“I’d Be Lying If I Said I’m Not Really Concerned”
December 5th, 2025
The fixability of the Bucs defense is up for debate.
Can the defense recapture some of the magic seen in spurts this season, like when Tampa Bay held the Eagles to negative yardage in the second half, or when the high-octane Lions scored on only 4 of 13 drives in Detroit?
Bucs legend Rondé Barber isn’t sure. What he saw Sunday made him take pause.
“Tackling was horrendous,” the Hall of Fame cornerback said of the Bucs defense.
“You know, if it wasn’t for the two takeaways on defense, I don’t know that we look great at all. Right? Like we gave up so many hidden yards. I don’t even know what the numbers said it was. It just looked bad. So, they gotta get better. And they know they gotta get better, man.
“These guys can’t get stops when needed, but more importantly, there’s a lack of urgency right now. It just feels like there’s a lack of urgency. There were four or five plays that looked like tackles for loss in the backfield, then all of a sudden were six-, seven-, eight-yard games.”
The Bucs may not be playing with enough urgency on defense, but Barber certainly is feeling all kinds of urgency as it relates to the Bucs being competitive in January.
“You’re running out of time to get better on defense,” Barber pleaded. There’s only five weeks left in this season. It has to happen now. For me, I’d be lying if I said I’m not really concerned.”
It’s December. Can the Bucs flip a switch and have each defensive player perform like his life depends on it? It happens. But it’s rare.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
I’m down with signing JPP and winning the Super Bowl
December 5th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
It’s the lacklusterness. Zyon and Winfield need to step it up.
And we need an OLB that can consistently tackle the QB
Then we’d be much more ok lol
December 5th, 2025 at 1:15 pm
Offseason after Santa Clara ..
Finally sign a sacking Edge and draft another CB, top TE, ILB to challenge Dennis and heir David
December 5th, 2025 at 1:16 pm
Time to force Bowels hands and make him allow someone else to call the defense. He calls plays not to lose and the guys are playing timid. If your coach shows some personality and aggression the players will do the same. He wanted ball hawks yet the DBs play off most of the time and give free run to the WRs off the line of scrimmage. I’d love to see this defense be in attack mode instead of react mode.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:18 pm
We got this. We got a defensive mastermind head coach. Nothing to worry about. In Bowles we trust?Fire over confident mistake prone clueless Bowles!
December 5th, 2025 at 1:22 pm
There is a reason why yards is still the number one metric used to measure how good a defense is. Not points – which is extremely misleading, and not turnovers. The most PURE way to determine how good a defense is at getting actual STOPS is if the opposing team either airs it out, and rams it straight up their asses constantly. You cannot bank on turnovers every week to bail you out, that is not sustainable
December 5th, 2025 at 1:31 pm
Unless Bowles simplifies the D and lets the Rushers actually do their job, I don’t see it changing. The weird blitz packages aren’t getting there and it’s leaving large coverage holes. We have big DBs, why are they 10 yards off the line? They are built for Press Man coverage but they can’t do that with all the blitzes. If the blitzes were getting home it would be ok, but reality is showing us otherwise.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:33 pm
The lack of urgency is nothing new for a Bowles led team that has basically backed into the playoffs every year under him in the weakest division in the NFL. We have this conversation every year, then it’s completely forgetten about once the season’s over. This team is going nowhere until we get a legit HC to lead these men.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:35 pm
Pass rush pass rush pass rush did I mention where’s the pass rush?
December 5th, 2025 at 1:37 pm
They shoud hire rinde barber as the defensive coordinator (if he could take the huge pay cut that it).
December 5th, 2025 at 1:41 pm
FlBoy84 Says:
December 5th, 2025 at 1:33 pm
The lack of urgency is nothing new for a Bowles led team that has basically backed into the playoffs every year under him in the weakest division in the NFL. We have this conversation every year, then it’s completely forgetten about once the season’s over. This team is going nowhere until we get a legit HC to lead these men.
_________
The only word I’d change in your very accurate observation is the last one.
That should be millionaires and you would think that alone would be enough of a motivator.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:48 pm
It’s hard to get a pass rush, when he always drops his pass rushers into coverage?
December 5th, 2025 at 1:54 pm
Just get to 9-5 before the Panthers game.
That should be an easy task even with Bowles at the helm.
As long as Bilgewater isn’t the QB.
I fully expect the Bucs to put belt to a$$ on Sunday.
And the Dixie Chicks are no competition at all.
