If they said in 2025 it was "injuries"
“I’ll take one for the team. I felt like we needed a little bit more depth,” Licht said.
“We had some injuries that affected us. We were very intentional this year of beefing up our front-7 on defense and I think we accomplished that. Now they still have to come in here and the rookies still have to prove themselves. But even in free agency with A’Shawn Robinson and [Alex] Anzalone and Kwon Muhammad, on that defensive front, we feel like we added a lot of talent, a lot of energy, a lot of leadership — guys that really have a lot of passion about the game. We’ve seen it already in OTAs.
I’m telling you, if Rodriguez was on the board, we were still passing on him.
Possibly and if they did I dont think that would be due to the Licht-side evaluation. It would be the Bowles side.
If they said in 2025 it was "injuries" and still in a defensive rebuild then of course in 2026 they are going to try to give Bowles what Bowles thinks will work best on D.
That has to be frustrating for many, but it is probably the right approach IF you commit to keeping Bowles at the end of 2025.
not sure how anyone can blame the collapse on injuries with a straight face. Sure missing our offensive guards hurts. There's no debating that, but hard to speculate just how much that would have changed the outcomes.
Injuries were worst first half of the year and Bucs were 6-2 heading into bye week
They then lost 3 games to 3 superior teams in New England, Buffalo, and Los Angeles.
Bounce back with uninspiring win against Cardinals with a 7-5 record. So far nothing seems out of whack here. Mid-year struggles with easy back half schedule sets up comparable to 2023 and 2024 seasons.
For the Saints loss, Wirfs and Evans were rested in the game because surely they can handle the Saints without them. Irving, Goedeke, and Godwin all back. Baker looking very healthy with 42 yards on the ground but a pedestrian under 50% completion percentage and 122 passing yards. A Baker 3rd quarter interception setting up the Saints in Bucs territory leading to Saints go ahead TD. With average points scored in NFL, Bucs were short with 20 points. Offensive struggles with relatively healthy squad leads to loss
Then for Falcons loss, Wirfs and Evans return as well as addition of McMillian. A full squad! Bucs up 28-20 late in 4th with Bucs at ATL 45. A completion leads to a field goal opportunity but instead a Baker INT. Never the less, need to blame defense for this loss. 3rd and 28!
Let's turn Carolina game now. Baker with 145 passing yards a late game ceiling INT. Ball was at Carolina 37. Just need to protect football and we are at least going to OT. Nope, offense fails to put up league average 23 with a final of 23-20 Panthers
Finally, relief is on the way, facing a Dolphins team led by Quinn Ewers. Oh what's that? Baker with 3 turnovers and 2 in the 4th quarter. 20-17 loss. Offense inept again
at least we ended on a high note with a dominate 16-14 win over Carolina.
It is odd, that we strengthened the run defense, when many teams found it so easy to throw against us…
"Odd" is certainly one way of putting it. Even though the pass defense has been one of the worst in the league over the last three years, we aren't going to be happy until we are a top 4 rush defense, baby.
Is the plan to sign anither cover ‘backer after camp cuts? Cuz I’m really curious as to the plan at ILB myself.
The problem with that plan is damn-near every team in the league needs linebackers that can cover better. Those guys don't hit the waiver wire very often. This will be year eight with Bowles as defensive playcaller and they haven't found one. Either it's not an important aspect for him or they are incompetent at finding the right guy. Neither is very good.
I’m telling you, if Rodriguez was on the board, we were still passing on him.
I wouldn't doubt it. Hell, I was stunned when they actually picked Bain.
That has to be frustrating for many, but it is probably the right approach IF you commit to keeping Bowles at the end of 2025.
Passing on superior talent, that is also a position of need, is not the right approach.
I think most non-leghumpers understand this.
I’m telling you, if Rodriguez was on the board, we were still passing on him.
Possibly and if they did I dont think that would be due to the Licht-side evaluation. It would be the Bowles side.
If they said in 2025 it was "injuries" and still in a defensive rebuild then of course in 2026 they are going to try to give Bowles what Bowles thinks will work best on D.
