Something Was Wrong In Jacksonville
August 25th, 2026
UPDATED: So Joe was at Bucs practice with the Jaguars this morning in steamy Jacksonville.
Joe can attest that the session did not resemble what Joe saw two weeks ago while Tampa Bay faced the Jets in practice in New Jersey.
Against the Jets, practice was crisp and the Bucs’ benches were brimming with energy. Tampa Bay was a team playing with an edge, and kudos to Todd Bowles and Jets head coach Aaron Glenn for setting and maintaining a very impressive practice pace.
Today, Joe would use “flat” to describe the Bucs.
Because Joe watched the offense struggle, with fourth-string left tackle Paul Rubelt too-often a culprit, Joe spent limited time watching the Tampa Bay defense. But Joe sure could hear cheer after cheer from the Jacksonville fans watching the Jags offense make plays against the Bucs — deep shots, runs, passes over the middle.
Joe shifted to spend more time watching the Bucs defense and it was obvious the sideline energy was missing. The same fire of past weeks wasn’t there.
After practice, Joe asked rookie, tone-setting inside linebaker Josiah Trotter about today’s practice state of mind. His answer won’t soothe Bucs fans this evening.
“I think the energy could have been better,” Trotter said of the Bucs defense. “You know, some of the vets, they talked, especially after practice. They didn’t feel like that was the standard we should hold ourselves to, especially the body language part. It’s hot out here but you have to push pass that, you know have energy and create energy, try to make plays.”
And the offensive sideline energy was rather quiet, too, though Joe certainly saw some life in the Bucs’ special teams.
“It was good plays and bad plays, things we got to clean up as a defense,” Trotter added. “Our standard his high and tomorrow we have to do better.”
Baker Mayfield said of the day: “[The Jaguars] were playing with their hair on fire. I’ll say that. If this was a full game, I don’t think we would have come out on the winning side of it. A little eye-opening. Gotta go back and watch the tape. It’s never as good or as bad as you think it is. From my standpoint, they outphysicaled us. That’s never what you want to have.”
Mayfield added that the Bucs may not have wanted it more than Jacksonville today.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:27 pm
Better bring it tomorrow and the rest of the season or we’ll bring in a coach who brings and demands energy.
Maybe that’s a bit harsh on Bowles, or maybe not based on how last year went. Over reaction perhaps?
August 25th, 2026 at 5:29 pm
Coen knows the Buccaneers. Also, it’s PRACTICE. No big deal.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:30 pm
Yah… Todd Bowles is great. We are going to ruin this roster with him again.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
I wouldn’t worry too much about one aberrant practice. After this many days of camp in a row I’d imagine players are starting to get a bit tired/malnourished/dehydrated. The upcoming break is very much needed to recharge batteries but let’s hope they come out tomorrow supercharged and the Bucs let Wirfs either play some or find someone to play left tackle that isn’t a 4th stringer with the first team offense! You aren’t getting anything done with that setup as we’ve already proven in the game against KC! Where the hell are the other backups? Make someone play. They can heal the next week or 2.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:32 pm
It’s practice, get this crap out of the way now. Come regular season. This better be addressed. Accepting mid season hiccups are over.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
Rounding into post bye form. Todd Bowles might need to fire more coaches.
Providing none of them are him or his son. Guru and son of said guru.
Just gotta coach it better, scheme it better, play it better.
🤣🤣🤣🤡🤡🤡
August 25th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
I remember during the Dungy/Gruden/Arians eras there were flat days. If I had to guess most of the starters want the BS over so they can get to the regular season. Just like everyone else.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Hopefully they come out ready tomorrow. Some days teams are flat. I think the Jags are better than the Jets and that likely is the issue.
Where all the LT?. I mean the only available is the 4th string guy?. He played the whole game last Sat. Hopefully he never sees the field during the season.
Wow.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
Hopefully they come out ready tomorrow. Some days teams are flat. I think the Jags are better than the Jets and that likely is the issue.
