Todd Bowles On Fixing His Defense
November 28th, 2025
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
Think of all the wonderful plays made by opposing offenses against the Bucs. Close your eyes and you can just see them.
You can just see lousy Lovie Smith and if you listen closely, you can hear him talking about being “Tennessee-ready.”
Concentrate a little more and you can see Mike Smith up high in a press box screaming into his headset about… hell, the way his defense played, he might as well be screaming for an intern to fetch the bowl of bananas foster that Ira Kaufman passed on.
(The Sage of Tampa Bay sports is not a fan of bananas foster — nor is Joe.)
Didn’t last Sunday night give you flashbacks of Julio Jones roasting former Bucs cornerback Ryan Smith? Joe is confident the poor guy never recovered from that dreadful afternoon in Billy Sherman’s favorite city.
The Bucs defense since the bye has played like they are still enjoying the bye in their old college towns, pounding shots with cheerleaders. Meanwhile, opposing offenses have been pounding the Bucs.
So what is the Bucs’ defensive coordinator going to do about it? The Bucs head coach, Todd Bowles, also the defensive coordinator, explained.
“You’re always thinking about schematic changes,” Bowles said. “Personnel changes, we don’t have to think about it. It’s been a different guy here and there. It hasn’t been everybody at one time.
“You can’t have 10 guys playing well and one guy not playing well on any given week – that has to stop. I thought for the most part the big plays stopped. We didn’t create any big plays last week, but the big plays, for the most part, have stopped.”
The big plays have stopped? Well, that’s a discussion for another day, but the bleeding hasn’t stopped.
If Bowles is thinking of “schematic changes,” the time is now to instead of thinking about it, acting upon it. Maybe drum up a scheme that best suits the talent available. Coach them up.
Joe thinks it is pretty safe to guess that teams know SirVocea Dennis’ weakness(es). Try putting him in position to minimize his weakness(es).
The edge rush … aw, skip it.
Good coaches find a way to stop the bleeding. Good coaches find ways to coach up their players and put them in position to make plays.
Too much more thinking and before you know it, folks may have to start thinking of updating their resumes.
The Bucs are 6-5 and playing bad football like we haven’t seen (thankfully) around these parts in a while. The season is teetering.
A family-owned Tampa icon since 1960, one mile north of the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway.
November 28th, 2025 at 7:04 am
Todd Bowles on fixing his defense. “Coach better, play better, communicate better.” Done. Your huge paycheck will be direct deposited on Friday. You earned it.
November 28th, 2025 at 7:15 am
McCollum definitely is that one guy. Zone works when your guys read and react, he is neither reading nor reacting, he’s watching a completion and coming up and trying to make the tackle. Have him play man and hopefully his muscle memory takes over and he doesn’t have to think as much.
November 28th, 2025 at 7:18 am
How about stop having the defensive scheme be so confusing to your own players? We constantly have blown coverage due to guys getting confused, either we have the least intelligent backfield in all of football or Todd’s scheme is just too damn confusing.
Also stop having D linemen drop into coverage, they can’t get a rhythm going.
November 28th, 2025 at 7:29 am
Best way to fix the defense would be to resign. This scheme is as old as Nick Rapone. The only time it saw success was when Arains was the head man. Since then, it’s been a loser even with Tom Brady. This Buc team has hit a wall under Bowles he can’t climb over, or dig under. It’s just a matter of time before the Glazers pull the plug on Todd. Hopefully at season end. Till than this team will stumble in, than out of the playoffs. It’s the wall Todd has brought us to. Gonna take someone else to get pass it.
November 28th, 2025 at 7:46 am
This Defense has it in them to play well….as examples….the 2nd half of the Eagles game….Lions & New Orleans…..SF
November 28th, 2025 at 7:51 am
Just blitz and play man coverage.
November 28th, 2025 at 7:58 am
Bowles speaks….cringe!!!
November 28th, 2025 at 8:09 am
Licht has not put enough talent on the field. Not to make excuses for Bowles because his scheme has opposing players consistently running wide aas open all over his lousy defense. Still, the lack of quality players is hurting this team badly. Licht’s draft prowess is way overrated by the local media and fanboys and he is too afraid to make big swings in free agency, probably because his ability to evaluate talent is so lacking. Well past time to take a less charitable look at Licht’s performance as chief talent evaluator.
November 28th, 2025 at 8:12 am
Here is the fix:
1- Move ZM from CB to FS
2- Move T. Smith from Safety to NCB
3- Start J. Dean and Parrish at CB
4- Hire a new DC
November 28th, 2025 at 8:15 am
This is like fixing a Dodge, you replace it.
How do you replace a def? Well you get a DC that understands today’s NFL. In this case that’s the head coach
November 28th, 2025 at 8:45 am
The big plays have stopped? He must be referring to the second half against the Rams when they mercifully reeled in their offense. There is little hope when your HC/DC is this clueless.
