CBS: Experience Will Prevail For Bucs

January 2nd, 2026

“Pete, I really hope you’re right!”

Being veterans of playoff wars will pay off for the Bucs tomorrow.

That’s the word from prickly Pete Prisco of CBS. Prisco was one of the very few — maybe only — national NFL scribe who was high on the Bucs’ chances to do damage this year and play for the NFC title.

The Bucs did damage all right — damage to their reputations, damage to the Tampa community and damage to Team Glazer’s revenue streams at The Licht House.

Well done, gentlemen!

Still, despite playing hot potato with the division lead, Prisco thinks the Bucs come out on top tomorrow in their riveting, highly anticipated showdown with the Stinking Panthers.

And why is that? Prisco believes all the Bucs’ experience in postseason pressure cookers will pay off on Saturday.

This might be for the division title — it is if Carolina wins — even if both teams are limping into this game. The Bucs have dragged in the second half of the season, but they are at home and have guys who have played in a lot of big games. Look for the offense to get it going here as Baker Mayfield gets the better of Bryce Young.

Joe can’t go there and it pains Joe to type that. No matter what may be on the line, Joe simply has zero faith in the Bucs’ defense to make a play late in the game to secure a win.

Time after time, week after week, the Bucs defense has bent over late in games for weak opponents. Why should Joe trust that all of a sudden, the defense will give a collective s(p)it and rise up and stop the Stinking Panthers in the fourth quarter?

The Bucs’ defense has earned its sorry 2025 reputation that now bleeds into 2026.

132 Responses to “CBS: Experience Will Prevail For Bucs”

  1. Colonel Angus Says:

    I don’t have faith the defense or the offense can make a play late in the game.

  2. Chant Says:

    They lost my faith. Too little, too late. Even if they miraculously get in. Same ending (losing in the 1st round). Gotta do better or same ending, different season. Nothing to be proud of.

  3. BA’s Red Pen Says:

    I’m not rooting against the Bucs but they ain’t winning tomorrow.

  4. Mike Johnson Says:

    This is really kinda sad because, if our Bucs win, they limp into the playoffs as the only team there with a losing record. It just seems as though no team with a losing record deserves any playoffs. And secondly, If we win tomorrow, Todd Bowles probably keeps his job. And that means another season of Mediocrity next yr.

  5. Bobby M. Says:

    We’ve been hearing this for weeks. First it was a schedule that would get a bit easier in the 2nd half of the year AND we were getting healthy on offense. Then it was there’s no way we don’t beat the Saints, Falcons, Panthers, Dolphins, etc….particularly two being at home.

    This team doesn’t do anything consistently well and it Q4 of the season. I have zero faith the Bucs can suddenly pull it together….why would anyone logical think the trend suddenly changes course. Maybe from a statistical standpoint you could argue the more one loses the more likely an eventual win comes to fruition but for one game, I don’t see us doing anything different. The players have thrown in the towel on Bowles, there’s no accountability on special teams and the offense has terrible line play that can’t be masked. Basically whatever team screws up the least finds themselves on top but I don’t see either team winning convincingly.

  6. Anyhony Says:

    The Bucs winning and the Saints letting us down,……….sounds about right!

  7. Permanently Moderated Says:

    Once again having to rely on what another team does in order to back into the playoffs. There’s no circumstance where I’m pulling for the Saints, either.

  8. Chris Cotten Says:

    We will just see about that

  9. GaBucinRH Says:

    There is no heart on this particular team… no way they win…Atlanta beats up NO anyways

  10. SlyPirate Says:

    DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE BUCS’ SUPERPOWER

    The Bucs super power has been creatively finding ways to lose. A muffed kickoff, ST headbutt penalty on a touchback, a timely hold, forgetting to cover guys on 3-28 and 4-14 …

    Of course our new Brand Identity: 4th Quarter INTs on game winning drives.

    All Carolina has to do is play clean football and the Bucs will find a way to lose.

  11. SB~LV 🏈 Says:

    Bucs are veterans of one and done!

