Graphic Throws Curveball At Empty Network Bucs Narrative
December 31st, 2025
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
Many things made Bucs fans beat their heads against the wall in the loss to Miami last week. Punting from midfield on fourth-and-one against a sorry defense, not running Sean Tucker and/or Rachaad White more, Joe could go on.
Those watching on TV got an unexpected treat. Joe has grown weary of these national TV guys week after week raving about Todd Bowles’ defense like it’s some mathematical puzzle few mortals can solve — even though the entire league has solved it.
FOX analyst and former slimy Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma was left shocked by his glazing of Bowles as a defensive savant as FOX showed a graphic that blew Bowles’ cover. It noted how the Bucs, since Week 9 (bye week) ranked 28th in the league defenisve in points per game, 29th in total yards per game and dead-last in the league at passing yards per game.
To be fair to Bowles, the Bucs improved on the passing yards a game allowed after the loss to Miami for the entire season, up to No. 26 at 236.4 yards per game.
Crack open the beers!
Boy, it’s a good thing the Bucs have a head coach who is a defensive guy.
Bowles has just once, since he arrived in Tampa in 2019, had a top-10 ranked pass defense, which came in 2022. Every other year with the Bucs, Bowles’ defense had a passing yards allowed per game in the lower third of the league.
Given that Bowles has a dismissive attitude about an edge rush, should this really be any surprise?
December 31st, 2025 at 5:31 am
His hoodie says it all. Inspire change. Yes, please.
December 31st, 2025 at 5:33 am
Good points.
You wonder sometimes if the national media is actually paying attention to how good or bad teams are playing.
In Todd Bowles case, since taking over as HC, the numbers don’t match the “defensive guru” or “savant” reputation he has with some people.
I remember that graphic and Vilma’s comments. At that moment, it came across as kind of ironic and funny.
As for the edge rush, I think the only way we get one is by bringing in a new HC.
The top-level brass can order Bowles to change up his game plans/schemes so that our edge rushers actually edge rush, but there’s always ways around it.
Hassan Reddick is a perfect example. I don’t mean that unkindly toward Hassan, (although he deserves some of the blame for his performance this year) but when your edge rushers and nose tackle are dropping back into coverage, what’s the point?
December 31st, 2025 at 5:40 am
His defenses have pretty much always given up a ton of passing yards. That wasn’t as big of a deal when they had a decent red zone defense. Now they just flat out play like 11 DW45s on the field at one time. No effort. No pursuit. And certain players are lauded as heros, but they stink. Brasswell was foisted upon us as the next great pass rusher. Pfffft. Tykee Smith was supposed to be the next great safety. He barely chases anybody.
December 31st, 2025 at 5:41 am
Grave diggers to booty givers, it’s been nasty business.
December 31st, 2025 at 5:42 am
The whole team has simply quit.
December 31st, 2025 at 5:44 am
I hope we make the playoffs, but I doubt we will. The Panthers and Falcons actually want it more than we do. By far.
December 31st, 2025 at 6:09 am
It seems like a foregone conclusion that the 3 coordinators HAVE TO GO; the performance of all 3 has been abysmal this year. Yes we’ve had a lot of injuries, but that can only go so far as a reason for continual losing. Quality coaches find a way to win; if not, they don’t last.
And it looks like that’s where we’re at now with this coaching staff; time to ‘Inspire Change’ and clean house. Gonna need to do that with quite a few of the players too, but more on the defensive ide than on the offensive side.
After looking at some of the ‘experienced’ ex-HCs currently available, I kinda think that Mike McCarthy might make a good ‘bridge’ HC (say for around 3-5 years). He’s got an excellent offensive background, has 18 years of HC experience with 2 teams (Green Bay & Dallas) and has an overall 174-112-2 career W-L record. That equates to a 60% W-L rate over a very long career (average of 11-6 in our current 17-game season).
Interestingly he’s had 5 losing seasons in those 18 years, but in all 5 of those his starting QBs (Aaron Rodgers & Dak Prescott) got hurt for a lengthy part of the season. Bummer.
I could see someone like McCarthy as a ‘bridge’ HC (much like BA turned out to be). Build a quality coaching staff, and hopefully ‘promote from within’ based on quality production. Bucs have had some incredible assistant coaches over the years who went on to become HCs … with OTHER teams.
December 31st, 2025 at 6:09 am
Joeon the brightside we has 3 rookies make the espn all rook team
December 31st, 2025 at 6:12 am
Finally.
December 31st, 2025 at 6:21 am
Kevin Ross DB coach was Todd’s college teammate. Nick Rapone DB coach was Todd’s college coach. They’re old, and stale like Bowles. They have no business coaching in the NFL. You won’t get anything new concept wise out of these guys. They shpuld’ve been replaced a long time ago. Now the time is up for all of them. The time should also be up for Jason Licht.
