Charlie Strong Reacts To Rondé Barber Claims
January 15th, 2026
Rondé Barber
So 2025 Buccaneers defensive line coach Charlie Strong was among the fired assistant coaches at One Buc Palace last week.
Yesterday, Strong sat down with multimedia czar J.P. Peterson on the YouTube show that bears his name. On the docket was the subject of Bucs legend Rondé Barber saying the Bucs defense is too complicated.
Barber has gone there several times. It’s a biting criticism, Joe believes, because it’s a slap at the teaching prowess of coaches and it speaks to them not adjusting to talent.
Strong largely rejected Barber’s notion that a challenging defense held the Bucs back. He also pointed to a steady turnover of personnel because of injuries, especially at cornerback.
“It wasn’t so much the complication, it was more of different people; each and every game here’s a different guy,” Strong said. “Now we gotta teach this guy. So I don’t know if it was the scheme being very complicated, it was more of, ‘Here we got to try to now put it all together with what we have.’ And sometimes it’s guys who had not played that you’re trying to get them ready to go play.”
After the Bucs season ended, Joe talked to someone intimate with daily happenings inside the walls of One Buc Palace. His basic response to a very similar question about Barber’s takes were much more in line with Strong’s comments versus Barber’s musings.
And Joe was told defensive players flat out getting beat and making elementary errors were another huge factor in the sad defense, not complexity of the scheme.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
Its not too complicated its just too hard for guys to understand
January 15th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
ROFL…The Curse of Bowzo strikes again….remember this is an NFL level coach talking NFL player IQ.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Which is why you shouldn’t have an overcomplicated defense. QED.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
OK you run that way and I will run this way…jump up and wave your arms around. Plan Bowzo.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
Nothing better than having Anthony Nelson cover a running back on a wheel route on a running back 25 yards down the field in the end zone. No accountability on the whole team. Embarrassing.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
In other words, “we have to coach it better and play it better.”
Same old BS excuses, leading to no real change and no improvement.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
Six of one…half a dozen of the other. Whats the difference?
These clowns want to run a multiple defensive scheme, but the players only know how to function in one scheme style or the other and they aren’t interchangeable? Good plan.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
This does not explain constantly not putting the safeties (Winfield, Smith) on top and giving up huge gains when experienced corners (like Dean) were healthy and clearly backing off receivers at the line. Bucs ranked 27th in pass defense and dead last in Red Zone defense.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
if they would stop writing on the white board in chinese and just do it in simple english everyone would understand…
we are not in kazakhstan…
and borat is not on the coaching staff
January 15th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
The problem with Charlie’s argument is that you know you will be playing different defensive backs, this team is full of injury prone players and you drafted yet another injury prone corner pretty high this year. These injuries can’t be a shock because you know they are going to happen, at least you should know they are going to happen and they did.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
The question is why weren’t they trained and ready to go. Isn’t that the hallmark of “Next Man Up”? I can understand that experience factors in, but as far as knowing what your responsibilities are, that should be engrained into every one of the 53 players on the squad. Sorry, don’t buy it!
January 15th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
What a load of rubbish. The injury excuse. Please. Charlie, you’re done. Get off the media and go meditate in Montana or something.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
BS, I mean, how can’t they figure out after all these year,s there is one common denominator
January 15th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
Smoke
Smoke
Smoke
Let’s put out all these Possibilities for the problems the Bucs had
FACT IS BUCS have declined the last 3 years and only one thing is the TRUE PROBLEM BOWLES
But due to Cheap owners and social pressures we are STRUCK THIS TOLIET
OH Yea PLAYERS IF YOU DONT WANT FANS SELLING TICKETS DEMAND A TEAM WORTH OF A150$ nose bleed tix
January 15th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
The coaches know it’s 2026 and they didn’t just play the 2024 season right? That was last years excuse and it was a good one cause we had Hayes and Funderbunk taking a bunch of snaps with a less than 100% Winfield.
Who did they have trouble getting ready in the secondary? Parrish played pretty well, the 2nd round rookie BMo? Or the veterans, Dean, McCollum, Bryce Hall, Winfield, Tykee, Izien … who are these unknown DBs that were getting snaps and were making mistakes?
January 15th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
That is a complete load of BS from Strong.
