One Area That Needs Addressing
December 15th, 2025
Yes, the Bucs do have a TE.
So last Thursday night when Joe was typing postgame stories for Friday morning (Joe was up until 6:08 a.m. — yeah, right when most folks were getting up, Joe’s day was just finishing) Joe had typed an item about Devin Culp.
The second-year tight end caught his first NFL touchdown against the Dixie Chicks. Got wide ass open. It was beautiful.
In Joe’s writeup, Joe tongue-in-cheek typed that up until Thursday night the Bucs played all season with just 10 offensive players as the tight end position has produced basically nothing.
Joe was being a wiseacre but in reality, Joe had no idea how correct he was.
Would you believe (said in a Maxwell Smart voice) that Culp’s touchdown was the first touchdown by a tight end this year for the Bucs? No, really. Per the Bucs’ media relations, in Game 14 the Bucs finally got a touchdown from a tight end. That was Culp.
The Bucs really need to upgrade that position this spring. Meanwhile, welcome back Mr. Culp.
December 15th, 2025 at 9:03 am
Less Cade, more Devin. We already know what we have in bobble Otton!
December 15th, 2025 at 9:06 am
Grizz seems to have his favorites just like Todd Bowles does. Obviously Devin Culp wasn’t one of them. Neither was Rachaad White.
Note to Grizzard: you screwed up in playing favorites & it was costly.
December 15th, 2025 at 9:09 am
Weird our WR room finally gets healthy, then we start targeting TEs in the redzone.
December 15th, 2025 at 9:15 am
A Get Smart reference! My parents loved that show and we always watched as a family. They laughed through the whole thing, especially the shoe phone 😂
December 15th, 2025 at 9:16 am
Gronk spoiled us. I miss the days when we had a tight end who could block and catch… as well as a coaching staff that valued the position. One of these days, the Bucs will collectively click their heels together and repeat this one desire, “I wish I had a tight end, I wish I had a tight end, I wish I had a tight end.”
December 15th, 2025 at 9:20 am
How many people like me said Devin Culp was a wasted pick? Two years later well we aren’t prophets. Licht has some serious issues, he drafted a Cade often tight end never tries to upgrade.
December 15th, 2025 at 9:22 am
My question here for Joe and Bucs fans, is this play calling, Mayfield only going to his favorites, TEs not getting open or all the above that after 14 games it was a first td for a TE
December 15th, 2025 at 9:23 am
Payne TE1 culp TE2 rest of the season. See what we have.
December 15th, 2025 at 9:30 am
Unfortunately our “ring of honor” GM is addicted to loyalty.
Look for the below mediocre Cade Otton to sign a 4 year $32M deal with $24M guaranteed.
Hey look at me – all my draft picks are wonderful!!!
LOL!
BARF!
December 15th, 2025 at 9:31 am
These coaches have no idea how to put the personnel they have in the best positions possible in every phase of the game
December 15th, 2025 at 9:35 am
OC’s responsibility…but it’s his first time calling plays, so not a big surprise! Disappointed in his unimaginative offensive play calling though.
December 15th, 2025 at 9:35 am
“My question here for Joe and Bucs fans, is this play calling, Mayfield only going to his favorites, TEs not getting open or all the above that after 14 games it was a first td for a TE”
Most likely a combination of all these things.
We’ve been using our top 2 TEs as 6th OLmen/FBs to help mitigate the injuries we’ve had in the tackle box on offense.
Offense was was likely “designed” to feature our talent in the WR room, which means the TEs took a backset in priority even before the injuries we used them to cover for. Still no excuse not finding a way getting them involved.
Any time Mike/Chris has missed time since ’23, Cade automatically becomes a top 3 target.
Favoritism is a thing with our OC & QB, see: Bucky Irving or the target share amongst WRs over the few seasons.
What also hurts, is having fresh set of eyes re-evaluate all of our offensive skill guys since ’22 every season from the OC position. I’m almost certain that effects the development and usage of players on offense. Nobody mentions that until it’s time to lay excuses down at Mayfields’ feet.
December 15th, 2025 at 9:37 am
You’re not going to show your cards early in the season. Gotta save plays and players for the end. Now I don’t think that was the full on strategy (especially with this being the first TE touchdown!), but funny how two years in a row we’re saving Culp for the end
December 15th, 2025 at 9:48 am
If anyone including Joe thinks Todd Bowles is not tell Josh G. Our offensive coordinator to keep it simple.You are sadly mistaken. The reason he made him our offensive coordinator. And so he could control every aspect of the game. You all witnessed what this offense can do last year with a different offensive coordinator. Liam cohen, told the Glazers, if he can’t call the shots all by myself on offense. He was not coming here.Does anyone remember that conversation? Todd Bowles has messed with this guy’s career because he wouldn’t turn the guy loose. I don’t want anyone to lose their job. It is time for Todd Bowles to go. I don’t know what else there is to say. He makes this team look disgusting on the football field.
December 15th, 2025 at 9:51 am
“”These coaches have no idea how to put the personnel they have in the best positions possible in every phase of the game””
That is an absolute FACT.
