Not That Long Ago Bucs Coaches Held Players Responsible For Being Stupid
December 23rd, 2025
What consequences?
Is backup linebacker John Bullock on the roster still? If so, why?
Joe has nothing against Bullock and has never interacted with him. But after Sunday’s game, Joe thought sure Bullock would be run from the team.
Bullock pulled one of the stupidest stunts Joe can remember. In an absolute dogfight for a playoff spot, the Bucs were down three late against Carolina. The Bucs received a kick that was surely going to be a do-or-die drive, maybe for their playoff lives. They had to play mistake-free. Had to.
What happens? Bullock gets flagged for a personal foul not for hitting too hard (a Roger Goodell special), but for headbutting a Carolina player.
We all know how this ended. Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans were not on the same page and Mayfield threw a pick to end the game. Had Bullock not made that dumbass penalty costing the Bucs 10 yards (half the distance to the goal line after the brain dead Bucs returners let the kick bounce into the end zone ) Mayfield may not have even needed to make that throw. The Bucs would have already been in field goal range to send the game to overtime.
Bullock was being downright dumb and put the Bucs in a hole at their own 10 yard line. Mayfield threw his pick with the ball on the Carolina-42.
Had Bullock kept his head, the Bucs might have had the ball on the Carolina-32. Huge difference. Maybe a game-deciding difference.
Thanks, Bullock.
The past few weeks, Joe has heard Bucs coaches and select players cry about how each player has to be accountable, has to look in the mirror, yada, yada, yada. So here was a chance for the coach to lay down the law and demonstrate there are consequences for being stupid and selfish. Todd Bowles could have cut Bullock.
He has not. Not yet.
It’s not like cutting Lavonte David. Bullock cannot even beat out SirVocea Dennis. He’s a stiff playing special teams.
Don’t tell Joe there isn’t some linebacker working as a substitute teacher or driving a truck who is still in football shape who couldn’t come in and do what Bullock does, minus being a dumbass?
This non-move by the Bucs reinforces to players there are no consequences. And the coaches wonder why the players don’t get their heads out of their arses? Because there are no consequences, that’s why.
Jimmy Johnson would have forced Bullock to pay his own way back to Tampa because he would have been unemployed.
Warren Sapp, given the same circumstances and what was on the line, would have punched him. Tom Brady would have screamed at him for 20 minutes, then stomped over to Jason Licht and order him to launch Bullock.
“Nah, John, we’re cool. We all make mistakes. Are you OK? Don’t worry, we’ll still go to Dairy Queen after we land in Tampa. What’s your favorite Blizzard flavor? My treat! And you’ll still get your trophy after New Years.”
Treat guys like babies, they’ll play like babies.
Joe remembers when Brian Price got whistled late in a blowout to Carolina in 2011 for unnecessary roughness. Then-Bucs coach Raheem Morris threw him out of the stadium. Told him to go home.
Tony Dungy once launched backup quarterback Scott Milanovich because he got popped for a DUI.
Bucco Bruce Arians jogged out on the field and whacked Andrew Adams on the helmet when Adams was yanking people’s legs in a pileup and was about to get flagged for unnecessary roughness, too.
Bullock? Joe guesses he still got his Blizzard.
Memo to Bucs coaches: No more of this empty mirror-gazing babbling and whining how guys don’t care when you actually have a chance to demonstrate law and order and establish some standards on your team to send a very clear and direct message: there is no more tolerance for being an idiot.
Instead, you just told your team loud and clear that undisciplined football is acceptable.
Bullock’s stupid antics very likely could cost the Bucs a playoff berth, and quite a few people their careers in a couple of weeks.
And what is the price that Bullock will pay? You’ll make sure his next check clears and invite him back for OTAs, won’t you?
People actually wonder why this team is circling the drain.
December 23rd, 2025 at 7:37 am
He should throw himself in that conversation along with the Glazers & Licht because they’ve been part of the problem, too!