Where all the LT?. I mean the only available is the 4th string guy?. . Hopefully he never sees the field during the season.
Wow.
August 25th, 2026 at 5:37 pm
It feels like since Bruce left we have been running without a real head coach. Team is just being ran by some coordinators. This article represents that. Bruce would be calling people out chewing some a$$. Todd seems to just be like oh well. We just have to coach it better and play it better. Now the rookies using the same tune. Body language issues? What?. Is that our teams new rally cry. Coach it better play it better. Where is our head coach at? Being nice to our millionaire players? It’s already a long season that hasn’t even started yet. Go Bucs
August 25th, 2026 at 6:04 pm
“Outphysicaled”
I will take that everyday instead of hearing every football analyst say “physicality” every 5th word.
Anyway, it’s the dog days of summer. Can’t expect them to come out with their hair of fire every practice.
August 25th, 2026 at 6:11 pm
Sometimes it takes the crap getting kicked out of you to elevate your play. I suspect the Bucs will bring it tomorrow and the rest of the week.
August 25th, 2026 at 6:11 pm
Maybe they heard about Dolly Parton and it broke their hearts like it did mine.
August 25th, 2026 at 6:12 pm
Will the starters play Friday night?
August 25th, 2026 at 6:15 pm
Drawing any conclusions from one practice would be a mistake.
August 25th, 2026 at 6:18 pm
It’s just practice, but you practice like you play and vice versa. Obviously still time to self correct before it matters, but if your a hooper and all week of practice you’ve been putting up bricks you can’t complain about the ball not finding you as your practice habits haven inspired any confidence in you.
August 25th, 2026 at 6:22 pm
Players keeping themselves fresh not wanting to risk injury. It’s a fine line even for the bubble players. Tape doesn’t lie. After all Joe(s), It’s only “worthless” preseason games.
August 25th, 2026 at 6:24 pm
That’s the Todd Bowles special. Start strong, false hope for the fans and then crash and burn
August 25th, 2026 at 6:25 pm
Typical Todd Bowles coached team! Another sub 500 season!
August 25th, 2026 at 6:27 pm
Liam Coen > Todd Bowles by a mile.
August 25th, 2026 at 6:38 pm
Cabbage Patch Coen treated it like a playoff game. Unlike last year…he won this one.
I can’see the point in joint practices prior to the 1st preseason game just to get a break from hitting your own guys. This one seemed unnecessary and sounded unproductive.
August 25th, 2026 at 6:40 pm
What changed in a week? You’d think they’d be even more energized than last week with the return of big Vita Vea on defense….
Puzzled
August 25th, 2026 at 6:42 pm
Flat is Todd Bowles middle name
August 25th, 2026 at 6:45 pm
Last year we had our potential HoF linebacker talk about he took plays off and a cornerback (one of Bowles favorites) who said at times he was “bored.” Talk about great examples of things a head coach cannot tolerate. Did the players get benched for a game? Nope. It doesn’t matter how much players love s head coach if they won’t play and run through walls for him. Maybe the new assistant coaches can overcome the tone set by the HC, but I doubt it. But… I hope so.
August 25th, 2026 at 6:47 pm
It’s ok , it’s just practice. hopefully no injuries this week. Time to make mistakes and correct them. Kind of worried about offensive play calling after watching the last two weeks however. Friday night should be interesting.
August 25th, 2026 at 6:50 pm
Still el Serpiente
August 25th, 2026 at 6:52 pm
A Todd Bowles team lacked focus and execution?… color me shocked! Smfh
August 25th, 2026 at 6:55 pm
Not worried about play calling at all.
Coen is the HC and Im sure he prepped his D Coordinator.
On the flip side Bowles probably played the same D he played with Coen for a year and didn’t listen to Zac or didn’t ask.
It’s literally 1 practice and as Baker plays, so does the team.
He wasn’t very good.
Set the tone Baker.
So far $50 Million is too much.
