Ira Kaufman Dives Deeper Into The Zac Robinson Hire, Talks Defensive Assistant Search, Whether The Bucs Are All-In Or Not For 2026, And More
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Episode 2 of this week and following the Zac Robinson hire at offensive coordinator. Dive in with The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports & Joe!
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January 23rd, 2026 at 3:42 pm
Retaining IBS as HC is NOT all in on 2026…
It raises questions if the Bucs are in tank mode 2026!
January 23rd, 2026 at 4:50 pm
You guys keep saying Bowles needs to talk to Robinson about how he could fix the defense. But should t have Bowles had that offense figured out by the end of the year when Coen was running the same thing? I think Bowles will keep running what he thinks is a better defense, same defense as always, and it’s gonna bite him again unless they get good vets. If it was gonna be fixed it should have been done when Coen was around.
January 23rd, 2026 at 4:50 pm
Bowles needs to ask Robinson what is wrong with his defense?
That is a good reason to make him our new OC??? Wow!
Robinson is a run first guy like Bowles. Fantastic…..
As Bowles so intelligently stated, you just have to run 30+ times to guarantee victory.
Has anyone figured out yet why EE went AWOL ???
2026 is just an absolute dumpster fire already.
Bring in an idiot to help a fraud. Yep, I’m sold!
January 23rd, 2026 at 5:01 pm
Ira this is a tough crowd….ROFL
January 23rd, 2026 at 5:29 pm
after checking JBF all day for new articles I am rewarded with an IRK podcast for my drive home!
January 23rd, 2026 at 7:31 pm
All they have to do is win the time-of-possession. It’s like Todd said during halftime of the first Carolina game… “We’re winning the ‘time-of-possession’ and it’s only a matter of time, before it shows on the scoreboard.” LoL We gottem right where we want ‘em boys! Seriously, about lost it. I was definitely NOT shocked with it coming from old T-Bowles. I mean, the look on his face though, was just serious as a heat-attack, while addressing that reporter Lmao. He was like, “Really, are you an idiot!? All you have to do is look at the time-of-possession… Ummm, Duh. WE’RE WINNING IT, ya know!?” Hahahahah Lmfao. Sigh… It’s A Bucs Life.
January 23rd, 2026 at 7:43 pm
It was in response to the question asking if he was going to stick with the first-half’s game-plan (that was obviously not working), by continuing to just run the ball down their throats for the remainder of the game. Remember, this was when we had a FULL STABLE of all 4-WR’s available, and mostly healthy… Mike, Godwin, JMac, and EE.
January 23rd, 2026 at 7:53 pm
Well I couldn’t make it past 8 minutes into the podcast. What a load of horse sh*t
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:00 pm
But, just take a look at next season’s home/away schedule. Even, if you say we ‘split’ our divisional opponents, going 3-3… CAN YOU find even 4-MORE games that you would mark us down for having a ‘WIN’ right now!? 9-8 is our absolute ‘ceiling’ right now… CEILING. Though, I am really struggling to see them even getting to 6-7 WINS. Well, there couldn’t be a better time for it with this upcoming 2027 Draft Class, and we do have SEVERAL great ‘deadline’ pieces to move!!!! It would definitely make the job a lot more attractive for potential new GM and Head Coaching hires, by having a plethora of ‘27 PICKS, and A LOT of ‘available’ salary cap $$$’s. We’re going to need ALL the help we can get.
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:01 pm
it is january. The hype starts now. Soon it will be a Super Bowl Run. They do it every time.
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:03 pm
@ FormerBucFan – hahah well, that’s 8-minutes more than what I was willing to listen to LoL.
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:49 pm
It would make-it a VERY ‘attractive’ job for a SHARP, strong, bold, young, slick, ‘top-tier’ level GM, who is a CLOSER that can also evaluate TALENT. I’ve seen it many times! If they can ‘stockpile’ about 10-12 picks for both 2027 and 2028 drafts, including a couple of ‘high’ picks (with at least a top 2-3 pick in 2027), then they’ll get a TOP GM. It would be extremely attractive and intriguing for ANY GM worth his salt, to be given total, complete, full autonomy on such a rebuild. You get the GM right, then HE WILL get the HC right. The Glazers better be paying freaking ATTENTION this time, and not be caught with their pants down. Strategic, Calculated, Decisive, Bold, and RUTHLESSNESS, is what it will take. Especially, going into the trade deadline. Head on a swivel. Go BIG at the ‘deadline’ and then BIG GAME HUNTING for the next GM and HC. 💯
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:58 pm
The Joes described why Bowles should’ve been fired. The defense was broken and he had no idea how to fix it. Before anyone says it was because of lack of talent on defense, Bowles said the deepest position was the Inside Linebackers. So that means Bowles is also terrible at evaluating talent.
January 23rd, 2026 at 9:05 pm
Defense aside, ZR has much more experience than Grizz — who often looked like he was totally lost.
We have awesome offensive weapons that stack up with those on any team in the league. Just need more depth on the offensive line.
Let’s hope that the free-agency window and draft find the Bucs focusing on defense and o-line. Drafting offensive weapons would be a waste.
Don’t draft a QB to back-up this year unless he’s just an incredible late-round opportunity. Get a back-up that can take over when needed. Grab Flacco before the Steelers sign him. Then you know you can be confident in sitting Baker if injured. He’d probably teach Baker a thing or two (or more).
January 23rd, 2026 at 9:14 pm
Love the podcasts. My favorite part of the site. Let’s have more! Great idea!
January 23rd, 2026 at 11:38 pm
losers hiring more losers – what could go wrong?
January 24th, 2026 at 3:05 am
Best thing Licht can do would be to keep quiet.
Braswell gonna shock the world.
No legit free agents.
Poor roster development.
Absolutely worthless backup qb signing.
And chin up Joes, it’s ok to be critical. Clap back.
January 24th, 2026 at 5:04 am
Great podcast!
Oh, to be a fly on the wall for the Zac Robinson/Bucs interview. He must have told them what he saw and how it is because Todd called him quickly saying “Not to leave town, we are hiring you for OC.”
Not thinking about Zac becoming HC at all. Todd is our coach and is changing it up. Time will tell. March and April are right around the corner. Go Bucs!
January 24th, 2026 at 10:33 am
Bowles loves to run the ball to win the time-of-possession battle. What an idiot!!! His defense gives up the most explosive plays per game in the NFL. Time of possession is a meaningless stat in that scenario.
January 24th, 2026 at 11:42 am
Assuming the owners are rational, and I think they are, then they must have concluded that the offensive leadership had slid some from the past and that the defensive leadership was a disaster. You would next conclude that Bowles must leave. But they didn’t like that alternative since bringing in an experienced coach would mean everyone in the organization from the towel boy on up would have to go. This would include a lot of third level people that were proven and loyal and maybe JL as well. What they really want is a good internal candidate, but unlike last year they no longer have one. So the next alternative would be to keep Bowles as the HC, who they liked, and replace him as the DC. He’s had several years to do both roles and has conclusively shown that he cannot do both. DC in this league is a full-time job and there aren’t enough hours in the day to do both. So it’s a logical and a financial good move (because of his contract he will be paid the same if he stays or leaves) to keep him as HC. They have now filled the OC roll, and next, they (JL and Todd together) must find a good DC. If Todd remains in this role, we are screwed, but if they replace him with a new face as DC, then there is some hope. Let’s hope the other shoe drops.