Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Disturbing trend or just an overreaction?

There’s definitely a disturbing trend going on right now and everyone can see that there is a LOT wrong with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I’m not going to sugar coat it. We fans, and those players busting their humps week in and week out, are getting short changed. Something needs to be done to right the ship, and it needs to happen now.

On paper, for what that’s worth, the Bucs have the talent to beat any team in this league. So why aren’t they? Are the Tom Brady off-field issues with his marriage, taking time off, going to Robert Kraft’s wedding, and all else affecting his play, and more importantly is it rubbing off on the rest of the team?

Is Brady solely to blame? Of course not. Todd Bowles has to take some blame as well. Unfortunately the fact is he’s a pretty good defensive coordinator and just not a good head coach. I had a feeling the same thing would happen here as it did in NY, and here we are. He can’t seem to motivate his guys, or control Brady, nor get the most out of the talent he has on this team. They reflect his demeanor, which is just most all the time flat, mellow, calm and melancholy. Normally good traits, but sometimes you have to get animated about a call. The Bucs need some fire, some passion. It’s NOT there and it comes across in how they are playing.

Byron Leftwich is also part to blame. Lackluster, predictable, un-inventive, un-creative and questionable situational play calling that doesn’t take advantage of the talent this offense has. The O-line needs to improve as well to keep Brady upright and give him time to make plays. It seems Leftwich needs to take back offensive control from Brady and start acting like the offensive coordinator he was hired to be and call better plays and get some excitement out there.

Why did the Bucs sign Kyle Rudolf? If Cole Beasley was planning on retiring why did he sign then retire soon thereafter? Julio seemed like a great move until he inevitably got hurt, another negative trend we all saw coming, although could be great when he’s healthy. But then none of our other receivers seem to step up when they have the chance. I’m talking to you Darden, Miller, Perriman. O-line may be contributing to this but Brady has thrown more balls into the carpet this season than seemingly all other 20 years combined. Maybe we should’ve signed the more durable Suh for the same money instead of Hicks?

The Bucs have struggled to score much beyond a field goal when they do get in the red zone in the last several games. The defense seems to have gone off the rails and stopped doing what was working. Something needs to change and change now.

This disturbing trend is definitely a regression of play and attitude and not an overreaction, but it’s not like this can’t turn around and turn quickly. It starts with coaching, getting back to a winning culture, attitude, and having fire, passion, and drive. No excuses. Are you in, or are you out? The fans, the players, the league and this organization, deserves better.

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