Emeka Egbuka Apologizes
December 7th, 2025
Blames himself.
Joe was going to type about the rookie wall. That was before Joe heard Emeka Egbuka speaking to a throng of reporters in the locker room after the Bucs’ 24-20 loss to the slimy Saints.
The loss puts the Bucs (7-6) in a tie with the Stinking Panthers for first place in the NFC South.
One reason the Bucs lost today — and it isn’t the only reason, far from it — is Emeka Egbuka dropped a touchdown pass when he was wide ass open.
Egbuka has struggled in recent weeks. Joe believes it is a combination of a lot of things, beginning with making a rookie the team’s No. 1 receiver (out of necessity). That’s a tough task for any rookie.
Egbuka seemed to blame the loss on himself and he apologized for aiding in the Bucs’ inability to score when they needed to.
“It is a huge honor to play for this team and be part of this brotherhood,” Egbuka said. “I can’t help but feel like I let them down today.
“I am on this team for one reason and that’s to catch the ball. And I didn’t.”
If that wasn’t a spot-on quote, Egbuka had another one about turning the focus to Thursday night and the Dixie Chicks.
“We have to do our best to flush this one,” Egbuka said.
Flush. That was a perfect verb because today’s game was a massive turd.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:17 pm
These AI generated “shocking historical photos” are gross and have no place on a “family friendly” sports site.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:20 pm
He has dropped TOO MANY BALLS
This year
If Brady was the Quarterback he would not be giving him the time of day!
December 7th, 2025 at 6:22 pm
I don’t think you can flush enough times to get rid of this stank from this team. Double E is young and already becoming a leader. Had a bad drop and owning it, it’s all you can do. Excited to see him as a Buc for years to come. Keep your head up young man, you’ll be fine if you keep working!
December 7th, 2025 at 6:22 pm
He has a promising career ahead but he still has more work to do, which should be expected out of a rookie. But yeah that was a costly drop.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:22 pm
Watching the Bears and Packers, would be amazing to see the Bucs show half as much heart as these teams are showing
December 7th, 2025 at 6:23 pm
I hope by “flush this one”, he meant Todd.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:25 pm
So a rookie wr can take accountability for his mistakes. Which is more respectable then his HC.
Bowles will Neved and has never took accountability for his failures.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:26 pm
E2 is all hype. Another draft pick bust.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:29 pm
EE is the least of our problems…..
Yep it was a drop…..but we lost that game for a multitude of reasons.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:29 pm
Good for EE being a stand up guy. He should have handled that pass. Have watched receivers in the league make one handed catches along OB lines in end zone.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:29 pm
He is right to apologize, but the defense would have likely given up the game anyway.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:30 pm
Are we being fooled? Is Baker = Winston?
Fun guy to root, makes exciting plays, but can’t get it done.
I wouldn’t be too quick to resign him.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:30 pm
Don’t be sad EE, it’s hard to catch overthrows and errant passes.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:35 pm
Every game I watch – and I watch most of them —— the teams have more heart than we do! More passion…more fire. We are duds – just like our coach!!!
December 7th, 2025 at 6:35 pm
This isn’t the thread that coexists with the headline but Joe you hit it straight up: If a rookie can say S*** straight up then so can’t everyone else. Done with coach speak and other type of BS, let’s say what it is: A HUGE turd and so is the play of this team after starting like they did with their backs against the wall. I thought that Bowles had this team full of grit but they are really full of s***. Bowles has to work with what he has, and all of the “so called” good teams have fallen short this year but others haven’t. Injuries, short depth chart, these things are league wide but where is the grit and will to win we saw earlier? The play calling today was just atrocious and just as bad was the lack of dominance for 1 godd*** yard. 1YARD? On what, 4 different times? This crap HAS to end and if it means the staff then so be it, I don’t know where esle to start unless the cupboard is just so bare that we don’t know but here’s the kicker: offense was supposed to be the strength, so where the Pharq is it? Bad conditions today but they pounded the ball and other times when they really needed it did nothing. Where the hell are you going guys? What do you want to be? What do you want to be known as? Not all of us have never played this game before, or maybe any other organized sport but we can recognize crap for what it is.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:38 pm
And Jason has a hot hand in this show too so he is not getting a pass so easy. I understand drafting where he does and types of guys he wants and I applaud that but he needs to look at some guys in FA if they aren’t there where they draft or to take that need/ problem away from the draft if they can
December 7th, 2025 at 6:40 pm
EE took responsiblity like a man, BUT, in this case, the QB fired a bullet when a lob was more appropriate. Especially in the rain, when he was WIDE OPEN.
