Fixing The Flat
March 16th, 2026
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
It started off poorly — and never improved.
Although the 2025 Bucs won their season opener at Atlanta, warning signs emerged for Todd Bowles and his young defense.
The game was only 94 seconds old when Michael Penix Jr. took a second-down snap and saw star running back Bijan Robinson wide-ass open as he drifted into the right flat. SirVocea Dennis scurried from the middle of the field toward Robinson and was five yards away when the ball was caught.
Robinson, who would go on to earn All-Pro honors, beat Dennis down the sidelines and didn’t stop running until he reached the end zone for a 50-yard score.
It was a preview of things to come.
Week 1 issues continued all season, writes Ira Kaufman.
Scary things.
Robinson was stymied on the ground that afternoon, gaining only 24 yards on 12 carries, but he burned Tampa Bay for 100 yards through the air, catching 6-of-7 targets.
The rest of Tampa Bay’s opponents couldn’t help but notice this Buc defense was often lost while covering in the flats. When the season ended, opposing running backs had finished with 79 catches, the 10th-highest total in the league.
It gets worse.
Those 79 receptions resulted in 860 yards allowed, the most in the NFL. Backs averaged almost 11 yards per catch against Tampa Bay, a sure sign that tackling in the flats was a major issue.
In contrast, the Raiders allowed 78 catches to backs, but only 474 receiving yards, an average gain of only 6 yards.
Robinson exploited that soft coverage again later in the year, catching eight passes for 82 yards during Atlanta’s inexplicable 29-28 comeback victory.
You know, the one that culminated with the infamous “Third-and-28” scream by Mike Evans.
Those two matchups against a division rival were also painful reminders that the Buc defense was exploited by tight ends from start to finish.
Kyle Pitts caught seven passes for 59 yards against Tampa Bay in Week 1, but that was merely a warmup. In the rematch at Tampa, Pitts burned the Bucs for 11 catches, 166 yards and three of his five TDs on the season.
Overall, opposing tight ends latched onto 100 catches against the Bucs. Only seven teams yielded more.
They reached the end zone 12 times. Only the Bengals (16) allowed more.
Those are two of the major challenges facing Bowles and Jason Licht this offseason. A better pass rush would help for sure, but the Bucs must find linebackers who can cover and tackle.
Signing Alex Anzalone should help, but that’s only a start. Even if Lavonte David returns for a 15th season, he’s not the same player. His 61 solo tackles last year were his fewest as a pro and he is no longer considered a sideline-to-sideline defender.
An outstanding leader, David shouldn’t be on the field for 98 percent of Tampa Bay’s defensive snaps this fall.
There’s not much left at linebacker in free agency, so Licht and his scouts need to land one or two in the draft.
Texas Tech inside linebacker Jacob Rodriguez.
Georgia’s C.J. Allen, Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech and Pittsburgh’s Kyle Louis could be enticing for an organization that cries out for reliable tacklers in space.
Nobody’s asking for another Derrick Brooks or another Lavonte David. That bar’s way too high, But is it too much to ask for linebackers who can stop 5-yard swing passes from turning into 14-yard gains?
Bowles acknowledges the level of tackling has been unacceptable the past few years. His staff has to do a better job of coaching up fundamentals. Licht has to do a better job finding linebackers who can cover and wrap up securely. More defenders need to swarm to the football.
The 2026 Bucs can’t afford to turn the flats into the NFL’s version of the Bermuda Triangle — where defenders disappear without a trace. And while you’re at it, clamp down on opposing tight ends.
This Southern hospitality has gone way too far.
March 16th, 2026 at 11:23 am
Bucs can’t afford a few things in 2026!!!
lack of urgency and injuries to the OL come to mind…but Bakers string of 4th quarter INTs is priority!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
March 16th, 2026 at 11:27 am
trade back get cj allen and a pick seems like a good option
March 16th, 2026 at 11:32 am
I was screaming about his all last year. The fact that they could not correct it shows that Fatso is not capable of improving his defense and/or evaluating talent. Hence, I and others have abandoned this franchise in ’26. Since I’m 87 maybe I have kissed them off for life.
Thanks, Glaziers.
March 16th, 2026 at 11:44 am
Why was Bowles retained again? This coming season will be a disaster.
March 16th, 2026 at 11:47 am
That’s the best sports article I’ve read all year. And the Joe’s have written some great ones.
