Three Bucs Made Team Because Of Kick Coverage
August 26th, 2025
Rostered.
Todd Bowles was adamant that players would make his 53-man roster this season because they would prove to be maniacal beasts in kick return coverage, “hellacious cover guys” was Bowles’ phrase 2 1/2 weeks ago.
A league rule change will cut touchbacks this season a touchback now brings the ball out to the 35 yard line.
Today, Joe asked Bowles who falls into that category. The head head coach didn’t hesitate.
He named undrafted rookie free agent linebacker John Bullock, edge rusher Markees Watts and receiver Ryan Miller.
That’s somewhat interesting to Joe because in order to be a great cover guy, well, you have to be active on game days. Teams can only activate 48 players for games and those three would have been prime candidates to be deactivated in past years.
August 26th, 2025 at 2:46 pm
It’s called “special” teams for a reason, Josh Williams had some tackles and rushing production on Saturday. Screams “football player” to me, what do we expect, starting talent at every level of the depth chart? That’s unrealistic as it gets
August 26th, 2025 at 2:48 pm
Probably RB4 will be returning punts. I cannot imagine Ryan Miller will be inactive for week 1. I could see Bullock, Markees Watts, Chukwuma, Morrison, and Godwin inactive week 1 if we really want to be picky about who will be active for game day
August 26th, 2025 at 2:51 pm
Don’t forget Wirfs inactive
August 26th, 2025 at 2:55 pm
Bullock is a great story and I hope he continues to grow and develops into a significant contributor to the team. He walked on in college and then went UDFA to being on the 53 man roster for an NFL team.
August 26th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
We have several walking wounded players who will be inactive.
August 26th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
“Bullock is a great story and I hope he continues to grow and develops into a significant contributor to the team.”
All 3 of the UDFAs we kept were walk-ons
August 26th, 2025 at 3:39 pm
I like the NFL focus on safety, but it seems like they should increase roster size and number of active players on game day. I assume it is a money issue.
August 26th, 2025 at 4:01 pm
TX Joe good report.
August 26th, 2025 at 4:13 pm
I’m guessing they have concluded that the kickoff coverage/return teams are a lot bigger deal than they used to be–you’re trying to sky the ball and drop it on the 5 yard line, and you HAVE to tackle the guy early or lose the game
August 26th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
Where is a published list of who made the team?
August 26th, 2025 at 6:03 pm
We all know that Bowles would punt on 1st down if he thought he wouldn’t get fired, and I mean he’s right, you can’t be too safe, and nothing good happens on offense. That’s why you punt from inside the opponents 40 in a preseason game – no need to see a rookie kicker who is known for a big leg try to kick and entertain the crowd, no better to punt into the endzone and pick up 18 yards for the defense. That is what is important!
August 26th, 2025 at 6:28 pm
Licht’s record with UDFAs is pretty good so Bullock and crew have some luck behind them.
August 26th, 2025 at 7:28 pm
Hey Rod- you know we’ve won the division the last few years, right?
And a SuperBowl a few years ago?
Bowles might know a bit more than you do about football.
Or have you recently picked up a job as a GM?
August 26th, 2025 at 9:49 pm
Capt.Tim Says:
August 26th, 2025 at 7:28 pm
Hey Rod- you know we’ve won the division the last few years, right?
And a SuperBowl a few years ago?
——
You do know that Bowles wasn’t the coach when we won the SB right? And Bowles got Brady his first loses vs Atlanta and Dallas — he took a team that Vegas had as the odds on favorite to go the SB out of the NFC and turned it into a first round exit?
Anywho, if you don’t think Bowles would punt on 1st down if he could, you’re insane. Have you ever watched him coach a game, and punt from the opponents 37 yard line on 4th and 1.
August 27th, 2025 at 4:03 pm
Rod Munch losing credibility. Sad, just sad. Still hurting from the Trask loss. Sorry bro.