Todd Bowles hates that label. “Defensive guru” follows him like a shadow. But Friday after practice? He grabbed that narrative by the collar. You heard that right.
Buffalo hung 44 points on Tampa Bay on November 16. That’s the most since Todd Bowles took over Tampa Bay’s defense in 2019. Therefore, a journalist asked about the pain. Again. “Coach, you being a defensive guy, it had to be painful to have the offense get 32 last week, and you can’t keep them under,” he asked. And Bowles had enough of it.
Todd Bowles Sets the Record Straight
“I’m a head guy, number one. I’m a defensive guy second,” Bowles said Friday. “I don’t know why I keep saying that because everything falls on me, from offense to special teams to defense. So, it’s painful anytime we lose, and it’s painful anytime one of those groups don’t form.” He rejected the media’s go-to tag. Every point lands on his desk. But can he fix what’s broken?
The offense scored 32 points that day. Three takeaways usually win games. It’s much like a three-run homer in baseball. But the defense sprung massive leaks. Bowles owned every single one. But will that be enough to plug these leaks?
Tampa Bay allowed 11 touchdowns of 25+ yards. That’s the worst in the NFL. “On the screenplay, we misfit,” Bowles said Monday. “Either two guys jump inside, or two guys jump outside and leave the crease. We’ve got to get that corrected.” Different players fail each week. There has to be something wrong with the system. And system problems start at the top. Meanwhile, special teams poured gasoline on the fire.
Buffalo returned three kickoffs for 40+ yards. Those short fields became 10 points. And to be frank, Bowles can’t fix the defense alone. He needs all three phases to synchronize. But right now they’re singing different songs.
Now, Todd Bowles and co. face Matthew Stafford Sunday night. The Rams score in bunches. Tampa Bay has talent, but capability means nothing without execution. So what’s the actual fix? The answer might surprise veteran observers.
Communication Breakdown: Is the Bucs Defense Too Complex?
jamel dean cut candidate
Main Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Jamel Dean offered a clue Tuesday. “It’s more just communication,” he said on Buccaneers Radio. Veterans should know this system by heart. But confusion reigns as teams falter. And the Bucs have. In 3 out of the last 4 games. That’s frankly alarming. Especially for a system this experienced.
Even Bowles admits rookies struggle. However, veterans are struggling too. The mental load seems too heavy for everyone. Maybe it’s time to simplify. Before Stafford proves why.
The front six lacks punch. Vita Vea has just 2.5 sacks. Edge rushers combined for nine sacks total. Meanwhile, Los Angeles edges have 15. Thus, Stafford will exploit those gaps with precision. And he’ll do it early and often.
The Rams rebuilt their front seven intelligently. They allow just 17 points per game. Todd Bowles once built defenses like that. However, will he swallow his pride and follow their blueprint? Sunday night provides the answer.
Todd Bowles faces his defining moment. He owned the failure on Wednesday and said, “We had a stinker.” Now he must own the solution. Simplify the calls. Fix communication. Generate natural pressure. Survive Sunday night, or watch a promising season circle the drain in Los Angeles.
Main Image: Nathan Ray Seebeck – Imagn Images