Another Bucs-friendly national analyst checks in.
Following in the footsteps of Chris Simms and Chris Long, another Bucs-friendly analyst came down hard on Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles this week.
Former Eagles scout John Middlekauff is a big fan of Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht. The two share a former colleague, Eagles GM Howie Roseman. Middlekauff also is a regular guest of Colin Cowherd of FOX Sports, and Middlekauff hosts his own popular 3 And Out podcast.
This week, Middlekauff said he isn’t seeing any light in the Bucs’ tunnel after losing to Deshaun Watson and the Browns at home.
“Is Todd Bowles making it to Halloween?” Middlekauff asked.
He also came down on Baker Mayfield, citing him for progressively playing more out of control and losing accuracy.
“Throw the ball away. You’re not Lamar Jackson, buddy,” Middlekauff said. “I’m a huge Baker guy, but it’s been a rough two weeks.”
So what about Halloween and Todd Bowles?
The Bucs will play seven games before Halloween. Team Glazer has never fired a coach in-season, but the Joe typing here doesn’t consider that a major factor in their eventual decision.
If the Bucs are, say, 1-7 on Sunday, Nov. 1, folllowing their home game against Atlanta, then the Joe typing here absolutely could see Team Glazer and Licht wanting to fire Bowles immediately. That sets them up to trade a few key veterans before the Nov. 10 trade deadline (tanking insurance), and to spare Bowles weeks of ugly fan vitriol.