December 23rd, 2025 at 7:43 am
They should have cut him on Sunday and made him get his own ride home.
December 23rd, 2025 at 7:52 am
From the 35 yard line to the 10 yard line starting field position……..no problem. Could not stand to hear Bowles defend Bullock yesterday. This team is soft and undisciplined due to the HC. It is time for him to go. Problem is what is really out there to go and get to replace him?
December 23rd, 2025 at 7:53 am
“I am that man”
Fire Bowles and Licht.
December 23rd, 2025 at 7:54 am
Joe I was thinking the same thing. I would have left him in Charlotte. Cut his arse to send a message
December 23rd, 2025 at 7:57 am
Wow. Let’s blame it all on one guy and dogpile on him. Yeah, let’s end his career on it too. I know I’ve never made a bone headed mistake before.
December 23rd, 2025 at 7:58 am
Chase COULD have made the kick from the 42, woulda been a 59 yarder
December 23rd, 2025 at 8:00 am
Prob cause he is one of the better special teams players with 10 tackles ..I mean have you seen our Special teams on returns…How about do not throw a Int at the 42yd line on 2nd down .
December 23rd, 2025 at 8:10 am
If you benched all the players that made a brain dead mistake and cost the team, there would only be 8 guys left to field of the 53 man roster. I got a better idea make players like Bullock, Zion, and Otton wear guardian caps to save the last remaining brain cells. That way it’s easy to spot who to keed a eye on. Go Greg Shiano on it. When the reporter ask why so many players are wearing guardian caps do they all have concussions? Say no they just make mental errors.
December 23rd, 2025 at 8:11 am
Brian H it would have been at the 20, not the 35. This too was due to stupidity because the ball landed in bounds and bounced into the end zone which cost the Bucs more yardage because the returner most likely could have made it past the 20.
December 23rd, 2025 at 8:20 am
Lmao, this team has zero depth to be teaching players a lesson. Bullock wasn’t as good as Nick Jackson yet he managed to beat him out for the 53 man roster because evidentially Bullock does something better on STs than the other pile of practice squad bodies.
Whether it’s the players agreement, that has led to softer “during the week” practices, or just less hungry players in general, there simply isn’t quality depth on this roster, not sure how it looks across the league. I can’t remember if we have ever stored a guy on the practice squad and when they finally got their chance they balled. It’s amazing how tight the the 53-man rosters are.
December 23rd, 2025 at 8:23 am
Hope it’s Jon Gruden for Bucs HC and Rod Marinelli as the DC in 2026
December 23rd, 2025 at 8:24 am
This lack of discipline sums up everything that is wrong with this coaching staff since day 1
December 23rd, 2025 at 8:24 am
Great idea…
Let’s just cut every player who makes mistakes.
Bye Zyon.
Bye Goedeke.
Bye Baker.
Bye Barton.
Bye Dean.
Bye Morrison.
Bye Otton.
December 23rd, 2025 at 8:35 am
Glaring lack of emotional intelligence displayed by Bullock. But I’m sure his ST coach will fix that. . .
December 23rd, 2025 at 8:36 am
Maybe that’s what Todd needs to do. Put himself in on special teams & play & then when he makes a couple of mistakes he can blame himself & then we can say goodbye.
December 23rd, 2025 at 8:46 am
and … General managers and owners held coaches and managers accountable!
December 23rd, 2025 at 9:00 am
“I am that man” Yes Jason, you are that man, who built this dumpster fire!! Bowels should have been fired after the D blew the in the championship game. Never should have been promoted. What a crap show.
December 23rd, 2025 at 9:03 am
Now it needs to be the other way around. Players holding their stupid coaches accountable.
December 23rd, 2025 at 9:05 am
the team held sanders responsible for his stupid punch throwing. where is the consistency, now some are allowed to head butt, leading to a critical penalty at a critical point in the game, and keep their employment?
isnt head butting something “we have to clean up” why does sanders get released and bullock doesnt?
