haven’t played a single game this year that showed our true potential. I’d also like to think that we CAN start doing that NOW.
Y’all go ahead and bicker over who’s to blame – Todd, Baker, Grizz, O-line, linebackers, CB’s etc etc etc….
I’m just going to say let’s friggin go Bucs – 1 game at a time 💪🏼🏈
December 19th, 2025 at 3:24 pm
Rams got lucky against us. Zyon was burned multiple times playing man coverage. That game should have been closer than it was.
It’s very hard to blow a team out twice in the same season. I like our chances Va NFC west teams
December 19th, 2025 at 3:27 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch, this is what Sanders has done for the Browns the last 3 games…. Lost to the 49ers and led them to 8 total points…. Lost to the Titans, did you read that, yes the Titans, Lost to the Bears and led them to a total of 3 points. But here your intelligence seems to think Sanders is the answer. Moron.
December 19th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
LOL!
If I see another “John Gruden” comment I am going to barf.
Serious question – Are you a retard?
December 19th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
A healthy fully functioning Offense will make the Defense better if by nothing else improving time of possession.
The time is now.
December 19th, 2025 at 3:35 pm
Amen, Joe! Time to put up or shut up. #GetSomeBaby
December 19th, 2025 at 3:41 pm
I think darn near all Bucs fans and NFL personnel know that Bowles has ran out of excuses, the same ones for 3 years. The question is, and I’ve asked this many on this site is, will the Glazers clear out the bad apples and position coaches and bring Bowles back for 1 more season or fire Bowles and try to pull off what they did with Gruden in vice verse; that is bring in a HC that will pretty much leave the offense and staff in place and upgrade the defense or at least push the defense on accountability and to play with some intensity
December 19th, 2025 at 3:41 pm
Our team is healthy at the best time! Go Bucs! Yes, no more excuses 🏈❤️
December 19th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
Bucs are better than the saints and falcons and they blew it. We already know what will happen, Todd’s team will go out there Tennessee ready then make half time adjustments out of desperation then probably win but because of the offense
December 19th, 2025 at 3:53 pm
“Warren Brooks Lynch you are a special kind of stupid…. thanks for the laughs.“
I laugh at “Bakerfan” as a handled daily, so salute to you.
December 19th, 2025 at 4:01 pm
I thought Chris got a haircut lol
December 19th, 2025 at 4:04 pm
Even if the Yucs make the playoffs which they won’t, the confirmation prize is the LA Rams who will once again embarrass them on National TV
December 19th, 2025 at 4:04 pm
Are the bucs not better then the saints this team can lose to anyone on any day with any type of lead can’t wait until a refresh for next season without Todd
December 19th, 2025 at 4:11 pm
After Darnold’s 4th quarter interception, the Rams went 3 and out 3 straight possessions. Throw in a punt return for a TD and that is a prime example of complementary football. How often does the Bucs D and special teams contribute like that?
December 19th, 2025 at 4:14 pm
If I’m calculating the stats right, the average winning NFL score this year has been around 28 points, and the average losing score has been around 19. If the Bucs offense gets 28+ points, then in my opinion they’ve done their job, win or lose. And the same goes for the defense if they hold the Panthers under 20. Football is a team sport, but in some ways that’s really two teams.
December 19th, 2025 at 4:23 pm
If I buy my own metric, that puts the O at 5-9 and the D at 3-11 so far in 2025.
December 19th, 2025 at 4:24 pm
Three games left I’m going to enjoy the ride. It is what it is and completely out of all our hands. I know one thing though, I’ll be cheering for them!
December 19th, 2025 at 4:26 pm
Just visiting, yes but the special teams lack of contribution along with costing the Bucs several games needs to be considered
December 19th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
Letting opponents return the ball to the 50 weekly ands stress to both the D and offensive field positions even if the D stops them
December 19th, 2025 at 4:29 pm
Good point, Bucnjim. Other than Chase McLaughlin, the special teams have been…umm…underwhelming.
December 19th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
Bucnjim’s point is very valid. Against Atlanta, they just kicked the ball into the endzone conceding the 35 yard line instead of kicking within the landing zone and covering. I assume it’s because their kick coverage has been pathetic. It’s a cowardly way to concede yards.
December 19th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
Yeah, I get the field position argument, and it makes sense. But I figure that both O and D impact each other’s performance, so that tends to cancel out over the season, and there’s some justice in evaluating them separately.
December 19th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
Oh, never mind: you were elaborating re the special teams. Completely agree.
December 19th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Baker and Gipper sitting in a tree. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Bippers in a baby carriage. 😊
December 19th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
I’ll go on the record as a Baker fan boy (well, fan man), with no apologies. I value talent and athleticism, but it’s heart and guts that make me a fan, and Baker delivers.
December 19th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
The constant references to Gruden are deluded.
December 19th, 2025 at 5:10 pm
“I think he will.”
Lol some people hoping against hope our qb has a bad game and we lose the game
but do know how to cover just in case. 🙂
December 19th, 2025 at 5:21 pm
I will admit the Bucs are more talented offensively BUT the Panthers are definitely more talented on defense than we are. We also have a poorly coached defense with an outdated scheme.
December 19th, 2025 at 5:29 pm
Must win or they’ll lose their hearts.
December 19th, 2025 at 5:33 pm
I can’t imagine how frustrating it is for the players.
Like, they want Bowles gone, but if they win out and make the playoffs, Bowles likely stays.
It’s a lose lose!
December 19th, 2025 at 5:42 pm
Dear bonehead Poopypants- it’s not confirmation prize, it’s CONSOLATION prize.
Seriously, go play on the Panthers fan pages. You don’t belong here.
