Reason To Mope
February 21st, 2026
Bucs defense triggers reporter.
Each season every NFL team gives fans a reason for hope and a reason to break out in the shivers.
Matt Verderame of SI.com tried to address both issues for the Bucs. Yesterday, Joe offered up Verderame’s reason for Bucs fans to smile. It was the offense.
And now, Verderame gives Bucs fans a reason to gnaw on their SirVocea Dennis jersey. He thinks the Bucs’ defense is a reason to keep fans up at night.
Mope: The Buccaneers’ defense ranked 19th in yards and 20th in points permitted, and the front seven doesn’t have any substantial young talent to build around.
The defense was dreadful last year and someone at One Buc Palace needs to inspire change there. Do they have the muscle to do so?
Joe won’t exactly pile on Calijah Kancey. He’s a damn good player. Yeah, Joe gets why fans are upset with him. He cannot stay on the field. You could be Warren Sapp II and it doesn’t matter if you’re watching games in street clothes.
Aside from Kancey and maybe an aging Vita Vea, the front-seven of the Bucs (sans Lavonte David) is damn barren of production.
February 21st, 2026 at 12:46 am
Their is NO greater grievance or reason to mope than keeping IBS as the Bucs HC!
Bucs are doomed to fail until that is changed!!!
February 21st, 2026 at 12:56 am
In Kancy’s defense, Gerald McCoy started his career much the same way.
On the metric of points allowed- that is a real reason to mope. Despite near league-worst totals in pass yards and other defensive metrics being at the bottom of the league for years, points allowed and rush defense were something to point to and feel well about the Bucs going back to Schiano. Freshly resigned Todd Bowles spent the off-season in his “lab” and we got what we got…
The Seahawks won the Super Bowl with sound fundamental football in the Bowles ideal but the Seachickens scheme, teach and train it more simply and repetitively. Less time is spent on blitz voodoo in meetings- pregame warm-ups include basic tackling drills- the differences are too many to lay out but it is not hard to see how Mike MacDonald’s (wrong spelling, sorry Coach, auto correct is fighting me) teaching methods brought the Ravens and Seahawks success and how the Ravens became a farce without him and justifiably let go of Harbaugh.
The Texans win and own Josh Allen with draft capital sent to the front 7 and a basic scheme. They fail on offense because they have no O line. The Bucs may have the O line we expected with injury luck so if they go all in on defense smart in this draft this team might meet last year’s mid season expectations.
Moping? I see no real opportunity here.
February 21st, 2026 at 1:10 am
Surprised Joe doesn’t think YaYa didn’t have production?
February 21st, 2026 at 1:12 am
3rd & 28
February 21st, 2026 at 1:14 am
If we miss on Styles and Ioane, trade back a few spots and grab Kayden Mcdonald…he can rest big V at times and learn from him….or go Lee Hunter in the 4th.
February 21st, 2026 at 2:25 am
The HC is so reviled by the majority of the fanbase, nothing less than an NFC championship appearance, if even that, will satisfy them. And that’s not happening.The owners know this and normally would have made a change.The defensive scheme and coaching has already assured another losing season. The owners know that too. Which is why I maintain this is an intentional tanking to draft a franchise QB in 2027.
February 21st, 2026 at 3:31 am
Kancey needs a shot at DE. I have No doubt he’d turn heads if given a real shot at it. He’s a bit small on the inside. On the outside however…..
Draft a BIG Man for the inside front seven to spell VV and get flexible with Kancey to help solve some of our DE problems. Well… of course I’m dreaming. I start to get excited at a few “obvious” ideas and get dragged back to this nightmare of a reality when after 2 seconds I’m quickly reminded of just who’s calling one of the Very Worse defenses in All of Football…
Up… the warm feelings and the bright light of a great idea fading away now…..
Somebody please get rid of the buffet line at One Buc so Bowles will quite on his own accord. Because he SURE WONT do it for the Good of the team…
February 21st, 2026 at 5:28 am
Kancey is the key.
I said to draft an elite DT/NT in the 2nd round last year. Because I knew that if we lost Vea or Kancey, our entire defense would collapse.
We must replace Gaines with a beast at DT/NT. We need a 6-5 330 killah as our 3rd DT.
