Todd Bowles Officially Enters Mike Smith Territory
December 13th, 2025
“Welcome, Todd!”
To Joe, there were no worse Bucs defensive coordinators this century than lousy Lovie Smith and Mike Smith.
At least Mike Smith had one good year with the Bucs and that was his first season in 2016. It was a shambles after that.
On Thursday night, Bucs coach Todd Bowles entered the Mike Smith club. Not so much for being unable to stop Kirk “509” Cousins (yet again) or for getting his defense dragged by Kyle Pitts as he set a personal record with 166 receiving yards.
No, Bowles entered Mike Smith territory for allowing a team that did its best to lose to win.
The last time a team playing on the road but still pulling out a win with so many penalties came on October 30, 2016. The Oakland Raiders had 23 penalties that day. In Tampa. Against the Bucs.
The Raiders won in overtime (thanks Hey Jude). That game cost the Bucs a playoff berth. Against Mike Smith’s defense.
Todd, this is Mike.
Joe has had all Friday to think of this: Joe doesn’t know how there isn’t a change of some sort next month, short of the Bucs making a run in the playoffs.
Does anyone really think this team can get off the mat and make the playoffs?