“I Think Coach Bowles Wants To Get His Philosophy Back In”
February 4th, 2026
Interesting choice of words from a Bucs legend not named Rondé Barber.
Father Dungy, aka Tony Dungy, the former Bucs head coach (1996-2001), hopped on WDAE radio today and was asked about what’s next for the Bucs after a disappointing season.
Dungy’s response seemed to imply head coach Todd Bowles wants more of the ground-and-pound attack that Dungy believed in when he coached Tampa Bay.
“I think Coach Bowles wants to get his philosophy back in. I think we’re going to see them running the ball well, get that defense a little more forceful,” Dungy said. “But I think the sky’s the limit. I really do. I think we can be a good team. I think we can compete for the division title and do some things. I’m fired up for this year.”
(It’s cool how Dungy still refers to the Bucs as “we.”)
Dungy’s comments about the run game immediately threw Joe’s mind back to Sunday, Dec. 21.
Joe sat that afternoon in a Davis Islands bar watching the Bucs run the ball 33 times at Carolina and lose. Afterwards, seemingly everyone at One Buc Palace, including Bowles, talked about how running 30-plus times against Carolina was a strategy — one that usually guarantees a win.
Was that the Bowles “philosophy” to which Dungy is referring?
One would think Bowles was more heavy-handed in the offense’s plan that week because it was the first game after his historic outburst — and because the Bucs had more time to prepare as the game followed a Thursday night loss to Atlanta.
Regardless, Dungy said he thinks the Bucs are close and might just be a pass rusher and offensive line stability away from being great.
What do the Bucs need, Tony?
“Guys who can create pressure without blitzing, and then you can augment that,” Dungy said. “I think that’s what’s needed. If I were there, that’s what I would be looking for in this draft and free agency.”
February 4th, 2026 at 3:55 pm
Oh Yes! The perfect season coming up! Bowlzoville.
February 4th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
Amen Tony. You understand the value of creating pressure with the front four. As a result you became the architect of the Tampa Two, but it should’ve been called the Tampa Four thanks to Sapp, Booger, Culpepper & Rice. Those guys created havoc up front!
February 4th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
Obviously Dungy is right about what is needed for the D… it was needed last offseason. I suppose they tried with Reddick, Walker and Roberts as well as a couple CBs.
Didn’t pan out unfortunately, but if they plan on Joey Bosa and David Walker fixing it next season… fire everyone.
Bowles philosophy is a huge part of the Bucs problem. Playing scared of turnovers, running the ball, counting on the D to produce takeaways. Doesn’t work!
Change your practice and conservative philosophies Todd, and stay the hell away from the Offense. Fixed it for you Tony.
February 4th, 2026 at 4:03 pm
Running the football 33 times was an excellent strategy against Carolina
The problem was running the wrong guy with the football
For some reason they were feeding Bucky the ball
While neglecting Rachaad White for the most part
Bucky was their worst RB all of last season
Rachaad White was clearly their best RB in 2025
February 4th, 2026 at 4:06 pm
Dungy is spot on. I’d like to see Bowles be a man of his word and play killer instinct in EVERY phase of the game, why would anyone be content with a ground and pound when you have weapons that can light up the board? Ground and pound on the defensive side of the ball and when running out the clock to seal the win. Running the ball is basic to the game of football and needs to be done well but it also needs to be done in various ways. I don’t remember us running many if any draw plays last year, we had the backs to do it. Put as many points as you can on the board, scare the h*** out of the opponents OC and QB and play the Darth Vader theme every time you step on the field. And use the wide receiver screen sparingly so it at least can be effective.
February 4th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
You can’t have Evans, Godwin, McMillan, and Ebuka and be a running team. Sadly, this may be the end of the road for Mike Evans as a Buc.
February 4th, 2026 at 4:08 pm
Culp and booger only played 1 year toghether and that was 99
February 4th, 2026 at 4:17 pm
The media can cheerlead for Bowles and he can talk all he wants, but the record speaks for itself – he is a career loser
February 4th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
‘what’s next for the Bucs after a disappointing season.’
