Zac Robinson Coy On Why His Atlanta Offense Tore Up Todd Bowles’ Defense
January 28th, 2026
Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
One way to get back at a division rival (other than your quarterback calling out its coach) is to lift a good assistant from that team.
And that’s what the Bucs just did. And not just an assistant, a guy that had been a major thorn in the side of Bucs coach Todd Bowles in the four games and two seasons Zac Robinson was offensive coordinator in Atlanta.
People at his introductory press conference yesterday at One Buc Palace wanted to know why Robinson’s Dixie Chicks offense had so much success against Bowles’ defense. Atlanta under Robinson simply lit up Bowles’ defenders.
In the four games Robinson faced a Bowles defense, the Dixie Chicks averaged 444 yards of offense.
Robinson was asked about this and he played the ol’ “Aw gee, shucks” routine of how difficult it is to have success against a Bowles defense. He said he lost a lot of sleep preparing to tangle with Bowles.
In a sidebar session after the press conference with the local pen and mic club, Joe wanted to know. What did he do — or what did Bowles’ defense not do — whereby Robinson’s Atlanta offense had wildly successful games. Was it scheme? Was it a mismatch? Was Robinson able to exploit a weakness? What was it?
The following is Robinson’s verbatim, word-for-word answer to Joe’s question.
“I think those games are so challenging and so close and it comes down to a couple of plays here and there that — I mean, there were plays where I was like, ‘Man, they’ve got us right here,'” Robinson said.
“It was a great back and forth, in all those games. Like the first game of the [2025] season. I mean they got after us pretty good. Had to reset and take a look at some things.
“I would say it was players executed really well in those games. They did a great job.
“But there was nothing from a scheme standpoint, it was very difficult to scheme against Coach Bowles. Those games were a good battle. And I’m glad to be on the other side of it now.”
Joe typed the following before, but Joe has to doff his cap to Robinson. He’s got a knack for gliding away from a direct question he would rather not answer.
Joe sure hopes that when Bowles interviewed Robinson for the Bucs’ offensive coordinator position, Bowles asked Robinson straight up what Robinson saw in his defense and how and why did he attack it the way he did, with tremendous success.
It’s known in the football world as “self-scouting.” Joe hopes Bowles did a lot of that with Robinson. Because there is no question based on the last two seasons that Robinson has Bowles’ defense figured out.
Bucs' new OC Zac Robinson excited to work with QB Baker Mayfield: "His ability to throw on the run, he’s probably the best in the league."#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/QVA1eQJPLn
— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) January 28, 2026
January 28th, 2026 at 7:05 am
Yeah OK…. LOL
I mean he can’t really tell the truth there can he?
January 28th, 2026 at 7:24 am
“Zac Robinson Coy On Why His Atlanta Offense Tore Up Todd Bowles’ Defense”
Simple: Everyone’s offense tore up Todd Bowles defense.
January 28th, 2026 at 7:29 am
It’s really not that complicated.
Good OCs know their own teams/players strengths and weaknesses then they design a game plan that will take advantage of the defenses perceived weaknesses…
January 28th, 2026 at 7:34 am
EVERYONE has it figured out.
January 28th, 2026 at 7:39 am
He saw what we all see. Soft middle, confused players running around, edge rushers dropping back to play safety, pathetic ST kick coverage, a sideline stiff wondering what time it was. All the did was wait for the Bowzo Blunder then go for it.
January 28th, 2026 at 7:59 am
HC Grover, you pretty much summed it up.
January 28th, 2026 at 8:02 am
Did the question really need to be asked?
Maybe you should have asked differently..”you’re offense in a Atl was average against every team in the NFL except Bowles Bucs, why was that?”
Well at least the Glazer boys have everyone talking offense. Meanwhile nothing has changed eith the head man in charge of the defense. Unless Mr Robinson cant be better than Liam and put up 35 a game, it will be another season of shoulda, woulda, coulda
January 28th, 2026 at 8:05 am
The REAL question is whether or not Coach Bowles wil listen to him about how he can improve his defense.