The defense remained relatively healthy all year long besides losing Kancey. Having a single DB miss a game here or there is not the reason every single QB had all day long to sit around in the pocket, order some food, and then throw a pass to wide open WRs and TEs.
Go back to college Charlie, you’re clearly not cut out for he big leagues.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Charlie Strong is there to collect a check. He’s one of the few people that has the ability to F’’up a free lunch. He is an absolute waste.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Speaks to the lack of talent provided by the highly overrated GM
January 15th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
That is a sad response from Charlie Strong. If he is saying that the players who were not scheduled to be starters that week and who get pressed into duty are not prepared properly to perform in this defense when called upon means that there is a severe lack of coaching and reps for these players.
That falls squarely on the shoulders of the defensive coordinator and head coach!
This is sort of been my issue all season long is lack of preparation.. starters and backups alike seem unprepared for when things go off script. Usually the offense tends to do well for the first series because the plays are scripted but as the defense starts to figure out the play calling of the offense and adjust we seem to not make our own in-game adjustments.
Same thing is very evident on the defense. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen great defensive drives early in the game and then we get eviscerated later on as the opposing team figures out what beats us.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
Usually the communication takes two parts. One speaking and the other listening and understanding. If more than 20 people are not understanding, maybe the issue is who is talking. That’s the common denominator for the last years!!!
January 15th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Charlie explains exactly why the scheme was/is too complex. If you’re having to play replacement players all the time, then a simpler defensive plans makes even more sense. Haha….look at me trying to use logic.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Doesn’t matter who’s on the field, year in and year out the D has struggled since Todd has been here. But because he kept the chiefs out of the endzone in the Super Bowl it doesn’t matter. Don’t forget, Bucs were up 28-10 in nfc championship game and almost blew it. Just like they have done for years
January 15th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Now we gotta teach this guy??? All of these players have been on your active roster or practice squad for the entire season. Shouldn’t they be learning this in practice and be ready to jump in? What a sad excuse.. They might not get all the reps but they should understand the concepts and be able to jump in and have an effective grip on what is going on. Either there’s a lack of a coaching or a lack of motivation. Both fall on the coach as much as the player.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
Mr. Strongs opinion is incorrect. All coaches are responsible for the players in their assigned group. You telling me we can only coach 3 players at a time and don’t bother with the rest. How are you putting your players in a position to succeed if you are only coaching part of your workers? Why isnt the scheme evolving to let workers play fast? This league is littered with super star coaches with no job because they cant get past their own ego. Byron anyone? Isnt he smart? he wanted it done his way, regardless of if your toolbox can actually do it.
Mr. Strong’s response tells you exactly what is wrong. Reality is not getting into the mind of the coaches, in my opinion.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
If i remember correctly, Detroit basically had zero defensive starters in their secondary when we played them, and they absolutely put the clamps on our offense.
Charlie Strong was with this team for one season, he knows nothing of the Bowles history.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
The problem that I see is a combination of the scheme and the players. Bowles defense is complex by design, which is great if you have a veteran defense with guys who really understand the system. But, this is a generally young team and it is fairly obvious (to me at least) that some of them are having difficulty understanding their assignment in the overall context of the scheme. I would also suggest that there are some athletic limitations on some of them which also contribute to missed plays. It also seems that the reason why the DB’s give such a cushion to receivers against what Bowles says he wants, is that they are uncertain in either the scheme or technique and resort to the cushion out of fear of getting beat deep. The defensive responsibilities either are not being properly taught or their is a deficiency in coaching technique. Either way, it isn’t working and Bowles either needs to simply assignments or get coaches in here to shore up technique.
January 15th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
And Joe was told defensive players flat out getting beat and making elementary errors were another huge factor in the sad defense, not complexity of the scheme.
Yes, just like Ewers 63 yard pass in the Dolphins game to Theo Wease
The Pressure Blitz did not work, it left the Buc secondary with one on one coverage and it failed again and Todd Bowles never made an adjustment!!!!
This was the story all year!
January 15th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
So, their backups don’t know the plays? Is that what I’m hearing? He’s confirming what Rhonde said!!!!
January 15th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
When the Glaziers read this, they need to change their minds a can Bowles>
January 15th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
Is it possible to pick up or draft some bright, high IQ players who are going to tear some heads off. That 3rd and 28 was on the players, I was right there watching live. That’s what happens when you have low IQ players who can’t even spell their own name!!!
