“The Playbook Is So, So Huge”
October 3rd, 2026
Is it possible that Todd Bowles’ coaches struggle with his defensive system?
Joe is too drained by an 0-3 season start to think deeply about the ramifications of that potential reality. If the coaches’ heads are spinning, what about the players?
Joe brings this up because Bucs defensive line coach Marcus West went there this week on the Buccaneers Radio Network.
West lauded the football IQ and knowledge of Vita Vea. He also said the Bowles’ system is a massive undertaking to master.
“Yeah, Vita’s my coach sometimes and I shouldn’t say that out loud,” West said. “I mean, the playbook is so, so, so huge. And, um, sometimes, we’ll go back to something we did in training camp the first day, or we hadn’t even put it in yet. And I look at Vita like, ‘that’s right?’ … But he’ll look at me like, yeah, you’re good. You’re right.”
West spent the prior four seasons as a Bills defensive line coach for defense-first head coach Sean McDermott. Interesting.
He continued to laud Vea.
“His intelligence is incredible,” West sadi. “I mean, he’s played a lot of ball. So the things he hears sees and does on that field. It’s unmatched. You cannot walk a single soul in the door today and get that wisdom that he has. He can line up on the field; by the third quarter, he’s got everything. He’s got their protection, he’s got their snap count, he’s got their blocks, their IDs, and he knows in the third, fourth quarter how exactly how you’re gonna block him when he puts his hand in the ground. … incredibly smart and instinctive he is.”
West isn’t the only seasoned newcomer to arrive in Tampa and note how complex the Bowles defense is. And Bowles himself has said the defense is a tough adjustment for edge rushers and others.
Perhaps it needs to be simplified so players can think less and play faster. Perhaps.
October 3rd, 2026 at 10:46 pm
Seems like our defensive players and coaches all suffer from Paralysis by Analysis.
Bowles should’ve simplified his defense years ago when it became apparent that our players are clueless 50% of the time out there. SMDH.
October 3rd, 2026 at 10:50 pm
tear the whole operation down to the studs and start over from top to bottom
October 3rd, 2026 at 10:52 pm
Well, it’s complicated.
And it’s been a failure for two seasons
And While I believe Vea is one of the 4 superior players on this team,
All of that knowledge hasn’t produced any results in the last 3 games.
Just depressing.
All the talk of greatness. All the high expectations and predictions.
Yet all I see is a poorly coached bad team.
October 3rd, 2026 at 10:54 pm
Has the defense struggled this year? Im confused
These points are so tired. Same playbook won a superbowl!!!!!!!!!! (With better players everywhere)
Baker cost the Bucs all three games.
Game 1. 24 points off of turnovers
Game 2. Baker was out played by Deshaun
Game 3. Terrible interception, cant find wide open guys everywhere
October 3rd, 2026 at 10:56 pm
Defense is fine.
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:07 pm
“incredibly smart and instinctive he is.”
I didn’t realize that Yoda was a coach for the Bucs!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:11 pm
Bowles has said many times his defense isn’t complicated. So it’s not.
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:15 pm
It’s too complex. I’ve said it before and I think people like Rondé know it. Why are young and veteran players constantly out of position? I’m trying to understand why Bowles doesn’t at least try to simplify and see what happens?
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:15 pm
It’s too complex. I think people like Rondé know it. Why are young and veteran players constantly out of position? I’m trying to understand why Bowles doesn’t at least try to simplify and see what happens?
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:18 pm
Bowles never adjusts his schemes and forces players to adapt rathet than adapt his outdated scheme to their strengths. Bowles D is predictable and soft. No pass rush. Fire him ASAP.
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:24 pm
I didn’t know the Bucs had any defense coaches.
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:25 pm
This explains why the team can’t hire a full time defense coordinator.
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:56 pm
And here dude is 4 years later saying we need to coach it better and play it better. This is why he likes old players. You’d think with a struggling offense he would do something to make sure his defense picks up the slack nope not Bowles, one good game I bet he thinks his defense is fixed
October 4th, 2026 at 12:06 am
Same exact story every year.
October 4th, 2026 at 2:23 am
Funny how the obvious point of what was said by coach West in these quotes is how intelligent Vita Vea is -and how well VV knows and understands all the details of Todd’s Defense.
Yet the whole slant of the headline, article and comments is about how “difficult” Bowles defense is……
October 4th, 2026 at 3:59 am
Complexity is rarely a good thing.
