Something Was Wrong In Jacksonville
August 25th, 2026
UPDATED: So Joe was at Bucs practice with the Jaguars this morning in steamy Jacksonville.
Joe can attest that the session did not resemble what Joe saw two weeks ago while Tampa Bay faced the Jets in practice in New Jersey.
Against the Jets, practice was crisp and the Bucs’ benches were brimming with energy. Tampa Bay was a team playing with an edge, and kudos to Todd Bowles and Jets head coach Aaron Glenn for setting and maintaining a very impressive practice pace.
Today, Joe would use “flat” to describe the Bucs.
Because Joe watched the offense struggle, with fourth-string left tackle Paul Rubelt too-often a culprit, Joe spent limited time watching the Tampa Bay defense. But Joe sure could hear cheer after cheer from the Jacksonville fans watching the Jags offense make plays against the Bucs — deep shots, runs, passes over the middle.
Joe shifted to spend more time watching the Bucs defense and it was obvious the sideline energy was missing. The same fire of past weeks wasn’t there.
After practice, Joe asked rookie, tone-setting inside linebaker Josiah Trotter about today’s practice state of mind. His answer won’t soothe Bucs fans this evening.
“I think the energy could have been better,” Trotter said of the Bucs defense. “You know, some of the vets, they talked, especially after practice. They didn’t feel like that was the standard we should hold ourselves to, especially the body language part. It’s hot out here but you have to push pass that, you know have energy and create energy, try to make plays.”
And the offensive sideline energy was rather quiet, too, though Joe certainly saw some life in the Bucs’ special teams.
“It was good plays and bad plays, things we got to clean up as a defense,” Trotter added. “Our standard his high and tomorrow we have to do better.”
Baker Mayfield said of the day: “[The Jaguars] were playing with their hair on fire. I’ll say that. If this was a full game, I don’t think we would have come out on the winning side of it. A little eye-opening. Gotta go back and watch the tape. It’s never as good or as bad as you think it is. From my standpoint, they outphysicaled us. That’s never what you want to have.”
Mayfield added that the Bucs may not have wanted it more than Jacksonville today.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:27 pm
Better bring it tomorrow and the rest of the season or we’ll bring in a coach who brings and demands energy.
Maybe that’s a bit harsh on Bowles, or maybe not based on how last year went. Over reaction perhaps?
August 25th, 2026 at 5:29 pm
Coen knows the Buccaneers. Also, it’s PRACTICE. No big deal.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:30 pm
Yah… Todd Bowles is great. We are going to ruin this roster with him again.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
I wouldn’t worry too much about one aberrant practice. After this many days of camp in a row I’d imagine players are starting to get a bit tired/malnourished/dehydrated. The upcoming break is very much needed to recharge batteries but let’s hope they come out tomorrow supercharged and the Bucs let Wirfs either play some or find someone to play left tackle that isn’t a 4th stringer with the first team offense! You aren’t getting anything done with that setup as we’ve already proven in the game against KC! Where the hell are the other backups? Make someone play. They can heal the next week or 2.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:32 pm
It’s practice, get this crap out of the way now. Come regular season. This better be addressed. Accepting mid season hiccups are over.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
Rounding into post bye form. Todd Bowles might need to fire more coaches.
Providing none of them are him or his son. Guru and son of said guru.
Just gotta coach it better, scheme it better, play it better.
🤣🤣🤣🤡🤡🤡
August 25th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
I remember during the Dungy/Gruden/Arians eras there were flat days. If I had to guess most of the starters want the BS over so they can get to the regular season. Just like everyone else.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Hopefully they come out ready tomorrow. Some days teams are flat. I think the Jags are better than the Jets and that likely is the issue.
Where all the LT?. I mean the only available is the 4th string guy?. He played the whole game last Sat. Hopefully he never sees the field during the season.
Wow.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
Hopefully they come out ready tomorrow. Some days teams are flat. I think the Jags are better than the Jets and that likely is the issue.
Where all the LT?. I mean the only available is the 4th string guy?. . Hopefully he never sees the field during the season.
Wow.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:37 pm
It feels like since Bruce left we have been running without a real head coach. Team is just being ran by some coordinators. This article represents that. Bruce would be calling people out chewing some a$$. Todd seems to just be like oh well. We just have to coach it better and play it better. Now the rookies using the same tune. Body language issues? What?. Is that our teams new rally cry. Coach it better play it better. Where is our head coach at? Being nice to our millionaire players? It’s already a long season that hasn’t even started yet. Go Bucs