January 15th, 2026 at 1:04 pm
If guys like Dean and AWJ, who have been PLAYING in the system for years, still can’t fully figure it out, what makes anyone think Strong can come in and pick it up in one season? I’m sorry but he has NO credibility on this subject as far as I’m concerned. Probably knows players don’t get coaches jobs, other coaches do, so he’s covering for bowles.
Also, to those that disagree with Ronde, fine. Maybe it’s not too complicated (I think it is). Then what is the problem? Cause we never hear that part and clearly something is very wrong with this defense. And it’s more than players making mistakes. Players make mistakes in every defense, but they’re not all a bottom 5 defense like we are. There are some roster holes, sure. But are we a bottom 5 defense talent wise? I don’t think so. So there’s something else going on.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:04 pm
BS. The 49ers had a more injuries than the Bucs and they have young guys playing fast. TB needs to streamline his defense so guys can play fast.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:07 pm
Isn’t it the coaches job is to prepare the entire team? Lol I could see confused faces from the stands but ok Charlie.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
It was poor coaching any way you say it
January 15th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
Maybe Charlie is partially correct and Rhonde is wrong. Maybe the defense is too simple which is why other offenses pick it apart….even lower level quarterbacks.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
Wow, disappointed. A coach is there for their players and to coach all of them. Did they actually have weekly practices or just walk-throughs? It was the offense that had more injuries, not the defense. This is getting more and more puzzling and I am not one of the players. Can’t imagine what they felt. Oh yeah, confusion too.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
49ers beat the eagles with 3rd string LBs and a depleted roster. So yes, coaching scheme and coaching matters, as well as a GM that knows how to pick players. I also heard that the Texans use a very simple defense. Why is it that year in and year out there’s a question of scheme, communication and players with Bowles. So ready to move on!!!!!!
January 15th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
3rd and 28
We’ve coached all we can.
It’s not an issue with effort, it’s execution.
Just gotta coach it better, scheme it better, play it better.
It wasn’t so much the complication, it was more of different people.
I won three straight division titles.
Excuses, excuses, excuses.
Yeah, let’s just waste another year on Forest Bowels.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Theoretically, if you drop a d-lineman into coverage and rush a linebacker or DB in his place, the “disguise” is supposed to confuse the opposing OL enough for a clear path to the QB and an easy sack.
Did any of our opponents look confused? It was as if they knew it was coming. So why not rush the rushers and leave well enough alone?
You’d think Bowles would’ve made the adjustments, but nooooo, not our resident guru.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Coach Borat. I vote yes.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
Why wouldn’t you cycle in back ups in practice so they are acclimated to the scheme to avoid what he’s trying to explain away? Defense ain’t that complicated.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
At this point, I’m totally confused on what our defense supposed to be. I know what it is based off how they try to play, and then there’s how they actually play.
Not even the Bucs D anymore, they’ll be referenced henceforth as the “Booty Banditos” until their play and level of execution reaches a level where a new designation is earned.
Landon Robinson, ‘26!!
January 15th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
Bs, the defense hardly had any injuries and our secondary was pretty consistent, hell Dean was available most of the season. When Zion got benched, the defense has already pissed away the season
January 15th, 2026 at 1:24 pm
he got fired because it was too complicated or him too
January 15th, 2026 at 1:25 pm
Whatever, bottom line is Ronde had a job to go to this morning and Charlie Strong didn’t.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:28 pm
WTF! turnover of personnel because of injuries? lol what injuries and what turnover because as far as I know we weren’t bringing in fresh faces and all these guys were here in training camp TO TEACH. Plus this is a veteran roster now
January 15th, 2026 at 1:31 pm
So the players that were in training camp, preseason and the entire regular season still couldn’t grasp their role when plugged in but it’s not the complexity of the scheme? Guys that have been in this system since 2020 also looked lost regularly….Winfield looked completely out of position multiple times. It’s definitely the scheme
January 15th, 2026 at 1:31 pm
So if a starter goes down, his replacement doesn’t k ow what to do? Oh now we gotta teach this guy too? GTFOH with that mess!
January 15th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
they all went to collej and lernt to reed a pleybuk so know hexcuses aight?
January 15th, 2026 at 1:40 pm
He’s acting “as if” these “PRO’S” have never played ball before….