It’s on them both.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:44 pm
Fire Todd
December 7th, 2025 at 6:47 pm
As we’ve seen, they also have bowel movements at night too. I’m not into watching them anymore
December 7th, 2025 at 6:51 pm
Like to know what I said in my first post that was posted and then deleted? No swearing just calling guys out. Not saying Bowles sucks, as so many others have but questioning what’s going on. Are we all so tender footed that the truth hurts us now? And I understand there may be some things I don’t know you have to guard against for your site Joe but tell me what they are. Or don’t.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
Terrible drop but Egbuka will be a stud. Not worried about him.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:56 pm
I blame Egbuka too, very disappointed, this kid can and should play alott better. He needs to get help from somewhere to figure this out. He was bad, nothing good about his play today. He was garbage–if you do not agree sorry bout your delicate feelings. I expect much more than this. He looks like a bust. Hope he can figure it out and get it together. Now, ready to critique Baker and all the other way over paid and over rated players.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:57 pm
Dudes a 3
December 7th, 2025 at 7:01 pm
We need to remember he is a rookie!!. Yes I have seen M E drop critical balls. It happens. With that said , yes it stings!. EB will really help this team in the future. If he was the 3rd receiver like he was supposed to be, we would be saying he is a star already. We need to let him grow some.
To his credit he did not run out of the locker room, like Winfield whom only makes casual appearances. In fact had Joe not said he bolted from the locker room after, you might have thought he was inactive today.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:07 pm
He absolutely should have caught it.
But Baker, on a wet and rainy day, also could have made it a dramatically easier catch by putting a little touch on it. If Baker places the ball better, it’s almost certainly caught.
Still, the rookie gets the blame, he’s paid to make tough catches like that and was making them early in the year. He’ll be fin.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:08 pm
Let us pray he is not Michael Clayton, Jr.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:08 pm
Egbuka plays scared. Still a rookie.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:11 pm
You win as a team and you lose as a team. 4 loses in 5 games is a stain on the entire organization. Even Baker has been off his game. Its sad but this season is over. Time for a rebuild from the coach on down.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:12 pm
Blame Toilet Bowles for not getting this young man the coaching he needs. Of course TB is a “defensive minded coach”….I could barerly type that from laughing…
December 7th, 2025 at 7:13 pm
Eggman has been dropping at least a ball a game the last several. He’s gonna be a great pro though.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:18 pm
Dude is a 50/50 to catch a pass.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:24 pm
EE is not consistent and will not replace CG14. The guy is all hype at this point. They would have been better off withMiller in this game. Not sold on EE at all. I do not want his apology, just catch the damn ball. lol.