That has to be frustrating for many, but it is probably the right approach IF you commit to keeping Bowles at the end of 2025.
not sure how anyone can blame the collapse on injuries with a straight face. Sure missing our offensive guards hurts. There's no debating that, but hard to speculate just how much that would have changed the outcomes.
Injuries were worst first half of the year and Bucs were 6-2 heading into bye week
They then lost 3 games to 3 superior teams in New England, Buffalo, and Los Angeles.
Bounce back with uninspiring win against Cardinals with a 7-5 record. So far nothing seems out of whack here. Mid-year struggles with easy back half schedule sets up comparable to 2023 and 2024 seasons.
For the Saints loss, Wirfs and Evans were rested in the game because surely they can handle the Saints without them. Irving, Goedeke, and Godwin all back. Baker looking very healthy with 42 yards on the ground but a pedestrian under 50% completion percentage and 122 passing yards. A Baker 3rd quarter interception setting up the Saints in Bucs territory leading to Saints go ahead TD. With average points scored in NFL, Bucs were short with 20 points. Offensive struggles with relatively healthy squad leads to loss
Then for Falcons loss, Wirfs and Evans return as well as addition of McMillian. A full squad! Bucs up 28-20 late in 4th with Bucs at ATL 45. A completion leads to a field goal opportunity but instead a Baker INT. Never the less, need to blame defense for this loss. 3rd and 28!
Let's turn Carolina game now. Baker with 145 passing yards a late game ceiling INT. Ball was at Carolina 37. Just need to protect football and we are at least going to OT. Nope, offense fails to put up league average 23 with a final of 23-20 Panthers
Finally, relief is on the way, facing a Dolphins team led by Quinn Ewers. Oh what's that? Baker with 3 turnovers and 2 in the 4th quarter. 20-17 loss. Offense inept again
at least we ended on a high note with a dominate 16-14 win over Carolina.
A season isn't just the second half or the first half as the Bucs were the polar opposites in a single 2025 season. But if having a healthy competent guard or even competent special teams yielded this team 1 or 2 wins the Bucs are a playoff team.
Not to dismiss Bowles coaching or Mayfield's underwhelming performance but we can't ignore the rest of the problems on the team. Licht should not be left off the hook along with the training staff that allowed so many injuries to pile up.
Bottom line is that this team with the talent level they have should have won at least 1 to 2 more games regardless of Bowles or Mayfield IMVHO.
This is why pinning all their hopes on Mayfield this off season by Licht and Bowles along with the 2026 rookies feels too optimistic from my view. I think Mayfield is a very streaky player and with a competent coaching staff and talented team around him he can consistently give you double digit winning seasons. Can Mayfield do that alone though? I doubt it because he is a streaky player where he is very hot and cold.
But people presuming it is because of Bowles, Robinson, going to help Mayfield are in for a rude awakening
Quite possibly the least informed take of the day. If you don’t think Robinson will help everything on this offense, you just don’t follow football very closely. McDaniel included, Tampa hired the best OC available this off-season.
I do not see how Bowles or Robinson are going to help this team over the hump. Robison was part of the Falcons squad that went 8 wins back to back years. Bowles has gone 8,9.10, and 8. As unfair it is to Mayfield and the 2026 rookie class this Bucs organizaiton is putting all their chips on a bunch of rookies and Mayfield magic. Maybe throw in improvement from the 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 draft classes. But these coaches are not going to be pushing these guys to be their best as it must come within. Bain is a self starting ass kicker so he isn't going to need a coach to dominate and watch film. Uncertain with other talented players if they can push themselves in the absence of a proper coaching staff.
Bain is a self starting ass kicker
If you watch the UM tape you will see a man who changes games himself. He will do that in the NFL
I really can't believe he landed with us. Our defense is ions better than the one we ended the season with last year. It's weird...
ION better???Bain is a self starting ass kicker
If you watch the UM tape you will see a man who changes games himself. He will do that in the NFL
I really can't believe he landed with us. Our defense is ions better than the one we ended the season with last year. It's weird...