More disappointment!…. Have you seen how bad IBS is as a coach when he doesn’t have a talented OC to cover up all his short comings… Same HC as the JETs just different location and unis….. Something far more to him keeping his job than resume because his lack of accomplishments should have him unemployed!…
February 4th, 2026 at 4:25 pm
What good is 33 rush attempts when you are down by two scores and chasing points with THAT defense? While I would agree Bucs have to be a good run team this isn’t 1995. Play to your strengths and hide your weaknesses. That’s what good coaches do. I said good coaches. Wish we had one.
February 4th, 2026 at 4:27 pm
We didn’t have a strong Oline and had very little success running the ball all year, yet let’s run it 30+ times as stats say that’s a winning formula. Just dumb.
What is the strength of the team? It certainly wasn’t running the ball. Ray Charles could see that.
And that’s part of the reason Bowles should have been let go imo.
“There is nothing more we can do as coaches” should have sealed his fate.
With that, I’m very hopeful we can turn it around somehow. Draft D front 7 only and spend all the cash on the same in FA.
February 4th, 2026 at 4:29 pm
This is what stupidity does. We are not a running team. Period. We can run but you have four good receivers
Wtf are you doing. This team needs Todd bowles to the stfu amd fix his defense. Thats what he needs to do. Stay out of the offense meetings and fix the dead last mess you created.
Man this pmo today. Go sign real edge players. Go sign veteran lb who can do this system bc im tired of the communication excuses outta him. Im sick of it. Fix the gd defense Todd and stop dropping ppl into coverage. Simplify. Tackle run to the football the end. Im over this sht
February 4th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
’74 Bucs Fan … ‘We didn’t have a strong Oline and had very little success running the ball all year, yet let’s run it 30+ times as stats say that’s a winning formula. Just dumb.’
The Bucs ran the ball 33 times in that game for 169 yards rushing … 5.1 YPC average. Bucky carried it 19 times for 71 yards (3.7 YPC), while Rachaad carried it 5 times for 45 yards (9.0 YPC) and Tuck carried it 4 times for 3 yards (.8 YPC) plus 1 TD. Baker was the winner though … he ran it 4 times for 49 yards (12.3 YPC).
Oh and Baker threw the ball quite well that game (not deep, but well). He was 18-of-26 for 145 yards passing with 1 TD. And oh ya, 1 very critical INT also.
The problem wasn’t running too much; we got 35 minutes TOP which obviously helped the defense. The problem was in the play-calling at times (situational) AND in who carried the ball (Bucky had the lion’s share of the carries, but his 3.7 YPC average pales in comparison to Rachaad’s 9.0 YPC. But then again, last season we saw a LOT from our coordinators playing favorites IMO.
February 4th, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Bowles philosophy is we do what we do which means we will let the other team out game plan us only to make adjustments that are too late
February 4th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
Does anyone have confidence in Todd as the head coach? Why? I don’t. I expect it to be the same crap again.
February 4th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
Say goodbye to Mike – and what remains of the fan base – if Bowles gets his way this team finishes no higher than 3rd in division- they’re delusional and outclassed
February 4th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Running? Running? then tell Mike Evans to find another team you have Baker and alot of money and draft tied up into a really good wr group but going to back to his philosophy to being a running team? The sad thing about it is I think Tony is right about what Todd wants to do, good gracious.
February 4th, 2026 at 5:02 pm
Still talking about running the ball in 2026 huh? Smh…my god this team needs a fresh perspective and new blood from top to bottom. Is Dungy aware that Bowles has been HC 5 years and has had plenty of time to “get his philosophy in”?
February 4th, 2026 at 5:06 pm
Bowles wants to get his running philosophy back? This can’t be the same Bowles who was afraid to try to run for a two point conversion against Kansas City to win the game on one play as time was expiring but instead went for one and gave the Chiefs the opportunity to win which they did and We became a laughing stock !I hope that is not the philosophy he’s talking about!