Vea is 30. And he’s not aging well. We must draft his replacement.
February 21st, 2026 at 5:31 am
Instead?
We drafted twinkle toes Morrison in the 2nd.
We needed a DT last year! Not Morrison!
1st round: BPA (DT, DE, or Edge)
2nd round: BPA (DT, DE, Edge)
3rd round: MLB
4th round: MLB
5th round: OG
6th round: CB project: 4.3 speed required
7th round: MLB/S tweener. A 4.4 undersized LB project.
February 21st, 2026 at 5:57 am
HopeinoneHand is spot on when it comes to the Seahawks and the way they practice. Walk throughs don’t teach anyone anything and it’s a reason very few guys make it off the practice squad roster, not to mention I think it’s also a reason most of the D forgot how to tackle in the second half of the season.
Simplify the defense – fancy smachy blitzes aren’t fooling opponents- only our guys.
Draft guys that absolutely love to play football not athletes that get bored on the field.
February 21st, 2026 at 5:57 am
There’s no mystery to why Tampa Bay Buccaneers have no real hope in 2026: they chose continuity over competence. Todd Bowles has built a long résumé of defenses that live on reputation, not results, predictable schemes, soft situational football, and a chronic inability to adjust. When a defensive-minded head coach can’t produce a disciplined, aggressive defense, the flaw is philosophical, not fixable. And when the defense collapses on cue, the team inevitably follows.
We will be lead on a campaign of suck in 2026 by Turd Bowles
February 21st, 2026 at 6:53 am
No worries. The scheme will change next season. They are planning on Vea dropping back to ILB/SS. THE DEFENSE WILL BE BETTER THAN TAMPA 2.
Double Todd guarantees it!!!!!
Let’s go!!!!!!
February 21st, 2026 at 7:01 am
Obvious One … ‘Draft a BIG Man for the inside front seven to spell VV and get flexible with Kancey to help solve some of our DE problems.’
BINGO! Fix the interior DLine & our OLBs will perform better. Kancey has played in only 29 of our 51 regular season games over his 3-year career (57% availability). Excellent potential, but any player who can’t stay healthy isn’t helping the team. IMO he’s too small (6’1″ & 280 lbs) to be playing on the interior, and should be moved out to DE like you suggested Obvious.
I’m convinced that we need more beef INSIDE (we way overused Vea last season & that hurt him, not helped him). There are a number of beefy NT/DTs in this draft, but the player who most excites me is Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald (6’3″ & 326 lbs). He’s a beast against the run, but also has excellent pass rush potential (various analyses used descriptors like ‘human sized roadblock’; ‘ragdolls people at pt of attack’). Probably an NT long-term in our 3-4, but with that kind of strength, that’s a good baseline to build around. Of course, McDonald may not be there when we pick at #15, but if he is, he’s well worth it IMO.
I’d let Logan Hall walk, even though I feel that he’s been steadily improving each year. He reminds me a lot of Will Gholston. Both are almost exactly the same size (6’6″ & 283 lbs), but Will was just another DE until he packed on about 20 lbs & started getting ‘coached up’ by Ndamukong Suh in 2019. Gholston literally blew up in 2020 & 2021 (7.5 sacks, 31 QB hits, 15 TFLs, 80 tackles) under Suh’s tutelage. Once Suh left in 2022, Will was back down to his previous numbers (of course, he was getting older too).
Logan Hall (if we re-sign him) & Elijah Roberts (6’4″ & 295 lbs) are 2 guys who could be very useful on our DLine, but they both need to be a bit beefier & stronger. It’s frustrating to watch our DLinemen get blocked out of their gaps & then see the opposing RB go barreling through there. Of course, it’s even more frustrating to see no ILB show up to plug the hole & make the tackle before it turns into an explosive run (but we won’t say who that is).
February 21st, 2026 at 7:06 am
“I said to draft an elite DT/NT in the 2nd round last year. Because I knew that if we lost Vea or Kancey, our entire defense would collapse.”
That got me wondering–we drafted Morrison at 21. Next DT drafted was Shemar Turner at 30 (Bears), had pff of 34 with 74 snaps on the season.