December 31st, 2025 at 6:23 am
competent ownership for a starter
December 31st, 2025 at 6:38 am
Joe, I find it sickening how the national media comments on local team problems. For YEARS since he was with the jets and miami the media has prrrrraised his defensive dinosaur mind. And for YEARS it has all been hype/lies/exaggeration based off of some very very few successes he has had as a DC. Never a head coach. All his defenses were awful cover 2 defense. Doesent take a genius to figure out the Tampa 2 defense.
December 31st, 2025 at 7:29 am
Well how come,when he does his press conference’s, he’s not called out on it, don’t do it here, do it there…..media is soft too……
December 31st, 2025 at 7:39 am
Coach Bowles seems to have the same flaws that afflicted Coach Dungy. The main one being that they lived/died on their loyalty to coaches/players. Professional sports is NOT loyalty-based. It is production-based. Those who cannot make the hard decisions might make good friends, but rarely good coaches.
December 31st, 2025 at 7:48 am
Todd, the staff, baker, & reddick have to go…
simple as that!!!
GO BUCS!!!
December 31st, 2025 at 7:51 am
Defense Rules: You’d rather have McCarthy as Bucs HC over Todd Monken? Klint Kubiak?
December 31st, 2025 at 7:53 am
This team hasn’t had a good defense since 2002 championship. With the exception of the playoff run in 2020 and that defense was only good at the end of that season. Other than that it’s been garbage defense for 20 plus years.
December 31st, 2025 at 8:09 am
“Interestingly he’s had 5 losing seasons in those 18 years, but in all 5 of those his starting QBs (Aaron Rodgers & Dak Prescott) got hurt for a lengthy part of the season“
One of the biggest knocks on McCarthy is riding elite QB play, with talented teams and not doing much of anything in terms of postseason success. 3 years straight in Dallas with Dak playing out of his mind, posting three consectuive 12 win seasons and having the highest scoring offense for 3 years straight and a top 10 defense in that 3 years. Couldn’t get past the divisional round and no NFC title game berths. 2023 they finished top 5 on offense and defense. A lot of the same knocks as Bowles as well in terms of in game management and decision making.
Also runs an offensive system similar to Koetter, as in its steeped in vertical passing not a real strength of our projected 2026 starter at QB.
December 31st, 2025 at 8:11 am
Pass defense which cost the Bucs a chance at their third Super Bowl, continues to be a major problem. However, the big problem is a lack of leadership on the team. It has gone stale. Keeping it real in Ireland.
December 31st, 2025 at 8:26 am
Joe in Michigan … ‘You’d rather have McCarthy as Bucs HC over Todd Monken? Klint Kubiak?’
Actually yes. Todd Monken is now 59 years old and has NEVER been a Head Coach before. I like him as an OC, but he really doesn’t have that much OC experience. His offensive scheme in Baltimore is very specialized (they run the ball well over 50% of their plays). I like offenses that are much more diverse.
I keep hearing folks throw out Klint Kubiak’s name for HC, but I just keep scratching my head why. He’s got THREE years of OC experience. 2021 – Vikings (they went 8-9, HC Mike Zimmer got fired, along with his staff). Klint then went to the Broncos in 2022 for a year as their Passing Game Coordinator (they went 5-12), then he moved on to the 49ers in 2023 as their Passing Game Coordinator (they finished 12-5 and he moved on again … to New Orleans). Spent 2024 with the Saints (who finished 5-12), then moved next to Seattle when Dennis Allen & his staff got fired. Klint has done very well in Seattle working with Mike MacDonald (a DEFENSIVE mastermind who spent many years with the Ravens).
Still that’s just ONE year of success IMO, with a LOT of moving around from year-to-year before that. Not only that, but Seattle’s offensive scheme runs MORE than they pass. Works well IF you’ve got the OLine AND the RBs. Get beaten up like we did this year and that’s when the sheet starts hitting the fan.
Mike McCarthy OTOH has a rather impressive track record of success as a HC. I’m not looking for someone as a long-term solution, just as a ‘bridge’ of 3-5 years. Give us time to rebuild this team and figure out what our true identity needs to be.
December 31st, 2025 at 8:28 am
Bowles was a good DC when he had Arians looking over his shoulder saying “Todd, don’t do that. Do this instead.”
December 31st, 2025 at 8:30 am
Warren Brooks Lynch … ‘3 years straight in Dallas with Dak playing out of his mind, posting three consectuive 12 win seasons and having the highest scoring offense for 3 years straight and a top 10 defense in that 3 years.’
Sounds to me like he built a pretty good TEAM (kinda reminescent of Tony Dungy’s years?). THAT’s pretty much all I was looking for from a ‘bridge’ HC.
December 31st, 2025 at 8:31 am
Todd Toilet Bowels is TRASH 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
December 31st, 2025 at 8:34 am
By now it’s clear, Todd’s system works. Well, assuming you have studs among the front seven. Then it works. If you don’t? Big trouble. And we don’t. It’s really that simple. It’s his inability to adjust to personnel that doesn’t fit the defense. That has been his Achilles heel. And of course it’s Jason’s job to make sure we have those people.
