Is Todd Bowles' future tied to final result of wild-card sport vs. Eagles? – Tampa Bay Instances

TAMPA — Usually, when a Bucs head-coaching change is imminent, there are various indicators that discussions are going down within the second ground workplaces at Creation Well being Coaching Heart.
But it surely’s been enterprise as typical, and that bodes properly for the way forward for head coach Todd Bowles.
In fact, the Glazer household is all the time going to wish to have as a lot info as doable earlier than making any determination on workers modifications, and it’s doable a poor exhibiting in one other playoff sport might have penalties.
However Bowles already has checked some packing containers. He demonstrated enchancment, going from an 8-9 file in 2022 to 9-8 in 2023 whereas successful a weakened NFC South for the second straight yr.
The very fact the Bucs went from the oldest group within the NFL to the youngest, unable to signal exterior free brokers attributable to salary-cap restraints, and pulled out of a 4-7 begin to win 5 of their final six is a testomony to Bowles’ regular hand.
Every year is completely different within the NFL, however the aim all the time is to be a group that’s related and in a position to compete for a division title.
Whether or not the Glazers view Bowles as a head coach who can win a Tremendous Bowl finally will change into vital. They fired Tony Dungy after he constructed a Tremendous Bowl-caliber protection and went to the playoffs 4 instances in six seasons. However sooner or later, the Bucs house owners didn’t see Dungy taking the group to the Tremendous Bowl and successful it, prompting them to make a commerce with the Raiders for Jon Gruden, who received Tremendous Bowl 37 in his first yr in Tampa Bay.
One other influencing issue is what head-coaching candidates can be found. Each Invoice Belichick and Pete Carroll have been proven the door at New England and Seattle, respectively. Each might be within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame someday. However additionally they are 71 and 72 years previous, respectively, and never prone to coach the Bucs.
That doesn’t imply there aren’t some nice candidates on this cycle, and the Bucs interviewed a lot of them earlier than hiring Dave Canales as their offensive coordinator, together with Lions play-caller Ben Johnson, 49ers passing sport coordinator Klint Kubiak and Bengals quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher.
The candidate who could take advantage of sense for the Bucs is Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who already has interviewed for the Panthers job. Monken did a fantastic job for the Bucs for 3 seasons on Dirk Koetter’s workers because the receivers coach and offensive coordinator in 2019.
What’s much more intriguing is he coached Baker Mayfield for one season in Cleveland and tried to get him to signal with the Ravens as a backup to Lamar Jackson earlier than the Bucs gave him an opportunity to compete to be the starter.
It might be short-sighted to counsel the end result of Monday’s sport towards the Eagles is the ultimate referendum on Bowles because the Bucs’ head coach. It’s a part of the analysis, for certain.
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However simply as you may’t maintain him completely accountable for a poor offense beneath Byron Leftwich in Tom Brady’s closing season when he wasn’t allowed to decide on his teaching workers, you may’t put every little thing on the end result of a playoff sport towards an Eagles group that has misplaced 5 of six however has extra expertise and started the season 10-1.
Profitable 5 of their final six video games to host one other residence playoff sport is a exceptional turnaround not many head coaches might make. Likelihood is very seemingly that whatever the final result of Monday’s sport, Bowles and his workers might be rewarded with a 3rd season. Actually, a win over the Eagles all however ensures his future in Tampa Bay.
Baker Mayfield by no means likes to stop on a play, however one factor he should cease is placing himself in hurt’s approach.
That’s the most important takeaway from quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis, who says Mayfield merely has uncovered himself to too many pointless hits as a result of his aggressive spirit writes checks his physique can’t money.
“If we get him once more subsequent yr, the No. 1 factor we’ve to work on is cease taking so many hits,” Lewis mentioned. “Get out of bounds. Shut it down and don’t maintain on to it so lengthy. Two, three balls thrown away don’t matter. We want you 17 weeks. He desires to compete to the top, and generally he has to be taught to struggle one other day.”
Mayfield is predicted to start out towards the Eagles regardless of rib and ankle accidents suffered up to now two video games.
The worst of it got here in a loss to New Orleans two weeks in the past when Mayfield suffered a rib damage as the results of a late hit by Saints security Tyrann Mathieu on a two-point conversion cross try.
Though X-rays revealed no ribs have been damaged, Winfield dropped to a knee earlier than reaching the bench, the place he struggled simply to catch his breath. He completed the sport.
Then final week, Mayfield suffered a extreme ankle sprain within the playoff-clinching win at Carolina.
Taken individually, these accidents can be trigger for excellent concern. Collectively, they might knock most off the sector.
Not Mayfield.
“To have the accidents he’s had? No person can be enjoying with them,” mentioned Lewis, who was a quarterback at Duke and hung out with eight NFL groups from 2010-17. “Particularly the with the ribs. The man is over there patting the ankle so it received’t stiffen up on him, however most guys are going to take a seat down. He’s coming in, like, ‘Throw slightly filth on it and I might be advantageous.’
“He’s powerful as nails, he’s good as they arrive, however he’s going to bleed it doesn’t matter what. That’s what you need.”
Whereas Mayfield isn’t a risk to run for lots of yards, he’s efficient at ducking beneath strain and utilizing his legs to select up first downs.
“He’s making a variety of performs together with his legs and never as a scrambler,” Lewis mentioned. “If he does that, now the protection has to have anyone account for him, and it takes a defender off a receiver to maintain the quarterback from operating by him.”
Regardless of the hits, Mayfield was lucky to start out each sport this season. Slowly, he’s realizing he doesn’t need to duck right into a telephone sales space for the Bucs to win. He simply has to stay wholesome.
“Understanding the items we’ve, understanding that you simply don’t need to do something particular — do your job on the highest degree you may,” Mayfield mentioned. “You don’t need to be Superman. The remaining will handle itself. Fortunately, we obtained bailed out by the protection and particular groups, nevertheless it’s time for us to hold our weight and enhance. What higher time than now within the playoffs?”
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Rick Stroud is a sports activities reporter masking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Attain him at rstroud@tampabay.com.
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