Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to write Todd Bowles a blank check
By Rob Leeds
In the NFL and all major sports at every level, a consistent dilemma exists: do you play the rookies to build depth, or do you play with the veterans for the best chance of winning? Todd Bowles has created a system that allows both to exist simultaneously.
The Buccaneer defense relies on veterans and rookies alike. Jamel Dean, Sean Murphy-Bunting, and Devin White played a significant role last season, and Antoine Winfield Jr has stepped into a starting role this year.
Even with all of the young players on a defense as aggressive as Tampa Bay’s, there hasn’t been a drop-off in production. In fact, the production has improved with the young players on the field. Six of the Buccaneer starters on defense (including Dean/SMB at nickel) have played two full prior seasons or less. Even the lack of experience can’t slow Bowles down.
On the veteran side, Bowles is allowing the veteran players to feast on opposing offenses. Jason Pierre-Paul, William Gholston, and Shaquil Barrett are playing at career levels and have been substantial pieces so far this year.
And finally, Todd Bowles’ ace in the hole, Lavonte David, has played like a top-10 current NFL player in this system. Every Bucs fan knows that David has been criminally underrated for years, but it is impossible to ignore this season. Bowles has been able to feature the veteran stud in new ways that have allowed for renewed interest from the national media in a way that hasn’t occurred yet during David’s career.
Todd Bowles is going to have numerous players earn All-Pro votes this season, and rightfully so.