November 28th, 2025 at 8:45 am
Zyon is likely the fastest man on our team. It’s inexplicable that he keeps ending up behind is guy
November 28th, 2025 at 8:49 am
Zero pressure by the front four is a major problem.
November 28th, 2025 at 8:54 am
@ Beeej
I agree.
But running in a straight line and playing CB in the NFL are two totally different activities…
ZM has looked lost out there the past few games and now all the OCs in the NFL know how to easily attack this defense.
November 28th, 2025 at 9:01 am
Watching the game last night I heard something I never hear in our games…. “Coverage sack”
November 28th, 2025 at 9:14 am
defense 3 issues I see. MLB, needs a major upgrade, McCollum, needs to be benched, just not playing, teams now target him almost exclusive even over rookie Parish. up front rush non existent, needed major upgrade and personnel, until those things change schematic changes won’t matter. Yes Bowles deserves criticism, but yes the Bucs just don’t have the talent to compete in many areas on defense
November 28th, 2025 at 9:19 am
Fire Todd
November 28th, 2025 at 9:35 am
First, great article Joe.
“You can’t have 10 guys playing well and one guy not playing well on any given week…”
IMO, that is indicative a a scheme that is too complicated.
November 28th, 2025 at 10:00 am
This is such BS. Just more BS. I was just thinking the other night again, about HOW BORING this franchise has been (outside of the Brady years, of course). The entire FO from the owners to Lickt, are always complaining about the lack of ‘national’ attention, & etc. Well, there are LOTS of reasons for this, that I’d already discussed in a prior post from a couple of days ago! There were so many reasons, I’d left one out… And, ‘this article’ just reminded me of it! But just THINK of all the head coaches we’ve had during the last 10-years, or so… All ‘older’ and (outside of BA) extremely, BORING. So, just thought I’d throw that out there. By the way, I am no fan of “bananas foster” either! I did try-it at Bern’s ONCE (just one very small bite), & it’s not for me. Everyone always freaks-out over it there… So, finally once, I decided to try-it! I’m not a huge “banana-fan” to begin with. It’s pretty crazy tho… We used to go there so much when I was in my late teens and early to mid 20’s, that I started giving people the ‘restaurant tour’ (kitchen and wine cellar) LOL. That is so crazy, thinking back… it started-out being just for our table, but then total strangers would join-in LoL. I was always soooo HAMMERED, too Lmao (we always had the same waiter and never needed a reservation, Etc.) LoL. Pretty crazy thinking back to those days… I really should write a book. SO MANY people have told me to LoL.
November 28th, 2025 at 10:06 am
I know he’s gonna fix it every week. Even Jim Bates is laughing at the way our D is being run.
November 28th, 2025 at 10:08 am
Bowles blaming others as usual. One different guy breaking down every single play. It couldn’t possibly be how they were coached. If your guys are too stupid to figure out your scheme, you need different guys or a new scheme. It’s the same every week. Resign Todd. NFL has passed you by. Your 15 year old methods have been exposed. Time to retire. The excuses have been worn out for a long time. Bye Todd.
November 28th, 2025 at 10:26 am
Todd Bowles … ‘“You can’t have 10 guys playing well and one guy not playing well on any given week.”
Sorry Todd, but THAT’S delusional. No way it’s been just ‘one guy not playing well on any given week’. We’ve all seen major breakdowns by MULTIPLE PLAYERS in virtually every single game; just go back & look at the explosive plays our opponents have run on us.
It’s a ‘lack of talent’ thing AND a ‘ineffective scheme’ thing. One involves the players (MULTIPLE PLAYERS) and the other involves coaching. Most of these players have not been ‘fitted’ properly to the scheme. Some were over-drafted; some will most likely do better in other schemes playing for other coaches.
November 28th, 2025 at 10:26 am
THE Bowels of Bowles continues.
This guy needs to be a lawyer or a politician.
Its NEVER his fault EVER! Im so sick of the blame everyone else game.
If your scheme is so overwhelming that you can never have all 11 guys on the same page at the same time in 5 YEARS as a HC/DC. YOU ARE THE PROBLEM. His long tenured players should know his system inside, outside, upside down, and backwards. This team under Bowles is clueless with zero identity
November 28th, 2025 at 10:45 am
@ Colonel Angus – Yes. It’s on the head coach to know YOUR player’s limitations, & etc. Both, Zion and Sir Dennis are lacking in the ‘upstairs’ department. They canNOT be put into situations, where they are forced to have to THINK. That is not what they succeed at. So, WHY put them in those positions. Hell, simplify everything and make-it EASY FOR THEM. It’s ridiculous to just continue to do the same damn thing(s) over and over again. It’s a freakin’ joke. Both of those guys have HORRIBLE instincts. Just let ‘em freaking PLAY. Geez. I mean, how much ‘film’ do you have to watch, in order to SEE… It’s NOT going to change. Good God.