  12. Lakeland Says:

    Well, the way the offense is playing the defense basically has to shut a team out

    We know that’s not going to happen

    Between the “Low Scoring” offense turning the ball over multiple times a game
    And a Special Team unit giving up long kickoff/punt returns

    The defense has really played well during the past four games
    Games which were lost by a total of 11 POINTS

  13. HC Grover Says:

    No NFL for me. Thanks NFL, no wonder fans are on the rum. Too hard and too expensive to watch for fun. Only betting.

  14. Tye Says:

    Bucs becoming one of those teams that prove the NFL needs to change playoff format… Losing teams host winning teams makes no sense … And winning a putrid division is no reward…

  15. Patrick Says:

    To the ones saying Bowles won’t be fired due to his contract: if I remember correctly, Gruden had several years left on his contract when he was fired. And what he was fired for was very small compared to what we’re going through now.

  16. HC Grover Says:

    Atlanta has it all going their way. I predict Falcons.

  17. Teacherman Says:

    I was born in Clearwater in 1983.

    My parents met at Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

    We will win and so will the Saints!

    Go Bucs!

  18. VOT Says:

    In one half we will hold them to 0-3 points, but in the other they will give up 21+ and that is the Todd Bowles era in a nutshell

  19. Teacherman Says:

    The NFL is won in the trenches.

    Our offensive line sucks.

    Our defensive line sucks

    Of course we suck!

    And our special teams is easily one of the worst in the NFL.

    Bowles is too loyal.

    He can’t fire the special teams coordinator because they are “friends.”

    In buddhism, we call it “stupid compassion”

    Bowles has hurt himself by being TOO loyal.

  20. BUCDADDY Says:

    Yeah, I just don’t see it happening. Would be cool, but I honestly believe we squandered away our playoff chances weeks ago. We probably won’t beat Carolina, and New Orleans is definitely not beating Atlanta. I don’t even think ESPN knows what’s going on. They posted an article that said we needed Atlanta to win, but then I realized it had to be a misprint, and that ESPN has a bunch of morons working there. Seems like the misprint just goes right along with how the season has went. Got real excited for a second, then suddenly realized, oh yeah. The season really is over. GO BUCS!!!………NEXT SEASON!!!

  21. Yikes Says:

    TWO RANGZ

  22. DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:

    Did that experience help against the last three losses? Even if we win Todd Bowles teams don’t have that extra playoff mentality gear needed to go to the next level.

  23. DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:

    Teacherman he’s loyal for one reason and one reason only

  24. Bee Says:

    Experience in what exactly?

    We’re going to see more of the same tomorrow.

  25. jimmy Says:

    even if they win it is unlikely they make the playoffs due to their ineptitude, so who cares at this point.

    for everyone involved it is actually better if they lose, then there is no ambiguity that massive change is required.

  26. Warren Brooks Lynch Says:

    No it won’t, making more plays that matter than the Panthers will. Quite frankly, I’d be a little pissed off is this is the game the put together a complete-ish game and we still miss the playoffs.

  27. Ugotrobbed Says:

    Bucs are done!

  28. OLDSCHOOL1976 Says:

    Falcons will beat Saints so does NOT matter.

  29. Lakeland Says:

    They have experience in winning one playoff game during the past 4 years

  30. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Any long term Buc fan knows all about Buc experience and what is going to prevail.

  31. HC Grover Says:

    Time for regime change.

  32. Smarter than Joe Says:

    7-10 FIRE Todd Blows!!!

  33. Tye Says:

    Falcons main motivation will be the o put an end to the Bucs repeat division crown and that will be enough: Saints 17 – Falcons 31

  34. Erik with Pilot and Driver™ Says:

    ATL will prob win anyway. CLEAN HOUSE

  35. BucaneroJim Says:

    Bucs would be hard pressed to win the Puppy Bowl.

  36. AlstottNumber1 Says:

    I think we should just keep doing the same thing despite the results.

    The issue is not Bowles or his scheme. He needs better players.

    If he had hall of fame players at every level of the defense, we’d be impossible to beat.