The TRUTH IS THAT it’s FAR OVERLY COMPLICATED! It’s just that simple OR it wouldn’t be such a Clustered MESS, new in “a game” or not because THEY HAVE BEEN PRACTICING THAT VERY SAME DEFENSIVE IDEOLOGY FROM “GO MONTHS AGO”!
I CALL BS! And I don’t necessarily fully blame this mid le el coach for All the problems the defense Has! If “coaches” are having a hard time coaching it, intelligent college educated players don’tget it (nobody’s Ever in the right place OR understand why their teammates are over there instead of over there, IT’S SCHEME), then The SCHEME IS “the problem”…. DUH….
January 15th, 2026 at 1:44 pm
Jimmy!! 😂
January 15th, 2026 at 1:49 pm
Strong seemed to imply that the backups filing in for the injured starters come into the game needing to be brought up to speed on the scheme. Why are they not already up to speed?
Lame answer. No wonder he was fired.
74 Bucs Fan you said it better than I did.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:51 pm
It’s the NFL. Every team has a different guy in there every game. The Bucs defense was pretty darn healthy this season. It another excuse from a failed coach. One of the dumbest weakest excuses at that.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:52 pm
Excuse #4,378,921
PATHETIC FRANCHISE.
Licht and his merry bunch of losers
January 15th, 2026 at 1:53 pm
Good defenses play with attitude and aggression. They aim to swarm to the ball and multiple players should be reacting quickly and gang tackling.
The Bucs do none of that. Anyone that watches football can see that the product the Bucs put out was uninspired. Sometimes lifeless and many times simply pressure less.
Personally I find it difficult after being a Buc fan for 45 years to watch them play these highly boring and non entertaining games. I suppose a lot of people who were placing bets against the Bucs and their players enjoyed the season because they probably won a lot of money when the favorites floundered down the stretch vs. Saints, Falcons and Panthers. What a horrible performance after that BYE.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:53 pm
What a crock. It’s not to complicated to figure out why Charlie was fired. He does know he was fired right?
January 15th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
This is just another of a long list of indictments of Todd Bowles incompetence as a DC much less his position of HC. We have nothing whatsoever to look forward to except another season of “we have to coach it better” and “we as coaches have done all we can”. Absolutely unbelievable what this organization has done (and not done) in the last year.
P A T H E T I C.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:59 pm
Aren’t the backups supposed to be coached too? It’s not like they aren’t in the same exact practices every week. They’re just working with the 2nd and 3rd team. This whole excuse of injuries is nonsense. You had Vita Vea, Antoine Winfield Jr, Yaya and LVD healthy for the entire year. That’s the core of your defense.
January 15th, 2026 at 1:59 pm
If you have new guys every week then try to simplify the defense. I think Ronde’s comments based on what I understood were geared towards the ongoing busted coverages and miacommunication the past few seasons, not just this season. So taking what Bowles has said in pressers and buildibg comments off of Bowles comments. Its a concerning trend and probably the reason they rank amoung the worst in pass d.
January 15th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
So what I’m hearing from ex coach Strong and Joes insider is that it was a coaching issue more than anything. If players are flat out getting beat, making errors and basically being out of position and refusing to scheme a defense that plays to your players strengths, then that is most definitely a coaching issue. Also, if injuries are no excuse for the failures on the offensive side of the ball then the same logic holds true for the defense as well
January 15th, 2026 at 2:06 pm
I find it comical how much fans feel that players ought to “develop” in the pros. I understand a player grows year 1 to year 10, there’s nuances that can’t be taught.
But to think a guy who developed through his life, moving through high school and college ranks, that don’t understand how to cover as a pro falls more on the player than the coach. And that honestly falls more in the guy drafting these players imo. These are cream of the crop professionals that can’t understand a play book??? Sounds like they should be serving glizzies at Home Depot than playing in the NFl
January 15th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
I am starting to think that Licht tied his fate to Bowles with this last extension. If Bowles fails again this coming season that’s a pretty glaring indictment of Licht and the whole notion of the extension. There has been a lot of hoopla about winning x number of NFC South titles in a row. Their competition won 39% of the time during Bowles tenure as head coach. Barely winning a notoriously bad division and then busting out of the playoffs in the wildcard round is not an indication of a strong program. Running around trying to brand players as Bucs guys? Honestly I am tired of the whole song and dance.
