The Law of Diminishing Returns & The Buccaneers’ Staff

The law of diminishing returns is a principle in economics that states as investment increases, the rate of profit from that investment, after a certain point, cannot continue to increase if other variables remain constant. As investment continues past that point, the rate of return begins to decrease.

The Investment

The investment in this case is this coaching staff. After investing in the acquisition of Bruce Arians and the staff he brought in. After Arians’ retired and moved farther into the depths of the front office with no real power, the Buccaneers promoted Todd Bowles. Additionally, they kept Byron Leftwich.

After winning the Super Bowl the team kept its investment in the staff. The law of diminishing returns has come into play as we have seen the previous season exit in the Divisional Round, now this season an earlier exit during Wild Card Weekend.

If you continue with this trend they won’t make the playoffs next season. Time for a new investment.

What Needs To Happen

The staff needs at the very least, a new offensive coordinator and supporting crew. Ultimately, though much of the issues also falls on Todd Bowles. Subsequently, he needs to go too.

There have been far too many issues. From not using time outs, lack of play action pass, lack of deep shots, horrible personnel decisions on starters, overall game plan being too conservative. Nothing of this looks like the winning formula of “No risk it, no biscuit”.

Final Thought

Both Bowles and Leftwich should be fired. They have failed miserably to see that error in their ways, make adjustments both in game and to the changing NFL outlook.

Oddly enough you think they would have done something. This might be  Bowles’ last shot at being a head coach and set Leftwich back a decade in his pursuit to become one. Self preservation starts with winning. Winning is predicated on ones ability to analyze their surroundings, look at oneself, and make changes. These two have shown they can’t do that.

Unfortunately, given this teams inexplicable loyalty (in the face of losing), the fans may not get either. I predict Bowles will still be here next season.