“I Think Coach Bowles Wants To Get His Philosophy Back In”
February 4th, 2026
Interesting choice of words from a Bucs legend not named Rondé Barber.
Father Dungy, aka Tony Dungy, the former Bucs head coach (1996-2001), hopped on WDAE radio today and was asked about what’s next for the Bucs after a disappointing season.
Dungy’s response seemed to imply head coach Todd Bowles wants more of the ground-and-pound attack that Dungy believed in when he coached Tampa Bay.
“I think Coach Bowles wants to get his philosophy back in. I think we’re going to see them running the ball well, get that defense a little more forceful,” Dungy said. “But I think the sky’s the limit. I really do. I think we can be a good team. I think we can compete for the division title and do some things. I’m fired up for this year.”
(It’s cool how Dungy still refers to the Bucs as “we.”)
Dungy’s comments about the run game immediately threw Joe’s mind back to Sunday, Dec. 21.
Joe sat that afternoon in a Davis Islands bar watching the Bucs run the ball 33 times at Carolina and lose. Afterwards, seemingly everyone at One Buc Palace, including Bowles, talked about how running 30-plus times against Carolina was a strategy — one that usually guarantees a win.
Was that the Bowles “philosophy” to which Dungy is referring?
One would think Bowles was more heavy-handed in the offense’s plan that week because it was the first game after his historic outburst — and because the Bucs had more time to prepare as the game followed a Thursday night loss to Atlanta.
Regardless, Dungy said he thinks the Bucs are close and might just be a pass rusher and offensive line stability away from being great.
What do the Bucs need, Tony?
“Guys who can create pressure without blitzing, and then you can augment that,” Dungy said. “I think that’s what’s needed. If I were there, that’s what I would be looking for in this draft and free agency.”
February 4th, 2026 at 3:55 pm
Oh Yes! The perfect season coming up! Bowlzoville.
February 4th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
Amen Tony. You understand the value of creating pressure with the front four. As a result you became the architect of the Tampa Two, but it should’ve been called the Tampa Four thanks to Sapp, Booger, Culpepper & Rice. Those guys created havoc up front!
February 4th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
Obviously Dungy is right about what is needed for the D… it was needed last offseason. I suppose they tried with Reddick, Walker and Roberts as well as a couple CBs.
Didn’t pan out unfortunately, but if they plan on Joey Bosa and David Walker fixing it next season… fire everyone.
Bowles philosophy is a huge part of the Bucs problem. Playing scared of turnovers, running the ball, counting on the D to produce takeaways. Doesn’t work!
Change your practice and conservative philosophies Todd, and stay the hell away from the Offense. Fixed it for you Tony.
February 4th, 2026 at 4:03 pm
Running the football 33 times was an excellent strategy against Carolina
The problem was running the wrong guy with the football
For some reason they were feeding Bucky the ball
While neglecting Rachaad White for the most part
Bucky was their worst RB all of last season
Rachaad White was clearly their best RB in 2025
February 4th, 2026 at 4:06 pm
Dungy is spot on. I’d like to see Bowles be a man of his word and play killer instinct in EVERY phase of the game, why would anyone be content with a ground and pound when you have weapons that can light up the board? Ground and pound on the defensive side of the ball and when running out the clock to seal the win. Running the ball is basic to the game of football and needs to be done well but it also needs to be done in various ways. I don’t remember us running many if any draw plays last year, we had the backs to do it. Put as many points as you can on the board, scare the h*** out of the opponents OC and QB and play the Darth Vader theme every time you step on the field. And use the wide receiver screen sparingly so it at least can be effective.
February 4th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
You can’t have Evans, Godwin, McMillan, and Ebuka and be a running team. Sadly, this may be the end of the road for Mike Evans as a Buc.
February 4th, 2026 at 4:08 pm
Culp and booger only played 1 year toghether and that was 99
February 4th, 2026 at 4:17 pm
The media can cheerlead for Bowles and he can talk all he wants, but the record speaks for itself – he is a career loser
February 4th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
‘what’s next for the Bucs after a disappointing season.’