December 19th, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Let’s not forget, Rams humiliated by the Panthers, Bucs embarrassed by the Rams.
December 19th, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Put up or shut up …. Again.
December 19th, 2025 at 6:14 pm
All bucks fan should be hoping for a loss never going to make it anywhere in the playoffs with the Stellar NFC teams. Lose we get a good draft pick and a new coach and coordinator I expect nothing else
December 19th, 2025 at 6:29 pm
I barely have my fingers crossed, because todd and the D. But maybe they’ll get something new working….like a basic scheme.
December 19th, 2025 at 6:33 pm
Seal Club beat down Win or bust! Show us fans coaching means business! We have the talent we have the opportunity!
December 19th, 2025 at 7:10 pm
The difference in draft picks numbers will not be enough to justify even losing out. All the best picks will already be gone. It’s a LUDICROUS idea. Those people only want to get rid of Bowles and put the team in a tailspin worse than now. Not Bucs fans.
We have plenty of talent with Baker and our receivers to outscore anyone if guard play picks up. We can do a ton of damage in the playoffs should we decide to play with loads of effort and get there.
December 19th, 2025 at 7:17 pm
The injuries have been on offense and 20-24 pts a game while missing 40% of the OL, 3 starting receivers, and the lead back is still pretty good.
The problem is the defense where the only injury is Kancey, who’s permanently injured anyway. There’s no way to win in a pass happy league when you line up 10 yards away from the offense every single play.
December 19th, 2025 at 7:25 pm
I’d love to see the Bucs try out Chuk at Dan Feeney’s position. Feeney is not playing well. We have to do something to improve guards against Bull Rushes. They can’t be in Baker’s lap every down.
December 19th, 2025 at 8:12 pm
inferior roster maybe but superior team (coaching makes the difference)
December 19th, 2025 at 8:49 pm
JustVisiting has it -heavy odds are we are going to put up 28 plus and Carolina is not. It’s hard too imagine I know with the waking nightmare of the last 5 or 6 games or so…but really if you take your Bowles anger out of it the ball bounced bad a couple times and we lost against the Saints. With Mike Evans we are built to win, for good or ill, 28 to 24, and that’s exactly what we were doing when we were 6-2,
December 19th, 2025 at 9:10 pm
Baker is definitely not healthy. Our coach is a joke and keeps showing it on a weekly basis. We should’ve fired him after the saints loss.
December 19th, 2025 at 9:13 pm
Game(s) will come down to “pressure”!
If we can pressure the QB consistently, via a 4 man rush or timely, EFFECTIVE blitzs, AND we can start containing QB’s who scramble, then our backend has a chance to play aggressively and well.
That’s been our Achilles heel. Fix that and everything else can fall into place.
December 19th, 2025 at 9:14 pm
draft someone who can RUSH the QB
December 19th, 2025 at 9:27 pm
The healthy offensive roster has to carry the weight for the final 3 wins. I would also liked to see the secondary unleashed. Most of the 1st string are playing.They should beat the sorry Dolphins. Offensive captains have to put on the kibosh against the Drizzard calls. We’ll see. Go Bucs!!
December 19th, 2025 at 9:59 pm
I think the offense is going to look very strong like it did early in the year. I don’t get the defense. We played decent defense early in the season. I can’t figure out why they’re so awful. Really the only player still out is Kancey.
December 19th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
When the scheme is to light up the scoreboard and outscore opponents, Mayfield needs to make better throws and decisions. WRs are going to have to stop dropping passes. Lineman need better blocking. The team was designed to score every possession and field a make shift defense to get a few stops here and there. Todd said it himself at the beginning of season when they drafted EE instead of a defender. Converting the 3rd and 4th downs and scoring TD in redzone needs to be better. Don’t expect the defense to win the game it wasn’t designed to, the offense is. 3rd and 28 is to much to defend apparently. 30+ points a game no excuses. Try to be 15+ by halftime. All I want for Christmas is a Otton signed glove.
December 20th, 2025 at 12:21 am
True, but the guards still suck
December 20th, 2025 at 4:57 am
Kenton – Absolutely right. Chase is a gem. So glad we have him.
December 20th, 2025 at 5:21 am
RA RA and the panthers win , young throes for 400 yes and 4 tds. Defense is trash. Bucs lose 34-31
December 20th, 2025 at 6:24 am
Listened to Mark Schlareth talking about this game, and it was interesting hearing him talk about the Bucs OL in the Atlanta game. Said he likes Luke, that he isn’t the greatest but he’s pretty darn good. Said Tristan is an alien he’s so good.
When he talked about the middle three he had pretty much nothing but contempt with the way they “protected” Baker last Thursday. Others playing poorly does not exempt the qb from his own bad play. At the same time, his feet are nervous for a reason.
December 20th, 2025 at 7:24 am
Baker gets Flacco hot and goes on a run,,,
December 20th, 2025 at 8:28 am
I can see it. That’s the thing about streaky qb’s, sometimes it’s a good streak.
December 20th, 2025 at 9:13 am
Do the Panthers still have that corner that Mike got 200 yards and 3 TD’s on?
December 20th, 2025 at 9:59 am
Assume you meant “…and go BEAT a team with less talent.“ because we’ve already seen them be one with less talent.
December 20th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Burrow is great when he is on the field. He has been injured for exactly 25% of the games during his career (an average of about 5 games per year, although he has had years when he hasn’t missed any). Chances are very good that you would have to turn to the likes of Teddy Bridgewater to save the day when Burrow inevitably goes down.
People may not love Baker, but he’s better than most NFL QBs and far more durable, too. Superbowls have been won with far less talented QBs.
December 21st, 2025 at 2:00 am
The Bucs have a huge excuse. It has a name. Some call him the Tood.