February 4th, 2026 at 5:11 pm
If you’re loaded with talent AND depth at wide receiver and you choose to run a lot, you don’t deserve to be a head coach. Fact.
February 4th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
Bowles needs to stay out of Robinson’s way. Worry about his garbage defense, leave the offensive game plan alone. Tony, and Bowles are stuck in the past. Look at the last HC hires. Kubiac, Mike LeFeur, Brady, offensive coaches in their 30’s. Get off my lawn old man. Bowles old school way is being lapped my todays offenses. Get with it, or get out!
February 4th, 2026 at 5:22 pm
It’s like Jason Licht and Todd Bowles don’t even talk.
Licht blows his limited cash wad on 2 $20M+ WRs and his 1st round pick on a WR. Todd doesn’t want to pass the ball.
This front office is elite.
February 4th, 2026 at 5:32 pm
Dungy was great in his day…but he was told hands off the offense with the Colts for a reason.
February 4th, 2026 at 5:33 pm
As always, the goal with the offense should be balanced…or close to it. Being a mainly running team means close games, and I’ve had enough of that!
February 4th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Y’all don’t want to have a consistent run game?
Seahawks rank 3rd in attempts, 10th in yards, & 9th in rush TDs
Patriots rank 6th in attempts, 6th in yards, & 4th in rush TDs
It’s the foundation for winning offenses, and if I’m not mistaken the best years of Bakers career he’s been on teams that run the ball considerably well.
And this…
“Guys who can create pressure without blitzing, and then you can augment that,” Dungy said. “I think that’s what’s needed. If I were there, that’s what I would be looking for in this draft and free agency.”
Starts from the inside out. Looking like beef is back on the menu
February 4th, 2026 at 5:40 pm
Change from the double arm cross technique?
February 4th, 2026 at 5:51 pm
Bowles wants to get back to running the ball more…
Rushing attempts over the past 4 years
2022 – 386 – 1308 yards – 3.7ypc – Leftwich
2023 – 439 – 1509 yards – 3.4ypc – Canales
2024 – 483 – 2536 yards – 5.25ypc – Coen
2025 – 472 – 1947 yards – 4.1ypc – Grizzard
Looks to me like Coens offense was his favorite. It was mine.
Hopefully Coen is telling Robinson what worked for him… since they’re best buds in different conferences.
Robinson knows how to run the ball regardless, but I am curious if he and Coen speak about such things.
February 4th, 2026 at 6:08 pm
It’s a joke. Has to be.
February 4th, 2026 at 6:19 pm
Dungy got run out of town for that exact mentality.
Of course, running the ball well, and force feeding the run are two different things. Im all for running the ball well if the run is working, but im not for running the air out of the ball just for the sake of doing it.
February 4th, 2026 at 6:32 pm
Wasting away in ToddBowzoVille.
February 4th, 2026 at 6:35 pm
Runing the ball 30+ times a game guarantees victory in Bowles mind.
Just in case we better make it 40+ per game.
Make it make sense.
3rd and 28
February 4th, 2026 at 6:57 pm
ARE YOU FREAKIN’ KIDDING ME?
We have a wide receiver room 31 other teams would die for.
I have all the respect in the world for Coach Dungy.
But, I sincerely hope he’s offering an educated opinion and not talking based on inside intel.
Fair enough, that we need a solid run game. It can help in a lot of ways.
But, with our WR room, anything less than making it our primary offensive weapon is borderline insanity.
February 4th, 2026 at 6:58 pm
we have 4 stud receivers and we want to worry about running the football…
Can we please just go out and win quit. The dude needs to adapt to the team
February 4th, 2026 at 7:01 pm
What do those big words mean?
February 4th, 2026 at 7:31 pm
3rd and 28. He should stay in his lane. Imagine are record if he brings down the offense to the same level as his defense.