More disappointment!…. Have you seen how bad IBS is as a coach when he doesn’t have a talented OC to cover up all his short comings… Same HC as the JETs just different location and unis….. Something far more to him keeping his job than resume because his lack of accomplishments should have him unemployed!…
February 4th, 2026 at 4:25 pm
What good is 33 rush attempts when you are down by two scores and chasing points with THAT defense? While I would agree Bucs have to be a good run team this isn’t 1995. Play to your strengths and hide your weaknesses. That’s what good coaches do. I said good coaches. Wish we had one.
February 4th, 2026 at 4:27 pm
We didn’t have a strong Oline and had very little success running the ball all year, yet let’s run it 30+ times as stats say that’s a winning formula. Just dumb.
What is the strength of the team? It certainly wasn’t running the ball. Ray Charles could see that.
And that’s part of the reason Bowles should have been let go imo.
“There is nothing more we can do as coaches” should have sealed his fate.
With that, I’m very hopeful we can turn it around somehow. Draft D front 7 only and spend all the cash on the same in FA.
February 4th, 2026 at 4:29 pm
This is what stupidity does. We are not a running team. Period. We can run but you have four good receivers
Wtf are you doing. This team needs Todd bowles to the stfu amd fix his defense. Thats what he needs to do. Stay out of the offense meetings and fix the dead last mess you created.
Man this pmo today. Go sign real edge players. Go sign veteran lb who can do this system bc im tired of the communication excuses outta him. Im sick of it. Fix the gd defense Todd and stop dropping ppl into coverage. Simplify. Tackle run to the football the end. Im over this sht
February 4th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
’74 Bucs Fan … ‘We didn’t have a strong Oline and had very little success running the ball all year, yet let’s run it 30+ times as stats say that’s a winning formula. Just dumb.’
The Bucs ran the ball 33 times in that game for 169 yards rushing … 5.1 YPC average. Bucky carried it 19 times for 71 yards (3.7 YPC), while Rachaad carried it 5 times for 45 yards (9.0 YPC) and Tuck carried it 4 times for 3 yards (.8 YPC) plus 1 TD. Baker was the winner though … he ran it 4 times for 49 yards (12.3 YPC).
Oh and Baker threw the ball quite well that game (not deep, but well). He was 18-of-26 for 145 yards passing with 1 TD. And oh ya, 1 very critical INT also.
The problem wasn’t running too much; we got 35 minutes TOP which obviously helped the defense. The problem was in the play-calling at times (situational) AND in who carried the ball (Bucky had the lion’s share of the carries, but his 3.7 YPC average pales in comparison to Rachaad’s 9.0 YPC. But then again, last season we saw a LOT from our coordinators playing favorites IMO.
February 4th, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Bowles philosophy is we do what we do which means we will let the other team out game plan us only to make adjustments that are too late
February 4th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
Does anyone have confidence in Todd as the head coach? Why? I don’t. I expect it to be the same crap again.
February 4th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
Say goodbye to Mike – and what remains of the fan base – if Bowles gets his way this team finishes no higher than 3rd in division- they’re delusional and outclassed
February 4th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Running? Running? then tell Mike Evans to find another team you have Baker and alot of money and draft tied up into a really good wr group but going to back to his philosophy to being a running team? The sad thing about it is I think Tony is right about what Todd wants to do, good gracious.
February 4th, 2026 at 5:02 pm
Still talking about running the ball in 2026 huh? Smh…my god this team needs a fresh perspective and new blood from top to bottom. Is Dungy aware that Bowles has been HC 5 years and has had plenty of time to “get his philosophy in”?