November 28th, 2025 at 10:46 am
Bowles repetitive line..We gotta play it better, we gotta coach it better. Says it every week. You lose to the Arizona Cardinals Mr Bowles? And I hope the Glazers fire you on the spot immediately if not sooner.
November 28th, 2025 at 10:55 am
I want to see our players block and wrap up and tackle. Those two things constantly and we win. Oh- and CATCH.
November 28th, 2025 at 10:56 am
The big plays have stopped? Adams was roasting ZM left & right like a 7-on7 drill
McVay could have scored 60 easy
This coach is disgusting to hear speak and ppl making excuses for him are gross
If he knew how to fix it he’d have done it by now they get roasted every year
And if he wanted different or new talent he COULD HAVE ASKED THE GM TO GO DO IT!!
November 28th, 2025 at 10:56 am
Bowles is too stubborn to change anything. He believes so much in his scheme even if the players don’t fit it or have the talent to fit it. You have to put your players in the best opportunity to succeed. If brissett toasts this defense this week hopefully the glazers start thinking of replacing Bowles.
November 28th, 2025 at 11:00 am
My fix: RESIGN. Bring in a smart HC and add a new DC who puts their players in a position to succeed using their best abilities during games.
November 28th, 2025 at 11:04 am
Thank you, Joe. I spoke of this scenario before. And I’ll say it again, from a horseman’s perspective. A.good trainer(coach) knows his horses. If a horse can’t go to the top out of the gate, but is a great finisher, the trainer tells the driver how to drive the race; maybe like a HC would tell his DC. He sees the overall picture bc that is all he does. Do you see the analogy?
Play them to their strengths.
November 28th, 2025 at 11:04 am
This FO handed him out an extension in order to try saving face. It’s all based on hope. They are trying to force this to work. We are in desperate need of new energy and a total complete reset. ASAP would be nice!
November 28th, 2025 at 11:07 am
Dad was adept at taking good horse that others had squandered, and making them winners
November 28th, 2025 at 11:16 am
Bowles watching film is like a drug addict… He gets his little ‘fix’ the one-time, when “ALL-11” does everything perfectly! And, he is in constant search of it! The problem being, football does not work that way… Hell, neither does LIFE. You can’t predict how each play is going to turnout, or what each player on the opposing team is going to do every damn time. It’s not an exact science. It’s like a snowflake… No two-plays are alike. LoL.
November 28th, 2025 at 11:47 am
@DR
Exactly correct. Regardless of whether it is faulty players or faulty schemes, it still falls back on Bowles. These players didn’t pick themselves. Clearly Todd cannot handle HC + DC responsibilities at the same time. Maybe he can’t handle even one. Time for the team to get a new face involved. Team has tuned him out. What’s sad is he’ll probably limp his way into the playoffs and be retained…….
November 28th, 2025 at 12:52 pm
So sick of this overrated clown. Give him a red nose and a couple tufts of orange hair and he’d look the part he plays.
November 28th, 2025 at 12:58 pm
I feel sorry for the reporters that have to keep a straight face while he answers.
Pros for sure.
November 28th, 2025 at 1:05 pm
A smart DC would scheme for the players he has, not what he wants them to be. Use the defensive guys strengths, cover their weaknesses, keep the defense manageable yet effective. Over complicating things just leads to frustration for everyone.
November 28th, 2025 at 1:34 pm
His job should be on the line on Sunday. If there’s no changes made and we eat another L then he should fired immediately.
November 28th, 2025 at 2:13 pm
Truth be told, it is 1 guy week after week, Bowles. And the even sadder truth, we have a GM who is oblivious to that fact. Other than BA hand picking a team to end his retirement, then BA crafting a team in his image, what is Licht’s greatest accomplishment? Im going with Marpet (ME, E², Wirfs were all ringers), maybe CG. Imo, you cannot say Brady, Brady picked us. Licht is a shadow of the coach, not the other way around. I am completely over his passivity in FA, over emphasis of his draft prowess, and his absolute neglect picking coaches (they fall into his lap or are forced on him). Building a good scouting team is not enough for a GM
November 28th, 2025 at 3:07 pm
His defense does not work against great teams with great quarterbacks. They like the blitz. It’s been proven for four years now. I have been a defender of his, but I’m over it. Until he admits they need a four man pass rush, everything else he says is irrelevant.
November 28th, 2025 at 6:40 pm
How to use a lot of words without saying anything. It’s seems to be getting worse. Fire over confident mistake prone clueless Bowles!
November 28th, 2025 at 9:48 pm
The Glazers look like idiots right now.
November 29th, 2025 at 10:28 am
When have 10 guys played well and one not played well? Just more noise from TB. This defense has been a joke for 3 years. Crippled Cousins carved Bucs up twice last year.