December 15th, 2025 at 9:59 am
Give culp some burn can’t be any worse the Otton. When Otton gets the ball he either gets it taken away to gets zero yac
December 15th, 2025 at 10:07 am
I dont understand the Otton hate. I mean I think he now has two NFL records:
1. Most interceptions by a TE, 2 this year.
2. Most games played without gloves by a TE post 1990.
I mean what gem. Give him a Winfield Jr. contract.
December 15th, 2025 at 10:10 am
Cade ForgOtten doesn’t need to be re-signed. It’s time everyone quits fluffing Licht’s ability to draft. Who cares if you re-sign the draft picks when they are unremarkable to average talents at best.
December 15th, 2025 at 10:20 am
There’s no Cade Otten hate but the dude is like 15 pounds heavier Evans. How can you truly have a good run game when two of your tight ends are light in the pants and the other is no threat in the passing game whatsoever. He didn’t upgrade the position and now we’re going to deal with a Cade otten clone for how long?
December 15th, 2025 at 10:27 am
ok but we have a 5 alarm fire on defense and special teams right now so lets not go overboard
December 15th, 2025 at 10:33 am
Otton is a almost guy. Almost makes the catch, almost gets the line of gain, almost breaks a tackle. He’s just there to block. I don’t know if D.Culp is a TE#1 but Otton isn’t either. At least let’s see if he’s better and so far to me he is. Yeah he was wide open, but Otton would have dropped the ball or caught the pass and got tackled at the one yard line. How about a upgrade at #2 QB. A guy that Baker actually has a little competition with. I guess you could say that about a lot of positions. Nice to see a TD by TE and used as weapon and not just blocker.
December 15th, 2025 at 10:35 am
Once again I agree with Defense rules. Did you all watch the pats, bills, packers, and the broncos yesterday. Very often all four offenses looked sharp and crisp. Non of them have better players than us. All four teams called plays to their players strengths. Our play calling is abysmal. Our tight end room is not abysmal. We have early bigger needs than tight ends. We need people that knock people down the first time. Both sides of the ball.
December 15th, 2025 at 10:42 am
Devin has the ability to get open, that is more important than Cade being useless with the ball lol
December 15th, 2025 at 10:53 am
Boy, the all 22 it’s eye opening. Not excusing the two late mistakes by baker, but you really see how grizz has to keep his tight ends home to help block. Falcons two edge rushers were killing Goedeke , and beating Tristen here and there. No quick slants schemed for quick hits. Receivers not getting separation consistently. I see the domino effect of a weak interior. Baker doesn’t get that last half a second for the many of the routes to develop. Say what you want about Otton, but his blocking was missed Thursday. Watch how Stafford stands, unmoved. Baker had that luxury last year when Mauch and Bredeson were healthy .
December 15th, 2025 at 10:57 am
He might’ve gotten himself open on that one play (lots of other ‘options’ now for defenses to worry about), but I’m not sure that he can block!? He is either unprepared, or just stupid. Watch him on that one 4th-down play against the Saints, when Bucky was blown-up for about a 7-yard loss… HE was responsible for it happening. I am not one, who typically watches or catches a lot of the individual ‘blocking’ (it is impossible to see-it ALL on every single play), but this was one of THE WORST efforts I have ever seen. I’m not sure he even played another down after that. I was like, NO WONDER he can’t get onto the field. It was HORRIFIC. Just SO BAD. Embarrassing, honestly. Correct me if I’m wrong, but ‘BLOCKING’ is kind of a BIG-DEAL for TE’s.
December 15th, 2025 at 11:09 am
Stan Says: “Liam cohen, told the Glazers, if he can’t call the shots all by myself on offense. He was not coming here.”
Yeah, I’d say he made SURE to do that, after working under fricken Coach STOOPID at Kentucky! That was one of my fears when we signed him… Bowles and STOOPID are almost mirror images of each other. Offense illiterate. Completely clueless, in-game decision making, and clock/time-out management. They’re only comfortable when everything is slow.
December 15th, 2025 at 11:20 am
Thw difference withthe Patriots, Bill,, Packers, and Broncos is that all 4 teams have really good coaches tht know how too use their playersin roles where they can shine.
Yesterday Sean Payton said that every game has a diffrent path to success. Our OC just seems to drag out the same plan every week.
I agree that that Grizz was chosen over Neil Sheehase because he was one of Todd’s guys. LIam Cohen was not.
December 15th, 2025 at 11:35 am
Cade Otten will be our starter the minute he is healthy. He is a good NFL tight end. Not signing him would be a big mistake. The one area that needs addressing is the defense and I’m sure we’ll address that this draft. And Kancey and Walker will help. This year our defense needed our offense to be top 3. The injuries prevented that but that’s about to change. After the first round of the playoffs this year we will be one of the most dangerous teams left. I suspect we will win it all. I’ve never seen a football site so full of whiners. The team has had some issues this year, sure. 75 percent chance to get to the playoffs? Oh, we’re making the playoffs. May get to rest some starters in week 18 too. The story of the 2025 Bucs hasn’t even begun. I’m serious as a heart attack. I think we’re gonna win it all.
