Todd Bowles Said He Likes Physical Players, So Long As They Can Play
August 7th, 2026
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
Hey, it would be cool if a couple of Bucs defensive players could be like Hulk Hogan and Randy “Macho Man” Savage and Ric Flair and put on a good show for folks while effing up offensive lineman.
But there is a reason those three dudes rassled and didn’t play in the NFL: They couldn’t play football at the highest level.
That’s sort of what KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles said yesterday. Folks are pumped to see Rueben Bain being an animal and Josiah Trotter getting physical and letting the offense know he’s coming for more. But at the end of the day, it’s all about playing football and not being the show.
“Yeah, you see that,” Bowles said of how newcomers to the defense are more physical. “But they’ve still got to be able to play.”
Bowles likes what he sees, but it is still early August. The defense has a lot more work ahead of itself. So far so good, Bowles said, but keep pounding that rock.
“Those guys are doing a very good job communicating and leading the team that way,” Bowles said. “Obviously, we had ‘Win’ [Antoine Winfield) and Vita [Vea] and, obviously, YaYa [Diaby] and [Calijah] Kancey do some good things as well, but adding [Alex] Anzalone and A’Shawn [Robinson] is really helping out a lot, along with [Christian] Rozeboom.”
Joe has maintained the Bucs defense quit on Bowles last year. The defense dearly needed an infusion of glasseaters. Joe believes the Bucs have done that.
It’s a good start. Now, Joe sure hopes this newfound pass rush can bring those early-August demonstrations into September and January results.
The NFL, unlike rasslin, is very real. As in real results are required.
August 7th, 2026 at 8:24 pm
Pretty sure we’ve heard this before from Bowles. Then the results ruin the party.
Also, I’m pretty sure it’s not just KitKats he’s consuming.
He’s got what doctors call a bit of a weight problem. Eating bear claws 2×2.
Just gotta nutrition it better.
August 7th, 2026 at 8:32 pm
@ cosmo, You’ve got to find another team! Your ” Edgy Analysis ” is so common, it sounds like your enjoying the kit kat diet please feed your brain!
August 7th, 2026 at 8:44 pm
Last year’s defense wasn’t physical, and couldn’t play either
August 7th, 2026 at 9:01 pm
It’s the Boweles comedy hour. Words and pearls of wisdom from Boweles.
August 7th, 2026 at 9:22 pm
Good tackling is about stopping the ball carrier immediately. Young guys trying to deliver big hits whiff too often. Do your job without mental mistakes.
August 7th, 2026 at 9:24 pm
We just need to hope the offense can keep up with the D this year. 😎
August 7th, 2026 at 9:24 pm
Todd Bowles is great for comedic fodder. All kings needed a fool. We have Todd.
August 7th, 2026 at 9:28 pm
Remember last year when Bowles said that the defensive effort was good, and we could tell he was lying? Then later on, he admitted some players were loafing (yeah, we already knew that), but he couldn’t do anything about it because it was different players every time? Another lie. So, we’ll see what this year brings, and hope that Bowles doesn’t make the same mistake of having easy practices and worthless “walk throughs”, no wonder the defense was seen WALKING towards the ball.