“Tough To Fully Rationalize”
February 12th, 2026
One of several vanishing acts.
The 2025 season, or at least how it ended, reminded Joe of the 2008 season, Chucky’s last with the Bucs.
The Bucs started 9-3 and everything looked fantastic. Then the roof caved in, as the Bucs lost the next four games to finish December winless and miss the playoffs.
A couple of weeks later, Chucky was run and here came The Lost Decade.
Last year brought those ugly memories back. The Bucs started the season 6-2 and then lost seven of their final nine games, missing the playoffs on a tiebreaker. Brutal.
Bradley Locker of the PFF Tribe suggested Bucs fans not get hoodwinked by the Bucs winning against Carolina in Week 18.
What was once a great group on both sides of the ball fizzled out down the stretch. … Some regression may have been expected, but a team with this much talent should never have fallen this flat. Even individual player struggles — like those from Baker Mayfield, Zyon McCollum and Bucky Irving — are tough to fully rationalize.
Yes, Tampa had won three straight NFC South crowns. But as the 2025 season reinforced, that may not be much of an accomplishment after all. Bowles’ 1-3 playoff record is also a stain, never advancing past the divisional round in three tries. Concerns that manifested after last year’s wild-card defeat are only more prominent, and a win in [the final week] shouldn’t masquerade those.
So, Joe wonders, was 2025 a mirror image of 2008? Is the franchise about to take the wrong turn due to aging stars?
If so, it may be time for Joe to break out the Buffalo Trace.
February 12th, 2026 at 12:08 am
Joe has good taste. Buffalo trace is a quality spirit. Also, if you’re fond of rye, try Nelson’s Greenbriar sometime. You won’t be disappointed. Cheers.
February 12th, 2026 at 12:08 am
Time to “fully rationalize” this if I were Licht…..
You should NEVERRRRRRR signed McCollom to a long term deal.
This dude’s head is in his a$$ wayyyyy too much….
Great athlete, average cornerback….
I’d resign Dean & try to trade Zyon..
February 12th, 2026 at 12:14 am
“Bradley Locker of the PFF Tribe suggested Bucs fans not get hoodwinked by the Bucs winning against Carolina in Week 19.”
Unfortunately, Bud Licht and the Glazer offspring were giddy after the final game in 2025 versus the NFC South champion Carolina Panthers.
When you spell it out the way Bradley Locker did it really shows how disconnected from reality this organization has become.
#SuperBowles
February 12th, 2026 at 12:39 am
Bradley Locker of the PFF Tribe – Is a VERY wise man with a good understanding of the Bucs situation and a high football I.Q.!
‘Tampa had won three straight NFC South crowns.’
Won is misleading…. Basically the ‘crown’ was handed to the Bucs by the other 3 teams being SO bad… Nothing to do with IBS being deserving or even decent at his position!
February 12th, 2026 at 1:39 am
Buffalo Trace sounds like a good idea either way.
February 12th, 2026 at 2:31 am
We won 4 straight!
February 12th, 2026 at 4:19 am
Joe likes to point out pan disgust with Bowlzo’s coaching. He has a collapse every year. This year was just worse than before. As far as that win against Atlanta to end the season: that was a game played in a typhoon. We got lucky.
February 12th, 2026 at 7:16 am
McCollum’s lack of de development is on Todd. The drafting and resigning of Zyon, especially the resigning, that’s on your ROH GM. Licht always seems to be chasing, a step behind. He caught up for a bit with BA and Brady, now the fat kid is falling behind again. Maybe he can draft another WR or punter to right this ship, better yet pay brittleman Cancey top 5 money before he has to play his prove it yr
February 12th, 2026 at 7:38 am
May I suggest Weller 12 year!
On point Joes, maybe time to move on from the past and build for the future. Don’t think the fan base can handle another lost decade.
February 12th, 2026 at 8:15 am
Step up to E H Taylor for the price point and any Blantons which is coming down.
Elmer T Lee is fantastic same mash as Pappy for way less but still pricey.
February 12th, 2026 at 8:16 am
I love how we latch onto the bourbon and talk about it rather than last years Bucs, LOL
February 12th, 2026 at 8:33 am
I had to google what Buffalo Trace was…lol
February 12th, 2026 at 9:00 am
Fire Todd
February 12th, 2026 at 9:23 am
If 2008 showed us anything it’s that the grass is NOT always greener.
Firing Gruden did nothing to help.
If the Bucs spend money we will be fine to good.
If they cash strap Bowels then we are playing with half a deck and they are waiting on Morris or McDermott.
February 12th, 2026 at 9:59 am
The losses to the Lions and Rams provided the blueprint for teams to attack the Bucs. The destruction by the Rams crushed the confidence and attitude of the team, as well as hurting Baker so much that he never fully recovered. Bowles and his veterans could never recover the confidence lost, and Bowles/Griz couldn’t out-coach other teams.
February 12th, 2026 at 11:25 am
I’m down with Bucfan1988, Dean is Bowles baby and I think he’s going to be what we need to go to the big dance. Zion got paid and set up a tent, over there and was sleeping to much. Draft or something Morrison has to get better now this next couple months and show up in camps ready to play lights out. Please Joe tell them to get the at least one of those LBs in free agency. Maxx would be almost like when Simeon came here, only better!! Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
February 12th, 2026 at 1:19 pm
Bradley Locker just doesn’t get it. The 2-7 stretch was misleading. Todd was coaching them great, but they failed, hence the firing of everyone except Todd.
We are lucky.
February 12th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
What was once a great group on both sides of the ball fizzled out down the stretch. … Some regression may have been expected, but a team with this much talent should never have fallen this flat.
All roads lead back to Bowles.
February 12th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
This offense can be great again. Zac can take over next season. Todd doesn’t have the markings of a great head coach
February 12th, 2026 at 3:43 pm
Be interested in who we bring in to coach the CB room this year. And safeties etc.
That could be key to some improvement in our secondary. Position group coaches rarely get talked about (everything’s Todd’s fault) but it seems to me that they’d be more critical to the development of the players in their group than the HC or DC.
February 12th, 2026 at 9:21 pm
I prefer Blantons. Smoooth…….
February 12th, 2026 at 9:58 pm
Angels Envy is a good sipper too.
But I believe what you’re actually looking for is WhistlePig.
February 13th, 2026 at 5:57 pm
Dang Y’all, this is tough times to be a BUC. If you keep Bowles you know you’re gonna suck. I hope JL is doing extensive research on a high quality replacement. I know there’s not a lot of options out there, but I think this team takes on the lame, bored, let’s go to work and get a fat paycheck mentality just like the coach. Obviously it takes much more than that to get deep in the playoffs. I’m not disrespecting Mr.Bowles, but you’re gonna have to try something else Mr.Light. Another year like this might cost you your job too.Time to take action. Stop being stubborn. Study the champs and the other successful teams. Don’t let your egos ruin another precious year of Tampa Bay Football.