“Working On Us”
December 30th, 2025
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
Are the Bucs going to resort to only working on fundamentals this week in practices leading up to their final game of the 2025 NFL regular season, Saturday?
Both in the aftermath of the loss at Miami and yesterday in his day-after presser, Bowles said the biggest obstacle in winning is not the opponent, but themselves.
We see this each week. Bad passes. Dropped passes. Intercepted passes. Rotten tackling. Busted coverages. Edge rushers waving at quarterbacks from afar.
“It’s working on us,” Bowles said of this week’s objective. “Obviously, working on us. Understanding the things that we did wrong so we can get right.
“We don’t play 48 or 60 minutes of bad football, we play spurts and we have a couple plays. We’ve got to put it together. It’s the last game – one way or the other, we’ve got to find a way to win.”
It might help if the Bucs give Rachaad White and/or Sean Tucker more touches. They averages per carr a lot more than struggling Bucky Irving.
It would also help if Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard uses his passing weapons appropriately, as in downfield.
The only logical reason for Grizzard to call so many short passes and screen passes is that Baker Mayfield is hurt. And if he is that hurt, are you indirectly killing the team to cover for Mayfield’s injury?
To be fair, if not for Mayfield’s legs — he’s been the Bucs’ best runner in recent weeks — the loss last Sunday to Miami would have been worse.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:21 am
Perfectly said. Thinking that the majority of us are on the same page now.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:24 am
After watching the Rams play last night, a team that is supposed to beat the Birds, Stafford with picks and defense allowing Bijan Robinson to do what he has done to many (which is why I am not at Denis for what happened to him opening day), it’s the Rams again that will likely end the Bucs season. Season after season as far back as 79, it’s been the Rams
December 30th, 2025 at 7:31 am
Bucs finish 3rd. What a ridiculous premature ejaculation of a season. Baker for MVP they said. Bucs are a SB contender they said. Then “real football” started. Lolol
December 30th, 2025 at 7:34 am
The short passes are due to 2-3 backup o-linemen playing. If you watch Baker drop back his internal clock is 2 seconds max and the line is collapsing somewhere. If it were just one player or one side you could maneuver accordingly but it’s straight in his face and on his blind side. He’s simply got no faith in his blockers, the OC has no faith in them….very difficult to run your normal offense when you’re down 3 starters up front.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:34 am
Our Bucs have bigger problems than “working on us” which sounds like some slogan on a daytime talk show. Every team in our division has gotten demonstrably better. I watched an unafraid Falcons team last night with a pus armed QB take apart the team I thought might be the best in football. And when the going got tough and The Rams came all the way back the sh!tbirds calmly chewed up the clock and kicked the winning field goal. Our Bucs never even put up a fight against the Rams or anyone else since The Bill’s game. Houston…we got a problem and it looks like one that could land us back in the celler for a few years.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:46 am
Clueless Todd! Duh-yup!
December 30th, 2025 at 7:49 am
Prediction: The Bucs look great on Saturday, finally putting it all together. They beat the Panthers 35-13. Then the Falcons beat the Saints.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:54 am
Too late Todd.
December 30th, 2025 at 7:54 am
Blah blah blah…
December 30th, 2025 at 7:55 am
He is coaching like the way he is dressed in this photo. BACK to the 70s
December 30th, 2025 at 7:58 am
Radio needs to be bounced!!!!
Sure wait till the last game of the year to work on fundamentals
God I can’t stand this guy as a coach
December 30th, 2025 at 7:58 am
group therapy…?
December 30th, 2025 at 8:00 am
if we win and the falcons win, that’ll be just wild…
it’s like there was a boulder in front of the door to the playoffs
December 30th, 2025 at 8:02 am
You should write up some hype on Tyler shough being favored to win ROY if the saints win out (which he will be). If the saints lose this week it’ll probably go to tet mc….but if the saints win they will have their rookie QB be ROY
December 30th, 2025 at 8:02 am
Working on having the same record as Saints, woohoooo. Lets go Bucs.
December 30th, 2025 at 8:04 am
Bowels now commands the respect of a substitute teacher….