January 15th, 2026 at 2:15 pm
Pretty sure I am trusting Barber in this one who is a hall of fame CB and played in a defense on the NFL level and still studies tape to this day. Either the defense is to complicated or the players are just stupid pretty much has to be one or the other.
January 15th, 2026 at 2:17 pm
@Deeboooo
Charlie Strong disagrees with you. He said the scheme wasn’t to complicated. The problem was they had to teach (develop) new guys every week.
Sounds to me like he’s saying the coaches weren’t capable of DEVELOPING the players.
January 15th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
Ronde
For the SAME position as Matt Ryan with the Falcons
PRESIDENT of Football Operations
Responsible for EVERYTHING!
Including who the GM is and on down!
Bumbling Brothers and Clan and what they do in private life and count their riches!
January 15th, 2026 at 2:34 pm
The backup players played just as well as the starters. That aint saying much.
January 15th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
Article summary – it is too complicated.
January 15th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
I think the problem is Bowles was just bored all season. Seems to be going around g
January 15th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
Who am I to believe, a hall of fame CB who’s actually played on excellent defenses or a coach who was just fired. The simple fact that the defense had way less injuries than the offense tells me all I need to know.
January 15th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
@Joes it seems like Whote also agreed with May of the fans that Bowles should give up play calling duties and just be the HC. It’s too bad Bowles is letting his ego get in the way.
January 15th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
White
January 15th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
When Ronde speaks I listen. When Bowles or Strong speak I just laugh. Pathetic coaches that can’t adjust to the very limited talent on defense. Just keep doing the same thing year after year Bowles and expect to see the same result. Definition of insanity and all of that. lol. Bowles is both stubborn and stupid. Licht seems to be helping him achieve his goal of being the worst defense in the NFL. 2026 is going to be another race to the bottom.
January 15th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
@knothead
I hear ya. The way I understand this, if I hire a professional, let’s say flooring contractor; and give him the plans to install tile flooring with a heringbone pattern.
He’s not a pro if he says it’s too complicated, I hired the wrong guy. He’s should be DEVELOPED by the time he’s running a professional business. If not, it should be stated that the contractor cannot perform xyz work. That falls on the guy who hired him (Licht)
January 15th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
Can we hire Sapp and Suh to coach the DL. Weed out the pansies.
Vrabel is quoted talking about spilling blood and violence to his team before the playoffs.
Bowles is spilling his burger mustard down his shirt.
January 15th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
They’re all supposed to be taught the defense so that they can step in.
You know the “ next man up” thing you hear 50 times a season.
Weak excuse from a poor coach, and Todd Bowles is still the coach.
SMMFH.
January 15th, 2026 at 3:06 pm
PSL Bob … ‘The question is why weren’t they trained and ready to go. Isn’t that the hallmark of “Next Man Up”?
Sorry, but our defensive DEPTH in particular sucked. And in some positions, the starters weren’t much better. Our defense has a TON of rebuilding to do to be competitive.
Bucs gave up more explosive plays last season that in any year under Todd Bowles. Same system, but its’ execution sucked.
Part of that hinges on missed tackles IMO. For instance, Missed Tackle Percentages over 10% at the NFL are too high IMO. Take a look at our defense on missed tackles for guys who played at least half the season …
o Dennis: 16 games – 15 Missed Tackles – 12.9%
o David: 17 games – 13 Missed Tackles – 10.2%
o Morrison: 10 games – 6 Missed Tackles – 18.8%
o Vea: 17 games – 4 Missed Tackles – 10.5%
When you’re only playing 2 ILBs, neither of whom is exceptionally fast right now, and those 2 lead the team in missed tackles, I would think that’d create a problem. Combine the missed tackles with excessive Completion Rate Allowed (SVD allowed 85.0% completions but LVD did better at 73.1% allowed). What made that even worse IMO is that LVD & SVD led the Bucs in the number of blitzes (55 each).
January 15th, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Just keep drinking the Kool aid…. Nothing to see here… 🤡🧐🤔
January 15th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Ronde barber has always been very not smart made 1 play in philly his careeer was very sub par be quiet ronde
January 15th, 2026 at 3:23 pm
This is an even bigger indictment of Bowles. If you are the coach and the players aren’t able to consistently grasp the scheme, you design a gameplan that plays to the players strengths. If too many sub guys are making catastrophic mistakes then DUMB IT DOWN!!! Don’t try to shove a square peg in a round hole. Bowles isn’t the answer.