Defense and Special Teams just add to the misery.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:25 pm
Thought it was a poor throw more than a drop
December 7th, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Uhhh, EE, you haven’t caught the ball cleanly in weeks. Lots of drops lately. Today’s was brutal. Your play has sunken faster than the Kursk.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:31 pm
Eat a weiner sit and spin in teo year ill call him a bust
December 7th, 2025 at 7:34 pm
I watched the Ohio State-Indiana game last night. The Buckeye DB’s were all over the receivers, yet were rarely penalized, but the Hoosiers just outmuscled them for the ball. And they barged their way to first downs, not coming a foot or a couple yards short. I was just reminded of this by EE’s alma mater, not by his personal play, but many times I hear complaints that Bucs receivers are being held and such or I see them coming up short. Not to mention bobbles. The Hoosiers know how to secure the ball and advance it. Maybe with a high draft choice we could sign one.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:34 pm
EE’s new nickname = Mr. Butterfingers. The guy has had more drops in critical situations than any other WR.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:36 pm
Frank Pillow Says:
December 7th, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Uhhh, EE, you haven’t caught the ball cleanly in weeks. Lots of drops lately. Today’s was brutal. Your play has sunken faster than the Kursk.
———-
Are you counting the Rams game where he was wide open in the endzone and Baker missed him by a mile – was that also on e2?
December 7th, 2025 at 7:39 pm
2 for 9. Yawn
December 7th, 2025 at 7:47 pm
At least Egbuka is accountable for his late season slump. You never hear Bowles blame himself or take accountability, he always blames the players. n Bowles is the problem, the players know there will be no consequences as long as Bowels is running the show. Todd has to go…..
December 7th, 2025 at 8:00 pm
He has nothing to applogize for. Ownership should applogize for being cheap in extending the piece of crap Bowels.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:13 pm
his nickname is the eggman……at least until he gets his sh!t together, or the season ends…
the eggman is making too many booboos these days…
it was a tough catch to make in bad conditions, but he probably should have made the grab
December 7th, 2025 at 8:14 pm
Nice catch pretty boy
December 7th, 2025 at 8:14 pm
The pass that Egbuka “dropped” was like so many of Mayfield’s passes the last six weeks. He hasn’t been throwing with any touch or timing and our QB and skilled receivers are our weakness. It’s not pretty.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:15 pm
Toilet Bowles is a moron
December 7th, 2025 at 8:19 pm
It was a bad throw, which he barely got some fingertips on it. No reason to lob that pass vs a cover 1 man or the cover 3 guy guessed wrong.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:19 pm
First time commenter, but huge listener of the podcast down here in Miami.. I havent read any of the comments here yet so please excuse me if any of this is repetitive as I’m sure some will be..
Missed tackle, after missed tackle, after missed tackle!!! Especially on Shough’s last rushing TD..I dont care if it was wet, it has been happening all year!! Todd Bowles is a great guy I’m sure, but he’s starting to remind me of Doc Rivers in the NBA..Great with the media, great with culture, but I dont know what else he does..
I feel like every week its a slow start, this team comes out flat, unmotivated, and not prepared..I hear the same presser every time, “We missed tackles, we didnt communicate, guys need to learn to trust each other…” Isn’t it your job to do that!?!
Its like a comedian telling jokes to a silent crowd then saying “Well these guys need to learn to laugh, get together, and have a good time…Well maybe if you were better prepared, and better at your job, they would!!! Maybe its NOT them! 3 straight seasons of mid-season slumps, no edge rush, no trade for help at the deadline and lets not mention Egbuka is having some crucial drops these past few weeks..Offenses adapt and use screens, etc and we havent been able to stop it for years! Instead of “Take what the defense gives you” Sean Payton showed the world how to beat this team years ago and they havent adapted! .Ok….Whew, I apologize and thank you for letting me vent! I hope today was the turning point, the wake up call at least, and really hope to see these WRs on the field together soon but in all seriousness, the easiest division in football has masked the fact that in any other division, this team would have been .500 or worse..it just makes you wonder, would he have survived 3 years playing this way with this defense in any other division???..Go Bucs!!!