August 25th, 2026 at 6:56 pm
Stpetematt Says:
August 25th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
I wouldn’t worry too much about one aberrant practice. After this many days of camp in a row I’d imagine players are starting to get a bit tired/malnourished/dehydrated.
________
That’s not a great outlook.
They are professional athletes with all the professional amenities and the pay is a little above average.
Tired?
Malnourished
😂
August 25th, 2026 at 7:00 pm
LT: Skule and Chukmura are injured, and Wirfs is only being eased back gradually after an injury. Thus the 4th string LT. His lack of ability limits the play-calling in a joint practice ( as it did vs Chiefs), and limits the work that can get done with the rest of the starters. Kind of sucks. That doesn’t excuse the Defense coming out flat. But when it gets down to brass tacks, Coen’s offense is likely better than Bowle’s Defense.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:05 pm
the bucs looked flat last Saturday night also until JD the fire starter lit the match!
August 25th, 2026 at 7:05 pm
“We talking about practice” .Not a game!
August 25th, 2026 at 7:06 pm
The HC/DC is soft as Charmin TP. What do you expect? 🤷🏿♂️
August 25th, 2026 at 7:07 pm
Mid-season form….we’re ahead of schedule.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:09 pm
Why do we have to read about another lifeless outing???
Last year game after game, down the stretch they looked like they just went through the motions.
Hopefully this is not how the season plays out again, Bowles will be backing up the moving van at the seasons end……
Just because Bowles rarely openly shows any emotion on the sideline does not mean this team has to look like that on the field.
Sure hope that the season does not play out like they are the walking dead on the on the field Again like last season……
August 25th, 2026 at 7:09 pm
If only the Jags’ head coach were available… oh, wait..
August 25th, 2026 at 7:15 pm
These joint practices are the important ones!!! You play against a team you don’t know. They throw their best stuff at you and you at them. Tomorrow is another day! The Bucs best RISE UP to the occasion!! Quit playing ards until 4am!!!!
August 25th, 2026 at 7:16 pm
Showing up to play is a culture, and a habit. If you always do it…you always do it.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:17 pm
For those of you who is wondering what I said in that last sentence…Quit playing cards until 4am !!!! Lol
August 25th, 2026 at 7:17 pm
People say it happened because cohen knows are defense and offense well. Yes this is true. But that shows how much of a better coach he is. Because Bowles knows his offense really well also and couldn’t scheme ways to stop it. Where as cohen exposed the flaws in our coach. That’s the thing with these older defensive minded coaches. They are stubborn and just think there defense will work regardless they won’t change there defense plan per the team. Just this is my defense you know what’s coming try to beat us. And more often than not it’s just that. It happens in the regular season also. There just happens to be some qbs and coaches who just don’t do well versus his style of defense it’s there kryotonite like Jalen hurts. But then you see 3rd stringers tear us apart. Because they know it’s going to be the same looks they saw all week on film. I really can’t wait to have an innovative coach. We always look like we do t even make halftime adjustments. Just got to play it better
August 25th, 2026 at 7:23 pm
Thank the Glazers for retaining the ring leader of the toxicity.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:25 pm
There’s absolutely no excuse for a low energy level in an NFL practice.
I’m a little worried but !!
Go Bucs !!
August 25th, 2026 at 7:45 pm
You practice like you play…come on…this is coaching/sales/life 101…it’s a bad sign IMHO
Shrugging it off is putting your head in the sand.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:46 pm
Sounds like it might be time to turn to Daniels to start at QB and give the team the jolt it needs to get going.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:49 pm
Just gotta coach it better, scheme it better and play it better!
Love the fans on here making excuses for a sh!t practice. I could see if it was a mundane practice against our own players. That wasn’t the case though, they’re coming in fresh after a Friday night game and against another team. Looks like the team still takes after there stoic leader. Tired, dehydrated, malnourished lol wtf are you people talking about
August 25th, 2026 at 7:58 pm
They were too hot after playing in Jersey. I betcha they’ll be fine.