    He’s a defensive guru just ask all the talking heads.

    We are gifted with a nationally televised game on Saturday to put his genius on full display.

    I’m sure we’ll be quite thrilled with the outcome. Sign Bowles to another extension please!

  37. OilfieldTrash Says:

    I know that nobody is going to believe me but I have inside intell that the Bucs are talking to Jon Gruden. I hope it’s true!

  38. Lakeland Says:

    The Glazers has to see something in Todd Bowles
    He’s been the Defensive Coordinator for 7 seasons
    Benn the HC for 4 seasons
    And they gave him an extension twice
    Once as DC, once as HC

    The fans may not like him
    But it’s obvious, the Glazers don’t care what the fans think

  39. Rob Says:

    CBS covering the Buc’s like they cover politics: TERRIBLY!

  40. Donny's Swollen Ankles Says:

    BAHA HA HA HA HA HA

  41. JustVisiting Says:

    Go, Bucs! Hoping that Baker, in particular, gets some redemption tomorrow.

  42. Rob Says:

    Special teams will RISE up for the occasion. They’ve been soooo close all year!

    Kickoff return for TD. Punt return for TD. Forced fumbles from our outstanding gunners. Like Bowles D, they’re ready to execute to perfection!

    Zzzzzzzzzz…….

  43. Bosch Says:

    🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

  44. Rusty Shackleford Says:

    Bucs will ham and egg their way to another three point loss.

  45. Lakeland Says:

    A 7-9 team don’t deserve to be in the playoffs

    It’s ridiculous

  46. Lakeland Says:

    If they win their last game against Carolina
    And they both are 8-9
    It shouldn’t matter what the Falcons/Saints do

    An 8-9 team don’t belongs in the playoffs

  47. Okiejim Says:

    NEVER Say NEVER!!!!!!

  48. Popmike66 Says:

    Experience hasn’t helped so far, the Bucs keep losing to rookie QBs

  49. Chris Says:

    Saints ain’t beating atl

  50. It's Corn Says:

    [Joe should be happy with the current state of the Bucs? Do tell. — Joe]

  51. Todd Says:

    Mock draft time!

  52. 813bucboi Says:

    BUCS & FALCONS WIN!!!!

    which means bucs are losers!!!!!!

    GO BUCS!!!!

  53. Lokog Says:

    We lost against the dolphins

  54. heyjude Says:

    Good for CBS. Hope Prisco is right. Go Bucs!

  55. Ballwin Bucs Fan Says:

    There’s a very real chance they get blanked 17-0 or something like that

  56. SB~LV 🏈 Says:

    The Bucs are their own worst enemy
    Hence they will win tomorrow and cost a better 2026 draft position!
    They ain’t going anywhere in the playoffs!
    This is and has been a BAD team All year!

  57. Sal Volatile Says:

    Joe, it seems to me that none of the above commenters fully read and comprehended your words. You put out some very strong and truthful words. You cannot be accused of being soft. Thank you for saying what needs to be said. I want to see the owners standing at the podium and answering the hard questions. They have an obligation (in my mind) to do that. If they think the documentary, which I did not watch and don’t plan to watch, absolves them of the responsibility to answer to the community they serve they are wrong.

  58. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Wow talk about a fundamental lack of understanding about the way things work. Owners very rarely stand in front of podiums and explain themselves, that’s what they have a GM for. Ultimately the gym is responsible for the operation of the team. That’s why Licht has to go.

    While we would like to think that they serve the community, the bottom line is it’s a business, they’re here to make money, they sell a product.

    But thanks Joe for “beautiful words“ lol

  59. Tom Petty Says:

    Fuggit. Just play loose and have fun. Play for each other and the fans who root for you thru thick and thin. Screw the rest.

  60. Sal Volatile Says:

    Jmarkbuc Says:
    January 2nd, 2026 at 3:08 pm
    Wow talk about a fundamental lack of understanding about the way things work.
    ^^^^^^^
    You are so very wrong with that statement. That statement also shows a great deal of naivete and lack of real education.