February 4th, 2026 at 5:06 pm
Bowles wants to get his running philosophy back? This can’t be the same Bowles who was afraid to try to run for a two point conversion against Kansas City to win the game on one play as time was expiring but instead went for one and gave the Chiefs the opportunity to win which they did and We became a laughing stock !I hope that is not the philosophy he’s talking about!
February 4th, 2026 at 5:11 pm
If you’re loaded with talent AND depth at wide receiver and you choose to run a lot, you don’t deserve to be a head coach. Fact.
February 4th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
Bowles needs to stay out of Robinson’s way. Worry about his garbage defense, leave the offensive game plan alone. Tony, and Bowles are stuck in the past. Look at the last HC hires. Kubiac, Mike LeFeur, Brady, offensive coaches in their 30’s. Get off my lawn old man. Bowles old school way is being lapped my todays offenses. Get with it, or get out!
February 4th, 2026 at 5:22 pm
It’s like Jason Licht and Todd Bowles don’t even talk.
Licht blows his limited cash wad on 2 $20M+ WRs and his 1st round pick on a WR. Todd doesn’t want to pass the ball.
This front office is elite.
February 4th, 2026 at 5:32 pm
Dungy was great in his day…but he was told hands off the offense with the Colts for a reason.
February 4th, 2026 at 5:33 pm
As always, the goal with the offense should be balanced…or close to it. Being a mainly running team means close games, and I’ve had enough of that!
February 4th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Y’all don’t want to have a consistent run game?
Seahawks rank 3rd in attempts, 10th in yards, & 9th in rush TDs
Patriots rank 6th in attempts, 6th in yards, & 4th in rush TDs
It’s the foundation for winning offenses, and if I’m not mistaken the best years of Bakers career he’s been on teams that run the ball considerably well.
And this…
“Guys who can create pressure without blitzing, and then you can augment that,” Dungy said. “I think that’s what’s needed. If I were there, that’s what I would be looking for in this draft and free agency.”
Starts from the inside out. Looking like beef is back on the menu
February 4th, 2026 at 5:40 pm
Change from the double arm cross technique?
February 4th, 2026 at 5:51 pm
Bowles wants to get back to running the ball more…
Rushing attempts over the past 4 years
2022 – 386 – 1308 yards – 3.7ypc – Leftwich
2023 – 439 – 1509 yards – 3.4ypc – Canales
2024 – 483 – 2536 yards – 5.25ypc – Coen
2025 – 472 – 1947 yards – 4.1ypc – Grizzard
Looks to me like Coens offense was his favorite. It was mine.
Hopefully Coen is telling Robinson what worked for him… since they’re best buds in different conferences.
Robinson knows how to run the ball regardless, but I am curious if he and Coen speak about such things.
February 4th, 2026 at 6:08 pm
It’s a joke. Has to be.
February 4th, 2026 at 6:19 pm
Dungy got run out of town for that exact mentality.
Of course, running the ball well, and force feeding the run are two different things. Im all for running the ball well if the run is working, but im not for running the air out of the ball just for the sake of doing it.
February 4th, 2026 at 6:32 pm
Wasting away in ToddBowzoVille.
February 4th, 2026 at 6:35 pm
Runing the ball 30+ times a game guarantees victory in Bowles mind.
Just in case we better make it 40+ per game.
Make it make sense.
3rd and 28
February 4th, 2026 at 6:57 pm
ARE YOU FREAKIN’ KIDDING ME?
We have a wide receiver room 31 other teams would die for.
I have all the respect in the world for Coach Dungy.
But, I sincerely hope he’s offering an educated opinion and not talking based on inside intel.
Fair enough, that we need a solid run game. It can help in a lot of ways.
But, with our WR room, anything less than making it our primary offensive weapon is borderline insanity.
February 4th, 2026 at 6:57 pm
Nope Dungy you lost all your credibility. I think you should save it for Sunday night football. Some just aren’t meant to be head coaches and Bowles falls in that category. Fans here get upset when you say Bowles is mediocre what is 35-33 even with the division titles
February 4th, 2026 at 6:58 pm
we have 4 stud receivers and we want to worry about running the football…
Can we please just go out and win quit. The dude needs to adapt to the team
February 4th, 2026 at 7:01 pm
What do those big words mean?
