The Last Scrimmage
August 26th, 2026
Enjoys scrimmages.
So this morning, the Bucs will have their final controlled scrimmage of the year. It is the second of two this week in Jacksonville against the Jags.
Maybe All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield can light a fire under the Bucs, which by Joe’s observations — and some players’ — were either lethargic or not mentally into it.
Winfield sat down recently with NFL insider Jordan Schultz. And Winfield said these type of scrimmages are way better than slamming your body against another guy you know, day after day after day, week after week.
“I think it’s fun,” Winfield said. “It’s fun going up against different people.
“You know, you kind of get tired of going against our guys every day, so you get a chance to hit somebody else or be physical with somebody else. And it’s also, like, a good look to see where you’re at, especially like conditioning wise, a little different.”
What Joe found interesting is that Winfield told Schultz that guys are more amped facing different color jerseys.
“You know, everybody has a little bit more energy, playing a little bit faster,” Winfield said. “So [it is] a good test, I think.”
But where was that yesterday? Perhaps the Bucs needed a fire lit under them?
Baker Mayfield, Josiah Trotter and Chris Godwin suggested after practice that the Bucs’ conditioning wasn’t good enough.
Joe remembers in 2021 the Titans came to Tampa for a scrimmage. The Titans came in with a bully mentality and physically pushed the Bucs around. It was really obvious.
Well, old-school Bucco Bruce Arians must have torn some Bucs players a new a-hole after that display. Because the very next day, man, there were fights all over the place.
The Titans tried to shove the Bucs around and the Bucs responded with fists to the grill. Even nutcake Antonio Brown threw hands with a Tennessee corner. Devin White squared up on a Titans offensive lineman. It was wild.
So maybe the Bucs respond today with passion? And maybe a little bit of violence.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:04 am
“ the Bucs, who seemed, by many Bucs players, either lethargic or not mentally into it.”
A football team is a reflection of its HC.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:06 am
Discipline
That is the MOST important thing I hope to read about after the practice.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Violence is expected, but stacking positive reps is much better for the collective confidence of this team.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:14 am
They better stand up today. Show scumbag Coen and his boys a thing or two. Set the tone early. I find it ironic that our 90m tough guy Goedeke got embarrassed yesterday. He’s supposed to be the tone setter, but should be worrying about fundamentals and good footwork. Let’s see how today goes.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:14 am
Maybe they saw how real head coach runs a team on the other side. Perhaps they are sad he’s not the Bucs HC. But, it is only practice but it’s worrying because of how they quit last season.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:14 am
Liam Coen is one of the best head coaches in the NFL while the Bucs head coach is at or towards the bottom.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:16 am
Friday night is the last night many players on the squad will be wearing a Bucs jersey – some will fight hard and others won’t – let’s see the level of intensity in practice two weeks from today
August 26th, 2026 at 9:19 am
time for some of the bucs to put up or shut up. they spend too much time rehashing their greatness on every podcast they can find.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:28 am
If you can’t get fired up about your job, it’s time to find another line of work.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:29 am
It doesn’t matter you great you would be or could be if only you cared enough to give 100%.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:29 am
Only 5 months until the Todd Blows experiment is OVER
Only wish the Bucs front office was smart enough to promote Coen and ditch Blows a few years ago
August 26th, 2026 at 9:29 am
Bucs are a soft, fragile team that can only talk about being physical! They get pushed around and beat up on by every team they play/practice against! Soft like TB!
August 26th, 2026 at 9:31 am
Structure and discipline are both needed to navigate the road to success, but the Bucs from top to bottom appear to have neither! Unless the HC can reach into his bag of Twix sorry I meant tricks, it’s game, set and match for the Bucs in 2026!
August 26th, 2026 at 9:37 am
What did I miss over the past years,Cohen 1 of best coaches in the league??
August 26th, 2026 at 9:37 am
@WBL
Exactly right. Show that you are a professional, not a thug with no discipline. Once again, it all comes back on how you are coached and accountability. Seems we may be somewhat lacking in that area.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:46 am
no sense of urgency…..bummer
GO BUCS!!!!!
August 26th, 2026 at 9:49 am
Time for the Bucs to MAN UP!!! Especially the skill players!!!! Quit embarrassing yourself!!
August 26th, 2026 at 9:50 am
“Baker Mayfield, Josiah Trotter and Chris Godwin suggested after practice that the Bucs’ conditioning wasn’t good enough.”
THAT is a very disturbing statement and yet ANOTHER indictment of Bowles’ incompetence. Conditioning is about as fundamental as it gets.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:51 am
Yes Steve V. Coen is one of the best coaches in the league. He took a terrible franchise with an average QB and turned them into a team that won 13 games last year. Liam Coen should be the Bucs head coach, but the Glazers made the wrong decision of keeping Bowles as their head coach.
August 26th, 2026 at 9:59 am
Trevor Lawrence- like Baker- is not an average QB.
August 26th, 2026 at 10:33 am
Was it Arians’ fault when it happened with Tennessee?
August 26th, 2026 at 10:36 am
It is well known that Baker has concentration issues. Another useless preseason practice is not that interesting to him and, as the leader of the team (like it or not), practice effort followed his lead. Perhaps today we will see if he, and the team, responds.
August 26th, 2026 at 10:55 am
Tampa2Atl… tough to say. Let’s see how the Bucs respond today. Joe is likely right about Arians blowing a gasket and demanding better.
Bowles handed out Kit Kats.
August 26th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
A football team is a reflection of its HC.
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So, against the Jets Bowles was the Alfa???
August 26th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
Anyhony
My dead grandma is the alpha against the Jets.