Bucs Mailbag: The place’s The Love For Todd Bowles?

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

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Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds solutions your questions from the @PewterReport Twitter account this week within the Bucs Mailbag. Submit your query to the Bucs Mailbag every week through Twitter utilizing the hashtag #PRMailbag.  Listed below are the Bucs questions we selected to reply for this week’s version.

QUESTION: This win was a bit tougher than we thought, and the primary half was terrible. Does this make a distinction in Todd Bowles’ future?

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

ANSWER: To start with, let me say that I’m stunned on the questions and feedback I obtained for this week’s Bucs Mailbag. Regardless of profitable three straight divisional champions as Tampa Bay’s head coach, we didn’t get a single optimistic remark or query relating to Todd Bowles this week. I feel we at Pewter Report have been particularly reasonable to Bowles throughout his tenure as head coach, praising him when it’s warranted and critiquing him when it’s justified.

On Friday, I wrote that shedding to the Saints and ending 9-8 whereas shedding the NFC South would have put Bowles’ job in jeopardy in my SR’s Fab 5 column and I meant that. The Glazers wished to see progress this yr and went on the file with that notion again in March. Successful on Sunday towards New Orleans obtained this group to 10 wins and one other division title and Bowles deserves credit score for the Bucs’ 6-1 end after a 4-7 begin. It’s significantly better optics than shedding to the Saints after which backing into the playoffs at 9-8 with the Falcons additionally shedding on Sunday.

Successful isn’t simple within the NFL. That is skilled sports activities the place athletes are paid to coach and win. There may be an upset or two nearly each week, which is why we haven’t seen a group go undefeated within the common season because the Patriots did it in 2007. That stated, it was disappointing to see the Bucs come out and wrestle within the first half towards a lesser, five-win Saints group. New Orleans had a 19:10 to 10:45 time of possession benefit and a 16-6 lead at halftime.

However credit score Todd Bowles’ protection for placing the clamps down at halftime. Bowles and his protection have carried out a extremely good job with second half changes. After changing 3-of-8 (37.5%) on third down within the first half, Tampa Bay’s protection held New Orleans to 0-of-5 (0%) on third downs within the second half, simply 61 yards and solely a subject objective. It additionally helped that Liam Coen’s offense lastly obtained its act collectively and fought by penalties to outscore the Saints 21-3 within the second half.

It’s not at all times about how a group begins, however how a group finishes. These Bucs have carried out an excellent job of ending video games with sturdy second halves, in addition to a powerful second half of the season after the bye week underneath Bowles. Give the person some credit score.

QUESTION: Extraordinarily disenchanted that this group simply appears to play right down to the competitors. The protection has been mediocre to unhealthy all yr and having to attend till the final week of the season to get into the playoffs with this stage of expertise simply reveals how incapable our head coach is.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles and NCB Tykee Smith – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

ANSWER: To start with, I’d not name Todd Bowles incapable. Let’s see how the Bucs fare within the playoffs towards much better competitors earlier than passing a closing judgment on Bowles. Keep in mind, the Bucs are one among two groups which have crushed the 15-2 Lions this yr, one among three groups which have crushed the 13-3 Eagles and one among 5 groups which have crushed the 12-5 Commanders. Bowles’ protection held Detroit to 16 factors, Philadelphia to only 16 (truly 14 versus the Eagles offense) factors and Washington’s offense to solely 20.

The Bucs did amass a 6-1 file towards groups with a mixed 40-79 after the bye week. Tampa Bay did what it wanted to do to win the division and that was beat lesser groups to get to 10 wins and win the NFC South. Bowles didn’t make the schedule. The NFL did. The Bucs simply performed the groups that have been on the schedule. It’s not their fault that the again finish of the schedule was stuffed with lesser opponents.

As ugly as that 26-24 loss was at Dallas on Sunday Night time Soccer, the 40-17 win at Los Angeles towards an 11-win Chargers group was mighty stunning, wasn’t it? I’ll agree that the protection has to play higher, particularly in developing with takeaways. That’s been a supply of rivalry all yr. This protection simply doesn’t take the ball away practically sufficient and can finally be the explanation the Bucs lose within the postseason in January until that turns round.

But Bowles has carried out a outstanding job of getting reserves able to step in. All-Professional security Antoine Winfield Jr. has missed eight video games this yr with foot and knee accidents. Cornerback Jamel Dean has missed seven video games with accidents. Security Jordan Whitehead missed 5 video games as a result of harm. Rookie Tykee Smith has missed 4 video games, security Christian Izien missed three and security Mike Edwards has missed two. That’s 27 mixed video games missed as a result of harm within the secondary.

And don’t neglect that veteran reserve cornerback Bryce Corridor broke his leg within the season opener. That’s rather a lot to beat and it hasn’t at all times regarded fairly. However Bowles deserves credit score for an excellent season. Not a terrific season, however let’s see what occurs within the postseason now that the Bucs are in. And let’s see if Dean and Winfield could make it again to assist out.