December 7th, 2025 at 8:24 pm
It looked to me that Baker overthrew EE. It was a lousy pass
December 7th, 2025 at 8:25 pm
Baker plays hard but he had a poor game for sure
December 7th, 2025 at 8:26 pm
While Egbuka should have been able to catch that pass, it wasn’t an easy one to catch, as it was high and forced him to stretch to try and catch it. Mayfield threw a crap pass, as he is now often doing again, that was high on and on a line. Egbuka was so wide open, with nobody behind him, that Mayfield could have dropped the pass up and over to allow him an easier catch. Instead…throw it high through his hands. And that pass to Cade Otten on 4th down…right at his feet. Throw it to his chest and he likely gets the first down. But, at the end of the day, this loss is on Bowles. His team is poorly coached. His defensive schemes suck. If he doesn’t win a playoff game or two, he needs to go.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:32 pm
I think Baker is playing hurt but he does not want to come out and the coaches certainly know Bridgewater will not get anything done. Thus the Buc are cornholed for 2025.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:33 pm
i don’t care if eggman sounds all smart and wiser than his years…
the fact is, he’s still hit the rookie wall, like a crash test dummy, many moons ago
he barely even looks like a #2 or #3 these days…
of course we want big mike back – he just changes the who dynamic out there…
but eggman hitting the wall, has me yearning for jmac’s return as well
December 7th, 2025 at 8:34 pm
of course we want big mike back – he just changes the whole* dynamic out there…
December 7th, 2025 at 8:37 pm
That pass was thrown to high and hard the ball hit his finger tips not his hands. Look I’ve given Baker Mayfield his credit all year and I have even excused his bad games but now he’s putting up to many bad games since Mike has been hurt. It’s no more excuses for Baker Mayfield and Bowles NFC Championship or bust.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:37 pm
EE had 9 “targets” and caught 2
I don’t know what qualifies as a “target”. Does it have to be in the general vicinity?
But I saw one pass Baker intended for EE. It was so far behind EE it was ridiculous.
It is a team game and they ALL sucked. Especially the terrible coaching.
We got to coach it better. Play it better. And play the hot hand.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:40 pm
It wasn’t a great pass. It would have been a great completion if he had made it.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:42 pm
After the past 2 games, I have 2 words for EE2…JUGS MACHINE!!!!!!! Come on man!!!
December 7th, 2025 at 8:42 pm
We needed M1K3 TODAY and these mid to late season slumps are getting old we are going back to the pre Brady Bucs mentality and that’s sickening 😢 😔 😪
December 7th, 2025 at 8:52 pm
Watching other qb’s makes me jealous. Even Gino Smith just throws the perfect ball to bowers 20 yards down field. No reaching or diving. The ball would have hit him in the head if he didn’t catch it. Same with C J Stroud tonight. We need Evans because Baker is so inaccurate and the receiver needs to have incredible reach just to get a fingertip anywhere near the ball.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:58 pm
The problem on the pass is that yes, e2 should have caught it, if you can get both hands on the ball, you’re supposed to catch it, those are the rules.
But Baker made it way harder than it needed to be. He had time, e2 was wide open, all he had to do was put just a tiny amount of touch on the ball, and I’m certain e2 catches it. It wasn’t a bad throw, it just wasn’t a good throw.
Still, e2 gets the blame on that one.