January 15th, 2026 at 3:29 pm
so back up players arent in the same meeting room during film session nor are they on the same practice field as the starters…that explains why players are lost or are having miscommunication
if you’re preparing the player on defense and a starter goes down, why do we all of a sudden begin to scramble to, “get them ready to go play.”
ALL PLAYERS be “ready to go play.” not just the starters
this is BS
GO BUCS!!!
January 15th, 2026 at 3:32 pm
The owners suck man
January 15th, 2026 at 3:33 pm
go sign cam hayward and j.ramsey!!!
we need real DAWGS on the team!!!
GO BUCS!!!
January 15th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
There reaches a point in any system where you have to be practical, it’s possible to make something so perfect that it becomes impractical in real time.
Lol 😆 OC’s probably understand Bowels defense scheme perfectly and make plays to make it to confusing for the defense to react to in time.
January 15th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
Largely rejected? Strongs quote doesn’t largely reject that the defense was complicated. Strong even acknowledged that the scheme was complicated and, then deflected to injuries etc. The scheme is absolutely complicated and will always produce a .500 winning average because its not too complicated. Barber knows what he’s talking about so twisting his game time history and experience to make Strongs narrative shine is a joke.
January 15th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
RASH Says:
January 15th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Ronde barber has always been very not smart made 1 play in philly his careeer was very sub par be quiet ronde
At least we know who the village idiot is.
January 15th, 2026 at 3:41 pm
I’ll take Gold Jacket wearing Ronde Barber’s word over a bum like Charlie Strong.
January 15th, 2026 at 3:49 pm
I also believe that Bowles is more suited to be a DC, not a HC. He just doesnt seem to have the chops to do both. Bowles defense was great the year we won the SB, bit that was because we got pressure with 4 lineman most of the year, but now we dont have that kind of talent.
Licht saying Braswell was going to go off was not the brightest thing to boast about either. Feels like he was only trying to keep the fans upbeat and on board. I still like Licht, but there’s too much focus on loyalty. Grade the players fairly. Stop with the best buddy routine. We’re here to win, not reward subpar loyal players.
January 15th, 2026 at 3:51 pm
Giants got Harbaugh…expected…
January 15th, 2026 at 3:53 pm
McDaniels could assist Bowles with the defense if we get him as the OC.
Just have him show Bowles the game plan and the simplicity of it.
That’s how a sixth round rookie QB was able to torch the wide open, Swiss cheese, soft as butter, pee wee league caliber defense of Bowles.
Pathetic!
January 15th, 2026 at 3:57 pm
Sorry DR but if the depth can’t handle the scheme then you don’t run that scheme you adjust to what the players on your roster can do not the players you wish you had can do it happens all around the league from competent coaches. We have seen multiple years now of a failed defensive scheme at this point.
January 15th, 2026 at 4:05 pm
It takes more than 3 months to learn your job on this scheme?!?!?
2026 is RINSE AND REPEAT
January 15th, 2026 at 4:09 pm
Charlie has taken enough money out of the Tampa Bay area over his inept career to go away quietly and not be heard from again.
January 15th, 2026 at 4:10 pm
Listen to strong talking like the guy was new to the team every week. It was the coaches. Even if it was the players it was still the coaches. Grow a pair and cut someone who ain’t doing the right thing bowles. No nuts bowles. Tampa seems to be the place coaches come to set their estrogen free.
January 15th, 2026 at 4:10 pm
@StormyInFl agree 💯
January 15th, 2026 at 4:14 pm
The defense scheme, coaching and players have been bad for at least 3 years yet Todd Bowles continues the same approach. Way past time to do something different in all 3 categories. Hope that 2026 will be the year when it all gets fixed. Keeping TB around is a not promising start. Need at least two high end LB’s and a safety to replace AWjr. who is overated. It’s not a good defensive play if you pick up a fumble and run it back 50 yards. That’s about all AWjr. has ever accomplished. Laughable that this guy is ProBowl bound.
January 15th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
I never understood the hiring of Charlie Strong, he was terrible at USF. One of the worst coaches ever.