  61. SB~LV 🏈 Says:

    We usually have a game day take out pizza from a independent Italian restaurant nearby on game day.
    It’ll be a Publix frozen pizza tomorrow.

  62. jcscycles Says:

    Pete Prisco has the Saints winning 23-21. He has been right alot more than wrong this year.

    Why all of the support for the Falcons? Saints were undefeated in December and are a team on the way up.

    They could very well do it Sunday. And don’t worry – it won’t affect firing Bowles.

  63. SB~LV 🏈 Says:

    I hope it “effects “ firing Bowels

  64. SB~LV 🏈 Says:

    The biggest win tomorrow would be for no one getting hurt and the Bucs new General Manager having a higher draft slot!

  65. bud liked tht bucs Says:

    playoffs playoffs experience last 5 weeks say what?

  66. Zwak Says:

    If it’s 4th and 1 to win the game, we will punt!

  67. SB~LV 🏈 Says:

    How many try’s from the 2 yard line where stuffed in that game this year?
    7 out of 8

  68. JustVisiting Says:

    Tom Petty speaks the truth!

  69. Lefty Says:

    If Todd retires, he spares himself the humiliation of being a two time fired NFL HC. The Glazer Boys save some $$$ by not having to fulfill the terms of the idiotic extension given to Bowles.

  70. ‘74 Bucs Fan Says:

    I’m going to hurl if they keep Bowles – unless we win a playoff game.

    I can’t stomach any more “we got to play it better and we gotta coach it better”.

    Sideline statue that shows zero emotion. Wonder why most of the players show no emotion.

  71. ‘74 Bucs Fan Says:

    I also am prepared to hurl if we don’t address the D line in round 1&2 and via free agency. Beef, we need beef! No more receivers and CBs. The game is won in the trenches – and both of ours are awful right now.

    I was preaching the same coming into our last draft – and we waited until rounds 4-5 to address our weakest position. DR was saying the same. Beef Jason!!

  72. Lakeland Says:

    Bowles will be the dumbest person on Earth if he retires
    Make the Glazers but you out
    And buy a beach home in the Bahamas and sip Bahama Mama
    For the rest of your days
    No more babysitting these knuckleheads that Licht waste picks on

  73. Lakeland Says:

    “””””buy you out”””

  74. Jeff Says:

    Carolina 31 Yucks 17. Folks, this team is DONE! I’m not sure Licht can fix this.

  75. HC Grover Says:

    I doubt Bucs can beat Panters. I think Chicks can beat Stainks. We are now in….The Bowles Zone.

  76. FireBowlesnow Says:

    #FirethecannonsthenfireBOWLZO!

  77. Mobucs Says:

    The Bucs have done damage to the Tampa community? Full disclosure: I’m not a local resident or even a Floridian, but I look for a modicum of seriousness among the Joes, whom I assume are paid professionals, unlike us gratis contributors.

  78. Sal Volatile Says:

    Wow talk about a fundamental lack of understanding about the way things work.
    ^^^^^
    While I await my initial response to escape the algo confines, I’ll see if this works;

    I have a very good understanding of how things work.
    The ownership group is very involved in the community and very charitable. I’m sure there are good intentions with their donations.
    But let’s be real, they get tax deductions. They offer their largesse to the community therefore they serve the community. They promote the community. So in one respect they are public servants, just not elected. To think that they don’t factor in their generosity to their bottom line in terms of ticket and merchandise sales is silly. I know they have spokesmen. They can HIDE behind those spokesmen. Therein lies the problem. They make claims in their self-flattering documentary which was completed long before the current disaster. They owe a full explanation to the public they serve. Just like an elected politician.

  79. HC Grover Says:

    These Glazers are reminding me of Culverhouse. The Culverglazers.

  80. Sal Volatile Says:

    I’m one of the injuns surrounding the Glazers in the box canyon.
    Me thinks they speak with forked tongue.

  81. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Mike Johnson Says:
    “If we win tomorrow, Todd Bowles probably keeps his job.”

    For another week or two only.