December 23rd, 2025 at 9:07 am
Marine Buc Says:
December 23rd, 2025 at 8:24 am
Great idea…
Let’s just cut every player who makes mistakes.
^^^^^^^^
I see your point, Marine Buc…I think the Bucs should’ve cut a few players over the last few years for dogging it on the field.
Devin White most certainly should’ve been cut after the Colts game a few years ago, IMHO.
Jordan Whitehead should’ve been cut last year after choosing to not make tackles that he could’ve made.
Would this have changed anything in this years Todd Bowles sh!tshow? I’m not sure.
December 23rd, 2025 at 9:08 am
This was not a boneheaded mistake by a guy trying to do his best out there, it was a self-centered, undisciplined and childish act that cost his team the game and possibly a playoff spot. He should’ve been cut or at the very least sent home for the last two games if they think he is worth trying to make into a better team player.
December 23rd, 2025 at 9:18 am
i made a mistake by watching that game
December 23rd, 2025 at 9:21 am
No accountability on this franchise from either Bowles or Licht for that matter. This should cost Bowles his job but Jason has some explaining to do as well…
December 23rd, 2025 at 9:23 am
jimmy, perhaps Bowles plays favorites with the roster, protecting guys like he did Devin White. This could explain why some other players may have tuned him out already.
December 23rd, 2025 at 9:26 am
No wonder the players love Todd Bowles. He lets everyone off the hook. No one is accountable. People have gotten fired for less.
December 23rd, 2025 at 9:35 am
I was mumbling to myself yesterday pretty much the exact point of this story. Being tough on people sometimes is part of the job as a boss. No one wants another Schiano, but come on! It’s been Bowles’ m.o. all along. Should have fired Leftwich after the Munich game. Should have fired McGaughey multiple times this season (right now is another opportunity). Should have benched McFollowum for his bad attitude. And now this.
Sorry, being the boss means you can’t always be nice. Respect is earned, not given freely.
December 23rd, 2025 at 9:49 am
Message sent; message delivered.
December 23rd, 2025 at 10:06 am
Bullock does not Loaf he made a bonehead penalty that did not matter because when you throw a Int kinda kills any field position ..Heargraves was cut when the team was 3-7 .. Just cut the whole secondary
December 23rd, 2025 at 10:08 am
I think every message has been send at this time unless you want to try Carrier Pigeon.
December 23rd, 2025 at 10:10 am
Should we cut the RT for the 5 penalties ? which hurt worse ? Bullock penalty did not matter Baker made sure to throw a INT to end the game.
December 23rd, 2025 at 10:16 am
obviously Bullock was “bored” lol
bowles cant cut bullock, but allow winfield, zyon and reddick to loaf or be “bored”
If bowles cant keep players like Bullock in check, what makes you think he can keep other like reddick winfield and zyon in check or keep them from being “bored”
HIRE KLINT KUBIAK!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
December 23rd, 2025 at 10:19 am
The firing party should start today with Bullock. That selfish, stupid idiot shouldn’t have had a job on the plane. I’m still mad at him. Moron!
December 23rd, 2025 at 10:21 am
It’s too late Joe.
7-10 is coming!!!
I have a feeling Todd lost the team in the bye week.
You should look into that. SMH
December 23rd, 2025 at 10:24 am
Years ago I married someone who turned into Godzilla. She was cut from my team and things have been much better ever since. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
December 23rd, 2025 at 10:26 am
Years ago I married someone who turned into Godzilla. She was cut from my team and things have been much better ever since. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do
December 23rd, 2025 at 10:34 am
This will forever be known as the great Collapse of 2025.
December 23rd, 2025 at 10:41 am
So Joe this is such a good article in many ways. What did Bowles say when you asked him this? What was his answer to, “why not send a message and bench Bullock?” You are correct here but you actually are entitled to ask Bowles questions, we are not. I would love to hear his answer.
December 23rd, 2025 at 10:52 am
Zero accountability.
Special Teams coach should’ve been fired weeks ago