February 4th, 2026 at 7:31 pm
3rd and 28. He should stay in his lane. Imagine are record if he brings down the offense to the same level as his defense.
February 4th, 2026 at 7:47 pm
Our run game is gonna do great things this season. Great things. Because Baker Mayfield is the number one gunslinger in this league and Baker and Zac Robinson know it. And they know they have weapons the likes of which nobody else in the league has. The new kid from Indiana is in Tampa because of Robinson and will add a stud coach to an offense that is fixing to break loose like a wild horse. So, conversely, defenses will have to sell out trying to keep Baker and the boys from hanging 50 tds and 5000 yards passing. And the run game will bring us on home. Oughta be more fun than a barrel of monkeys and I ain’t whistling Dixie.
February 4th, 2026 at 7:58 pm
The old school philosophy of running the ball to control the game is not the best pathway to success in the NFL (or College).
The NYJ & SEA had the exact same amount of rushing yards this year, with the Jets averaging more per carry….But SEA is going to the Super Bowl & the Jets are studying film for who they are going to take with the #2 pick.
NE & NYG were within 4yds of = each others rushing yardage output during the regular season…But again, vasty different results on the field.
The ONLY THING THAT MATTERS is scoring more points than your opponent.
It doesn’t matter how you get there, as long as you get there.
What Todd needs to do is get the F out of the way of the O & get his D back to stopping teams from scoring…Stop Rookie & BU QB’s from kicking his arse…Stop depending on his “prevent” 4th QTR D – which doesn’t stop anyone anymore. He needs to fix his side of the ball instead of asking the other side to slow down to keep the opponents O off the field – because his D can’t stop them.
February 4th, 2026 at 8:01 pm
Glazer just reported Crosby is done with the raiders. I swear on god Jason if you dont
February 4th, 2026 at 8:12 pm
As long as Todd is the HC, Baker will continue to play hurt and reckless.
We need to draft a good prospect at QB. Because
2026 defense is RINSE AND REPEAT.
2027 Robinson HC
Let’s go!!!!!!
February 4th, 2026 at 8:27 pm
Generic comments by Dungy
Of course you need a good/decent run game even in a pass happy league. Without at least the threat of the run you’re going to face extra bodies in coverage so…..
And I’m sure Todd wants to get his defense being more “forceful”. It’s possible but we’re going to need some more talent = dline, ilb especially.
February 4th, 2026 at 9:25 pm
Todd 3rd & 28.
February 4th, 2026 at 9:33 pm
“That’s right, Coach Dungy. You tell them. With all this talk about a record 10 head coach openings and no black coaches selected, why don’t “we” get credit for keeping ours when he didn’t deserve it!? And I saved a few, uh, BUCks in the process!” – Hugh
February 4th, 2026 at 9:36 pm
So basically he’s saying they should take the ball out of Baker’s hands. Hard to argue with that when he single handedly lost 4 games in a row and cost the Bucs a playoff spot.
February 4th, 2026 at 9:54 pm
I am 100% with Ufc on this! Let’s immediately talk about what a package would look like for Max Crosby! The Bucs absolutely need some veteran help on this front 7 this offseason. It can’t all come from the draft and we won’t always strike lightning in a bottle like Shaq Barrett. “Hi this is Jason Licht calling for John Spytek please….”
February 4th, 2026 at 10:07 pm
Crosby wants to play for Mike Vrable, or Dan Campbell types. People with fire and accountability.
He will not want to play for Pillsbury Dough Boy soft Todd Bowles.