December 31st, 2025 at 8:57 am
There are many teams in the league with no pass rush but
December 31st, 2025 at 8:59 am
Many teams in the league with no great pass rushers but they don’t have a horrible pass defense like this consistently. More than another hollow division championship in the worst division in football I want a new coach like I have the last three years
December 31st, 2025 at 9:09 am
Mike McDonald looks good, so does the Rams OC even though he doesn’t call the plays, a few others. No retreads. I would have liked Brian Hartline B-4 he went to the Bulls.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:09 am
Chris Shula as well
December 31st, 2025 at 9:26 am
Mike McCarthy would be a good replacement.offensi e minded coach with proven record.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:37 am
Defense: good work on McCarthy. He’s def had a lot of offensive success.
I personally would like a young innovative offense guy but. McCarthy I think would def fix this O. Find him a really good DC n let’s cool.
Team has way too much talent to play like this!!! Team def has holes every team does but more talent than there showing n playing with. They quit in radio it’s very clear
December 31st, 2025 at 9:40 am
Aw Man, now im having flashbacks
December 31st, 2025 at 9:46 am
IMO, McCarthy got lucky by having 3 HOF QBs on his roster: Farve, Rodgers and Prescott. IF you are a good coach and have those QBs how do you not win a SB or at least get to the Conference championship game?
This is a bad year to have to replace a HC, IMO. None of them are the second coming of plucking Jim Harbaugh from the college ranks or Ben Johnson as an offensive wizard. No Vrabels either. Most are retreads. Kubiack sucked before this year. Those of you who keep mentioning Gruden need therapy.
But we will see what the Glazers come up with, bc changes have to be made no matter what.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:51 am
“Sounds to me like he built a pretty good TEAM (kinda reminescent of Tony Dungy’s years?). THAT’s pretty much all I was looking for from a ‘bridge’ HC.”
In Green Bay, perhaps, but he got hired with Brett Farve and Aaron Rodgers on the roster with Charles Woodson on defense.
Dallas was a ready made situation, and again 36-15 in 3 years but couldn’t get past the divisional round with some pretty loaded rosters. Kicked our butts in 2022 though
Just saying, any candidate, especially an NFL HC who’s coached multiple teams all come with their share off knocks and McCarthy isn’t excluded from that.
December 31st, 2025 at 9:55 am
Rod Marinelli as DC in 2026
December 31st, 2025 at 10:28 am
The narrative that TB is a defensive genius is waaaay overused and waaaay off base! His defense has been exposed, and it shows on the stat sheet AND on the field!! Wake up!
December 31st, 2025 at 11:06 am
this defense has been garbage all year. the servile media have been trying to prove otherwise, touting stuff like shutting down jared goff when the defense gets roasted for over 400 yards and gibbs getting over 200 of it, or shutting down the eagles in one half of football, or the pantheon of pathetic, heaping praise for the shutdown of the saints, once.
of course now they are all wise, once the writing is on the wall, but they had nothing but pen in hand touting what served their masters at one buc place for most of the season….
December 31st, 2025 at 11:18 am
Todd’s defense hasn’t cracked the Top 20 since the Super Bowl. Being bottom third defense in the league means his defense is trash. Jason F’d up by not making Coen our HC after Jags asked to interview him.
December 31st, 2025 at 11:29 am
I’ve always loved defense but in today’s NFL defense is a side show that maybe gets a key stop or a turnover once in awhile. You need an offensive mind leading the team. Period.
December 31st, 2025 at 11:37 am
In football as in life you are only as good as your last accomplishment. The savant defensive wiz went from best (as DC against KC in SB) to worst this season! Any one watching can see this plane as day.
Team Glazer quit looking at your bank statements and right this sinking ship!! If you wait one more season you’ll have to drop ticket and beer prices to get anyone to show up!
December 31st, 2025 at 11:54 am
Players are exhausted playing in a scheme that just simply doesn’t work. Fire over confident mistake prone clueless opposing qb loving Bowles! Immediately.
December 31st, 2025 at 2:42 pm
Fortunately the Offense has been great and not a problem – racking up a giant 20.9 ppg since the bye 🤣🤣🤣
December 31st, 2025 at 2:49 pm
I would definitely like to see Mike McCarthy as the head coach, a winning record and a superbowl win. All he would need is an intelligent up and coming DC
January 1st, 2026 at 3:08 pm
@defense rules is right
Special teams coordinator MUST be fired. God bless him and I hope he finds a good job in college football.
Grizzard needs to be replaced. Who thought it would be a good idea to have an OC who has never been an OC before?
And Bowles? The DC. He’s a legend. But his defense must be able to get edge pressure? We don’t.
And our DE (Hall) must be a pillar against the run. And be able to bust into the backfield. Hall does neither.
I think it would be prudent of Bowles to hire a new younger DC to put some fire into our defense.