  82. Buc2Blame Says:

    Nothing will prevail this team. This team is done

  83. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Sal Volatile, the amount of money they make off ticket sales is small.

    And frankly, you cannot accurately speak to their motives.

  84. SB~LV 🏈 Says:

    A Modest Proposal Joes
    A double poll
    Thumbs up or down
    Todd Bowels
    Jason Licht

  85. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Here’s what I think:
    A lot of you are blaming expveryone and are making the assumption that nothing will be done.

    How about you just wait and see instead of whining like babies?

  86. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    SB~LV , thumbs down to Bowles. Thumbs up to Licht.

  87. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    ‘74 Bucs Fan Says:
    January 2nd, 2026 at 4:21 pm
    “The game is won in the trenches – and both of ours are awful right now.”

    I agree 100%.

    To be fair, the OL is bad because of the injuries.

  88. Sal Volatile Says:

    And frankly, you cannot accurately speak to their motives.
    ^^^^^^

    I’m not speaking to motives the owners have or not have.
    I’m not even saying they have motives.

    Don’t try to bully me with that statement.

    The fans pay lots of money for a product. When the product is poor and the fans don’t see a willingness by ownership to improve that product then the fans deserve answers and accountability.

    Mr. T had a saying ; “I pity the fools.”

  89. Senor Harry in Costa Rica Says:

    “…I have inside intell that the Bucs are talking to Jon Gruden.”
    – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
    that would definitely send the Bucs into another are of the “lost decade”.

  90. Sal Volatile Says:

    Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
    January 2nd, 2026 at 4:51 pm
    ^^^^^
    If you went out to eat and the meal you were served made you sick, what would you do ?

    Would you pay for it ?

    If you had already paid for it then what would you do ?

    Would you go back there the next week ?

    Would you want to give the owner and/or cook a piece of your mind ?

    Would you want answers and accountability ?

    Would you want to sue the business ?

    What would you do if the owner and/or cook refused to speak to you ?

    How would you feel if you kept seeing or hearing advertisements about the establishment touting their great food ?

  91. Senor Harry in Costa Rica Says:

    @Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
    “Quite frankly, I’d be a little pissed off is this is the game the put together a complete-ish game and we still miss the playoffs.”
    – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

    You make a very good point WBL. That would seriously piss me off. Bucs play well and win, But ATL beats NO, so the Bucs just shat all over themselves the past 8 weeks.

  92. Baking with the next one Says:

    That’s how much the national media pays attention. SMH

    7-10 is coming. The bleeding ends tomorrow before 9pm.

  93. Sal Volatile Says:

    Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
    January 2nd, 2026 at 4:51 pm
    ^^^^^

    How would you feel if both the owner and cook refused to speak with you but had the waitress do the dirty work ?

  94. Sal Volatile Says:

    Jmarkbuc Says:
    January 2nd, 2026 at 3:08
    While we would like to think that they serve the community, the bottom line is it’s a business, they’re here to make money, they sell a product.
    ^^^^^
    You are absolutely correct.
    That comment leads me to believe that the meal being served settles well in the tummy.

  95. Senor Harry in Costa Rica Says:

    “(the Glazers) owe a full explanation to the public they serve. Just like an elected politician.”
    – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

    Sal, my brother, please put down the crack pipe. It is truly distorting your sense of reality.

    The Bucs are a private business, and therefor, have no obligation to the public for this awful team. This was demonstrated for years by Culverhouse, the previous owner. It continues to be proven by the actions of the Browns, Bengals, Jets, etc. Their poor fans have been suffering for many years.

    In the example you use of the restaurant with bad food, and just like with the Bucs, the customers only recourse is to quit financially supporting these establishments.

  96. Sal Volatile Says:

    Busted again.

    For the commenter that thinks I have a fundamental lack of understanding of what’s going on I ask this.

    Are you willing to eat the bad food ?

    After it’s just a business trying to make money and it’s your money they want.

  97. Sal Volatile Says:

    Mr. T was so right.

    I’m not wasting any more time with fools.