January 28th, 2026 at 8:12 am
“I mean, there were plays where I was like, ‘Man, they’ve got us right here,’” Robinson said.” Until they didn’t. 3rd and 28. No problem.
January 28th, 2026 at 8:14 am
What Marine Buc said.
In the larger picture, no one should be surprised that Zac isn’t answering the question directly. It’s too soon.
I’m not a huge fan of Todd as our HC, but the guy isn’t dumb and he has enough self-awareness to realize that yeah, he needs to do a deep dive on that conversation with Zac.
Joe, the challenge for you and the rest of the media will be to listen carefully to the off-the-cuff comments Todd and Zac make over the next few months, on things totally unrelated to each other, or how Atlanta was able to light our D up.
If they’re smart, no one at One Buc Place will ever spill the full beans on that because it would tip off everyone else on how to game plan against us.
But if the media slowly chips away at it over the next few months, eventually the details will come out piece by piece.
Finally, if I was Jason or Todd, I’d hold off on that conversation for a couple of weeks so Zac doesn’t feel like he’s being ambushed. He seems like he’s a smart guy. He knew walking into the interview that it would come up and be something he’d have to go into detail about if he got the job. Let the guy get settled in.
Now if we could just hire a DC…
January 28th, 2026 at 8:20 am
I like the Robinson hire but if this football thing doesn’t work out, he’s got a future in public office. The only reason he would’ve lost sleep over Bowles’ defense would be the excitement of whether he could pass for 400 or even 500 yards on it.
January 28th, 2026 at 8:28 am
Slow linebackers, that’s why. Let’s make sure we draft fast ones great in pass coverage and pure tackling. There’s lots of excellent LB’ers in this draft!
January 28th, 2026 at 8:31 am
There is no question giving what we saw the stats and rankings that most the NFL world has figured out bowels defense. There is 17 teams he can call to get the answer but if it has gotten down to that for him trying to figure out whats wrong with his own defense then why the f is he still here.
January 28th, 2026 at 8:46 am
Just read an interesting tidbit for all who wonder why the defense played so badly. Sirvocea Dennis went from a 74.3 PFF coverage grade in limited action in 2024 to a 30.5(!!!) in 2025! I’d throw at him on almost every down.
January 28th, 2026 at 8:49 am
Lavonte David dropped from a 68.6 in 2024 to a 45.1(!!!) so yeah- slow linebackers. Throw at them every down and win.
January 28th, 2026 at 8:49 am
bowles defense is nothing special…not hard to figure out…
just throw to the player thats being covered by a DT lol…
GO BUCS!!!!
January 28th, 2026 at 8:50 am
Didn’t Lovie do the same with Dirk Koetter?
January 28th, 2026 at 9:01 am
Kind of funny. What is he going to say? That his new bosses defense stinks to high heaven and the DC is terrible. Seriously the players are so bad on defense any team can score on them. With Bowles defensive scheme it just makes matters worse.
January 28th, 2026 at 9:19 am
Why wont J@e ask real questions, things we want to know ?
BINGO!!!!
Like, what will Zac do to help baker avoid throwing INTs in the 4th quarter!…
Or how will he adjust his offense once baker gets “injured”…
those are question fans want to know…
GO BUCS!!!!
January 28th, 2026 at 9:24 am
Stpetematt … ‘Slow linebackers, that’s why.’
Yea verily, and that’s a primary reason I still prefer the 4-3 over the 3-4. ILBs with great speed & perfect instincts to provide quality middle pass coverage AND solid run defense for the 3-4 don’t come along all that often. That’s putting a LOT of responsibility on those 2 ILBs.
Todd’s defense has 2 OLBs on the field virtually every play, as well as a Nickel on over half of the plays. Work the defensive snaps numbers & it looks like we only have 2 ‘big dogs’ (OK, interior DLine) on the field on about 25-30% of our defensive snaps. In the words of Wynn Dixie … ‘Where’s the beef?’
Last season Todd tried to ‘increase the beef’ by playing Vea more. He ended up getting a career-high 763 def snaps (73%). Based on Vita’s age & weight, I seriously doubt that he can effectively play anything over 60-65% of the def snaps. And when you watch him on the field on some of those long drives especially you could see why.
