“Coaching Malpractice”
December 13th, 2025
Unfair critique?
A former Steelers and Florida State cornerback watched Thursday night’s choke job by the Bucs defense and nearly lost his mind.
Bryant McFadden believes it was both Bucs coach Todd Bowles and offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard who set the Bucs up for a heart-ripping, embarrassing loss.
McFadden cited Grizzard for having Baker Mayfield throw in the fourth quarter when instead, McFadden believed the Bucs should have gone ground-and-pound.
“Coaching malpractice, McFadden said. “Coaching malpractice. … The Buccaneers received the ball at the 40-yard line. You’re two first downs away from potentially being in field goal range to go up 11 points.
“But what did they do? They threw the football. Josh Grizzard, who is the OC, that’s a moment where you allow the running game to close the game for you. Worst case scenario, you get into field goal range and you go up two possessions.
“But because you are so aggressive with a lead in the fourth quarter, you put the ball in Baker Mayfield’s hand. He tried to make something happen [and] threw an interception.”
McFadden makes a good point. Rachaad White only had one carry but when he did have that one run he just dragged people with him. Bucky Irving was having an OK night, not great.
Still, Joe thinks this is nitpicking a bit. It wasn’t the offense that blew the game, it was Bowles’ defense that gagged away a two-score lead.
If you can’t hold a two-score lead in the fourth quarter against a rotten team in your own crib, you’ve got major problems.
And the Bucs have major problems.
“Coaching malpractice by Tampa … this is a game [the Buccaneers] should not have lost at all!”@BMac_SportsTalk sounds off on the Buccaneers after their loss to the Falcons on Thursday Night Football. pic.twitter.com/nFdAu5KrQL
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 12, 2025