March 16th, 2026 at 11:54 am
They had the chance to fix the flat. They failed. Mikey knows.
It’s over.
March 16th, 2026 at 11:56 am
When the Bucs won their last Super Bowl the Defense shut down the Chiefs. The pass Defense was significantly better than last year’s Defense. If there is any hope of a repeat we better find some hair on fire Crosby clones. Oh yeah, he’s available.
March 16th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
“Georgia’s C.J. Allen, Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech and Pittsburgh’s Kyle Louis could be enticing for an organization that cries out for reliable tacklers in space.”
Anthony Hill jr. is just as rangy and athletic as all these guys and should fall somewhere between the end of the first and end of the third, like all these guys.
It really is a matter of pick your flavor with drafting an ILB outside of the anamoly of an athelte Styles is.
Still if we miss out on Styles, and Cashius Howell is availabe at 15 take him and keep it moving.
No matter who draft at ILB first, give me somebody like Keyshaun Elliot or Shad Banks as the 2nd draftee to the LB room.
Anzalone & Robinson are the right now guys. Whomever we draft to be in the same room as either, will be the future of their respective position.
Still Demonte Capheart would be perfect for us, and I’m still a Landon Robinson fan even moreso after he had a pretty strong pro day and is rising up some boards.
CB is also on the menu this draft, no way we go into the regular season with what we’ve got as of right now.
March 16th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
Soft zone defenders nowhere close to the receivers is the issue. Either the players are too slow or the scheme is no good. So we need to play it better or coach it better. Pin the tail on the donkey Ira. You know.
March 16th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
Bowles was retained for purely financial reasons. He recently got an extension and the Glazers didn’t want to pay two coaches, at least that’s my opinion.
March 16th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
More than anything certain players would not pursue at all. People around here like to sing the praises of Tykee Smith, but if that guy was more than 6 inches behind the ball carrier he would just leisurely jog after the guy. Of coarse watching backs get caught in the backfield and then getting caught again at the LOS and then maybe getting caught again 10 yards down field and still scoring was tough to watch. In the past we could at least tackle. Not last year.
March 16th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
Here’s the reality….they should have dumped this joke of an nfl head coach!!! It’s impossible to improve your team starting with the assistant coaches and keeping the head coach. Every organization takes on the qualities of It’s leader and its never been more true than with this current head coach….never! Yes, some assistant coaches needed to go, that should’ve been done years ago. The strange thing is though, didn’t the team win a super bowl with the previous coach? Oh, and made a strong challenge to repeat only to be done in buy the defensive mastermind,NOT, of that D coordinator? An unforgivable mistake in not firing Bowles and getting a fresh start. He is not a capable coach. JL or Glazers need to explain this decision but for some reason there is no communication at all from the top. Someone in the media needs to get to the bottom of this and find the real answers!
March 16th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
Actually Joe that is exactly what I am asking for-another David or Brooks.
They are available in this draft with Arvell Reese and or Sonny Styles.
Considering Jason Lichts’ future is now tied to Bowles, I would expect a daring splash move in the draft to try to save his skin.
March 16th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
it’s yet another piece that happens because players are having to think too much about what their assignment is and where they are supposed to be.
Bowles defensive scheme is ludicrous.
And eventually players just throw up their hands when every instinct they are told is actually wrong and they messed up. Who wants that.
March 16th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Ira, I have to disagree. LVD was a great player, but was never a leader. Don’t remember details, but he once and said an early season loss derailed the defenses attitude for the rest of the season. He whines about losses and never has a remedy. He never reigned in Devin White’s crappy attitude.
March 16th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
i think you’ve gotta try and land the rodriguez kid…he seems to be hungry with that it factor…why not take a shot…
and yes another backer as well
and ira…may your coffee cup runneth over, while always accompanied by a fresh out of the oven coconut donut
March 16th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Oh to have Jim Schwartz and a 4-3 defense
March 16th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Ira as usual spot on. Unfortunately when you now look at the Bucs thinking Dennis was starting LB in the NFL along with ME stating publicly he no longer believes the Bucs were going in the right direction, it appears the Bucs truly are in a bad place. Add to the fact they failed to address the Edge Position when they could have and you see Mike knew what he was talking about. Unfortunately, I now agree with Mike the Bucs are making some bad decisions about the team.
