Todd Bowles Seems OK If Bucs Air It Out This Weekend
November 6th, 2025
What will he do?
Joe just isn’t the type of guy who sees any benefit to running the ball just for the sake of running. Nor does Joe believe in throwing just for the sake of throwing.
Of the two, Joe would take the pass over the run.
If a run game is not working, where’s the logic of beating your head against a brick wall just to flex and act like the tough guy?
There are only so many snaps in a game. Each one is precious and it shouldn’t be wasted to prove someone is hung like Matt Kalil.
If the pass is working, pass the ball. If the run game is working, run the ball. Once you find what works, make the defense stop you.
After the Bucs lost to the mighty Lions, Bucs coach Todd Bowles seemed to indirectly scold offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard for passing so much. Bowles emphasized the Bucs had to run the ball.
And Grizzard sure tried at New Orleans the next week, with pedestrian results averaging three yards a carry.
Now this week’s opponent is the Patriots. They are downright stingy against the run. New England has only allowed one guy this year to run for more than 50 yard and that was Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen, who had 53 yards rushing against the Patriots.
Armed with his information, Bowles yesterday seemed to soften his late-October we-must-run-the-ball edict.
“We’ve got to block it better,” Bowles said of the running game. “At the same time, we’ve got to understand that we’re not going to hit our head up against a brick wall.
“If they’ve got too many people up there, we’ve got to throw it and loosen it up as well. So, again, we’ve got to coach it and scheme it up and at the same time, the guys have got to block it, too.”
It will help tremendously if Luke Goedeke can return. The right tackle left the game at Houston in Week 2 and hasn’t played since with some sort of weird foot injury.
At times, Goedeke is spotted walking in sandals without his feet taped or using any sort of walking device. Other times, Goedeke is spotted in a boot and buzzing around on a specialized scooter.
If the Bucs couldn’t run on the slimy Saints (three yards a carry) Joe doesn’t see how the Bucs will be able to run effectively against a strong run defense like the Patriots’.
November 6th, 2025 at 7:32 am
i understand the logic but at the same time Grizz just cant abandon the run completely which he has a habit of doing…
get creative with the run game and dont get too pass happy
GO BUCS!!!!
November 6th, 2025 at 7:36 am
Just throw on 1st down occasionally & on 2nd & short take a shot down field. If the pass does not work, run to get the 1st down. Run on 1st & 2nd then pass on 3rd & long is what causes the drives to result in punts.
November 6th, 2025 at 7:48 am
If baker is healthy throw the ball.
November 6th, 2025 at 7:52 am
“After the Bucs lost to the mighty Lions, Bucs coach Todd Bowles seemed to indirectly scold his offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard for passing so much. Bowles emphasized the Bucs had to run the ball.”
This is easy to figure out, 50 passes to 11 runs isn’t balanced. Like Miyagi told Daniel-san :
“Balance is key. Balance good, karate good. Everything good. Balance bad, better pack up, go home.”
It’s not about Bowles preferring one thing or the other, it’s about having a balanced attack and being able to work every angle you can as an offense to try to crack the opposing defense.
9 points is embarrassing, especially considering Detroit had back ups at every single secondary position and we still struggled to move the ball throw the air against their mash unit. Fact of the matter is, regardless of what you prefer, it always comes back to how balanced of an attack you throw at the opposing defense. Panicking and going 1-dimesonal is boom or bust, decent chance you get out of that hole if you can execute well enough, but just can easily big digging deeper into a hole you can’t get out of.
We’re also 5-10 in the Baker Mayfield era when asking him to pass > 35 times in a single game to the tune of 25 TDs -13 INTs in those 15 games since 2023.
So Bowles was right after the Lions game, a game which our offense finished its first 5 drives all with punts and the very next 2 drives after that were a fumble(Shepard) then an INT, all because we were imbalanced trying to get out of the hole with our PASS GAME.
Our first 7 drives in Detriot, we ran a total of 21 plays and none of these drives lasted more than 3 minutes. Not to mention not posting points until 21 seconds left in the 1st half. At that point, the game was only 14-3, so Bowles is right and I wouldn’t be shocked to hear that referred to as Josh Grizzard being in full blown panic mode. For those that ask, that’s what some of us see as a downside of Grizz being a rookie OC and has absolutely ZERO to do with who’s hurt/unavailable. That’s a mindset issue.