December 30th, 2025 at 8:06 am
Many have criticized Bowles’s overly stoic nature. Joe’s intel about his being a gregarious and decent person behind the scenes should balance that perspective. But both behaviors are emblematic of the coming epitaph on his tenure here: a coward. His mannerisms are all geared to avoid conflict and drama. But confronting those uncomfortable and distasteful subjects are necessary parts of the job. Bowles simply does not have the cahones to be the bad guy when it’s necessary. Case in point – McGaughey is STILL employed by this team. That’s just incredible, and downright shameful. I could go on with other examples (Leftwich, McFollowum, Grizzard, Bullock, etc.). The point is that this accountability lip service is palpably lacking from the man preaching it, with his unwillingness to address these issues. The special teams antics might very well have been the catalyst for the malcontents we now have amongst certain players. To a degree, they have a point. Look, I would love to see a sudden mental awakening from these guys. I mean, such a criminal waste of raw talent this year. Sadly, we all know what will probably happen this Saturday. And then a few days later, we turn the page.
December 30th, 2025 at 8:08 am
Bridgewater to the rescue.Sorry I was dreaming or was it a nightmare? Bowles should be fired if for no other reason than Bridgewater. wishing Bowles a nice retirement. Go bucs
December 30th, 2025 at 8:10 am
Joe, I sure would like to know what Richard “Nostradamus” Sherman knew when he predicted this 8 weeks ago! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 30th, 2025 at 8:12 am
the constipation is coming to an end…..the Bowel movement has finally started
December 30th, 2025 at 8:26 am
Pathetic
December 30th, 2025 at 8:28 am
Ok, let’s be specific…
After Bucs take 7-0 lead, Bucs’ secondary has blown coverage and Dolphins get an easy TD to tie game- that’s coaching
Bucs have 4th and 1 at midfield and choose to punt instead of going for it- result- Dolphins march down field against a porous D and take the lead- that’s coaching.
Bucs’ offense can’t run the ball, can’t execute screens or short passes and refuse to throw ball downfield- that’s coaching
The injury excuses are covering bad coaching
The Dolphins won game on both sides of ball on the O and D Lines – that’s coaching
December 30th, 2025 at 8:30 am
Wheels came off 8 weeks ago
December 30th, 2025 at 8:31 am
Really! We been seeing this all season
December 30th, 2025 at 8:33 am
I wouldn’t say Bucky is struggling. His yards per carry average was killed by being met 5 yards in the backfield 5 or 6 times. Multiple 5 yard losses really drag down the average. I’m not sure Tucker or Rachaad would do much better getting first contact immediately after receiving the handoff either. This O-line simply does not have the depth to deal with the Wirfs, Mauch, and Bredeson injuries.
December 30th, 2025 at 8:44 am
This team was never good. Other than the win over the banged up 49ers and the first Saints game, every win they did manage to squeak out was nothing short of a 3 points or less miracle.
Atlanta missed a chip shot FG in week for the lucky win. Then Baker’s 4th down scramble won us a game against Houston. The tipped pass secured a win in Seattle. The Jets by 3 after almost blowing it. Then the luck began running out.
What goes around comes around. The Rams destroyed us and Buffalo nearly did the same.
As for Baker’s 4th down heroics? Why did it have to come to that? Dropped passes and poor throws? Of course.
This was never a good team. And our division stinks!!
We are again the league’s laughing stock. In NFL history, no team has ever played for a division title after losing their seven of their last eight.
I’ll watch because the Bucs are my team and I love pro football.
But it won’t be pretty …
Here’s hoping our new HC is young, vibrant and extremely intelligent with a flair for motivating young men. My eyes get heavy every time they focus on Todd Bowles.
December 30th, 2025 at 8:44 am
That 4-1 at midfield should be talked about more!
December 30th, 2025 at 8:45 am
I know everyone looks at the bye week with whatever went wrong. I think it started in Detroit. The lions didn’t just break Mike Evans clavicle they broke the Bucs. Cause they have literally only won 2 games after that against the Saints and the Cardinals. Every game has been lost but 2 since mid October. Let that sink in.
December 30th, 2025 at 8:48 am
Fundamental tackling and blocking should be taught in camp not the last week of regular season. It’s why I say it’s just a extension of preseason at this point. Don’t get me wrong I want Bucs in playoffs but Todd’s the kind of guy that would screw up a undefeated SB record. Something I don’t want is having to take Larry Foote with no choice when Todd retires. It may be the plan if everyone returns next year with Foote at DC. Yes I considered that LoL!