January 15th, 2026 at 4:17 pm
Detroit seemed to play very well against us with their entire starting defensive backs out???
January 15th, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Strong makes sound like we had guys coming in each week of the street to play CB. These guys were here through camp and preseason in practice every week but apparently our coaches chose not to teach them the system? You know which team has guys of the street playing in the secondary? The Lions, and those nobodies kicked out butt because a “Good” defensive coordinator assisted scheme and got them ready to play.
January 15th, 2026 at 4:38 pm
The Head Coach job description is the problem…..Bowzo the Great.
January 15th, 2026 at 4:40 pm
Jason Licht still sucks @ 93-104 record overall
Until we dump that loser we are going no where
January 15th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
There’s nothing complicated about telling a DT to cover an RB 30 yards down field or making sure a CB never gets within 20 yards of a receiver. Any of us could do that, even in middle age. The problems are how poorly designed the defense is in a pass first league.
January 15th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
Every other team has backups who can step in and know their system. Why do Bowles and all his coaches act like any time a backup has to play, it’s a rookie scrub who has never played a day of football in their life and needs to be coached up for a year before they can actually play?
Again, it’s just a huge indictment on the coaches not being good.
Well, to be fair to Bowles – Brady also threw 3 interceptions in the 2nd half of that game… Can’t put that all on the defense.
January 15th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
Strong’s comments reinforce Barber’s claim. Sadly, they were intended to dispell it, which speaks volumes as well.
January 15th, 2026 at 5:08 pm
When we were 6 and 2 and beating Seattle the defense was fine.
Special teams were the problem down the stretch. When we were healthy at the end we were fine
January 15th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
Charlie Bald Head said you have teach the 2nd and 3rd team. But wait the first team was getting toasted. Color me this, what is OTA’S and camp for.You see everyone who opens their mouth on this staff, shows why we had a collapse. Brilliant 🤙🏾
January 15th, 2026 at 5:25 pm
Imay be oversimplifying this but tell me why on a pass play are 3 guys on one man and another is wide open 30 yards down the field. Seems to me play man coverage and don’t let your guy get behind you.
January 15th, 2026 at 5:26 pm
BS ALERT
There wasn’t much turnover at DB.
Same guys all year.
January 15th, 2026 at 5:42 pm
Next…on another episode of “As the World Turns”…
January 15th, 2026 at 5:47 pm
Man I’m trying to muster some excitement for next year but absolutely none of these articles are offering any glimmer of hope…I think I’m becoming downright apathetic
January 15th, 2026 at 5:48 pm
I see some of us are struggling with the difference between development and preparation. That, and add in the fact that backups have an obvious drop in talent from your starting guys.
Funny how that doesn’t need to be explained on offense, but defense it’s treated like some MENSA level mystery on how it works.
You don’t develop in season, you prepare. Development, takes and needs more time than the regular season and a lot of players take a hand in their own development.
You’d think by reading this blog, most people talking about coaching have some perspective where it’s the coaches controlling the performance of the of the players, BUT only on defense in this fan base.
It’s weird to read “yada, yada, yada, something or other, that’s on coaching” lmao tell me you’ve never had to learn, teach, or apply both at once in any aspect of your life. If you’re a parent, there’s no excuse to having some inkling on how player-coach tandem works in unison.
January 15th, 2026 at 5:49 pm
“Next…on another episode of “As the World Turns”…”
Previously on, “As the Cannon Fires” the Bowles Saga/Arc rages on
*cheesy 80s synth-rock plays*
January 15th, 2026 at 5:53 pm
🙂
January 15th, 2026 at 6:05 pm
“Go Man Utd!
Love,
The Glazers
PS. Sorry. posted it in the wrong forum…sigh…”
January 15th, 2026 at 6:18 pm
Go get Jay Gruden as OC.
January 15th, 2026 at 7:04 pm
@Deeboooo
I agree. As a professional, they should be prepared.
But out of curiosity, doesn’t your post destroy the argument that having 8 different OCs in 8 years is a detriment to a quarteback’s success in the NFL?
In other words if the players on defense should be locked in and ready to go no matter what, shouldn’t that apply to the guys on offense?
January 15th, 2026 at 7:13 pm
Texans defense is probably the simplest one in the league. The players just play well.
