What’s wrong with the Bucs? Let our readers count the ways

TAMPA — We disagree, you and me. But that’s not unusual.

Turns out, a lot of you also disagree with each other. And with certain broadcasters, gossip magazines and about a bazillion people on Twitter.

Fortunately, we still get along because there is one thing that will always unify those of us who call Tampa Bay home:

We all disagree with the Bucs.

Heck, even when they win, everyone has thoughts, theories and suggestions about what the Bucs could do better. And when they’re 3-5, y’all are quite merciless.

A few days ago I wrote a column that explored shortcomings that we might have overlooked coming into this season. Weaknesses that turned the Bucs from Super Bowl contenders into the kind of team that can lose back-to-back games against opponents who were 1-4 and 1-5.

I also asked you to send me your thoughts on where Tampa Bay’s season went off the rails. And, I’m happy to say, you guys definitely have thoughts. Cool, funny, wacky, interesting thoughts.

Surprisingly, there was a lot of criticism of Tom Brady. Why? Well let’s put it this way: If Bucs fans take over the nation’s human resources departments, there will be no personal leave days.

Not surprisingly, there was a lot of criticism of Todd Bowles. That’s almost a guarantee when a new head coach does not have the same success as his predecessor.

A lot of fingers were pointed at the offensive line, the entire defense, general manager Jason Licht, offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and, if I understood the salty language, a few blamed me.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to email. We don’t have space to run every submission but I tried to get a representative sampling of ideas. Also, emails were edited — some might say chopped and diced — for clarity and to squeeze in as many as possible.

Questioning the return of Tom Brady

A few years ago, a guy came into the store where I work wearing Patriots gear. I joked that I’d have to charge him 10% extra. I asked him what happened to the Pats in 2019 and he said, “Aw Brady mailed it in last season.” The response shook me. Mailed it in? Tom Brady? I wonder if Tom, given all the distractions in his life at this moment, isn’t, to some extent, “mailing it in.” He’s here, he’s playing, but his heart isn’t fully in it.

Rick Reeves, Tampa

For me, I knew the situation with Brady’s return wasn’t quite right when the Day 40 return announcement occurred. We’ve grown accustomed to Tom’s father, Thomas E. Brady, speaking out on events within Tom’s life. Thomas was never shy to comment, sometimes to Tom’s disapproval. I was looking for affirmation from Thomas E., which never came. So, I wondered, “what else is there to this story?” Regrettably, we didn’t have to wait long before the picture we see today became clearer.

Mike Bach, Tampa

He is not himself these days. Perhaps it is his divorce which is bothering him, perhaps his age or the lack of confidence in his teammates. He definitely misses (Rob) Gronkowski. He seems like a man who regrets having come back out of his brief retirement.

Lewis Corvene, Hudson

How Tom Brady goes is how the Bucs go. He is just not the same QB this year that he’s been his whole career. I’m convinced his divorce and off-field problems are greatly affecting his play. He just looks lost. His accuracy is way off. If it wasn’t for drops by defenders, he should have 3-5 more interceptions. He appears to be getting rid of the ball too quickly. Doesn’t want to get hit. Should have stayed retired.

Kenneth Fulghum

No matter what Brady says, his divorce from Gisele (Bündchen) has to be weighing heavily on him. He should have gone out on top and now he’s paying the consequences for the wrong decision. I compare this season to the long pass against Carolina that (Mike) Evans didn’t catch — one gigantic bobble.

David Lubin, Tampa

Tom Brady is a pocket passer and that time is over. Defensive linemen are bigger, stronger and faster than ever.

Dr. Carlos Diaz, Tampa

Arians was a hard act for Bowles to follow

Bruce Arians built a culture of high-flying expectations and delivered on it. He didn’t care who he challenged. He took some pretty good shots at Brady. I can only imagine what went on behind closed doors. Todd Bowles is the complete antithesis of that coaching style and personality. He shows no emotion and rarely do I see him on the sidelines calling out players or coaches for mistakes, or congratulating them for good plays.