If Bowles can’t deliver two wins against the drecks of the league then fire him immediately.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:57 pm
Urgency isn’t a word in Bowles’ vocabulary. He’s an energy vampire, and has sucked the life out of this entire team. We’re the Flaccidneers.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:58 pm
Lack of urgency, player bored, tackling fundamentals toast – all that is 100% on Bowles. That needs to change. I don’t want another year of this. Our standards should be higher than this.
December 5th, 2025 at 2:03 pm
We should win the next two games. The last 3 will be the tell. Miami is playing pretty good ball right now and is not the pushover everyone expected earlier in the season. And we know the Panthers have clicked it up a notch. So it’s definitely coming down to the bitter end again. Who would’ve thought after a 5-1 start?
December 5th, 2025 at 2:14 pm
it hasn’t been fixed for the past 5 years, what makes you think it is all the sudden going to get fixed? This “defensive guru” has to go.
December 5th, 2025 at 2:37 pm
Hey!
It is what it is
Blah blah blah on injuries
They don’t excuse the play and coaching for the players that have been playing.
There is something BIG missing in the chemistry of the 2025 roster, sidelines and locker room!
The stink will leak out when the season is over.
December 5th, 2025 at 2:42 pm
This is not anything new. This goes back to last season, specifically the playoff loss to Washington. This defense can NEVER get off the field. 99 times out of 100 we can only generate pressure if we blitz. I am so sick and tired of hearing every play by play guy or analyst rave about a “GREAT BUC DEFENSE” or “Todd Bowles led great defense that brings pressure, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.” Defense stinks. Defense has stunk for a few seasons now. No we are not Bengals bad but they are not good, certainly not Super Bowl worthy. Bucs just lucky to be in a crap division. Since SB win, Bucs have been the best turd in the bowl that is the NFC south. Same thing will happen in JAN – Bucs will win division and lose home Wildcard game because of the DEFENSE or lack of. It will be the same issues that have plagued this unit – no pressure, not getting off field on 3rd down. MARK MY WORDS
December 5th, 2025 at 2:43 pm
cant really find 1 lie from Barber…
one game at a time!!!!
#beatthesaints
GO BUCS!!!!
December 5th, 2025 at 2:53 pm
Announce Bowleszo has been fired for their soft arse indifference to playing tackle football. Maybe that would get someone’s attention.
A sham is what this is.
December 5th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
The front 7 is so stiff and slow, while lacking the tenacity, fundamentals to tackle, and effort to swarm to the ball makes me very worried. Still there is hope for a playoff run with the offense having the ability score points if the big 4 on defense can provide the juice and that is Vea, Tykee, Dean, and Winfield. Pray we can get Kancy back to take pressure off our past rusher in Vea. Diaby as stiff as he can potential wreak some havoc off the edge. Fingers crossed!!!
December 5th, 2025 at 3:10 pm
TJ Rives says, “relax, Todd’s got this”.
December 5th, 2025 at 3:13 pm
Preach on Newbie!
I am so bummed I have cut back dramatically my check ins at this joint!
.
“ Since SB win, Bucs have been the best turd in the bowl that is the NFC south“
December 5th, 2025 at 3:21 pm
Man thats crazy, I am pretty sure I said they lack any sense of urgency. I am sure a few of us have said that at this point. It all points back to the defensive coordinator. He doesn’t ever say its his fault, he’s slap full of excuses. Its never “We didn’t improve our leaky secondary, or we didn’t coach the DEs to rush the QB well enough”. Its always someone else’s fault.
#noconfidence
December 5th, 2025 at 3:23 pm
Hope the Steelers fire Tomlin,and Bucs bring him in to coach the D with Bowles at the helm. Give Tomlin a couple years off as HC so he can get back to basics like Saleh
December 5th, 2025 at 3:33 pm
We are December talking about a lackluster defense what are you even talking about this is what the bucs are on defense. This late into the season with not many injuries on the defensive side of the ball we are seeing what it is there is no getting better.
December 5th, 2025 at 3:34 pm
Rhonde’s takes on this defense are a damning indictment of one Todd Bowles. Straight up.
In my eyes his job status will be judged on these last 5 games. This might be a good time for him to “coach it better”.
December 5th, 2025 at 3:35 pm
“There is something BIG missing in the chemistry of the 2025 roster, sidelines and locker room!”… this is not just a 2025 season issue though, the same pattern has played out during the last 4 seasons. The Glazers, Licht & a lot of fans have some short ass memories lol
December 5th, 2025 at 3:49 pm
HOF cornerback Ronde angling for a coaching job next year ???