December 30th, 2025 at 8:48 am
Its not Baker hurt. Its not getting RB’s more touches. Both guards are the problem, creating swiss cheese in run blocking and pass protections. No game plan can overcome that. You cant give RBs more touches in the pass game if they have to pass block. Thats why Baker is the best run option.
December 30th, 2025 at 8:53 am
you guys talking about 4th and 1 from midfield but I’m still talking about 3rd and 28…..you know what I’m talking about…..never forget
December 30th, 2025 at 8:56 am
“Working on us” … in other words, he doesn’t and hasn’t had a clue about how to fix any glaring deficiency (which there are many) on this team. I have one for you Todd, how about when your DB’s are in man coverage, they keep their eyes on their receiver and not in the dam# backfield. Also, the Atlanta scenario is a nice distraction but there is no way this team beats Carolina.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:16 am
I gloss over the comments from the coach’s, like the players we have tuned them out.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:19 am
SEVEN YEARS!!!!
Todd has been here for SEVEN seasons and in that time his defense has looked more like trash than an actual competent NFL unit. Even when he had a 19.5 sack edge rusher the pass defense was SHREDDED!!!
It’s time, move on from this clown
December 30th, 2025 at 9:34 am
Yaya is a #3 OLB.
Reddick will not be resigned.
Braswell should get cut.
Logan Hall should not be resigned.
Vea will be in a contract year.
JPP should be resigned as our #4 OLB to help Yaya develop.
So we need 2 new OLB next season.
Roberts can replace Hall at DE.
Hopefully David Walker can play.
But we still need two OLB like the Falcons drafted.
December 30th, 2025 at 9:38 am
The only thing Todd Bowles and this coaching staff should be working on is their resume!!!
December 30th, 2025 at 10:21 am
We have around 30 sacks for the entire season. Our secondary is bottom 3 in the league, and our O-line is old, and none of those things were addressed in the draft when they should have been. We can’t tackle anyone, pressure anyone, cover anyone, or protect our QB. Our unimaginative play calling has ruined Baker’s passing game, and slowly killed our offense as the season progressed. We drafted receivers and we finally had them all healthy and available the last 2 games and baker was barely given a chance to throw to them due to poor play calling, and no protection. He doesn’t get to throw until we are behind and running out of time, and then baker is expected to be perfect on every throw and save the game every week. He makes mistakes but his arm and legs are the only reason we have been in a game or in the season at all this year despite everything he has had against him. He drives the team down the field to score to start nearly every game, and then the offense is completely demoralized when we can’t ever stop our opponent, and they take our momentum every time. We made every QB we played against this season, look like Joe Montana, especially the rookies because we got no pressure on any of them and they picked apart our trash secondary. We need coaches who will focus of bettering the positions of need, who can motivate the players, and who can acknowledge their own coaching mistakes and adjust when needed. Coaching let this team down, and change is necessary.
December 30th, 2025 at 10:27 am
This team would be MUCH BETTER if we had Bredeson, Mauch, a healthy Wirfs and Kancey. There’s no denying it. We saw what the O-line was capable of LAST YEAR.
December 30th, 2025 at 10:34 am
Take you time Todd – no rush!
What a joke.
December 30th, 2025 at 10:40 am
The Panthers are going to come out with fire and aggression on Saturday.
I’m sure they would love nothing more than to win the division in Tampa.
Bowles will ensure we come out unprepared and ill-equipped to win a game.
It’s likely he still thinks you can just blindly run the ball 30+ times to beat the Panthers.
And the stadium will be half empty. Glazers, wake up!!!!
December 30th, 2025 at 10:52 am
Sorry Joe: “The only logical reason for Grizzard to call so many short passes and screen passes is that Baker Mayfield is hurt. And if he is that hurt, are you indirectly killing the team to cover for Mayfield’s injury?”
OR, his o-line sucks and gives Baker less than 2.5 seconds to make a throw. Hard to throw downfield in 2.5 seconds…
December 30th, 2025 at 11:07 am
Mayfield is short on all his downfield throws so I agree I think he is injured, problem is we know the back up can’t throw 20 yards so what do we do? I hate to say this, but I miss Kyle Trask