  98. Dubcity6 Says:

    How many more DCs will JL get fired, over under at 3

  99. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Sal

    Don’t know if you’ve been paying attention but politicians aren’t even pretending to be obligated to their constituents. Even though they should be.

    Owners of a business, on the other hand, are not obligated to do anything other than provide a product or service. You don’t have to purchase any of it. They aren’t elected by the people. There isn’t going to be some mea culpa. Only a business decision. Hopefully including the termination of the man they put in charge of running the team, selecting the coach and allowing what has transpired, along with said coach and staff.

    Surely you understand that.

    Your angle reads more like ridiculous theatrics.

  100. Tom Petty Says:

    Here’s a possibility…. The Bucs click against all odds on offense and defense and make a deep run or win the SB 😳

    I know I know crazy talk but it WOULD be the most surprising run in NFL history. All you need is a 4 game win streak right ?

    Let’s go Bucs 💪🏼🏈

  101. Alanbucsfan Says:

    Right now, Tyler Shough may be the best QB in NFC South
    Go Saints Sunday only

  102. Sal Volatile Says:

    Read what Joe says very carefully. Only the intellectually challenged would not see and understand the meaningfulness of his words.
    ********
    The Bucs did damage all right — damage to their reputations, damage to the Tampa community and damage to Team Glazer’s revenue streams at The Licht House.

    Well done, gentlemen!
    ********
    Well said Joe.

  103. HC Grover Says:

    Will the second half become a Fan Stampede?

  104. SOFIERCE Says:

    Can we start talking about the draft now?

  105. Tom Petty Says:

    Sal Volatile Says:
    January 2nd, 2026 at 5:34 pm
    Mr. T was so right.

    I’m not wasting any more time with fools.

    And yet here you are…. “Pity the fool” 😂

  106. Sal Volatile Says:

    Senor Harry must have Googled Hugh Culverhouse after I mentioned him in several of my posts. You’re a day late and a dollar short Harry.

  107. Sal Volatile Says:

    Tom Petty Says:
    January 2nd, 2026 at 6:08 pm
    ^^^^

    Fair enough. But points needed to be made.

  108. Rod Munch Says:

    It all comes down to one man. If Baker shows up, finally plays a good game for the first time in months, then the Bucs win. If Baker is what he has been, then the Bucs lose 13-10, and every article is about how the defense and special teams didn’t get the job done.

  109. FortMyersDave Says:

    Canales is not a genius on offense but he will try to do what worked last time, throw to T McMillan and it will probably work because the Bucs CBs will get burned again. Bryce Young will have zero pressure and complete over 80% of his passes (he normall is a 50 to 55% guy) and he will also scramble for first downs. Canales will try to control the clock and that will not be hard as the Bucs will be awful on 3rd down D and will not be able to get off of the field. Bucs make enough mistakes on O and Carolina wins 23-19. Bucs chasing points after missing 2 point conversions will be a factor. A Bucs kick or punt gets blocked. Unlike a lot of people who seem to put Canales in a class with Coen, I am not sold on Canales, enthusiastic guy with mediocre play calling ability but that is enough to beat Bowles in what should be his last game as HC….

  110. Bucsalltheway Says:

    Let’s talk draft what would you think of drafting gunner stockton at qb to replace baker after a few years dude is the same size and faster and similar play style and he is tough absorbs hits I think he would make a good understudy qb for mayfield over suicide ball teddy…

  111. DBS Says:

    Funny watching someone with no life post all day. On top of that can’t make up their mind. It’s Baker. No it’s Bowles and the garbage defense that has been the same . No it’s the Defense and ST. No is Bowles, Licht, and Baker. No it’s the entire team.

  112. buccintimeforchanges Says:

    The Buccaneers Retirement Home – Welcome all dinosaurs and losers!

    We pay you to suck! We have a GM that has a career losing record! We have a head coach that also has a losing record. We love losers here at the GLAZERS HQ.

    All losers apply at OBP! We love losers!

  113. gotbbucs Says:

    Need a convincing loss tomorrow for the greater good of the franchise.