August 25th, 2026 at 7:59 pm
Funny there was a report about the Jags lacking in joint practice last week, guess they found their juice.
August 25th, 2026 at 8:08 pm
“Rod Munch Says:
August 25th, 2026 at 7:46 pm
Sounds like it might be time to turn to Daniels to start at QB and give the team the jolt it needs to get going.”
Randy Hedberg
August 25th, 2026 at 8:08 pm
One good thing about changing OC’s every few months is that Coen was a couple generations ago and couldn’t claim familiarity with the present system. Some of the personnel, perhaps, but not the playbook. It’s pretty obvious that the offense, at least, is being kept under wraps. Let’s just hope that when the curtain goes up on the season, the Wizard of Oz isn’t behind it.
August 25th, 2026 at 8:11 pm
Did I just read that someone said that perhaps the players are “malnourished” and thats why they had a poor practice?? Malnourished?? Seriously..
I love logging on here..always get a good laugh. Good for the soul.
August 25th, 2026 at 8:17 pm
Last I looked we were 2-0. This an absurd post. Joe is a very smart businessman. He gets paid when we click. He does no how to assess his readers. The vast majority of folks who come this site appear to be transplants from other cities who root against the Buccaneers.
August 25th, 2026 at 8:30 pm
Rod: Serious question: How can you tell with confidence when a blown pass is on the QB and wheb it’s the receiver? I’m not talking about dropped balls, but missed connections.
August 25th, 2026 at 8:33 pm
This is Todd Bowles in a nutshell. About 25% of the time the team comes out flat and can’t beat anybody. It’s why even with a good healthy roster he’s capped at 9-10 wins. Get ready for more of the same.
August 25th, 2026 at 8:34 pm
Maybe Bowles is feeding them to many Kit Kat candy bars. Sugar kills. Maybe the Glazers will finally Kill the career of the stoic incompetent Todd Bowles by mid-season if this lack of energy and resolve continues.
August 25th, 2026 at 8:37 pm
After watching the Bucs all these years ive come to realize
that the hole idea that training in this Florida heat and humidity makes them stronger is BS i think all it does is drain them and
run them down and even contribute to injuries. There needs to be some training inside so they can concentrate on their craft and not worry about the heat.
August 25th, 2026 at 8:37 pm
Yep Bowles already got them in mid season form
August 25th, 2026 at 8:45 pm
Is the regular season short all of a sudden? Team can’t make it out of preseason without being flat wtf. Everytime I get optimistic about this team some news like this comes out. Did the jaguars not have the same length of preseason? yet somehow they can execute and the bucs are flat once again awesome thanks for staying Todd.
August 25th, 2026 at 9:13 pm
Can’t expect every practice to be perfect. Best to find out now than during the season.
August 25th, 2026 at 9:23 pm
“The energy level is good. We just have to execute.”
August 25th, 2026 at 9:27 pm
Coen.
August 25th, 2026 at 9:30 pm
Buddha Says :” the vast majority of folks who come this site appear to be transplants from other cities who root against the Buccaneers.”
Based off of what exactly?
August 25th, 2026 at 9:41 pm
Evans has a groin. I think he’s been hanging around the new owner a little too much.
August 25th, 2026 at 9:44 pm
One coach is better than the other…
August 25th, 2026 at 10:00 pm
But wait, all the draft picks and free agents were nasty Dawgs with attitude. Guess the toxic environment tamed the beasts already
August 25th, 2026 at 10:05 pm
7-10 season coming. Hate to say it but this is the truth. No discipline and no accountability.
August 25th, 2026 at 10:09 pm
Man, so many crybabies in here. The team is 2-0 and found their QB of the future who they have for 4-years on a super cheap deal giving the Bucs a huge advantage with the salary cap, and people still non-stop complain.
