Last night’s Super Bowl displayed the growth of the league and how important concepts, coaching, and execution have become.
1. Coaching Over Talent: Neither of the Super Bowl contenders boasted the best talent in the league, but they did possess elite coaching. While players like Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Leonard Williams, Christian Gonzalez, and Will Campbell had great seasons, teams with more stacked rosters exist. The success of the Seahawks and Patriots can largely be attributed to head coaches Mike Macdonald and Mike Vrabel, along with coordinators like Klint Kubiak and Josh McDaniels. They have a clear scheme, know how to coach it, make effective adjustments, and focus on the little things. For instance, you hear Vrabel emphasize at halftime, “It’s all about setting a strong edge and creating a wall” to stop the run. This simplicity is effective. Throughout the game you see Kubiak’s offense giving his quarterback simple reads to half the field, utilizing easy outside pick concepts, and setting up play action passes with run plays early in the game… all giving his quarterback clear reads and setting players up for success.
The Bucs have the roster to play with these teams (we beat the Seahawks), but they lacked the coaching discipline to provide and demonstrate a plan week in and week out. Hopefully we see more focus from the staff with some of the changes made since the season ended.
2. Consistent Pass Rush: Every year, the best teams manage to generate consistent pass rush pressure with their four down linemen. Yes, the Seahawks employed some effective blitz packages in this game, but they primarily relied on their front four to pressure Drake Maye throughout. When a blitz was called, it got home, because it was more surprising coming from a defense that heavily relies on the defensive line to apply pressure.
Jason Licht and Todd Bowles
I’m once again hoping that Todd Bowles and Jason Licht understand the need to add a stud edge presence this offseason. I also would love to see Bowles utilize 4 down linemen against more offensive personnel packages this next season. Match defensive packages against offensive packages. Do not just stick to 3 down lineman, along with 2 outside linebackers every first and second down.
3. Scheme Over Quarterback: While both quarterbacks in this year’s Super Bowl had superb seasons, let’s not confuse them with stars like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, or Matthew Stafford. Their success in leading their teams to the championship game stemmed more from their ability to execute the game plan than from their individual talent.
All four teams in this year’s NFC and AFC Championship Games were led by effective game managers, with Stafford standing out due to his superstar abilities. Even though Bo Nix was injured for the game, he had managed to guide his team to the championship by adhering to Sean Payton’s offensive script. The same can be said for Drake Maye and Sam Darnold. While they made significant plays throughout the season—without which there would be no Super Bowl in 2026—they aren’t top-five quarterbacks; they more closely resemble top-ten quarterbacks.
Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield
This reinforces the idea that having productive schemes and players who buy into them is often more crucial than possessing the league’s top quarterback. It also points to the potential that Bucs’ quarterback Baker Mayfield brings to this team. With the right offensive coordinator (I.e. – Liam Coen) and scheme, Mayfield could carry this Bucs team to the promise land as well. He’s got the ability, does he have the discipline?
4. Special Teams Matter: Both Super Bowl teams put just as much importance into special teams as they do into offensive and defensive preparation. The kickoff and punt coverage units for the Seahawks and Patriots were almost perfect on Sunday night. The players know their job and execute. They settle when they should settle and they set the edge when they should set it. There is a plan for every kick. It’s not like they just hope to place the kick and stay in their coverage lanes.
The fact that we stuck with our coaching on special teams all season shows a lack of accountability. We must be stubborn with the expectations of our players and coaches. Players want to play for coaches like that. They want to play for champions. The two teams were there for a reason, they coach for championships.
I don’t know, fellas. I’m fully onboard with the “In Bowles We Trust” mantra started by one of Bowles biggest leghumpers on the planet. I think he’s the guy to get the job done. You wait, you watch, and you’ll see.
My takeaway is how the Bucs are 10,000 lightyears behind the Seahawks. One team just won the Superbowl in dominant fashion. The other could barely win two games in the last half of the season. Opposite ends of the spectrum. We haven't even started the league year yet, so I'm anxious to see what unfolds this offseason to make us feel better about the future of the Bucs.
Seahawks are uber talented (especially their defense) and they changed their draft approach in 2020 and the Bucs are not far behind in terms of talent.
Problem for the Bucs is scheme and coaching. Talent can only do so much to mask things.
Problem for the Bucs is scheme and coaching. Talent can only do so much to mask things.
exactly
in 2024, Coen's great offensive playing calling, and in particular his run game, matches up with a mostly healthy line (like the Seahawks in 2025) and get the Bucs out scoring early (top scoring 1st quarter team) which makes it easier for the defense and for Mayfield. They win 10 games but then lose when that great offense chokes a couple times and the defense cannot bail them out.
In 2025 Grizz's offense matches up with a mostly decimated offensive line and has the Bucs as one opf the losw starting teams (23rd in 1st quarter scoring). Mayfield's spectacular play masks all the deficiencies early , fans start dreaming Super Bowl (and the team too according to Mayfield), but reality sets in when the real competition shows up and the team collapses on both sides of the ball, especially with the handicap of terrible special teams.
Bowles was able to right the ship in 2023, winning some big games (Packers and Falcons away) and going 5-1 in December.
He did the same thing in 2024, dominating the Chargers on the road and going 5-1 in December.
He failed in 2025. This time 3 straight division losses, by 4 points, one point and 3 points.
Seahawks are uber talented (especially their defense) and they changed their draft approach in 2020 and the Bucs are not far behind in terms of talent.
Problem for the Bucs is scheme and coaching. Talent can only do so much to mask things.
what's malpractice is ownership/front office being this incompetant
Our very Bucs beat the Seahawks in their own house. The Bucs have the talent. Bucs were 5-1; then later 6-2; then the team fell apart. Need to replace coaching staff entirely. That team that beat the Seahawks is a distant memory and not sure if we can get it back.
Bucs offense has not looked right since week 6 49ers game. They put up 32 against the Bills but other than that, 28 points versus ATL was the only other game. So 2 games they put up more than 23 points; the other 9, they did not. The 23 versus the Saints included a defensive TD and the other 23 versus NE included a garbage time TD.
On defensive side of the ball, i think we ranked last in just about every category the last half of the year. There were some blatant calls where not having a defensive coordinator let the team down.
what did we do? Ok, we got a new OC, great. But we still dont have a DC and we have the same head coach where the team quit on him.
have the same head coach where the team quit on him.
definitely the most concerning part.
Even if Bowles can turn them around (adjusting scheme, dropping some players) the defense will be on the edge of collapse so if things dont go well early it could all fall apart.
I don’t know, fellas. I once said Canales was going to bring a wide open Waldron-style offense to Tampa and now look at this . . Canales hiring Mr Ground & Pound Darrell Bevell as an associate head coach
I will show myself out
Proud of you, Biggs! Farewell.
Seahawks were a very solid team all the way around this season. Very well coached. I agree that is the result of that. I wouldn't call them one of the best super bowl teams to win it ever but they were definitely the best overall team this year. I think they were a challenge for every team this year. We kinda lucked a win there too. If there's something to take is yea coaching matters and we definitely don't give a shit about that here in Tampa. Glazers boy bowles is a pal doesn't matter if he can coach or not.
If there's something to take is yea coaching matters and we definitely don't give a shit about that here in Tampa. Glazers boy bowles is a pal doesn't matter if he can coach or not.
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