November 6th, 2025 at 8:05 am
Do what works until they stop it. Which will likely mean the other thing will now work.
November 6th, 2025 at 8:07 am
After getting STUFFED at the goal line 8 times last week it’s pretty clear this O line is in trouble. Does anybody, anybody at all think Goedeke is gonna play this wknd? I sure don’t think he is.
November 6th, 2025 at 8:08 am
A good OC will adapt his play calling. The jury is still out on Grizz. Just as some guys aren’t ment to be a head coach, some aren’t ment to be an OC. Good behind the scene, but can handle the pressure of the spotlight.
November 6th, 2025 at 8:12 am
Teams are going to double Ebuca and cheat on the run – go from there…I think we need to get Baker going – he’s so much better when he’s involved early.
As for the D – Ive always thought we are better being aggressive…not saying cover zero blitz – smart confusing D – mix up zone with man…some man underneath with help overtop…
As for every game – I just hope we don’t beat ourselves and the refs are not part of it. If the Pats just flat out beat us…so be it – tip your hat and on to the next one.
Go Bucs
November 6th, 2025 at 8:12 am
I’d like to remind people that sometimes commitment to an ineffective running game can help win.
TB OP
First Downs 15 20
Rush-Yds-TDs 32-49-1 21-80-1
Cmp-Att-Yd-TD-INT 20-33-259-1-1 26-49-243-0-1
Sacked-Yards 0-0 2-11
Net Pass Yards 259 232
Total Yards 308 312
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-2
Turnovers 1 3
Penalties-Yards 3-16 5-45
Third Down Conv. 6-15 5-16
Fourth Down Conv. 0-0 1-2
Time of Possession 30:53 29:07
Guess the opponent and guess the score. Who won and who lost.
Stats courtesy of Pro Football Encyclopedia
November 6th, 2025 at 8:26 am
4 consecutive rushes from the 1 failed
Pass, pass, pass and pass some more
Zero rushing plays until you are up by 14
November 6th, 2025 at 8:36 am
Yup, looks like the 2002 Conference Championship game where we beat the Eagles 27-10. Don’t be fooled though, the overriding factor was TURNOVERS. We won the Turnover Battle 3-1 (odds of winning in that case is a tad over 90%).
And that’s why our defense has been doing so well lately. Defense got 2 takeaways in the first 4 games, but 8 takeaways in the last 4 games. I’d prefer a takeaway over a sack or a punt any day. They’re game-changers.
November 6th, 2025 at 8:37 am
Still have to try to run. You can use the pass to set up the run. Screen passes and short yardage passes.
November 6th, 2025 at 8:38 am
Run tucker
November 6th, 2025 at 8:40 am
One thing I’ve noticed is that Grizz seems to have abandoned RPOs. Coen incorporated quite a bit of that into the Bucs offense last year. Get some movement to keep the defense off guard and open up passing lanes. Incorporate more screens and passes to our RBs. That’s what I would do anyway.
November 6th, 2025 at 8:48 am
Maybe the Pats have a good run defense because the teams they’ve played have bad run games?
November 6th, 2025 at 8:54 am
HAVE TO. “Basketball on turf.” Short-quick passing game using the passing game as an extension of the running game (and vice-versa), with ‘two-back sets’ mixed in. Keep them guessing and on their back feet. Wear them DOWN. Tempo and RYTHYM. Lots of motion with some creativity and misdirection. Keep it movin’ and move the damn chains. TOUCHDOWNS. NOT FG’s. Pro-Tect. The. BALL. Keep our Defense fresh and rested, and LesssGOOOO.
November 6th, 2025 at 8:59 am
2002 NFC Championship Game was the Final game played at Veterans Stadium. Bucs were down 7-3 early when Joe Jurevicius caught a crossing route and broke free down the sideline for 71 yards to put our Bucs in position at the 5 yard line to make our first TD and take the lead. Philly Fan(often credited with being the most classless mean spirited fans and deservedly so) had been after Jurevicius from even before the game making taunts at Joe about his child that had just tragically died days before. Joe got even and then went back in the MNF opener to make the two best catches I have ever seen in one game by a receiver to open Phillys new crib with another ass whupping.
