4-7. The Bucs were left for dead. The locker room was lost. Bowles was a dead man walking. The heated argument was whether he'd be fired midseason or wait until after the season. TKraz and the "realistic" fans and prognosticators got it right predicting 5 or 6 wins. Vegas knows what it's doing (unlike last year when they missed it by 3 games) putting the over/under at 6.5. And those of us who had rosy predictions of 9 or 10 wins knew in our hearts that it probably was a bit optimistic, and now we had to face the facts that they were homer predictions. This was a lost cap-strapped Brady hangover season. Even the homers knew it was time to toss our predictions and the season in the trash and move on. We settled in thinking about draft position, quarterback prospects and head coaching candidates.
Nobody, but nobody, saw this season turning around. So what happened? Here's my top three reasons:
1) The leaders didn't give up. Winfield, Evans, Wirfs, Vea, Godwin. They didn't complain. They didn't phone it in. They kept the team focused on winning even when they weren't winning.
2) The running game got going. Canales stuck to his plan and patiently waited for the O-line to gel and while it's still a work in progress it has progressed enough to be something the defenses have to account for. Even though the running game didn't work too well against the Jaguars, I suspect that the defense was focused on that, leaving more opportunities in the passing game.
3) The young players stepped up. Players like Mauch, Diaby, Kancey, Goedeke, McCollum, Britt filled the roles vacated by declining veterans such as White and Barrett. When there was a huge influx of young players this season nobody thought they would be so crucial to the success of the team this season, and yet they are a main reason for the turnaround.
Amazing what putting up 30 points a game will do
the 4-7 team was irry similar to the 2022 Bucs averaging 20 points a game. no hope in the playoffs
the Bucs of the last 3 weeks? Yeah those Bucs can make some noise
need to keep the momentum going
New players. New coaches. New systems. New plays. In any business, it takes time to make things work when there is a lot of newness. There are opportunities to stumble along the way. There are times of small victories as well. Kudos to the Bucs for not giving up, and keeping their noses to the grindstone. There is still room for further progress. But much progress has been made.
came from baker playing great, team rising run game from awful to average, positive turnover ratio and our opponents playing awful and not being able to capitalize on our weaknesses
this is going to save todd bowles his job, and IMHO that is very unfortunate
came from baker playing great, team rising run game from awful to average, positive turnover ratio and our opponents playing awful and not being able to capitalize on our weaknesses
this is going to save todd bowles his job, and IMHO that is very unfortunate
bowles actually doing better too. Going for 4th downs in the redzone!
I think you need an offensive minded head coach but Bowles should keep his job if they make the playoffs
It came from focus there were so many plays in that shit streak where guys played on autopilot and didn’t play in the moment. They kept track of down and distances and started thinking of their responsibilities and watched more film. It has been noticeable on the replay guys have been in position and don’t let the same thing beat them twice too much.
The things we struggled with, we are better.
Baker reading better
Canales calling better situational play calling
Godwin getting involved and healthy
Feeding your best play makers
Taking more risk
Benching players that underperform
Run game has improved
Gotta give credit because the team is improving... as much as I loathe Bowles you gotta give him some credit for keeping the locker room together
We had what one or two penalties yesterday?
this team is very disciplined.
we are forcing turnovers & getting to the quarterback as well. Baker is protecting the ball.
9 games with 2+ straight sacks longest active streak in the league.
o line + running game gelling. Canales coming into his own as a play caller. Future HC.
Gotta give Bowles credit. He stays calm, cool, and collected when fans and the media panic and complain after a few losses. He's also done an excellent job coaching up players to step in and contribute when called upon like Diaby, McCollum, Izien, Delaney, Britt, etc.
Baker also deserves major props. They did him wrong in Cleveland and it just created a bigger chip on his shoulder to prove the doubters wrong like he did in college. He plays with a ton of fight and it's infectious throughout the rest of the team.