December 5th, 2025 at 3:56 pm
This is the 3rd year in a row that we have been criticizing BA’s hand picked HC …
Step in GM !
Too much nicey nicey among friends in the top floor of OBP !
December 5th, 2025 at 3:57 pm
Too bad the Glazers are content charging LA Rams type (Hollywood money) ticket prices for a mediocre performances from their team. If they demanded better results from the GM and coaching staff perhaps they would have a team that actually looks like a SB contender most games instead of a mediocre – middle of the NFC team! Too bad!!
December 5th, 2025 at 3:58 pm
Simeon4HOF Says:
I’m down with signing JPP and winning the Super Bowl
^^^^^^
You actually miss JPP’s crazy intensity. You’re right. That’s what Barber is saying, too.
Arians is passionate. He brought in JPP and Suh and changed the culture. Bowles got to ride those coattails. When Bowles took, passion left the building.
Now we have LVD to lead the defense. He was GMC’s best friend. He loves Bowles. He’s chill.
This article puts it into perspective. Bowles isn’t the guy. He never will be.
Remember Joe’s article about the guy “Who will hold the door for Bowles detractors to head on out?” Hold the door for one more.
I’ll be back after Bowles is gone. Hate to say it but this team is going nowhere with Bowles at the helm.
December 5th, 2025 at 4:00 pm
Joe … ‘It’s December. Can the Bucs flip a switch and have each defensive player perform like his life depends on it? It happens. But it’s rare.’
Pertinent question Joe. Can the Bucs flip a switch and have each defensive player perform like his life depends on it? Not a chance because we’ve got too many who’d have to do that. And too many of them really don’t have a high level of talent to start with.
Back in 2020 when Vea went down in Game 5, that could’ve been catastrophic because we’d lost our premier NT. But RNR filled in admirably, as did Steve McClendon who moved over to play a lot of NT after Vea went down. Of course, we still had Suh & Gholston up-front, with JPP & Shaq outside. IOW, we weren’t bereft of talent by any means, and we adjusted. TODD ADJUSTED. And we finished the season 12-5 and topped it off with a Super Bowl.
You’ve gotta have the horses to replace key guys when they go down. And it you don’t have them, then at least rent them for a year. We did none of that when Kancey went down, and we were already in need of a beastly DT to help Vea before Calijah’s injury. Instead we brought up Simmons & Brewer from out PS, and kept milking more & more snaps out of our rookie Roberts & out of Logan Hall. The results have been quite predictable.
December 5th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
Falls on one person.
Time for a change!!!!
December 5th, 2025 at 4:20 pm
Complacency is another word for bored and it has infested the coaching staff and locker room
It is what it is…
December 5th, 2025 at 4:23 pm
I think we all know what good football looks like….
December 5th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
Fish stinks from the head down, as the saying goes. Talking to you Bud
Licht.
December 5th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
Just fire Bowles already.
December 5th, 2025 at 5:28 pm
Who can argue with what Ronde said? He speaks the truth. Our defensive coordinator/head coach/cigar store Indian isn’t gonna get it fixed. Other than Kancey, the defense has been relatively healthy this year, and it may have regressed from last year. If Toad is “one and done” in the playoffs, or doesn’t make it, hopefully the Glazers realize it is past time to jettison Mr. Bowels.
December 5th, 2025 at 6:23 pm
Truth! And your previous post points to the infestation’s ground zero, Jason Licht
December 5th, 2025 at 7:26 pm
DON’T fire Bowles. I like having a winning football team and appreciate it most of the time. This team was designed to have an overpowering, punishing offense. We’ve been missing the players to make that happen for most of the season.
We’re on the verge of getting that back! Let’s see how everything looks and goes once that happens.
December 5th, 2025 at 8:27 pm
I suppose you were distracted and didn’t notice the # of turnovers and 4th down stops we’ve made this season…..only for the offense to pee their pants and give the ball right back – repeatedly. Geez, Chris was apologizing to them during the last game because of it.
And a quick reminder – in the washington game we held them under their average and certainly did better than Detroit (I’m guessing they’re your poster boys for a well coached team?),,,,,,The offense had as much or more to do with that loss than the D.
I’m definitely concerned about the D…..seems like when we cover the flats and dink and dunk we give up explosives, and stopping explosives exposes our underneath coverage. I’m sure the coaching staff is well aware of our issues and weaknesses and trying to get us ready to play our best ball when it matters most……Including the offense.
December 5th, 2025 at 8:34 pm
We need an edge rush Joe !! That’ll fix it !! Or do we need a better performance from the Bucs offense? Like we should’ve had last week ? The offense should have scored at least 7 more points and that’s a very conservative estimate.