February 4th, 2026 at 10:08 pm
There goes ButtMunch again, blah, blah, blah
February 4th, 2026 at 10:41 pm
I get that running the ball is super important, but why have 4 WRs if thr focus is running the ball obssessively. Like why not say something like, “the strength of this team is the oline and depth at WR. The focus will be to get the ball into our playmakers, creating mismatches, scheming players open, balancing that with an explosive run game”. If Bowles is truely focused on running the ball muvh more then it goes to show he has really no clue what the stregnth of this team is and has already lost the 2026 season. Just another reason to hate Bowles.
February 4th, 2026 at 10:43 pm
“Just a piece or two away” no! many pieces away and a new defensive coordinator needed as well!
February 4th, 2026 at 11:06 pm
“Compete for the division”
Instead of “I am that man” Licht and Todd should have that printed on all the walls.
The NFC is wide open and these guys think it’s 10 years ago.
February 4th, 2026 at 11:18 pm
Bucs should look at adding Jeff Stoutland to the offensive staff.
Philllys OL coach the last 13 years. Dude put together some awesome lines..
February 4th, 2026 at 11:29 pm
Guys who can create pressure without blitzing, and then you can augment that
– and guys who can stay reasonably healthy.
Dungy is right and that’s why big changes are needed on front Defensive 7 and OLine Depth.
The offensive coaching hires are very positive. Bucs need to make same good decisions with Defensive coaches hiring.
February 4th, 2026 at 11:37 pm
So Bowles wants to focus on a ground and pound offense when he has a strong armed QB that can make all the throws and throw on the move to one of if not the best receiving corps in the league. His group of running backs is a bit questionable and in need of help. His #1 RB is undersized and doesn’t seem best suited to smash mouth football.
On the other hand he runs a 3-4 defense that may be too complex in design for the players to comprehend and consistently execute their assignments properly and rely on instincts and trust of others to be in position to make plays. This 3-4 system will only flourish with solid sack producing outside linebackers that the coaching staff can’t seem to develop or Jason can draft.
That seems to me to be just the opposite of what is really needed but what do I know.
Perhaps Bowles is a bit confused.
February 5th, 2026 at 12:10 am
One more thing; players that are poor tacklers are players that are unwilling to tackle. You know they all know how to tackle.
February 5th, 2026 at 4:47 am
The defense has been bad for 2 years. This is like expecting the Lovie Smith and the Mike Smith schemes to suddenly work. The fact that Kirk Cousins has consistently SHREDDED Bowles defense puts him in the same category as the Smith Brothers.
February 5th, 2026 at 4:49 am
Rod Munch Says:
February 4th, 2026 at 9:36 pm
So basically he’s saying they should take the ball out of Baker’s hands. Hard to argue with that when he single handedly lost 4 games in a row and cost the Bucs a playoff spot.
^^^^^^^^^^
Yes, Bowles and his “Bend AND Break” defense had NOTHING to do with it. Eyeroll.
February 5th, 2026 at 6:19 am
I’m missing something in some of these comments I guess. Todd Bowles’ history doesn’t really equate to him being a ‘ground & pound’ enthusiast. He appears to be looking for better ‘balance’ so that the Run Game can keep the opposing defense ‘honest’. We’ve seen far too often what happens to our Passing Game when defenses tee off on Baker.
Todd’s been a HC for 8 years total. Look at the percentage of Run Attempts (as compared to Total Plays) and the average YPC for each of those seasons:
o 2025-Bucs (8-9): 472 Rushes-1068 Plays-44.2% (4.1 YPC)
o 2024-Bucs (10-7): 483 Rushes-1094 Plays-44.1% (5.3 YPC)
o 2023-Bucs (9-8): 439 Rushes-1047 Plays-41.9% (3.4 YPC)
o 2022-Bucs (8-9): 386 Rushes-1159 Plays-33.3% (3.4 YPC)
o 2018-Jets (4-12): 410 Rushes- 971 Plays- 42.2% (4.0 YPC)
o 2017-Jets (5-11): 427 Rushes- 984 Plays- 43.4% (4.0 YPC)
o 2016-Jets (5-11): 418 Rushes-1003 Plays-41.7% (4.3 YPC)
o 2015-Jets (10-6): 448 Rushes-1074 Plays-41.7% (4.2 YPC)
So Todd ran the most (483 times) during his best season (2024) here as Bucs HC, and he ran the most (448 times) during his best season (2015) as Jets HC. Those were also the 2 years when his Run Game generated the most yards (2536 yds in 2024 and 1868 yds in 2015) with each team and helped them to their best records.