November 6th, 2025 at 9:02 am
💯 AGREE with Joe here!!!! Just read the article. DON’T. WASTE. PLAYS. Drives me absolutely CRAZY to continuously SEE THIS. Especially, EVERY single week, all throughout College Football. Just soooo much worse though, when it’s YOUR OWN TEAM doing it! Alex Golesh is THE WORST EVER, at USF… It’s like, they ‘intentionally’ do-it by completely WASTING every 1st-Down, with a very ‘predictive’ run up the gut JUST so that they can “go fast” with their offense from there!!!! It’s SO RIDICULOUS. Makes NO SENSE, whatsoever.
November 6th, 2025 at 9:04 am
drake london did so good last weekend not having a big wr really hurts in this one, ryan miller and kam need to step up
November 6th, 2025 at 9:05 am
Grizzard, kindly get creative and prove to us and the team that you’re getting dialed in to your OC position. Bucs secondary will have a killer game.
November 6th, 2025 at 9:05 am
Grizz needs to get better in hurry. I know we have injuries.. but we need to run more than 8 basic plays.
November 6th, 2025 at 9:05 am
TEST
November 6th, 2025 at 9:06 am
‘you go Joe!’ deckehoff s call in 2002 he played awesome!! great memories
November 6th, 2025 at 9:07 am
Grizzard needs to prove he’s getting comfortable and learning how to OC this offense. Bucs secondary will have a killer game. Beware of the refs.
November 6th, 2025 at 9:10 am
James Cook is the only above average RB NE has faced, that being said, our RBs without Bucky and our poor run blocking doesn’t invite confidence, this game is on our defense to keep it close and hope Baker can pull it out in the end
November 6th, 2025 at 9:14 am
@ PSL BOB – 💯 YES. Inside screens. Slants. Crosses. A little Play-Action. Can’t have receivers running straight up the sidelines, just to then stand there. While, having Otten and White just standing there, out in the flats (opposite of one another)… MOVE. To an open spot. Do SOMETHING. Get ‘YOURSELF’ OPEN. Use the middle of the field. DAMN.
November 6th, 2025 at 9:21 am
Guzzie55 … ‘James Cook is the only above average RB NE has faced’.
True, but New England’s run game is just average also. Through 9 games, they’ve rushed it 262 times for 1011 yds (3.9 YPC) and passed it 257 times for 2145 yds. Of significance though, Maybe has completed 190 passes (74.1%), with most targets going to WR Diggs (53), TE Hunter (43), WR Boutte (31) & Douglas (30). Our defense will have its’ hands full covering their passing attack.
November 6th, 2025 at 9:24 am
We don’t have a run game without Bucky. Its been proven for the last three and a half years. Rachaad is an awesome 3rd down back but not an NFL starter. Play to his strengths!!
November 6th, 2025 at 9:29 am
GOTTA get the ball in-rhythm to your guys in space. Timing. Yackety-YAC. Let’s GO!!!!
November 6th, 2025 at 9:29 am
Throw to who exactly a doubled emeka?
November 6th, 2025 at 9:32 am
Stats against NO were brought way down because of the 7 bad play calls from the 1 yard line, don’t ram your head into the brick wall. However the Run game has to keep the defense honest.
November 6th, 2025 at 9:37 am
I definitely, would NOT call JAMES COOK an “above average” running back. He’s been a TOP-5 RB in THE LEAGUE, over the past 2-years now!!!! He’s been doing things that have not been done by ANY NFL Running Back, in 15-YEARS… And, only about 3 others, over the past TWENTY!!!! He just gets overlooked sometimes, playing in Buffalo and alongside of Josh Freaking Allen.
November 6th, 2025 at 9:47 am
DAMN. Marshawn Kneeland is DEAD. I remember someone on here awhile back was really pushing HARD for us to draft him. 24-years old… That’s Crazy. SO SAD.
November 6th, 2025 at 10:06 am
seems like grizzard is in over his head. i thought he got his masters in football from yale
November 6th, 2025 at 10:48 am
Quit knocking Grizzard. Anyone with a clue knows that our playbook shrinks without Mike. Shrinks more without Mauch and Goedecke. And shrinks even more without Bucky. Was already shrunk without Godwin. Shrunk up so bad it’s like me in the locker room showers standing next to Matt Khalil. We need some reinforcements and we need them bad. Good news our defense is bad, bad boys. And the reinforcements are coming back. And with the Patriots fans filling our stands Sunday do you reckon we’ll be playing with a bit of a chip come Sunday? I do.
November 6th, 2025 at 10:53 am
Need Bucky back!!!
White is not a good RB never was pass catcher yep he’s awesome sucks at running the ball though