NEXT DT was Omarr Norman-Lott at 31 (KC) , pff of 54 with a total of 72 snaps. Our 5th round guy trumped them both
February 21st, 2026 at 7:09 am
I’m genuinely interested to see how this season unfolds. If the Buccaneers put together a strong draft class and add the right pieces in free agency, this team could surprise a lot of people. There are certainly question marks, but that’s true for every organization this time of year.
The criticism of Coach Bowles has been intense. While I understand that expectations are high and accountability matters, I’m hopeful that this upcoming season provides clarity and momentum. Ultimately, we all want the same thing — a competitive team and a successful year.
Constant negativity can overshadow the bigger picture. I’m choosing to stay optimistic and see how the roster develops before drawing conclusions. Here’s hoping for a strong season ahead.
February 21st, 2026 at 8:03 am
@beej
You’re right man.
Elijah Roberts was a fantastic pick in the 5th round.
He reminds me a lot of Robert Ayers.
À tough DE.
February 21st, 2026 at 8:04 am
Last year it was a draft theme of BALL HAWKS. I think we need to add some dog attitude to any new dLinemen and linebackers. Attitude is the missing emotion on this defense. We need some thumpers at alabes and some “get out of the way!” Linemen.
February 21st, 2026 at 8:12 am
Todd has been given his 5th year option. He’s coaching to stay employed this season. Five years is plenty of time to build a team that can get you to the SB. New England did it in one year, the Bears came close. Time for Licht, and Bowles to prove they’re better then .500. If they can’t, time for a total house cleaning. I’d bet on the latter.
February 21st, 2026 at 8:19 am
real reason to mope. looking at 7 picks in this years draft. there will be no trade downs for xtra picks. bucs need DEFENSE looking at all mock drafts, i see the same forecast. te, rb, ol. all these projected picks are within the 1st 5 rounds. rd 6 & 7 are for a water boy and cheerleader. if licht takes this path, you won’t mope, you’ll cry.
February 21st, 2026 at 8:20 am
btw – who teaches these players how to tackle.
February 21st, 2026 at 8:36 am
And yet Bowles was retained …
February 21st, 2026 at 9:30 am
“gives Bucs fans a reason to gnaw on their SirVocea Dennis jersey.”
Has any Bucs fan anywhere not related to Dennis bought his jersey?
Maybe purchased it off the clearance rack just to burn it in their backyard this past season.
Only reason to buy one.
February 21st, 2026 at 9:42 am
Hi Team. Just checking in. Did we fire Bowles yet or are we gonna suck again next year?
February 21st, 2026 at 10:23 am
When you have a Huckleberry GM like Licht, why wouldn’t you follow the Dean, Davis, Mccollum, Goedeke,Godwin, and AWJ Models on how to get paid and not play. Preamble: you have to be hand selected by Licht in the draft. Step 1: flash regularly between injuries during your rookie contract; Step 2: Preserve your body at all cost, even at the expense of team success; Step 3: ball out to end yr 2 and/or start year 3 (it is ok to start or end the season injured. Just make sure you are healthy for favorable matches for you); Step 4: Smile a lot (except Goedeke, but that’s ok you’re OL and you’ll be smiling when you get paid); Step 5: end year 3 and watch JL throw top 5-10 cash at you before you have a prove it yr; Step 6: get paid; Step 6: start the injury cycle over again, gotta save the body for the next contract, but rest assured there will be plenty of money for your next injured contract yr (see Godwin) because Licht’s not gonna waste any money in FA
February 21st, 2026 at 10:34 am
#99 the big fella … ‘Constant negativity can overshadow the bigger picture. I’m choosing to stay optimistic and see how the roster develops before drawing conclusions’.
I’m choosing to look at it the same way #99. IF our offense gets healthy, it can do some real damage & get back to being a Top-10 offense. And IF management chooses to significantly improve our defense via free agency & the draft, it can do much better than it did last season. And yes, get back into the Top-10 also. With more talented players, I fully expect our Special Teams to play MUCH better than they did in 2025.
But those improvements aren’t ‘givens’. Injured players like Kancey, Bucky, Mauch, Bredeson, JJ Roberts, D Walker, McCollum have to get 100% healthy if they’re gonna be starters or key rotational guys this season. Right now the Bucs only have $14.5 mil CAP space to play with; we’ll need to free up $70 mil or more to add some quality FAs. And in the draft we’ll NEED to FOCUS on defense, at least with our Rnd 1-4 picks. Still, we can do it, as long as we stay focused.