Go Bucs !! Beat the Slimy Saints !!
December 5th, 2025 at 8:48 pm
The only urgency thst fatboy Bowles has is to get to the buffet as fast as possible.
Look how jacked a guy like McVay is if you want to see someone who’s serious about life.
Bowles just collects paychecks.
December 5th, 2025 at 8:59 pm
when Baker has all his weapons in the playoffs we will need to put up 35ppg every single week or it’s a wrap… the only path to a Superbowl in 2025 is if Mike Evans goes on a Larry Fitz GOAT playoff run.
December 5th, 2025 at 9:08 pm
Biggest issue is pass rush followed by ILBs that are too slow (David) or lack starting talent (Dennis). The range isnt there. David is one of my all time favorites but time is gaining on him finally. I dont think he comes back next year. That means they need 2 ILBs and at least 1 legit OLB. Corners need upgrading too. Zyon is not playing well, Dean wont be back. Morrison is glass. JL cannot fill all of these holes via draft, he needs to start sprinkling in some FA talent like he did prior to winning the SB with JPP, Barrett, Suh. Get off your wallet JL, these years of drafting will still cost you because now the roster has too many holes the draft couldnt fill.
December 5th, 2025 at 9:10 pm
Testing….testing 1 2 3
December 5th, 2025 at 9:57 pm
The Glazers are on the clock.
December 5th, 2025 at 9:59 pm
The Bucs take on the personality of their coaches. Is there any coach on the Bucs with their hair on fire? No. There is no one on the sidelines interested in winning. They’re all worried about not losing. Watch any good coach on the sidelines… McVay, Vranel, Campbell, they are all piss and vinegar. Todd not so much. Players read that and act. The only time Todd shows any interest in the game or the players is when he deals out a strong foul post lunch stench and reacts.
December 5th, 2025 at 11:22 pm
Fire Todd
December 5th, 2025 at 11:23 pm
I hope Ronde is not the only one calling these dudes out. Todd?
Go Bucs!
December 6th, 2025 at 7:37 am
Gone Gator – in that playoff loss Washington DID NOT PUNT, held +11 minutes in time of possession, and ran 25 more offensive plays than the Bucs. While I would certainly agree that TB offense did not play nearly as well as what we saw last season, it was the defense that could NOT get off the field.
This season is different, every season is different. Bucs have 3 quality wins (HOU, SEA, SF) and have lost to playoff teams in Philly, Detroit, Buffalo, Rams, NE.
There has been very little complimentary football in 2025. VERY LITTLE. Offense riddled with injuries up front, WR, Bucky – we all know. No excuses. Despite those injuries, Bucs and Baker did enough to win early. The defense has had some moments, like last Sunday’s 4th down stop against the 3 win Cards. But overall, EXTREMELY disappointed once again in their play, their effort and the results.
And the 3rd element – special teams – has been awful. In year 50 of this organization, this years special teams may be the worst in 5 decades of Bucco football. And that’s saying alot if you had seen years 1 and 2… I did.
As as I said in a few previous posts, Bucs will win division and lose home Wildcard weekend. It won’t be because of Baker and the offense. This will all be about the lifeless defense who can’t get off the field. Field position will be huge because of poor special teams play. That will be a factor too.
I have great faith in our QB and this offense, especially getting guys back. But I have zero faith in D and our special teams. We will see what happens as this final games play out. I hope I am WRONG.
December 6th, 2025 at 8:56 am
Do NFL coaches just not tell players to wrap up anymore? Watching defenders just hit the ball carrier only to bounce off and see the ball carrier keep going, is probably the single most frustrating thing as a fan. Depending with her shoulder and wrapping up is something you get taught from the moment you first put on pads.
Is it the lack of off-season practice? Are they not teaching in college anymore? I don’t care what kind of players you have on defense, you cannot be a great defense if you don’t make the tackle.
December 6th, 2025 at 8:58 am
All of these draft pick used by Licht on DB’s and the unit never sees to improve. Yes the tackling sometimes seems lackadaisical and sometimes weak and slippy.
Defenders get in the backfield and then don’t seem to finish the play, hoping the next person finishes the job/ We could get Derrick Henry on offense and it still wouln’t help this team. Watched Cowboys/Lions game last night.The Cowboys seemed to have fixed their defensive woes by making
December 6th, 2025 at 2:53 pm
I do not know who Ben Roberts is for Texas Tech, but his coverage skills as an LB look pretty good