October 4th, 2026 at 6:03 am
You’re only as strong as the weakest link in the chain. The complexity of Bowles’ defense IS the weak link.
Monte Kiffin understood the value of simplifying very complex concepts so that his players could understand & apply them, and it paid off in him creating some of the best defenses ever. Todd doesn’t seem to share that same value.
October 4th, 2026 at 6:04 am
Trips left covered by one db…. Complicated? West won’t be allowed to do any more interviews.
October 4th, 2026 at 6:10 am
Pickgrin … Agreed but Vea’s a 1st Rnd pick AND he’s been in Todd’s system now for 9 years.
As an aside, it’s somewhat concerning when your assistant coach says “I mean, the playbook is so, so, so huge”. Not 1 ‘so’, not 2 ‘so’ but 3 of them. There’s a message in there.
October 4th, 2026 at 6:34 am
This defense is not the problem. Baker coming back early is not the solution. Coach West sounded more like he was bragging about the defense than complaining. West seems like a smart guy. Perhaps Todd should use him and VV to coach up the O line. I’m tired of this pig pile on Todd’s defense. His offense is and has been this teams sea anchor. I do think criticizing his offense is deserved and fair. It really feels like he’s the head coach of the offense in name only. I guess picking on the Bucs brass is dangerous for everyone’s career. Let’s watch how long Gainwell lasts after his honest comments. His words have made me a fan. I saw Jon Gruden on TV last night in Ohio. He was speaking at an event in support of a college teammate who is running for Senate. I can’t remember the guys name but he had 14 interceptions in college. You could tell they are real pals. Gruden loves football and is loyal to the real football guys he has met along the way. When Gruden spoke he looked like a head coach jazzing up his guys before a game. He’s still got it and looks young too. The NFL will probably not let him coach again. I guess he is the Pete Rose of the NFL. He is a fun guy to watch. Today is a big day for JD. Go JD go Bucs.
October 4th, 2026 at 6:48 am
Hence the “communication” problems that are a constant.
October 4th, 2026 at 7:03 am
todd so so so needs to be fired.
October 4th, 2026 at 7:42 am
I am so, so, so tired of system talk. Watch the one-on-one match ups. Our guys are not winning those in the trenches. YaYa is so over hyped it’s rediculous. Vita took the summer off the get his bag – and it shows. But hey, good for him. Kancey – I have no clue. A’Shawn Robinson – he’s the guy now – that’s one. Put your hand in the dirt and beat the guy across the line, period. That’s not a system problem. Anzalone in position doesn’t make the tackle. Not a system problem. A tight end sneaks out of the line underneath coverages and the safety misses him. Good play design, but that’s the safety’s job and he missed him. Linebackers covering TE’s can’t make plays – hmmmm – find ball, knock ball down. Guys need to make plays. No excuses.
October 4th, 2026 at 8:04 am
Def is simple should not be a large playbook
October 4th, 2026 at 8:36 am
Nope. Too stubborn.
October 4th, 2026 at 8:52 am
For Bowles, the scheme is more important than the wins.
October 4th, 2026 at 8:54 am
So, not only does a Buc defensive player need to win the DNA lottery, they need to be members of Mensa? Get outta here…..
October 4th, 2026 at 10:11 am
There is a lot to be said for the KISS theory. Keep it simple stupid! Wouldn’t you like to be able to execute a few things really well than perform many things poorly. Bowles is too stubborn to change his defense or make it simpler so the Bucs defense can play at a high level. He is so stubborn it’s finally going to cost him his job and the jobs of most if not all of the assistant coaches. Of course a lot of players will be gone too.
October 4th, 2026 at 10:18 am
Seven years of this sh!t from Bowles. First two weren’t bad thanks to Arians. Left on his own Todd’s defense has been abysmal. Please Glazers, put us out of our misery. Fire Bowles, and Licht!
October 4th, 2026 at 11:17 am
Complex that it looks ridiculous. Players are not fighting back against Boweles to play their positions the way they are supposed to. Edge is one position that seems to be something else. Why can’t Boweles change his defense each week, and let the players be players and do what they came here for. Please get rid of this clown today. Fire Boweles immediately, we could only get better.
October 4th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
When your best pass rushers can’t be on the field because you perceive them to not be good enough in their curl/flat coverage responsibility…you’ve missed the plot.
How complicated does it need to be to just allow teams to throw 5 air yard passes that turn into 15 yard gains with YAC?