I mean currently we have no Edge Guy that is a real starter. We now have McColum and Morison for starting corners. They may by far be the worst corners in the league. Morrison can’t stay healthy and thus far he has proven to be a liability. McColumn, absolutely horrible last year. Add to that we need 2 starting LBs and you see what Evans was saying!!. Sad to say but it appears the Bucs are trending backwards now.
Man today it is hard to be a fan!!!. Presently like Mike I have no faith.
I don’t know if I can go watch this team anymore.
I have been a fan since 1976
March 16th, 2026 at 12:53 pm
also please understand, anzalone was not signed by detroit because somewhere in their front offices they do believe he is down cycling……and so do i…
like 2-3 years ago this guy was straight beasting…he might be a little bit lesser of a beast at this point…but i’m glad we have him
March 16th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
How is this a young defense, Ira? One rookie at nickel corner? Front 7 all vets. AWJ and Dean vets. Smith 2, Dennis 3yr. I don’t get it.
March 16th, 2026 at 1:53 pm
So the answer was to go out and find a mediocre 31-year-old LB. Great job! It’s become painfully obvious that Spytek was the brains behind this operation. Licht is a dolt.
March 16th, 2026 at 2:19 pm
Amen, Ira! It would be terrific if we could land two quality linebackers in upcoming draft: CJ Allen, Anthony Hill Jr, Jacob Rodriguez and/or Kyle Louis. Sonny Styles is unlikely to fall to 15.
March 16th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Just gotta coach it better, draft it better, play it better.
Got it. Problem solved.
Now we can get back to free buffets at Raymond James and coconut doughnuts.
#SuperBowles
March 16th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
I really think the talent in the NFL is pretty even across teams. There are generational players and such. However, I agree our D looked lost and confused for most of the season in coverage. Bowles claims his defense is not complicated, so what is it? The players are intellectually challenged? or maybe, just maybe, Bowles defense allows for an unacceptable level of risk due to his obsession with blitzing. Blitzing is a way of putting pressure on the QB, not the only way. If your guys can’t penetrate, even with a blitz, its probably best you understand what your teams strengths and weaknesses are and this is where Bowles fails in my opinion. The guy just tries to force a square peg into a round hole with his scheme, which is why he has only been successful when his D roster is stacked.
March 16th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
Well, we’re saved from having Charlie heck spend another season with us, he’s with the fins now
March 16th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
After 2 years of a terrible defense, and it being wonky for years now, I have zero faith in Todd Bowles.
March 16th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Facts-
– Todd Bowles D shut down Mahomes, Kelce, Tyreek mad won a Super Bowl. He had veterans on D like Suh, Barrett, etc.
– Now since becoming HC he’s has rookies and younger players, which don’t seem to grasp his defense. Those kids look like nice kids who play soft.
– Jason Licht (as well as the scouting staff) picked them.
– it was last season when Bucs brass (including the Glazers) decided that Dean, as well as Evans, weren’t going to be re-signed; the draft proved that.
March 16th, 2026 at 3:01 pm
Third and 28 says it all. Coach Bowles has lost his mojo. Say goodbye Todd and good riddence
March 16th, 2026 at 3:02 pm
Anyone thinking the answers to the Bucs woeful defense lie in some magical draft need to share their meds with the rest of us. If there was a chance they might get some good coaching, maybe. But since there is t any of that, fuggettaboudditt.
March 16th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
Sonny Styles and CJ Allen would be great but don’t sleep on …
Anthony Hill, Texas
Hill is equally as talented as Sonny or CJ. He’s probably on the board for the Bucs in the 2nd.
Go BPA in the 1st and grab Hill in the 2nd if the pick wasn’t a LB.
March 16th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
Brother you should be getting meds daily at the retirement home
March 16th, 2026 at 3:33 pm
kyle potts is an average tight end who turns into tony gonzales every time he plays the bucs 😂
March 16th, 2026 at 3:34 pm
Nothing new here, Ira.
March 16th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
Tell us something we don’t know.
March 16th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
Mock Draft Generators
I’ve done a dozen mock drafts and I’m happy with them all.
There are great players of need in nearly every round.
Don’t be surprised/worried if the Bucs select a high profile WR or RB in the 1st. They can grab stud ILB and Edge in the 2-3.
No matter what, I expect a lot of depth after this draft.
March 16th, 2026 at 4:10 pm
With Drake London out, it was criminal to let Kyle Pitts burn us during that second game vs Falcons……no game plan vs Pitts…..
