Intensity
June 28th, 2026
New attitude?
The kindest word Joe can think to describe the 2025 Bucs defense is “soft.”
Too many Bucs defenders (and frankly, one is too many) quit on Bucs coach Todd Bowles last year. Recent remarks from Bowles himself seem to confirm Joe’s previous stated suspicions dating back to last year.
Not every defensive player threw in the towel or played passive ball. But there were enough to help torpedo the defense.
This offseason, the Bucs focused on bringing in more physical, violent players. Hey, the players may not be Pro Bowlers, but they probably won’t dog it.
Dan Pompei of The Athletic pointed out while the Bucs defense may or may not improve, it shouldn’t lack passion.
Whether the Bucs will be better remains to be seen, but they almost certainly will be more intense. General manager Jason Licht made an effort to acquire players with an edge, including Rueben Bain Jr., Alex Anzalone, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, and A’Shawn Robinson. The newcomers, along with an emphasis by head coach Todd Bowles and his staff, impacted how the Bucs practiced in the offseason. One of their practices that was supposed to be non-contact was a little too intense for the NFL, which docked the Bucs one offseason practice. The team is counting on the enhanced attitude making a difference, especially late in the year, after the Bucs D faded in the final stages of the 2025 season.
Well, the Bucs believe guys playing with intensity and passion and, perhaps, violence on defense is contagious. So, the Bucs reason, holdovers from last year that may not have given 100 percent just might catch the violence bug.
Joe doesn’t disagree with that philosophy. But you know would motivate guys as much if not more? Winning.
Win some games and avoid the annual midseason swoon, and watch how players (on both sides of the ball) react when the wins begin piling up and it seems as if something could be brewing in January.
June 28th, 2026 at 11:16 am
I had serious concerns about Todd Bowles after last season. I wasn’t happy with the direction of the defense, and I said so. But I’m not emotionally invested in being right, I’m invested in seeing our Buccaneers win football games. If Jason Licht identified the problem and built a tougher, more physical defense, then let’s get behind it and see what this group can become.
Are You??
LFG!!
Ring Me Please
June 28th, 2026 at 11:33 am
No matter the attitude on defense, I still believe the Bucs are not playing with a full deck. No matter how intense this defense is, the secondary is still a weak point from a player perspective and from a defensive play calling standpoint. All the intensity in the world can’t help guys that are out of position, can’t communicate, and lack the skill set. Licht needs to find 2 good veteran CBs before the start of the season. As far as Bowles,it is what it is this season. lol.
June 28th, 2026 at 11:40 am
I like the players JL brought in and drafted. My concern as always is Bowles. We have had him as the HC for enough seasons now to know who he is. I think he is soft and ineffective as a leader and the players know this. I think those players are gone now, but that doesn’t excuse Bowles inability to hold people accountable. Getting pissed off and cursing during an interview at everyone after months of mediocrity doesn’t get you there either. You have to set a standard from the beginning and hold everyone accountable. I get these players are men now, but they are still young men that need direction and leadership. You can’t be hands off and then blame the players for not being accountable, like Bowles did recently. There is team accountability (HC owns this) and individual accountability (Players own this). I don’t see Bowles taking accountability and thus why I only see him as a follower. He is no Bruce Arians!
June 28th, 2026 at 12:07 pm
It’s a finesse game played by personal brands promoting themselves on Insta-Tok but it’s still being sold as 1970s steel workers banging heads with western steer rustlers.
Intensity will not win a title.
June 28th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
I think the defense had a defeated attitude and honestly it was the coach who was responsible for that. He let the defense have days off in training camp etc. instead of getting these athletes better trained. He still does that. Bowles has many year in this league with a less than mediocre record to show for it. I like what we did in the off season but Bowles will find a way to squander his good fortune like he does every year.
June 28th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
Enough with the cut and paste articles!
June 28th, 2026 at 1:04 pm
The deficiencies on D last year started with talent and ended with character. Starting a RD5 player and fan favorite vet that was done at ILB was crushing. And outside of VV, who was there up front – nobody. Hall, Gaines, other low round picks and UDFA’s. Those guys may be able to start but only in Tampa. And the guys that packed it in? Reddick. Winfield. McCullough. (Though I see McCullough as short on talent AND a “bag” man who just took the $$$). We’re looking better on paper, but the wholesale changes in players wasn’t because of coaching. Talent and character. And we still have work to do.
June 28th, 2026 at 1:20 pm
3rd and 28
4th and 14
2-7
Kirk’s Cousin is a Hall of Famer against Bowles
Defense, Offense, Special Teams All Sucked
Those are indeed some intense facts.
June 28th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
We had 4 starters on the front 7 who had no business being on the field. Only one of THOSE is still in the league. Quitters or no, that’s a recipe for losing
June 28th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
For me, the lesser goal this year would be to have the defense be able to stop teams from marching down the field after Baker throws a pick. They failed to do that last year.
Even the best QBs throw picks. They win because the defense can stop the other teams from scoring, or can get the ball back.
My greater goal is to see the defense get better as the season goes on, so they can make a difference in the playoffs.
I do not expect the Bucs defense to play light’s out this year. They didn’t even do that when Sapp was drafted. It took a year.
So just achieving the lesser goal would be great. Make the other teams fear them. Be the top 9-12 Defense.