February 21st, 2026 at 11:06 am
The O if healthy should be top 10,, we have a kicker,, Beyond that let’s go full nuclear on the D ,, Bowles is in a contract year so it’s do or die for him and he is the (media proclaimed) defensive GURU , We are either gonna have a really good year or Bowles could be first HC fired in 2026
February 21st, 2026 at 11:37 am
Go Bucs… Fire Todd Bowles
February 21st, 2026 at 11:45 am
The anchor dragging the team down to the depths is Todd Bowles.
He’s not only a terrible defensive coordinator, he’s even worse as a HC.
A lousy Swiss cheese scheme added to a 1950s style approach to offense.
He’s already stated he wants to run more. The WRs will be blocking instead of catching passes.
The OC no longer has Robinson to fall back on. That will be a major hurdle to overcome.
Bowles will never be a HC again in the NFL after his time in Tampa.
Only the Glazers were dumb enough to keep him around. Culture over titles.
February 21st, 2026 at 11:50 am
He’s just OK. Seven sacks does not get Joe panting at night.
February 21st, 2026 at 11:51 am
I used to pull for the Bucs when they played my home town 49rs. No more! The 49rs are obviously DESPERATELY trying to get back to the deep playoffs. Compare that to this franchise.
There is reason to mope this year in Tampaaa! (Channeling a Tampa radio broadcaster on morning show 30 years ago.)
February 21st, 2026 at 12:11 pm
Without question we need to acquire at least 2 beastly DTs this year. We may have one on the practice squad in J. Jones if he is healed. We’re not smart enough to move Kancey outside so he will be hurt early. Draft seems to be the way to go with the big guys. I haven’t seen much in F A un like LB. We should try to get 2 ILB in FA and some rookies. We can only hope the FO has the foresight to make all this happen this off season. Of course there is always next year. Bowles and Licht signed themselves up for 3 more years. Wouldn’t surprise anyone.
February 21st, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Moping because TBowles remains. He is more a spectator at games than a coach. Really sorry that Coen didn’t replace TB. With Coen and Jim Schwartz as DC, things would be looking up in Tampa.
February 21st, 2026 at 1:17 pm
Wont be moping at all Low expectations. I will mope for someone to replace Gene Deck on the radio bcuz I am not spending a red cent to watch is season unfold.
February 21st, 2026 at 1:19 pm
Eventuall the wisdom of Grover will sink in. Build the OFFENSE. Misfit defense is all we can ever have with BOWZO.
February 21st, 2026 at 3:00 pm
Losing Kancey for the whole year really hurt the ’25 defense.
The way I see it – the Bucs have 3 good starters up front (YaYa, Vea, Kancey) and only need to sign/draft/find or develop ONE very good Edge player to have a very solid to good starting “Front 4”.
Gotta sign a talented vet OLB and draft another edge in Rd 1 or 2 this year.
There are high hopes for Walker – but until we see it on the field – it doesn’t exist….
Also need to bolster depth at DT. Roberts showed some real promise as a 5th rd rookie but he’s a bit undersized like Kancey. Hall probably won’t be re-signed. Gaines is OK but we could use an upgrade in DT depth – not to mention some additional BEEF.
ILB is the biggest positional “need”coming into 2026. I’m fine with David coming back for 1 more year – but the Bucs should cut his snap count to below 70% if he does play in 2026 to help keep 54 healthy and fresh. Dennis is not starting caliber based on last year’s play – so the Bucs need to add TWO talented new ILBers before OTAs start. Probably need to pay a FA $8-10M+ and then draft an ILB on Day 1 or 2.
The secondary will need to add a talented CB if Dean leaves. Otherwise – I’m thinking we’ll be OK back there if the pass rush ‘issue’ can be properly addressed.
February 21st, 2026 at 4:18 pm
My only Hope, is to get rid of baker…….
February 21st, 2026 at 8:59 pm
Fire the CLOWN WHO DOES NOT DESRVE A DANG THING AFTER 8 YEARS UNDER .500 TOILET BOWLES!!!