Buccaneers fans, I already know this was a long trying couple of days dealing with the disaster we had to witness Monday night at Raymond James Stadium.
There are so many places we can start with what the hell went wrong but I want to focus on the commander-in-chief because it STARTS and ENDS with Coach Todd Bowles.
Lets discuss the definition of the word “ADJUSTMENT”. A small alteration or movement made to achieve a desired fit, appearance, or result” Now that we have reviewed what adjustment is let’s all agree for the past few years it seems that Bowles might not be the guy for that.
Buccaneers Offense Strikes First
Early in the first quarter, the Bucs’ offense struck the first blow with Evans 100th receiving touchdown. Mike Evans is ELITE! Bowles did the unthinkable and played AGGRESSIVELY AND IT WAS WORKING! Back-to-back sacks and playing tight man coverage and it looked as if Bowles had finally realized that playing physical and attacking rather than
feeling out an opponent would not work and the Bucs would have this game.
Unfortunately, Bowles pulled a fast one on us Bucs fans and went back to that silly ass zone cushion coverage. Remember the same cushion coverage that Kirk Cousins threw for 509 passing yards. Bowles blitzes became predictable and the Ravens offense ADJUSTED and players like Brit became exposed the
middle of the field was wide open with TE Andrews and then the dominoes began to tumble. Evans going out deflated the offense which was Coen’s fault for not ADJUSTING. Coen, where were the crossing routes? Where was the spread?
Run Buccaneers Run
Where were the rollouts for Baker to make throws on the run? Hell, why not run the ball more if it was becoming effective? I’m aware that Baker threw two awful interceptions that stalled the offense. However, the offense looked lost after Evans went out which is inexcusable when Godwin, Otton, Palmer, and McMillan were in the game and they should’ve been used to their strengths. Despite Coen’s mistakes, I have more faith in him than Bowles because Coen has more upside than Bowles. That’s the most important message I want to send is at this point it seems that Bowles lack situational awareness and urgency.
Now we all were horrified when Godwin suffered a devastating injury to his ankle. The
biggest question all Bucs fans asked was “WHAT THE HELL WAS HE DOING IN
THERE WHEN THE GAME WAS OVER WITH VERY LITTLE CHANCES OF WINNING?” The answer that Bowles gave was asinine and unbelievable.
Bowles spoke of urgency and trying to win despite having only a minute left and putting
the starters at risk. The biggest concern is where the hell was that sense of urgency two quarters ago? Where was the adjustment? Why did you not load the box and make the Ravens beat you out of it? Why when you play man press you make the corners run with receivers instead of jamming to disrupt the timing and
route running? The answer to these questions Buccaneers fans (brace yourselves) BOWLES SIMPLY HAS MORE FAITH IN THE OPPOSING TEAM THAN HIS PLAYERS.
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Year after year we see Bowles allowing teams to march up and down the field and he only tightens up in the red zone but by then it’s usually too late. A team like the Ravens are ELITE and when you play good teams you have to keep the heat on them and when you play safe you end up sorry. Bowles lack of urgency is the reason Godwin’s season is most likely over. I’m not saying I have completely given up on Bowles but I damn sure am not as confident in his decisions. At this point, Coach Bowles has until the end of the season to show that he belongs as the leader of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and right the ship or take his talents elsewhere and maybe go back to being a coordinator. You’re officially on the clock Bowles!