December 15th, 2025 at 11:54 am
The QB is half of that equation.
December 15th, 2025 at 11:55 am
“Did you all watch the pats, bills, packers, and the broncos yesterday. Very often all four offenses looked sharp and crisp. Non of them have better players than us.”
Maye, Allen, Love, & Nix >> Mayfield
McDaniels, Brady, Stenavich, & Lombardi >> Grizzard
I’d bet at least 2 of these QB-OC duos would cause bodily harm to have the talent at skill positions we have at our disposal.
December 15th, 2025 at 12:23 pm
Kenton I like your positive attitude. I’m trying to work on it. I throw my hat around the living room and criticize the players. I do it free of charge from the goodness of my heart. Jason took notice and hired JPP to do the same thing. Even Todd’s dropping F- bombs post game.
3-0 in Superbowls whatever it takes. Go Bucs!
December 15th, 2025 at 12:31 pm
Inwoodjeremy, JPP and more F-bombs. Couldn’t hurt a thing!
December 15th, 2025 at 12:47 pm
WBL, Agreed that Allen and Maye> better than BM, Nix and Love = to BM at this point in their careers, potentially better. Agree also that our skill position players are better than theirs if they were available all season, but they were not. All of those teams have better coaching by far than the Bucs on both sides of the ball and all have far superior defenses talent wise with the possible exception of the Bills. Payton, Joseph, McDermott, Brady, LeFleur, Vrabel and McDaniel are all better coaches by far than the Bucs have, both schematically as well as in their ability to motivate their players.
December 15th, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Stan … ‘You all witnessed what this offense can do last year with a different offensive coordinator.’
Uhhh, what we witnessed last year was how good our offense can be when starters stay relatively healthy.
o Mayfield: 2024 – 98.3% snaps … 2025 – 96.3% snaps
o Wirfs: 2024 – 89.0% snaps … 2025 – 69.0% snaps
o Bredeson: 2024 – 98.8% snaps … 2025 – 66.5% snaps
o Barton: 2024 – 93.3% snaps … 2025 – 100.0% snaps
o Mauch: 2024 – 99.2% snaps … 2025 – 14.7% snaps
o Goedeke: 2024 – 79.4% snaps … 2025 – 51.0% snaps
o Evans: 2024 – 58.8% snaps … 2025 – 23.0% snaps
o McMillan: 2024 – 54.8% snaps … 2025 – 3.4% snaps
o Shepard: 2024 – 44.6% snaps … 2025 – 52.9% snaps
o Otton: 2024 – 75.0% snaps … 2025 – 85.9% snaps
o White: 2024 – 51.8% snaps … 2025 – 52.9% snaps
o Irving: 2024 – 45.2% snaps … 2025 – 32.4% snaps
o Godwin: 2024 – 34.9% snaps … 2025 – 30.7% snaps
Doesn’t take much analysis to see that our OLine was largely intact last year. This year? Constant mayhem. Last year Bucky played in all 17 games behind a strong OLine & with a very good OC. This season? Bucky’s only played in half the games, and his average is down considerably when he is in there (might be the OLine or OC has something to do with that?). Otton’s played more, but 0 TDs kinda says a lot.
The only 4 of those 2024 starters who’ve played MORE in 2025 are (1) Barton; (2) Shepard; (3) Otton; and (4) White. All the rest are down, some considerably, because of injuries. None of us have any idea how effective Liam Coen would be as OC of THIS 2025 offense, but I seriously doubt that it’d perform anywhere close our 2024 offense. And to have a virgin play-caller in charge of this 2025 offense makes matters somewhat worse I’d think.
December 15th, 2025 at 1:07 pm
We definitely need to upgrade the TE position but I don’t think Grizz knows how to utilize the ones we have. I believe Durham could’ve been a huge red zone weapon, especially when Mile was out. Last year Durham had 11 catches and 2 TDs this year just one reception. Cull had 5 catches last year. Thursday night’s TD was his first catch of the year. Grizz, like Todd, is completely clueless.
December 15th, 2025 at 1:08 pm
We need to spend all 7 draft picks on defense. Period. DTs , Edge, ILB, DBs. Period. Coen and Canales knew how to use the 4 TEs (including Ko)we have to their strengths. Grizz does not, which is weird because he was the 3rd down passing coordinator under both of them and he used them. How many times has Culp ran a long seam route, taking advantage of his skill set? None. How many times have they thrown red zone jump balls to Payne, taking advantage of his skill set? None. Cade is a solid TE. Not great. But good enough for us to succeed in this offense. This isn’t on Jason, Bowles or Baker. It’s on the OC.
December 15th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
Cade otton lost Atleast two games for us with his bobble hands
December 15th, 2025 at 1:30 pm
Otton is not good.
December 15th, 2025 at 1:30 pm
The offensive coordinator is terrible. Also why is Anthony Nelson not playing? He showed out when he started. The team does this all the time. They don’t know how to ride the hot hand. I was screaming for Itzien all season and sure enough, he’s good. Sean Tucker played great then gets shelved.
Coaching malpractice.