Tend to think that what Bowles really wants is the CAPABILITY to have a solid Run Game AND a solid Passing Game such that the two capabilities can complement each other. Keep the opposing defenses off-balance IOW. Some games may call for going heavier in the Run Game (bad weather, weak run-stopping defense, etc). Some will surely call for stressing the Passing Game (weak Pass Defense, etc). But having the CAPABILITY provides FLEXIBILITY, and that’s a very nice thing for OCs to have.
February 5th, 2026 at 6:20 am
If they run more his misery is over sooner.
February 5th, 2026 at 9:39 am
I really kinda dread this next season. If the Bucs do manage to cut down on the injuries & play decent football and say post a 10 -7 record next season then Bowles will say see i was right, the clueless GM will take his victory lap the Glaziers will send the profits to Manchester & Buc Fans get the other end of the stick. Hope a 10-7 ceiling ( which is probably wishful thinking) .Will win the mighty NFC SOUTH it.might not.
February 5th, 2026 at 9:55 am
Sure Tony, double down on antiquated philosophy that doesn’t work authored by Turtle Todd. Brilliant.
February 5th, 2026 at 10:55 am
Can we put this in perspective. I’m frustrated too with how the 2025 season went. But crying about Bowles being retained isn’t going to do anything. Get over it. Todd has another year to turn it around.
Bowles has the 3rd best winning percentage as the Bucs head coach. Better than Gruden.
Bruce Arians (2019–2021): .633 (31–18)
Tony Dungy (1996–2001): .563 (54–42)
Todd Bowles (22-current) 35-33 (.515)
Jon Gruden (2002–2008): .509 (57–55)
Dirk Koetter (2016–2018): .396 (19–29)
Sam Wyche (1992–1995): .359 (23–41)
John McKay (1976–1984): .335
Greg Schiano (2012–2013): .344 (11–21)
Lovie Smith (2014–2015): .250 (8–24)
February 5th, 2026 at 11:22 am
Yes Stan, the fans should be fine with losing, Bowles has had 2 losing seasons out of 4. Why should anyone demand anything more than mediocrity? The Bucs coach doesn’t, so why should we? The Glazers are fine with having a terrible defense, a terrible HC, so I am too.
February 5th, 2026 at 11:39 am
Of Course, the ground and pound got Dungy fired because it doesn’t generate enough points.
February 5th, 2026 at 2:19 pm
Wait – the “coach it better, play it better” is coming back in again next year?
February 5th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
Love Dungy, and I’m not sure his excitement of 3 yards and a cloud of dust will be received by fans lol
I kinda like it. Be the more physical team
February 5th, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Joe let’s watch a game together next year at Anchor bar
February 5th, 2026 at 5:27 pm
Bowles Wasn’t Held Accountable Says:
February 5th, 2026 at 11:22 am
Yes Stan, the fans should be fine with losing, Bowles has had 2 losing seasons out of 4. Why should anyone demand anything more than mediocrity? The Bucs coach doesn’t, so why should we? The Glazers are fine with having a terrible defense, a terrible HC, so I am too.
Where did I say or even imply that I was okay with mediocrity? I even said I understood the frustration. The fact is that he was retained. Neither of us had anything to do with that choice. I’m just saying to accept it and move on and quit acting like a child that didn’t get their way.
February 6th, 2026 at 5:28 pm
Poor Tony is getting old and can’t see very well.
No one get him glasses. Let him believe what he sees.