But someone else pointed out the ridiculous target numbers for e2, and yeah, they’re insane. Baker has mostly been very inaccurate for a couple of months now, and those target numbers are nonsense. Throwing 5 feet over his head, or at his feet, or out of bounds, those are all targets, but none are catchable, so that stat is really misleading.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:59 pm
Bucs haven’t been right since getting handled by Detroit. Never adjusted and regressed in all 3 phases ever since. Somebody knew something then but couldn’t say something. Team checked out after that game. The winning culture disappeared and there is a bunch of new players here that don’t know what it’s about and never experienced it. I understand you got to get younger but the younger group isn’t progressing or can’t stay on the field. That Detroit game exposed some stink and Bucs have been spraying perfume on it ever since.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:05 pm
Being honest Baker is on a downward trajectory and responsible for most of these issues with EE but not all of them. Things are bad for the Bucs, we have a very cloudy future. Bad coach that we are stuck with, quarterback injured and unable to connect with his receivers. A playcaller that is in over his head. Sooo many needs. A GM that can’t figure out how to draft a decent Defensive End or two. We have sooo many needs and so few picks. Our GM is always bargain hunting with minimal success (Hassaan Reddick). Owners that couldn’t wait to resign our loser head coach.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:11 pm
He was referring to flushing the HC Todd Bowel Movement.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:25 pm
EE took 10 points off the board. A penalty before the half pushing Chase out of field goal range forcing a hailmary attempt as time expired. And a dropped TD. He owned up to it. He should buy a hot chocolate for the fans sitting in the rain though.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:29 pm
Can you hit the hand and flush the T odd. It is a bit stuck the passed few years. Things are getting a bit stinky pinky.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:36 pm
Maybe Bucs should have drafted an edge.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:19 pm
After reading these comments, most of our fans are idiots.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:27 pm
For the gabillionth time. Bowles could coach Simeon Rice, Warren Sapp, John Lynch, Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber into mediocrity or worse.
Bowles is done. At least he’s getting fatter, at least that’s one measurable with the arrow pointed “up.”
December 7th, 2025 at 10:38 pm
EE will get better with time and will be a key piece in the re build that will take place after the season is over.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:48 pm
Emeka is fine. Ok, he dropped a touchdown. Where was Todd Bowles Defense all game? How come they cannot pull their weight ? Enough of Bowles and Licht. We WANT A WINNER!!!
December 7th, 2025 at 11:39 pm
Evans had one knock against him as a rookie, dropped passes. This kid will be a star.
December 7th, 2025 at 11:53 pm
Baker had the entire end zone wide open with no one there. And a very clean pocket. He always throws behind receivers. Sometimes by a tad. Sometimes by a lot. And he’s usually late. It’s why we’re not getting any YAC. That throw should’ve led EE towards the middle of the end zone, right where he (or anyone else) would’ve expected it to be with at least some touch on it. There was none. It was a bullet. High and behind him when there was no reason for it with the entire middle of the end zone wide open. It is just vintage Baker. He can’t throw anyone open. He always makes it look closer and a lot tougher than what it needs to be. Always.
December 7th, 2025 at 11:59 pm
There is not a problem with EE. He is what he is. A nice young receiver who is fundamentally strong and with good hands. He is not elite. Never was. But he is a top notch, solid, very dependable #2 on a good team to fringe level #1 and is a good teammate. He is Chris Godwin 2.0. The only problem being just way too many people on here already anointing him to Canton and the NFL HOF after only about 3 games.
December 8th, 2025 at 12:22 am
I agree
flush the toilet bowles
December 8th, 2025 at 12:46 am
EE = OR or over rated.
Wasted pick.
December 8th, 2025 at 1:11 am
I love EE and he is going to be great but he didn’t catch it because he wasn’t ready for it. He was already by the defender and he should have been looking for the ball. He waited too long to look back to the QB once he knew he was open. That’s why it looked like it was thrown too hard and high. That’s a timing issue between QB and receiver.
December 8th, 2025 at 2:06 am
He’s a rookie and done well so far. We can’t keep depending on offense AND OCs to bail out Todd Bowles’s awful Head Coaching and Defensive Coordinating.
December 8th, 2025 at 6:47 am
Loser Bowles should have resigned after this latest embarrassment. Worst coach I have ever seen. If he won’t resign then FIRE him Glazers. F this loser organization.
December 8th, 2025 at 7:45 am
The dropped TD was bad but the coffin nail was the egregious no call on a blatant DPI on the Aints late in the 4th! Not to say by the overall performance of the team it would’ve sealed the deal. But more than likely had the blind officials tossed the hanky with the ball so close to the paint and a fresh set of downs. the odds would’ve been in favor of a Bucs score…
December 8th, 2025 at 12:21 pm
Can we flush Toilet Bowles too?