  114. Vanessa Anne Says:

    MeThinks prickly Pete Prisco has lost his mind.

    I just don’t see us winning tomorrow.

    (Unfortunately)

  115. Southern BucLife Says:

    FAITH

    Well I guess it would be nice
    If I could torch your Defense
    I know not everybody has a Defense like yours
    Oh but I gotta be nice
    Before I give my strategy away
    And I know all the 4th quarter games you LOSE
    Because we lose them too
    Oh, but I need some time off from that 4th quarter collapse
    Time to pick up my heart from the floor
    Oh when that Defense breaks down without devotion
    Well it takes a strong COACH baby
    But I’m showing you the door

    We gotta fire TODD TODD TODD
    we gotta have FAITH
    Because we gotta fire TODD TODD TODD
    we gotta fire TODD TODD TODD

  116. Buc1987 Says:

    Fire Bowles!!!

  117. Sal Volatile Says:

    And Culverhouse, says Joe Henderson, a Tampa Tribune columnist at the time, “was a horrible human being. He cared about the bottom line, and nothing else.” Young, who had spent two years quarterbacking the Los Angeles Express of the upstart United States Football League, came to Tampa in 1985 and was thunderstruck by the incompetence. “I remember at one point I called my dad and said, ‘I think I’m just gonna go to law school,’” Young recalls. “‘I don’t wanna do this.’
    ^^^^^^^
    With Bo Jackson the Bucs Were Once Handed a Unicorn Running Back. Here’s How They Blew It.
    Fresh off of winning the Heisman at Auburn, he was destined for Tampa—until a slapstick franchise and a bullying owner mucked it all up.
    Jeff Pearlman | Oct 27, 2022 Sports Illustrated
    Excerpted from the book THE LAST FOLK HERO: The Life and Myth of Bo Jackson, by Jeff Pearlman. Copyright © 2022 by Jeff Pearlman. From Mariner Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
    ^^^^^^^

    After 30 years here in Florida and celebrating the Malcolm Glazer purchase of the Bucs I think his children do owe the fans a face to face explanation of how they could have allowed this season to happen. Especially after putting out the documentary that apparently portrays themselves as being dedicated to winning. They OWE IT to the fans.

    Joe mentioned the players on defense bending over for weak opponents. Many of the fans are bending over for the owners.

    I followed this team from the beginning. But I will not become a fan again until the owners stand up, face the fans and make it right.

    I included the link for the above SI story but it may have not been allowed.

  118. Sal Volatile Says:

    A part that I left out of the above post is this. I believe many of the fans have no perspective to put the current situation into context.
    I remember clearly reading my “SI” magazines from afar in Maine. I have stated before why I chose to follow the Bucs beginning 50 years ago. I have a historical perspective as do some others on this site for being skeptical of ownership. Some of the “know it all” commenters on this site have a very myopic view. I say to them; If you like the taste of the turd sandwich you are being fed good for you. The current Bucs situation is bigger than wins and losses. Don’t think it can’t happen. It’s much more than “just a business”.

  119. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Joe it’s not right to let this dude ramble on but fail to let a rebuttal go through. It’s like the Third Reich.

    Or modern day D.C.

  120. Optimistic Says:

    The Bucs are going to be on a mission tomorrow.
    They are going to instill THE FEAR OF THE BUCCANEER in the heads of the Panther players. Bucs are going to win this game going away.
    The Saints are going to ground the Falcons.

  121. Pewter Power Says:

    Only thing working in the Bucs favor is it’s not a night game

  122. Sal Volatile Says:

    Jmarkbuc Says:
    January 2nd, 2026 at 8:42 pm

    I don’t pity this fool.

  123. Rod Munch Says:

    The last four games…

    Vs Saints… Baker throws for 122 yards and an INT, has the ball in his hands, 2 mins left, time outs left, on 4th and 4, he throws the ball at Otton’s feet, who has to come back for the ball.