An ion is an atom or molecule with a net electrical charge.
Yeah, I’m not really curious. Anzalone helps, but there’s still (a slightly smaller) hole in the middle, but Anzalone is going to be on the field, a lot. The middle is till open.It is odd, that we strengthened the run defense, when many teams found it so easy to throw against us…
"Odd" is certainly one way of putting it. Even though the pass defense has been one of the worst in the league over the last three years, we aren't going to be happy until we are a top 4 rush defense, baby.
Is the plan to sign anither cover ‘backer after camp cuts? Cuz I’m really curious as to the plan at ILB myself.
The problem with that plan is damn-near every team in the league needs linebackers that can cover better. Those guys don't hit the waiver wire very often. This will be year eight with Bowles as defensive playcaller and they haven't found one. Either it's not an important aspect for him or they are incompetent at finding the right guy. Neither is very good.
I assume we knew this was the issue, but they think they have added enough to generate sacks/pressure & run the multiple scheme thing behind the pressure package.
The “chink in the armor” thing, is a big thing. As has been pointed out, this is Bowles type of defensive roster. For me, the jury is out on whether he can improve it to average, but I do think, he thinks, he has a plan and some of the players.
Agree with Biggs & Olaf that we aren’t going to get a coverage backer, and that we don’t have enough corners. Maybe we can get some rotational veteran CB’s, but I’m not so sure that’s the plan.
It will have to be proven to fans that the biggest remaining hole on the defense, the middle/secondary, has somehow been improved.
Maybe there’s some combination of talent and scheme tweak that allows them to achieve it, but I’m not seeing it.
Rozeboom can fill in at Mo if Anzalone goes down aka play weakside linebacker, make calls and flow to the ball while playing in space. Right now Anzalone is your clear #1 Move linebacker aka weakside linebacker while Rozeboom should win Mike LB to fill A gaps and take on blockers so Anzalone can clean up plays between the wash around the line of scrimmage.
The plan is to have Anzalone play centerfield with Rozeboom/Dennis/Trotter to crash down on the flats to help out if the OLBs are dropping into coverage or to have them crash A gaps to force a quick pass.
The secondary must play more disciplined and help squeeze over the top with proper zone play or else mid field becomes pitch and catch again. No way is Bowles going to drop both ILBs into coverage while asking the OLBs and three down linemen to go after QBs. Bowles likes to blitz more than that on average.
Bain is a self starting ass kicker
If you watch the UM tape you will see a man who changes games himself. He will do that in the NFL
I really can't believe he landed with us. Our defense is ions better than the one we ended the season with last year. It's weird...
Licht needed a home run draft so landing Bain, Hurst and Scott looks like a home run on paper. Those three rookies alone might save Licth and Bowles. If Mayfield magic decides to show up that helps immensely. Trotter is an x factor but if he looks NFL average over Dennis even if he rotates with Rozeboom that is a W too.
This has been a very strange off season but so far it all comes down to the 2026 draft class for the Bucs playoff hopes.
not sure how anyone can blame the collapse on injuries with a straight face.
thats you're straw man, right? I havent seen anyone from the Bucs blame the entire season on injuries, let alone "the collapse." Multiple Bucs people hace correctly stated that injuries were a significant factor. Thats obvious just by comparing to prior years
Sure missing our offensive guards hurts. There's no debating that, but hard to speculate just how much that would have changed the outcomes.
It is not at all. Just watch the games. We have multiple plays blown up by replacement guards. Michael Jordan . . yeesh
And, IIRC, by Goedke coming back and having three penalties. Wirfs in and out. Our center playing LT.
The impact of injuries doesn't typically end when a guy gets back on the filed. Have you seen Godwin play the last two seasons? Thats what makes Evans play in the second Falcons game so awesome. it is NOT the NORM for a guy to come back and explode back on the scene
To use your words, in reverse
not sure how anyone can say 'injuries didnt matter' with a straight face.
of course they did
that doesnt absolve Bowles. but it impacts the analysis
Robison was part of the Falcons squad that went 8 wins back to back years.