I give Bowles and Mayfield a lot of credit. I listed my top 3, but those two would be near the top as well. But I think no coach can keep the ship afloat without the leadership of the players who lead by example. Mayfield as well can only do so much and the change from the losing to the winning was due to the O-line helping Mayfield a . He can't do much if he's running for his life. Give credit to Mayfield for showing leadership through the hard times that gave hope that the team could turn things around, but the actual turning around is due to the O-line allowing the ground game to have some success and giving protection to Mayfield IMO.Gotta give Bowles credit. He stays calm, cool, and collected when fans and the media panic and complain after a few losses. He's also done an excellent job coaching up players to step in and contribute when called upon like Diaby, McCollum, Izien, Delaney, Britt, etc.
Baker also deserves major props. They did him wrong in Cleveland and it just created a bigger chip on his shoulder to prove the doubters wrong like he did in college. He plays with a ton of fight and it's infectious throughout the rest of the team.
1. Bucs are very healthy compared to the rest of the league.
2. Teams we're playing are struggling. Got some help vs the Falcons with Koo missing 2 FGs.
3. Baker is making the throws he was missing earlier in the year. Remember against Detroit he should have had 350+ yards and 3+ TDs
1. Bucs are very healthy compared to the rest of the league.
2. Teams we're playing are struggling. Got some help vs the Falcons with Koo missing 2 FGs.
3. Baker is making the throws he was missing earlier in the year. Remember against Detroit he should have had 350+ yards and 3+ TDs
4. Kyle Trask has accepted his ceiling in the NFL is backup and has been studying the game better giving Baker some good advice during the game!
1. Baker actually playing well. The plays have been there ALL DAMN SEASON. He's finally seeing it and executing.
2. The younger guys stepping up and coming into their own.
3. Canales continuing to grow as a play caller.
4. Being fortunate in the health department.
5. Bowles showing some testicular fortitude on occasion.
1. Bucs are very healthy compared to the rest of the league.
2. Teams we're playing are struggling. Got some help vs the Falcons with Koo missing 2 FGs.
3. Baker is making the throws he was missing earlier in the year. Remember against Detroit he should have had 350+ yards and 3+ TDs
4. Kyle Trask has accepted his ceiling in the NFL is backup and has been studying the game better giving Baker some good advice during the game!
LOL.
The Baker Mayfield Bandwagon thread is loaded with receipts!!!!
Kidding aside, if you just compare to last year:
1) its a new offense so everyone is settling in. Compare Otton totally whiffing on blocks early on to now making the blocks (or at least being in the right zip code). Mayfield's CONFIDENCE is an easy example
2) We have a legit run game THREAT so even when it is NOT efficient, like against the Jaguars, it still keeps the defense honest (if Brady/Leftwich follow this approach we are so much better last year, but fans also freak out early in the season as it struggles, just like this year). KUDOS TO CANALES FOR STICKING WITH HIS BELIEFS
3) Canales has adapted as he's gone along. This is PRECISELY what Leftwich was incapable of doing. The easiest example of this is the evolving use of Godwin, but also in the run game and even in less boots and PA passing. He's made it as easy as possible for Mayfield.
4) Canales has game planned well. Everyone (myself included) expected us to come out and run down the Packers throats. Instead they saw a passing opportunity and went with it.
4) the defense now seems to be coming around. Last year it was falling apart. Who knows if this will last? Part of this is young guys stepping up
Gotta give Bowles credit.
This is the part that will get little play here, but YES.
There was a thread here about Bowles being a bad coach because he's not a RA RA guy. Turns out he's got the team playing for him AND EACH OTHER and that includes through a big losing streak and key player drama (which he handled well).
It should not be that hard to imagine his defense being dominant against either, likely with some changes to the personnel.
AND WHAT OF LICHT?
The team is greatly exceeding expectation through an intentional, post-Brady cap correction AND some of the new players they drafted are playing an important role Kancey, Diaby . . Mauch
(enter JC to cry about the family's credit card debt!)