Bucs NEED 6 interior DLinemen. Hopefully we’ll sign TWO interior DLine beasts in free agency or the draft. For 2026 I’d keep Vea, Kancey, Roberts & Gaines, but add 2 beasts to fill the other 2 interior DLine needs (filling 1 from each would probably be best). That’d allow us to keep more beef on the field & HOPEFULLY improve the interior pass rush, as well as improve our Run Defense (it actually sucks; the only reason we ranked #5 in Rush Yardage Allowed is because opponents much preferred to pass against us).
Bucs’ defense allowed 16 rushing TDs (ranked #16) and an abysmal 69.8% Red Zone TD percentage (of which 10 TDs were rushing TDs from inside the Red Zone). We did much better at holding opponents to FGs in years past. Bucs need more beef; we’re too light in the loafers.
January 28th, 2026 at 9:25 am
Joe is right he definitely has some political savvy to him. If he was being forthcoming with his answer, there would be a major problem on the first day of his job.
January 28th, 2026 at 9:30 am
Nearly every team had their way with Bowels defense. He just did what the rest of the league did.
January 28th, 2026 at 9:32 am
Such as?
January 28th, 2026 at 9:33 am
Some here should just start their own blog ‘Joe Bucs Fan Critics.com’ and be done with it. Certainly you’d be rolling in tens of viewers and mouth breathers learnin’ them Joes a lesson on how to do it. Smh…….
January 28th, 2026 at 9:36 am
813bucboi “those are questions fans want to know”. You are in the wrong forum 813bucboi. You should be looking for the forum “those are questions dipshlts want to know”.
January 28th, 2026 at 10:03 am
Zak Robinson has to keep the myth alive that somehow Todd B is a “defensive genius.” Zak doing what he can to work with his new HC.
January 28th, 2026 at 10:09 am
Zac: well when our QB has all day to throw due to the lack of edge rush, and the fact that the edge rushers are covering receivers downfield, it makes it pretty easy to put up 500 yards.
Sound about right?
January 28th, 2026 at 10:10 am
Smart move! Never a good idea to throw your boss under the bus. I’m very sure this has been discussed in detail behind closed doors.
January 28th, 2026 at 10:11 am
Joe Says:
Such as?
——————————————————————————-
If Bowles gets fired at the end of this upcoming season, are you interested in being the next head coach for the Bucs?
(just kidding, I know you can’t ask that question) 😉
January 28th, 2026 at 10:56 am
Now Stefanski’s gonna gonna bring the afc ,and run it down their throats, and beat em up in the trenches!
January 28th, 2026 at 10:58 am
The Glazers made a spectacular mistake giving Bowels that extension for no reason at all. He was under contract for another year. Nobody was going to line up and try and poach him away from us so why extend then? They look like fools now. They’re changing all these coaches out but leaving the #1 problem intact. Cowards and incompetence running the show in Tampa these days.
January 28th, 2026 at 11:11 am
Les we forget that the LA Rams have lit us up pretty good over the past 6 years under Todd’s defensive coordinator role (under BA) and head coach/DC role. I seem to recall a certain playoff game at RJS involving Stafford, Kupp and Todd’s defense at the end of the game that didn’t go in our favor.
January 28th, 2026 at 11:15 am
Plant High School could tear up a Bowles defense.
January 28th, 2026 at 11:18 am
A Hail Mary question from Joe and a waste of time. Only an idiot would answer that question.
January 28th, 2026 at 11:33 am
Hi DR! Yup, more DT’s will certainly help this defense and keep everyone fresher. More DT’s, better linebackers are key for this year to come. I hope Licht can make some moves with free agents. Would supplement the draft nicely.
January 28th, 2026 at 11:42 am
I have to hand it to the Joe’s. They know how to throw chum in the water.
“People at his introductory press conference yesterday at One Buc Palace wanted to know why Robinson’s Dixie Chicks offense had so much success against Bowles’ defense. Atlanta under Robinson simply lit up Bowles’ defenders.”