Canales certainly helped Mayfield.
Canales was part of a team that went 7 wins and 8 wins the two years prior.
maybe say the Bucs outcomes may not be much different but tying Robinson to the prior team to say he will not help Mayfield is odd, especially because the prior team had QB issues.
not sure how anyone can blame the collapse on injuries with a straight face.
thats you're straw man, right? I havent seen anyone from the Bucs blame the entire season on injuries, let alone "the collapse." Multiple Bucs people hace correctly stated that injuries were a significant factor. Thats obvious just by comparing to prior years
Sure missing our offensive guards hurts. There's no debating that, but hard to speculate just how much that would have changed the outcomes.
It is not at all. Just watch the games. We have multiple plays blown up by replacement guards. Michael Jordan . . yeesh
And, IIRC, by Goedke coming back and having three penalties. Wirfs in and out. Our center playing LT.
The impact of injuries doesn't typically end when a guy gets back on the filed. Have you seen Godwin play the last two seasons? Thats what makes Evans play in the second Falcons game so awesome. it is NOT the NORM for a guy to come back and explode back on the scene
To use your words, in reverse
not sure how anyone can say 'injuries didnt matter' with a straight face.
of course they did
that doesnt absolve Bowles. but it impacts the analysis
there's no doubt it impacted the offense, in terms of the interior offensive lineman injuries; i just dont know how material it was to the ultimate landscape of the season.
We were 6-2 when one can easily argue that injuries were much worse - no Goedeke, no Bucky, no Evans, No Godwin, no McMillian, No Wirfs, etc. Didn't seem to impact them as biggs would rightfully so bring up a playoff game winning 49ers who had even worse in terms of injuries.
The 0-3 slide after that against good opponents is something we are all to familiar with. Be honest, does having every one of those players in those games change the outcome? A Rams team in prime time who owns us? Easily No right? How about a Bills team on the road? One could argue maybe albeit offense didnt seem to be the problem that game. Or the Patriots game where we essentially lost by 2 touchdowns before a garbage time TD.
So then at 7-5, a relatively healthy team, Ben Benderson goes down. Cody Mauch went down in week 2. Was Ben Brederson who's name i spelled 2 different ways and wrong in this run off paragraph that important to the team that Jason Licht decides to support the OG depth by drafting a guy in the 5th round this year - Billy Schrauth. Will he be ready to step in if injury or will he be as useful as Elijah Klein, 6th round pick from 2024. Seems like malpratice on Licht's part for us not to add a better offensive guard if Ben was up for Bucs MVP last year.
Robison was part of the Falcons squad that went 8 wins back to back years.
Canales certainly helped Mayfield.
Canales was part of a team that went 7 wins and 8 wins the two years prior.
maybe say the Bucs outcomes may not be much different but tying Robinson to the prior team to say he will not help Mayfield is odd, especially because the prior team had QB issues.
I don't agree with that comparison at all. Canales had to walk into a situation and build up the roster with Dan Morgan. They decided to focus on the offense year 1 while Evero may due with scraps. Year 2 you saw more talent infused on defense and the Panthers starting to scrap in all their games even if they alternated with wins and losses which still led them to a division title. The Falcons on the other hand are farther along in terms of talent offensively and defense. Outside of WR that Falcons offense has the talent to compete with anybody. Defensively they really have the talent top to bottom to be the best unit in the NFCS. This is why gaining Ulbrich over Jimmy Lake was an improvement for them and they should continue to improve once they buy into Ulbrich's approach. The fact that Stefanski and Matt Ryan kept Ulbrich around indicates they liked what they saw on tape from the Falcons defense.
Canales had big question marks being tied to the Seahawks before coming to the Bucs but showed he could breathe life into QBs like Wilson and Geno Smith. The Bucs rolled the dice on a questionable coach that could maybe help Mayfield and he did. Robinson doesn't belong in the same conversation because of the QB play in Atlanta and also the controversy surrounding that situations and how it was handled.