As far as I’m concerned….go ahead and give up a 2nd and get Styles….a sure thing….our 2nd round picks have been horrible….
Braswell, Hall…..and maybe even Morrison (jury out)
March 16th, 2026 at 4:52 pm
This offseason already feels like a big can of “fix-a-flat” meaning a new tire is needed regardless.
March 16th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
CJ Allen isn’t going to help with the quantity gouging receptions given up to RBs and TEs that’s for sure. He is an old-timey downhill prototypical ILB but can’t turn and run nor his he anything resembling sticky or zone aware.
Rodriguez’s arm length, similar lack of fluid hips and not being lightning off the snap have me lower on him than most. He gets busted on by TEs so fun as he is I look forward to enjoying his career with another team.
Anthony Hill Jr. is the most pro-ready LB in this class so he is my guy.
Kyle Louis is enticing, but as a big slot, not as a LB because he is 5’11”. He is a ball hawk but this defense has too many mighty midgets as it is which is why pterosaurs like Lander Barton or Eric Gentry who play with juice, have fluid hips as impressive as their heights and wingspans are who have my eye. AJ Peña is a fascinating sleeper.
As for fixing flats, this crew doesn’t have a good recent record. Last year SVD was flatter than KJ Britt. The egregious in-game management errors got a devoted decision maker- who told Bowles to try a 63 yard Hail Mary (would have been an NFL record) with a QB who went to the tent over his shoulder earlier and skipped multiple balls off the turf. Was this Hail Mary to win the game? No. The Bucs were down twenty some points to the Rams at the end of the first half. Mayfield collapsed in agony after launching that pointless bomb. 3-28 is bad but that close of the first half decision is an example of Bowles attempting to address a clear issue and using it to blunder bigger. His questionable decisions lost multiple single games in 2025. That inexplicable attempt to destroy his QB’s ailing shoulder negatively impacted the remainder of the 2025 season. Perhaps beyond.
I’m not saying anyone should be fired but maybe the hot shame of the indictment that is Evans inglorious departure can inspire a hunger for redemption that might help this crew temper their self-perception to reality so this team and it’s fans can get back to expecting wins. There has been a lot of noise about looking in the mirror but it is time to explore other means of self-assessment. It’s quite a pile of things this regime expects fans and players to ignore and it cost us Mike Evans. Yes, Licht has the stable stocked at WR but the intangible things lost over years that came to a critical mass in that tunnel for Mike Evans is a stench that will hang heavy until winning streaks and winning seasons blow them away. This team can do it with the right help in all the right places. Not the jute-twine and duct tape roster fixes and delusion that chicken salad can be be rendered from chicken scat by Bowles’ big brain. A mysterious sabermetric decisionmaker in the headset who helped torpedo the season? This has become the Bucs’ brand.
March 16th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
Fix the flat meanwhile the engine is burning oil and the transmission won’t shift out of second gear. The car is a wreck. Not even worth its weight in scrap metal value, and the weight is huge.
March 16th, 2026 at 5:25 pm
Great article… Definitely nothing that we hadn’t seen for ourselves, unfortunately. Flats horror show!
Thanks for producing all the stats that we knew would be terrible. LOL
ILB pick @ 15 if from OSU or trade down for one of mentioned in the post from WBL above. He did his homework.
Also, the above sentence posted, “I and others have abandoned this franchise in ’26.”… then you were never real fans.
I don’t live in Oregon, I’ve lived in Tampa my entire life and was 7 when the Bucs started off. I’m a 7th generation Tampa Bay resident… I’ve never rooted for any team outside of Tampa Bay other than the Orlando Magic and the Florida Gators… and at this point I root for the USF Bulls to beat the Gators. I will still be a fan long after Bowles is gone but I still hope they do something in the 2026 season. I never have and never will root against any Bucs coach/GM regardless of how mediocre a job I think they’re doing currently. If they don’t produce this season, they’re both pretty much gone anyhow.
March 16th, 2026 at 5:51 pm
KABucs – Im a multi generational Tampa native too and started watching the Bucs in ‘76 when I was 6. Good to know we’ve got some old school natives on here. Cheers!
March 16th, 2026 at 6:06 pm
I’m hoping we go Mesidor/Jacob Rodriguez. That seems pretty optimal!
March 16th, 2026 at 6:07 pm
Hill Jr. is a great option in the 2nd round too!