Why you ask??? Really??? It isn’t self evident by now????
Bowles and Licht suck at their jobs and the Glazer kids are clueless.
Take Brady out of the equation and this franchise would look a lot different.
One man was able to lift up multiple frauds and make them look smart.
3rd and 28.
January 28th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
This sounds like a golly gee Boss response by Robinson. I’m sure his response to Todd Bowles was done delicately and with some/lots of tip towing.
His heir should help the defense improve if Todd Bowles swallows his pride and listens.
This has the makings of a great heir. GO BUCS
January 28th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
One other thing- Gaines was pretty awful in his PFF Ratings virtually across the board so we may want to look elsewhere…
January 28th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
I guess all that lost sleep paid off! lol
January 28th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
NOT A MYSTERY!
They NOW have to play nice being on the same staff… NOT fooling any fans… We saw every week how BAD of a HC/DC IBS really is!…
Needs to steal credit from other coaches to deceive others as if he himself is good at his position…
January 28th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
Here is my thoughts
I don’t like Bowles like the rest of you
We are unfortunately stuck this year with him.
I chose to get over it and let it play out the way it’s going to be.
The amount of crying by the same 4 or 5 guys is a little crazy
Miserable is a great word. Try something new if you guys are that unhappy
I would love to read great posts on how to fix this season. Not crying and bitching every post.
January 28th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
Stpetematt … ‘Gaines was pretty awful in his PFF Ratings virtually across the board so we may want to look elsewhere…’
I know. I’m torn about keeping him, but he does have decent size (6’1″ & 312 lbs) & had OK speed for a big guy (5.16 secs in 40). He’ll be 30 this year (May) so 2026 will probably be the last year to keep him (Vea will be 31 next month & this could be his last year with us also). He’s had several good years (look at 2021 & 2022 when he was with the Rams), plus he knows Bowles’ defensive scheme. His issue (I think) is that he’s NOT a real NT (like we use him); I think he’s better suited a little further down the line.
Last season we kept 6 DLinemen on the roster at any one time: Vea, Gaines, Kancey, Roberts, Hall, plus Brewer & Simmons (Kancey missed all but 3 games). I’d keep the first 4 (for 2026), but add 2 more (1 FA & 1 draftee) who are true ‘beasts’. Also not in favor of only fielding 2 DLinemen on most of our defensive plays (that’s a key reason our pass rush sucks; and why we blitz so much to try to generate pressure). And I personally dislike using OLBs in pass defense; too easy for OCs to create mismatches. One of the key reasons I prefer the 4-3.
January 28th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
But the culture guys they needed to keep him to maintain the culture lol
January 28th, 2026 at 1:51 pm
I’m still with DR – like last draft and FA – more D line beef! Big uglys please. First 3 picks were WR CB CB. Made me ill. D line remains a massive need. Come on Jason!
January 28th, 2026 at 1:53 pm
My wife could play CB with a massive, strong, dominant D line. Build front to back. Put that on your wall Jason.
January 28th, 2026 at 3:19 pm
My wife could play with a massive, strong, dominant D line. Build front to back. Hmm. What did you just say?
January 28th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
DR the best defenses are capable of playing both 4-3 and 3-4 these days. Need lots of hybrid style LBers that have bend and can rush from the outside or have speed and can blitz from the inside when playing 3-4. Maybe a couple on the bigger side that can flip to DE for a 4-3 and still stop the run if needed. Styles would be a great ILB for this scheme and Arvell Reese a great OLB. However, there’s lots of excellent choices with high potential out there for a change which is why we could consider taking a DT first if both and CJ Allen are gone when we pick.
January 28th, 2026 at 6:47 pm
What Zac wanted to say was, Hell, everybody had a field day against that sorry A..Buc Defense.
January 28th, 2026 at 8:29 pm
Kenton Smith you and your man crush crew morons would love to hike Baker the ball.
January 28th, 2026 at 8:34 pm
Some of the great defenses had nicknames. We can call Todd’s defense “THE BOWEL MOVEMENT”