August 25th, 2026 at 10:14 pm
I have been a bucs fan since year one and they loss every game the first two years. I am die hard fan and tired of hearing these bandwagon or haters that don’t know anything about football or ever played. Negative starts with the true fans. If you hate Todd Bowels, get your but of the couch and coach
August 25th, 2026 at 10:21 pm
Preseason record is irrelevant and Baker is our QB. Here’s hoping we extend him several years in the next week or two.
August 25th, 2026 at 10:21 pm
Keep it up Rod, and you’re gonna jinx our new QB. More munchenwhenyououghtaquitmunchin.
August 25th, 2026 at 10:32 pm
2027 go bucs!
August 25th, 2026 at 11:00 pm
We know coen is a better coach than radio.
He still should be in Tampa
August 26th, 2026 at 12:22 am
JustVisiting is right on the money. Winning is habit forming and losing is habit forming. What’s it gonna be Krewe? 4-13 or 14-3
August 26th, 2026 at 12:29 am
There’s a difference between being a critic and being a cynic.
August 26th, 2026 at 1:53 am
Just gotta stay healthy. That’s what we’ve got to do. Friday night we don’t need them on the field unless they’re competing for a spot on the 53.
All the news coming out today made it look like the Bucs had a bad day. Find some film and watch it! I don’t think, without seeing it, you’d believe how many times Baker hit Hurst. Must have been half a dozen- long routes, big chunks. Passing game is gonna be incredible this year if we stay healthy. Godwin and Tez had chunk catches today, too.
But you’ve gotta see Bain and Vita and Kancey getting off the ball in team drills. Those 3 I watched, and I bet YaYa and Walker and Muhammad and Robinson were doing the same. The whole defense is better. Much better.
Joe says the special teams were fired up. Oh, man!
The message to the players after a tough grind of a practice was we’ve gotta be more physical and we’ve gotta be in better shape. Perfect.
This is a good year to be a fan of this team. All the pieces are falling into place. Licht and Bowles and this football team is liable to make monkeys out of a bunch of you guys around here. Better enjoy the naysaying as long as you can, this team is a good one.
August 26th, 2026 at 7:03 am
It’s still better than the WNBA. Isn’t it?
August 26th, 2026 at 7:04 am
OK, I know we have injuries, but we have to have enough depth to bring in somebody who can play left tackle. If that guy can’t handle it I think you’ll let him go and you’ll find somebody with experience at least.
Coen i’m sure fired up his Jags to try to show up the Buccaneers & display what real coaching is. He’s a little bit immature like that.
August 26th, 2026 at 8:11 am
Bowles must have told the team it was a prime-time or a playoff game. No one more skilled at bringing his team out flat than Todd.
August 26th, 2026 at 8:23 am
Bowles coaching skills are already at mid season form. hahahaha
August 26th, 2026 at 9:10 am
Dusting off a late ’90’s sound drop from The Almighty GOB’s show…
“I think the Bucs are great!”
August 26th, 2026 at 9:17 am
dont worry buc fans according to the marketing dept the bucs are going to win the division and have one of the best offensive lines in football. the coach is on a winning streak is another gas light mantra of this pre season / camp session.
August 26th, 2026 at 10:30 am
1) It happens this far into Training Camp each year. Look back at the archives.
2) Training Camp against the Jags always has issues…and usually injuries. I’m sure the team will perk up…will we win? Maybe…but unlikely.
Doesn’t matter.
Get through it without injury. Please.
August 26th, 2026 at 10:59 am
Todd Bowles was asked about the practice. He said, “Coaches gotta coach it better. Players gotta play it better.”
August 26th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
BOWLES KNOCK IS HE NEVER BRINGS ENEGY TO THE TEAM. CANT FIRE THEM UP . I LOOK AT COEN ,I LOOK AT BEARS JOHNSON. THE BOWLES . LOOKS LIKE SPILLED MILK. .
August 26th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
Rod, what will you do if Daniels is cut and does not pass,waivers? Do you have a safety watch team?