January 15th, 2026 at 7:18 pm
Most of these guys have been in the same defense for 2+ yrs even back
Ups. We have 2 rookies on defense. When I played college ball on game day in hotel room we took written test.
January 15th, 2026 at 7:27 pm
A recurring theme in these fan comments is why are not the backups kept up to speed and why is the defense not maladjusted to fit the backups strengths. I concur.
January 15th, 2026 at 7:44 pm
Bucs coming in last in the division 2025 Glazers on board with that
January 15th, 2026 at 7:45 pm
Get a legit pass rush that’s consistent and not overly dependent on blitzes and 3/4s of our defensive issues go away…. It’s that simple. We’ll need a new LB or 2 this draft too.
We’ve got new talent that will be good (Parrish and Morrison) but not at covering recievers man to man for 4-5 seconds or more… No corners are that good.
Not sure what we’ll get from Zion, hopefully he comes back and lives up to some of that potential. Be nice to have Dean back, if we let him go we’ll need to draft another CB.
Those asking why our defense can’t be like the Texans…… Lol 😂
Houston has studs all over their D. Especially the line. That is NOT where our resources have gone.
January 15th, 2026 at 7:46 pm
“It wasn’t so much the complication, it was more of different people; each and every game here’s a different guy,” Strong said. “Now we gotta teach this guy.
^^^^^^
Now I get it, the coaches are only capable of teaching one player at a time. College class sizes can range between 15-300.
If that man is so stupid as to openly make that remark and Bowles carried him, then they should both be fired.
The man was hired to coach all the defensive linemen not to be a tutor to one.
January 15th, 2026 at 7:50 pm
I believe people’s desires to hate are outweighing common sense and honesty. They are so anxious to see Bowles sent packing that they refuse to acknowledge that anything other than bad coaching played a role this season.
Whether you care to accept it or not, inhuries DID play a massive role. We were seeing 3rd stringers starting. We were seeing practice squad players called up.
I can easily see Strong’s point. You can’t develop productive continuity without continuity in players.
Admitting that doesn’t mean coaching was not an issue too. Simply put: several issues contributed. Coaching was just one of them. All year long, for example, people complaigned about the refs. That was also an issue.
I have never seen refs so blatantly making bad calls.
Yes, I feel Bowles should be fired. I believe the Bucs win division titles with defensive head coaches…and they win Superbowls with offensive head coaches.
That said, I think Bowles was responsible for a lot of issues, but not all of the issues.
January 15th, 2026 at 8:18 pm
Barber gave the answer… it’s easy when they played manned.
Also, the defense didn’t look insanely awful (generally) when playing man -that’s when they got sacks and turnovers and limited points.
The Bucs, meanwhile in 2024 LEAD the NFL in playing zone – and all you had to do was watch the games to know they stunk at playing zone. WHY would you then lead the NFL in playing it?
I don’t know what the 2025 stats are, but I expect the Bucs were once again near the top at playing zone.
January 15th, 2026 at 8:34 pm
Lol Zyon is terrible.. I saw him flat out get beat a lot. That person was right Joe
January 15th, 2026 at 8:39 pm
That’s a load of BS. What about the 49’ers, they have had as many or more injuries than the Bucs and there defense usually always plays lights out. Excuses are like you know what, everybody’s got one.
January 15th, 2026 at 8:41 pm
Whose idea was it to pay Zyon? Fire that guy… who ever that is or was.. whoever looked at Zyon and said “him, that’s our guy”… that person needs to be fired… I dont care who it was.
Fire whoever thought it was smart to draft a WR in the 1st round with the abundance of defensive talent deficiency on the Bucs.
Fire whoever drafted Trask, the guy who never played instead of getting more help on defense..
I want the person gone who went with Dennis, and YaYa, and Reddick and thought… yup, that’s enough.
Anyone out there thought the Bucs defense was talented? You cant evaluate and neither can they
January 15th, 2026 at 8:59 pm
Give Bowels a break as HC
Jason Lite is still struggling with being a good GM
January 15th, 2026 at 10:31 pm
Can you say 4-13?
That’s the record with Todd in charge next season
What a joke this is….
January 15th, 2026 at 10:49 pm
Tampa has no base defense anymore. Work on getting everyone doing 1 thing right before you go teaching exotic chess moves that only trick yourself.