[](https://www.joebucsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/todd-bowles-1010.jpg)
Very savvy football people have talked about how challenging and intricate the Todd Bowles’ defense is to play in.
Yes, Joe wrote “to play.” The Bucs defense is challenging to face, too, but it’s not a quick study for those in it.
Retired defensive back Logan Ryan, who played for the Belicheats and the Titans before joining the Bucs in 2022, has referenced the complexity of Bowles’ defense as a panelist and host on CBS and SiriusXM NFL Radio. Ryan was a regular early-morning film studier with Todd Bowles in Tampa. A very sharp dude, Ryan has shared stories of many long hours with Bowles that included being overloaded with Bowles’ 1960’s era music favorites.
Over the years, Bowles himself has said repeatedly that his defense presents a great challenge for rookie edge rushers, and for some defensive backs, as well.
Veteran Bucs cornerback Jamel Dean hopped on the Buccaneers Radio Network yesterday and was asked about what the defense has been working on to stop the big chunk plays teams have been racking up lately on Tampa Bay.
“It’s more just communication, understanding like where everybody needs to be whenever Bowles makes the call,” Dean said.
That response intrigued Joe. The Bucs defense is loaded with veterans that have been in Bowles’ defense for years. So it’s hard to believe players aren’t fully grasping where they need to be on a defensive call in November.
Perhaps it’s been more of a case of players trying to do too much, cheating versus staying in their assigned roles, gaps and zones?
If Dean is being candid, then perhaps it’s time to simplify aspects of the defense?
Joe realizes rookies Jacob Parrish, Elijah Roberts and Benjamin Morrison have played a ton of snaps, but Joe wouldn’t hang all the Bucs’ defensive problems on them.
Regardless, the defensive results must change in a hurry. The Rams, Sunday’s opponent, have averaged 33 points per game in their last four games.