The Bucs’ gaffe of using just one of their three timeouts at the end of regulation in Sunday’s loss to the Browns still fresh in the minds of many on Friday when it was quarterback Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich’s turn to face the media. 

Leftwich was first to the podium on Friday’s media availability and was asked why the team didn’t call a timeout after Rachaad White’s 1-yard gain. He promptly deflected the question deferring to head coach Todd Bowles.

Bucs OC Byron Leftwich – Photo by: USA Today

“Ultimately [pause], to say why [pause], I think that’s more of a head coach question really,” Byron said. “ That’s something that Todd [Bowles] would answer.”

Asked for a follow-up, Leftwich said that assistants aren’t allowed to call timeouts, and that it needs to be someone on the field or the head coach. He went on to essentially say that the only reason it was being questioned is because it didn’t go their way, and that if they got the desired outcome – a victory – it wouldn’t be a discussion point.

Leftwich was then asked if he was surprised if Brady didn’t call a timeout himself. 

“No,” Leftwich said bluntly. “I’m not surprised by anything.”

When asked if he had any communication with Bowles or Brady after the first down play he declined to comment saying conversations between the three would stay between them. But he did acknowledge he understood why some people wonder why a timeout wasn’t called in that situation. Asked if he was fearful of Brady throwing an interception on the next play, Leftwich danced around the question without giving a real answer.

Brady Refuses To Address The Timeout Snafu As Well

Brady was next to the podium and was immediately asked about why a timeout wasn’t called. Asked if he had any inclination himself to call a timeout while he was on the field he declined to comment as well. 

“I’m on to the Saints,” Brady said. “I’m not thinking about last week. It’s Thursday, that was last Sunday. 

Brady was reminded that the media hasn’t had the opportunity to speak with him this week since his post-game press conference, and he told reporters they missed their opportunity and doubled down on his answer.

“No, seriously, I’m thinking about this week,” Brady responded. “Last week’s gone and we can’t do anything about it. [We’ll] move forward the best we can and try to put ourselves in a position where it doesn’t come down to one play and try to play better. That’s what we’re going to try to do.”

Bowles Left Bucs Fans, Media Flabbergasted With His Reasoning

Earlier in the week Bowles presented unexplainable reasoning when conveying why the team didn’t take a timeout after the first play where White only gained a yard. The Bucs’ first-year coach was pressed about why he didn’t take the timeout, allowing so much time to run off the clock when the team could have had 25 seconds remaining and two timeouts left. Bowles quickly remarked that the 26-yard completed pass to Julio Jones on second down could’ve been a turnover. 

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

“Or it could have been an interception as well,” Bowles said. “We said if we didn’t get yards on the first down on the first play we wouldn’t call timeout. We would probably let the clock run. If (Brady) saw something, he could throw it. But we didn’t get any yards on the play – we got one or two yards with Rachaad and we were backed up. If we would have thrown a pick and the ball would have went the other way and they would have kicked the winning field goal, so I didn’t do it.”

The reasoning was mind-boggling, especially when you consider the Bucs have pulled off a late-game comeback already this season. Remember this team came back with under a minute left earlier this season in their Week 9 win against the Rams. That game had  just 44 seconds left and the Bucs were without timeouts starting from their own 40-yard line. 

Now the offense was starting with a bit more of an uphill battle with their drive beginning at their own 25 and with only 33 seconds left. But with all three timeouts at its disposal there was at least the ability to see what the offense could do.

Letting a precious 17 seconds roll of the clock was negligent by Bowles. A field goal in that situation would have probably won the game, and Ryan Succop has been stellar all season, connecting on 88 percent of his kicks.

The Bucs offense has come under fire all season with most of the blame pointed to the lackluster and predictable play calling of Leftwich. Though execution has been an issue as well, game and roster management have been factors also. The Bucs are sitting at 5-6 with just six games remaining and will need to be sharp in all facets of the game to reach the playoffs. It starts on Monday Night Football when the division rival Saints come to town.