Chris Bedgio, Palm Harbor

Arians was psychopathic about accountability. Not even Bill Belichick would call out Tom Brady in front of the media. What do you think Arians would have said (to) Brady if he wanted to skip out and head to (Robert) Kraft’s wedding? “Tom, go do what you have to do, but if you go, Blaine Gabbert will start against Pittsburgh.” Don’t even get me started on the 11 days during training camp. Tom Brady now thinks he’s bigger than the team. Bowles just stands around with that bewildered smirk.

Ray Cook, North Redington Beach

I think Todd Bowles doing dual duties as both head coach while still handling the defensive coordinator/defensive play-calling has spread him too thin. The whole defense has suffered because of it. Say what you want about Bruce Arians, but is there any doubt that he would be holding Tom Brady and the entire offense accountable for their poor play if he was still the coach?

Mike Kemock, Hudson

This coaching staff never makes adjustments to their game plan. Gronk knew when BA retired that it was time for him to move on. The only TB that should have retired is Todd Bowles, not Tom Brady. Sure am glad I dropped my season tickets after supporting the team for 42 years!

Jim Arntz, Palm Harbor

A disappointing passing game

They never replaced (Antonio Brown) and so they have no serious downfield threat. Defenses now gang up on (Mike) Evans and (Chris) Godwin. In 2021, the Bucs won all seven games when Brown played. His presence worried defenses and opened up the field for Brady, giving him more options.

Ian Simpson, United Kingdom

NFL teams know the (Bucs) cannot run, so they drop eight and double cover the best guys. It’s not rocket science. So even if Brady gets time, most of the time these guys aren’t open.

Jim King, Scottsdale, Arizona

How not to replace three offensive linemen

I believe the woes of the offensive line is the epicenter of the problem. The offensive line continues to have an inability to open holes for the running game, which makes the Bucs offense one-dimensional. Without fear of the run, the defenses pressure Brady, who in turn has to get rid of the ball quickly.

Bob Joyce, Tampa

It was the dismantling of the offensive line that started the decline. I think the young, patched-up offensive line has done an acceptable job with what they are being asked to do, but it was ridiculous to think they would perform anything like last year’s offensive line. Especially with the GOAT, who is a pure drop-back passer. The league knows that if you cut down Brady’s time to go through his checkdowns, then you win.

Bill Spratt

The unexpected retirement of Ali Marpet. The hole at left guard is the one hole the Bucs have had no luck filling, and has been the most bothersome to Brady and the running game. It is unfair to expect a rookie (Luke Goedeke) from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Central Michigan to start in the NFL and protect an immobile 45-year-old quarterback to be anything but a disaster.

Charles Williams, Sarasota

It all starts with the front office

General manager Jason Licht’s dismal moves in free agency. Licht’s signing of Akiem Hicks, Russell Gage, Julio Jones and Kyle Rudolph have been a huge bust. He would have done better by spending the money to re-sign guard Alex Cappa and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who worked well with Vita Vea to keep blockers away from Bucs linebackers and stop the rush.

Henry Weese, Palm Harbor

The problem started last year and clearly point to Jason Licht’s lack of leadership for allowing Tom Brady to have so much say on the team.

Tom Miller, Daytona

It’s not one thing, it’s everything

Todd Bowles is beyond his depth, perhaps severely. Byron Leftwich’s play-calling is unimaginative and, therefore, predictable. And the tight ends have had minimal impact. If (center Ryan) Jensen returns soon enough and the team picks up a guard before the trade deadline, things could turn around quickly. After a transcendent, unparalleled career, Brady deserves to not go out 7-10.

Paul Facinelli

This team reads too much of their own press releases. At the beginning of the year, they were already being called Super Bowl contenders. Now they’re 3-5 and they’re stunned, confused and disoriented. They’re driving on four flat tires. No one knows where the spare is or how to use the jack. Pull over and call AAA.

Owen Rigsby, Seymour, Indiana

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