Notifications

Clear all

The Curious Case of Bowles

OlafSnowfake · 2026-09-16T11:43:27Z

Its only one game, but one oddity that stands out in the plan for this "make or break" season is obviously the situation at ILB. The UNDISPUTED weakness in the Bowles defense is ILB and specifically the inability to shut down short passing to TEs and RBs. That deficiency has been on full display ever since LVD stopped being an historically incredible pass defending ILB, so the weakness has to be 1000% known to the Bucs. The problem has existed for multiple seasons. They absolutely know it. So, with that obvious, documented weakness in mind they thought the solution was Anzalone and Trotter? That is so odd because if one game is the universe of information, they clearly hit on Trotter (PFF 86.5). He had the most obvious direct impact on the game, as a rookie. BUT, they also clearly and undeniably WHIFFED on Anzalone, arguably the more important role of the two given the deficiency outlined above. Again, if 1 game is the universe of information. It makes one wonder what they were thinking, especially when there are plenty of examples of them (and Bowles specifically) picking talented defensive players. Trotter, obviously (in a 1 game universe). Morrison is 100% a Bowles pick. He's the son of a former teammate. He has health issues perhaps, but his play Sunday was great (PFF 84.4). Parrish is a classic Bowles player. So is Scott. Kancey (again health issues) was the only D-line guy flashing (PFF 83.9). So, someone on the team can identify talented defensive players and that seems to be Bowles, at least in part given this list of players. So, the question is what gives? Hypothetical, I know, but if you accept the premise of a team and defensive HC who CAN identify defensive talent, how does that team and HC see Anzalone/Trotter as the "solution" to the problem of Tes and RBs killing them? In other words, put aside the typical "Bowles sucks" cynicism and try to explain why a team that can clearly identify defensive talent and has to know the same weakness everyone else sees (pass defense of TEs and RBs) choose Anzalone and Trotter as the immediately needed fix? If it was not an immediate need (Bowles job on the line) and we are just going off the one game, you'd almost say that the Bucs thought Trotter was simply TOO GOOD to pass on even though he did NOT fit their need directly. BUT, that doesnt make sense in a prove it or lose it year, unless the issue is that Bowles cant take the idea of a rookie in the Anzalone role so thats why they didnt draft a coverage LBer. If that was the case though then how do we role with Dennis last season, effectively a rookie? And, other than being a veteran, how do they analyze Anzalone as the "solution" when to date that "solution" has required a peak LVD? No way they saw Anzalone as like peak LVD (again if the one game is the universe of play). My guess would be that because it is a make/break season Bowles must have thought he had to have a veteran in that Anzalone role and that as a unit they would cover for individual weakness from Anzalone. Thats what they have doing for years though. That is partially why the defense is bend, dont break. Again, only one game but that thought process (if true) was a BIG fail and even as the guy they drafted, Trotter, absolutely excelled. It is a weird dichotomy, but that is maybe one explanation: Bowles cna identify players but cannot bring himself to hope for a rookie to fill the Anzalone role . . even as rookie Trotter fills the other role?

Page 4 / 4 Prev

The Red Board

Last Post by FireLichtBowles2026 2 hours ago

52 Posts

11 Users

31 Reactions

652 Views

RSS

theknees

(@theknees)

Posts: 1190

First Mate

Posted by: @firelichtbowles2026

↑

ykee Smith is living off his splash plays. He is an average player. Winfield hasn't been the same since he got paid.

This is also completely false.

Posted : Sep. 19, 2026 4:25 pm

FireLichtBowles2026

(@firelichtbowles2026)

Posts: 7197

Captain

Posted by: @theknees

↑

Posted by: @firelichtbowles2026

↑

ykee Smith is living off his splash plays. He is an average player. Winfield hasn't been the same since he got paid.

This is also completely false.

It's really not... But I'll bite, what is your take?

Posted : Sep. 19, 2026 4:27 pm

FireLichtBowles2026

(@firelichtbowles2026)

Posts: 7197

Captain

Posted by: @bucsbits

↑

Posted by: @firelichtbowles2026

↑

super exciting for us fans.

Some of those fans thought Winfield a HOFer, just like Licht.

Frustrating. Maybe he steps back up this year. I get that the safety role is rough with shit around you, but he can play better, I hope.

It's the difference between good and great player. Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation

Posted : Sep. 19, 2026 4:28 pm

OlafSnowfake reacted

OlafSnowfake

(@bucsbits)

Posts: 12154

Captain

Topic starter

what now with Anzalone a complete flop?

Posted : Sep. 20, 2026 8:06 pm

JC5100

(@jc5100)

Posts: 2129

Quartermaster

Posted by: @bucsbits

↑

what now with Anzalone a complete flop?

They have to release him and go with Rozeboom and Dennis

Posted : Sep. 20, 2026 8:09 pm

Turd Bowles (artist formerly k...

(@evans-is-my-daddy)

Posts: 429

Carpenter

Posted by: @theknees

↑

Posted by: @firelichtbowles2026

↑

ykee Smith is living off his splash plays. He is an average player. Winfield hasn't been the same since he got paid.

This is also completely false.

What is completely false is your idea that this team with Turd Bowles at the helm was a 12+ win team. LOL. Lern2futballimbecile.

Posted : Sep. 20, 2026 8:17 pm

FireLichtBowles2026

(@firelichtbowles2026)

Posts: 7197

Captain

Knees won't be around for awhile. He's... How does he put it...? Playing with his labia?

Posted : Sep. 20, 2026 9:32 pm

Page 4 / 4 Prev

8 Forums
37.9 K Topics
229.4 K Posts
5 Online
25.9 K Members

Forum Icons: Forum contains no unread posts Forum contains unread posts

Topic Icons: Not Replied Replied Active Hot Sticky Unapproved Solved Private Closed

The Curious Case of Bowles

Follow Pewter Report