QUESTION: Sadly, Todd Bowles isn’t getting fired after this season. Even when we lose the primary playoff sport, he’s secure. Is there any chance the group can entice him to retire with some ceremonial place like Bruce Arians obtained? Or some form of payout?

Bruce Arians and Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

ANSWER: I’m undecided what the long run holds for head coach Todd Bowles in Tampa Bay after this season. I truly assume if the Bucs lose to the Commanders and the protection is the wrongdoer – let’s say Bowles’ unit surrenders 30 factors or extra and the group goes down in a shootout – that there’s a likelihood that the group might transfer on from him. However that will solely be if the Bucs have been about to lose offensive coordinator Liam Coen to a different group providing a head teaching alternative.

It might be a troublesome choice primarily based on Bowles profitable three straight NFC South titles, which has by no means been carried out earlier than in franchise historical past. But when it got here right down to with the ability to hold only one coach – the 61-year previous Bowles or the 39-year previous Coen – I feel the Glazers must select Coen’s upside and the way he constructed a Prime 5, Tremendous Bowl-caliber offense in only one season.

If Coen is okay sticking round as offensive coordinator for a yr and will get a wholesome increase to entice him to take action, then I feel Bowles’ return is computerized no matter what occurs within the postseason until he all of a sudden opts to retire. We don’t understand how Coen would fare as an NFL head coach. He’s by no means been a head coach at any stage. Even former Bucs offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter had years price of head teaching expertise at Arizona State to attract from when he changed Lovie Smith in 2017 and he didn’t get Tampa Bay to the playoffs.

Bowles has some faults. He’s made some questionable sport administration choices and his timeout utilization may be baffling at instances. Bowles’ protection may be irritating to observe at instances, particularly proper earlier than halftime when groups appear to routinely drive down and get subject objectives on the finish of the second quarter, just like the Saints did on Sunday.

However he’s gone from eight wins to 9 wins to 10 wins in three consecutive seasons, abruptly transitioning from an previous veteran-laden group in 2022 to a a lot youthful roster during the last two seasons. Bowles deserves some credit score for his regular hand during the last two seasons because the Bucs have gone a mixed 11-3 in December and January video games to get into the playoffs.

QUESTION: Who performs security for us subsequent week or within the secondary typically? Do now we have sufficient again there – injured or not – to cease the Commanders?

Bucs S Antoine Winfield Jr. and CB Jamel Dean. – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

ANSWER: I don’t just like the Bucs’ possibilities within the postseason with Josh Hayes at cornerback and Kaevon Merriweather at security. Whether or not that’s towards the Commanders on Sunday night time or one other playoff group within the NFC Divisional spherical. Give Todd Bowles Jamel Dean and Antoine Winfield Jr. and I like Tampa Bay’s possibilities much more due to their potential and their expertise. Each of these Bucs defensive backs have Tremendous Bowl rings.

The Bucs have tried every little thing to shore up the secondary this yr. Tampa Bay drafted Tykee Smith within the third spherical to play nickelback, moved Zyon McCollum into the beginning lineup at cornerback, signed veteran cornerback Bryce Corridor, re-signed veteran security Jordan Whitehead, added extra pace with veteran security Tavierre Thomas, after which in the course of the season, claimed Mike Edwards off waivers and re-signed security Ryan Neal as a result of his expertise in Bowles’ scheme from a yr in the past.

The Bucs additionally added a pair of veteran cornerbacks Troy Hill and Dallis Flowers, who’ve performed sparingly. It’s not been for a scarcity of effort. However until Dean and Winfield return to the beginning lineup, the secondary shall be a weak point for opponents to focus on, particularly throughout the center the place the protection by Bowles’ safeties and inside linebackers has been suspect all season.

QUESTION: This group has to keep away from beating itself to make noise within the playoffs. With that in thoughts, is there not a longtime veteran punter we are able to signal and belief? Could be a disgrace to have punting value us in an in depth sport.

Bucs P Jack Browning – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR

ANSWER: The Bucs dedicated a season-high 12 penalties for 90 yards on Sunday towards the Saints. That may’t occur once more or Tampa Bay can have an early exit from the postseason. I stated it final week after the victory towards Carolina. The one group that may really beat the Bucs due to their high-powered offense is the Bucs themselves within the type of turnovers and penalties. Look no additional than the group’s 26-24 loss at Dallas the place Tampa Bay misplaced the turnover battle 3-0.

One other instance of a self-inflicted wound confirmed up on Sunday within the type of poor punting. You’re appropriate in noting that Jack Browning struggled, most blatant with a dropped punt that he wound up getting off within the type of a shanked kick that traveled simply 14 yards. Browning, a rookie, had two punts that averaged 33 yards with a internet of 28.5 yards.

Browning additionally handles kickoffs, and had six touchbacks and no returns, which was key. And he’s carried out a very good job of holding for placements for kicker Chase McLaughlin. But it might be a disgrace if a poor punt wound up costing the Bucs within the playoffs. I don’t assume the group goes to make a change now that it’s within the postseason, although. Cross your fingers.