    Vs Atlanta… Baker has a complete 4th quarter meltdown, throwing one of the worst INTs you’ll ever see, then following it up on the next drive, knowing if the Bucs punt the ball the game is over… Baker has an easy 3rd down pass, something any high school QB can make, and he misses. If he hits that easy throw, the Bucs run out the clock and win the game.

    Vs Carolina… Baker throws for 145 yards. On the last drive, the Bucs are already in FG range, when Baker tries to force the ball to Evans, who had stumbled on the play and wasn’t open. BTW, for those who claim Evans did anything wrong on the play, watch the replay, he’s already turned up field when Baker still has the ball in his hands. In any case, I don’t blame Baker for the INT, clearly him and Mike were not on the same page – but what I do blame Baker for is making the throw at all. Watch the ALL22 and Baker has two guys on the right side of the field wide open, one for at least a 10 yard gain and one for probably a 20 yard gain. He had an easy throw to make, and instead made a risky throw when there was no need to do so.

    Vs Miami… Baker has three turnovers and puts up 10 points before a garbage time score bails out his stat line. Baker needed to have a big day with the playoffs on the line, and instead he has one of his worst games.

    What has been the problem in these last four games?

    Baker Mayfield.

    If he played at an even low-end starting QB level, the Bucs win all four of those games. For all the talk about the team and Bowles, etc – the loses are all on Baker. He’s been terrible. Four loses in a row with 1st place in the division on the line.

  124. BPBucsfan Says:

    Has CBS been watching the Bucs lately? Clean house and start over. Just get Baker a competent OC like he had last year, and he’ll be fine. Attempt to bolster O &D line through draft and free agency.

  125. Rod Munch Says:

    BPBucsfan Says:
    January 2nd, 2026 at 11:16 pm
    Has CBS been watching the Bucs lately? Clean house and start over. Just get Baker a competent OC like he had last year, and he’ll be fine. Attempt to bolster O &D line through draft and free agency.

    ———

    Yes, Baker loses 5 games in a row with 1st place on the line, 8 of his last 9, plays like trash for 2+ months, but clean house of everyone but him. LOL!

    The Baker Boi(s) and their fantasy world they live in.

  126. firethecannons Says:

    Bucs going to win, then Falcons win and Panthers in the playoffs then they win the superbowl.

  127. Aqualung Says:

    People expecting this Bloweszo regressing mess to win are out of their fargin minds.

    And it won’t matter. Thanks to his bloweszoness not having the capability of pulling the mess he creates every year out of the ditch this time, the Falcons will win, giving the Panthies the 8-9 division winner embarrassment and the Belowszo Bucs finish 3rd in the worst division in football.

  128. HeavyE Says:

    No faith, in baker….. where’s the baker poll???? (Oh that’s right he’s hurt) start Bazelak and will win this game…. baker will throw two INT’s today bank on it!

  129. HC Grover Says:

    Can they beat the Falcons for the Stainks?

  130. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Whack job Sal..

    Changes need to be made. The GM and Coach should be let go.

    Owners can’t be fired. That’s the thing about ownership.

    I certainly don’t need your pity, I know how to think rationally. You should get your hormones checked.

  131. Southern BucLife Says:

    PURPLE RAIN

    Are we gonna let Coach Bowels let us down
    Oh no lets go !
    We are all excited, don’t know why
    Maybe,it’s because TODD gonna fry

    And when he do
    What’s it all for
    You better fire him now before the Glazers come knocking @ your door.

    Are we gonna let Coach BOWELS let us down
    On NO LETS GO !!

    LETS GO CRAZY

    TODD gonna make everything sprite
    Will make everything go wrong

    Hang tough Buc faithful

    New coach is coming…
    He’s coming…
    Coming….

    TAKE TODD AWAY………..

  132. Marky mark Says:

    sir Rodney is correct. Baker single handedly lost 4′ games. Of course he fails to mention he also won 4 games single handedly. But rod you really should be mad,at Bowles and Licht for not getting 1 or 2 decent back.up QBs. Look at the Dolphins. They benched Tua and put in a 7th rounder. Bucks could have drafted last years ohio state or Notre dame QBs. How,about Kenny picket or Marriota.